Dec. 6, 2019

December 6, 2019

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

Additional allegations found credible against diocese’s former chancellor 3

St. Gabriel’s new pastor aims to model Jesus to others in his ministry 6 INDEX

Contact us.....................................4 Español.......................................10-14 Events calendar............................4 Our Faith........................................2 Our Parishes............................ 3-9 Schools........................................ 15 Scripture readings.......................2 TV & Movies................................. 16 U.S. news.................................18-19 Viewpoints.............................22-23 World news............................ 20-21

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redefined How you can help Catholic Charities serve our brothers and sisters in need this holiday season and throughout the year 8-9

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Vandal’s attack on crucifixes unites Tennessee basilica, North Carolina parish 3

Se aprestan a celebrar a la Emperatriz de América 10

Posadas y novenas

Tradiciones decembrinas que han perdurado hasta nuestros días

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Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | December 6, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

10 facts about Advent Pope Francis

Trust in Christ, not in psychics, sorcerers Pope Francis scolded people who consider themselves practicing Christians, but who turn to fortunetelling, psychic readings and tarot cards.

True faith means abandoning oneself to God “who makes Himself known not through occult practices but through revelation and with gratuitous love,” the pope said Dec. 4 during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square.

Departing from his prepared remarks, the pope called out Christians who seek reassurance from practitioners of magic.

“How is it possible, if you believe in Jesus Christ, you go to a sorcerer, a fortuneteller, these types of people?” he asked. “Magic is not Christian!

These things that are done to predict the future or predict many things or change situations in life are not Christian. The grace of Christ can bring you everything! Pray and trust in the Lord.”

At the audience, the pope resumed his series of talks on the Acts of the Apostles, reflecting on St. Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, a “famous center for the practice of magic.”

In the city, St. Paul baptized many people, and drew the ire of the silversmiths who made a business of crafting idols.

While the uprising of the silversmiths eventually was resolved, the pope recounted, St. Paul made his way to Miletus to deliver a farewell speech to elders of Ephesus.

The pope called the apostle’s speech “one of the most beautiful pages of the Acts of the Apostles,” and he asked the faithful to read chapter 20.

The chapter includes an exhortation of St. Paul to the elders to “keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock.”

Pope Francis said that priests, bishops and the pope himself must be vigilant and “close to the people to guard them and defend them,” rather than being “disconnected from the people.”

“Let us ask the Lord to renew in us His love for the Church and for the deposit of the faith which she preserves, and to make us all coresponsible in the care of the flock, supporting in prayer the shepherds so that they may manifest the firmness and tenderness of the Divine Shepherd,” the pope said.

The season of Advent developed in the Church over time. Here are 10 facts that you may not know about the roots and meanings of Advent: Advent is a time of expectation and preparation for the birth of the Lord. The word “Advent” derives from the Latin word “adventus,” which means “coming,” and is associated with the four weeks of preparation for Christmas.

Advent has a changing start date, but it always contains four Sundays.

It starts on the Sunday closest to the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (Nov. 30).

It can begin as early as Nov. 27th or as late as Dec. 3.

Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year. Advent was chosen to begin the year as representative of the time in history that Christ was not known to us. With His birth the beginning of our faith was founded.

The liturgical year ends with the feast of Christ the King, His reign over the universe.

The Advent season has two meanings. It emphasizes both the celebration of Christ coming into the world as a man and also the second coming when the Lord will return again.

It blends together a penitential spirit, very similar to Lent, a liturgical theme of preparation for the Second and Final Coming of the Lord, called the Parousia, and a joyful theme of getting ready for the Bethlehem event. The traditional color of Advent is purple or violet, which symbolizes the penitential spirit.

Religious traditions associated with Advent express all these themes.

Hope is a predominant theme of Advent. The Israelites hoped for a Messiah to come, and Christ entered the world. We are hopeful for the arrival of Christ again into the world.

Advent is a reminder of the Old Testament promises of the coming of the Messiah. The Advent tradition of the Jesse Tree consists of symbols of the Messiah coming from the line of Jesse (Lk 3: 23-38). Isaiah is often read during this season to remember that we are waiting for the day when the Messiah will come again.

Advent focuses on light as opposed to darkness. Christ enters our dark world and casts away the darkness of sin to redeem us. He will come again as the Light of the World.

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Advent has two parts. The first portion the First Sunday of Advent until Dec. 16 is preparation for the second coming of Christ. The second portion from Dec. 17 to 24 directly prepares us for the commemoration of the first coming of Christ, Christmas.

The origins of Advent can be traced back to the Church in France. In the 4th Century, the Church in France used the period before Epiphany as a time of preparation for baptism. It was called “St. Martin’s Lent” for the 40 days that started on Nov. 11, the feast of St. Martin of Tours.

Advent as we know today was developed in Rome. Pope Gregory I in the late 6th or early 7th Century composed many of the prayers, antiphons and psalm responses.

Many themes and ideas we now know can be traced to the Roman Advent season.

— Reprinted from the Catholic Apostolate Center, online at www.catholicapostolatecenter.org, and from EWTN

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More online

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At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Learn more about the saints we celebrate during the Advent season, including St. Nicholas (Dec. 6), St. Ambrose (Dec. 7), and St. Lucy (Dec. 13).

At www.catholicapostolatecenter.org/ advent-resources.html: Get additional Advent resources for your family, including educational videos, prayers and reflections, and guides for examining one’s conscience before confession.

Pray the Holy Infant of Prague nine-day novena CHARLOTTE — The Catholic News Herald invites you to pray the nine-day Holy Infant of Prague novena with us this Advent. This novena is rich in Church history and is prayed for nine consecutive days starting on Dec. 16 and ending on the vigil of the Feast of the Nativity, Dec. 24.

With the novena, the faithful implore the Holy Infant of Prague for His intercession in temporal and spiritual needs. When former Pope Benedict XVI visited the Prague church where the Infant Jesus is kept, he said he thought the image demonstrated God’s closeness and love through His childlike tenderness. He specifically prayed for children who are victims of violence and different forms of abuse, and he also prayed for broken and unfaithful families.

Devotion to the Holy Infant of Prague began in the 16th century. Decades later in 1639, the Swedish army began a siege of the city of Prague. The frightened citizens hurried to the shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague as services were held day and night at the Church of Our Lady of Victories. When the army decided instead to retreat, the Discalced Carmelite monks who took care of the statue and the grateful residents ascribed their rescue to the miraculous Holy Infant.

The statue has also merited papal recognition through Pope Leo XIII, who instituted the “Sodality to the Infant Prague of Jesus” in 1896. On March 30, 1913, Pope St. Pius X further organized the “Confraternity of the Infant Jesus of Prague.”

— Catholic News Herald Sources: www.pragjesu.cz/en, Wikipedia

Go online At www.facebook.com/CatholicNewsHerald: Daily from Dec. 16 to 24, the Infant of Prague novena will be posted for you to pray with us.

Daily Scripture readings DEC. 8-14

Sunday: Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-9, Matthew 3:1-12; Monday (The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary): Genesis 3:9-15, 20, Ephesians 1:3-6, 1112, Luke 1:26-38; Tuesday: Isaiah 40:1-11, Matthew 18:12-14; Wednesday (St. Damasus I): Isaiah 40:25-31, Matthew 11:28-30; Thursday: Zechariah 2:14-17, Judith 13:18-19, Luke 1:26-38; Friday (St. Lucy): Isaiah 48:1719, Matthew 11:16-19; Saturday (St. John of the Cross): Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11, Matthew 17:9-13

DEC. 15-21

Sunday: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11; Monday: Numbers 24:2-7, 1517, Matthew 21:23-27; Tuesday: Genesis 49:2, 8-10, Matthew 1:1-17; Wednesday: Jeremiah 23:5-8, Matthew 1:18-25; Thursday: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25, Luke 1:5-25; Friday: Isaiah 7:10-14, Luke 1:26-38; Saturday (St. Peter Canisius): Song of Songs 2:8-14, Luke 1:3945

DEC. 22-28

Sunday: Isaiah 7:10-14, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-24; Monday (St. John of Kanty): Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24, Luke 1:57-66; Tuesday: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16, Luke 1:67-79; Wednesday (The Nativity of the Lord, Christmas): Isaiah 62:11-12, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:15-20; Thursday (St. Stephen): Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59, Matthew 10:17-22; Friday (St. John): 1 John 1:1-4, John 20:1-8; Saturday (The Holy Innocents): 1 John 1:52:2, Matthew 2:13-18

Our parishes

December 6, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Vandal’s attack on crucifixes unites Tennessee basilica, North Carolina parish Desecration of sacred objects prompts faith communities to help St. Joseph’s BILL BREWER SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

BRYSON CITY — One vandal’s act of desecration has created fellowship between the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga and St. Joseph’s Parish in Bryson City that is a testament to the teachings of Jesus.

And the physical attack on the Catholic church and sacred objects at St. Joseph Church has solidified the friendship of basilica rector Father David Carter and St. Joseph’s pastor Father Peter Shaw, who have found they share more in common than the priesthood and a love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

On Aug. 7, a man described by authorities as under the influence of an intoxicant used a sledgehammer to destroy the corpus of a seven-foot-tall exterior crucifix that was part of a parish grave memorial in front of St. Joseph’s. The crucifix had become a city landmark.

St. Joseph Church is on Main Street, near the center of town, and the grave marker with the crucifix is placed in front of the church just off the roadway.

Once the vandal had crushed the reinforced concrete statue suspended on a heavy wooden cross, he moved inside the church and used a cross from the altar to destroy a crucifix that was placed just behind the altar.

Father Shaw said the adult male desecrated the crucifixes in the middle of the day as a women’s group was meeting in the church basement. One of the women confronted the man while another woman called police, who shortly thereafter took the man into custody.

According to news accounts that cited the police report, as the man destroyed the sacred objects he was ranting that Jesus wasn’t dead and wasn’t on the cross anymore and that the church was “poisoning the community.”

Despite the disturbing nature of the attack, Father Shaw explained that something special arose from the incident.

Other faith communities in Bryson City joined to raise money for a new exterior crucifix, with one Protestant churchgoer telling Father Shaw how much she depended on regularly seeing the crucifix and how it comforted her and reminded her that Jesus died for us.

“There’s really been an outpouring of support, and people in town have remarked how important the crucifix is to them. That’s why we have these sacramentals, to give us reminders of God’s love for us and the sacrifice Jesus made,” Father Shaw said.

“It was a beautiful, humbling coming together of the community,” he added.

But the goodwill was not exclusive to the outdoor icon.

Father Carter and Father Shaw have known each other for about five years, visiting each other’s parishes in that time.

On one of Father Shaw’s visits to the basilica he mentioned how identical a crucifix in a basilica chapel was to one in St. Joseph’s sanctuary.

When Father Carter learned of the St. Joseph’s Church vandalism and desecration, he shared his concern with Father Shaw, and the two talked of the identical crucifixes.

They then discussed a crucifix offering.

“Our crucifix was one we used on Good Friday and was in the chapel. It was important to our community,” Father Carter said. “But you don’t just give from your surplus. We gave from ourselves something important to our community to a parish in need. It was a moment of solidarity.”

On Oct. 21, as Father Carter drove from Chattanooga to Lake Junaluska for a Diocese of Knoxville priests retreat, he made a stop in Bryson City to visit with Father Shaw and deliver the crucifix.

Father Shaw welcomed it into his Diocese of Charlotte parish in the Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina.

“It’s exactly the same. It was always fun to note that the crucifix I would see when I visited his parish was one we had

in my home parish,” Father Shaw said. “What we know about our faith is that even in the worst circumstances, something good can come from it if we listen to Christ.”

Besides their faith, Father Shaw and Father Carter share a love for the outdoors that they ascribe to the scenic region

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY FATHER PETER SHAW

Father David Carter, rector of Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul Basilica in Chattanooga, recently donated a crucifix from the basilica’s chapel to replace an identical one at St. Joseph Church in Bryson City that was damaged in an attack last August. Father Peter Shaw, pastor of St. Joseph Church, and Father Carter have used the episode of vandalism to draw their parishes closer and spread the Gospel message in their communities. where their parishes are located.

Both are kayakers and they report kayaking together on occasion.

And Father Carter is a canon lawyer, while Father Shaw is completing studies to become a canon lawyer.

According to news reports, the man police arrested faces two charges: damage to personal property and breaking and entering to terrorize.

There were no injuries in the incident, and authorities say the man arrested has no connection to St. Joseph’s.

Father Shaw is hopeful authorities and the court will provide any help the man arrested needs.

“We have no animosity toward the man. Now he will be impelled to get help,” Father Shaw said.

“This is an opportunity for him to get help and help for his family,” he added.

Father Carter sees the same good coming from the incident that Father Shaw sees, and the basilica rector feels blessed that his parish can help bring out the positive from something so dark.

“Isn’t this the Gospel message? From the greatest tragedy in human history – the crucifixion – comes salvation,” Father Carter said. “Only God can make good come from evil. But He does that through us in so many mysterious ways.”

BILL BREWER is editor of the East Tennessee Catholic, the newspaper of the Diocese of Knoxville.

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Additional allegations found credible against diocese’s former chancellor CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The following joint statement was released Nov. 26 from Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari, Chancellor of Belmont Abbey College, and the Most Rev. Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte from the Diocese of Charlotte and Belmont Abbey: We regret to announce that additional allegations against Monsignor Mauricio West of sexual misconduct involving adults have been found credible in four alleged incidents in the 1980s and early 1990s, and that he continues on administrative leave. The finding of a credible allegation is not a finding of guilt but is an allegation of improper behavior that both the diocese and the college take seriously.

The additional allegations emerged after the diocese announced in March that Msgr.

West had stepped down from his position as vicar general and chancellor of the diocese. He was placed on administrative leave in March following an initial credible allegation of sexual misconduct involving an adult student at Belmont Abbey College in the mid-1980s, while Msgr. West was Vice President for Student Affairs at the school.

Two of the new allegations involved adult students at Belmont Abbey College in the 1980s while Msgr. West was supervising students.

Another involved an alleged incident in 1991 with an employee at the House of Mercy in Belmont. And one involved an incident in 1993 with an employee at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte, while Msgr. West was appointed by the diocese to serve as parochial vicar at the parish.

All of the alleged incidents occurred while Msgr. West was a monk serving under the authority of Belmont Abbey but were not reported to the college or monastery at the time. Each incident was described by victims as unwanted kissing and, in one case, touching on the thigh as well. Msgr. West has denied the allegations.

The diocese’s independent Lay Review Board investigated all of the allegations this year, after they were received by officials at the college and the diocese. Clergy placed on administrative leave are not given a ministerial assignment. A final determination of Msgr. West’s status will be made by the diocese at a later date.

Although none of the allegations against Msgr. West involved a minor, it is the diocese’s policy to refer allegations of sexual misconduct involving adults to the Lay Review Board.

Sexual misconduct includes boundary violations and inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature.

Personally, and on behalf of the Diocese of Charlotte and Belmont Abbey College, we extend our sincere apologies to all who have suffered from sexual abuse and misconduct by clergy. Both the diocese and college have zero tolerance for sexual abuse or misconduct of any kind. We continue to strengthen policies and procedures adopted by the U.S. Catholic bishops in 2002 to protect against abuse, and to maintain and strengthen an environment founded on civility and respect. To promote justice and healing for victims, we also encourage anyone who believes he or she has suffered sexual abuse or misconduct to report the allegation to civil authorities.

— Catholic News Herald

UPcoming events 4

catholicnewsherald.com | December 6, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following upcoming events: DEC. 10 Advent Reception for Deacons and Wives Bishop’s Residence

DEC. 19 Advent Lunch for Seminarians Bishop’s Residence

DEC. 12 Advent Reception for Employees Bishop’s Residence

JAN. 6-10 Bishops’ Spiritual Retreat

Diocesan calendar of events December 6, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

Volume 29 • NUMBER 5

ADVENT-CHRISTMAS CONCERT: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, St. James the Greater Church, 139 Manor Ave. SW Concord. Catholic recording artist, Donna Cori Gibson will be performing. We’ll travel with Mary as she may have experienced the mystery of the incarnation. Carols and sing-a-longs after the concert. For details, call the parish office 704-720-0600.

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

CCHS SYMPHONIC BAND ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte. There will be a reception with light refreshments and music performed by the Jazz Band immediately following the concert.

ESPAÑOL

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.

CELEBRACIÓN DE NUESTRA SEÑORA DE GUADALUPE: 7 p.m. Miercoles, diciembre 11, en el Bojangles’ Coliseum, 2700 E Independence Blvd., Charlotte. Las actividades inician con una dramatización del rezo del Santo Rosario.

Luego le siguen bailables folklóricos, la representación de las apariciones, procesión y desfile de banderas como preludio a la Santa Misa programada a las nueve de la noche. Se concluye con ‘Las Mañanitas’ a la Virgen.

Los fieles pueden llevar flores y veladoras, pero deben ser entregadas a los voluntarios que las acomodarán en el altar. Igualmente se permiten imágenes para ser bendecidas.

VIÑEDO DE RAQUEL: ¿Es usted o un ser querido que busca la curación de los efectos de un aborto anterior?

Los retiros de fin de semana son ofrecidos por Caridades Católicas para hombres y mujeres en todas las regiones de la Diócesis de Charlotte. Para obtener información sobre los próximos retiros, incluidos retiros en las diócesis vecinas, comuníquese con Karina Hernández: 336-267-1937 o karinahernandez@live.com.

VIGILIA DE ADORACIÓN: 6 p.m. los jueves, en la Catedral San Patricio, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. Nos reunimos para una Vigilia de Adoración por la Paz y la Justicia en Nicaragua, que en estos últimos meses están pasando por momentos turbulentos y ataques físicos contra la Iglesia Católica, sus templos, y sus Obispos.

Todos son bienvenidos a unirse a la Adoración, rezar el Santo Rosario, la hora santa de reparación, y terminando con la oración de exorcismo de San Miguel Arcángel.

PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS PRO-LIFE ROSARY: 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, 901 North Main St. and Sunset Drive, High Point. Come and help pray for the end of abortion, and feel free to invite anyone who would be morally supportive of this very important cause. For details, email Jim Hoyng at Ajhoyng@hotmail. com or Paul Klosterman at Pauljklosterman@aol.com.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE ROSARY, MASS & CELEBRATION: 5 p.m. Rosary (St. Ignatius Day Chapel), 6 p.m. Mass, Thursday, Dec. 12, St. Therese Church, 217 Brawley School Road, Mooresville. Procession and reception following Mass. There will be music, dancers, wonderful food and more. This is a pot luck party. You are welcome to bring a dish to share with all, or just come and celebrate.

ADVENT MINI RETREAT, ‘CALLED TO BIRTH GOD IN OUR TIMES’: 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, St. John Neumann Church, 8451 Idlewild Road, Charlotte.

Presented by Sisters Susan Schorsten, HM and Sister Gay Rowzie, HM. Sister Schorsten has served for many years in leadership positions within her own religious congregation, with the Diocese of Charleston, S.C., and in health care ministry. Sister Gay Rowzie, HM, is an educator who has taught special education, elementary school, doctoral students and has ministered at the diocesan and parish levels, in education and health care.

Lunch and light snacks will be served. For details and to RSVP, email kelly@4sjnc.org or call 704-535-4197, ext.

232.

ADVENT RETREAT, “REBUILDING MY CHURCH.”: 7:15 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Dec. 15-16, Queen of the Apostles Church, 503 North Main St., Belmont. Presented

by Father Ross Chamberland, O.F.M. Father Ross is the Vice President of Student Affairs at Saint Bonaventure University. For details, contact the parish office at 704825-9600.

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

Thursday, Dec. 19, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. Our solemn prayer service includes the blessing with the St. Peregrine relic. St. Peregrine has been called the wonder worker for his intercession on behalf of those living with serious illness.

He is the patron saint of all who are afflicted by cancer, leg ailments or any life-threatening disease. He is also the patron saint of youth at risk. For details, call the parish office at 704-543-7677.

DIVINE MERCY HOLY HOUR: 7 p.m. each First Friday at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte.

The Divine Mercy Holy Hours are celebrated year-round (except for Lent) and consist of Eucharistic Adoration, readings from the diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, the sung chaplet of Divine Mercy and benediction. For details, call Paul Deer at 704-577-3496.

24-HOUR ADORATION: First Friday of every month at Good Shepherd Mission, 105 Good Shepherd Dr., King. For details, call the parish office at 336-983-2680.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING ‘Protecting God’s Children’ workshops are intended to educate parish volunteers to recognize and prevent sexual abuse. For details, contact your parish office. To register and confirm workshop times, go to www.virtus. org. Upcoming workshops are: CONCORD: 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, St. James Church, 139 Manor Ave. TAYLORSVILLE: Friday, Dec. 13, Holy Trinity Church, 1039 N.C. Hwy. 90 West SUPPORT GROUPS RACHEL’S VINEYARD: Are you or a loved one seeking healing from the effects of a past abortion? Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreats are offered by Catholic Charities for men and women in the western, central

and eastern regions of the Diocese of Charlotte. For details about upcoming retreats, contact Jackie Childers at 980-241-0251 or Jackie.childers1@gmail.com, or Jessica Grabowski at 910-585-2460 or jrgrabowski@ charlottediocese.org.

YOUNG ADULTS ASHEVILLE THEOLOGY ON TAP: For Catholics in their 20s and 30s in the Asheville region. For details, check them out on Facebook, Twitter or MeetUp. St. Lawrence Basilica: www.saintlawrencebasilica.org/young-adultministry.

CHARLOTTE AREA: Groups for Catholics in their 20s and 30s, single or married, are active on MeetUp at www. meetup.com/charlottecatholicyoungadultministry.

OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION CHURCH: on Facebook at “Our Lady of Consolation Young Adult Ministry” ST. GABRIEL CHURCH: https://stgabrielchurch.org ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH: call Meg VanGoethem, 815-545-2587 or visit www.4sjnc.org/faith-formation/ adult-ministry/young-adult-ministry St. Luke Church: www.stlukechurch.net/young-adult-ministry ST. MARK CHURCH: on Facebook at “The Young Adult Ministry of St. Mark” ST. MATTHEW CHURCH: on Facebook at “Young Adult Life: A St. Matthew Ministry” or visit www. stmatthewcatholic.org/youngadultministries ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL: on Facebook at “The Cathedral of St. Patrick - Young Adult Ministry” ST. PETER CHURCH: Look them up on Facebook: “St. Peter 20s and 30s Ministry” ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH: online at “Aquinas’ Finest,” www.stacharlotte.com/finest HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH IN DENVER: call Nicole Lehman, 704-607-5207. St. Michael Church in Gastonia: For Catholics in their 20s and 30s in the Gastonia area. Meets once a month. Online at www. stmichaelsgastonia.org/young-adult GREENSBORO WAY OF CHRIST: The young adult ministry at St. Pius X Church in Greensboro: at www. stpiusxnc.com/woc, on Facebook at “wayofchrist” and Twitter @wocgreensboro or email Dan McCool at wocgreensboro@gmail.com.

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.

December 6, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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Mary’s Sons kneelers tour diocese SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Special prie-dieus, or kneelers, that will be given to the two men being ordained priests for the Diocese of Charlotte next year are currently on tour around the diocese, enabling the faithful to pray for the men and sign journals conveying their wellwishes.

The kneelers are commissioned each year for the new priests by the lay apostolate Mary’s Sons.

Transitional Deacons Jacob Mlakar of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte and Jonathan Torres of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte are scheduled to be ordained next June.

Hosting the kneelers in the next few weeks will be:

Religious retirement collection set for Dec. 7-8

December: 2-9 – Holy Spirit Church, Denver 9-16 – St. Therese Church, Mooresville 23-30 – St. Dorothy Church, Lincolnton January: 1-6 – St. Pius X Church, Greensboro 13-20 – Our Lady of Grace Church, Greensboro 20-27 – Holy Cross Church, Kernersville 27-30 – Bishop McGuinness High School, Kernersville 31-Feb 3 – St. Francis of Assisi Church, Mocksville February: 3-10 – St. Paul the Apostle Church, Greensboro 10-17 – Pennybyrn at Maryfield, Greensboro 17-24 – St. John Neumann Church, Charlotte As more parishes are added to the prayer schedule, the dates will be posted in upcoming print editions of the Catholic News Herald and online at www. catholicnewsherald.com.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY AMY BURGER

Special kneelers are given each June to the Diocese of Charlotte’s newly ordained priests, who then give first priestly blessings after their ordination Mass. Pictured above: In 2019, people used the kneelers to receive a blessing from newly ordained Father Michael Carlson after Mass at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ELLEN FENNIE

Sharing Thanksgiving blessings GREENSBORO — Parishioners at St. Pius X Church were among the many people across the Diocese of Charlotte last week who made the Thanksgiving holiday brighter for people in need. Church members delivered 147 full Thanksgiving dinner baskets to those in need in the Greensboro community, after collecting the food and monetary donations over the previous six weeks. They spent the weekend before Thanksgiving sorting and packing all the food, then picked up all the turkeys, pies and cakes early on Sunday morning. After the 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Masses Nov. 24, volunteers from the parish fanned out to deliver the dinner baskets to families in need.

CHARLOTTE — Our retired religious men and women need our assistance. More than 128 men and women religious in 17 communities in western North Carolina are counting on the faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte to donate generously to the 31st annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection, being taken up in all parishes Dec. 7-8.

The appeal is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office and offers support for senior Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests whose communities lack sufficient retirement funding. Nationally, some 30,000 women and men religious past age 70 benefit.

The U.S. bishops started this collection in 1988 to address the significant lack of retirement funding among U.S. religious communities. Proceeds are distributed to eligible communities to help underwrite retirement and health care expenses. Women and men religious who serve or have served in the diocese but whose communities are based elsewhere may benefit from the Retirement Fund for Religious.

Last year parishioners in the Charlotte diocese contributed $228,973 to the national diocesan appeal, which raised $25.4 million. In 2018 the NRRO distributed more than $28 million in monetary support to religious communities.

“Last year marked the beginning of the next 10-year cycle of the Retirement Fund for Religious,” noted Sister Stephanie Still, PBVM, who serves as NRRO executive director. “Since the collection was launched in 1988, the retirement concerns of religious communities have changed markedly, and we continue to respond to these evolving needs.”

The funding disbursed is known as Direct Care Assistance and represents the majority of financial support distributed by the NRRO. Religious communities combine this assistance with their own income and savings to help meet such day-to-day expenses as prescription medications and nursing care. Additional allocations will be directed toward religious communities with the greatest needs and for ongoing education in retirement planning and eldercare delivery. Nearly 94 percent of donations aid elderly religious and their communities, while the remaining 6 percent is used for administration and promotion of the annual appeal.

The total cost of care for senior women and men religious has exceeded $1 billion for each of the past 10 years. At the same time, the number of religious needing care is on the rise. In 2019, 72 percent of the religious communities providing data to the NRRO had a median age of 70 or older. Accompanying the higher median age is a decrease in the number of religious able to serve in paid ministry, which further reduces the income available for eldercare.

Hundreds of religious communities also lack sufficient retirement savings, due in part to historically low compensation.

“What has remained constant over the years is the commitment of those whose prayers, donations and advocacy sustain our efforts,” Sister Stephanie adds. “What continues to grow is our gratitude for this support. Thank you.”

The NRRO coordinates the annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection and distributes the proceeds to eligible religious communities. The organization is sponsored by the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Learn more at www.retiredreligious.org.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter. The National Religious Retirement Office contributed.

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catholicnewsherald.com | December 6, 2019 OUR PARISHES

Parishes host film screening for Black Catholic History Month adopted the faith of their captors, and according to the documentary, helped establish the parishes in what’s now CHARLOTTE — On Nov. 19, more known as the “Kentucky Holy Land” in than 100 parishioners from Our Lady Nelson, Washington and Marion counties. of Consolation Church and St. Peter Those slaves who were skilled masons Church gathered to view and discuss and carpenters helped build some of the “Facing an Uncomfortable Truth: The very first places of worship for Catholics Struggle of African American Catholics in Kentucky, as well as structures on in Kentucky.” the campus of the Sisters of Charity of The screening of this documentary, Nazareth in Nazareth, Ky. The film screening was the first of two major collaborations between the Black Culture Commission of Our Lady of Consolation Church and St. Peter Church’s Social Justice Committee. The two groups have been building “authentic relationships” since 2015 and remain committed to “walking the talk” of racial equity and social justice together.

The Nov. 19 audience seemed to find the film riveting and the discussion afterward, as well as the questions posed to Crump, were thought provoking. One key point of the discussion centered on the fact that this PHOTO COURTESY OF WBTV history remains unknown and needs to be taught and discussed openly. produced by award-winning journalist Five Catholic students from North Steve Crump, was one of Our Lady of Carolina A&T State University in Consolation Parish’s Black Catholic Greensboro also came down to participate History Month events. in the event.

Crump is a Louisville native and a — WAVE 3 News in Louisville, Ky., contributed. longtime reporter for WBTV in Charlotte.

He grew up in the Archdiocese of View the documentary Louisville and is a descendant of those At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Watch the early African-American Catholics who documentary “Facing an Uncomfortable Truth: helped build some of the oldest churches The Struggle of African American Catholics in Louisville. in Kentucky” by award-winning Catholic The film dives into the history of journalist Steve Crump the early Catholic Church in central

Father Richard Sutter was installed by Bishop Peter Jugis as pastor of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte Nov. 24. As the congregation gave him a standing ovation in welcome, Father Sutter was overcome with emotion and pointed to the tabernacle as he gave glory to God. Bishop Jugis and Father Sutter are pictured with retired pastor, Father Frank O’Rourke, and parochial vicar Father Gabriel Carvajal-Salazar.

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PHOTOS BY PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

St. Gabriel’s new pastor aims to model Jesus to others in his ministry CHARLOTTE — Father Richard Sutter was installed by Bishop Peter Jugis as the new pastor of St. Gabriel Church Nov. 24, succeeding the retiring Father Frank O’Rourke. Father Richard, as he would like to be called, recently shared some insights about his priorities as a pastor and those who helped him become the priest he is today.

CNH: What are your top priorities coming in as pastor of one of the diocese’s largest parishes?

Father Richard: My top three priorities are: 1. Be Joyful: The source of this joy is Jesus (John 15:11-12). I must be a priest who is joyful drawing strength from my prayer and sacramental life. I cannot give what I don’t have! 2. Be Available: I sense the call to go out to the people... in the words of Pope Francis, I am called to “smell like the sheep.” 3. Be Approachable: People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.

A priest cannot fake a real concern for others – the youth especially can pick up on inauthenticity. Jesus was approachable, and I wish to imitate Him in my priestly ministry.

If I am able to stick with these priorities, the Holy Spirit will do the rest. It is so important to listen to the Holy Spirit and observe the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit manifested daily in the lives of the amazing staff and parishioners here at St Gabriel Church. In the end, these words of Jesus echo in my heart daily: “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain.” (John 15:16) CNH: Of the three roles a pastor has – teaching, sanctifying and leading – which one are you most enthused about, and why?

Father Richard: I remember my second weekend of Masses in Waynesville at St. John the Evangelist Parish a little over 16 months ago. One parishioner said in a loud voice for all to hear: “Father, are you our new pastor?” I looked at her and smiled, then I said: “Ma’am, you will tell me in about two weeks.”

Being a pastor is an appointment and an honor, but the title of pastor or shepherd is earned, not given. Before one can fully teach, sanctify and lead, a priest modeling Jesus Christ, must first reach those he is sent to serve. Jesus Christ is our model.

Jesus Christ was all about the lost. Jesus Christ went out and sought to reach people.

Through reaching people where they are, I hope to be a more effective instrument of the Holy Spirit, who ultimately in the end, through me, will teach, sanctify and lead the souls He loves so very much and sent me to serve.

CNH: What pastors over the years have inspired you or given you insight as role models?

Father Richard: Two priests, one religious and one diocesan, have been great examples for me: Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari from Belmont Abbey and Monsignor Paul Reynolds, my pastor at St. Andrew’s Church in Roswell, Ga. I’ve known them both since my teenage years and they were true pastors to me.

I’ll never forget the words of Abbot Placid to me in the spring of 1999 when I decided to follow this call to the priesthood: “Richard, ever since I met you, I’ve prayed for you daily, that you will discover God’s will in your life and follow it – whatever your call may be.” He helped me so much in finding my call in freedom and joy.

Monsignor Reynolds was the pastor who knew my name as a high school teenager and had a sincere interest in me. He was a pastor focused on evangelizing with joy versus fixing with guilt. He reflected Jesus to me.

Abbot Placid was at my side when I was ordained a transitional deacon at Mary Help of Christians Basilica in May 2009, and Monsignor Reynolds, the year before he passed away from leukemia, was at my side for my priestly ordination and first Mass in Rome in December 2009. They model Galatians 2:20.

— Catholic News Herald

December 6, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Deacon appointed CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis announces the appointment of Deacon Serge Bernatchez to serve Our Lady of Mercy Parish and Our Lady of Fatima mission chapel in Winston-Salem, effective Nov. 1.

Deacon Bernatchez was born in Ontario to French Catholic parents and comes to the Diocese of Charlotte from New Jersey, where he and his wife Marilyn were married in 1995 and where he was ordained a Bernatchez permanent deacon in 2007.

Since ordination he has served for 12 years at Sacred Heart Church in South Amboy, N.J. At the parish his main focus was in a catechetical function as an RCIA director and a teacher of confirmation preparation classes. In addition, with the help of parishioners, Deacon Bernatchez started an adult faith formation program and a youth ministry program.

Driven by a sense of service to the Church, Deacon Serge said he is looking forward to working with the pastor, deacons and parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy Parish and Our Lady of Fatima mission chapel.

— Deacon John Martino

Vigil of the Two Hearts scheduled

OUR PARISHESI

honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary will be held Dec. 6-7.

The vigil is held each First Friday through First Saturday at St. Patrick Cathedral, located at 1621 Dilworth Road East in Charlotte. It is an overnight vigil to honor the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, to pray for our families, offer penance for our sins (especially abortion), and pray for our nation’s conversion. This is to honor Our Lady of Fatima’s request for prayer and penance.

Devotion begins with 8 p.m. First Friday Mass, Dec. 6, followed by nocturnal Adoration and concluding with 8 a.m. 1st Saturday Mass on Dec. 7.

All families and parishes are invited to participate. Sign up for Eucharistic Adoration times or stay updated on future vigils by joining the e-mail list at ProLifeCharlotte.org/twohearts, or contact info@prolifecharlotte.org.

— Mike FitzGerald, correspondent

The Catholic Diocese of Charlotte Housing Corporation seeks an Asset

Mission celebrates feast day

Manager in Charlotte, NC, who, among other duties, oversees the physical,

SAPPHIRE — Father Jason Barone, administrator, and parishioners of St. Jude Mission celebrated their patronal feast of St. Jude Oct. 27 with a Mass followed by the Litany of St. Jude and procession outside to the Grotto of Our Lady of Guadeloupe to the hymn “Sing with All the Saints in Glory.” There the congregation prayed the Prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus and the Promise to St. Jude Thaddeus. This was followed by a brunch in the parish hall hosted by the Ladies of St. Jude.

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Asset Manager

financial and regulatory operations of our housing portfolio; assists with project/partnership closings through construction, lease-up and stabilization; and coordinates with local churches to aid in the delivery of services and activities for our residents.

For a full job description, please visit www.charlottediocese.org/housing.

Interested applicants must submit both a cover letter with salary requirements and resume to cdchc@CharlotteDiocese.org (no phone calls, please).

Positon will remain open until filled.

— Cathy Vergo

CHARLOTTE — The next city-wide vigil

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catholicnewsherald.com | December 6, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

HOLIDAY GIVING

redefined

Your donation this Advent will bring the Church’s ministry of charity to those in need

A

s you do your holiday shopping this season, consider taking a different approach to your gift giving – and add our brothers and sisters in need to your gift list.

For seven decades, the mission of Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte has been to strengthen families, build communities and reduce poverty. The diocese’s charitable agency has offices in Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, Murphy and Winston-Salem. Here’s how you can help the Catholic Charities location near you, this holiday season and throughout the year:

Donate by mail or phone Please mail donations to: Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, Attn: Central Processing All Regions 1123 South Church St. Charlotte, N.C. 28203-4003 Or call: 704-370-3281

Donate online Make a safe and secure online donation to Catholic Charities at www. ccdoc.org.

Donate cars and vehicles Make your car go the extra mile and help fund Catholic Charities outreach programs in the diocese. Catholic Charities partners with Charitable Auto Resources to accept car and other vehicle donations. To donate your car, truck, RV, boat, motorcycle, or other vehicle to Catholic Charities through CARS, go online to www.ccdoc.org or call 855-930-GIVE (855-930-4483).

Donate stocks or securities Reach out to people in need through a gift of stock to Catholic Charities.

A gift of stock may be made via electronic transfer or by physical certificate.

The Diocese of Charlotte maintains a brokerage account with Wells Fargo Advisors for the purpose of processing electronic transfers to the diocese for the benefit of Catholic Charities. (The diocese cannot initiate stock transfers on your behalf. Please contact your broker directly.) Go online to www.ccdoc.org for details or contact Mark Greene at mtgreene@ charlottediocese.org or 704-370-3395.

Donate grocery items Catholic Charities’ food pantries in Charlotte, Winston-Salem and Asheville rely heavily on donated food and nonfood items for weekly distribution to clients. Items regularly requested by clients are: canned fruit; juice, tea and coffee; rice; spaghetti sauce and pasta; and tuna. Non-food items, like toiletries, laundry detergent and paper products are also needed. The Charlotte food pantry can also accept refrigerated products like milk, yogurt, cheese and fresh produce. Please schedule a drop-off in advance.

To schedule your drop-off, call: 828-255-0146 in Asheville 704-370-3295 in Charlotte 336-727-0705 in Winston-Salem

Questions?

Go online to www.ccdoc.org for details on how you can donate or volunteer to strengthen families, build communities and reduce poverty right here in western North Carolina.

Canned and non-perishable food Donations of canned fruit and vegetables, tuna, spaghetti sauce, pasta, rice, juices, soups and other staples are needed at all Catholic Charities’ food pantries.

December 6, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Personal hygiene products Donations of soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, lotions and other personal hygiene items are always welcome at all Catholic Charities’ locations. Many clients are unable to purchase these essential items themselves, and they cannot use government food assistance benefits (SNAP) to buy them.

Scarves, hats and gloves Catholic Charities’ office in WinstonSalem could use donations of new gloves, hats and scarves to give out to clients this winter.

Gift and gas cards Gas and store gift cards are a great way to help people buy what they need for their families, particularly during the holidays, but any time during the year. Gas and gift cards are welcome at all of Catholic Charities’ locations.

Basic household supplies Cleaning supplies, paper products and other household supplies – including necessities like toilet paper and laundry soap – are not covered under government assistance (SNAP), so donations are always needed at all Catholic Charities’ locations.

Use AmazonSmile to help Catholic Charities, too Amazon donates 0.5 percent of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. Support Catholic Charities’ efforts by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com. When asked to select your charity, type “Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte” in the search box.

FACEBOOK.COM/ CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD ESPAÑOL

catholicnewsherald.com | December 6, 2019 10

Diácono Enedino Aquino

La gratitud

E

n estos tiempos en que acabamos de celebrar el día de acción de Gracias en este país, me recuerda que la expresión “gracias” expresa agradecimiento y es un ejercicio para practicar cada día y bajo cualquier circunstancia, aunque haya ocasiones en que no lo amerite.

Por ejemplo, cuando en nuestras vidas pasan momentos críticos, nos alejamos del corazón de Dios y nos preguntamos por qué tenemos que dar gracias. Pero, sin embargo, es necesario hacerlo pues nos hace bien al corazón y aporta a la confianza en Dios.

La gratitud sincera rompe la barrera del orgullo y abre la puerta de la humildad.

Y cuando es dirigida a Dios expresa dependencia a acercarnos al que puede darle sentido hasta al dolor humano.

Hermano, no sé qué esté pasando por tu vida y respeto tu dolor, tu angustia, tu pesar. Pero yo te digo, no te alejes de su Amor. Darle gracias a Dios por lo bueno y por lo malo es una plataforma a donde puede llegar la gracia y la paz que necesitas.

El salmo de agradecimiento dice: “¡Aclamen con alegría al Señor, habitantes de toda la tierra! Adoren al Señor con gozo. Vengan ante Él cantando con alegría. ¡Reconozcan que el Señor es Dios! Él nos hizo y le pertenecemos; somos su pueblo, ovejas de su prado. Entren por sus puertas con acción de gracias; vayan a sus atrios con alabanza. Denle gracias y alaben su nombre. Pues el Señor es bueno. Su amor inagotable permanece para siempre y su fidelidad continúa de generación en generación” (Salmo 100).

No hay excusas para no ser agradecidos con Dios por todo lo que nos da, pero además debemos serlo con las personas que nos rodean.

Como declara el dicho popular, “no puedes dar lo que no tienes”. Así que cultiva esta palabra en tu corazón y luego compártela con los demás para que se propague la hermosa semilla llamada ‘gratitud’.

Comienza este nuevo año que se avecina con una actitud de verdadero agradecimiento en tu corazón. Si reflexionas un momento, verás que hay muchas razones para dar gracias.

“Estén siempre alegres. Nunca dejen de orar, sean agradecidos en toda circunstancia, pues esta es la voluntad de Dios para ustedes, los que pertenecen a Cristo Jesús” (1 Tesalonicenses 5:16-18).

En conclusión, la gratitud da sentido a nuestro pasado, trae paz al presente y crea una visión para el mañana. ¡Gracias Señor!

EL DIÁCONO ENEDINO AQUINO es el coordinador del Ministerio Hispano de la Vicaría de Greensboro.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Al igual que todos los años, se espera que una gran cantidad de fieles replete las graderías del Coliseo Bojangle’s durante la celebración de la fiesta de la Morenita del Tepeyac que organiza la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte. En la mayoría de las parroquias de la diócesis se efectuarán actos recordatorios a las apariciones de la Lupita a San Juan Diego en 1531.

Se aprestan a celebrar a la Emperatriz de América CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE ­— Cada 12 de diciembre, la Iglesia Católica celebra la Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe conmemorando la aparición de la Virgen María a un indígena llamado Juan Diego, en 1531. Juan Diego fue proclamado santo por San Juan Pablo II en 2002.

Cuenta la historia que, en uno de sus encuentros, la Virgen María le encargó a San Juan Diego que recogiera rosas en su tilma, una tela muy sencilla, para que se las presentara al Arzobispo de México, Monseñor Juan de Zumárraga, quien reclamaba una prueba de las apariciones.

Cuando Juan Diego desplegó la tilma con las rosas ante la autoridad eclesiástica, apareció impresa la imagen de Nuestra Señora Guadalupe.

Otro verdadero milagro aconteció poco después, ya que en los siguientes siete años, más de nueve millones de aztecas se convirtieron al cristianismo.

Una gran fiesta se prepara para la vigilia de la fecha central de la aparición mariana en la Ciudad de México, lugar donde se ubica la Basílica Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, en las faldas del cerro Tepeyac, donde sucedieron los milagrosos hechos.

En México y en todo el mundo, las iglesias se colman de fieles la noche del 11 de diciembre festejando “las mañanitas a la Guadalupana” o serenata a la Virgen.

Como es de imaginarse, el santuario de Guadalupe es visitado ese día por más de 5 millones de personas, de los aproximadamente veinte millones que lo visitan cada año.

Forbes Traveler, un sitio web dedicado al turismo, publicó una lista de los 20 lugares de turismo religioso que lidera la Basílica de la Virgen de Guadalupe de México, dejando atrás al Vaticano, con 18 millones de visitantes anuales.

El 12 de octubre de 1895 la Virgen de Guadalupe fue coronada canónicamente en México. En 1910, el Papa Pío X la nombró Patrona de América Latina y el Papa Pío XII la llamó ‘Emperatriz de las Américas’ en 1945.

CELEBRACIONES LOCALES

Una de las más grandes fiestas la organiza la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte el 11 de diciembre en el Bojangles’ Coliseum.

Las actividades inician a las siete de la noche con una dramatización del rezo del Santo Rosario. Luego le siguen bailables folklóricos, la representación de las apariciones, procesión y desfile de banderas como preludio a la Santa Misa programada a las nueve de la noche. Se concluye con Las Mañanitas a la Virgen.

Los fieles pueden llevar flores y veladoras, pero deben ser entregadas a los voluntarios que las acomodarán en el altar.

Igualmente se permiten imágenes para ser bendecidas.

Si bien el ingreso es gratuito, el estacionamiento que administran los concesionarios del lugar de espectáculos tiene un costo. Los organizadores recomiendan llevar diez dólares en efectivo puesto que el pago es en ‘cash’ y, en ocasiones, han podido apreciar que muchos automovilistas no pueden ingresar por no disponer del monto en efectivo.

Para el jueves 12, ya en su iglesia local de Tuckaseegee Road, la parroquia invita a Las Mañanitas a las cinco de la mañana con Misa a las 6:30 a.m., mariachi para seguir la fiesta y chocolate con pan dulce para los asistentes. Otras misas se celebrarán a las 12 y 7 p.m.

En Greensboro se prepara una celebración en Meridian Convention Center, 312 W Meadowview Road, en el Salón CELEBRAR, PASA A LA PÁGINA 17

December 6, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Hasta pronto, Padre Fidel Melo CHARLOTTE — Coordinadores de los diferentes vicariatos de la Diócesis de Charlotte, sacerdotes y amigos se reunieron para desear un feliz año sabático al Padre Fidel Melo, director del Ministerio Hispano de nuestra diócesis. El Padre Melo, quien actualmente reside en la casa parroquial de la Iglesia San Gabriel, viajará a principios del próximo año a Florida, donde disfrutará de un año sabático en compañía de su padre. Sus colaboradores más cercanos le ofrecieron un almuerzo en el que no faltó la carne asada, frijoles, tortillas, cebiche de camarones y otras delicias. El Padre Melo agradeció las muestras de aprecio y prometió retornar a la diócesis para seguir colaborando en la evangelización del área.

“Me gustaría volver a trabajar en una pequeña parroquia, como al principio”, señaló. También dijo que próximamente, de acuerdo al calendario del Obispo Jugis, se anunciará la designación de la persona que tomará su cargo en la dirección del Ministerio Hispano.

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704-530-2632

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

La Inmaculada Concepción El dogma, explicado paso por paso Cada 8 de diciembre la Iglesia celebra la Inmaculada Concepción de la Santísima Virgen María. El dogma de fe según el cual la Madre de Jesús fue preservada del pecado desde el momento de su concepción.

Es decir, desde el instante en que comenzó su vida humana.

A mediados del siglo XIX, el Papa Pío IX, después de recibir numerosos pedidos de obispos y fieles de todo el mundo, ante más de 200 cardenales, obispos, embajadores y miles de fieles católicos, declaró con su bula “Ineffabilis Deus”: “Que la doctrina que sostiene que la Beatísima Virgen María fue preservada inmune de toda mancha de la culpa original en el primer instante de su concepción por singular gracia y privilegio de Dios omnipotente, en atención a los méritos de Cristo Jesús, Salvador del género humano, está revelada por Dios y debe ser por tanto firme y constantemente creída por todos los fieles...”

Poco más de tres años después, en una de sus apariciones en Lourdes, la Virgen María se presentó ante la humilde pastorcita Santa Bernardita Soubirouscon estas palabras: “Yo soy la Inmaculada Concepción”.

Actualmente son miles las iglesias dedicadas a esta advocación en todo el mundo y millones de fieles le tienen una particular devoción. La Inmaculada

Concepción es patrona de España, es conocida como ‘La Purísima’ en Nicaragua, a través de la imagen de Nuestra Señora de ‘El Viejo’, y venerada como la ‘Virgen de Caacupé’ en Paraguay.

¿A QUIÉN SE REFIERE LA INMACULADA CONCEPCIÓN?

La Inmaculada Concepción hace referencia a la manera especial en que fue concebida María. Esta concepción no fue virginal ya que ella tuvo un padre y una madre humanos, pero fue especial y única de otra manera.

¿QUÉ ES LA INMACULADA CONCEPCIÓN?

El dogma de la Inmaculada Concepción, proclamado en 1854 por el Papa Pío IX, afirma que “la bienaventurada Virgen María fue preservada inmune de toda la mancha de pecado original en el primer instante de su concepción por singular gracia y privilegio de Dios omnipotente, en atención a los méritos de Jesucristo Salvador del género humano”.

¿MARÍA NUNCA PECÓ?

Nunca. Ella no solo fue protegida del pecado original, sino también del pecado personal.

¿JESÚS NECESITABA MORIR POR MARÍA?

No. María fue concebida inmaculada como parte de su ser “llena de gracia” y así “redimida desde el momento de su concepción” por “una singular gracia y privilegio de Dios Todopoderoso y por virtud de los méritos de Jesucristo, salvador de la raza humana”.

¿HAY UN PARALELO ENTRE MARÍA Y EVA?

Adán y Eva fueron creados inmaculados, sin pecado original o mancha.

Cristo y María fueron también concebidos inmaculados. Ambos permanecieron fieles y a través de ellos la humanidad fue redimida del pecado.

¿ES MARÍA UN ÍCONO DE NUESTRO DESTINO?

Aquellos que mueren en la amistad con Dios y así para ir al Cielo serán liberados de todo pecado y mancha de pecado.

Seremos así todos vueltos “inmaculados” si permanecemos fieles a Dios.

Incluso en esta vida, Dios nos purifica y prepara en santidad y, si morimos en su amistad pero imperfectamente purificados, Él nos purificará en el purgatorio y nos volverá inmaculados.

En palabras de San Juan Pablo II, podemos decir que “María, al lado de su Hijo, es la imagen más perfecta de la libertad y de la liberación de la humanidad y del cosmos. La Iglesia debe mirar hacia ella, Madre y Modelo, para comprender en su integridad el sentido de su misión”.

¿ERA NECESARIO QUE FUERA INMACULADA?

No. La Iglesia sólo habla de la Inmaculada Concepción como algo que era “apropiado”, algo que hizo de María una “morada apropiada” para el Hijo de Dios, no algo que era necesario.

“La misma santísima Virgen fue por gracia limpia de toda mancha de pecado y libre de toda mácula de cuerpo, alma y entendimiento, siempre estuvo con Dios, y unida con Él con eterna alianza”, explicó el Papa Pío IX. — Condensado de ACIPRENSA

DICIEMBRE 8-14

Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will.

Luke 2:14

This Advent and Christmas set your heart and mind on the things above!

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Lecturas Diarias Domingo: Isaías 11:1-10, Romanos 15:49, Mateo 3:1-12; Lunes (La Inmaculada Concepción): Génesis 3:9-15, 20, Efesios 1:36, 11-12, Lucas 1:26-38; Martes: Isaías 40:1-11, Mateo 18:12-14; Miércoles (San Dámaso I): Isaías 40:25-31, Mateo 11:28-30; Jueves: Zacarías 2:14-17, Judith 13:18-19, Lucas 1:2638; Viernes (Sta. Lucía): Isaías 48:17-19, Mateo 11:16-19; Sábado (San Juan de la Cruz): Sirácides 48:1-4, 9-11, Mateo 17:9-13

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Monday, December 23rd DICIEMBRE 15-21

Domingo: Isaías 35:1-6, 10, Santiago 5:7-10, Mateo 11:2-11; Lunes: Números 24:2-7, 15-17, Mateo 21:23-27; Martes: Génesis 49:2, 8-10, Mateo 1:1-17; Miércoles: Jeremías 23:5-8, Mateo 1:18-25; Jueves: Jueces 13:2-7, 24-25, Lucas 1:5-25; Viernes: Isaías 7:10-14, Lucas 1:26-38; Sábado (San Pedro Canisio): Cantar de los Cantares 2:8-14, Lucas 1:39-45

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12

catholicnewsherald.com | December 6, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Se preparan para la llegada de la Navidad aplicamos ciertas actitudes, como motivar a que la gente se involucre.

Al participar en la vida comunitaria, GASTONIA — Con el propósito de indicó que la gente desarrolla “una preparar a la comunidad para recibir la sensibilidad humana a partir de un navidad y conducir por buen término encuentro personal con Jesús”. el tiempo de adviento, la parroquia San Luego dijo que es necesario “dejarse Miguel realizó un retiro el pasado sábado acompañar” para ver los frutos “que 23 de noviembre. recibimos del Señor y la comunidad. Y El evento, al que asistieron más de cien celebrar, porque no podemos celebrar personas, se llevó a cabo en el gimnasio si no hay debajo de todo un trabajo de la escuela y contó con la presencia del pastoral”. diácono Darío García y el Padre Juan Resaltó que “la cultura del encuentro” José Juya como expositores. y la ternura de Dios deben encararse “Queremos proponer que este tiempo con una actitud de amor. “La falla es de adviento sea de encuentro con Jesús, que queremos encontrarnos con el a través de la familia y de la comunidad”, otro pero queremos presentar a la vez actitudes negativas.

En la vida cristiana eso no es posible.

Todo encuentro lleva al perdón y a la misericordia, y a hacer sentir al otro que es imagen y semejanza de Dios, razón grande que recibimos de la vida divina que nos llega a través del sacramento del bautismo”.

La “cultura del encuentro”, término utilizado frecuentemente por el Papa Francisco, se refiere a la búsqueda de un objetivo común, animando a las personas a ser intrépidas, en la forma en que miran más allá de sí mismos, a las necesidades de los demás. “La fe es un encuentro con Jesús, y debemos hacer lo que Él hacía: encontrar a otros”, ha señalado el Pontífice.

En la exhortación apostólica “Evangelii Gaudium” (“La alegría del Evangelio”), publicada por el Sumo Pontífice en 2013, el Papa Francisco invita a dar un sí a las relaciones que CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD genera Jesucristo: Más de un centenar de fieles de la parroquia San Miguel en Gastonia vivieron “Hoy que las redes el Retiro de Adviento que se convocó en preparación espiritual por la próxima llegada de la Navidad. Los jóvenes también realizaron un retiro con y los instrumentos de la comunicación la misma intención pero en una fecha anterior. El Padre José A. Juya dijo humana han estar satisfecho de la numerosa participación. alcanzado desarrollos inauditos, sentimos dijo el Padre Juya, vicario parroquial y el desafío de descubrir y transmitir la coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del mística de vivir juntos, de mezclarnos, vicariato de Gastonia. de tomarnos de los brazos, de apoyarnos, El P. Juya, durante una de las charlas, de participar de esa marea algo hizo un paralelo entre el caminar de los caótica que puede convertirse en una discípulos de Jesús al pueblo de Emaús, verdadera experiencia de fraternidad, en el que se encuentran con Jesús mismo en una caravana solidaria, en una pero no lo reconocen sino hasta que santa peregrinación. De este modo, las realiza la fracción del pan. mayores posibilidades de comunicación “Es que tenemos varias vendas en los se traducirán en más posibilidades de ojos”, señaló. “El cansancio, a veces la encuentro y solidaridad entre todos”. falta de compromiso, la exclusión, son La parroquia San Miguel realizó barreras y vendas que no nos dejan ver la previamente un encuentro similar pero misericordia del Señor en nuestras vidas. dirigido únicamente a los jóvenes.

Al igual, el orgullo, la soberbia y el miedo hacen mella en nuestra comunidad al Más online hacernos indiferentes a la vida cristiana En www.bit.ly/35YxrJT: Vea un video sobre y al impedirnos vivir una navidad en paz, esta actividad realizada en la parroquia San alegría y mucho entusiasmo”, añadió.

Miguel.

Sin embargo, dijo, la solución a CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

este problema la tenemos al frente si

Posadas y novenas Tradiciones decembrinas que han perdurado hasta nuestros días CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE ­— En México existe la tradición de celebrar en los días previos a la Navidad ‘Las posadas’, que recuerdan las dificultades que pasaron San José y la Virgen María para hallar un lugar donde naciera Jesús.

En otros países de Latinoamérica, la Novena de Aguinaldos, otro novenario pero con idéntica intención, está ampliamente difundido.

El P. Fidel Melo, director del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte, señaló que la tradición mexicana es producto de una adaptación evangelizadora de los primeros grupos misioneros que se asentaron en el país azteca.

En una publicación de ACIPRENSA, el Padre José de Jesús Aguilar, director de Arte Sacro de la Arquidiócesis Primada de México, recordó que “los agustinos descubrieron que los indígenas celebraban con cantos y luces el nacimiento del Sol en las cercanías del solsticio de invierno, del 20 al 23 de diciembre”, por lo que decidieron comparar a Cristo con el Sol, “y enseñar que Jesucristo es el verdadero sol de Verdad y de Justicia”.

Así, los sacerdotes “aprovecharon las celebraciones nocturnas de origen prehispánico y les dieron un nuevo significado: acompañar a María y a José en su peregrinar hacia Belén, buscando posada”.

El Padre Melo aseguró que no fue sino hasta finales del siglo XVI que el Papa Sixto V concedió permiso para que celebre nueve misas nocturnas en los días previos a la Navidad.

De esta manera, las posadas comenzaron con la celebración de nueve misas, del 16 al 24 de diciembre. Posteriormente se añadieron otros elementos fuera de la iglesia, como la procesión con los peregrinos, el canto de la letanía mariana, la petición de posada y las piñatas.

Respecto a éste último elemento, la piñata, es una artesanía elaborada de una olla de barro o de cartón, o una estructura de alambre cubierta de papel, adornada de papel de colores.

Según el simbolismo, la piñata tiene la forma de una estrella de siete picos y cada uno de ellos representa un pecado capital, que con sus vivos colores seduce al inocente llevándolo al pecado. La persona con los ojos vendados representa al creyente, que con la fe vence al pecado y recupera la gracia, don de Dios representado por la caída de golosinas y regalos.

Las Posadas rememoran los meses previos al nacimiento de Jesús, terminando con su llegada a Belén. Cada uno de los nueve días tiene un distinto significado: humildad, fortaleza, desapego, caridad, confianza, justicia, pureza, alegría y generosidad.

Se puede celebrar cada día en una casa diferente, o bien, se tiene la costumbre de organizar a los vecinos por calles o cuadras y de este modo a cada cuadra le va tocando

IMAGEN DOROTHEE QUENNESSON, PIXABAY

Las Posadas, tradición mexicana, al igual que las Novenas de Aguinaldos, tradición colombiana, se llevarán a cabo del 16 al 24 de diciembre. Familias y parroquias ya realizan los preparativos para esta jornada de fe que va al encuentro del nacimiento del Redentor. la realización de cada una de las 9 posadas.

En ella, la gente se reúne y, portando velas, forma una pequeña peregrinación a la cual se les reparten velas y se prenden para acompañar el llamado “misterio”, que son estatuas o personas disfrazadas de José, María, el Ángel y un burro.

Cantando villancicos, los peregrinos llegan a la casa donde se pedirá posada, donde las personas dentro cantan negando alojamiento, hasta descubrir que se trata de José y María. Es entonces que dejan entrar a toda la peregrinación cantando el estribillo “entren santos peregrinos”.

Dentro de la ‘posada’ se realizan rezos y se festeja la llegada de María y José.

LA NOVENA DE AGUINALDOS

El Padre Fabio Marín, párroco de San José en Kannapolis, nos informó que la Novena de Aguinaldos es una costumbre muy arraigada en Colombia, “‘llegada con los españoles y la tradición sevillana” en la que “la familia se reúne en oración en espera de la llegada del nacimiento del hijo de Dios”.

Por su carácter espiritual dijo, la Novena se reza generalmente en la celebración de la Eucaristía, aunque también se reza en las casas y “se convierte en una oración de familia”.

Si bien señaló, el propósito del rezo de la Novena de Aguinaldos no va acompañado de un agasajo, regularmente en las casas se ofrecen dulces a los asistentes.

El Padre Marín, natural de Colombia, explicó que en la región paisa, se sirve la natilla, un dulce de maíz, acompañado con un buñuelo (masa de harina con queso).

En el Valle dijo, se sirve manjar blanco con pan de bono.

En la región andina, añadió, chocolate caliente con buñuelo, para aliviar las bajas temperaturas.

La Novena, originalmente creada por Fray Fernando de Jesús Larrea, fue escrita por pedido de la fundadora del Colegio de la Enseñanza en Bogotá, doña Clemencia de Jesús Caicedo Vélez. Mucho después, la religiosa madre María Ignacia la modificó agregando los gozos.

Según el nuevo esquema, diariamente se rezan un conjunto de oraciones formados por la oración diaria, consideraciones del día, oración a la Virgen María, oración a San José, gozos para la venida del Niño Jesús y la oración por el Niño Jesús.

Para seguirla correctamente, sugiere el Padre Marín, es necesario contar con el librito de oraciones de la Novena de Aguinaldos.

December 6, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

13

Para revivir el espíritu de la Navidad CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE ­­— Para el inmigrante, la Navidad tiene un significado especial. Lejos de la familia, de los amigos, de la tierra que nos vio nacer, la Navidad nos trae el recuerdo del verdadero hogar que, por una u otra razón, nos vimos obligados a abandonar.

En esta época del año nos invade la nostalgia al recordar a los seres que dejamos atrás y que, lamentablemente con el paso de los años, abandonaron este mundo. En muchos casos, los abuelos, los hermanos, mamá y papá partieron ya y nos fue imposible regresar para despedirnos de ellos.

Se nos viene a la mente el arreglo del nacimiento, el humeante y dulce chocolate que -con más o menos agua dependiendo de los invitados que llegaban a casadisfrutábamos todos como familia.

Repasamos en nuestra mente, una y otra vez, los rostros de los amigos y familiares que nunca dejaban de visitarnos en esta fecha tan especial.

Hoy, viviendo en otro mundo, en otra cultura, el arreglo de la casa, las compras de los regalos, el apuro por encontrar todos los ingredientes para la preparación de una abundante cena de nochebuena, muchas veces nos hacen dejar de lado el verdadero significado de la Navidad que es la llegada de Nuestro Salvador Jesucristo.

Para recordar ese espíritu, visitar la Biblioteca Billy Graham y la ciudad de McAdenville nos pueden dar una gran ayuda.

NAVIDADES EN LA BIBLIOTECA

Ubicada en la zona suroeste de la ciudad, la Biblioteca Billy Graham ofrece, del 2 al 23 de diciembre, su exposición especial ‘Navidades en la Biblioteca’.

Apenas llegar en coche después de caer el sol, se sorprenderá de los hermosos jardines decorados con miles de luces navideñas. Será recibido y conducido amablemente hasta un amplio estacionamiento desde donde podrá caminar hasta los exteriores de la biblioteca. Allí podrá apreciar una gran torre blanca adornada con un gigantesco lazo de color rojo.

Mientras, carruajes jalados por caballos ofrecen paseos que son un sueño hecho realidad para grandes y chicos.

También escuchará el sonido de coros, que vestidos con trajes de la época victoriana de Inglaterra, al estilo del cuento ‘Christmas Carol’ de Charles Dickens, interpretan hermosos villancicos.

Más adelante, camellos, burros, corderos

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (Never known to fail) O Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request).

There are none that can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times).

Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (3 times).

3 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, 3 Glory Be Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days. You must publish it, and it will be granted to you.

Thank you, K.B.

y otros animales rodean el nacimiento ‘en vivo’ donde voluntarios representan a José, María, los Reyes Magos y pastores en un escenario ‘real’ en el que Cristo nació hace más de dos mil años.

Los lunes, de 5 a 7 de la tarde podrá alimentar a los animales y tomarse fotos con ellos, siempre que el clima lo permita.

Pero no solo podrá pasear, escuchar y ver, sino también oler y degustar. Los aromas del chocolate caliente, rollos de canela y sidra de manzana son una invitación irresistible a probar estas delicias preparadas como en casa.

Navidades en la Biblioteca está abierto desde las cinco de la tarde hasta las nueve de la noche de lunes a jueves, viernes y sábado hasta las diez de la noche.

Domingos permanece cerrada.

El ingreso y estacionamiento es gratuito.

Los paseos en carruaje tienen un costo de 8 dólares por adulto y 4 por niño menor de 12 años.

La Biblioteca Billy Graham está ubicada en 4330 Westmont Dr, Charlotte, NC 28217.

Si conduce por la Interestatal 77 debe tomar la salida 6.

Paseos en carruajes tirados por caballos, un nacimiento ‘en vivo’, coros entonando villancicos, venta de delicioso chocolate caliente y fragantes rollos de canela, hacen un ambiente excepcional que nos recuerda el verdadero significado de la navidad en la muestra Navidades en la Biblioteca Billy Graham en Charlotte.

IMAGEN CORTESÍA: BIBLIOTECA BILLY GRAHAM

McAdenville, llamada también ChristmasTown USA, es decir ‘la ciudad navidad de Estados Unidos’, es otra visita que no debemos dejar pasar en la temporada navideña. Cerca de medio millón de luces hacen de una noche normal un espectáculo inolvidable.

MCADENVILLE, LA CIUDAD DE LA NAVIDAD

Desde 1956 esta pequeña ciudad a pocas millas al sur de Charlotte ha ganado una gran reputación en todo el país, adquiriendo el sobrenombre de ‘Christmastown USA’.

Se espera que este año más de 300 mil autos recorran sus calles en menos de 30 días.

Habitualmente un gran nacimiento se instala en el jardín frontal de la Iglesia Bautista McAdenville. En el centro de la ciudad, más de medio millón de lucecillas blancas, rojas y verdes hacen de la noche un espectáculo navideño inolvidable.

En la calle principal, el lago rodeado de pinos se ilumina totalmente, al igual que el puente que lo cruza.

En las puertas del vecindario, decenas de vecinos saludan y ofrecen, en algunas ocasiones, galletas y dulces a los visitantes.

La ruta tiene una extensión de 1.3 millas que los fines de semana puede recorrer entre 30 a 45 minutos.

Las luces se encienden diariamente de 5:30 a 9:30 pm desde el 2 hasta el 26 de diciembre. Los sábados y domingos se apagan a las once de la noche.

A McAdenville se llega por la I-85.

También puede acceder utilizando la autopista 29/74. Tenga en cuenta que el tráfico se incrementa durante los fines de semana. Los mejores días de visita son de lunes a jueves.

El ingreso y estacionamiento es gratuito, aseguran los organizadores.

St. Jude Novena May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever.

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Say this prayer 9 times a day. By the ninth day your prayers will be answered.

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catholicnewsherald.com | December 6, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Cuidado con las estafas Advierten expertos, especialmente por temporada navideña CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE — Al igual que todos los años, en la temporada navideña, los ‘amigos de lo ajeno’ tratarán de aprovecharse de cualquier oportunidad para ‘hacer su agosto’ en diciembre.

Pese a la mayor presencia policial, regularmente los robos se incrementan en las cercanías de los centros comerciales. A la vez, aumenta el número de llamadas telefónicas que reclaman representar a la compañía telefónica, de energía, gas, la oficina del Sheriff, el departamento local de Policía, Inmigración y hasta el servicio de recaudación de impuestos (IRS), exigiendo el pago de las prestaciones y amenazando con cortar los servicios o detenerlo si no hace un pago de inmediato.

Las estafas también menudean en internet. En muchas parroquias de nuestra diócesis, los fieles han recibido correos en los que un impostor, suplantando a su pastor, solicita dinero por una emergencia que debe afrontar de inmediato. Lo curioso es que las contribuciones siempre se piden en tarjetas de regalo, como iTunes.

AL SALIR DE COMPRAS

Daniel Hernández, detective del Departamento de Policía de Charlotte Mecklenburg, recomienda que las personas que vayan de compras a centros comerciales traten de estacionar su vehículo lo más cerca posible de la puerta de entrada al establecimiento comercial. Además, si va de compras por la noche, busque un lugar bien iluminado y “no deje nada de valor dentro del vehículo. Si tiene bolsas de compras, déjelas dentro del baúl donde no se puedan ver”, añadió.

“Siempre esté atento y mientras camine, tanto de ida como de vuelta, observe sus alrededores”, señaló el detective. Si no se siente seguro, o ve personas o situaciones que despierten su sospecha, retorne a la tienda y avise al personal de seguridad para que reciba asistencia.

Respecto a las solicitudes de dinero en las calles para supuestas obras de beneficencia, recomendó no efectuarlas, a menos que sea una a la que “usted ya conozca y de la que tenga referencias”. “Si quiere ayudar a alguien, hágalo usted mismo directamente o a través del internet, en páginas seguras de la organización de su preferencia”.

LLAMADAS TELÉFONICAS

Respecto a las llamadas indeseadas que recibimos diariamente, el detective Hernández recomendó ignorarlas. “Ninguna organización federal, ya sea el IRS, el FBI, la Migración, o cualquier otra autoridad de gobierno estatal o local, te llama por teléfono para pedirte dinero y menos en tarjetas de regalo o prepagada”, declaró. “Corte de inmediato la comunicación; es lo más simple”, sugirió.

Recordó, para tranquilidad de las personas que reciben estas llamadas, que las comunicaciones oficiales del gobierno requiriendo pagos siempre se dan por correo regular, impreso, “no por llamadas telefónicas ni incluso correo electrónico”.

COMPRAS POR INTERNET

Scott Long, director de los servicios de tecnología de la Diócesis de Charlotte recomienda observar las siguientes precauciones para evitar ser objeto de estafas por internet: n Nunca haga clic en los enlaces dentro de un correo electrónico. Si desea comprar en un sitio, ingrese la dirección de ese lugar en su navegador. Hay miles de sitios falsos que se ven casi idénticos a los reales. No caiga en sitios de compras realizados por personas inescrupulosas. n No abra archivos adjuntos con ofertas especiales. Esta es una estafa clásica. La oferta debe estar incluida en el correo electrónico y debe poderla ver de inmediato. n Esté atento a los anuncios maliciosos y ventanas que

se abren. No haga clic en anuncios que suenen demasiado buenos para ser verdaderos e ignore las ventanas que se abren y le proponen obtener la “mejor oferta de todas”. n Cuidado con los e-skimmers. Esta es una nueva modalidad. ¿Sabe que los delincuentes informáticos a veces roban su tarjeta de crédito en gasolineras o cajeros automáticos? Bueno, hay una nueva versión de esta modalidad, y el sitio web de compras desde donde usted ordena puede estar infectado con un “e-skimmer”. Así le roban los datos de su tarjeta cuando realiza el pago. Puede evitarlo utilizando PayPal o Amazon que son cuentas de acceso gratuito. n Si le es posible, utilice una tarjeta de crédito para compras en línea, nunca una tarjeta de débito. La garantía de compras indeseadas que ofrece una tarjeta de crédito es mayor. n Nunca compre utilizando los servicios de Wi-Fi público. Simplemente no sabe si es seguro ni quién está monitoreando su actividad. Solo compre utilizando una red segura y confiable. Si no tiene otra forma de comprar, use una red virtual privada (VPN) que encripte su tráfico. n Tenga mucho cuidado cuando vea algo anunciado como “Gratis”. Hay una explosión de todo tipo de fraudes de encuestas y estafas de tarjetas de regalo.

Además de todas estas precauciones, el especialista informático aconseja que no reutilice ninguna de sus contraseñas o passwords. En su lugar, use una aplicación administradora para crear contraseñas difíciles de romper.

Reutilizar cualquier contraseña es literalmente una invitación a ser hackeado.

Igualmente, debemos estar atentos a nuestras tarjetas de crédito y cuentas bancarias.

Durante esta temporada, pueden aparecer cargos inesperados y extraños que bien podría ser el primer signo que su tarjeta o incluso su identidad ha sido robada.

Si cree que pudo haber sido estafado, mantenga la calma y llame a la compañía de su tarjeta de crédito, rechace esa tarjeta y obtenga una nueva.

Sospeche especialmente de las estafas de tarjetas de regalo. Solo compre aquellas de fuentes confiables.

Our schools

December 6, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

St. Pius X students visit Belmont Abbey College

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Learning about vocations GREENSBORO — Students at Our Lady of Grace School had some special visitors during National Vocations Awareness Week Nov. 3-9. During that week the school had five speakers address the students: a priest, a deacon, a religious sister and a married couple who all spoke about their vocations and how they live them out. Father Michael Carlson, parochial vicar of Our Lady of Grace Church, spent time at the school speaking to students from grades K-8 about his vocation and what it means for him to serve God as a priest.

Students also heard from Deacon Mark Mejias, one of the permanent deacons at the parish. He shared about the sacramental process of becoming a deacon. Sister Mary Raphael, of the Daughters of the Virgin Mother religious community in Gastonia, spoke to the students about vocations to the consecrated life and shared with them the importance of prayer. Katie and Shaun Kilgariff, parents of three OLG School students, spoke about the sacrament of marriage. During National Vocations Awareness Week, the school also began each day praying for vocations and each class wrote to the diocesan seminarians they have adopted in prayer.

BELMONT — An eighth-grade class from St. Pius X School in Greensboro toured Belmont Abbey College during National Vocations Week Nov. 3-9. Students toured the campus, ate in the student dining hall and enjoyed discussions with the Benedictine monks, diocesan seminarians who attend the college and other university professionals.

Benedictine Father Elias Correa-Torres explained to the students what being a Benedictine is all about. Amid their questions, he shared with them his reasons for choosing to enter the order and how his life has been blessed by his choice. Students were also able to speak with seminarians from St. Joseph College Seminary in Charlotte.

The young seminarians reiterated their own choices in choosing to become priests and gave a detailed description of the significance of the cassock and sash they wear. The final highlight was the surprise opportunity to speak with Belmont Abbey College’s men’s and women’s lacrosse coaches. The coaches spoke to the students about the academic and spiritual requirements of players they look for as they recruit from local Catholic high schools.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY PAOLA SCILINGUO

PHOTO PROVIDED BY APRIL PARKER

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Mix 16

catholicnewsherald.com | December 6, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

In theaters

In health scare, Jeannie Gaffigan relied on combined dose of faith, humor CAROL ZIMMERMANN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’ Assigned, much against his will, to profile public television children’s show host Fred Rogers (Tom Hanks), a troubled, cynical reporter (Matthew Rhys) finds his life transformed by the friendship into which his gentle, wise and unflappable new acquaintance gradually draws him, a bond that affects both his fraught relationship with his estranged father and his marriage. In adapting a 1998 Esquire magazine article by Tom Junod, director Marielle Heller takes interesting artistic risks with powerful emotional results. Though her film is at its best when the mesmerizing Hanks is on screen, the treatment of topics like forgiveness, the need to prioritize family life over professional advancement and the power of prayer (Rogers was a Presbyterian minister) are consistently handled with skill. While the journalist’s struggles are too dark for little kids, teens and grown-ups will profit from this explicitly humane, implicitly religious movie. Mature themes, including adultery, a fistfight, one mild oath, a single crass term.

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

‘Frozen II’ When a queen endowed with the magical power to create ice and snow (voice of Idina Menzel) hears a voice calling her into the wilderness beyond her realm and holding out to her the prospect of discovering the origins of her supernatural gift, she responds by embarking on a quest. She’s accompanied by her strictly human younger sister (voice of Kristen Bell), the iceman (voice of Jonathan Groff) who would like to make the junior sibling his own and a merry sentient snowman (voice of Josh Gad). Screenwriter and co-director Jennifer Lee and her partner at the helm, Chris Buck, the creators of the 2013 original, deliver an exuberant animated musical adventure stressing teamwork, family solidarity and upright values. Too scary for the littlest patrons, the film’s somewhat unscriptural nature mythos may also be confusing for impressionable moviegoers. As for adults, at least some may find the script’s exaltation of the life of indigenous people over industrialized societies heavy-handed. These flaws are ultimately outweighed, though, by sympathetic characters, visual flair and skillful, if sometimes overly complicated, storytelling.

Stylized combat, considerable peril.

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

Other movies: n ‘Ford v Ferrari: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13 n ‘Knives Out’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13 n ‘The Good Liar’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: R

On TV n Friday, Dec. 6, 6 a.m. (EWTN) “Natural Family Planning: Embracing the Marital Gift.” NFP having a reparative effect on marriage, healing past sins and reintegrating love, marriage, sex, and children into their singular reality. It also draws a husband into a deeper knowledge of his wife.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jeannie Gaffigan didn’t initially set out to write a book about having her brain tumor removed.

It is a story that pretty much rolled out of her usual observations on life, faith and family that have been such an integral part of what she’s been doing for the past several years as the co-writer and producer of comedy specials, two books and a television series with her husband and business partner, Jim Gaffigan.

“When Life Gives You Pears: The Healing Power of Family, Faith and Funny People,” released Oct. 1, recounts the unexpected discovery of a pear-sized tumor in Gaffigan’s brain in 2017, her three-day journey from learning about its existence (almost by accident) to surgery and a complicated recovery where she was unable to eat or even drink water for six months.

“Obviously when I was sitting there looking at my MRI scan and saw that thing in my brain, I did not think of a joke immediately,” she said. But in retrospect, thinking that it looked like a pear, she said, was “kind of funny but at the time I couldn’t even believe it; it seemed like something out of a movie.”

Gaffigan, a mother of five who is accustomed to seeing humor in everyday observances, could have easily hit the panic button with this “emergency medical situation, “ as she describes it.

But here’s the thing: She didn’t. She was even able to see humor in it – from the unglamorous dry shampoos at the hospital to the feeding tubes that her husband joked could be part of a new cooking show.

She is convinced that the only way she could jump from crippling fear of what was happening (or could happen) to a pretty calm acceptance of it and even an ability to see absurdity and grace in the new routines and giving up her own control stems from the strength of her Catholic faith.

As she put it: “When you recognize that God gives you ways to cope with hardships, you can’t just crawl into bed and say: ‘Just handle my life for me, it’s hard.’”

Gaffigan recognizes that her sense of humor, which she described as her “lens at which I look at life and marriage” is a gift from God, but still, she hadn’t intended to write about her way of looking at this particular situation, at first.

Prior to the 10-hour surgery and lengthy stay in the intensive care unit, she had been in the process of writing a book about what it was like to keep it together as a busy mom and wife of a touring comedian.

All of that was put on hold after a visit to with her children to their pediatrician who ended up recommending that Gaffigan get her head examined, literally, for her recent inability to hear out of one ear.

That initial test then put everything in fast forward with little time to think about it. In one interview, Gaffigan said that as she was being wheeled into surgery, she was telling her husband her computer passwords and about ordering groceries online, fearing he wouldn’t know how to keep the household routine going.

During her recovery, she promised her publicist she would finish the book she started, but he told her to put

that aside noting her bout with a brain tumor couldn’t just be another chapter; it had to be its own story.

Fortunately, it was a story Gaffigan had already been trying to piece together for her own sake – trying to remember what exactly had happened in the chaos of it all. She thought she was no different from pianists who might write songs about a personal tragedy to help them therapeutically.

Her initial manuscript was a lot more Catholic, she said, but in the end, she made the book for everybody.

As she put it: “I made it a little more ‘you might not be Catholic or understand how the Blessed Mother understands my suffering more than anyone else does,’ but that’s the way I cope with it.’”

“I made it more universal so what that did was it brought it out of the Christian section of the bookstore and put it more in the comedy section.” And to Gaffigan, that’s evangelization, not proselytizing.

“It’s like saying: ‘Look, I don’t know what you would do, but this is how I did it.’ And I feel like that’s more gentle and I feel like people are more open to that.

There’s no secret. I’m not trying to dunk someone into the baptismal font, and you know, handcuff them to their RCIA classes; I’m just telling my story.”

Different publishers said they were interested in prolonging publication of the book more for Mother’s Day 2020 to see where she was at that point, but Gaffigan wasn’t interested.

“In a year, I will have a different book in me,” she said, adding: “This is what happened; this is where I’m at right now, then I want to move on, because I can’t just sit there and dwell on the fact that I had brain surgery even though it’s an important part of my life. The train is moving; I’ve got to move on.”

And the train – with five kids, work, volunteering and her husband’s comedy tour – is moving rapidly.

Gaffigan, who says she has recovered from the surgery but jokes that she still misses the daily nurse care, spoke to Catholic News Service Nov. 14 by phone after ducking into an empty music room at her son’s school where she was helping out.

For now, she is laser-focused on her family and a personal calling that she feels strongly about: working with young people in the community and in her parish at the Basilica of Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York because she is concerned that young people in the Church seem to fall off the radar in the gap years between confirmation and young adult programs.

Gaffigan concludes her book saying she is grateful for the tumor, which not only gave her a second chance but a deeper appreciation for her faith, family and the ability to swallow water.

When she had no time to mentally prepare for this surgery, Gaffigan said, she wished she could have read a book by someone with a lot going on, facing a similar crisis, and how they dealt with it.

So she thought of “that pretend person” that might pick up her book while facing a challenge, medical or otherwise, while she was writing. But she also hopes her book speaks to those who have never had anything bad happen to them.

Between the lines throughout the book is Gaffigan’s message that “all of this is just temporary, and you don’t realize that until you almost lose it.”

“If I can convey that message to people who are doing just fine, that’s even more of a victory than (reaching) people that are facing a big obstacle,” she said.

December 6, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

CELEBRAR VIENE DE LA PÁGINA 10

Barcelona, donde se abrirán las puertas a las 6:30 de la tarde.

A las 7 inicia con una procesión de niños, seguida por la bendición y Misa celebrada por el P. Paul Buchanan.

Le seguirán bailables, una representación de las apariciones guadalupanas y la presentación de dos grupos de folclor mexicano.

A las 11:15 se realizará una segunda Misa celebrada por el vicario del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte, P. Fidel Melo, para concluir con ‘Las Mañanitas’ amenizada por una banda.

En Boonville, la parroquia Divino Redentor ha organizado su tradicional carrera de relevos portando la antorcha guadalupana para el 11 de diciembre a las 6 de la tarde. La antorcha partirá de Mount Airy y, siguiendo un recorrido de 23 millas, arribará a Boonville poco antes la medianoche.

A las 12 a.m. se celebrará la Santa Misa seguida de Las Mañanitas y un compartir de platillos típicos.

El jueves 12, a las seis de la mañana, se celebrará otra Misa seguida de las Mañanitas. Finalmente, a las seis de la tarde otra Misa será seguida de un pequeño festival mariano con compartimento, bailables y danzas.

Otras celebraciones n Inmaculada Concepción, 208 7th Ave W., Hendersonville: Domingo 8 con procesión y convivio en Centro Agricultura. El jueves 12 a las 6 p.m.

Santo Rosario seguido de la Santa Misa. n Inmaculado Corazón de María, 4145 Johnson St., High Point: Mañanitas el 12 de diciembre las 6:30 de la tarde seguida de la Santa Misa a las 7. n Nuestra Señora de Gracia, 2203 W. Market St., Greensboro: Misa a las 7 de la tarde el 12 de diciembre. n Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, 725 Deese St, Monroe: Mañanitas el 12 a las 5 de la mañana. Misa en inglés a las 8:30 a.m., celebraciones culturales a las 6 p.m. y Misa Solemne a las 8 de la noche. n Nuestra Señora de la Merced, 1730 Link Road, Winston-Salem: Mañanitas el 11 a las 8 de la noche. Mañanitas el 12 a la 1:30 a.m. A las 6 de la tarde n Sagrado Corazón, 375 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury: Miércoles 11 a

las 7 de la tarde. Programa incluye procesión, Santo Rosario, presentación de ofrendas a la Virgen, Misa a las 11 p.m. con Mañanitas. n Sagrado Corazón, 20 Summit St., Burnsville: Miércoles 11 a las 6:30 de la tarde se celebrará la Santa Misa. n Sagrado Corazón, 150 Brian Berg Dr., Brevard: Miércoles 12 a las 5 a.m. Mañanitas a las Virgen, Santa Misa a las 7 p.m. n San Andrés, 149 Brook St., Mars Hill: Jueves 12, 6:30 p.m. Santa Misa. n San Bernabé, 109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden: Jueves 12 a las 7 p.m.

Santa Misa, culminando con convivio y eventos culturales. n San Eugenio, 72 Culvern St., Asheville: Domingo 8 a las 11:30 de la mañana, Santa Misa y convivio. n San Francisco de Asís, 167 St. Francis Place, Jefferson: Celebrarán el 11 de diciembre con procesión y Santa Misa, iniciando a las 10 de la noche, concluyendo la madrugada del día 12. n San Gabriel, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte: Misas a las 7 y 9 de la noche del 11 de diciembre. Se ofrecerá tamales, pan dulce y chocolate a los asistentes. n San José, 108 St Joseph St., Kannapolis: El 11 de diciembre inicia la celebración a las 5 de la tarde con Rosario, procesión, convivio, danzas, cantos, representaciones, Santa Misa y Mañanitas a la medianoche. n San José, 720 W 13th St., Newton: La celebración se llevará a cabo el 12 de diciembre con Misa, enseñanza de la devoción y compartir. n San Lorenzo, 97 Haywood St., Asheville: Miércoles 11 a las 5:30 p.m.

Santo Rosario, representación de las apariciones y Santa Misa. n San Miguel, 708 St Michaels Lane, Gastonia: 12 de diciembre, Mañanitas a las 5 a.m. Misa a con procesión, bailables, compartir y representación de las apariciones iniciando a las 5 de la tarde. n San Santiago el Mayor, 139 Manor Ave. S.W., Concord: Mañanitas y Rosario a las 5 de la mañana del 12 de diciembre. A las 7 p.m. sigue con la Santa Misa, actos culturales y convivio. n Santa Elizabeth, 259 Pilgrims Way, Boone: Procesión, Misa, mañanitas y compartir el miércoles 11 desde las 11:30 p.m. n Santa Francisca de Roma, 29 Highland Dr., Sparta: Misa el jueves 12 a las 6 de la tarde. n Santa Juana de Arco, 768 Asbury Road, Candler: Miércoles 11 a las 6 de la tarde Santo Rosario, Santa Misa, dramatización de las apariciones, convivio y evento cultural. n Santa María, 1414 Gorrell St., Greensboro: 12 de diciembre, el programa inicia a las 6 de la tarde. Incluye bailables, representaciones teatrales, danzas, Misa y cena. n Santa Margarita María, 102 Andrews Pl., Swannanoa: Jueves 12 con mañanitas a las 5 a.m. y Santa Misa a las 7 p.m. n Santa Teresa, 217 Brawley School Road, Mooresville: Jueves 12, Santo Rosario a las 5 de la tarde, Misa a las 6 seguida de procesión y recepción.

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Catholic Book Pick

‘Santa’s Priority’ by Tom Peterson and illustrated by Michael LaVoy As Christmas becomes more and more commercialized, it is easy to get lost in the shopping and decorating; the parties and the lights; the presents and the food.

In this charming and beautifully illustrated children’s story, Santa himself comes to town and reminds everyone what Christmas is all about: the child Jesus born in Bethlehem.

Show your children – and remind yourself – that without Jesus, there is no Christmas.

Santa’s Priority is an instant Christmas classic that your family will read together for years to come.

At www.tanbooks.com: Order your copy of “Santa’s Priority.” Catholic News Herald readers enjoy 20 percent off their order – use the exclusive coupon code “CNH20.”

Our nation 18

catholicnewsherald.com | December 6, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Malone resigns; Albany bishop named apostolic administrator CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo, N.Y., and named Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of Albany, N.Y., as Buffalo’s apostolic administrator.

The changes were announced in Washington Dec. 4 by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Bishop Malone has headed the Diocese of Buffalo since 2012. Pope Benedict XVI named him the 14th bishop of Buffalo May 29, 2012, and he was installed in August of

that year. Bishop Scharfenberger, 71, has headed the Albany Diocese since 2014.

At age 73, Bishop Malone is two years shy of the age at which bishops are required by canon law to turn in their resignation to the pope. No reason was given for his resignation.

For more than a year, he has faced questions about how he has addressed the clergy sex abuse crisis, particularly a situation involving two priests’ relationship with a seminarian that he has called “a very complex, convoluted matter.”

In October, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn, New York, conducted an

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE The Diocese of Charlotte is accepting applications for the following three full-time positions: Assistant to the Chancellor

apostolic visitation of the western New York diocese. When Bishop DiMarzio was assigned by the Vatican to make the visitation, Bishop Malone said he welcomed it.

On Oct. 31 the Brooklyn Diocese announced completion of the visitation and said Bishop DiMarzio had submitted his report to the Congregation for Bishops.

“This has been a difficult period in the life of the Church in Buffalo. Throughout this process, the lay faithful, religious and clergy were in my prayers,” Bishop DiMarzio said a Dec. 4 statement.

He noted that the October visitation “was conducted with urgency as the Holy See directed that this visitation be thorough with the foremost consideration being the good of the people of the Diocese of Buffalo.” The visitation including talking to over 80 people over a period of several weeks “to gather information for this administrative review,” he said.

“What I found are many deeply devoted Catholics who love their Church. I pray this moment of suffering and pain will lead to a birth of new faith,” he added, saying he is confident Buffalo Catholics “are in good hands” with Bishop Scharfenberger overseeing the diocese.

“I hope that now Catholics in Buffalo can begin the process of moving forward,

healing and helping the diocese in all of its ministries,” Bishop DiMarzio said. “We extend a promise of prayer for Bishop Richard Malone, as he moves into the retirement phase of his episcopal ministry, Malone and for the faithful of Buffalo.”

In November, Bishop Malone made his “ad limina” visit to the Vatican along with the other bishops from the state of New York. On Nov. 18, in a video message to the diocese after he returned from Rome, the bishop said that during a two-hour group meeting with Pope Francis, the pontiff “in a few words spoken privately to me (and) it was clear that the pope understands the difficulties and distress we here in Buffalo, and I personally, have been experiencing.

He was very understanding and kind.”

In the message, Bishop Malone said he was “wholly committed to fostering the healing of victim survivors” and “rebuilding trust.” He thanked “all who continue to be supportive of our diocese, of me and my ministry. ... I ask for your prayers and patience while the path forward is discerned.”

• This position is responsible for curating the administrative acts of the Bishop and his delegate in conformity with canon law. Other responsibilities include: processing marriage dispensations, preparing letters of good standing for clergy, updating the diocesan data base management system for Chancery maintained elements and processing papal blessings and requests for papal audiences.

• Applicants with a four-year degree and five or more year’s experience as an executive assistant are preferred.

PAS Accountant/Assistant to the CFO • This position is responsible for all bookkeeping functions for approximately five parishes enrolled in the Parish Accounting Services program. Other responsibilities include: administering the diocesan credit card program, preparing tax-exempt letters, compiling and summarizing survey documents, assisting the CFO with various initiatives, recording minutes for board meetings, filing and correspondence.

• Applicants with a four-year degree and five or more years relevant experience are preferred.

Administrative Assistant for Technology Services

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St. Matthew Parishioner

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• This position is responsible for all aspects of order management, including purchasing, receiving, inventory and asset management. Other responsibilities include: assisting the Director with various initiatives, managing software subscription renewals, addressing billing inquiries, preparing presentations and functioning as the department receptionist.

• Applicants with a four-year degree and three or more years relevant experience are preferred.

SEND LETTER OF INTEREST (EXPLAINING WHY WORKING FOR THE DIOCESE IS OF INTEREST TO YOU) AND YOUR RESUME BY DECEMBER 30, 2019 TO employment@charlottediocese.org.

PLEASE SPECIFY THE POSITION FOR WHICH YOU ARE APPLYING.

Anxiety / Depression Acid Reflux / Sleep Hormones / Allergies Cholesterol / Fatigue

December 6, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Alleged victim names former cardinal, N.J. archdiocese in lawsuit NEWARK, N.J. — A day after a New Jersey victims’ rights law went into effect, a 37-yearold man represented by Minnesota attorney Jeff Anderson has filed a lawsuit against Theodore McCarrick, a former cardinal who was Newark’s archbishop from 1986 to 2000. The suit also names the Archdiocese of Newark as a defendant and alleges Vatican officials were aware of McCarrick’s behavior over his more than 60 years as a cleric and yet continued to promote him as a Church leader. The plaintiff, John Bellocchio, alleges the now-laicized former prelate sexually assaulted him when he was 14 and then-Archbishop McCarrick was visiting Bellocchio’s parish in Hackensack.

In a statement sent late Dec. 2 to Catholic News Service, the Newark Archdiocese said it “will continue to cooperate and work with victims, their legal representatives and law enforcement authorities in an ongoing effort to resolve allegations made and bring closure to victims.”

It noted the archdiocese and other New Jersey dioceses have established the Independent Victims Compensation Program “to offer compensation to eligible survivors who were sexually abused by clergy of the Church while minors.” The program has been “a viable option” for some victims, but “it always was understood that some may seek resolution through other avenues,” the archdiocese said.

Beatification for Archbishop Sheen postponed PEORIA, Ill. — Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of Peoria said Vatican officials have told him that the upcoming beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen has been postponed. A news release from the Diocese of Peoria said it was informed Dec. 2 that Vatican had decided to postpone the Dec. 21 ceremony “at the request of a few members” of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Details on what prompted the bishops to intervene were unknown. The diocese added, “In our current climate it is important for the faithful to know that there has never been, nor is there now, any allegation against (Archbishop) Sheen involving the abuse of a minor.”

Pope Francis Nov. 18 approved the beatification ceremony for the popular archbishop, whose television program attracted millions of viewers nationwide and continues to be viewed in reruns in some markets.

“The Diocese of Peoria has no doubt that Fulton Sheen, who brought so many souls to Jesus Christ in his lifetime, will be recognized as a model of holiness and virtue,” the statement added.

The diocese said Bishop Jenky was “deeply saddened” by the Vatican’s decision.

Archbishop Lori: Bishops must focus on poor, not seek personal gain VATICAN CITY — The example of St. Peter and the teaching of his successor encourage bishops to serve their flocks “willingly and generously,” Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore said.

Archbishop Lori, who was appointed earlier this year to investigate allegations of sexual and financial improprieties made against Bishop Michael J. Bransfield, former bishop

of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, W.Va., said Pope Francis also “warns us against using our ministry for financial gain or personal comfort.” It is “a warning that resonates loud and clear among us,” he said. “Thus Peter, and his successor, Francis, call us to simplicity of life, a pastoral poverty that enables us to keep the poor always in focus.”

Archbishop Lori was the principal celebrant and homilist at a Mass celebrated Dec. 2 at the tomb of St. Peter with the bishops of the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia and the Archdiocese for the Military Services.

The bishops were in Rome for their visits “ad limina apostolorum” – to the threshold of the apostles – to report on the status of their dioceses.

West Virginia bishop asks predecessor to repay $792,000 to diocese WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bishop Mark E. Brennan of Wheeling-Charleston, W.Va., has asked the former bishop of the diocese to pay back more than $792,000 to cover the “inappropriate expenditure of diocesan funds to support a luxurious lifestyle.”

Bishop Brennan outlined a series of other actions he has proposed that retired Bishop Michael J. Bransfield take including issuing apologies to the people he is alleged to have sexually abused, to the faithful of the diocese for “the grievous harm he caused,” and to diocesan employees “who suffered from a culture of intimidation and retribution which the former bishop created.”

A nine-point “plan of amends” developed

by Bishop Brennan was announced in a Nov. 26 letter he sent to the faithful of the diocese.

The plan covers several measures including a reduction in his diocesan pension, the loss of certain aspects of health care coverage, the return or purchase of the car Bishop Bransfield was provided at retirement and denial of burial in the diocese.

Bishop Bransfield, 76, left his position in September 2018 after 13 years in the diocese under a cloud of allegations of sexual and financial misconduct. Pope Francis accepted Bishop Bransfield’s resignation Sept. 13, 2018.

Most Americans support life in prison over death penalty, says new poll WASHINGTON, D.C. — Most Americans support life imprisonment over the death penalty, according to a Gallup poll released Nov. 24, revealing a shift in the majority opinion on this issue for the first time in 34 years. The poll, based on results from telephone interviews conducted October 14-31 with a random sample of 1,526 adults in the U.S., showed 60 percent prefer that convicted murders receive a sentence of life imprisonment while 36 percent said capital punishment would be better.

This view marks a shift in Americans’ opinion over the past two decades. In the 1980s and 1990s, the majority opinion leaned toward the death penalty.

The survey is also just the second time more people said they thought life in prison was a better punishment than the death penalty which they did by 1 percentage point in 2007 – 48 percent favoring life in prison to 47 percent favoring the death penalty. The current poll, with a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points, breaks down respondents by age, sex and party affiliation.

Within these groups there were differing opinions: Women showed stronger support for life in prison (66 percent) than men (53 percent). Younger people were also more likely to show support for life in prison (68 percent) than older people (57 percent).

Along party lines: 58 percent of Republicans supported the death penalty over 38 percent saying life in prison was the better option and

79 percent of Democrats preferred life in prison over 19 percent who preferred the death penalty be administered.

New asylum rules ignore plight of Central Americans, Catholic leaders say WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two Catholic leaders expressed concerned with the federal government’s plan to send Central Americans who want asylum in the U.S. to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador where they would have to apply for U.S. asylum while in one of those countries.

Auxiliary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville of Washington and Sean Callahan, president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services, said in a Nov.

25 statement the plan “undermines U.S. moral leadership in protecting vulnerable populations and risks further destabilizing the region.”

They called on the government to “preserve and uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life” by not turning away from people who are facing a variety of threats in the region and are “in desperate need of help.”

Their reaction comes to two notices published in the Federal Register Nov. 18 announcing the government’s intention to implement asylum cooperative agreements reached with the three Central American nations earlier this year.

The agreements require migrants traveling to the U.S. to apply for protections in one of the three countries they pass through first.

— Catholic News Service

Please pray for the following priests who died during the month of December: Bishop William G. Curlin 2017 Rev. Michael J. Hoban 1995 Rev. Thomas McAvoy 1978 Rev. Joseph McCarthy 2001 Rev. Francis Scheurich 1975 Rev. Msgr. Francis M. Smith 1983 Rev. Vincent M. Stokes 1979 Rev. Msgr. Thomas R. Walsh 2016

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Pope returns part of relic of Jesus’ crib to Holy Land CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — As Advent approached, Pope Francis gave a small fragment of Jesus’ crib back to Catholics in the Holy Land.

In Bethlehem, West Bank, Franciscan Father Rami Asakrieh of St. Catherine Church welcomed the relic’s return and called it “a great blessing.”

“This is more blessings for this place,” he said. “You can’t imagine the great joy to have this blessing.”

On Nov. 22, experts from the Vatican Museums extracted a small fragment from the relic of what has been venerated as Jesus’ manger. The relic, given to the Vatican in the seventh century, has been kept in a chapel under the basilica’s main altar.

Pope Francis gave the relic fragment to the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, which oversees the main churches and shrines associated with the birth, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus.

The relic arrived in Jerusalem Nov. 29 and was present during a Mass celebrated by the nuncio, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, in the chapel of Our Lady of Peace at the Notre Dame Center.

After the Mass and time for people to venerate the relic, the Franciscan friars carried it in procession to the Church of St. Saviour, where they recited vespers. The

relic was transferred to Bethlehem Nov. 30 to be in place for beginning of Advent Dec. 1 “May the return to Bethlehem of this piece of holy wood arouse in us the profound desire to be bearers of God. Now it is our hearts that are a manger: the holy crib of God made man,” said Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, apostolic nuncio to Israel and Cyprus and apostolic delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine, at the handingover ceremony to the Franciscan friars at Jerusalem’s Notre Dame Center.

Reading a letter sent by Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, archpriest of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Archbishop Girelli said, “Pope Francis accompanies this gift with his blessing and with the fervid wish that the veneration of this illustrious relic can open the hearts of many men and women, adults and youngsters, the elderly and children, to receive with a renewed fervor of faith and love the mystery that changed the course of history. The Holy Father wishes, in particular, that the message of peace announced by the angels on the night of Christmas to the men loved by God, which for 2,000 years has rung out from Bethlehem, brings the gift of peace and reconciliation which our world needs more and more.”

Franciscan Father Francesco Patton, custos of the Holy Land, said the relic would be used to “rekindle faith in Jesus between the different Christian

CNS | DEBBIE HILL

Franciscan Father Rami Asakrieh holds a reliquary containing what is believed to be a small fragment of Jesus’ crib Dec. 1 in the Franciscan Church of St. Catherine, which is adjacent to the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank. Pope Francis gave the relic fragment to the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, which oversees the main churches and shrines associated with the birth, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. communities of the Holy Land.”

Local Catholics in Bethlehem had the opportunity to venerate the relic at Mass at St. Catherine’s Dec. 1 before the relic was put away until a proper location and protocol for it can be arranged.

Meanwhile, as Christmas approached, the opening hours of the Church of the Nativity adjacent to St. Catherine had been extended by three hours to 8 p.m. to accommodate the influx of pilgrims who sometimes had to wait up to four hours to go down to the grotto where, according to Christian tradition, Jesus was born.

On the first day of Advent, the wait was only about one hour.

“We are going to wait as long as it takes to go in,” said David Williams, 67, of Texas as he waited in line with his tour group and a local guide. “It is very exciting. This is what you read, and when you read it again after having been here there will be new insight.”

Local guide Jaber Saadeh, said that as a Christian he was happy to see the large number of pilgrims coming to Bethlehem.

“I feel so proud and happy to welcome them. We are a peaceful country,” he said.

Coming out from the grotto, Claudia Haita, 44, of Romania, said the wait had not been an issue. Having the opportunity to visit the grotto and say a prayer there had been “good for my soul as a Christian” and strengthened her faith, she said.

Another pilgrim who identified herself only as Maria said she had been overwhelmed by the experience.

“I had an overwhelming feeling of tears of joy but also a feeling of sadness because of the hurting of humanity, of the suffering. It is time to let that go,” she said.

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In Brief Pope asks Catholics to set up, be enchanted by a Nativity scene VATICAN CITY — A Nativity scene is a simple reminder of something astonishing: God became human to reveal the greatness of His love “by smiling and opening his arms to all,” Pope Francis said in a letter on the meaning and importance of setting up Christmas cribs.

“Wherever it is, and whatever form it takes, the Christmas creche speaks to us of the love of God, the God who became a child in order to make us know how close He is to every man, woman and child, regardless of their condition,” the pope wrote in his apostolic letter, “Admirabile Signum” (“Enchanting Image”).

Pope Francis signed the short letter Dec. 1, the first Sunday of Advent, during an afternoon visit to Greccio, Italy, where St. Francis of Assisi set up the first Nativity scene in 1223.

When St. Francis had a cave prepared with a hay-filled manger, an ox and a donkey – no statues or actors or baby, even – he “carried out a great work of evangelization,” Pope Francis said, and Catholics can and must continue that work today. “With this letter,” he wrote, “I wish to encourage the beautiful family tradition of preparing the Nativity scene in the days before Christmas, but also the custom of setting it up in the workplace, in schools, hospitals, prisons and town squares.”

“It is my hope that this custom will never be lost and that, wherever it has fallen into disuse, it can be rediscovered and revived,” he said.

Catholic leaders urge Israel to investigate hate crimes in Arab villages JERUSALEM — The Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land condemned vandalism attacks in two Arab villages and called on Israeli authorities to “investigate seriously” what they termed hate crimes. In addition to dozens of cars damaged and antiArab Hebrew graffiti spray painted on walls in the Arab town of Jaljulia in central Israel, graffiti was scrawled in Hebrew on a wall and a car was burned in the Palestinian town of Taybeh, east of Ramallah.

“These two incidents follow many other similar incidents which have been committed recently, especially against Palestinian properties in the West Bank. We strongly condemn these racist acts of vandalism and urge the Israeli authorities to investigate seriously these apparent hate crimes and to bring those responsible for these crimes and those who incite for such crimes to justice as soon as possible,” the Assembly said in a Nov.

29 statement. The assembly includes bishops, patriarchs and others with jurisdiction over territory in the Holy Land. Father Johnny Abu Khalil of Holy Redeemer Parish said the attack in Taybeh, north of Jerusalem, took place in the early morning of Nov. 29, when the car belonging to a young family from his parish was set afire. Some young men from the parish who were out driving noticed the flames and alerted the authorities, he said. “Usually Taybeh is a very quiet and peaceful village. It was very scary. The car was very close to the house, and just a bit more and the house could have caught on fire, too,” Father Abu Khalil told CNS in a phone conversation Dec. 1. He said he went to meet with the family early Nov. 29. “They are still a bit anxious and worried it could happen again.”

A world without nuclear weapons is possible, pope says in Japan HIROSHIMA, Japan — Saying it is “perverse” to think the threat of nuclear weapons makes the world safer, Pope Francis urged a renewed commitment to disarmament and to the international treaties designed to limit or eliminate nuclear weapons.

Pope Francis began his four-day visit to Japan Nov. 24 with a somber visit in the pouring rain to Nagasaki’s Atomic Bomb Hypocenter Park, a memorial to the tens of thousands who died when the United States dropped a bomb on the city in 1945. In the evening, he visited the Peace Memorial in Hiroshima, honoring the tens of thousands killed by an atomic bomb there, too.

“The use of atomic energy for purposes of war is today, more than ever, a crime not only against the dignity of human beings but against any possible future for our common home,” Pope Francis told several hundred people gathered with him in Hiroshima.

“The use of atomic energy for purposes of war is immoral, just as the possessing of nuclear weapons is immoral, as I already said two years ago,” he said. “We will be judged on this.”

Vatican dicastery announces formation of new youth advisory body VATICAN CITY — The Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life announced it is setting up a specialized team of young Catholic leaders as advisers. The new international advisory body was established following a proposal in the final document of the 2018 Synod of Bishops on Young People, Faith and Vocational Discernment. The Vatican made the announcement Nov. 24, the feast of Christ the King. The Youth Advisory Body consists of 20 young leaders who participated in the various phases of the synodal process. The group will have an important consultative and proposalmaking role to play. The first meeting of the International Youth Advisory Board is scheduled for April in Rome.

— Catholic News Service

January Respect Life Events Charlotte Mass for the Unborn Friday, January 10, 2020 9 A.M. – St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte, NC March for Life Charlotte Friday, January 10, 2020 11 A.M. – Assemble at Pastoral Center 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 12 P.M. – March marchforlifecharlotte.org Mass, Rally and March for Life Raleigh Saturday, January 18, 2020 11 A.M. Mass – Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral 715 Nazareth St. Raleigh, NC 27606 1 PM – Rally & March Halifax Mall on Lane St. http://ncrtl.org/rally-and-march-for-life/

North Carolina Mass for Life Washington, D.C. Friday, January 24, 2020 Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception 400 Michigan Ave. NE Washington, D.C. 11:30 A.M. - Mass with Bishops Peter J. Jugis & Luis R. Zarama

For more info: ccdoc.org/respectlife Prices starting at $2,499 ~ with Airfare Included in this price from anywhere in the USA We offer several other trips to different destinations: the Holy Land; Italy; France, Portugal, & Spain; Poland; Lourdes, & Fatima; Ireland & Scotland; England; Austria, Germany, & Switzerland; Greece & Turkey; Budapest; Prague; Our Lady of Guadalupe; Colombia; Brazil; Argentina; Domestic Destinations; etc…

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March for Life 2020 Washington, D.C. Friday, January 24, 2020 12th St. and National Mall 12 P.M.- Rally 1 P.M.- March for Life www.marchforlife.org

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catholicnewsherald.com | December 6, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Deacon Martin Sheehan

Jesuit Father John Michalowski

Make room in your hearts this Advent A

Will we welcome the whole Christ this Christmas?

P

ope Benedict once wrote, “Man was created for greatness – for God Himself; he was created to be filled by God. But his heart is too small for the greatness to which it is destined. It must be stretched.”

As we enter this Advent season, I’d like you to consider two characters whose hearts were too small and had to be stretched: St. Augustine and the Grinch. One was human, the other a fictional character, but they were very similar in several ways. Both were wrapped up with their own selfish desires and sinfulness. Both of them ended up being profoundly affected by music. And both of them experienced a great change of heart, a great conversion that completely changed the course of their lives. They are perhaps two of the best-known conversion stories in history.

There is the famous story St. Augustine tells of his youth when he stole pears from his neighbor’s tree. It seems like a trivial thing to us today, but the reason he dwells on it is that he knows he did it for no other reason than the desire to do wrong. He wrote, “I loved my fall. The pears were not stolen for their beauty, their taste, or their nourishment (there were better pears at home), but out of sheer mischief.” He and his friends carried off the huge load of pears – not to eat, but to dump out to the hogs. Augustine said, “Doing this pleased us all the more because it was forbidden. It was foul, and I loved it. I loved my own undoing. I loved my error – not that for which I erred but the error itself.”

The Grinch, of course, came up with his “great Grinchy trick” as he called it, impersonating Santa Claus and stealing everything from the “Whos” – the presents, the food, the decorations and even the last can of Who-hash. He did this more or less for exactly the same reason St. Augustine stole the pears: it was “forbidden, it was foul, and he loved it.” Dr. Seuss considers three possible motivations for the Grinch here – first, his head wasn’t screwed on right; second, his shoes were too tight; and third, (and this is what he believes is the true root cause) his heart was two sizes too small.

We know that when Augustine threw the huge load of pears to the hogs, he hadn’t had his conversion quite yet – that would happen when he was in his 30s. The Grinch, however, when he was about to dump the huge load of presents, food and decorations off of the side of Mount Crumpit, had his great moment of conversion, his change of heart. The Grinch, Dr. Seuss tell us, is 53 years old. Maybe he gives us that detail to let us know that it is never too late to have a conversion.

We all know what happens to the Grinch next. Despite the “Whos” having all of their presents, food and decorations stolen, they still greet Christmas with a joyous

song. Singing, that sound which the Grinch despised and thought was somehow bound up with all the presents, food and decorations, was in fact a joyful greeting to the coming of Christmas, to the coming of the Lord, to the coming of love into the world. This, of course, was incomprehensible to the Grinch and he “puzzled three hours till his puzzler was sore.” But as we all know, conversion might start in the head, but it has to happen in the heart. And that is just what happens: the Grinch’s heart grows three sizes that day.

Perhaps we can change the quote from Pope Benedict that we began with and say “The Grinch was created for greatness – for God Himself; he was created to be filled by God. But his heart is too small for the greatness to which it is destined. It must be stretched.”

And so his heart was stretched, three sizes bigger.

St. Augustine goes through a similar experience when he has his conversion.

He goes off by himself to a garden one day because he is tormented by his inability to leave his sin behind. He is tormented by the fact that all of his knowledge and education has not freed him from his sinfulness. While he is weeping and sorrowful, questioning himself about why he is always saying he will give up his sins but never does, he hears a child singing a song he has never heard before. A childlike voice sings, “Take it and read, take it and read.” The Spirit moves him to pick up the book of St. Paul’s epistles and the first thing he reads is “Arm yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, spend no more thought on nature and natures appetites.” In an instant, he tells us a “light of confidence flooded into my heart and all the darkness of doubt was dispelled.” And so, St .Augustine’s heart was stretched that day.

We all have pears that we steal or last cans of “Who-hash” that we steal, our own sins we wrestle with every day. We all need to have our hearts stretched just as the Grinch and St. Augustine had their hearts stretched.

Sometimes our hearts are stretched in a joyful way, but often it is painful and difficult. We experience both types of “heart stretching” over the course of our lives.

Rarely, too, we might have a great epiphany, a moment of conversion where our hearts are stretched three sizes bigger, but not often. But however quickly or slowly it happens, we just need to remember that the bigger our hearts grow, the more room we make for God and the more grace He will pour into our hearts.

DEACON MARTIN SHEEHAN serves at Our Lady of the Highways Church in Thomasville and as the youth ministry director at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Winston-Salem.

s we approach Advent and prepare to welcome Christ at Christmas, let us ask ourselves: “Who is the Christ that we neglect to welcome?”

In the meditation garden at St. Peter Church is a tablet commemorating St. Alberto Hurtado. This Chilean Jesuit was the founder of the Hogar de Cristo, the Home of Christ, which grew to become a network of shelters for the homeless throughout Chile.

Father Hurtado heeded Jesus’ words that “Whatever you did to the least of my brothers and sisters you did to me” (Matthew 25:40). He said, “I hold that every poor man, every vagrant, every beggar is Christ carrying His cross. And as Christ, we must love and help them. We must treat him as a brother, a human being like ourselves. If we were to start a campaign of love for the poor and the homeless, we would, in a short time, do away with the depressing scenes of begging, children sleeping in doorways and women with babies in their arms fainting in our streets.”

Father Hurtado called on others to help him, saying, “Christ doesn’t have a home! Don’t you want to give Him one?”

Like Dorothy Day, Peter Maurin the Zwicks and others in the Catholic Worker movement, Father Hurtado welcomed Christ in the poor and homeless and gave them a home.

He also helped to found a Catholic workers union so that workers might be treated justly. Understanding the Eucharist, the sacrament of communion with Christ and our neighbor, Father Hurtado knew well that Christ is not only present in the poor, but “Christ is also present in those who stand in solidarity with the poor.” Years later, it is that solidarity St. John Paul II would stress in his writings on the Eucharist.

Who is the Christ that we neglect to welcome? That is the question that each age and each nation of Christians must answer. This question is given to us not only in the Gospels and the epistles, but in the Church Fathers and in the encyclicals of the popes. It is the question that Pope Francis reminds us of when he said, “Every stranger who knocks at our door is an opportunity for an encounter with Jesus Christ, who identifies with the welcomed and rejected strangers of every age.”

We can also look to the saints and holy persons of our country and our day. Two of our American saints, Mother Cabrini and John Neumann,

came as immigrants to the U.S. in the 19th century and spent their lives in service to the immigrants – many of whom were refugees fleeing poverty, starvation, political oppression or violence in their home countries.

They call us to look again at those on our borders and in the refugee camps of the world. Why – in a country with near full employment and that has a great need for workers in agriculture, nursing homes, food processing plants, and other labor intensive workplaces – are we not granting the necessary work visas and eventual citizenship? Why have we not allowed those from Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, who translated for and assisted our troops, to come with their families to the U.S. when their lives are threatened in their home countries?

Who is the Christ that we neglect to welcome? Mother Teresa cared not only for the poor and dying, but for the babies and appealed to mothers not to abort their children but to bring them to her for care until they were old enough to be on their own.

How is it that one political party welcomes the unborn but neglects the mothers and their children with the medical and food aid that they need, while the other party turns its back on the 800,000-plus children who are aborted and then supports medical and food aid for those who are born?

Polls show that most Americans are uncomfortable with the number of abortions and want to reduce those numbers and want to end late-term abortions in all but the most extreme cases.

Who is the Christ that we neglect to welcome? The recently deceased Jean Vanier brought together those with special needs and those who are multiply-handicapped and those who do not have these handicaps to live together in loving communities.

Too often we use our jails as holding pens for those suffering from mental illness or other handicaps. How do we welcome all – for all are children of God and brothers and sisters to us? As Pope Benedict XVI said in “Deus et Caritas” (“God Is Love”): “Love of God and love of neighbor have become one: in the least of the brethren we find Jesus Himself, and in Jesus we find God.” Will we welcome the whole Christ at Christmas and throughout the year?

JESUIT FATHER JOHN MICHALOWSKI is parochial vicar of St. Peter Church in Charlotte.

December 6, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Fred Gallagher

‘The Single Petal of a Rose’ – music of the soul

I

heard a piece of music for the first time the other day that touched me with its quiet beauty. Because of it, I began to recall the “music of the soul” in my life.

In this music that seems to defy categorization, genres are meaningless: sacred music, classical, country, pop, folk, jazz. In the classical world “Claire de Lune” by Debussy, Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” or the Masses of the masters come to mind. In country, Hank Williams crooning “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” Patsy Cline’s rendition of “Crazy,” and “Man of Constant Sorrow” by the Stanley Brothers all reach out to me. The Beatles’ pop song “Yesterday,” “These Days”

by Jackson Browne or just about anything written by Paul Simon does the same. The good Sisters of Mercy actually introduced me to folk giants Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan in our mandatory grade school choir. We sang Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land” and Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Pretty hip nuns, if you ask me! I have a niece who sings “Ave Maria” like an angel and at my wedding an affectionate old baritone from Little Italy sang full-throated the Our Father, touching every person there. As a child, to see my parents dance to “their song,” the “Tennessee Waltz,” was a sweet wonderment I shall never forget. It has also been a pleasure impossible to describe, the passing along of the Irish family anthem “Galway Bay,” the last verse being:

‘Can I see my work and my personal life as service rendered to God?’

And if there’s going to be a life hereafter, And faith, I’m sure there’s going to be, I will ask my God to let me make my heaven In that dear land across the Irish sea.

Even a bad rendition of “Holy God We Praise Thy Name” still moves me, as does even an off-key belting out of “The Star Spangled Banner.” All of it is the music of the soul to me.

My wife was a professional singer and when I met her in a jazz club, I requested “My Funny Valentine.” She sang it for me and less than 60 days later I asked for her hand. I had melted off the bar stool! That was 32 years ago. Other great jazz tunes come to mind, standards and otherwise: “Lullabye of Birdland,” “Fly Me to The Moon,” Louis Armstrong singing and blowing his horn in “It’s a Wonderful World” and Sinatra’s “One For My Baby (and One More for the Road).”

And watching my wife on stage singing “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” is as memorable and romantic a moment as I can imagine, a remembrance from a world

beyond this one.

So as I mentioned, I heard this song I’d never heard before. It was written by the great Duke Ellington and it’s called “The Single Petal of a Rose.” I haven’t found lyrics and I don’t think it has any.

It doesn’t need them. All you have to do is listen and let the music of that single petal of that rose lead you on. I got to see Duke Ellington once in a small civic auditorium in Asheville a couple of years before he died. He was as eloquent as ever. What the song says to me is: Look at what’s in front of you. There are treasures before you that God does not want you to overlook. Listen for the music of the soul. Our world is anything but melodious today: politics is as mean spirited as I’ve ever seen it; individual imaginations are sapped by the mob rule of technology; traditional Catholic values and practices are being attacked and left by the wayside, unfortunately, even by many Catholics.

It’s not a flower-filled field, a great wreath of peonies, garland of gardenias or even a solitary rose pinpointed in the song, but the single petal of a rose. Amidst all the cacophonous traffic of our increasingly godless culture, the collective noise of vulgarity that’s become such a part of our lives, to still be able to perceive God’s majesty in our world is to be reminded of His watchful eye, His dominion over all, His insistence upon beauty and harmony to refresh our souls.

“The Single Petal of a Rose” beckons me to consider what Jean Pierre de Caussade called “the sacrament of the present moment,” that is, what is beautiful and sacred right in front of my eyes: my wife’s welcome when I return from work; a text from one of the kids just checking in; the laughter of friends; a celebratory meal; a smile to warm the heart; a grateful response to a kindness shown; a saint’s simple prayer; treasured moments before the Blessed Sacrament; memories elicited from an old photograph; hearing in my sleep the voice of a loved one gone – or perhaps a simple song that touches my soul.

What is holy before me? Am I so engulfed in the tension of warring ideologies, so taken aback by the collapse of traditional family values, so disheartened by the inhumane elements of a technocracy that I can no longer hear the euphonious and resonant beat of a single human heart?

Or am I, trusting my risen Christ present in the Eucharist and in every second of the day, still able to extract a detail of His handiwork, focus on it, and find joy in it?

Can I see my work and my personal life as service rendered to God, as a lovely petal, silken to the touch, the single petal exemplifying God’s hand in my life and in my perceptions… the single petal of a rose?

How beautiful the sight; how lovely the sound of the music of the soul.

FRED GALLAGHER is an author and editor-in-chief with Gastonia-based Good Will Publishers Inc. For two beautiful renditions of “The Single Petal of a Rose,” he recommends looking up the song on YouTube and searching for Aaron Diehl on piano and Joe Temperley on bass clarinet.

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Your gift this Holiday Season will help those most in need within our diocese.

Gifts to Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte make a life-changing difference every day. Your gift during this season will provide support to children and families who come to us seeking assistance in Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, Murphy and Winston-Salem. With your help, we can work together to bring hope for a new tomorrow.

“The Gospel calls us to be close to the poor and forgotten, and to give them real hope.” —Pope Francis

Change a Life.

Make a Difference.

Donate Now.

Your donation this Advent will bring the Church’s ministry of charity to those in need.

Catholic Charities, Central Processing Office 1123 S. Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28203 800-227-7261 ccdoc.org/donate

Thank you for your generosity