Feb. 15, 2019

February 15, 2019

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Local Catholics react against New York abortion law 3

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‘You are sacred to God’

Bishop Jugis celebrates Mass for World Day for Consecrated Life

THANK YOU!

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Tradición mexicana resalta Fiesta de la Presentación del Señor 8

Our brother’s keeper St. Ann parishioners travel to India to serve poor, disabled 6

Sacerdote hondureño resaltó importancia de la familia cristiana 9

Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | February 15, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

St. Flavian: Defender of Christ’s dual nature Feast day: Feb. 18

Pope Francis

When it comes to prayer, there is no room for individualism

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rayer is not just a private and intimate dialogue between a person and God, but rather an opportunity for Christians to bring the needs of others before the Lord, Pope Francis said.

“There is no room for individualism in the dialogue with God,” the pope said Feb. 13 during his weekly general audience at the Paul VI audience hall.

“There is no display of one’s own problems as if we were the only ones in the world who suffer. There is no prayer raised to God that is not the prayer of a community of brothers and sisters.”

Continuing his series of talks on the “Our Father,” the pope focused his reflection on Jesus’ instructions on how to pray, which he said was a secret act that is “visible only to God.” Prayer, the pope said, “avoids falsehood; with God, it is impossible to pretend. It is impossible! In front of God, there is no trick that has power. This is how God knows us: naked in our conscience. And it isn’t possible to pretend.”

While prayer is an intimate act, akin to the “exchange of glances between two people who love each other,” Pope Francis said that true Christians also carry in their hearts their loved ones and those who suffer.

The pope highlighted the “impressive absence” of the word “I” throughout the text of the “Our Father,” even though, he said, it is a word “that everyone holds in high esteem.”

He also noted that the prayer’s petitions are made on behalf of “us,” for example, “give us this day our daily bread; forgive us our trespasses; lead us not into temptation; deliver us from evil.”

“Even the most basic human questions – such as that of having food to extinguish hunger – are all in the plural form,” the pope said. “In Christian prayer, no one asks for bread for himself: he pleads for it for all the poor of the world.”

Departing from his prepared remarks, Pope Francis recalled a conversation with a prison chaplain who asked him what was the opposite of the word “I.” “Naively, I said, ‘You.’ (The chaplain replied), ‘Ah, that is the beginning of war. The opposite of “I” is “us,” where there is peace, everyone together.’ It is a good teaching that I received from that priest,” the pope said.

“Saints and sinners, we are all brothers and sisters loved by the same Father,” Pope Francis said. “And toward the end of life, we will be judged on love.

How we have loved. Not just sentimental love, but compassionate and concrete love according to the Gospel rule: ‘Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

On Feb. 18, the Roman Catholic Church remembers Patriarch St. Flavian of Constantinople, who is honored on the same date

by Eastern Catholics of the Byzantine tradition and by Eastern Orthodox Christians.

Known to Eastern Christians as “St. Flavian the Confessor,” the patriarch endured condemnation and severe beatings during a fifth-century dispute about the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ. Though he died from his injuries, his stand against heresy was later vindicated at the Church’s fourth ecumenical council in 451.

St. Flavian is closely associated with Pope St. Leo the Great, who also upheld the truth about Christ’s divine and human natures during the controversy. The pope’s best-known contribution to the fourth council – a letter known as the “Tome of Leo” – was originally addressed to St. Flavian, though it did not reach the patriarch during his lifetime.

Flavian’s date of birth is unknown, as are most of his biographical details. He was highlyregarded as a priest during the reign of the Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius II (which lasted from 408 to 450), and he became Archbishop of Constantinople following the death of Patriarch St. Proclus in approximately 447.

Early in his patriarchate, Flavian angered a state official named Chrysaphius by refusing to offer a bribe to the emperor. The ruler’s wife Eudocia joined the resulting conspiracy which Chrysaphius hatched against Flavian, a plot that would come to fruition in an illegitimate Church council and the patriarch’s death.

As head of the Church in Constantinople, Flavian had inherited a theological controversy about the relationship between deity and humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. In an occurrence that was not uncommon for the time, the doctrinal issue became entangled with personal and political rivalries. Flavian’s stand for orthodoxy gave his high-ranking court opponents a chance to act against him by encouraging the proponents of doctrinal error and manipulating the emperor in their favor.

The theological issue had arisen after the Council of Ephesus, which in 431 had confirmed the personal unity of Christ and condemned the error (known as Nestorianism) that said he was a composite being made up of a divine person and a human person. But questions persisted: Were Jesus’ eternal divinity, and His assumed humanity, two distinct and complete natures fully united in one person? Or did the person of Christ have only one hybrid nature, made up in some manner of both humanity and divinity?

The Church would eventually confirm that the Lord’s Incarnation involved both a divine and a human nature at all times. When God took on a FLAVIAN, SEE PAGE 20

“Madonna with Child between Saints Flavian and Onuphrius” by Lorenzo Lotto, on display at the Borghese Gallery in Rome

Did you know?

The Church describes Christ’s dual nature – that is, He is both perfectly divine and perfectly human – as “hypostatic union” or “hypostasis.” Because it is impossible for us to fully comprehend this mystery, the term “mystical union” is also commonly used.

You may also have heard the terms “homoousios” and “homoiousios” used to describe this Christian doctrine. The First Council of Nicaea in 325 debated the terms “homoousios” and “homoiousios.” The word “homoousios” means “same substance,” whereas the word “homoiousios” means “similar substance.” The council affirmed that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (the Holy Trinity) are of the “homoousious” (same substance) – reflected in the Creed when we say Jesus was “begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father.” This ancient debate became the source of the English idiom “differ not by one iota.”

Note that the words “homoousios” and “homoiousios” differ only by one “i” (the Greek letter iota). Thus, to say two things differ not one iota is to say that they are the same substance.

For more about Christ’s nature as both “true God and true man,” read the Catechism of the Catholic Church 464-469.

The oldest known surviving icon of Christ Pantocrator, written sometime in the sixth or seventh century and preserved at St. Catherine’s Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai. The image of Christ Pantocrator, which translates from the Greek as “Christ Ruler of All,” was one of the first depictions of Jesus in the early Church.

Your daily Scripture readings FEB. 17-23

Sunday: Jeremiah 17:5-8, 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20, Luke 6:17, 20-26; Monday: Genesis 4:1-15, 25, Mark 8:11-13; Tuesday: Genesis 6:5-8, 7:1-5, 10, Mark 8:14-21; Wednesday: Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22, Mark 8:22-26; Thursday (St. Peter Damian): Genesis 9:1-13, Mark 8:27-33; Friday (The Chair of St. Peter): 1 Peter 5:1-4, Matthew 16:13-19; Saturday (St. Polycarp): Hebrews 11:1-7, Mark 9:2-13

FEB. 24- MARCH 2

Sunday: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23, 1 Corinthians 15:45-49, Luke 6:27-38; Monday: Sirach 1:1-10, Mark 9:14-29; Tuesday: Sirach 2:1-11, Mark 9:30-37; Wednesday: Sirach 4:11-19, Mark 9:38-40; Thursday: Sirach 5:1-8, Mark 9:41-50; Friday: Sirach 6:5-17, Mark 10:1-12; Saturday: Sirach 17:1-15, Mark 10:13-16

MARCH 3-9

Sunday: Sirach 27:4-7, 1 Corinthians 15:5458, Luke 6:39-45; Monday (St. Casimir): Sirach 17:20-24, Mark 10:17-27; Tuesday: Sirach 35:1-12, Mark 10:28-31; Wednesday (Ash Wednesday): Joel 2:12-18, 2 Corinthians 5:20- 6:2, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18; Thursday (Sts. Perpetua and Felicity): Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Luke 9:22-25; Friday (St. John of God): Isaiah 58:1-9, Matthew 9:14-15; Saturday (St. Frances of Rome): Isaiah 58:9-14, Luke 5:27-32

Our parishes

February 15, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

‘You are sacred to God’

Local Catholics react against New York abortion law

Bishop Jugis celebrates Mass for World Day for Consecrated Life SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — The annual Mass for the World Day For Consecrated Life this year fell on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Feb. 2.

The beautiful sunny day lent itself to an outdoor ceremony, where Bishop Peter Jugis performed a rite of blessing of candles for Candlemas. He also blessed dozens of the religious brothers and sisters who gathered for Mass, sprinkling them with holy water before everyone processed, candles in hand, into St. Patrick Cathedral.

The annual Mass is an opportunity for Bishop Jugis to thank the religious men and women from across the Diocese of Charlotte for their decades of service to Christ and His Church.

Religious men celebrating special jubilee anniversaries this year include two Benedictine monks from Belmont Abbey in Belmont: Father Francis Forster and Father Arthur Pendleton (55 years).

Religious women celebrating special jubilee anniversaries include: Mercy Sister Mary Julia Godwin, Mercy Sister Jeanne-Margaret McNally, and Mercy Sister Mary Agnes Solari (70 years); Sister of Providence Katherine Francis French and Sister of St. Joseph Emma Yondura (50 years); and Sister Sheila Richardson, ESA, and Sister Ginsy Simon, SVP (25 years).

During his homily, Bishop Jugis noted that this year is the 22nd anniversary of the World Day for Consecrated Life, which was instituted by St. John Paul II in 1997.

He told the religious men and women that “You are sacred to God as consecrated persons because of your special vocation of consecrated life.”

Bishop Jugis explained that the word sacred seems to say a lot more than just

Bishop Peter Jugis celebrated the annual Mass for the World Day For Consecrated Life Feb. 2 at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte. Five of the seven religious sisters celebrating jubilee anniversaries in 2019 attended the Mass and a reception held in their honor.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

“holy to God,” or “dedicated to God” or “devoted to God” – all of which are indeed true of the consecrated life. But the use of the word sacred means that there is something more being communicated.

“You are sacred to God,” he told them.

He noted that Catholics appreciate the connection between the feast of Mary and Joseph consecrating their child to God and the Church’s celebration of consecrated life. Both are declarations of someone who is sacred to God – consecrated to Him. “It is such a beautiful vocation, such a beautiful calling to which you have responded so generously and are living so faithfully, because you do have a very special role to play in the Church as a witness to that holiness,” Bishop Jugis

said.

We should pray for God to give the grace of a vocation to consecrated life to more young men and women, he said, so that this vocation of sacredness is able to shine forth even more beautifully, more powerfully, in even greater numbers in the Church today.

“More young people need to be, by our prayers, encouraged; asking God to embrace the vow of poverty, renouncing personal ownership of material possessions to be totally for God,” he said. “To embrace the vow of chastity, renouncing marriage and children and family life for the sake of the Kingdom of CONSECRATED, SEE PAGE 20

Mexican tradition highlights the Presentation of the Lord CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

PINNACLE — ­ The Law of Moses commanded that 40 days after a child is born, the baby should be presented in the Temple by the parents. For Jesus, that was Feb. 2 – 40 days after Dec. 25. That’s why on this day the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

While celebrations in United States feature candlelit processions acclaiming Christ as the Light of the nations, many Hispanic Catholics have a tradition of taking the Infant Jesus from their Nativity sets to church – to the Temple, as it were – to present them to Our Lord. This tradition, known as “Las Presentaciones,” is particularly popular in Mexico.

Mónica Martínez, from San Luis Potosí, Mexico, is a “godmother” of four images of Infant Jesus that Bianet Leonides keeps with special care in her home.

For her, to be a “godmother” of the Infant Jesus is a tradition that she

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Monica Martinez, “godmother” of an image of the Infant Jesus, changes the clothes of her “godson” and sits him in a small chair. Then, friends and family will kiss the image of the Infant Jesus on the forehead as a sign of affection and respect. maintains from when she grew up in El Refugio, Ciudad Fernández. “I do practice it with love since I was a child, thanks to

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the tradition I inherited from my parents and grandparents,” Martínez said.

Anyone with an Infant Jesus image at home can invite a friend or relative to be a godmother or godfather. Their responsibility is to provide the clothes for the Infant Jesus image as well as sweets for the party.

The day of the “lift” is a special occasion – the complete rosary is prayed, and prayers and songs are offered to the Infant Jesus. After the rosary, the Infant Jesus image is “raised” and then the godfathers and godmothers proceed to dress it with baby clothes. People bring their images to church, where the priest blesses them after Mass. After the Infant Jesus image is presented, it is placed on a small chair where it remains until the next Christmas.

Las Presentaciones is all about family tradition, Bianet Leonides’ mother Salustia Gutierrez said. Their family plans to continue the devotion, she said, “so that our children will know where we are from and that which is truly celebrating the birth of the Child Jesus.”

KIMBERLY BENDER ONLINE REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — “Abortion is certainly the gravest moral evil of our time.”

That message rang loud and clear in churches across the Diocese of Charlotte at Masses last weekend, as priests preached homilies decrying the recent expansion of abortion rights in New York and similar proposed legislation in Virginia and elsewhere.

On the Jan. 22 anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationwide, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Catholic, signed into law the Reproductive Health Act. Among other provisions, the New York law permits abortions with few restrictions throughout all nine months of pregnancy.

People have been reacting strongly against the new law – preaching about it, seeking ways to oppose it and criticizing Cuomo for his support of abortion in defiance of Catholic teaching.

Catholic News Herald readers expressed their feelings on Facebook after seeing New York legislators cheer when Cuomo signed the law.

“Sad day in America,” wrote Angela Ayers Allen.

“Like Sodom and Gomorrah, abortion advocates take pride in their wickedness and sins,” wrote John King. “They will cling to them right up to the moment of their utter destruction.”

In his Feb. 3 homily, Father Patrick Winslow, a New York native and pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, called the new law “abhorrent.”

Contemporary culture is “a rather hostile environment,” Father Winslow acknowledged. “I think we’ve arrived at a very creepy and ugly place on this issue. It used to be that discussions swirled around medical necessity, complicated medical scenarios. But now we are way beyond that. We’ve arrived at more of an issue of lifestyle choice ... We’re pro-life versus prolifestyle. That is a scary moral place to be as a society.”

“The moral compass of our culture has gone so far off course that we are losing our humanity – our understanding of who we are as creatures of God,” said Father John Putnam, pastor of St. Mark Church in Huntersville, in his Feb. 3 homily. “God is the Author of life, and we in our arrogance and our pride are calling right over life to ourselves.”

Father Putnam and other homilists reiterated Catholic teaching on the value of all human life, and they encouraged Catholics to speak out in its defense.

“In every age the Church has a duty to speak her Gospel to society, her Gospel in its entirety,” said Father Brian Becker at St. Mark Church. “Each and every person is made in the image and likeness of God, and is to be loved according to that human dignity that he and she has, from the moment of conception to natural death.”

Every member of the Church – not just the clergy – is called to preach this truth, several ABORTION, SEE PAGE 20

UPcoming events 4

catholicnewsherald.com | February 15, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following upcoming events: FEB. 22 – 10 A.M. Diocesan Finance Council Meeting Pastoral Center, Charlotte FEB. 28 – 10 A.M. Diocesan Foundation Board Meeting Catholic Conference Center, Hickory

Diocesan calendar of events February 15, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

Volume 28 • NUMBER 10

MOVIE NIGHT, ‘ANGST’: 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, March 29, St. Pius X Church, 2210 N. Elm St., Greensboro. This film is designed to raise awareness around anxiety. It includes interviews with kids, teens, educators, experts, parents and a very special interview with Michael Phelps.

Learn how to identify and understand the signs and symptoms of anxiety and where to reach out for help.

Q&A session afterwards with Dr. Richard Cook, clinician at New Directions, a treatment center for anxiety and depression. For details, call the parish office at 336-2724681.

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

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING

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

NFP INTRODUCTION AND FULL COURSE: 1:30-5 p.m.

Saturday, March 2, St. Pius X Church, 2210 N. Elm St., Greensboro. Topics include: effectiveness of modern NFP, health risks of popular contraceptives and what the Church teaches about responsible parenting. Sponsored

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

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.

CHARLOTTE AIRPORT SUNDAY MASS: The Airport Chaplaincy at Charlotte Douglas International Airport offers Mass at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. each Sunday in the airport chapel. All travelers and visitors are welcome.

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: ASHEVILLE: 9 a.m. Saturday, March 2, St. Lawrence Basilica, 97 Haywood St. CHARLOTTE: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.; 6 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 21, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road GREENSBORO: 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road

ONLINE REPORTER: Kimberly Bender 704-808-7341, kdbender@charlottediocese.org HISPANIC COMMUNICATIONS REPORTER: Cesar Hurtado, 704-370-3375, rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

holiness of God.” The Lord told St. Faustina: “I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish.” For details, call Paul Deer at 704-577-3496.

PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS ANOINTING OF THE SICK MASS: 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, St. Luke Church, 13700 Lawyers Road, Mint Hill.

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

PRAYER AND MASS FOR THE MENTALLY ILL AND THEIR FAMILIES: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden. Join the Friends of St. Dymphna for prayer, sharing and encouragement, followed by a 6 p.m. Mass and benediction for the intention of the mentally ill and their families. For details, call Barbara Edwards at 828-654-0228.

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

Thursday, Feb. 28, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. St. Peregrine is the patron saint of cancer and grave diseases. The healing prayer service is offered for all those suffering with cancer or other diseases. For details, call the church office at 704-543-7677.

CCWG MORNING REFLECTION: 9 a.m. Mass, Monday, March 11, St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte. Coffee and a reflection by Father Timothy Reid at 10 a.m. in the Assembly Room behind the chapel. To RSVP, visit www.charlottecatholicwomensgroup.org.

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 (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. Is Divine Mercy needed today? St. John Paul II had this to say: “There is nothing more man needs than Divine Mercy – that love which is benevolent, which is compassionate, which raises man above his weakness to the infinite heights, to the

THOMASVILLE: 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, Our Lady of the Highways Church, 943 Ball Park Road

SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS ‘LIVING HEALTHY WITH DIABETES’ CLASSES: 1-3:30 p.m. Mondays, March 11-April 15, Our Lady of Consolation Church, 2301 Statesville Ave., Charlotte. Living Healthy with Diabetes is a Stanford University program designed for people with pre-diabetes, diabetes or at risk for diabetes who want to better manage their health.

This workshop will provide techniques to self-manage symptoms associated with diabetes, mutual support and group interaction will boost participants’ confidence in utilizing techniques that address: depression, hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, fatigue, appropriate use of medications, exercises for health, effective communication skills and healthy eating choices. For details and registration, contact Sandra Breakfield at 704-370-3220 or email sabreakfield@charlottediocese. org. Registration required.

‘SENIOR FRAUD & SCAMS PREVENTION’: 10-11 a.m.

Wednesday, April 24, in St. Edwards Hall at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4145 Johnson St., High Point.

Presented by Hugh A. Harris, outreach and policy counsel for the N.C. Department of Justice - Public Protection Section. This workshop will provide answers as to why you are at risk for fraud and scams, the most popular scams targeting seniors, tips to protect yourself and what you should do if you’ve been scammed. Sponsored

by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte and Elder Ministry at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. To RSVP, contact Sandra Breakfield at 704-370-3220 or email sabreakfield@charlottediocese.org by April 17.

MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM ON ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND BI-POLAR DISORDER: Join us for an evening of conversation as we bring anxiety,

depression and bipolar disorder “into the light” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at St. Gabriel Church, located at 3016 Providence Road in Charlotte. Listen to stories of community members through videos from the Compass & Light documentary series, accompanied by a panel discussion with mental health professionals including Justin Perry and Jonathan Hetterly. Connect with local agencies that provide mental health services, and continue the conversation over dessert and coffee. All are welcome. No RSVP is needed.

SUPPORT GROUPS DIVORCED CATHOLICS, ‘THE HEALING PROCESS OF ANNULMENTS’: 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte; or 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at St. Matthew Church Waxhaw campus, 4116 Waxhaw-Marvin Road. After a Catholic goes through a divorce, there is so much confusion and misinformation about practicing the faith.

The truth is that your Catholic faith is the very key to healing after a divorce and is vital to living a life filled with promise, peace and joy. Join Deacon Jim Hamrlik for an insightful one-hour annulment workshop. For details, call Deacon Hamrlik at 704-543-7677, ext. 1040.

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, including retreats in neighboring dioceses, 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 TAP INTO YOUR CATHOLIC FAITH: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, and Monday, Feb. 25, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. Inviting all young adults (20s-30s) and their friends for Father Mike Schmitz’s “Quick Catholic Lessons” with Father Patrick Hoare. Each time we meet, we will have a brewery sponsor. No fee, charge or registration required.

OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION CHURCH: on Facebook at “Our Lady of Consolation Young Adult Ministry” ST. GABRIEL CHURCH: https://stgabrielchurch.org/191 ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH: call Meg VanGoethem, 815-545-2587 or visit www.4sjnc.org/faith-formation/ adult-ministry/young-adult-ministry

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.

February 15, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

‘Stewardship: Sharing the Gifts We Have’

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ICE agents detain the father of a local seminarian

Diocesan conference to be held March 23 CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte Office of Development will offer a Diocesan Stewardship Conference from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at St. Therese Church in Mooresville.

The conference, “Stewardship: Sharing the Gifts We Have,” will feature keynote speaker Tom Corcoran, co-author of the “Rebuilt” book series, which instructs parishes in successful methods of how to engage parishioners and create vibrant church communities.

Speakers from parishes around the Charlotte diocese will also share their tips and experiences during the conference.

The stewardship conference will offer compelling and practical workshops, interactive forums, presentations and discussions around stewardship, teamwork and innovative parish programs.

Some topics offered during the conference include: Engaging Young Adults in Stewardship of Time and Talent; How to Communicate the Stewardship Message Using New Media; Evangelization and Stewardship, Working Together; and Teaching Stewardship to All of Our Youth.

Anyone interested in embracing stewardship as a way of life will benefit from attending this conference.

Whether a priest, deacon, parish staff member, parish leader or engaged parishioner, the goal is for attendees to receive the tools and motivation to take their parish’s stewardship efforts to the next level.

The registration fee for the conference is $20 before March 23; $25 at the door the day of the event.

For more information or to register, contact Barb De Mase, associate director of development, at bldemase@ charlottediocese.org or 704-370-3302. Information about the “Rebuilt” parish model can be found at www. rebuiltparish.com.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

OUR PARISHESI

CÉSAR HURTADO HISPANIC REPORTER

VICTORIA EWING WARE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Youth weave mats for the homeless HAYESVILLE — Children at Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission recently collected thousands of plastic grocery bags donated by parishioners and then wove them into bed mats destined for the homeless in shelters in Atlanta and in Cherokee County. The project, part of “Sister Terry’s Ministries,” was a first for the young people, who are taught by Sister Terry Martin, CND. Each mat was made from 700 plastic bags. Pictured are (from left) Alexis Mozqueda, Noelia Fonceca, Seiry Mozqueda, Cecilia Constantino, Josie Mozqueda, Camila Nava and Edwin Nava.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KELLY DAVENPORT

Parish celebrates 40 Hours devotion LINCOLNTON — Parishioners at St. Dorothy Church took part in a 40 Hours devotion Feb. 3-6 in honor of their parish’s patron saint and in celebration of the parish family reaching 75 years together. The celebration opened with a parish breakfast on Sunday, then continued with Eucharistic Adoration for 40 continuous hours until Feb. 6, the feast day of St. Dorothy. Father David Miller, pastor, gave a reflection each evening and celebrated Mass on Feb. 6. Parishioners enjoyed a dinner celebration to conclude the event. The parish also celebrated as Father Miller blessed a new playground on the parish grounds. Pictured are Sarah Lopez Camilla Campos dressed as St. Dorothy.

CHARLOTTE — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested more than 200 people in multiple operations last week across North Carolina, including the father of a St. Joseph College Seminary student.

About 60 of the detainees, including the father of seminarian José Palma, have no criminal records, ICE acknowledged in an announcement Feb. 8.

Palma’s father Francisco Palma was arrested in Asheboro while ICE agents were looking for another person. The 48-year-old father of six came to the U.S. from Mexico 22 years ago to seek a better life for his family – especially medical help for a daughter with speech and hearing problems. He worked on farms and later in construction to provide for his family, and now besides having a son in the college seminary, one of his daughters has entered a religious order in Gastonia.

Francisco Palma was released Feb. 12 and allowed to return home after his family posted a $5,000 bond, but he must attend an immigration hearing and remains at risk for deportation. The family is working with immigration attorneys on his case.

Palma said his family was shocked by the arrest and the subsequent rapid transfer of his father to a federal detention center in Atlanta.

“I understand that my father, to come here, broke a law. I also broke it, although I was too young to know that I was also breaking a law,” Palma acknowledges. “But I feel it is an injustice because my father did not come to harm this country, he came to do good things. He is a good man who has given me a great example, and to imagine him today in prison for seeking a better life breaks my heart.”

Despite living and working in the U.S. for more than two decades, immigration law prevented Palma’s father from obtaining legal status without first having to return to Mexico. His entry without authorization made him ineligible for any regularization benefit.

Palma said he understands the impact and seriousness of the law, but he also expresses hope that the U.S. would be merciful to foreigners as the Bible commands – especially well-meaning foreigners who help support their local communities.

“I understand that the country cannot accept everyone, and the example of some bad guys has damaged the image of an entire community that seeks to do good,” he said. “We cannot demand if we do not contribute.”

If his father is deported, Palma said, his family will be split up as his mother, who is inconsolable, would follow her husband back to Mexico. Palma himself was a DACA beneficiary and now has a religious visa to stay in the country.

In spite of everything, Palma remains firm in his vocation and asks for people to pray for his family at this difficult time.

“As far as I can discern at this moment, God wants me to be in the seminary and I cannot leave my vocation. If God uses this to purify my family, I accept it,” he said. “Although I am angry, sad and upset about many things, I trust that God will solve everything according to His plans.

God never gives suffering without getting something good because in the same way, He redeemed us all. And as Christians we are called to be like Jesus.”

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catholicnewsherald.com | February 15, 2019 OUR PARISHES

(Above) St. Ann parishoner Steve Brunhuber helps a resident while on mission in January at the House of Joy in Warangal, India. (Right) Lucie Tonon colors with a resident at the House of Joy. St. Ann missioners, pictured at Christ the King Monastery, worked with the Missionaries of the Poor in India.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY FATHER TIMOTHY REID

Our brother’s keeper St. Ann parishioners travel to India to serve poor, disabled SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Boys living with HIV. Toddlers with disabilities abandoned by their families. Men who are mentally or physically disabled. These are the people a group of St. Ann parishioners recently traveled halfway around the world to care for in Warangal, India.

St. Ann Parish is a longtime supporter of the Missionaries of the Poor, a community of religious men who serve the poorest of the poor, people who have been cast off from society, in missions all over the world – in India, Jamaica, the Philippines, Africa, and even here in the Diocese of Charlotte in Monroe.

For the past three years parishioners have donated $100,000 to pay school fees for orphans and provide support to the Missionaries of the Poor in southern India, which runs two missions: Divine Mercy Orphanage, which cares for boys who contracted HIV at birth, and the House of Joy, a home for disabled boys and men. Parishioners visited the homes last month on an unforgettable mission trip that took them 17,000 miles from Charlotte to Warangal.

Lucie Tonon, whose husband Deacon Peter Tonon serves St. Ann Parish, was among the missioners.

“On this mission trip we worked in the apostolate and took a few side trips,” Tonon says, to see how St. Ann’s donations have been put to good use.

The Tonons have been longtime supporters of the Missionaries of the Poor, traveling to their centers in Jamaica, Haiti and Uganda over the past 14 years. She also helps the brothers with their mission in Monroe. Father Richard Ho Lung, founder of the Missionaries of the Poor, even asked her to manage the Holy Innocents Project in Jamaica, designed to house pregnant women and children.

Tonon admits she did not really want to go India. “In fact, I said ‘no, thank you’ three times prior to going this time. This year no one asked me to go, but I felt God calling me to go and to trust Him.” But the impact this mission trip and others have had

on her faith is huge, she says. “The Lord teaches you something each and every time you go. Sometimes I feel it is one word, like a heightened sense of gratitude. When the poor are so appreciative of every little thing you give them, like a piece of paper and a crayon, why can’t we be appreciative of the things people give us in America?”

“The residents of these missions are your teachers, who give you lessons if you just watch them. Many residents have been left at the hospital or in the street by their family when the brothers pick them up. Their new family becomes their fellow residents and the brothers,” she explains.

What also touches her is how the residents who can walk fetch wheelchairs for those who can’t walk, and then happily bring those residents to the table to eat. “They care for each other like healthy families care for one another,” she says.

These mission trips “take you out of your comfort zone” but are very gratifying, says St. Ann’s pastor, Father Timothy Reid.

“We do whatever the brothers need us to do,” Father Reid says.”It’s nice to take the material blessings that we have and share them over there. I feel good about St. Ann supporting this mission, because we are not just supplying blankets, we’re sharing our faith.

“It enkindles more deeply the virtue of charity. Doing

this type of trip brings out the very best in people. They become more generous. It increases their gratitude.”

Parishioners Chris and Steve Brunhuber also accompanied Tonon and Father Reid on the mission. For Chris, this was her second mission trip to India. She has also served on mission in Jamaica with the Missionaries of the Poor.

Brunhuber says of the difficult circumstances that have led to the boys and men being abandoned by their families, “It is heartbreaking, but through the brothers’ calling they truly live up to what the Lord calls us to do and that is to be ‘our brother’s keeper.’ The Missionaries of the Poor truly exemplify this phrase.”

She and Steve like to go on mission trips “because we enjoy serving others who are less fortunate and we enjoy supporting the Missionaries of the Poor. These experiences helped us grow spiritually and help us learn to see Christ in the eyes of all the people we serve.”

Brunhuber admits that she “never truly understood that expression until I became involved in these mission trips and worked directly with the people who needed love and kindness so much.”

“Although we have participated in other charitable outreach situations locally, these experiences have helped heighten our awareness of what is going on in the world, and whether we are giving locally or internationally we are trying to live by the fact that we are our brother’s keeper,” she says.

Tonon reflects on their mission experience, adding, “The brothers teach you how to pray and how to give God the glory in all they do. The brothers are dedicated servants, taking absolutely nothing for their time and hard work.

They do what they do for the love of the Lord. They give all of themselves.

“So I come back each time and ask the Lord to teach me how to be more dedicated to Him, just one little step. Can I be obedient like the brothers? Can I love a little more or be a little more selfless? Can I remember the importance of praying before I do every little thing?”

February 15, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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In Brief Bishop Bohdan coming to Charlotte CHARLOTTE — All are invited to attend the upcoming visit of Bishop Bohdan Danylo of the Danylo Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma, Ohio, to St. Basil the Great Eastern Catholic Parish on Sunday, March 3. Bishop Bohdan will celebrate a Pontifical Divine Liturgy (Mass) starting at 11 a.m. March 3 marks Forgiveness Sunday, the last Sunday before the start of Great Lent.

St. Basil the Great Eastern Catholic Parish meets at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, located at 1400 Suther Road in Charlotte. It is an Eastern (Byzantine) church in full communion with the pope. Catholics of any particular church (rite) may fulfill their Sunday obligation by attending this Mass. Learn more online at www.stbasil. weebly.com.

Force, “we see events like this as an opportunity to raise awareness on this critical issue,” said Jessica Grabowski, Catholic Charities’ Respect Life program director and chair of the task force. “Both prayer and education in combating human trafficking are key tools that can truly make a difference in ending this violent crime.”

Attendees gathered information about antihuman trafficking efforts of non-profits like Ursus Institute, Catholic Relief Services and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Deacon Chip Wilson of Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont led the evening prayer service, reading from the fifth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew which calls upon the faithful to be salt of the earth and the light of the world. He then spoke of how we must “turn a light” on human trafficking, so that we might more readily see the victims of this evil who are sometimes hidden in plain sight.

— Joseph Purello

Order of Malta has retreat

Seminarian takes next step in priestly formation COLUMBUS, Ohio — Diocese of Charlotte seminarian Jonathan Torres and other seminarians in their third year of graduate study at the Pontifical College Josephinum made the Profession of Faith and took the Oath of Fidelity in the presence of Monsignor Christopher J. Schreck, rector, and the seminary community Jan. 24. This step is in preparation for ordination to the transitional diaconate.

Candidates for ordination pledge to remain faithful to the teachings of the Church and swear to be faithful teachers of the Gospel.

Torres is a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Charlotte.

— Carolyn A. Dinovo and Peter Stetson

Belmont event focuses on fight against human trafficking BELMONT — Sacred Heart Convent in Belmont was the site of a prayer service and educational event on the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, Feb. 8. St. Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of victims of human trafficking, and the Church has designated Feb. 8 as an International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking.

Parishioners from seven Charlotte region parishes joined members of the Sisters of Mercy South Central Community in prayer, education and a fair trade sale of crafts, jewelry and clothing made by victims of human trafficking.

Sponsored jointly by the Sisters of Mercy and Catholic Charities, with assistance by members of Catholic Charities Human Trafficking Task

HICKORY — Knights and Dames of Malta gathered at the Catholic Conference Center for a retreat during the first week of February. More that 50 members of the group from the Diocese of Charlotte listened to more than seven hours of presentations by retreat leader Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey. The subject of the retreat was prayer. Besides the presentations, participants attended three Masses and had opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration and confession. The Knights of Malta is a fraternal organization that dates to the 11th century. The worldwide focus of the 14,000 knights and dames is humanitarian, medical and social assistance.

Knights essay contest winner named HUNTERSVILLE — The Rev. Monsignor Joseph Kerin Knights of Columbus Council 12654 announces the winner of its annual essay contest is Kiera Whittemore, a senior at Christ the King High School. The subject of this year’s essay was: “How does your family keep its Catholic faith in action?” Whittemore received an award of $300 from the council. In addition to the prize, another $300 was donated to fund a stained glass window at St. Mark Church in her name.

— Joe Dougherty

Diocesan Youth Conference set BLACK MOUNTAIN — The 42nd annual Diocesan Youth Conference will be held at the Blue Ridge Assembly April 26-28. The theme is “Darkness Enlighten,” based on John’s Gospel, chapter 1, verse 5: “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Registration is open online at https:// charlottediocese.org/ev/youth/events/diocesanyouth-conference.

For more information, contact Paul Kotlowski at 828-228-1692 or pjkotlowski@ charlottediocese.org.

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

What will you learn by taking a free, one-day class?

• Effectiveness of modern NFP methods.

• Health, relational, and spiritual benefits.

• Health risks of popular contraceptives.

• Church teaching on marital sexuality.

• How to use Natural Family Planning.

2019 Spring Class Dates And Locations* March 2 - St. Pius X Catholic Church, Greensboro March 30 - St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Hickory April 13 - St. Matthew Catholic Church, Charlotte May 11 - St. Matthew Catholic Church, Charlotte *all courses are from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm For other locations and course options, go to ccdoc.org/nfp and click “NFP Instructors”.

For Spanish options, go to ccdoc.org/nfp and click “Espanol”.

Inquire about our new teenFEMM mother/daughter retreats.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Batrice Adcock at bnadcock@charlottediocese.org or (704) 370-3230.

ccdoc.org

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catholicnewsherald.com | February 15, 2019

(Izquierda) Mónica Martínez, madrina de una de las cuatro imágenes del Niño Jesús de la dueña de casa, Bianet Leonides, cambia el traje de su Niño Dios y lo sienta en una pequeña silla, donde permanecerá hasta que sea “acostado” la próxima Nochebuena. Luego, todos besarán al Niño en la frente como signo de cariño y respeto. (Abajo) El Padre Gregorio Gay de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe bendice las imágenes que sus parroquianos presentaron tras la fiesta de la Presentación del Señor.

Padre Gabriel Carvajal

Al encuentro con Jesús

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ablando de las personas que se juntan para vivir la vida de pareja sin estar casados por civil ni por la Iglesia, están poniendo el matrimonio a un nivel que no es.

Es decir, ellos buscan su placer, buscan su comodidad. Pero no se olviden que cada cosa, cada decisión, tiene sus efectos secundarios. Llegan los años, llega la vejez, la pérdida del sentido de la vida, el perro se muere, entonces, ¿cómo llenar ese vacío?

Por eso es muy importante para los católicos que, si desean ejercer su sexualidad, bienvenidos, es una bendición de Dios. Pero que lo hagan según la palabra de Dios, según la doctrina enseñada por la Iglesia: casaditos y teniendo una vida sacramental saludable.

Hay que tomar en cuenta que vivimos en una sociedad donde casi todo se usa y se tira. Vas a una fiesta y todo es desechable, tíralo, cambia de carro, y eso se ha llevado al campo de la persona. Las parejas dicen “mira, vamos a juntarnos, si nos comprendemos ya vemos si nos casamos, sino nos dejamos, nos separamos y no hay problema”. También alegan que la felicidad no está en un papel, no está en un documento, “cuántas personas están bien casadas y andan ahí sufriendo. Entonces, mira, vamos a vivir sin compromiso”.

Lo que dice Jesús es que “sin mí no pueden hacer nada”. Y nosotros, católicos ¿dónde podemos encontrarnos con Jesús? En el bautismo, en la confesión, la eucaristía, la confirmación y el matrimonio.

Y he escuchado muchos testimonios de gente que se ha acercado a la vida sacramental: “Padre, gracias porque no sabíamos que estábamos en pecado, no sabíamos lo que nos estábamos perdiendo y ahora podemos confesarnos, podemos comulgar dignamente y estamos muy contentos”.

Y eso, como sacerdote, me motiva. Pero muchos otros se ponen trabas. “Yo sí me quiero casar, pero quisiera que vinieran mis papás”. ¿Y dónde están tus papás?

“Pues están allá en México” ¿Y tienen papeles para venir o usted para ir? ¿No?, ¿entonces por qué se complica? O peor, me dicen, “yo quisiera que estuviera mi abuelito ese día”, ¿y dónde está el abuelito?, “pues ya se murió hace como diez años”.

Yo les digo que si hoy estuvieran dando la residencia dirían “no la quiero recibir porque es importante para mí que todos vean cuando me la den”. ¡A mí déme la residencia ahora mismo! ¿No creen?

EL PADRE GABRIEL CARVAJAL es Vicario de la parroquia San Gabriel en Charlotte.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Tradición mexicana resalta Fiesta de la Presentación del Señor CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE ­— La Ley de Moisés mandaba que a los 40 días de nacido un niño fuera presentado en el templo.

Justamente el 2 de febrero se cumplen los 40 días, contando desde el 25 de diciembre, día en que celebramos el nacimiento de Jesús.

Por ello, en esa fecha, la Iglesia celebró la Fiesta de la Presentación del Señor, el Día de la Candelaria y la fiesta de la purificación de la Virgen María.

Mientras que la celebración en Estados Unidos destaca la bendición y procesión con las velas encendidas aclamando a Cristo como luz de las naciones, muchos católicos hispanos mantienen la hermosa costumbre de llevar los Niños Jesús de sus nacimientos al templo para presentarlos ante Nuestro Señor. Esta es una costumbre que tiene raíces bíblicas pues cuando hacemos la presentación de nuestros niños en el templo, estamos recordando lo que José y María hicieron con el Niño Jesús.

Sin embargo la tradición, especialmente en México, tiene una significación especial y se suele tomar la imagen del Niño, es decir la “levantada” del pesebre, para vestirlo con un traje, sentarlo en su silla y esperar la próxima navidad para nuevamente “acostarlo” en su pesebre el 24 de diciembre.

Gracias a la invitación de una familia que reside en la localidad de Pinnacle, Carolina del Norte, pudimos ser testigos de esta hermosa tradición familiar.

Mónica Martínez, del estado de San Luis Potosí, México, es una de las madrinas de las cuatro imágenes del Niño Jesús que Bianet Leonides mantiene con especial cuidado en su casa de esta localidad.

Para ella ser “madrina del Niño Jesús” es una costumbre muy bonita que mantiene

desde su pueblo natal, El Refugio, Ciudad Fernández. “La llevo en mi corazón desde niña gracias a la tradición que heredé de mis padres y abuelos”.

Cualquier persona que tenga un Niño Dios en casa puede invitar a un amigo o familiar a ser padrino o madrina.

La responsabilidad del padrino es llevar el vestido del Niño, proveer de dulces para la fiesta y estar siempre pendiente de la fecha en la que se va a “acostar” y “levantar” al Niño.

Normalmente al Niño se le “acuesta” el 24 de diciembre, en Nochebuena, y se le “levanta” regularmente el 2 de febrero, día de la Candelaria, o antes del miércoles de ceniza.

El día de la “levantada” es una ocasión especial. En la celebración se reza el Santo Rosario completo, ofreciendo oraciones y canciones al Niño Jesús.

Al terminar el rezo se “levanta” al Niño del nacimiento y, después de quitarle las ligeras vestiduras que cubren su desnudez, se procede a vestirlo con ropa de bebé que los padrinos han provisto.

Una vez vestidos, los niños son llevados por su padrino o madrina ante cada uno de los asistentes, quienes lo besan en la frente y reciben el agasajo de dulces y golosinas de parte de los padrinos.

Luego, con la ayuda de unas cintas se les sienta en una pequeña silla y así quedan listos para esperar una navidad más.

Más tarde llegará la cena que compartirán todos los asistentes, ofrecida por la dueña de casa, donde se saborean

platillos tradicionales de la región de la que provienen los oferentes.

Si bien la fiesta este año se celebró en sábado, muchas familias llevan a sus Niños a presentarlos al templo durante la Misa del domingo siguiente.

Los sacerdotes celebrantes regularmente permiten que los Niños sean colocados cerca al altar y, al término de la misa, los bendice para que sean portadores de gracia y prosperidad al retornar a los hogares que los acogen.

Salustia Gutiérrez, madre de Bianet Leonides, dijo que en su casa son más de 20 años que se lleva a cabo este festejo, “que vamos a mantener para que nuestros niños sepan de donde somos, para que aprendan a convivir con otras personas y sepan lo que es verdaderamente celebrar el nacimiento del Niño Jesús”.

Más online En www.facebook.com/CNHespanol: Vea un video con imágenes de esta tradición mexicana

February 15, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Agentes de ICE detuvieron a padre de seminarista local

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El Padre José Eulogio Álvarez, quien trabaja siete años para la diócesis de Choluteca, Honduras, condujo dos sesiones en la parroquia San Gabriel, en las que compartió su visión sobre la importancia de la familia cristiana. “Las sagradas escrituras nos dicen claro lo que tiene que hacer una familia. La familia que está apegada a la palabra de Dios va a ayudar a sus hijos, a sus nietos, y entonces va a saber conducirse y buscar el Reino de Dios y su justicia que es Jesucristo”, dijo.

CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE — El viernes 8 de febrero, oficiales de la agencia de Inmigración y Aduanas (ICE), confirmaron en conferencia de prensa la detención de 200 personas en operativos realizados en el estado de Carolina del Norte desde el pasado lunes 4 del mes en curso.

El número no incluye a las aproximadamente 30 personas que fueron tomadas en custodia en una fábrica de la ciudad de Sanford, condado Lee. Las acciones causaron temor en la comunidad indocumentada que se refugió en sus casas, no envió a los niños a la escuela ni salió a efectuar actividades regulares de trabajo y comerciales.

ICE aseguró que sus actividades son selectivas y están dirigidas a detener y procesar la deportación de extranjeros con cargos criminales y órdenes de deportación pendientes. Sin embargo, reconoció que cerca de 60 detenidos – un treinta por ciento del número total – no tenían antecedentes criminales.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

SIN ANTECEDENTES CRIMINALES

Entre las personas capturadas por ICE se encuentra Francisco Palma, padre del seminarista José Palma, quien cursa estudios sacerdotales en el Seminario San José de Charlotte. El padre de Palma fue detenido en Asheboro, en una acción en la que los oficiales de ICE buscaban a otra persona.

Francisco Palma fue liberado el 12 de febrero y se le permitió regresar a casa después que su familia depositara una fianza de cinco mil dólares, pero debe atender a los llamados de la Corte y permanece en riesgo de deportación. La familia ha contratado servicios legales para atender el caso.

José Palma comentó que su familia se encuentra conmocionada ante el arresto y rápido traslado a un centro de detención en Georgia. “Entiendo que mi papá para venir aquí quebró una ley.

Yo también la quebré, aunque estaba muy chiquito para saberlo.

Pero lo siento como una injusticia porque mi papá no vino a hacer mal a este país, vino a hacer cosas buenas. Es un buen hombre que me ha dado un gran ejemplo e imaginarlo hoy en la cárcel por buscarnos una mejor vida me parte el corazón”, dijo.

Francisco Palma, de 48 años y con seis hijos, llegó de México hace 22 años para buscar una mejor vida para su familia, especialmente buscando ayuda médica para una de sus hijas que tiene problemas de habla y audición. Como otros inmigrantes, trabajó en el campo y luego en construcción. Su vida, sudor y lágrimas convirtieron a sus hijos en excelentes personas que hoy brindan más de lo que recibieron de la sociedad norteamericana.

Una de sus hijas también es postulante a la vida religiosa en un convento en Gastonia.

Lamentablemente no existía ninguna oportunidad para que el padre de Palma pudiera obtener un estatus migratorio legal, pese al largo tiempo que llevaba residiendo en Estados Unidos.

Su ingreso sin autorización lo hacía inelegible para cualquier beneficio de regularización.

Palma asegura que si bien la Biblia nos manda a ser misericordiosos con los extranjeros, la indicación es para con el “extranjero que hace las cosas bien, que muestra misericordia para con quienes lo acogen. Entiendo que no se puedan aceptar a todos y el ejemplo de unos malos ha dañado la imagen de toda una comunidad que busca hacer el bien. No podemos exigir si no aportamos”, señaló.

Pese a todo, el seminarista sigue firme en su vocación. “Por lo que puedo discernir al momento, Dios quiere que yo esté en el Seminario y no puedo dejar mi vocación. Si Dios utiliza esto para purificar a mi familia lo acepto”, dijo.

“Aunque estoy enojado, triste y molesto por muchas cosas, confío en que Dios va a resolver todo según sus planes. Dios nunca da sufrimiento sin sacar algo bueno porque así, de esa misma manera, él nos redimió a todos. Y como cristianos estamos llamados a imitar a Jesús”, subrayó el seminarista que espera nuestras oraciones en este duro trance familiar.

Sacerdote hondureño resaltó importancia de la familia cristiana CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE — El pasado domingo 3 de febrero la comunidad hondureña festejó la fiesta de su patrona, la Virgen de Suyapa, y lo hizo con un sacerdote especialmente invitado desde Honduras para esta fecha especial, el Padre José Eulogio Álvarez.

El Padre Álvarez, quien trabaja ya siete años para la diócesis de Choluteca, al suroeste de Honduras, ha visitado nuestra diócesis en cuatro oportunidades.

En febrero de 2018 fue invitado a participar en un Encuentro Emaús que se llevó a cabo en la región de las montañas. Desde entonces ha compartido predicación en retiros, Hora Santa, momentos de oración, de liberación y de sanación en parroquias como San Lucas, Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, San José en Kannapolis, San John Neumann y San Gabriel.

Sin embargo, como reconoce, quien lo trajo en esta ocasión fue la Virgen de Suyapa. “En Honduras la celebramos el 3 de febrero como fiesta nacional y en esta misma fecha nuestros hermanos hondureños se reunieron aquí en esta parroquia (San Gabriel) para compartir esta fiesta con todos los hermanos de otros países”, dijo.

Previamente, el jueves 31 de enero y viernes 1 de febrero, el Padre Álvarez condujo dos sesiones en las que compartió su visión sobre la importancia de la familia cristiana.

“En América Latina ha habido cinco conferencias episcopales en las que se habló sobre la familia.

La primera en Río de Janeiro en 1955; la segunda en Medellín, Colombia, en 1968; la tercera en Puebla, México, en 1979; la cuarta conferencia en Santo Domingo en 1992 y en la quinta conferencia latinoamericana, y última hasta el momento, en el año 2007 en Aparecida, Brasil, volvieron a hablar de la familia”, lo que quiere decir que a “la iglesia latinoamericana, como a la iglesia universal, le preocupa la familia, porque la familia es el núcleo de

la sociedad, el núcleo de la misma iglesia”.

Respecto a la definición de familia y los conflictos de género e identidad sexual, señaló que en cuanto a amar, “debemos amar a todos porque es un mandato del Señor Jesús”, pero, “el Señor ya dejó todo establecido” para el hombre y la mujer, “y el matrimonio tiene que ser entre un hombre y una mujer, no dos hombres o dos mujeres porque ya eso estaría totalmente fuera del plan de Dios”.

Añadió que debemos de tener claridad en este sentido pues Dios ya lo determinó. Citando Génesis 1:27, donde se lee “Dios creó al hombre a imagen Suya, a imagen de Dios lo creó; varón y hembra los creó”, afirmó que ambos, “hombre y mujer, los dos se van a unir para procrear y formar una familia, pero dos mujeres o dos hombres no van a poder procrear, no van a poder hacer una familia y eso ya es fuera de la norma de la santa madre iglesia”.

Para mantener la unión del núcleo familiar recomendó a las familias que “vivan apegadas en primer lugar a la palabra de Dios”.

“Las sagradas escrituras nos dicen claro lo que tiene que hacer una familia. La familia que está apegada a la palabra de Dios va a ayudar a sus hijos, a sus nietos, y entonces va a saber conducirse y buscar el Reino de Dios y su justicia que es Jesucristo”.

Luego señaló que si, caso contrario, la familia se sale de lo que es la palabra de Dios, “es allí donde va a seguir caminos equivocados, por ejemplo, seguir brujería, hechicería, magia blanca, magia negra, o cualquier teoría que hoy se da en este mundo del siglo XXI”.

Por ello subrayó que “la familia tiene que estar muy atenta de cuidar de no salirse del camino, que es Jesucristo, la palabra de Dios”.

Más online En www.facebook.com/CNHespanol: Vea un video sobre la visita del Padre Álvarez

Lecturas Diarias FEB. 17-23

Domingo: Jeremías 17:5-8, 1 Corintios 15:12, 16-20, Lucas 6:17, 20-26; Lunes: Génesis 4:1-15, 25, Marcos 8:11-13; Martes: Génesis 6:5-8, 7:1-5, 10, Marcos 8:14-21; Miércoles: Génesis 8:6-13, 20-22, Marcos 8:22-26; Jueves (San Pedro Damián): Génesis 9:1-13, Marcos 8:27-33; Viernes (La Cátedra de San Pedro): 1 Pedro 5:1-4, Mateo 16:13-19; Sábado (San Policarpio): Hebreos 11:1-7, Marcos 9:2-13

FEB. 24-MAR. 2

Domingo: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23, 1 Corintios 15:45-49, Lucas 6:27-38; Lunes: Sirácides 1:1-10, Marcos 9:14-29; Martes: Sirácides 2:1-11, Marcos 9:30-37; Miércoles: Sirácides 4:11-19, Marcos 9:38-40; Jueves: Sirácides 5:1-8, Marcos 9:41-50; Viernes: Sirácides 6:5-17, Marcos 10:1-12; Sábado: Sirácides 17:115, Marcos 10:13-16

MAR. 3-9

Domingo: Sirácides 27:4-7, 1 Corintios 15:54-58, Lucas 6:3945; Lunes (San Casimiro): Sirácides 17:20-24, Marcos 10:17-27; Martes: Sirácides 35:1-12, Marcos 10:28-31; Miércoles (Miércoles de ceniza): Joel 2:12-18, 2 Corintios 5:20- 6:2, Mateo 6:1-6, 16-18; Jueves (Santas Perpetua y Felícita): Deuteronomio 30:1520, Lucas 9:22-25; Viernes (San Juan de Dios): Isaías 58:1-9, Mateo 9:14-15; Sábado (Sta. Francisca Romana): Isaías 58:9-14, Lucas 5:27-32

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catholicnewsherald.com | February 15, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Izquierda, Sara Carbajal, Francisco Omar Rodríguez y sus hijos Moisés Omar y Francisco Raúl. La paciencia puso a prueba la relación que han construído en base a la presencia de Dios en sus vidas. Francisco Omar le pidió a Dios que le diera la oportunidad de encontrar una mujer excepcional y “Él me envió un ángel”.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

San Valentín, patrono de los enamorados

Derecha, Marlene Carbajal, Juan Luis Suárez y sus hijos Juan Leonardo y Teresa. Ellos adelantaron su matrimonio civil pero decidieron postergar su vida juntos hasta concretar su matrimonio religioso.

La decisión de llevar una unión libre no les permitiría acercarse a la confesión ni a la eucaristía. “Para mí el poder comulgar era más fuerte a mi deseo de estar con él”, dijo Marlene.

CONDENSADO DE ACIPRENSA

CHARLOTTE — Se dice que el amor de Dios reina en el corazón de todos los santos, incluso hay quienes fueron asesinados por odio a este amor y son llamados mártires. Pero solo hay un santo que tiene la dicha de ser el patrón de los enamorados: San Valentín, a quien se le recuerda cada 14 de febrero.

Según dice una tradición, San Valentín arriesgaba su vida para unir en matrimonio cristiano a las parejas durante el tiempo de persecución.

Su celebración fue asociada con la creencia común durante la Edad Media, generalmente en Inglaterra y Francia, de que el 14 de febrero todas las aves escogen pareja y comienzan a aparearse.

En aquel tiempo existía la costumbre pagana de que los jóvenes sacaran por suerte nombres de jovencitas, en honor de la diosa del sexo y la fertilidad llamada Februata Juno, celebrada el 15 de febrero. Algunos pastores substituyeron esta costumbre, escribiendo nombres de santos. Así con el tiempo la fiesta sería cristianizada dando inicio al festejo de San Valentín.

Aunque San Valentín sigue siendo reconocido como verdadero santo de la Iglesia, muy poco se sabe sobre su vida, fuera del hecho de su martirio.

El amor de este santo sacerdote por Jesucristo y por defender el Sacramento del Matrimonio nos inspira a elevar el amor humano a las alturas del amor divino para el cual fuimos creados. Los cristianos debemos aprovechar esta fiesta para recuperar el sentido cristiano del amor y del matrimonio a la luz de Cristo.

El día de San Valentín se celebra de diferentes maneras en el mundo. En Estados Unidos se adoptó la costumbre a principios del siglo XVIII, mientras que en Brasil se saltan el 14 de febrero y en su lugar celebran el 12 de junio a San Antonio, santo patrono del matrimonio y del emparejamiento.

En el Reino Unido, las parejas se regalan flores, bombones y joyas. Por la noche suelen disfrutar de una agradable cena en un restaurante o una velada en casa a la luz de las velas.

En Corea del Sur y Japón en la fecha se ofrecen regalos a los hombres. El 15 de marzo, conocido como el Día Blanco, los hombres devuelven el favor con pasteles, dulces y flores.

En Filipinas se celebran bodas masivas y en Sudáfrica las mujeres se ponen un alfiler con el nombre de su enamorado en la manga de su camisa.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pusieron a Dios delante del amor de pareja CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

MONROE — Las hermanas Marlene, Sara y Rocío Carbajal son muy conocidas en su comunidad. Ellas son hijas de la señora Rosa Elba Gutiérrez, veracruzana con muchos años de residencia en esa localidad, católica practicante, guitarrista, directora del grupo de danza ‘Cielito Lindo’, excelente cocinera, activista comunitaria y parte del grupo “Apóstoles de la Palabra”, por nombrar solo algunas de sus ocupaciones.

‘LO FÁCIL, FÁCIL SE VA’

Marlene, la mayor, con 31 años, fue la primera de las jóvenes en casarse hace cuatro años con Juan Luis Juárez, siguiendo las enseñanzas de la Iglesia que le transmitió su madre.

Conoció a su esposo en un encuentro de jóvenes en Lexington. Como relata Juan Luis, “el flechazo fue inmediato”, pero la relación iba a ser problemática pues mientras que Marlene residía en Monroe, él vivía en Greensboro.

Después de tres años de noviazgo y diez meses de compromiso decidieron adelantar el matrimonio civil para iniciar una regularización legal de Juan Luis. Pese a estar ya unidos legalmente, decidieron continuar viviendo en sus casas hasta contraer matrimonio religioso.

Siendo católicos y conociendo su doctrina, la decisión de estar en unión libre no les permitiría acercarse a la confesión ni a la eucaristía y Marlene sentía que ello la alejaría de la Iglesia. “Para mí el poder comulgar era más fuerte a mi deseo de estar con él”.

La impaciencia y presión de Juan Luis para vivir juntos llegaron al punto de casi romper la relación, pero al ver la firme decisión de Marlene cedió y optaron por lo difícil: no ceder a sus impulsos y acatar el plan de Dios.

“Lo fácil, fácil se va”, dijo Marlene, recordando el divorcio de sus padres que afectó mucho a la familia. “Eso es algo que yo no quiero en mi matrimonio”.

“Después me di cuenta que hacer las cosas de esa manera es lo mejor”, dijo Juan Luis. “Vale la pena esperar, es lo mejor que uno puede hacer y las bendiciones que uno recibe son increíbles”, asegura el hoy padre de dos niños, Juan Leonardo de dos años y Teresa, de 4 meses.

‘NECESITO TIEMPO’

El caso de Sara, de 29 años, fue distinto. Cuando todavía estaba en la escuela ingresó a trabajar a una compañía de venta de vegetales. Allí conoció a Francisco Omar Rodríguez, un hombre doce años mayor que ella.

Francisco Omar no reparó inicialmente en Sara pero, al conocerla más, vio en ella “lo que siempre había soñado encontrar en una mujer” y pensó que Dios la había puesto en su camino.

La diferencia de edades lo hizo vacilar en su propósito de cortejarla. Después de consultar con su familia para ver si “estaba equivocado” en la relación que buscaba, finalmente decidió hablar con la mamá de Sara para buscar su aprobación, sin que la joven tuviera conocimiento.

Cuando llegó el momento en que Francisco Omar le declaró su amor a Sara, ella quedó desconcertada. Su respuesta fue un “necesito tiempo, debes de ser paciente”.

“Después de tres meses me dió el sí y nos dimos el primer beso”, relató Francisco Omar.

Pero su paciencia se puso a prueba nuevamente y para que el noviazgo llegara a compromiso de matrimonio tuvieron que pasar cuatro años. Él ya había tenido un hijo en una relación previa y este hecho sembraba dudas en Sara, quien también veía en él a un buen hombre, trabajador y responsable.

Francisco Omar, tras su divorcio, había pedido a Dios que le diera la oportunidad de encontrar una mujer excepcional, “y Él me envió un ángel”.

Para Sara y Francisco Omar la presencia del Señor en su matrimonio es lo más importante. Hoy disfrutan la bendición de contar con dos niños: Moisés Omar y Francisco Raúl.

February 15, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Estate Planning Elder Law | Probate

Has a loved one died?

Are you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do?

Sabrina has been in your shoes and can guide you through the process and lessen your burden.

FOTO CORTESÍA MARIANA LANDA-CHAVEZ

Mariana Landa-Chavez y Fernando Villegas, dos integrantes del grupo juvenil de la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte, formaron parte del equipo de jóvenes que fueron seleccionados de varias parroquias Vicentinas de todo el mundo para participar de la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud que se llevó a cabo en Panamá en enero pasado. “El Papa Francisco nos reconoció (a los jóvenes) como parte importante de la Iglesia Católica”, dijeron.

Jóvenes de Charlotte asistieron a Jornada Mundial de la Juventud CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE ­— Del 22 al 27 de enero pasado, el Papa Francisco se reunió con cientos de miles de jóvenes de todo el mundo en la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud 2019 realizada en Panamá.

Nuestro pontífice latinoamericano también visitó un albergue de personas con VIH, se refirió a la tragedia del oleoducto en México y la represa en Brasil, así como a la crisis de Venezuela.

Sin embargo, su especial atención fue dirigida a los jóvenes, de quienes dijo “no son el futuro sino el ahora”.

El Papa pidió a los jóvenes no tener miedo, actuar con energía renovadora y confrontar a quienes se empeñan en excluir a los que “no son como nosotros”. Pidió defender la vida y aceptar a la familia y amigos como son. Además hizo un llamado a los obispos centroamericanos a que “roben los jóvenes a la calle y a la cultura de la muerte” y que conduzcan una Iglesia “de salida”, cercana al sufrimiento de su gente.

PEREGRINOS DE CHARLOTTE

Mariana Landa-Chavez y Fernando Villegas, dos jóvenes integrantes del grupo juvenil de la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Charlotte, fueron testigos presenciales de la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud, tras ser seleccionados como representantes de la Congregación Vicentina en la Ciudad Reina.

Para Mariana, de 20 años, nacida en Charlotte de padres mexicanos, su selección fue algo muy inesperado. “Desde que me enteré de la jornada me dijo voy a ir pero no sabía cómo”. Le comentaron que había una lista de candidatos pero nunca pensó que la elegirían.

A su compañero de viaje, Fernando Villegas, también de 20 años, le sorprendió la pregunta de si quería acudir al evento mundial juvenil. “Cuando me dijeron que había sido seleccionado y preguntaron si deseaba acudir de inmediato respondí que sí”, dijo.

Ambos viajaron inicialmente a Nueva York, donde se reunieron con un grupo de otros jóvenes provenientes de parroquias Vicentinas en Estados Unidos. Desde allí se trasladaron a Panamá y disfrutaron de un encuentro Vicentino previo a la

llegada del Papa. “Tuve la oportunidad de conocer muchos jóvenes Vicentinos de todas partes del mundo. Compartimos tres días en un albergue para huérfanos, luego nos llevaron a una parroquia de la ciudad de Panamá donde nos alojaron en casas de familia”, relató Fernando.

A Mariana le sorprendió la amabilidad de la gente, no sólo de los jóvenes de diferentes países que llegaba a la jornada sino del pueblo panameño “tan amoroso, tan amable y dispuesto a ayudar. Era como estar en casa”.

Ambos tuvieron la oportunidad de estar cerca al Papa Francisco al verlo pasar en el ‘papamóvil’.

“Pese a que todo el ambiente era muy ‘loco’ y el calor muy fuerte, sentí gran paz y alegría al verlo. Decíamos siempre ‘esta es la juventud del Papa’ y nos sentíamos como una gran familia”, contó Mariana.

Los dos se sintieron impactados cuando el Papa “dio la charla sobre que los jóvenes ahora ya no sienten amor o que sienten que ya no existen. Es la verdad y hemos escuchado de los jóvenes que dicen que ya no los quieren, que no importan. Pero en realidad son el presente, el ahora y son muy importantes. El Papa nos reconoció como parte importante de la Iglesia Católica”, apuntó Mariana.

“Somos los jóvenes del Papa y nuestra misión es atraer más jóvenes a la Iglesia, pues no hay muchos”, añadió Fernando, a quien el amor de Dios lo lleva a servir a la comunidad, “a dar parte de mí a la comunidad, a tener una voz activa”.

Relatando su experiencia personal, Mariana dijo que como muchos jóvenes, desde muy niña llegaba a Misa los domingos o sólo para Navidad. “Pero, de repente, mi familia tuvo contacto con la Renovación Carismática, y ahí empecé a tener una conexión con Dios. Más adelante me involucré y ahora es mi pasión trabajar con los jóvenes, ayudarlos en este mundo con tristeza, drogas, violencia, familias disfuncionales y mucho dolor, para darles un mensaje de esperanza y alegría”.

Más online En www.facebook.com/CNHespanol: Vea un video sobre la historia de estos jóvenes de Charlotte

704.843.1446 | www.ncestateplanninginfo.com

6406 Carmel Road, Suite 301 | Charlotte, North Carolina 28226

Employment Opportunities within the Diocese of Richmond: Associate Director for Youth and Young Adult Program Development to develop and implement relevant youth and young adult programs, events, and resources to support nearly 150 parishes/missions and 29 Catholic Schools in furthering their evangelization efforts to middle and high school youth (grades 6 to 12) and non-college young adults (aged 18 to 29) to form intentional and missionary disciples.

Associate Director for Youth and Young Adult Parish Support to support the clergy and paid/volunteer lay leadership of nearly 150 parishes/missions and 29 Catholic Schools in furthering their evangelization efforts to middle and high school youth (grades 6-12) and non-college young adults (aged 18-29). This support is achieved through a clear understanding of the Church’s evangelistic mission and promoting it in the interactions with and development of parish youth and young adult ministries and its leadership.

Qualifications for each position: Must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with thorough knowledge of Church teachings and theology with the ability to relate that knowledge to various audiences. Master’s degree or willingness to work toward a master’s degree in theology, pastoral ministry, or related field is required. Must possess the ability to articulate a clear ministry vision and set appropriate milestones to accomplishing the vision, along with fluency in relevant Church documents pertaining to youth and young adult ministry and evangelization.

Associate Director for Social Ministry — To realize the Church’s vision for social ministry in their respective geographic region. The Associate Director will work with parish leaders to further Catholic Social Teaching, specifically in the areas of prison ministry, solidarity efforts and twinning relationships, advocacy work in justice areas, and partnering with local and national organizations.

Qualifications: This position requires the successful candidate to be a practicing Catholic in good standing. Master’s degree or willingness to work toward a master’s degree in theology, pastoral ministry, or related field is required. Minimum of three years of professional experience in ministry is required, preferably in the area of Catholic Social Teaching. Must possess the ability to articulate a clear ministry vision and set appropriate milestones to accomplishing the vision, along with a thorough knowledge of Church teachings and theology with the ability to relate that knowledge to various audiences.

For any of these positions, candidates should send a cover letter, résumé, and completed Diocesan Application to Sara Board, HR Coordinator, at jobs@richmonddiocese.org.

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Our schools 12

catholicnewsherald.com | February 15, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

Catholic School, where he explained “what drives the weather?” to third-graders as part of the science unit they were studying.

In Brief OLM spelling bee winner named WINSTONSALEM — Seventh-grader Callum Forest recently won Our Lady of Mercy School’s annual Spelling Bee – for the fourth consecutive year. The bee included contestants from the fourth through the eighth grade. Forest will advance on to compete in the Non-Public Schools round of Forsyth County competition.

Last year, he was the Forsyth County Non-Public Schools Spelling Bee Champion for the second year in a row.

— Katrina Capistrano

Weatherman visits ASHEVILLE — On Feb. 7 Jason Boyer, WLOS News 13’s chief meteorologist, visited Asheville

wanted to extend the idea of giving to others to his classmates, Aidan simply said he likes helping people. He added that he was proud of his classmates for helping give to others.

Aidan’s goal is that “everybody could have a little Christmas,” this year.

“Our strength is in what we can do,” Kulp said.

“Our kids are trying to give back.”

This isn’t the first time students stepped up to support the community. In November, Father John Eckert and Kulp had a friendly contest as to who the students thought grew the best beard during No Shave November. The students raised over $840 in change. The money was donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

— Robin Fisher and The Salisbury Post

Sacred Heart students collect Toys for Tots SALISBURY — “It is better to give than to receive!” Sacred Heart students and families were recently recognized for their generosity and kindness with their local Rowan County Toys for Tots Collection. Overall, the school community collected 754 new toys for needy children to help make their Christmas brighter.

This follows right along the school’s Virtues Program of Kindness and Generosity.

The idea came from fourth-grader Aidan Melton, 9, who has been volunteering with the organization since he was 5. He asked Principal Tyler Kulp if he could take what they’d been learning about showing kindness to others a step further with a toy drive. As to why he

Sacred Heart students recognized for their selflessness SALISBURY — Sacred Heart School recently welcomed Mayor Al Heggins to its Morning Assembly. Heggins said she wanted to recognize Sacred Heart students for the tremendous effort they have shown in serving others, raising money for charities, and lending a helping hand. She read a proclamation from the City of Salisbury to the middle school student government, then another one to the elementary student government, then to all students.

The middle and elementary schools both won the Service Above Self County School Awards this year. Sacred Heart fourth-grader Aidan Melton was named Elementary Student of the Year at the Rowan County Service Above Self Awards 2018. He is pictured with Heggins and Principal Tyler Kulp.

The 2018 Service Above Self Awards were sponsored by Rowan County United Way, the Rowan Rotary Club, Cheerwine and Catawba College.

— Robin Fisher

Students learn the joy of giving WINSTON-SALEM — Each Christmas, St. Leo School’s fourth-grade class adopts a family.

They hold a bake sale every November to raise money for gifts. On “Cyber Monday,” students shop online to find the best deals. They wrap the project up by, well, wrapping the gifts as a class.

The class learned several lessons through this project last Christmas. Teamwork, technology and math skills all came into play as they worked together to stretch their bake sale money as far as possible. The most important lesson learned was the joy in giving to others.

— Melissa Kinsley

IHM students make ‘blessing bags’ HIGH POINT — Immaculate Heart of Mary School fourth-graders recently collected toiletries, snacks, hats and gloves for the homeless. They assembled a “blessing bag” and included a special note of encouragement for each recipient. The items were donated to Open Door Ministries of High Point.

— Carrie Vest

Mix

February 15, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

On TV

In theaters

Catholic radio goes on the air KIMBERLY BENDER ONLINE REPORTER

‘What Men Want’ Workplace comedy examines female empowerment and the constant mutual misunderstandings that beset the sexes. Taraji P. Henson plays a high-powered, foul-mouthed sports agent whose career stalls because she fails to connect well with men. Some vulgar banter, pervasive rough and crude language.

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

‘The Prodigy’ Edgy creepy-kid tale in which a gifted 8-yearold (Jackson Robert Scott) born on the same day that a serial killer (Paul Fauteux) was gunned down by police shows signs of having a split personality, the darker side of which disturbs and bewilders his caring parents (Taylor Schilling and Peter Mooney). Occult themes, some graphic gory violence, gruesome images.

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

Other movies: n ‘Aquaman’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13 n ‘Mary Poppins Returns’: CNS: A-I (general patronage); MPAA: PG n ‘Miss Bala’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13 n ‘Roma’: CNS: L (limited adult audience); MPAA: R n ‘The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part’: CNS: A-I (general patronage); MPAA: PG

13

BELMONT — A new Catholic radio station is on the air in Charlotte. Catholic Radio Charlotte, WCGC AM1270, is part of the Carolina Catholic Radio Network.

The station started broadcasting Jan. 31, said David Papandrea, who serves as a “media missionary” for EWTN in the area.

Headquartered at Belmont Abbey College, the station broadcasts 24 hours a day with a daytime signal that can reach an estimated 500,000 people from Hickory to Rock Hill, S.C., including Huntersville and Charlotte.

Carolina Catholic Radio Network broadcasts EWTN Global Catholic Radio and will carry local programming including local diocesan news updates starting in the next few weeks, Papandrea said.

The station is also streamed online and available to listen through an app.

Operating AM1270 is listener-funded, Papandrea said. The Carolina Catholic Radio Network was created in 2017, and the network also includes Belmont Abbey College’s WBAC-LPFM 101.5. A test station in Salisbury was on the air for nearly six months in 2017.

GLOBAL CATHOLIC TOURS OF VIRGINIA

2019 PILGRIMAGES

11 Days Poland and Prague: September 16-26, 2019 - $3,410 each 2 nights Warsaw, 1 night Czestrochowa, 3 nights each in Krakow and Prague.

With Fr. Junot Nelvy from Marietta, GA. 9 Days Holy Land: September 9-17, 2019, - $3,400 each 5 nights in Jerusalem and 2 nights in Nazareth With Fr Dan Pisano from Wellsburg, WV.

In the future, the Carolina Catholic Radio Network hopes to add more stations: Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Hickory/I-40 corridor, Concord and Asheville areas. That way the network could cover 80 percent of

Catholics in the diocese and reach more than 4 million people.

Learn more At www.carolinacatholicradio.org: Stream the station, donate or learn about bringing a station to your area

n Saturday, Feb. 16, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “St. Martin De Porres.” This EWTN original movie presents the life and mystical revelations of St. Martin de Porres, the great 17th century model of Christian love of neighbor. n Monday, Feb. 18, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “The Beatification of Benedict Daswa.” Friends and family honor the beatification of Benedict Daswa, a martyr who spoke out against the ritualistic killings running rampant across South Daswa Africa. He is the first South African ever to be called “Blessed.” n Wednesday, Feb. 20, 5:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “The Calling.” An engaging and inspiring film which brings new hope and confidence for young Catholics in England and Wales to think about their vocation. n Thursday, Feb. 21, 5:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “Down from the Mountaintop.”

After attending a youth group retreat, a shy teenager and musician named Adam feels inspired to start up a Christian band at his public high school. n Friday, Feb. 22, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Out of the Shadows.” Dominican Father Allen White traces the origins of Roman Christianity from its obscure, house-church beginnings to its ultimate triumph over the imperial power. n Sunday, Feb. 24, 10 p.m. (EWTN) “Gladsome Light.” An introspective look at the monastic work and prayer life of the monks of Holy Transfiguration Skete as they go about their day-to-day duties. n Thursday, Feb. 28, 5:30 p.m.

(EWTN) “Providence Will Provide.”

A look into the life of Mother Mary Lange, who despite cultural hostility established the first religious community of black women in the history of the Catholic Church.

Youth Ministry For Our Lady Of Mercy Catholic Church Position Summary: Fostering the personal and spiritual growth of each young person and encouraging them to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.

Qualifications & Skills:

11 Days Greece-Turkey: September 10-20, 2019 - $3,500 each 2 nights Istanbul, 1 night each in Kavala, Thessaloniki, Kalambaka & Delphi. 3 nights in Athens.

Optional 3 day cruise to island is planned. With Fr. Joe Arledge from Woodward, OK.

• Bachelor's degree in related field preferred.

• Proficient in both English and Spanish languages.

13 Days Fatima Spain: September 9-21, 2019 - $4,550 each 3 nights Fatima, 2 nights Santiago de Compostela, 1 night each Burgos, Salamanca, Avila and 3 nights in Madrid. With Fr. Shafer from Colonial Beach, VA.

• Proven ability to work effectively with youth, diverse cultures and ethnic groups, and teams of volunteers.

• Proficient in computer software including Microsoft Office products, Graphic/Desktop Publishing software, and Social Media.

12 Days Italy: October 7-18, 2019 - $4,300 each 2 nights each in Venice and Assisi, 3 nights each in Florence and Rome.

With Fr. Higgs from Charleston, WV.

For brochures or information, contact John Tagnesi PH 1-888-544-4461 or jtag1964@ verizon.net

• Member of good standing in the Catholic Church.

Part-time position (20 hrs/wk.). Pay commensurate with experience.

Send resume to Fr. Carl Zdancewicz at 1730 Link Rd. Winston Salem, NC 27103

Our nation 14

catholicnewsherald.com | February 15, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Head of U.S. bishops says new ‘season’ could come after abuse crisis RHINA GUIDOS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The laity may be angry over the most recent revelations of the Catholic Church’s sex abuse crisis, but bishops, particularly younger ones, share in that anger and “want to move with real force” toward solutions and it could yield a new season for the Church, said the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Feb. 6.

Cardinal Daniel N. Dinardo, who is the archbishop of Galveston-Houston, made the comments during a day-long conference to address the problem.

The “Healing the Breach of Trust” conference, the second such meeting at The Catholic University of America in Washington, addressed the need of more DiNardo involvement by lay women and men – one inspired by the teachings of the Second Vatican Council – in building what the cardinal called in the morning part of the conference a new “season” for the Church, and one that may not be accidental.

“Think about what the Spirit might be doing in all of this,” Cardinal DiNardo said. “In saying this, I am in no way trying to deny or dodge the issues of the episcopal responsibility and accountability that this crisis has raised,” but added it’s worth it to ponder St. Augustine’s principle “that God can bring good even out of evil.”

He said he believed that the current revelations – and the crisis they have caused – are being used by the Holy Spirit to open the Church “to a fuller understanding of ecclesiology that began over a half century ago,” referring to the Second Vatican Council, convened in Rome from

1962 to 1965, which called for a renewal of the Church, one that involved the people in the pews and a less hierarchical Church.

“What I think is happening is one of those solidifying moments when the insights of a council begin to gel more fully into reality,” he said.

While some bishops want to forge ahead quickly in addressing the crisis, the pope has asked for discernment before any action is taken, he said, and other bishops have urged “prudence” since so many have been hurt by abuse at the hands of clergy.

“Some want a little more action,” he said. “But I think there isn’t that much disunity.”

Bishops are committed to finding a solution, he said, but there are issues that have caused a great loss of trust. One is that a previous crisis took place before and the other deals with circumstances of who knew what and when about former U.S. Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, the retired archbishop of Washington, who resigned from the College of Cardinals last year following accusations that he had sexually abused a minor decades ago and may have had improper relationships with seminarians.

Archbishop McCarrick is living in a friary in rural Kansas while Vatican officials investigate the accusations to decide whether the 88-year-old archbishop will return to the lay state.

“That’s gotta be handled,” said Cardinal DiNardo.

Catholic University’s president, John Garvey, joined Cardinal DiNardo in the conference’s morning session, and said that the current crisis in the Church, even though it faced a similar moment in 2002, now also focuses on the past behavior of the bishops themselves as well as on their management of abuse cases and accusations. Some of the factors at hand involve the bishops’ isolation from others

and the lack of people surrounding them who do not want to offer criticism or advise because of the prelates’ hierarchical status.

“It’s lonely at the top,” Garvey said. “People don’t want to criticize.”

But there are plenty outside of their circle manifesting the anger they feel. Cardinal DiNardo said he has received thousands of letters expressing that anger and he has read about 65 percent of them. There also are plenty of those who propose that solutions to the crisis involve returning to the Latin Mass or ordaining women. But a new season for the Church, as it pertains to the bishops, means acting less as an administrator and more as a pastor, he said. In the new “season,” bishops will have to undergo a pastoral conversion.

“This will mean that bishops will have to let go – not of their authority, for that is instituted by Christ – but bishops will have to learn new ways to share and delegate their administrative duties,” he said, adding that it could be one where “shepherds recognize more fully the charisms of the laity and encourage the exercise of those gifts for the good of the Church.”

Garvey said addressing the crisis is of great importance and bishops should think about those in pews who are “gradually falling away.”

“We need to understand people’s love for the Church is greatly affected,” he said. “We better fix it or we’re going to lose the next generation of Catholics.”

Cardinal DiNardo said there is a resolve “to see this through,” even though when the U.S. bishops met as a group in November, “we were pretty down,” but now there’s more hope to move forward, he said.

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February 15, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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In Brief Supreme Court blocks Louisiana law that would restrict abortion providers WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court blocked a Louisiana law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals Feb. 7. In the court’s 5-4 vote, Chief Justice John Roberts sided with four justices in favor of blocking this regulation for now. Since the decision was a brief order, it did not contain an explanation. The court is likely to hear a challenge to the law’s constitutionality during its next term.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh sided with the state law, but Kavanaugh also wrote a dissent from the order, noting he would have preferred more information on the specific impact of the state’s restrictions. In his fourpage dissent, he wrote that the main issue is if the admitting-privileges requirement puts an “undue burden” on a woman’s ability to have an abortion. Kavanaugh said the state’s doctors and hospitals should first aim to resolve the admitting-privileges question and if they can’t, the case should return to court. If they do resolve this issue and the doctors continue to perform abortions, he said the law would not impose an undue burden.

In reaction, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kan., is chairman of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life committee, said: “The abortion industry’s objection to such a reasonable law,

and this court’s decision to temporarily prevent it from going into effect, is further evidence of how abortion extremism actively works against the welfare of women.”

Vermont bishop says abortion bill ‘goes too far’ by allowing infanticide BURLINGTON, Vt. — The bishop of the Diocese of Burlington said an abortion bill working its way through the Vermont Legislature “goes too far.” Bishop Christopher J. Coyne said the proposal, H. 57, “goes far beyond Roe v. Wade,” the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, by “guaranteeing unrestricted abortion through all nine months of pregnancy.”

This, he added, “means that a baby in the womb can be terminated right up to the moment of natural birth. My friends, that is not abortion.

That is infanticide.”

The House Human Services Committee passed the bill out of its committee Feb. 7 after only making what Vermont Right to Life called “cosmetic changes.” It now moves to the House Judiciary Committee. The bill’s sponsors say it isn’t intended to change or preempt abortion law but simply “codify current access.”

Bishop Coyne said the Catholic faith teaches that all human life is sacred, “meaning ‘of God’” – from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death and that Catholics are called to embrace and protect that sacred gift.

Trump defends rights of faith-based adoption agencies

in families based on firmly held religious beliefs.

“We will always protect our country’s proud tradition of faith-based adoption,” Trump said.

“My administration is working to ensure that faith-based adoption agencies are able to help vulnerable children find their forever families while following their deeply held beliefs.”

His comments came after introducing Melissa and Chad Buck, a Catholic couple from Holt, Mich., who have adopted five children with special needs through St. Vincent Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Lansing. Two of the Holts’ children joined the couple at the Feb. 7

15

breakfast.

Trump alluded to an American Civil Liberties Union federal lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services that challenges a state law that protects child-placing agencies that deny adoption services because of a conflict with the agency’s religious beliefs. The lawsuit argues that statecontracted, taxpayer-funded child placement agencies unconstitutionally discriminate by disqualifying same-sex couples from consideration for adoption or foster care.

— Catholic News Service

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catholicnewsherald.com | February 15, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Witness to Christ with love, pope tells Catholics on Arabian Peninsula CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Meeting with tens of thousands of Catholics living in the United Arab Emirates, Pope Francis urged them to be meek, peaceful and express their Christian identity by loving others.

The UAE Catholic community, which numbers close to 1 million, includes foreign workers from roughly 100 nations, but particularly India and the Philippines.

They filled the stadium at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City and the open spaces around the complex for Pope Francis’ Mass Feb. 5.

Paul Matthew, his 13-year-old daughter Meldy and 4-year-old daughter Michelle, were at the stadium early, the proud bearers of some of the 42,000 special tickets allowing access inside the stadium.

“We are very happy; it’s a historic

moment,” said Matthew, who came from India five years ago and is involved with the “outreach ministry” of St. Paul’s Church, visiting the sick in local hospitals.

The United Arab Emirates is officially Muslim, but it allows members of other faiths to worship according to their beliefs.

The Muslim dignitaries at the Mass were led by Sheik Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the government minister of tolerance.

In his homily, Pope Francis told the Catholics, “I like to quote St. Francis, when he gave his brothers instructions about approaching the Saracens and nonChristians. He wrote: ‘Let them not get into arguments or disagreements, but be subject to every human creature out of love for God, and let them profess that they are Christians.’”

So “neither arguments nor disagreements” are called for, the pope said. In the 13th century “as many people were setting out, heavily armed” to fight in

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the Crusades, “St. Francis pointed out that Christians set out armed only with their humble faith and concrete love.”

“Meekness is important,” the pope said.

“If we live in the world according to the ways of God, we will become channels of His presence; otherwise, we will not bear fruit.”

The prayers of the faithful for the Mass were written in six languages: Korean, French, Urdu, Filipino, Konkani and Malayam.

The prayer in Filipino, acknowledging how many foreign workers come to the UAE without their families, asked God to accompany “all the migrants and workers who live in these lands; may their sacrifice and diligence blossom into goodness and sustenance for their families.”

The French prayer asked God to convert “the hearts of sinners and of the violent; stop the wars, defeat hatred, help us weave bonds of justice and peace.”

In his homily, Pope Francis acknowledged the difficulties many Catholic foreign workers experience so far from their homelands, often doing very humble work for very rich families.

The Gospel reading for the Mass was the Beatitudes from the Gospel of Matthew.

Pope Francis told the people that the Gospel message was for them and could be summarized as: “If you are with Jesus, if you love to listen to His word as the disciples of that time did, if you try to live out this word every day, then you are blessed. Not you will be blessed, but you are blessed.”

Many people today, he said, think that being blessed means being comfortable and having wealth. But Jesus showed another way. For Him, “blessed are the poor, the meek, those who remain just even at the cost of appearing in a bad light, those who are persecuted.”

Jesus was “poor in respect to things, but wealthy in love; He healed so many lives, but did not spare His own,” the pope said.

“He came to serve and not to be served; He taught us that greatness is not found in having but rather in giving.”

Pope, on flight, talks about dialogue, abuse of women religious CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Pope Francis told reporters he is more afraid of the consequences of not engaging in interreligious dialogue than he is of being manipulated by some Muslim leaders.

He told reporters flying back to Rome with him Feb. 5 from Abu Dhabi that people are always saying he’s letting himself be used by someone, “including journalists, but it’s part of the job.” “For me, there is only one great danger at this moment: destruction, war, hatred among us,” the pope said, explaining why he and Egyptian Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb, grand imam of al-Azhar, spent a year writing back and forth to finalize the document they signed Feb. 4 in Abu Dhabi on promoting “human fraternity” and Christian-Muslim understanding.

Pope Francis spent about 35 minutes answering reporters’ questions, including a question about the clerical sexual abuse of women religious prompted after the women’s supplement to the Vatican newspaper printed a story in its February issue on the abuse.

Asked about it, Pope Francis said, “It’s true, it’s a problem,” especially in some newer Catholic communities and congregations.

“We have been working on this for a while,” Pope Francis said. “We have suspended some priests, sent them away for this, and – I’m not sure if the whole process had been completed – but we also have dissolved a few women’s religious congregations,” newer ones, where corruption and sexual abuse were found.

“Must more be done? Yes,” he said.

The Church owes much to the “courage” of then-Pope Benedict XVI for beginning to tackle the problem, Pope Francis told reporters. The now-retired pope, he said, dissolved a congregation “because the slavery of women, including sexual slavery, had become part of it.”

Alessandro Gisotti, interim director of the Vatican press office, later clarified, “When the Holy Father spoke of ‘sexual slavery,’ he meant ‘manipulation,’ a form of abuse of power which is reflected also in sexual abuse.”

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In Brief Feast day of St. Paul VI added to universal calendar VATICAN CITY — Having considered the holiness of St. Paul VI and the influence of his ministry for the Church worldwide, Pope Francis has approved putting the saint on the Church’s universal calendar of feast days as an optional – not obligatory – memorial. The celebration of the late pope is May 29 on the General Roman Calendar, the universal schedule of holy days and feast days for the Latin rite of the Catholic Church. On Feb. 6, the Vatican published the decree, issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments Jan. 25, the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, the apostle. Pope Francis, who canonized Paul VI last October, approved the optional memorial in light of “the petitions and desires of the people of God,” said the decree, signed by Cardinal Robert Sarah and Archbishop Arthur Roche, the congregation’s prefect and secretary, respectively. It said Pope Francis “considered this pope’s holiness of life, witnessed to by his works and words” and took into account “the great influence of his apostolic ministry for the Church throughout the whole world.”

For second time in months, CRS forced to cut funding to Gaza JERUSALEM — Catholic Relief Services cut its services to needy people in the Gaza Strip by closing a U.S. government-funded program because of the Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act. This was the second CRS

program in Gaza affected the U.S. government decisions in recent months: The first was the administration’s freeze on funding to medical and humanitarian aid providers and the second is ATCA, said Hilary DuBose, CRS country representative for Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza. The Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act, signed into law last fall by the U.S congress, would allow Americans to sue any entity receiving American funding for alleged collaboration in acts of terrorism. Since there has not been any clear exception for humanitarian funding, USAID asked CRS to shut down the Gaza 2020 project, which provided temporary job placements, food vouchers, entrepreneurship training and grants, and emergency preparedness training. The program ended Jan. 31.

Cardinal warns against being silent about Catholic faith VATICAN CITY — To keep silent about the truths of the Catholic faith or to teach the contrary is a form of religious deception that comes from the anti-Christ, said Cardinal Gerhard Muller. The purpose of the Church and its members, he said, is to lead people to Jesus, so all Catholics, but especially priests and bishops, “have a responsibility to recall these fundamental truths” and to strengthen the faith “by confessing the truth which is Jesus Christ himself.” The German theologian, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 2012 to 2017, wrote what he called a “Manifesto of Faith.” Subtitled with a verse from John 14:1, “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” the fivepage manifesto was released to several Catholic news sites Feb. 8. “In the face of growing confusion about the doctrine of the faith, many bishops, priests, religious and laypeople of the Catholic Church have requested that I make a public testimony about the truth of revelation,” he wrote.

— Catholic News Service

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catholicnewsherald.com | February 15, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Thomas Kessler

Bishop Robert Barron

The bishops must speak out to defend life

L

et me begin by thanking our own Bishop Peter J. Jugis for his goodness, holiness and service to God and his Church.

However, after I gave this homily below for the fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Feb. 3, I was caught off guard by the overwhelming response of the faithful. With their many comments after the Masses, I discovered a real disappointment in the bishops of the United States, and an incredible and genuine desire for their leadership.

In the first reading and Gospel passage for the fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we see the struggle between good and evil. The Book of Jeremiah portrays a nation in crisis, a nation that has lapsed back into idolatry.

Jeremiah came up against strong opposition when he tried to wake the people up to their impending doom. Then came the Babylonian exile and Jerusalem was destroyed in 587 B.C. Chapter one of Jeremiah says: “The word of the Lord came to me, saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you. … stand up and tell them all that I command you. They will fight against you but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.”

In chapter 25 of the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus tells the parable of 10 people.

Five wise people were prepared and five fools were caught off guard at the coming of the Lord. When the bridegroom came, the wise and prepared people entered the wedding feast with Him. Then the door was locked.

Afterwards the fools came and said, “Lord, Lord, open the door for us! But He said in reply, “Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.” These are not the words we would like to hear the Lord address to us.

At the end of the Gospel, we are told: “… the people in the synagogue …were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove Him out of the town, and led Him to the brow of the hill…to hurl Him down headlong. But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away.”

Jesus’ hour had not yet arrived, but eventually He submitted Himself, glorified our heavenly Father, and brought about our salvation through His suffering, death and resurrection.

As John 15:20 says, “If they persecuted me, know that they will persecute you also.”

These readings have a lesson for us today in relation to recent news that New York has expanded abortion rights – granting nondoctors permission to perform abortions, removing protection for an infant born alive during an abortion, and allowing late-term abortions up to birth. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, supposedly a Catholic, signed the bill into law Jan. 22 while a crowd cheered during the signing ceremony. Cuomo then ordered a celebration throughout the state by lighting up in pink buildings including One World Trade Center in New York City.

This law is so appalling, and the bishops of the United States have seemed to be missing in action. As St. John Paul II declared, the first and most basic human right is the right to life – everything else is a far second. It has to be asked, of the many bishops in New York, isn’t

there one successor to the apostles who has the courage to stand up and speak out clearly as Jeremiah was told to do in the first reading?

In contrast, some of our bishops were recently misdirected by the media and quickly condemned Catholic youth who were attending the March for Life in Washington, D.C. As it turned out, the youth were being verbally abused and the bishops had to retract their statements. But with the news of the abortion law, most of the bishops’ voices seemed to be silenced, and as I discovered after my homilies, many of the faithful reacted with profound disgust.

In recent news we have also read about caravans of people from Central America trying to enter the United States illegally. It is my understanding that those who make it to our border may have to wait to be processed, but they have a right to the process of seeking asylum. Yet babies who are at the border of life have no rights and can be killed.

I recall that when Cardinal John O’Connor died, his funeral was held in St. Patrick Cathedral in New York. The cathedral was filled with ecclesiastical and civil dignitaries as well as the faithful. At one point Cardinal Edward Egan invited those in attendance to give a standing ovation to Cardinal O’Connor for his defense of life. President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary were in the front pew and remained seated until the persistent applause finally brought them to their feet. This is how it should be: that the Church brings politicians to their feet rather than have the politicians bring the Church to its knees.

Under the guise of misdirected compassion or a false sense of mercy, at times, Church leaders seem to have the inclination to follow those who prioritize political correctness while perhaps sacrificing the opportunity to be witnesses to the love of God and His truth.

Many of the bishops of the early Church were exiled and martyred for proclaiming the truth. By God’s grace, may our bishops have the same wisdom and fortitude from the Holy Spirit to get our priorities straight and not be afraid to be described as a “voice in the wilderness.”

Just as the people of God expressed an overwhelming appreciation for this homily after the Masses this weekend, I expect that the bishops would also receive our gratitude and support. To God goes all the glory.

St. Blaise (whose feast day is Feb. 3) was one of those early Church bishops who was exiled and then martyred. Through his intercession, the life of a child was spared.

St. Blaise pray for us.

FATHER THOMAS J. KESSLER is pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville. This is adapted from a homily that he delivered on Feb. 3, the fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Bishop Jugis stands 100 percent in solidarity with the U.S. Catholic bishops and the Feb. 2 statement of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, firmly denouncing the evil legislation that would permit a baby to be aborted at nine months’ gestation.

New York, abortion and a short route to chaos

I

t was the celebration that was particularly galling. On the 46th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, the governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, signed into law a protocol that gives practically unrestricted access to abortion, permitting the killing of an unborn child up until the moment of delivery. In the wake of the ratification, the legislators and their supporters whooped, hollered and cheered, a display depressingly similar to the jubilation that broke out in Ireland when a referendum legalizing abortion passed last year. Of course, all of the rhetoric about women’s rights and reproductive health and empowerment was trotted out, but who can fail to see what was at stake? If an infant, lying peacefully in a bassinet in his parents’ home, were brutally killed and dismembered, the entire country would rightfully be outraged and call for an investigation of the murder. But now the law of New York confirms that that same child, moments before his birth, resting peacefully in his mother’s womb, can be, with utter impunity, pulled apart with forceps. And the police won’t be summoned; rather, it appears, the killing should be a matter of celebration.

An ideology, taken in the negative sense, is a conceptual framework that blinds one to reality. The purpose of any ideational system, obviously, is to shed light, to bring us closer to the truth of things, but an ideology does the reverse, effectively obfuscating reality, distancing us from truth. All of the buzz terms I mentioned above are ideological markers, smokescreens. Or if I can borrow the terminology of Jordan Peterson, they are the chattering of demons, the distracting hubbub of the father of lies. I recall that during the presidential campaign of 2016, Hillary Clinton was asked several times whether the child in the womb, within minutes of birth, has constitutional rights, and this extremely intelligent, experienced and canny politician said, over and over again, “That’s what our law dictates.” Therefore, by a sheer accident of location, the unborn baby can be butchered, and the same baby, moments later and in the arms of his mother, must be protected by full force of law. That many of our political leaders can’t or won’t see how utterly ludicrous this is can only be the result of ideological indoctrination.

As I watched film of Andrew Cuomo signing this repulsive bill into law, my mind drifted back to 1984 and an auditorium at the University of Notre Dame where Cuomo’s father, Mario – also governor of New York at the time – delivered a famous address. In his

lengthy and intellectually substantive speech, Gov. Cuomo presented himself as a faithful Catholic, thoroughly convinced in conscience that abortion is morally outrageous. But he also made a fateful distinction that has been exploited by liberal Catholic politicians for the past 35 years: though he was personally opposed to abortion, he was not willing to pursue legal action to abolish it or even to limit it, since he was the representative of all the people, and not just of those who shared his Catholic convictions. Now this distinction is an illegitimate one, which is evident the moment we draw an analogy to other public matters of great moral import: “I’m personally opposed to slavery, but I’ll take no action to outlaw it or limit its spread”; “I personally find Jim Crow laws repugnant, but I will pursue no legal strategy to undo them”; etc. But at the very least, Mario Cuomo could declare himself deeply conflicted, anguished, willing to support abortion law only as a regrettable political necessity in a pluralistic democracy.

But in a single generation, we have moved from reluctant toleration to unbridled celebration, from struggling Mario to exultant Andrew. And there is a simple reason for this. A privatized religion, one that never incarnates itself in gesture, behavior and moral commitment, rapidly evaporates.

In Robert Bolt’s magnificent play about St. Thomas More, “A Man for All Seasons,” we find a telling exchange between Cardinal Wolsey, a hard-bitten, largely amoral politico, and the saintly More. Wolsey laments, “You’re a constant regret to me, Thomas. If you could just see facts flat on, without that horrible moral squint, with just a little common sense, you could have been a statesman.”

To which More responds, “Well…I believe when statesmen forsake their own private conscience for the sake of their public duties…they lead their country by a short route to chaos.” Abandoning the convictions of one’s conscience in the exercise of one’s public duties is precisely equivalent to “I’m personally opposed but unwilling to take concrete action to instantiate my opposition.”

And this abandonment – evident in Mario Cuomo’s 1984 address – has indeed led by a short road to chaos, evident in his son’s joyful celebration of a law permitting the murder of children.

BISHOP ROBERT BARRON is the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries (online at www.wordonfire. org) and auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He is also the host of “Catholicism,” an award-winning documentary about the Catholic faith.

February 15, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

19

Dr. Kamila Valenta

The need for civic nationalism

T

he concept of nationalism in the Western world has developed in the 19th century as an underlying fundamental ideology of free market democracies. It replaced previous allegiances to kings, cities, churches and classes, and created political communities of modern nation-states of people who obey the same laws, share common institutions, economy and social space within a given territory, with which they identify and to which they feel they belong.

In its original civic form, nationalism binds together people who live in the same geographical area, bridges gaps between classes, religious affiliations, races and ethnicities, and inspires people to work towards a common good of their country.

Although nationalism is essential for the functioning of modern democracy, it can easily be subverted into a much more exclusive type that emphasizes ancestry, race, culture, ethnic heritage, and sometimes religious affiliation. Instead of including all people in a given territory, this type of nationalism defines friends and enemies, and fosters a mentality of “us” versus “them.” Those considered outsiders are excluded from the political process, they are viewed as inferior, and they are gradually dehumanized. When this extreme form of nationalism takes root and national identity is overemphasized – overshadowing all other identities – we see the rise of ethnic marginalization, ethnic disputes, extreme anti-immigration measures, ethnic suppression, and in some cases war.

The rise of an extreme and exclusive nationalism in the beginning of the 20th century was one of the root causes of the First World War. The subsequent overemphasis of ancestry, ethnicity and race gave birth to the most devastating Nazi regimes in Germany, Spain and Italy, paving the way towards the Second World War. After the victory of the Allied forces and the establishment of the United Nations, the original model of civic nationalism was promoted not only for defeated Germany, but also for all emerging nations around the world that were liberated from colonial structures during the 20th century and especially in the post-war period.

Some countries were able to embrace this inclusive type of nationalism, but many fell victim to an exclusive nationalism that revolved around race, ethnicity or religion. Such countries later engaged in protracted civil wars (including Sudan and Democratic Republic of the Congo), racial discrimination (the Apartheid government in South Africa), and genocide and ethnic cleansing (Rwanda, Cambodia). The rise of ethnic nationalism in Eastern Europe after the fall of the Soviet Union was also the root cause of the devastating Yugoslav

conflict and the Chechen wars in the 1990s.

Despite worldwide international efforts to promote a more inclusive concept of civic nationalism around the world, ethnic nationalistic tendencies have penetrated even countries founded on the principles of civic nationalism. Such tendencies are manifested in the rise of neo-Nazi groups and white extremists in Western Europe and the United States, in the electoral victories of nationalistic parties in Poland, Hungary and Brazil, in the efforts to pursue extreme anti-immigrant policies in Europe and America, and in movements towards the rejection of supra-national institutions such as the United Nations or World Health Organization.

This weakening of international institutions is most visible in Great Britain, which is struggling to exit the European Union, and in the United States, which is questioning the usefulness of the NATO alliance.

It is particularly this type of exclusive, dangerous and destructive form of nationalism that Pope Francis warned about at his annual “State of the World” speech to diplomats at the beginning of this year. He pointed out the consequences of nationalist and populist governments that weaken international relationships and turn away from international law and institutions. Without a legal framework and supra-national institutions, the international system becomes a complete anarchy in which the strong oppress the weak and important global issues such as migration, climate change and poverty cannot be addressed effectively.

It is imperative that the world once again makes efforts to turn away from the destructiveness of exclusive ethnic nationalism. Many world leaders, including our Holy Father, are well aware of this problem and are advocating for change.

But turning away from ethnic nationalism and embracing civic nationalism will be difficult to accomplish as a top-down-only approach. It is equally important that citizens become aware of this problem and make an effort to consciously embrace the civic idea of a nation – one that is inclusive of all people regardless of race, ethnic origin or religious affiliation. This civic national identity will enable us to return to the original motto of this country “E pluribus unum” (“Out of many one”); to overcome fear of people who are different; to devise a functioning, fair and humane immigration system; and to renew our trust in international institutions so that global issues can be addressed for the benefit of all.

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

@CatholicNewsCLT

Through press time on Feb 13, 6,583 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of 10,884 pages. The top 10 headlines in February so far have been: n Rusciolelli joins Franciscan order..........................................................................................................521 n Catholics in Charlotte diocese react against New York abortion law........................................439 n Parish populations continue to grow.....................................................................................................211 n Catholic radio goes on the air in Charlotte....................................................................................... 205 n Ministerio Juvenil Hispano realizó primera reunión diocesana....................................................199 n Local artists glorify God with creation of gilded tabernacle.........................................................187 n View the current print edition of the Catholic News Herald..........................................................165 n St. Patrick School wins national $25,000 award..............................................................................149 n Catholic funeral rites explained...............................................................................................................73 n End-of-life care topic of presentation at St. Pius X Church............................................................ 56

Protecting God’s Children We proclaim Christ to the world around us by our efforts to provide a safe environment for all people, especially the young and the vulnerable.

In 2002, the bishops of the United States issued the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The charter addresses the Church’s commitment to respond effectively, appropriately and compassionately to cases of abuse of minors by priests, deacons or other church personnel.

DIOCESAN REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTING MINISTRY-RELATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR 1. Any individual having actual knowledge of or reasonable cause to suspect an incident of ministry-related sexual abuse is to immediately report the incident to the Chancery.

2. The Chancery will then report the incident to the proper civil authorities. The individual reporting the incident to the Chancery will be notified of the particulars regarding the Chancery’s filing of the incident with civil authorities.

3. This reporting requirement is not intended to supersede the right of an individual to make a report to civil authorities, but is to ensure proper, complete and timely reporting.

Should an individual choose to make a report to civil authorities, a report is still to be made to the Chancery.

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The charter can be found on the diocesan website, Charlottediocese.org, click on the tab, “Safe Environment.”

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human nature at the incarnation, in the words of Pope St. Leo the Great, “the proper character of both natures was maintained and came together in a single person,” and “each nature kept its proper character without loss.”

During Flavian’s patriarchate, however, the doctrine of Christ’s two natures had not been fully and explicitly defined. Thus, controversy came up regarding the doctrine of a monk named Eutyches, who insisted that Christ had only “one nature.”

Flavian understood the “monophysite” doctrine as contrary to faith in Christ’s full humanity, and he condemned it at a local council in November 448. He excommunicated Eutyches, and sent his decision to Pope Leo, who gave his approval in May 449.

Chrysaphius, who knew Eutyches personally, proceeded to use the monk as his instrument against the patriarch who had angered him. He convinced the emperor that a Church council should be convened to consider Eutyches’ doctrine again. The resulting council, held in August 449 and led by Dioscorus of Alexandria, was completely illegitimate, and later formally condemned. But it pronounced against Flavian and declared him deposed from the patriarchate.

During this same illicit gathering, known to history as the “Robber Council,” a mob of monks beat St. Flavian so aggressively that he died from his injuries three days later. Chrysaphius seemed, for the moment, to have triumphed over the patriarch.

But the state official’s ambitions soon collapsed.

Chrysaphius fell out of favor with Theodosius II shortly before the emperor’s death in July 450, and he was executed early in the reign of his successor Marcian.

St. Flavian, meanwhile, was canonized by the Fourth Ecumenical Council in 451.

— Catholic News Agency

God, to be totally free for God.” More young people need to embrace the vow of obedience, renouncing one’s own willfulness to bring one’s will into conformity to God’s Will, he continued. This is what it means to be sacred and totally for God, he explained: to belong completely to Him without any other distractions.

“Such a beautiful and powerful vocation, and as the Church teaches, also essential to the life of the Church – the consecrated life,” he continued. It is “essential to the mission of the Church.”

“Before anyone can go out to be a witness for Christ in the world and to evangelize, we have to be holy. We have to know Christ. We have to be living in His love – because it is Christian life lived which is attractive to those who are drawn to the Church,” Bishop Jugis said.

People are not just drawn by the Word of God that is proclaimed to them, but what they see lived in the Christian life, the holiness of the Church – living in Christ’s love and having a personal relationship with the Savior.

“Truly, you consecrated persons are like a leaven in the Church, lifting up that call to holiness, lifting up that call to be sacred to God,” he told the consecrated women and men.

“That is something so beautiful, so attractive, which others outside of the Church, as they take a closer look, say, ‘I want that. Whatever it is they have, I want that holiness of the Church for myself also.’”

“You consecrated religious are a special, shining, brilliant, strong sign of that sacredness because of your consecrated life,” Bishop Jugis emphasized.

“Thank you for the witness of your consecrated lives, joyfully living in Jesus’ holiness and grace. We pray that you will continue to inspire all of us in this local Church to a closer following of Jesus,” he said.

At the conclusion of Mass, Bishop Jugis joined members of more than 11 religious communities from across western North Carolina in the Family Life Center at St. Patrick Cathedral for a luncheon in their honor.

One of the jubilarians this year, Providence Sister Katherine Francis French, has worked in both education and

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nursing over the past 50 years in several states. She is now serving parishes around the Charlotte diocese with their adult education needs.

She said of her religious vocation, “It’s been wonderful. I enjoy my relationship with the Lord and also the full sense of community, the comradery with sisters, no matter what religious order we belong to.”

She said she thinks there is something special when religious communities get together “that we feel that binds us together even though we are not in the same community.”

Sister Catherine said being a part of a community “is so special. It is a special charism that we share. Ours happens to be to honor Providence; that God is always watching out and taking care of you.”

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Religious women and men from more than 11 communities attended the Mass for the World Day for Consecrated Life celebrated on Candlemas, Feb. 2, at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.

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homilists emphasized.

“It’s your responsibility as Christians to be a light to the nations in the world,” Father Winslow said. “Don’t lose your courage, your fortitude, don’t become accustomed to the coarseness to which life is treated out in the world.”

Clergy urged their parishioners to be more active in local pro-life efforts.

“The truth is that it will not change unless we strive to change it,” said Father Putnam. “We have to be a peaceful witness of love and a living testimony of the worth and value of every human life.”

They also urged their parishioners to support only pro-life political leaders.

The Church should bring “politicians to their feet rather than have the politicians bring the Church to its knees,” said Father Thomas Kessler, pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville.

Since the New York law was signed Jan. 22, the diocese’s Respect Life coordinator, Jessica Grabowski, said she has been contacted by a number of people wanting to know what is being done and what they can do.

“People are realizing the severity of the issue, and that it’s really a time for action,” Grabowski said. “You can make the biggest difference in prayer, fasting and participating in local pro-life activities.”

Although North Carolina is not under threat of having similar abortion legislation enacted here, people in the Charlotte diocese should still get involved with this issue, urged Mike FitzGerald, coordinator for C-PLAN Charlotte.

“We can make a difference in the

communities without waiting for Roe v.

Wade to be overturned,” FitzGerald said.

“There have been many abortion facilities that have closed due to routine prayer and sacrifices. Praying daily, weekly sacrifices and monthly devotions could really be efficacious in ending abortions in Charlotte.”

One of the busiest abortion facilities in North Carolina is located in Charlotte, and at least a half dozen abortion mills are operating in the diocese.

Praying daily, especially the rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet and prayers to St. Michael the Archangel is a good place to start, FitzGerald said.

“Prayer and sacrifice are needed to end this tragedy,” he said. “Sacrifice weekly, abstain from meat on Fridays, give up TV or desserts.”

Joining in a monthly devotion can also be helpful, he said. Examples are First Saturday devotions to Our Lady of Fatima, the Vigil of the Two Hearts offered the first weekend each month at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte, or a prayer vigil outside abortion facilities in Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem.

Grabowski advised people to speak to their pastor if they are unsure of what prolife advocacy work their parish offers.

“Ask him what you can do. Can you organize a special Mass?” she said.

“This goes a long way coming from the parishioners, and you’ll see a lot can be done as a parish community to make a difference.”

More online At www.ccdoc.org/respectlife and www. prolifecharlotte.org: Learn more about pro-life ministry work in the Diocese of Charlotte