March 15, 2019

March 15, 2019

catholicnewsherald.com charlottediocese.org S E RV I N G C H R I ST A N D C O N N EC T I N G C AT H O L I C S I N W E ST E R N N O R T H C A R O L I N A

Abuse allegations reported against two former pastors in Boone

Pope: God is purifying the Church with ‘unbearable’ pain of abuse scandal

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St. John the Evangelist Parish prepares to ‘move mountains’ 8 INDEX

Contact us.....................................4 Español.......................................10-13 Events calendar............................4 Our Faith........................................2 Our Parishes............................ 3-9 Schools....................................14-15 Scripture readings.......................2 TV & Movies.............................16-17 U.S. news.................................18-19 Viewpoints.............................22-23 World news............................ 20-21

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FUNDED BY THE PARISHIONERS OF THE DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE THANK YOU!

St. Gabriel pastor honored with Catholic Charities award 3

Iglesia participa en defensa de ‘tepesianos’ 10

Eastern Catholics begin Lenten journey, welcome bishop to Charlotte 6

Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

The Annunciation Feast day: March 25

Pope Francis

God’s kingdom comes through gentleness, not violence

T

he kingdom of God is being established slowly in the world through patience and gentleness and not by violence or force, Pope Francis said.

Jesus’ petition for His Father’s kingdom to come “is not a threat at all; on the contrary, it is a happy announcement, a message of joy,” the pope said March 6 during his weekly general audience.

“Jesus does not want to push people to convert by sowing fear of God’s impending judgment or guilt for the evil done. Jesus doesn’t proselytize, He simply announces” the good news of salvation, he said.

Continuing his series of talks on the Lord’s Prayer, the pope reflected on the phrase “thy kingdom come,” which heralds a time of conversion for all men and women.

Although Jesus came into the world and conquered sin and death through the cross, the pope noted, the “world is still marked by sin and populated by so many people who suffer, by people who do not reconcile and do not forgive, by wars and so many forms of exploitation.”

The fact that men and women still live “with their hearts closed” is proof that Jesus’ victory has not been fulfilled completely, the pope said.

“It is especially in these situations that the second invocation of the Our Father emerges on the lips of Christians: ‘Thy kingdom come,’” the pope said. “That is like saying: ‘Father, we need You. Jesus, we need You; we need You everywhere and forever to be Lord among us! Thy kingdom come; may You be among us.’”

By comparing the kingdom of God to a grain of wheat that must “die” in order to bear fruit, Jesus uses the “eloquent” symbol of a seed to teach men and women that the joyful coming of the Lord is not the work of human effort but an act of love by God alone, he said.

“A seed that sprouts is more a work of God than that of the person who sowed it,” the pope explained. “God always precedes us, God always surprises us. Thanks to Him, after the night of Good Friday, there is a dawn of Resurrection capable of illuminating the whole world with hope.”

Pope Francis called on Christians to pray for the coming of the kingdom and to use those words to give hope to “those who have been defeated and bent by life, to those who have tasted more hatred than love.”

“Let us trust this” prayer, the pope said. “And when we pray the Our Father, we always say, ‘Thy kingdom come’ so that we can hear the Lord’s response in our hearts: ‘Yes, yes. I am coming soon.’”

From the Catechism

The Solemnity of the Annunciation celebrates the coming of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary to announce to her the special mission God had chosen for her in being the mother of His only Son. The feast of the Annunciation began to be celebrated on this day during the fourth and fifth centuries, soon after the date for celebrating Christmas was universalized throughout the Church. This feast celebrates the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Trinity and the salvation of all mankind.

From all eternity God had decided that the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity should become human. Now, as Luke 1:2638 tells us, the decision is being realized.

The God-Man embraces all humanity, indeed all creation, to bring it to God in one great act of love. Because human beings had rejected God, Jesus will accept a life of suffering and an agonizing death: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).

From all eternity God destined Mary to be the mother of Jesus and to be closely related to Him in the creation and redemption of the world. We could say that God’s decrees of creation and redemption are joined in the decree of Incarnation. Because Mary is God’s instrument in the Incarnation, she has a God-given role to play with Jesus in creation and redemption. It is God’s grace from beginning to end. Mary becomes the eminent figure she is only by God’s grace.

She is the empty space where God could act. Everything she is she owes to the Trinity.

She is the virgin-mother who fulfills Isaiah 7:14 in a way that Isaiah could not have imagined. She is united with her Son in carrying out the will of God (Psalm 40:89; Hebrews 10:7-9; Luke 1:38).

Together with Jesus, the privileged and graced Mary is the link between heaven and earth. She is the human being who best, after Jesus, exemplifies the possibilities of human existence.

She received into her lowliness the infinite love of God. She shows how an ordinary human being can reflect God in the ordinary circumstances of life.

She exemplifies what the Church and every member of the Church is meant to become. She is the ultimate product of the

“The Annunciation”

by Peter Paul Rubens (c. 1610), on display at the Rubenshuis in Antwerp, Belgium. creative and redemptive power of God. She manifests what the Incarnation is meant to accomplish for all of us.

— Catholic News Agency, www.americancatholic.org

What’s the difference?

The virgin birth of Christ and the Immaculate Conception are sometimes confused as meaning the same thing, but that is incorrect. The dogma of the virgin birth states that Mary was a virgin before, during and after the conception and birth of Christ. The Immaculate Conception, however, concerns Mary’s conception without original sin. The Nicene Creed states Christ “came down from Heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.” Mary co-operated in the formation of Christ’s body as every mother co-operates in the formation of her child. This took place by the influence of the Holy Spirit. The Immaculate Conception refers to the belief that Mary was conceived free from original sin. In 1854, Pope Pius IX’s solemn declaration, “Ineffabilis Deus,” clarified this dogma.

In the words of the Catechism, “To become the mother of the Savior, Mary ‘was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role.’ The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as ‘full of grace.’ In fact, for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God’s grace” (CCC 490).

— Source: www.newadvent.org

‘Faith makes us taste in advance the light of the beatific vision, the goal of our journey here below. Then we shall see God “face to face,” “as He is.” So faith is already the beginning of eternal life: When we contemplate the blessings of faith even now, as if gazing at a reflection in a mirror, it is as if we already possessed the wonderful things which our faith assures us we shall one day enjoy.’

— Catechism of the Catholic Church 163

Go deeper Read more in 1 Cor 13:12 and St. Basil’s “De Spiritu Sancto”

Daily Scripture readings MARCH 17-23

Sunday: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17- 4:1, Luke 9:28-36; Monday (St. Cyril of Jerusalem): Daniel 9:4-10, Luke 6:36-38; Tuesday (St. Joseph, Spouse of Mary): 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16, Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22, Matthew: 1:16, 18-21; Wednesday: Jeremiah 18:18-20, Matthew 20:17-28; Thursday: Jeremiah 17:5-10, Luke 16:19-31; Friday: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28, Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46; Saturday (St. Turibius of Mogrovejo): Micah 7:14-15, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

MARCH 24-30

“Moses before the Burning Bush” by Domenico Fetti

Sunday: Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15, 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12, Luke 13:1-9; Monday (The Annunciation of the Lord): Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10, Hebrews 10:4-10, Luke 1:26-38; Tuesday: Daniel 3:25, 34-43, Matthew 18:21-35; Wednesday: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9, Matthew 5:17-19; Thursday: Jeremiah 7:23-28, Luke 11:14-23; Friday: Hosea 14:2-10, Mark 12:28-34; Saturday: Hosea 6:1-6, Luke 18:9-14

MARCH 31-APRIL 6

Sunday: Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32; Monday: Isaiah 65:17-21, John 4:43-54; Tuesday (St. Francis of Paola): Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12, John 5:1-16; Wednesday: Isaiah 49:8-15, John 5:17-30; Thursday (St. Isidore): Exodus 32:7-14, John 5:31-47; Friday (St. Vincent Ferrer): Wisdom 2:1, 12-22, John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30; Saturday: Jeremiah 11:18-20, John 7:40-53 At www.usccb.org: View the full calendar of daily readings

Our parishes

March 15, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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St. Gabriel pastor honored with Catholic Charities award SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte welcomed a record number of over 400 people to its 16th Annual Vineyard of Hope fundraising gala Feb. 28 at the Crowne Plaza ballroom.

The annual gathering is an opportunity to raise funds for critical services needed in the community, to celebrate the life-changing work that has been accomplished over the past year and to honor someone in the community who has made a difference with the Fruit of the Vine Award.

Father Frank O’Rourke, pastor of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte and one of the first priests ordained in the early days of the Diocese of Charlotte, was this year’s Fruit of the Vine Award recipient.

“Award recipients are chosen because of their tireless work and how they live out their faith through care and dedication to our neighbors in need. Recipients truly serve as the hands and feet of God in the Charlotte community,” said Dr. Gerard Carter, executive director of Catholic Charities.

Father O’Rourke was recognized for his 40-plus years of leadership, dedication and compassionate service, especially to the poor and the marginalized in the community.

Carter admitted that Father O’Rourke humbly and repeatedly declined when he informed him about receiving the Fruit of the Vine Award.

“I finally said to him, ‘I’m sorry but it’s not about you,’” Carter said, drawing laughter from all those in attendance.

Over the course of his life and especially as a pastor, Father O’Rourke has been “an exceptional supporter and encourager of parish ministries dedicated to the poor and marginalized, outreaches to those who mourn, the dying,

the uninsured, mothers facing unplanned or difficult pregnancies, the imprisoned, refugees, immigrants, the unborn, persons with disabilities, those who lack clothing and those who hunger,” Carter said.

After a brief video honoring Father O’Rourke, he took to the stage amid thunderous applause to accept the award.

“I am certainly honored, humbled to receive this award,” he said. “As I thought about ‘Vineyard of Hope,’ I would say that Catholic Charities is just that: a vineyard of hope that speaks to people in their most needy times and renews people in hope.”

He pointed out that one of the Eucharistic Prayers at Mass speaks of being renewed in hope.

“I couldn’t help but think today, the Fruit of the Vine Award – us priests, we pray that every day: ‘fruit of the vine, work of human hands.’ The work of Catholic Charities is the hands of the Church reaching out,” he said.

That outreach is without prejudice, he continued, “meaning that it isn’t just Catholic people that we are called to minister to. We are called to reach out to all of God’s people.

“Catholic Charities does that in a particular way.”

In fact, Catholic Charities reports that thanks to the generosity of donors last year: n 249,498 pounds of food and personal items were distributed to 6,503 people n 134 refugees were welcomed and resettled n 491 refugees received ongoing assistance n 145 refugees secured employment through job placement services n 339 legal immigration services helped establish permanent residence and reunite families n 933 mental health counseling services helped people get through difficult times

Abuse allegations made against two former Boone pastors PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR

BOONE — New allegations of child sexual abuse have been reported against two former pastors of St. Elizabeth Church.

The alleged victim, now 40 years old, said he was abused when he was a teenager in the early 1990s, according to a police report filed March 5 with the Boone Police Department. According to a report by WSOC-TV Channel 9, the man said then Jesuit Father H. Cornell Bradley molested him once when he was an altar boy, and that the subsequent pastor, then Father Damion Lynch, assaulted him twice – once on a trip to Carowinds and once near Appalachian State University’s Catholic Campus Ministry.

David Hains, spokesman for the Diocese of Charlotte, said the diocese was unaware until now of these allegations involving Bradley and Lynch.

The new allegations of abuse made March 5 will likely be investigated by civil authorities, and separately by the diocese, to determine if they are credible, Hains said.

BRADLEY

H. Cornell Bradley, a former Jesuit priest, served at St. Elizabeth Church from 1989 to 1993. He also served at St. Therese Church in Mooresville from 1988 to 1989 and again in 1998.

According to a report released by the Jesuit order last December, Bradley had “multiple allegations of sexual abuse” against him while serving in Ocean City, Md., and Washington, D.C., in the 1970s and 1980s.

He was removed from ministry in 2006 and left the Jesuits a year later.

His current whereabouts are unknown.

LYNCH

Damion Jacques Lynch served as parochial vicar

at St. Elizabeth Parish starting in 1991 when he was ordained and became pastor after Bradley left in 1993. He also served as campus minister at nearby Appalachian State University.

Credible reports against Lynch of repeated sexual abuse of twin brothers from 1991 to 1995, when they were in their early teens, were revealed in a 1998 civil lawsuit against the Charlotte diocese.

According to a March 13, 1998, Catholic News & Herald article, then Bishop William Curlin learned about the abuse allegations in 1995 when “Fr. Lynch himself reported to Bishop Curlin regarding an indiscretion.”

Lynch was placed on administrative leave and ordered to undergo psychological testing.

Court records show that in 1996, the diocese settled the lawsuit with the boy’s family, paying $77,489 for counseling services, using diocesan funds and insurance money. The settlement was not publicly disclosed until 1998.

According to the 1998 Catholic News & Herald article, Lynch was “cleared by his therapist” to return to ministry and was assigned in 1997 as parochial vicar of Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte.

In 1998 the family whose son had been abused filed a second civil lawsuit in Watauga County Superior Court against the diocese, Bishop Curlin and Lynch when they learned of similar alleged abuse of the victim’s twin brother.

Lynch requested a leave of absence and Curlin removed his priestly faculties in 1998.

The diocese settled the second lawsuit for an undisclosed amount in 1999.

Lynch was never charged with a crime in either case.

At some point Lynch left the diocese, and according to the independent website bishopaccountability.org, he was last known living in Virginia and working as a registered nurse in Washington, D.C., in 2017.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE

Father Frank O’Rourke, pastor of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, receives the Vineyard of Hope Award from Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s executive director, Dr. Gerard Carter. n 65 families received burial assistance to provide a dignified burial for a loved one n 59 residents participated in the Transition Out of Poverty program n 67 volunteers provided 5,308 hours of service This year’s 16th Annual Vineyard of Hope gala has raised a record $180,000 so far. Vineyard of Hope donations are still being accepted to assist Catholic Charities’ efforts to strengthen families, build communities and reduce poverty in the Charlotte region.

Bills would broaden state’s ability to investigate child sexual abuse cases, expand statute of limitations PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR

RALEIGH — Bills introduced this week in the North Carolina General Assembly would broaden the state’s power to investigate child sexual abuse crimes and raise the statute of limitations on claims of past abuse.

The proposed legislation, labeled the Sexual Assault Fast reporting and Enforcement (SAFE) Child Act, has garnered early support from a mixture of Republican and Democrat lawmakers, several of whom appeared alongside child welfare advocates at a March 7 press conference in Raleigh led by North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a parent or a policy maker, nothing is more important than keeping children safe from sexual abuse,” Stein said. “It’s critical that we protect kids wherever they are or spend time, whether that’s in their home or at summer camp or an afterschool activity or online.”

With the proposed legislation, Stein said, “More children who were abused will see justice, and more abusers will see prison time.”

Following Stein’s press conference, the Diocese of Raleigh posted a statement to its website March 7, stating, “The Diocese of Raleigh looks forward to reviewing the proposed act recently announced by Attorney General Stein and supports efforts to further protect North Carolina’s children from sexual abuse.”

“Bishop (Luis) Zarama and the diocese support additional measures that would further clarify or expedite reports of suspected abuse and aid survivors in healing,” the statement continued.

The proposed legislation would extend the statute of limitations on misdemeanor child sexual abuse cases from two years after the alleged assault occurred to 10 years. Felony abuse BILLS, SEE PAGE 24

UPcoming events 4

catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following upcoming events: MARCH 16 – NOON Rite of Election St. Mark Church, Huntersville

MARCH 25 – 5:30 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation Holy Angels Church, Mt. Airy

MARCH 29 – 1:30 P.M. Signing of Lutheran/Catholic Covenant Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury

MARCH 23 – NOON Rite of Election Immaculate Conception Church, Hendersonville

MARCH 26 – 2 P.M. Diocesan Building Commission Meeting Pastoral Center, Charlotte

APRIL 5 – 10 A.M. Diocesan Finance Council Meeting Pastoral Center, Charlotte

APRIL 6 – 9 A.M.-3 P.M. Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage Belmont Abbey College, Belmont

Diocesan calendar of events March 15, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

Volume 28 • NUMBER 12

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 336-272-4681.

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

ADVERTISING MANAGER: Kevin Eagan 704-370-3332, keeagan@charlottediocese.org

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

Saturday, March 30, St. Aloysius Church, 921 2nd St., NE, Hickory. Topics include: effectiveness of modern NFP, health risks of popular contraceptives and what the Church teaches about responsible parenting. Sponsored

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

SENIOR REPORTER: SueAnn Howell 704-370-3354, sahowell@charlottediocese.org

PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS

STAFF EDITOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org

ONLINE REPORTER: Kimberly Bender 704-808-7341, kdbender@charlottediocese.org HISPANIC COMMUNICATIONS REPORTER: Cesar Hurtado, 704-370-3375, rchurtado@charlottediocese.org GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher 704-370-3331, tpfaragher@charlottediocese.org COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Erika Robinson, 704-370-3333, catholicnews@ charlottediocese.org

THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte 26 times a year.

NEWS: The Catholic News Herald welcomes your news and photos. Please e-mail information, attaching photos in JPG format with a recommended resolution of 150 dpi or higher, to catholicnews@charlottediocese.org. All submitted items become the property of the Catholic News Herald and are subject to reuse, in whole or in part, in print, electronic formats and archives.

ADVERTISING: Reach 165,000 Catholics across western North Carolina! For advertising rates and information, contact Advertising Manager Kevin Eagan at 704-370-3332 or keeagan@charlottediocese.org. The Catholic News Herald reserves the right to reject or cancel advertising for any reason, and does not recommend or guarantee any product, service or benefit claimed by our advertisers.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: $15 per year for all registered parishioners of the Diocese of Charlotte and $23 per year for all others.

POSTMASTER: Periodicals class postage (USPC 007-393) paid at Charlotte, N.C. Send address corrections to the Catholic News Herald, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 28203.

AOH ST. PATRICK’S MASS: 11 a.m. Mass, Friday, March 15, at old St. Joseph’s Church, Mount Holly. The Ancient Order of Hibernians will host the annual Mass and honor St. Joseph’s first pastor, Father T.J. Cronin. St. Joseph’s Church was constructed in 1843 and is the oldest original remaining Catholic church in North Carolina and was the first Catholic church built west of Raleigh. The parish was formed to serve the families of immigrant Irish Catholic who came to America in the 1830s to work in the newly discovered gold mines along the Catawba River. All are welcome to join the local Irish and Catholic heritage. For details, email bryan. somerville@me.com.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE: March 6-April 14, vigils will be held daily outside the Planned Parenthood location in Winston-Salem and outside Preferred Women’s Health Center in Charlotte. Join the nationwide vigil and help pray for an end to abortion in 40 Days for Life’s spring campaign. To pray at home, church or online, visit www.40daysforlife.com. To learn more and find a campaign near you contact John Humphreys at johnhumphreys50@yahoo.com (Charlotte) or ws40daysforlife@gmail.com (Winston-Salem).

PARISH MISSION, ‘THE CROSS AND THE BEATITUDES, LESSONS ON LOVE AND FORGIVENESS’: Monday, March 18-Wednesday, March 20, St. Therese Church, 217 Brawley School Road, Mooresville. On one mountain (The Mount of Beatitudes) our Blessed Lord preached to the multitudes and on another mountain (Calvary) our Blessed Lord practiced what He preached. Mission preacher will be Father Richard Sutter, parochial administrator of St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville and Immaculate Conception Mission in Canton. For details, visit www. sainttherese.net/parish-mission.

LENTEN MISSION SERIES, ‘INTO THE DESERT’: 7 p.m.

All Wednesday evenings during Lent (March 13-April 10), in the Activity Center at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte. Everyone welcome to attend a five-part series of reflections to enrich your Lenten season. Beginning with an introduction to the lives of

some of the Desert Fathers. Father Joshua Voitus and Father Cory Catron will show how the exemplary lives of the saints can show us a path of holiness for our own lives. Bring a snack to share. Drinks will be provided.

Donations are welcome and encouraged.

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 sabreakfield@charlottediocese.org. Registration required.

PARISH MISSION, ‘JESUS WANTS TO HEAL US ALL’: 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 25-Wednesday, March 27, St. John Neumann Church, 8451 Idlewild Road, Charlotte. Topics will include: Healing as Understood by the Catholic Church, the Healing Sacrament of Confession (includes parish penance service), Healing Gift of the Mass (Mass and closing reception) with guest speaker Father Stephen Norton. Father Norton attended Iona College and joined the Congregation of Christian Brothers. For 20 years, he taught both elementary and high school for the Archdiocese of New York before going to St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y. He was asked to be the president/principal of Kennedy Catholic High School after ordination. He has held his current position as pastor of St. Benedict’s Parish, Bronx, N.Y., since 2010. In addition to his duties as pastor of St. Benedict’s, he is a student at Aquinas Institute in St. Louis, Mo., studying for a Doctorate in Ministry for Preaching. For details, call the parish office at 704-536-6520.

SAVE OUR ADOLESCENTS FROM PROSTITUTION (SOAP): 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, March 23, in the New Life Center Banquet Room, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. Theresa Flores, a survivor, author, international speaker and founder of SOAP, will share her story and how we can help combat human trafficking at the local level. Participants of all ages are invited to help label bars of soap with the National Human Trafficking Hotline number to be delivered to area hotels and other known trafficking spots in Charlotte. All are welcome. To register, go to www.stmatthewcatholic.org/smu and click on SOAP.

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

Thursday, March 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.

THE NEXT HELPERS OF GOD’S PRECIOUS INFANTS PROCESSION FOR LIFE: Saturday, April 6, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte. Beginning with Latin Mass at 10 a.m. followed by Procession for Life around 11:30 a.m. and prayers at “A Preferred Women’s Health Center” abortion facility, 3220 Latrobe Dr., Charlotte. Father Matthew Bean will lead the procession.

For details, go to www.charlottehelpers.com.

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: GREENSBORO: 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road KERNERSVILLE: 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23, Holy Cross Church, 616 South Cherry St. 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

MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD, IN SCRIPTURE AND POETRY: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, and 9:30 a.m.

Thursday, March 28, in the Ministry Center, St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte. All are invited as Dr. Maria Lichtmann, author and former religious studies professor, explores profound images of the Blessed Mother found in the Book of Proverbs and the poetry of Thomas Merton and Gerard Manley Hopkins. To RSVP, call Cathy Esposito at 704-362-5047, ext. 276.

HEALTH CARE CONFERENCE, ‘HUMAN DIGNITY AT THE BEGINNING OF LIFE’: 8 a.m.-6:45 p.m. Saturday, April 6, St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte.

The St. John Paul II Foundation, in collaboration with the Diocese of Charlotte and Belmont Abbey College, presents the second annual Converging Roads health care ethics conference. The theme will focus on “Human Dignity at the Beginning of Life” and continuing education credits for healthcare professionals will be offered. A White Mass, honoring health care professionals and their role in the Church, will open the conference. Speakers include: Maureen Condic, Ph.D., University of Utah, School of Medicine; David A. Prentice, Ph.D., Charlotte Lozier Institute; and Ashley K. Fernandes, M.D., Ph.D., Ohio State University College of Medicine. For details and registration, go to www.convergingroads.com.

SUPPORT GROUPS RACHEL’S VINEYARD: March 22-24. 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

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

March 15, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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TOUCHING MINDS AND HEARTS

CRS’ Awiapo visits diocese to give thanks, encourage Catholics to assist the poor SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Catholic Relief Services saved Thomas Awiapo from starvation.

Once a poor orphan growing up in rural Ghana, now he travels around the United States every year during Lent sharing his story and thanking CRS supporters for the gift of a hot meal and schooling that they provide through the CRS Rice Bowl campaign.

“I come here to share my story continuously because it touches minds and hearts in a way that moves people to act,” Awiapo explains. “It gives me the opportunity to put a face on the work of CRS around the world and to look people in the face to say thank you for their prayers and support.”

Awiapo visited Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville on Ash Wednesday, March 6. He attended Mass with the students and staff then gave a presentation to the whole school. He then traveled to Immaculate Heart of Mary School in High Point to share his message with them. He also visited St. Matthew School in Charlotte and the Diocese of Charlotte Pastoral Center on March 7.

“My story helps many Americans to appreciate the blessings in their lives and the call to share those blessings,” Awiapo says.

Awiapo and his three brothers were orphaned when he was just 10 years old.

“We cried for food, we went to bed hungry… Only sometimes at night we had a little dinner to share with all four of us.”

He said that the amount of food for dinner was so little that they sat in a circle looking at it, thinking about how little amount of food it was.

“We would look at it and cry,” Awiapo says.

His two youngest brothers died of malnutrition – the youngest dying in his arms. “He was so skinny and bony. That has never left my mind,” he says.

His oldest brother fled, leaving him alone.

He scrounged for food alone, doing odd jobs.

One day he smelled food being cooked at CRS’ St. Francis Xavier School in his village. The hot lunches and daily snacks were enough to attract him to attend school. He went on to graduate and earn scholarships to attend college in the United States.

“I was caught, joyfully caught, and I am glad that they did catch me. I am sitting here today with a master’s in public administration. The whole credit goes to Catholic Relief Services,” he notes.

Awiapo now works with CRS Ghana, teaching communities the value of good governance and the value of education.

He often returns to his old school, which has been completely refurbished thanks to CRS. He says that “the little snack” that CRS provided “tricked him into going to school” – and “this trick saved my life.”

Catholic support for CRS, he says, “is just part of living our faith, creating a just world, changing lives of individuals, families and communities through our prayers and contributions. CRS offers Catholics the opportunity to live their faith in solidarity with the poor.”

“It was wonderful to begin Lent this

year listening to presentations

by Thomas Awiapo,” says Joseph Purello, Catholic Charities’ director of social concerns and advocacy. “His story begins with one of survival in the face of misery and hardship, yet it becomes a compelling message of hope, faith, and gratitude that challenges his audience to encounter Christ at home in our families, and in each member of the whole human family.

“Almost 800 students in three of our diocesan schools heard his message of how Catholic Relief Services provided life-saving assistance, and how he now is able to do the same for children in Ghana. What a powerful witness to the Church’s ministry of caritas!”

To learn about CRS Rice Bowl and donate this Lent, go to www. crsricebowl.org — Catholic Relief Services contributed.

Catholic Relief Services representative Thomas Awiapo, Immaculate Heart of Mary School Principal Greg Roberts, and Catholic Charities’ Joseph Purello are pictured after Awiapo spoke to students March 6.

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Hear more from Thomas Awiapo in an interview with Catholic News Herald where he talks about his faith, God’s providence and the impact a “little cardboard box” has had on his life

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6

catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2019 OUR PARISHES

Health care conference, first ‘White Mass’ set for April 6 CHARLOTTE — Registration is open for the second annual “Converging Roads” conference for health care professionals. Themed “Human Dignity at the Beginning of Life,” the conference will be held Saturday, April 6, at St. Patrick Cathedral. The day will also feature the Diocese of Charlotte’s inaugural “White Mass” for health care professionals.

An initiative of the St. John Paul II Foundation, Converging Roads is rooted in the Catholic moral tradition and is presented in collaboration with the Diocese of Charlotte and Belmont Abbey College. The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. and features seven hours of continuing education credits for health care professionals, chaplains, students and administrators with the most up-to-date training in health care ethics.

Speakers at the conference will include: Maureen Condic, Ph.D., “When Does Life Begin: The Science”; David A. Prentice, Ph.D., “The Present and Future Prospect of Treating Disabilities with Stem Cells”; Ashley K. Fernandes, M.D., Ph.D., “Foundations for Freedom and Conscience and Threats to the Right to Serve”; DiAnn C. Ecret, Ph.D., MSN, RN, “Prenatal Diagnosis and Disability”; Roland Millare, S.T.D., “Understanding the Cross of Infertility: Medicine, Ethics, Hope, and Joy”; and Christopher Kaczor, Ph.D., “Ectopic and Other Difficult Pregnancies: Morals & Medicine.” There will also be a discussion about in vitro fertilization.

A special “White Mass” for the Diocese of Charlotte will be offered at 8 a.m. at the cathedral. The Mass, which is offered for health care professionals and others involved in the medical field, is an opportunity to reflect on the role Catholics have in health care, as well as an opportunity to build up the community of Catholic healthcare professionals in the diocese and celebrate their important work of continuing Christ’s healing ministry.

The White Mass will be held as the opening to the Converging Roads health care ethics conference, but registration for the conference is not required to attend the Mass.

Family, friends and colleagues are welcome to attend, and health care professionals are encouraged to wear their white coats.

— Catholic News Herald

Learn more At www.forlifeandfamily.org/ events/cr19-cnc: Get details and registration info about the “Converging Roads” conference for health care professionals in the Diocese of Charlotte

Eastern Catholics begin Lenten journey, welcome bishop to Charlotte our almsgiving, but in order to do that well, we have to forgive those that we have wronged and we have to seek forgiveness as well for the times that we have done wrong.”

CHARLOTTE — Approximately 200 The liturgy, he noted, is similar to that people welcomed Bishop Bohdan Danylo, of Western (Latin) Catholics for Ash head of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy Wednesday: “There’s a call to repentance, of St. Josaphat in Parma, Ohio, to St. Basil there’s a call to forgiveness.” the Great Eastern Catholic Parish March In his homily, Bishop Bohdan preached that 3, when he celebrated Divine Liturgy for Lent is a pilgrimage towards a particular end.

“Forgiveness Sunday.”

“Lent is not for itself – the Great Lent “Forgiveness Sunday” is the last Sunday is to prepare us for the holy cross, the before the start of Lent in the liturgical Triduum Paschale, and for the holy Resurrection,” he said.

When Lent is over, he said, Easter should not be about just enjoying treats after 40 days of fasting. “Then May will come, June and vacation season, and we will say, ‘What happened? What happened to me?

There was a Lent, and I’m still the same.’”

A successful pilgrim, he said, will follow the signs along the road – and the Church in its wisdom has given us the signs to follow during Lent. The liturgy for the Sundays in Lent teach us to pray for strength in times of difficulty, honesty and humility in recognizing our faults, forgiveness when we fail, and CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD gratitude for God and the gift of His Bishop Bohdan Danylo celebrated Divine Liturgy March 3 at St. Son in saving us.

Basil Eastern Catholic Church in Charlotte. Bishop Peter Jugis was Lent is also the time to recognize in choir for the Eastern rite Mass.

Christ in others, especially the poor, the weak and “those who society threw away,” Bishop Bohdan said, and to calendar used by the Ukrainian Catholic share the joy of the Gospel with them – just Church, one of 23 autonomous Eastern as the Apostles did.

(Byzantine) rite churches in communion with He encouraged people to pray for those the pope. The growing St. Basil Parish, which who are thirsting and hungering for God, and falls under the jurisdiction of Bishop Bohdan, invite to Mass anyone they know who has left worships at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. the Church.

Bishop Peter Jugis attended the Mass in “And next time when we gather, there will choir, and priests of the Diocese of Charlotte be as many as twice of us, and the beauty of and St. Basil’s pastor, Father Joseph Matlak, the Church will be shown in the faces of us concelebrated. when we walk from this door.”

Father Matlak explained the importance of “Forgiveness Sunday”: “Our Lord says, before you give your gift at the altar, leave your gift More online there and go and reconcile yourself with one At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Watch video another – ask forgiveness from one another. highlights from the Divine Liturgy at St. Basil the Then you can offer your gift to the Father. The Great Eastern Catholic Parish gifts that we offer are our prayers, our fasting, CÉSAR HURTADO HISPANIC REPORTER

Youth invited to Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage April 6 BELMONT — Youth from across the Diocese of Charlotte are invited to attend the 15th annual Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage Saturday, April 6, at Belmont Abbey College.

Each year, Bishop Peter Jugis encourages middle and high school youth to join him at the abbey for a day of prayer and adoration of our Eucharistic Lord.

This annual youth event is a component of the annual Eucharistic Congress and shares the congress theme, which is based on the words of the Gospel of Luke 24:29: “Stay with us Lord.”

During the day-long event, which will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., diocesan youth will enjoy live music, a vocations fair and motivational speakers, as well as Eucharistic Adoration and a Eucharistic Procession on the historic Belmont Abbey College campus.

There will be separate program tracks for middle and high school youths, and the sacrament of confession will also be available from priests of the diocese.

Michael Gormley, a Catholic speaker and lay evangelist whose podcast “Catching

Foxes” is offered weekly, will serve as emcee for the event. He will also deliver the keynote address to the youth.

Author, singer-songwriter and recording artist Tori Harris will provide music for the pilgrimage. She will also serve as speaker for the high school girls track.

Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari will offer Mass for participants at 9:45 a.m. The Eucharistic Procession and Adoration with Bishop Jugis will begin at 1:45 p.m.

Registration for the youth pilgrimage is $15.

The fee includes a pizza lunch, a soft drink and a specially-designed pilgrimage T-shirt if you register by Friday, March 8.

For details, go online to www.goeucharist. com.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

Did you know?

The Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage is significantly funded by contributions to the annual Diocesan Support Appeal. Learn more about the DSA and donate online at www.charlottediocese.org/dsa.

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Cathedral lighting repairs affect daily Mass schedule CHARLOTTE — Repairs and improvements to the lighting system at St. Patrick Cathedral are under way this month. The cathedral will be closed on weekdays, and daily Masses have been moved to the Family Life Center.

Weekday confessions, Eucharistic Adoration and all other daily activities have also been moved to the Family Life Center. Weekend Masses will not be affected. The lighting project is being funded by the “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign.

St. Mary’s celebrates Black History Month GREENSBORO — St. Mary’s Parish celebrated Black History Month Feb. 24 with Mass offered by Vincentian Father Thomas Sendlein and a special program featuring Sister Roberta Fulton (pictured), professed with the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur for more than 50 years. Past president of the National Black Sisters Conference, she has devoted her ministry to evangelism and education. Her powerful message to parishioners focused on preserving black history. The celebration also featured the parish’s Igbo Choir and a traditional potluck meal arranged by parishioners.

— Ann Graves

Parish group prays for end to abortion HUNTERSVILLE — More than 30 parishioners from St. Mark Parish recently braved inclement weather to pray for an end to abortion at the Latrobe Drive abortion facility in Charlotte. The hour-long vigil was preceded by a Respect Life Mass at the church, offered by pastor Father John Putnam. After Mass, Father Putnam anointed the parishioners with holy oil to provide spiritual protection while praying at the abortion facility. The parish’s Respect Life Ministry plans a longer vigil from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 23. All are welcome. For details, email Mike FitzGerald at respect.life@stmarknc.org.

Septuagesima Sunday CHARLOTTE — St. Ann Church and the Charlotte Latin Mass Community celebrated Septuagesima Sunday with a high Mass offered by pastor Father Timothy Reid Feb. 17.

In the Extraordinary Form (Latin) calendar, a pre-Lent season called Septuagesima begins three weeks prior Lent to prepare peoplel for the extra prayers and penances required during Lent. For more about the Latin Mass, email Chris Lauer at info@charlottelatinmass. org or go to www.charlottelatinmass.org.

— Mike FitzGerald, correspondent

March 15, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

7

Benedictine Father Kieran Neilson passes away BELMONT — Benedictine Father Kieran A. Neilson died peacefully at Belmont Abbey on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, strengthened by the sacraments. He was 86.

The Benedictine served for nearly 60 years as a priest.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Michael Church, 708 St. Michael’s Lane in Gastonia, on March 2, 2019. Interment followed Neilson at Belmont Abbey Cemetery.

Alexander Patrick Neilson, known as Paddy to his family and friends, was born on July 2, 1932, in Charlotte, the son of the late Alexander J. and Catherine Jones Neilson.

He attended O’Donoghue School in Charlotte for his elementary and secondary education, testing the patience and skill of the Sisters of Mercy, to whom he remained devoted throughout his life. He graduated from Belmont Abbey College in 1954 and

entered the novitiate, receiving the name Kieran in honor of his Irish heritage. He was professed on July 2, 1955. After studies at the Belmont Abbey Seminary, he was ordained a priest on May 26, 1960.

In North Carolina, Father Kieran served at various times as subprior and formation director in the monastic community, as chaplain at Belmont Abbey College, instructor at Sacred Heart College and parochial vicar at St. Michael Parish in Gastonia. He was assigned to St. Benedict Priory in Richmond, Va., from 1960 to 1965, and again from 1976 to 1989, serving at St. Benedict’s Parish and Benedictine High School and as chaplain at McGuire Veterans Hospital.

When the Richmond community became independent in 1989, Father Kieran returned to Belmont Abbey and his family in Charlotte. He was a beloved presence on campus, a popular figure and well known among students, who were drawn to his cheerful smile, hearty laugh and warm nature. This past spring, he celebrated the 59th anniversary of his ordination.

Growing up in the small Catholic community in Charlotte, Father Kieran

was acquainted with the monks of Belmont Abbey from his youth. After God, Father Kieran loved his large extended family, his Irish heritage and Notre Dame athletics.

Father Kieran cherished a life-long love of automobiles, which he indulged on a daily basis. At one point, he had a car donated for his personal use, which he parked at a discreet distance from the monastery – a happy situation which met with an infelicitous end when it became known to the abbot.

He was an outgoing, friendly man with an extensive circle of loyal friends. His wide-ranging travels and gregarious nature made him the abbey’s best-known monk and goodwill ambassador. He had a nickname for everyone and was not shy with his comments and remarks.

For more than 50 years he served as a monk and priest at the abbey. Father Kieran had particularly fond memories of his early days at the abbey including the farm, which the monks tended during the 1950s and early 1960s on a plot of land directly adjacent to the monastery.

When he wasn’t tending to the farm,

Saying goodbye to a monk

O

n his deathbed my father could barely speak because he was on a respirator, so he began writing notes, trying to tie up the loose ends of his life in his final hours.

One of his notes read: “Please tell the men of Belmont Abbey thank you.”

My father had been placed at the Benedictine monastery just outside of Charlotte in 1926 when he was 13, right after his mother had died. He lived there until he was 19, through his impressionable teenage years until adulthood. He was always grateful to have been formed in his faith by the monks of the monastery. Throughout his adult life Dad supported the monastery and college and counted many of the monks as his closest friends. He called the Abbey his mother. The Abbey became, for my brothers and me, our grandmother.

Because we have been close to the monks, we have attended a number of funerals there: cherished abbots of old, college professors, dear friends. Members of my family, including my mother and father, rest in the hallowed ground of that cemetery. An Abbey monk who helped saved my life lay there, as well as the one who dispensed the Blessed Sacrament to me in my first Holy Communion. I have said goodbye to teachers and confessors and counselors and confidants.

The other day I stood again in that cemetery, watching the simple black casket of the Benedictines being lowered into the ground as the monks sang in unison: “Ultima in mortis hora, Filium pro nobis ora, Bonam mortem impetra, Virgo Mater Domina.” (“When death’s hour is then upon us, to your Son pray that He grant us death both holy and serene, Virgin Mary, Mother Queen.”) That solemn Latin chant by a handful of brother monks at a graveside is as poignant a moment as I know.

They were saying goodbye to one of the most joyful, colorful and all round influential monks in the abbey, Father Kieran “Paddy” Neilson.

Aside from his teaching duties over the years and various positions within the monastic community, Father Kieran was a welcome sight for decades around the campus and on the monastery grounds. He was a beloved figure to many people of our area as well as in Richmond, at the Benedictine high school where he taught for many years.

Everybody has a Father Kieran story. One of mine is about the time I was helping to teach confirmation students at St. Patrick Cathedral

in Charlotte. I was determined to bring in a good, holy priest to every class to talk to the kids. Father Kieran, who grew up two houses away from the cathedral, walked with me from the church down to the cafeteria of St. Pat’s School where the class was assembled. Before we got there, I said, “Father, when I bring a priest in, I’ve been telling the kids a little about him personally – you know, perhaps something about his family or his hobbies.” Before I could take another step, in his fine Southern drawl, he replied, “Aw, Freddy! Hobbies?

That’s easy… prayer and sports! Prayer and sports!” He kept up a running commentary on his beloved Notre Dame football team, among other favorites, and would unleash his particular critical insights completely unsolicited.

Father Kieran was a treasured chaplain to the Abbey college students. This happy, mischievous, animated and friendliest of clerics who never forgot a name was a model of that concrete holiness that showed everyone the sanctity of daily life, even in the infirmity of his later years.

Every hymn at Father Kieran’s funeral was of Celtic origin in tribute to his Irish heritage.

In his homily, Abbot Placid mentioned that Father Kieran had been lobbying for another trip to the Emerald Isle, even though he was too sick to travel. And in a striking example of God’s inspiring order, Abbot Placid also recalled that he had received his own first Holy Communion from Father Kieran in Richmond.

The abbot said he had known Father Kieran since he was 6 years old.

In a time when clergy scandals continue to bruise us all (it seems like almost every church has been touched by them, including Belmont Abbey), I pray for its victims and fight the horrors of it with recollections of the many good and holy men of the priesthood and women religious who helped to form me in my faith and witnessed to a sacramental way of living.

We can combat the scandals with thousands of examples of godly faith, compassion and holiness like that I have encountered in the gifts God has granted me through certain people in my life – people like Father Kieran “Paddy” Nielson. And so I bid a fond farewell to a wonderful monk.

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

Father Kieran taught sociology and theology at the Sacred Heart campus in Belmont. At one point he acted as the resident disciplinarian at Benedictine College Preparatory School in Richmond, Va. “I saw those young men later grow up as doctors and such; and they came back to see me with their children and thanked me for what I did for them. That’s what really makes me feel good,” said Father Kieran when asked about his time in Richmond.

In an interview in 2015, Father Kieran said it was the happiness he received from knowing the good he had that gave him the most satisfaction. “What is so wonderful for me about my life so far is the people I served over those years – the joy they gave me in being able to minister to them. That’s something I’ll never lose sight of and never forget.”

In addition to his parents, Father Kieran was preceded in death by his brothers Joseph and John. He is survived by the monks of Belmont Abbey, by his sisters, Kathleen Potter, Mary Ann Frantz and Patricia Neilson, and by his large extended family.

— Catholic News Herald

The box: Joy in life comes from living for others

H

e handed me a cardboard box. “I want you to keep this,” he almost whispered. “I don’t want them throwing it away when I’m gone.” It wasn’t a big box, but for my uncle, Father Kieran Neilson, a monk of Belmont Abbey, it held a treasure because of what its contents represented – a life lived for others, a life of laughter, of love, of true relationships. That tattered container held hundreds of photographs, many faded, most of people I’d never met. “Can you imagine what it’d have been like if I’d had an iPhone,” he chuckled.

Although “Uncle Paddy,” as he was known in the Neilson family, took a vow of poverty, he was the richest man I’ve ever known. And although he took a vow of stability, he had friends all over the world. Why? Because of his joy and his rare gift for just being present to everyone he met, for connecting with people of all kinds, old and young, rich and poor. He received each one into his heart, as the Rule of St. Benedict teaches, like he was receiving Christ.

Uncle Paddy passed away on Feb. 27, 2019, after six years of battling cancer.

He was ready to go home to his Heavenly Father. He knew his earthly journey was ending when he handed me that box in January, but you could still sense the pain he felt parting from so many friends.

According to my mom, his older sister Kathleen, the man we all knew was the same as the boy who frolicked and made mischief around Dilworth in the 1930s and ’40s. He befriended all the neighbors, and everyone loved him. He took a real interest in people, which is different from just a curiosity because it entails compassion, a true eagerness to understand and share in the feelings of another. Getting to know another person was not a means to an end for Uncle Paddy. It was an end in itself.

An afternoon outing with Uncle Paddy was a little like an afternoon with Mary Poppins. Because everyone knew him, all sorts of doors would open, and adventure awaited behind each one. During a pilgrimage to Fatima in the 1980s, I once joined him for a morning run. As he jogged through the village streets calling, “Bone Diah!” with his characteristic Southern drawl, it was apparent that he’d already made the acquaintance of half the shop owners.

Before I knew it, we were whisked into a café and seated at a table spread with pastries and coffee, special guests of the cafe’s Portuguese proprietor. Uncle Paddy’s warmth and zeal needed no translation.

Although his travels took him to numerous countries and fascinating places, upon his return my uncle would speak only sparingly of the historic sites and majestic beauty he’d beheld. Instead, his eyes would twinkle with life as he’d tell you about the people he’d met.

Uncle Paddy could speak frankly. His playful jabs could sting. “John, you’re lookin’ portly!” he quipped to my teenage son who had put on a few pounds. But the foundational relationship of love and affection that had been built over the years preceding that comment mitigated any offense. Rather than fodder for resentment, such incidents became just another “Uncle Paddy Story.” Every member of the extended Neilson family has several.

I don’t know if Uncle Paddy ever texted or tweeted, but I know he was “connected” – profoundly connected. Like Christ, his deep joy and unwavering hope attracted souls. He lived for others, and they knew it.

So I’ll keep that box entrusted to me. I’ll hold it dear not because I know the faces or share the memories reflected in those photos, but because it will always remind me of Uncle Paddy and the lesson he taught me: Joy in life comes from living for others. Joy in life comes from living with the heart of Christ. John 15:11-13.

ANN POTTER Gleason is the niece of Father Kieran Neilson, OSB.

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2019 OUR PARISHES

OUR FAITH CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS! MATTHEW 17:20

St. John the Evangelist Parish prepares to ‘move mountains’ SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

WAYNESVILLE — Members of St. John the Evangelist Church are converting their old church into much-needed ministry and meeting space for the growing parish located in the heart of the Smoky Mountains.

Built in 1941, the old church has been unused since December after falling into disrepair a decade ago. A new church was dedicated by Bishop Peter Jugis in 2007.

As part of a new “Our Faith Can Move Mountains” initiative, inspired by Matthew 17:20, parishioners are undertaking a “Repair, Restore and Renovate” campaign to raise the $120,000 needed to repair the old church’s leaky roof and brick exterior, as well as refurbish the inside to serve as a parish hall for the congregation of 300-plus registered families.

Co-chairs Mark Zaffrann and Jose Reyes are spearheading a four-member committee of parishioners who are construction and real estate professionals.

They expect the renovation work begin in earnest April 22. Plans include converting the first floor of the old church to serve as meeting space for the parish’s growing adult faith formation program. The second floor will provide a home for the parish’s revitalized youth ministry and faith formation efforts.

Father Richard Sutter, parochial administrator, is excited about the growing number of people who are attending Mass, faith formation classes and Eucharistic Adoration at the parish.

“We’re bursting at the seams for faith formation,” he says, and approximately 120

people – youth and adults – are coming to Adoration each Wednesday night.

The parish also now has three choirs, so a dedicated choir room for the contemporary choir, organ choir and Spanish choir is an essential part of the renovation project.

“We have one choir director and three choir coordinators. We’re in the process of combining a choir for Holy Thursday and the Easter Vigil,” Father Sutter adds, illustrating how vibrant the parish is and how great the need is for rehearsal space.

So far, $90,000 has been raised towards the $120,000 total. Fundraising for the project includes: donations from parishioners; Lenten fish fry proceeds from the local Knights of Columbus council; a $5,200 donation from the parish’s Hispanic community; and a $5,000 fee given to Father Sutter for a recent speaking engagement.

“I am also offering a parish mission at St. Therese Church in Mooresville March 18-20, and Father Mark Lawlor (pastor) has offered to take up a goodwill offering for our building project,” Father Sutter shares, expressing his gratitude for the cooperation among parishes. All of the funds raised from the offering will go directly to the renovation effort.

Weather permitting, the renovations will be completed by Aug. 7.

The renovation project will be followed by another project to support the parish’s growing youth ministry: construction of a sports field and eventually a gymnasium on a half-acre lot next to the church that the parish recently purchased.

“This recreation space will be the first in our Smoky Mountain Vicariate and it will open the door to a greater outreach in youth ministry both within our parish

Roof repair and renovation work on the historic St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville is set to begin April 22 and, weather permitting, will be completed by Aug. 7.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY FATHER RICHARD SUTTER

and throughout Haywood County,” Father Sutter notes.

Help Waynesville parishioners ‘move mountains’ Donations are welcome for the “Repair, Restore and Renovate” campaign at St. John the Evangelist Parish. Anyone who would like to donate to this historic restoration and Family Life Center renovation project should email stjohnwaynesville@gmail.com. Indicate in the subject line: “St. John – we want to help you move mountains!” Questions? Call the parish office at 828-456-6707.

Tabernacle refurbished in honor of beloved parishioner

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Saints John Paul II, Mother Teresa honored WAYNESVILLE — A painting inspired by the New Evangelization was unveiled and blessed March 3 at St. John the Evangelist Church. The approximately 3 foot by 4 foot acrylic painting – titled “They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love (John 13:35)” – depicts St. John Paul II and Mother Teresa of Calcutta together accompanied by children – everyone filled with the joy of the Lord. The Waynesville parish commissioned the work from Raleigh-based artist Loree Lam on St. Teresa’s feast day last Sept. 5. Lam is pictured with Father Richard Sutter, parochial administrator, and Jessica Martin, the parish’s new youth evangelization director.

Lam noted, “My journey as an artist began in 2002 as I answered a call in my heart to pick up a pencil and draw God’s children. I had no idea that my life was about to change forever. I began to draw one face after another, and I watched as God used it in a healing way. Over the years, I began finding ways to share my passion and teach others to draw. I often prayed that God would show me His face and I believe He does this every day through His people. So it is my hope that in viewing my work, you will see the face of God through the faces I have selected to paint and that my work will glorify God.” The painting has been placed above the Children’s Learning Center at the church, and it is visible by the priest when celebrating Mass. “I’ve always had a devotion to Saints John Paul II and Teresa of Calcutta. They were saints who manifested the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit above all with their radiant joy and Gospel charity. They loved and served the youth throughout their lifetimes. They are model saints for our times,” noted Father Sutter. “This painting in our Smoky Mountain Catholic church will serve as a reminder to all of the St. John the Evangelist Gospel passages John 13:35 and John 15:11-12 that are our focus as followers of Jesus Christ in these mountains of North Carolina (Psalm 121:1-2).”

CANTON — The original tabernacle and crucifix from the historic St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville have a new home at Immaculate Conception Mission.

The refurbished tabernacle now rests upon a new altar of repose dedicated in memory of the late Phil Webb, who passed away 10 months ago.

Webb, a convert to the Catholic faith, attended Mass with his wife for two decades before coming into the Church in 2014. He was a Knight of Columbus and served the Church and the two parishes in Haywood County tirelessly.

“For 20-plus years he came to church with me before coming into the Church,” said Gail Webb, his wife of 25 years. “The four years he was a Catholic he jumped in head first. He loved being Catholic.”

Now there is a plaque to the right of the altar at Immaculate Conception Mission in his honor.

That is the side of the church where Gail sits, so the thoughtful placement means a lot to her.

“I had no idea they were doing an altar of repose in Phil’s honor,” Gail said. “To have an altar of repose, that is such an incredible honor

for me. The tabernacle is breathtaking.”

Parishioners responsible for the tabernacle restoration were Gary Lepak, Tom Langan, Larry Middleton and Tony Maida. The altar of repose was built by Gary Lepak and Tom Langan.

Father Richard Sutter, parochial administrator, celebrated Mass at Immaculate Conception Mission after the installation of the altar of repose was completed. In his homily he expressed that Webb “carried Christ in his heart and how appropriate it is that this altar of repose is dedicated to his memory.”

—SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

Parish launches new website St. John the Evangelist Church and Immaculate Conception Mission launched a new, interactive website March 6. The new site, www.stjohnrcc.com, features updated graphics and capabilities and will be built up to better enhance communication for Smoky Mountain parishioners and beyond, said Father Sutter.

“This new website will permit us to stay in touch throughout the year with our seasonal parishioners also. An audio archive will record weekend homilies and special conferences at our parish. In the near future we hope to provide livestreamed 11 a.m. Sunday Mass for our homebound parishioners,” he noted.

March 15, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

9

Sights of Ash Wednesday

More online At www. catholicnewsherald.com: See video highlights from the Ash Wednesday Mass with Bishop Peter Jugis at St. Patrick Cathedral and more photos from parishes across the Diocese of Charlotte

GIULIANA POLINARI RILEY | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Jason Christian, pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Tryon, marks ashes on the forehead of the youngest parishioner in attendance at Mass March 6.

PHOTOS BY CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD PHOTOS PROVIDED BY AMY BURGER

Parishioners at St. Mark Church in Huntersville received ashes on Ash Wednesday during several liturgies, including this one led by Deacon Louis Pais and assisted

by Deacon Ron Sherwood. In his homily. Deacon Pais noted, “Ashes are a reminder that we are sinners and although we are called children of God ... we are still children of this fallen world.” But, he added, “These ashes remind us that despite of our sins, our Heavenly Father still loves us.”

Bishop Peter Jugis receives ashes on the top of his head from Father Christopher Roux, rector, during Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral March 6.

Students from St. Patrick School, their teachers and families attended the Mass. Afterwards, the bishop toured the school and met with students.

Pictured at St. Mark Church is the traveling icon from the Knights of Columbus entitled “Our Lady Help of Persecuted Christians.”

Father Herbert Burke distributes ashes on Ash Wednesday at Immaculate Conception Church in Forest City.

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CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Frank O’Rourke, pastor, receives ashes from Deacon Larry O’Toole during Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte.

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St. Ann Parish and the Charlotte Latin Mass Community marked the beginning of Lent with a low Latin Mass on Ash Wednesday, March 6. In the Extraordinary Form, ashes are blessed and distributed immediately before Mass begins. The Mass was offered by Father Matthew Kauth, rector of St. Joseph College Seminary. Pictured, Father Matthew Buettner distributes ashes to college seminarian Kevin Martinez.

Father Paul Dechant, OSFS, distributes ashes to parishioners at Holy Cross Church in Kernersville March 6.

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Students and parishioners at Sacred Heart Parish and School also received ashes on Ash Wednesday.

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2019 10

Iglesia participa en defensa de ‘tepesianos’

Padre Julio Domínguez

Entendiendo la Cuaresma

L

eemos en el Evangelio que nuestro Señor fue llevado por el Espíritu y estuvo cuarenta días y cuarenta noches en el desierto, antes de emprender su vida pública (Mt 4). Allí fue tentado por el demonio y salió victorioso del combate espiritual.

En el antiguo testamento, en el libro del Éxodo, encontramos que el pueblo de Dios estuvo desde la salida de Egipto opresor hasta la Tierra Prometida por cuarenta años errante.

Encontramos también a Moisés en el monte orando por cuarenta días para saber la voluntad de Dios y, por si fuera poco, en el primer libro de los Reyes capítulo 19 se nos habla de los cuarenta días y cuarenta noches de la peregrinación de Elías hasta la montaña de Dios en el Horeb.

La palabra Cuaresma se deriva de “cuarenta” y va relacionada siempre con tiempo de purificación, de espera, de combate espiritual, de escucha de la voluntad de Dios y de sacrificio.

Desde el origen de la Iglesia se incorporó al tiempo litúrgico como preparación para la Pascua. Los temas litúrgicos presentados en el tiempo de Cuaresma para meditar son: las tentaciones de Jesús en el desierto, el ciego de nacimiento, el diálogo con la mujer samaritana y la resurrección de Lázaro. Cada uno de estos textos nos van llevando por un caminar cuaresmal que nos invita a reflexionar de una manera personal sobre cómo vamos a vivir mejor nuestra Pascua.

La Cuaresma es, pues, considerada como un tiempo durante el cual los cristianos se ponen más intensamente ante el misterio de su fe para prepararse plenamente a la Pascua: vida, muerte y resurrección de Jesucristo. Para que se acuerden de los cuarenta días de Jesús en el desierto y de las “tentaciones” que Él sufrió, los cristianos dedican un tiempo a la oración, al ayuno y a la conversión. Es pues, solamente a la luz de la Pascua, que podemos comprender esta CUARESMA, PASA A LA PÁGINA 24

CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE — En conferencia de prensa celebrada el pasado 27 de febrero en la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, líderes locales y representantes de la Alianza Nacional por el TPS en Carolina del Norte, aseguraron que es el momento de buscar la unión, actuar y conseguir una residencia permanente para todos los beneficiarios, “sin distinciones”, del Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS).

Los miembros de la Alianza Nacional informaron que durante la Cumbre del TPS, que se llevó a cabo en Washington DC del 10 al 12 de febrero, lograron conversar con legisladores del estado, a quienes expresaron sus preocupaciones sobre la inestabilidad del estatus de protección temporal, en especial para aquellos que llevan muchos años viviendo en Estados Unidos, han construído una vida, tienen hijos norteamericanos, son propietarios de vivienda y negocios y han echado raíces en este país.

Como se recuerda, el programa de protección temporal se activó en marzo de 2001 debido a los terremotos que asolaron El Salvador en enero y febrero del mismo año. En enero de 2018 el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional canceló el programa y señaló septiembre de 2019 como plazo de salida o de búsqueda de una solución legal a los nacionales de El Salvador bajo este amparo.

Arenivar Cruz, representante de Charlotte por la Alianza Nacional, destacó la participación de la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en la defensa de las personas con TPS. “Aquí, en la parroquia, el Padre Gregorio nos impulsó a que nos organicemos, a que nos unamos”, para luego agradecer, muy en especial, la solidaridad de los hermanos mexicanos.

“Al viaje atendieron contaditos centroamericanos. Sin embargo, muchos hermanos mexicanos, particularmente uno que nos comentó ser indocumentado, se ofrecieron para viajar o ayudar de otra forma”, anotó. Luego hizo un llamado para que las personas que puedan ser afectadas “no se queden indiferentes, sentados en sus casas” o excusándose por sus múltiples ocupaciones ya que “el TPS es todo lo que les ampara” y “vale la pena seguir luchando por ese beneficio y más”.

Gregorio Cruz, quien representa a las organizaciones por el TPS en el Triad, señaló que la presión por la legalización permanente de los ‘tepesianos’ y los ‘dreamers’ no debe cesar.

“Vamos a luchar sin poner límites, hasta donde y cuando sea necesario”, y resaltó que 2019 es un año clave para lograr su objetivo. “El momento es hoy”, subrayó.

Al término de la reunión, los organizadores comunitarios entregaron diplomas de reconocimiento a los medios de comunicación y organizaciones que colaboran efectivamente en su lucha migratoria.

Uno de las personalidades que recibió la distinción fue el Padre Gregorio Gay, Vicario de la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. El Padre Gregorio agradeció el gesto y expresó

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Representantes de medios de comunicación en español y el sacerdote Gregorio Gay de la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, recibieron un reconocimiento por su valioso aporte a la campaña de la Alianza Nacional por el TPS en Carolina del Norte, que busca una solución permanente para los ‘tepesianos’. que le es imposible permanecer sin hacer nada ante el sufrimiento de la gente.

“Me conmueve muchísimo. Hace poco, con motivo de las detenciones de ICE en Charlotte, no me pude contener las lágrimas durante una homilía”, dijo. Luego señaló que su accionar solidario es solo una respuesta al llamado de seguir el camino marcado por Nuestro Señor en los Evangelios.

BUENA NOTICIA

El pasado 28 de febrero, en cumplimiento de una resolución judicial, el gobierno extendió hasta enero de 2020 el amparo migratorio del TPS para los beneficiarios de El Salvador, Nicaragua, Haití y Sudán.

El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional explicó en una notificación que la decisión se produce “para garantizar el cumplimiento continuo del mandato judicial previo de la Corte de Distrito de EE.UU. para el Distrito Norte de California”.

Por tanto, “los beneficiarios de las designaciones de TPS para Sudán, Nicaragua, Haití y el Salvador retendrán sus TPS mientras el mandato judicial preliminar permanezca en efecto”, añadió.

La Embajada de EE.UU. en El Salvador difundió un comunicado en español en el que precisó que “las personas beneficiadas y registradas bajo TPS no necesitan realizar ningún pago ni presentar ninguna solicitud para mantener sus beneficios de TPS hasta el 2 de enero de 2020”.

Lecturas Diarias MARZO 17-23

Domingo: Génesis 15:5-12, 17-18, Filipenses 3:17- 4:1, Lucas 9:28-36; Lunes (San Cirilo de Jerusalén): Daniel 9:4-10, Lucas 6:3638; Martes (San José, esposo de María): 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16, Romanos 4:13, 16-18, 22, Mateo: 1:16, 18-21; Miércoles: Jeremías 18:18-20, Mateo 20:17-28; Jueves: Jeremías 17:5-10, Lucas 16:19-31; Viernes: Génesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28, Mateo 21:33-43, 45-46; Sábado (Sto. Toribio de Mogrovejo): Miqueas 7:14-15, Lucas 15:1-3, 11-32

MARZO 24-30

“Moisés ante la zarza ardiente” de Domenico Fetti

Domingo: Éxodo 3:1-8, 13-15, 1 Corintios 10:16, 10-12, Lucas 13:1-9; Lunes (La Anunciación del Señor): Isaías 7:10-14, 8:10, Hebreos 10:410, Lucas 1:26-38; Martes: Daniel 3:25, 34-43, Mateo 18:21-35; Miércoles: Deuteronomio 4:1, 5-9, Mateo 5:17-19; Jueves: Jeremías 7:2328, Lucas 11:14-23; Viernes: Oseas 14:2-10, Marcos12:28-34; Sábado: Oseas 6:1-6, Lucas 18:9-14

MARZO 31-ABRIL 6

Domingo: Josué 5:9-12, 2 Corintios 5:17-21, Lucas 15:1-3, 11-32; Lunes: Isaías 65:17-21, Juan 4:43-54; Martes (San Francisco de Paula): Ezequiel 47:1-9, 12, Juan 5:1-16; Miércoles: Isaías 49:8-15, Juan 5:17-30; Jueves (San Isidoro): Éxodo 32:7-14, Juan 5:31-47; Viernes (San Vincente Ferrer): Sabiduría 2:1, 12-22, Juan 7:1-2, 10, 25-30; Sábado: Jeremías 11:18-20, Juan 7:40-53

March 15, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

11

Padre Benjamin Roberts

Unidad en la diversidad

Arriba izq: Juan José Rodríguez, director regional de la Pastoral Juvenil de la oficina Regional del Sureste para el Ministerio Hispano (SEPI). Arriba der: Un numeroso grupo de la Diócesis de Knoxsville TN presente en el encuentro.

Izq: Ibis Centeno, coordinadora de la Pastoral Juvenil de la Diócesis de Charlotte encabeza la procesión que portó los 38 Libros de la Pascua editados hasta el momento. Foto Sergio López.

T

uve una conversación muy perturbadora hace aproximadamente un año.

Una persona me dijo que le gustaba esta parroquia, le gustaban las ventanas y las obras de arte, le gustaban la predicación y la música, pero no iba a quedarse en esta parroquia.

Y me explicó la razón, la persona me dijo: “ustedes tienen demasiados mexicanos”. Aparentemente sólo podían reconocer la presencia de Jesucristo en las personas que se veían y hablaban como ellos.

Poco después de esa conversación, uno de los líderes de nuestra comunidad hispana me hizo una pregunta. Dijo que no era su pregunta, pero escuchó que muchas personas en la comunidad, en esta comunidad, hacían esta pregunta. Así que me la hizo. ¿Cuál era la pregunta?, ¿Cuándo recibirá Nuestra Señora de Lourdes un sacerdote que hable español?

Mi español no es perfecto. Yo sé eso. Pero esa pregunta no tenía nada que ver con el idioma. Esa pregunta sugiere que mi piel es del color incorrecto para proclamar la buena noticia, consagrar la Eucaristía y celebrar los sacramentos en esta parroquia.

Aparentemente, algunas personas sólo pueden reconocer el ministerio de Jesús en las personas que se ven y hablan como ellos.

Cualquiera que sea la palabra que usemos para describir las actitudes detrás de ambas conversaciones, cualquiera que sea la forma en que podamos elegir definirla, no es el cristianismo.

Esas declaraciones y esas actitudes son vigas que ciegan los ojos a la visión del Reino de Dios, son obstáculos para la obra del Espíritu Santo. Esas declaraciones y esas actitudes impiden la unidad que buscamos en Cristo Jesús. Y algunos de nosotros podríamos tener estas vigas, pero todos tenemos pajas.

A veces encontramos ideas antiguas, malas ideas e ideas divisorias que se esconden en nuestras mentes y nuestros corazones. Todos tenemos pajas, pero espero que todos lo que estamos aquí, todos los que reclamamos como nuestra la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, queramos ver con claridad.

Queremos que las pajas y las vigas sean removidas, queremos la visión del Reino, queremos ver el rostro de Jesucristo en todas las personas, queremos escuchar la voz de Jesucristo en la voz de cada persona, queremos reconocer las pajas y las vigas en nuestros propios ojos para que la mano amorosa de Jesucristo, que se extiende a lo largo de nuestra vida en esta comunidad, nos pueda sanar y liberarnos.

Queremos vivir para ver la unidad de fe y amor que Jesucristo quiere para nosotros aquí en este lugar, en esta comunidad. ¿Cómo se dará esto? Honestamente, yo no sé.

Dios sólo me ha concedido la visión para ver el siguiente paso que daremos. Nuestra unidad no será uniformidad, tendremos unidad en la diversidad. Esa es la visión de la Iglesia.

Podemos mirar de manera diferente y podemos ver las cosas de manera diferente y aún podemos tener unidad. Pero hay algunos que quieren división, hay algunos que quieren la separación, algunos que quieren la segregación.

Hay personas fuera de nuestra comunidad que lucharán contra nuestra unidad. Dirán que saben más y diremos que nos conocemos, diremos que queremos la visión del Reino de Dios, queremos el poder de la misericordia de Dios y la luz de la gloria de Dios para quemar las pajas en nuestros ojos, nuestras mentes y nuestros corazones. Queremos ver a Jesucristo y queremos vernos unos a otros en Cristo Jesús más claramente.

El miércoles estuvimos unidos, el miércoles de ceniza estuvimos marcados con las cenizas del arrepentimiento. Nuestro primer paso en el camino hacia la unidad y la sanación es pedir la misericordia de Dios.

Nos arrepentimos de nuestros pecados y nuestros defectos.

Estuvimos marcados por el signo de la cruz y recibimos la invitación a arrepentirnos y creer en el Evangelio.

Nuestro viaje a la unidad comenzó ahí y Jesús nos dió la comida para el viaje. Llegamos al banquete donde personas de todas las naciones, idiomas y razas se unieron en un acto de adoración al Dios Santísimo. Ahí Jesucristo nos alimentó y ahí Jesucristo comenzó a guiarnos al Reino donde vive y reina con el Padre y el Espíritu Santo. Un solo Dios por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.

EL PADRE BENJAMIN ROBERTS es pastor de la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Lourdes en Monroe. El texto ha sido adaptado de su homilía del Octavo domingo del tiempo ordinario, correspondiente al 2 y 3 de marzo.

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Se entregó Libro de la Pascua Juvenil CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

SOPHIA — La entrega del Libro de la Pascua Juvenil, una guía de actividades para grupos juveniles, reunió alrededor de ciento cincuenta jóvenes y asesores adultos de grupos para adolescentes y jóvenes adultos provenientes de la región sureste de Estados Unidos.

El encuentro, organizado por la Pastoral Juvenil de la Diócesis de Charlotte bajo la supervisión de la Oficina Regional del Sureste para el Ministerio Hispano (SEPI), tuvo lugar el pasado 2 y 3 de febrero en las instalaciones de Victory Mountain Wesleyan Camp, en Sophia, Carolina del Norte.

Juan José Rodríguez, director regional de la Pastoral Juvenil de SEPI, dijo que esta fue la última de tres reuniones realizadas, desde la primavera de 2018, con el objetivo de lograr un libro que refleje las “propias vivencias de los jóvenes y sus intereses” en la tarea evangelizadora.

Rodríguez, quien trabaja desde 1995 para SEPI, explicó que en un primer taller se decide, junto con los asesores adultos y algunos líderes juveniles, el tema de la Pascua Juvenil. Posteriormente, tras subdividirlo en seis capítulos, acuerdan distribuir los temas a los representantes de los grupos juveniles participantes. En el segundo taller se entregan y revisan los trabajos presentados para que luego SEPI edite, publique y entregue, en el tercer taller, el libro completamente terminado.

El proyecto inició en 1980 y hasta el momento los jóvenes han realizado 38 libros. “Siendo el misterio central de nuestra fe la muerte y resurrección de Cristo, creemos que es muy importante darle esa dimensión pascual a nuestra pastoral juvenil”, añadió Rodríguez.

Benito Contreras, asesor adulto de la Pastoral Juvenil del Vicariato de Asheville que acompaña a los jóvenes desde hace varios años en la tarea del Libro de la Pascua, asegura que para llegar con un mensaje efectivo a los jóvenes “se debe aprender de ellos su manera de hablar”, lo que explicaría el éxito del libro al ser escrito “por los jóvenes y para los jóvenes”.

Ibis Centeno, Coordinadora de la Pastoral Juvenil de la Diócesis de Charlotte, dijo estar “muy contenta

porque todo el mundo llegó con mucha energía y se va con más energía”. Además anotó que ha sido testigo del trabajo de casi un año y puede decir que los jóvenes “vuelven confiados a sus parroquias para trabajar con el producto de su propio esfuerzo”.

Por su parte el Padre Rafael Capó, director de SEPI, indicó que la publicación, que toca este año el tema de la santidad, no es un libro para que se quede dentro del grupo sino un libro de trabajo para que los distintos grupos se “movilicen” y “trabajen de manera personal pero descubriendo que ellos tienen que salir a las periferias para contagiar a los demás jóvenes con la alegría del evangelio”.

“El ver a toda esta juventud reunida, que ha viajado desde tantos estados por tantas horas, hace ver un momento de esperanza. Por más retos y dificultades que hay en el camino, la esperanza está en los jóvenes. Y ellos no son la Iglesia del futuro sino la del presente”, subrayó.

Para el Padre Capó, la palabra clave que el Papa Francisco usa: ‘involucrarse’, tiene que llevar a una salida misionera. Los jóvenes deben entender que “el camino de fe que hacen no es para ellos, es para darlo como un don para los demás, para arrastrar a otros jóvenes hacia Cristo”.

Juan José Rodríguez reveló que el reto más grande que enfrenta la Pastoral Juvenil Hispana es la negativa de algunos pastores de aceptar la presencia del programa en sus parroquias. “No lo hacen de mala fe y creo que entienden que si tienen dos grupos pueden estar dividiendo la Iglesia”, explica.

Sin embargo, dice, “en un documento emitido por la Conferencia de Obispos de Estados Unidos llamado ‘Unidad en la diversidad’, se explica que podemos tener unidad pero no uniformidad. Unidad porque respondemos a la misma fe, al mismo Dios, tenemos los mismos sacramentos, respondemos al mismo Papa, al mismo obispo, al mismo párroco, pero no todos somos iguales. Igual que en una parroquia hay movimientos pastorales distintos, por qué no puede haber también un grupo juvenil hispano. La cultura siempre es importante”, destacó.

Más online En www.facebook.com/CNHEspañol: Vea un video sobre la Pascua Juvenil

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El Fraile Sergio Serrano, director de la Pastoral Hispana en Nueva Orleans, condujo un retiro sobre el tema del servicio. En una de las sesiones afirmó que el Señor nos llamó a todos para su servicio, “así que dejemos la pereza, quitémonos el sueño y a trabajar por Dios y su Iglesia”.

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Caridades Católicas de la Diócesis de Charlotte ofrece asistencia profesional gratuita en eventos masivos a residentes legales que, cumpliendo los requisitos exigidos, deseen obtener la ciudadanía estadounidense. Para asistir es necesario registrarse previamente y asistir a una sesión informativa.

Caridades Católicas de Charlotte ofrece servicios de ciudadanía CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE — El próximo sábado 23 de marzo Caridades Católica de la Diócesis de Charlotte ofrecerá un taller de ciudadanía gratuito y asistencia de exención de costos a los residentes legales elegibles que se encuentren tratando de obtener la ciudadanía americana.

Así lo dio a conocer Anggie Fernández, a cargo del programa de inmigración de Caridades Católicas, quien aseguró que esta institución ofrece este servicio a través de eventos masivos y gratuitos, además del servicio regular individual de bajo costo, proporcionando asistencia en el proceso y requisitos de naturalización, selección de elegibilidad, preparación de la solicitud, exención de costos e inclusive la entrega de materiales de estudio para el exámen de ciudadanía.

En el caso de los eventos masivos, Fernández precisó que los interesados deben efectuar una inscripción previa y atender a sesiones informativas donde se revisa la elegibilidad del cliente y dan a conocer los documentos a presentar para completar la solicitud. Una vez que pasan por este requisito se les asigna un horario para el evento masivo, en donde serán atendidos por un abogado o un representante acreditado asignado.

Terminada la sesión, Caridades Católicas entrega a los futuros ciudadanos material educativo para su preparación con vistas al examen de ciudadanía.

Sobre los requisitos de elegibilidad, Fernández informó que, en términos generales, los solicitantes a la ciudadanía deben ser mayores de 18 años de edad, ser residentes permanentes por cinco años,

o tres si tiene un cónyuge americano, tener buen carácter moral y hablar, leer y escribir en Inglés básico.

Respecto al buen carácter moral, la representante refirió que una de las cosas que se considera es que tengan un record criminal limpio, o en caso de registrar algún incidente éste no suponga una ofensa grave que pueda imposibilitar la solicitud a la ciudadanía.

Según informa la organización The New Americans Campaign, los principales beneficios que otorga la ciudadanía a un residente son la protección contra la deportación, ciudadanía automática para sus hijos menores de 18 años, elegibilidad para trabajos gubernamentales, libertad de viajar sin restricciones, la posibilidad de presentar peticiones de inmigración para miembros de su familia y, un punto muy importante, el derecho a votar, base de la democracia.

Para registrarse a los eventos masivos y selección de elegibilidad requerida puede llamar a los teléfonos 704-370-3252 y 336714-3212. Si requiere de mayor información escriba un correo a imrojasvivas@ charlottediocese.org

Taller gratuito de ciudadanía Sábado 23 de marzo, 10:30 a.m. a 3:30 p.m.

Caridades Católicas de la Diócesis de Charlotte 1123 South Church St. Charlotte, NC 28203 Registro previo obligatorio

Más online En www.facebook.com/CNHEspañol: Vea un video sobre los servicios de ciudadanía que ofrece Caridades Católicas

“El momento de servir es ya” CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

HUNTERSVILLE — El Fraile Sergio Serrano, invitado por la parroquia San Marcos a conducir un retiro sobre el servicio, urgió a los asistentes a iniciar de inmediato esa tarea para el Señor.

“El momento es ya. No tenemos que esperar. ¿Qué esperas?, ¿a que el Señor te llame? Siempre tenemos excusas, ‘lo voy a hacer después, lo voy a hacer después’. La respuesta es ya, es aquí y es ahora porque nadie tiene la vida comprada y el Señor te está llamando aquí y ahora, en este lugar, en esta iglesia, donde tú estás, a servir, en tu familia ya, en tu Iglesia ya, en la sociedad ya. ¿Qué estás esperando?”, dijo.

El Fraile Serrano, director de la Pastoral Hispana en Nueva Orleans, se presentó ante un auditorio de aproximadamente sesenta servidores de la Iglesia San Marcos durante la semana destinada a informar sobre el servicio en los diferentes ministerios en actividad en esa parroquia.

Poniendo como ejemplo la parábola de los talentos, Mateo 25:14-30, en que a todos se les dio talentos, señaló que “al que no lo multiplicó el señor lo llama ‘malo y perezoso’. Malo porque no quiso hacer nada por nadie, ni por él mismo, y perezoso porque decidió enterrarlo sabiendo que el Señor es un Dios exigente y que está siempre buscando el bien de todos”. Ante esta realidad anotó que la respuesta es un decir ‘aquí estoy’, estoy listo para hacer el bien y poner todo el empeño en hacer las cosas mejor. “Así no seas bueno, nadie nació aprendido y lo dice la sabiduría popular ‘la práctica hace al maestro’”.

Ante la negativa de aceptar el servicio con la excusa de “no soy digno” o “no tengo experiencia”, el Padre Serrano indicó que se nos olvida que cuando el Señor nos llama, “Él nos equipa”.

Recordó la promesa de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo de enviar su Espíritu Santo, la fuerza que mueve la iglesia, para que nos acompañe. “Así que si alguien está

llamado a servir lo único que tiene que decir es ‘Señor, aquí estoy para hacer tu voluntad’ y el Señor va a colocar cada una de las necesidades que tú tengas en tu camino para que la comunidad se beneficie. Dios no va hacer nada en contra la comunidad, siempre a favor”, añadió.

Una distinción importante, que despertó interés en la audiencia, fue la que el Padre Serrano marcó entre humildad y pobreza. “La gente me dice, ‘Padre, es que soy de origen muy humilde, mi pueblo, mi casita, mi familia muy humilde’. Yo les digo, ¿entonces era usted pobre?”. Luego aclaró que “la humildad no es hacernos las víctimas, la humildad es decir ‘esto es lo que tengo y de esto carezco’. Cuando yo soy humilde digo ‘yo quiero servir pero no tengo la preparación’, me abro a recibir la preparación porque quiero servir. No es decir ‘estoy preparado y lo voy a hacer’ porque muchas veces estamos preparados y decimos ‘por favor, no digan que yo se’, ‘no digan que yo quiero hacerlo’”.

Asegurando que el Señor nos llamó a todos para su servicio, dijo que hay que preguntarle cuál es nuestro llamado. “A mí me llamó al sacerdocio, a mi hermano lo llamó al matrimonio, a una tía mía a la vida soltera. Y desde ahí todos hemos aportado a la Iglesia, a la sociedad, la familia. Todos hemos sido llamados porque Dios a todos nos dio un talento.

Así que dejemos la pereza, quitémonos el sueño y a trabajar por Dios y su Iglesia”.

Janet Rojas, una de las asistentes y parroquiana de San Marcos, dijo que las palabras del Padre la tocaron en lo profundo del corazón. Señaló que “a veces por falta de humildad tenemos vergüenza de mostrar el talento, no lo damos a conocer” y queda oculto, fuera de los deseos que nos manifiesta Dios de poner esos dones a su servicio.

Más online En www.facebook.com/CNHEspañol: Vea un video sobre este retiro

March 15, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

13

Las fiestas de San José y la Anunciación CONDENSADO DE ACIPRENSA

Este año, la fiesta de San José, casto esposo de la Virgen María y patrono de la Iglesia Universal, se celebrará el martes 19 de marzo; mientras que la Anunciación del Señor se conmemorará el lunes 25 de marzo.

Dos fechas de gran significación, la primera en recuerdo del padre adoptivo de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo; y la segunda en memoria del “si” de María al anuncio del arcángel Gabriel de la encarnación del Hijo de Dios.

San José, casto esposo En el Plan Reconciliador de Dios, San José tuvo un papel esencial: Dios le encomendó la gran responsabilidad y privilegio de ser el padre adoptivo del Niño Jesús y de ser esposo virginal de la Virgen María. San José, el santo custodio de la Sagrada Familia, es el santo que más cerca está de Jesús y de la Santísima de la Virgen María.

Según San Mateo 13,55 y Marcos 6,3, San José era un ‘tekton’. La palabra significa en particular que era carpintero o albañil. San Justino lo confirma, y la tradición ha aceptado esta interpretación.

San José es también modelo incomparable, después de Jesús, de la santificación del trabajo corporal. Por eso la Iglesia ha instituido la fiesta de S. José Obrero, celebrada el 1 de mayo, presentándole como modelo sublime de los trabajadores manuales.

El 8 de diciembre de 1870, el Papa Pío IX declaró y constituyó a San José Patrono Universal de la Iglesia. ¿Qué guardián o que patrón va darle Dios a su Iglesia? pues el que fue el protector del Niño Jesús y de María.

Como sabemos no era el padre natural de Jesús, quién fue engendrado en el vientre virginal de la Virgen María por obra del Espíritu Santo y es Hijo de Dios, pero José lo adoptó amorosamente y Jesús se sometió a él como un buen hijo ante su padre. ¡Cuánto influenció José en el desarrollo humano del niño Jesús! ¡Qué perfecta unión existió en su ejemplar matrimonio con María!

Oración a San José San José, casto esposo de la Virgen María; intercede para obtenerme el don de la pureza Tú que a pesar de tus inseguridades personales, supiste aceptar dócilmente el Plan de Dios tan pronto supiste de él, ayúdame a tener esa misma actitud para responder siempre y en todo lugar a lo que el Señor me pida.

Varón prudente, que no te apegas a las seguridades humanas, sino que siempre estuviste abierto a responder a lo inesperado, obténme el auxilio del divino Espíritu para que viva yo también en prudente desasimiento de las seguridades terrenales.

Modelo de celo, de trabajo constante, de fidelidad silenciosa, de paternal solicitud, obténme esas bendiciones para que pueda crecer cada día más en ellas y así asemejarme, día a día, al modelo de la plena humanidad: el Señor Jesús.

Amén.

La Anunciación de la Santísima Virgen María Esta gran fiesta tomó su nombre de la buena nueva anunciada por el arcángel Gabriel a la Santísima Virgen María, referente a la Encarnación del Hijo de Dios. Era el propósito divino dar al mundo un Salvador, al pecador una víctima de propiciación, al virtuoso un modelo, a esta doncella -que debía permanecer virgen- un Hijo y al Hijo de Dios una nueva naturaleza humana capaz de sufrir el dolor y la muerte, afín de que Él pudiera satisfacer la justicia de Dios por nuestras transgresiones.

El mundo no iba a tener un Salvador hasta que Ella hubiese dado su consentimiento a la propuesta del ángel. Lo dio y en ese momento el misterio de amor y misericordia prometido al género humano miles de años atrás, predicho por tantos profetas, deseado por tantos

santos, se realizó sobre la tierra. En ese instante el alma de Jesucristo producida de la nada empezó a gozar de Dios y a conocer todas las cosas, pasadas, presentes y futuras; en ese momento Dios comenzó a tener un adorador infinito y el mundo un mediador omnipotente y, para la realización de este gran misterio, solamente María es acogida para cooperar con su libre consentimiento.

En 2017 el Papa Francisco reflexionó sobre el Evangelio de la Anunciación antes del rezo del Ángelus y destacó que la respuesta de María “es una frase breve, que no habla de gloria o de privilegio, sino solo de disponibilidad y de servicio”. “María no se exalta frente a la perspectiva de convertirse en la madre del Mesías, sino que permanece modesta y expresa la propia adhesión al proyecto del Señor”.

En su opinión, “este contraste es significativo” porque “nos hace entender que María es verdaderamente humilde y no busca mostrarse. Reconoce ser pequeña ante Dios y está contenta de ser así”.

Pero también “es consciente de que su respuesta depende de la realización del proyecto de Dios, y que entonces ella está llamada a adherirse en toda sí misma”.

“María se presenta con una actitud que corresponde perfectamente a aquel Hijo de Dios cuando viene al mundo: Él quiere ser el Siervo del Señor, ponerse al servicio de la humanidad para cumplir el plan del Padre”.

Además, “María se revela colaboradora perfecta del proyecto de Dios” y con su respuesta “humilde y generosa ha obtenido una gloria altísima”.

Francisco invitó a todos a “acoger el proyecto de Dios en nuestra vida, con sincera humildad y valiente generosidad”.

Oración a María Dios todopoderoso, que nos has dado como Madre y como Reina a la Madre de tu Unigénito, concédenos que, protegidos por su intercesión, alcancemos la gloria de tus hijos en el reino de los cielos. Reina dignísima del mundo, María Virgen perpetua, intercede por nuestra paz y salud, tú que engendraste a Cristo Señor, Salvador de todos. Por nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Amén.

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Our schools 14

catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief MACS students well-represented at district band competition

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JOANN S. KEANE

Ash Wednesday at Charlotte Catholic Sophomore Jenai Johnson receives ashes from Father Jason Barone, Charlotte Catholic High School chaplain. Also pictured are fellow sophomores Candice Habton and Laney McBride.

CHARLOTTE — Nineteen students from Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools’ band programs performed in the All-District Band Clinic Jan. 25-26 in Belmont. The event, hosted by Stuart W. Cramer High School, was sponsored by the South Central District Bandmasters Association. MACS students joined more than 400 other students selected from area band programs.

Performing from Holy Trinity Middle School were Genie Alvarado (flute), Campbell McClellan (clarinet), Sarah Chittenden (French horn), Jonathan Mathis (French horn), Nathan Molloy (bass clarinet) and Jack Fitzpatrick (trombone). Performers from Charlotte Catholic High School were Matthew Sie (saxophone), Patrick Macalintal (clarinet), Niko Badalamenti (saxophone), Austin Munn (trumpet), Corey Brenner (bass clarinet), Casey McGuire (baritone saxophone), Megan Sie (clarinet), Astrid Salinas (percussion), Rachel Sarvey (clarinet), Emma Joseph (flute), Jane Corah (clarinet), Ian Adamson (euphonium) and Sophie Roper (percussion).

They rehearsed for more than 10 hours on Friday and five on Saturday to perform a concert for family and friends. Along with performing with top district musicians, the senior high school students worked with renowned high school band director Dr. Jerry Markock from Athens Drive High School in Raleigh.

Holy Trinity students Genie Alvarado (bassoon), Jonathan Mathis (French horn) and Sarah Chittenden (French horn) qualified to audition for the All-State Band, giving them the opportunity to play with the best in the state under the direction of expert clinicians.

Charlotte Catholic students Matthew Sie, (saxophone), Patrick Macalintal (clarinet), Megan Sie (clarinet), Corey Brenner (bass clarinet), Casey McGuire (baritone saxophone), Ian Adamson (euphonium), Astrid Salinas (percussion) and Sophie Roper (percussion) also qualified to audition for the All-State Band.

— Timothy Cook

DeSena wins MACS spelling bee HUNTERSVILLE — Will DeSena, 14, an eighthgrader at St. Mark School, won the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools spelling bee Jan. 25 – his second win in a row. He went on to complete in the Charlotte Observer’s spelling bee Feb. 18 in the Wells Fargo Playhouse at ImaginOn, coming in third out of 25 spellers from the Charlotte region.

DeSena is pictured with Debbie Mixer, assistant superintendent of schools for MACS, who served as pronouncer of the MACS spelling bee.

St. Michael student to compete in state geography bee GASTONIA — St. Michael School seventh-grader Austin Rios has been selected to compete as a semifinalist in the 2019 National Geographic GeoBee North Carolina State Competition.

Rios has been notified by the National Geographic Society that he is one of the semifinalists eligible to compete in the 2019 competition, being held at Central Piedmont Community College March 29.

This is the second level of the National Geographic GeoBee competition, which is now in its 31st year. School GeoBees were held in schools with fourth- through eighth-grade students throughout the state to determine each school champion. School champions then took an online qualifying test, which they submitted to the National Geographic Society.

The National Geographic Society has invited up to 100 of the top-scoring students in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense Dependents Schools and U.S. territories to compete in the State GeoBees.

This year, National Geographic increased the prize money for all State GeoBees. State champions will receive a medal, $1,000 in cash and other prizes, as well as a trip to Washington, D.C., to represent their state in the National Championship to be held at National Geographic Society headquarters May 19-22. Students who come in second and third place will receive cash awards of $300 and $100, respectively.

— Sheila Levesque

Seniors explore career ideas KERNERSVILLE — Bishop McGuinness High School recently conducted an annual Winterim Experience, a comprehensive study of seniors’ interests and career opportunities.

Each of the school’s 119 seniors shadowed two career professionals for 30 hours. Starting last September, they completed research, writing business letters to a potential professional to shadow and learning basic professional etiquette.

The experience culminated in each student giving a presentation to a panel of faculty members.

— Kimberly Knox

KofC contest winners named WINSTON-SALEM — The Knights of Columbus recently announced the winners of their annual essay and poster contests. Students at St. Leo School won as follows: Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest (Eighthgrade students) with the theme: “How does your family keep its Catholic faith in action?”: Ella Foley, first place; Katherine Craig, second place; and Elise Temples, third place.

Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest: Joseph Hall, 5- to 7-year-old age group; Madison Jenkins, 8- to 10-year-old age group; and Jessa Pacholke, 11- to 14-year-old age group.

Substance Abuse Awareness Poster Contest – Alcohol Abuse Awareness: Audrey Cavanaugh, first place, and Adele Temples, second place, in the 8- to 11-year-old age group; and Evan Danhauer, first place, and Isabella Cobbs, second place, in the 12- to 14-year-old age group.

Substance Abuse Awareness Poster Contest – Drug Abuse Awareness: Lindsay Truong, first place, and Tyler Sturgill, second place, in the 8- to 11-year-old age group; and Katie Deal, first place, and Nora MacDonald, second place, in the 12- to 14-year-old age group.

— Melissa Kinsley

March 15, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

15

Prayer to St. Joseph of Cupertino For Success in Examinations

PHOTO PROVIDED

Meteorologist for a day HIGH POINT — St. Pius X fourth-grader Mary Parker recently got to be a meteorologist for a day as Vann Denton’s Weather Kid on Fox 8 News. Parker sent in a letter to the Fox 8 studios back in October telling about her love of science and requested to be chosen as a Weather Kid. Within a few weeks, she received a call from the Fox 8 studios to schedule her debut.

“In my letter, I explained that being Van Denton’s Weather Kid would be a good way for me to see if I wanted to be a meteorologist,” Parker said. “I was so excited and very happy when Fox 8 Studios called my house. My mom talked with the lady from the studio and they set up a date for me to come in.”

Parker got a tour of the studio followed by one-on-one tips on how to give the TV weather report from Chief Meteorologist Van Denton.

“There were only a few steps to learn, but the most exciting part was standing in front of a green screen,” she recalls. “I was surprised because I didn’t know what was going to pop up on the screen beside me. It was really easy to talk into the cameras and read from the teleprompter. The experience was all very fun.”

Both of her parents are teachers at St. Pius X School. They encourage educational extensions such as the Weather Kid program that allow students to branch outside the classroom to learn about future career opportunities or to just get a behind-the-scenes look at service jobs that go on in their community.

“Girls, especially, need to see the role of women in areas of science and communication,” Parker’s mom April noted. “An opportunity to visit a news studio opens a door to careers in telecommunication, technology, science, business, and even acting.”

Parker was one of the first students at St. Pius X to appear as a Weather Kid on Fox 8. Her parents urge other students from Catholic schools to take advantage of this unique program, as well as other programs in North Carolina that allow students to branch out of the classroom to take a first-hand look at career possibilities.

“I enjoyed my time as a meteorologist, but the experience made me think more seriously about becoming a news anchor instead of a scientist,” Parker said. “I would encourage my friends to be weather kids to see if they might like a job as a meteorologist or a new anchor, too.”

O humble St. Joseph of Cupertino, singularly favored by God in overcoming the difficulties of study and the worries of examinations, implore the Holy Spirit to enlighten my mind and strengthen my memory in the search of His truth and wisdom. Help me especially in the decisive moments of this examination, protecting me from that forgetfulness and disturbing anxiety which often affect me. May I succeed in offering God my finest work and may I grow in knowledge, understanding, humility and charity. May everything that I attempt to learn in life be offered in faithful service to God, from whom flows that wisdom which leads to eternal life. Amen

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St. Joseph of Cupertino pray for me, Our Lady of Good Studies pray for me, Holy Spirit enlighten me!

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St. Pius X students participate in CRS Rice Bowl GREENSBORO — Throughout Lent, students at St. Pius X School in Greensboro are participating in Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl. Each family at the school was given a rice bowl to place in their homes before the start of Lent. In each class, students brainstormed ways they could focus on prayer, fasting, almsgiving and service throughout the 40 days of Lent.

Classes also watched video clips from Catholic Relief Services about the ongoing mission of the Rice Bowl Project. As an added educational bonus, each family will count the money within their rice bowl at the end of Lent and send a check back to the school, which will in turn be sent to Catholic Relief Services.

855.930.GIVE (4483) www.ccdoc.org/CARS Catholic Charities relies on your direct support to help fund its various ministries.

Mix 16

catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

a few mild oaths, at least one rough term, a handful of crude and crass expressions.

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

In theaters

‘Tyler Perry’s A Madea Family Funeral’

‘Captain Marvel’

Star Perry has given his alter ego Mabel “Madea” Simmons a sweet and funny valedictory as she organizes a family funeral and dispenses relationship wisdom to younger family members caught in the pain of infidelity.

It’s an immensely satisfying story that returns to the formula of Perry’s successful stage plays. Madea spends most of the movie seated and firing off blunt ripostes, as if Perry, who in addition to Madea, also plays her brother Joe. Joe’s son Brian and a new character, cousin Heathrow. Mature references, fleeting crude banter and some racial slurs.

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

Lavish origin story finds the superhero of the title (Brie Larson) faithfully serving the alien civilization that trained her as a warrior in its struggle against the encroachments of a race of shape-shifting enemies. But when she joins her military mentor (Jude Law) on a mission to 1995 Earth, persistent flashbacks to a previous life become ever more troubling and confusing for her, especially after she joins forces with a SHIELD officer (Samuel L. Jackson) and the two go in search of the scientist who seems to be crucial both to the intergalactic conflict and to her missing past.

Wit and positive messages about working for peace and the resilience of the human spirit.

Much combat violence, most of it stylized but some of it harsh, fleeting anatomical humor,

‘Greta’ A naive waitress (Chloe Grace Moretz), still mourning the recent death of her mother, finds a lost handbag on a New York City subway train and, on returning it, discovers that its owner is a lonely French-accented widow (Isabelle Huppert). The two quickly bond, but all is not, of course, what it seems in this psychological thriller. Gothic fun for grown-ups. Momentary but intense gory violence, a few gruesome images, about a half-dozen uses of profanity, several crude and crass terms.

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

ONSTAGE

THE MOST RELUCTANT CONVERT MAX MCLEAN AS C.S. LEWIS

“A WEDDING OF FAITH AND REASON, OF MIND AND SOUL.” CARDINAL TIMOTHY DOLAN, ARCHBISHOP OF NEW YORK

“ASTONISHING LUCIDITY...

EVERY ATHEIST’S FAVORITE CHRISTIAN THINKER!” CHICAGO TRIBUNE

MARCH 20-24

CSLewisOnStage.com

Booth Playhouse • 704.372.1000 3130 North Tryon Street, Charlotte

How to be ‘Still Amidst the Storm’ SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Conor Gallagher knows a little bit about stress. As a husband, father of 12 children under the age of 16 and a business executive, he has a full life with serious demands on his time.

In his second book, “Still Amidst the Storm,” Gallagher addresses the stress, anxiety and the non-stop activity of our busy lives that can pull us away from God and rob us of our peace.

He knows from personal experience how each day can be swallowed up by obligations and how concern for the future can eat away at being present to God and others in the current moment.

Gallagher admits he has always been one to journal about his life and his growing family, with hopes of sharing his journals with his children as they grow so they can have written snapshots of their childhood years.

“This book arose out of looking back over those journals,” Gallagher said.

“After a while, I began to see a trend in my journaling. The trend was my attempt to find some peace in a pretty anxious world.

We live in an absurdly fast-paced world.”

He believes no one has time to do everything that they plan on doing.

Everyone is bombarded with too many obligations, and there is just too much technology robbing us of our time.

“I’ve noticed we are just not comfortable sitting down and being still,” he observed.

“But I find that is a major part of the solution – to do a lot less – to be home, to have conversations with your spouse and your kids.”

Gallagher says we need to make it a priority to “Be still, be calm, be silent. Let

God do a little bit of work on you.”

His book is a reflection of that approach.

He uses the Gospel of Mark 4:39, where Jesus stills the tumultuous waters during a storm, as the imagery for what God can accomplish in our lives if we give Him control and our attention.

Gallagher shares that a work of framed art on the wall in his father’s secretary’s office captures this moment in scripture.

It has been on the wall for decades, as long as he can remember, giving him much pause for reflection over the years.

“I think that is the perfect imagery for the storm we have going on in our lives,” he explained.

Gallagher suggests three remedies for growing closer to God: living in the present, spending time in silence and learning how to be still.

“In my own life, I have seen people seek (worldly) solutions to their anxiety, their stress or their busyness, wasting so much energy seeking a solution. It breaks my heart to see people seeking a solution that just won’t work,” he said. “People think the trick is to seek worldly remedies, when what God is asking us to do is to be like the sea. He is telling us to be still.”

“Jesus tells us that the peace in our life comes with a true connection with God,” he said. “We find Him in the present moment, in prayer and in silence.”

Get the book “Still Amidst the Storm” by Conor Gallagher, publisher of St. Benedict Press and TAN Books, is available online at www.tanbooks. com. Gallagher is also author of “If Aristotle’s Kid Had an iPod: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Parents.”

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March 15, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Play about C.S. Lewis coming to Charlotte CHARLOTTE — Following its hit 2018 national tour, Fellowship for Performing Arts – producers of “The Screwtape Letters” and “The Great Divorce” – returns to Charlotte March 20-24 with “C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert.”

Award-winning actor Max McLean presents this theatrical portrayal of Lewis’ journey from atheism to faith.

In “The Most Reluctant Convert,” adapted exclusively from Lewis’ writings, McLean inhabits Lewis from the death of his mother and his estranged relationship with his father to the experiences that led him from vigorous debunker to one of the most vibrant and influential Christian intellectuals of the 20th century. “C.S. Lewis Onstage” is a joyous evening of Lewis’ entertaining wit and exhilarating insight.

“We’re thrilled to bring our latest production to Charlotte,” said McLean, who adapted and co-directed the play.

McLean is the founder and artistic director of New York City-based Fellowship for Performing Arts, which produces theatre from a Christian worldview presented in leading performance venues nationwide and created to engage diverse audiences.

“C.S. Lewis wrote more than 30 books that have sold more than 200 million copies, making him arguably the most influential religious writer of the past century. In ‘The Most Reluctant Convert,’ we visit the events that led to his conversion,” McLean said.

— Catholic News Herald

On TV n Saturday, March 16, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Duns Scotus.” Feature film on the life of Franciscan priest and theologian Blessed John Duns Scotus, a great defender of the Immaculate Conception. n Sunday, March 17, 1:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Celebrate St. Patrick.” A musical program that combines sacred and secular Irish music in celebration of the life of St. Patrick. n Monday, March 18, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Rites of Passage.” Fraternus co-founder Jason Craig reviews how rites of passages applies to all major transitions, including marriage. n Wednesday, March 20, 3:20 p.m. (EWTN) “Saint Clement.” Dr. Timothy O’Donnell visits the Church of St. Clement, the third papal successor to St. Peter. n Saturday, March 23, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Romero.” The true story of Archbishop Oscar Romero’s transformation from an apolitical, complacent priest to a committed leader of the Salvadoran people. n Sunday, March 24, 1:30 p.m. (EWTN)

“Holocaust Symphony No. 3” World-renowned pianist and composer Richard Nanes performs a powerful meditation of the Holocaust.

Martin Bookspan delivers a commentary. n Wednesday, March 20, 11 p.m. (EWTN) “Unplanned.” Interviews and a behindthe-scenes look of the film “Unplanned,” which tells the true story of former Planned Parenthood clinic director Abby Johnson’s conversion and journey to becoming a pro-life advocate. n Monday, March 25, 10:30 a.m. (EWTN) “The Feast of the Annunciation.” Dominican Father Lawrence Lew, vocations promoter of the English Dominicans, delves into the meaning of the Feast of the Annunciation both for our individual interior life as well as the society of our day. n Monday, March 25, 3:20 p.m. (EWTN) “Saint Mark.” Explore the Church of Saint Mark with Dr. Timothy O’Donnell where according to tradition, St. Mark’s request to the early Roman Christians composed his Gospel upon St. Peter’s preaching.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Get tickets “C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert” will be performed at the Booth Playhouse, located at 130 N. Tryon St. in Charlotte.

Performance times are: 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 20; 7 p.m. Thursday, March 21; 8 p.m.

Friday, March 22; 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, March 23; and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 24.

Ticket prices range from $30 to $62 and are available at www.cslewisonstage.com, 704-3721000 or at the Booth Playhouse box office.

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17

Pursue a Loyola Master’s Degree in Theology or Ministry

at St. Matthew Church – Charlotte, NC Starting Fall 2019 Loyola Institute for Ministry degrees and certificates • are practical, transformative and affordable • include Ignatian spiritual formation Who can participate?

• adults seeking to connect faith and work • leaders and volunteers in ministry • those answering the call to holiness in everyday life For more information: • Attend an Open House at St. Matthew on April 2 at 7pm -or- May 2 at 11am RSVP at https://goo.gl/yP3rVP • Visit: www.loyno.edu/st-matthew Questions?

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Archbishop Lori restricts ministry of former head of West Virginia diocese CHRISTOPHER GUNTY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

BALTIMORE — Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore announced March 11 that a preliminary investigation into allegations of sexual harassment of adults and financial improprieties by Bishop Michael J. Bransfield, formerly of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, W.Va., has been completed and will be forwarded to the Vatican for final judgment.

At the same time, the archbishop announced restrictions on the bishop’s ministry.

The Vatican announced Bishop Bransfield’s retirement from the diocese Sept. 13, and Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Lori as apostolic administrator, with a mandate to investigate the allegations against the bishop.

A news release from the Archdiocese of Baltimore March 11 noted that the preliminary investigation took place over five months. Archbishop Lori conducted the investigation with the assistance of a team of five lay experts. They examined multiple allegations of sexual harassment of adults and financial improprieties, according to the news release. It involved interviews with more than 40 people, including Bishop Bransfield.

“Pending the assessment of the findings of the Holy See, as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, I have directed that Bishop Bransfield is

not authorized to exercise any priestly or episcopal ministry either within the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston or within the Archdiocese of Baltimore,” Archbishop Lori said.

The restrictions are an outgrowth of a bishop reporting initiative instituted in January that governs allegations against any bishop in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation. The policy was created by the archdiocesan Independent Review Board at the request of Archbishop Lori.

Covered under the initiative are procedures to address potential allegations that a bishop of the archdiocese engaged in child sexual abuse or other inappropriate sexual behavior with a minor; engaged in sexual harassment or misconduct toward an adult; or engaged in activities that constitute seriously negligent supervision or an improper cover-up relating to alleged child sexual abuse by others within the archdiocese.

Although the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” adopted by the U.S. bishops in 2002, mentioned only priests and deacons, Baltimore’s archdiocesan policy created after adoption of the charter was always presumed to include bishops. In addition to the reporting protocol, new archdiocesan policies that went into effect Nov. 1, expressly include the bishops.

As apostolic administrator, Archbishop

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Lori directed the same protocols be implemented at this time in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.

The March 11 news release from the Archdiocese of Baltimore also announced that as part of these protocols governing the conduct of bishops in the archdiocese, Archbishop Lori determined that similar restrictions were warranted in the case of Bishop Gordon D. Bennett, who served as auxiliary bishop of Baltimore from 1998 until 2004, when he was appointed bishop of Mandeville, Jamaica.

“Since that time, he has not resided in or received any assignment in the Archdiocese of Baltimore or the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston,” the news release said. “In May 2006, the archdiocese learned of an allegation of sexual harassment of a young adult by Bishop Bennett. Upon receiving the allegation, the archdiocese immediately reported it to the apostolic nunciature in Washington, D.C.” Bishop Bennett, who is a Jesuit, resigned from the Diocese of Mandeville in August 2006 at age 60. At the time, it was announced that he resigned for health reasons.

CNS reported then that Father John P. McGarry, provincial of the Jesuit California province, to which Bishop Bennett is attached, said in an email to province members that Bishop Bennett “will be returning to California for medical assessment and treatment for fatigue and depression.”

As a result of these restrictions, which the Vatican recently gave permission to Archbishop Lori to announce, Bishop Bennett is prohibited from exercising any priestly or episcopal ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Diocese

of Wheeling-Charleston, the release said.

Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley announced similar protocols for allegations against bishops in the Archdiocese of Boston in a letter March 8.

A report in The Pilot, Boston’s archdiocesan newspaper, said that since 2011 the archdiocese has used EthicsPoint, an anonymous, confidential, Web-based system for reporting concerns about ethics violations or financial improprieties. In his letter, Cardinal O’Malley said the archdiocese also will now use EthicsPoint to report misconduct by a cardinal, bishop or auxiliary of the Archdiocese of Boston.

EthicsPoint is the same system the Archdiocese of Baltimore uses for anonymous reporting of ethical, financial and other allegations against clergy or lay ministers in the archdiocese, including bishops.

In Baltimore, allegations against a bishop are first reported to two members of the Independent Review Board who are both retired judges. The new protocols are designed to bolster the commitment of the Archdiocese of Baltimore to zero tolerance for any bishop, priest, deacon, employee or volunteer credibly accused of sexual abuse.

In addition to the third-party reporting system and reporting allegations against bishops directly to members of the review board, Archbishop Lori has implemented additional measures to ensure these goals: n Updated child protection policies that include the signing of a Code of Conduct by bishops. n Issuance of an annual report by the Independent Review Board. n Re-establishment of a lay Archdiocesan Pastoral Council.

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the New York court system has ruled in her favor, the diocese noted in a statement, urging an end to appeals by the New York Archdiocese and the trustees of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

In Brief

New location found for migrant respite center in Texas

Ark. Senate moves to ban abortions after 18 weeks

MCALLEN, Texas — A popular Catholicadministered respite center for migrants run by Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley in the Brownsville Diocese, has found a new location.

McAllen city commissioners had voted Feb. 11 to give the center 90 days to vacate the building it was using to provide temporary shelter for immigrants who cross from Mexico into the U.S. but who have been released by federal authorities. The Valley Catholic, Brownsville’s diocesan newspaper, reported that Sister Pimentel announced Feb. 26 she had found a new home for the respite center. Plans had called for construction of a new facility, but Catholic Charities is “taking a new direction,” the paper reported. The agency is close to finalizing a plan “with the cooperation of the city for a building in downtown McAllen closer to the bus station,” where many migrants first arrive to the area.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Senate March 11 passed a bill to ban abortion after the 18th week of pregnancy. The measure, approved in a 28-6 vote, does include exceptions in medical emergencies to save the life of the mother and in cases of rape or incest. The original Senate bill had only the exception for medical emergencies, but Republican Sen. Jason Rapert, a co-sponsor of the measure, offered an amendment on rape and incest March 7, and the Senate voted for it. If the House passes the amended bill, it will go to Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s desk. He has indicated through a spokesman that he will sign it.

Maryland eyes legalizing assisted suicide ANNAPOLIS, Md. — As crowds gathered outside of St. Mary’s Church in Annapolis for the Maryland March for Life, Roger Donnelly handed out hundreds of pro-life signs. Donnelly, the life activities director for the Knights of Columbus Maryland State Council, was attending the Maryland march for the first time – among hundreds who turned out to make their presence felt in the state capital for the march, in its 40th year and in the midst of a politicized climate in general and in particular, a heated Maryland General Assembly session. An increased urgency accompanied the annual event, held March 4.

On March 7, the state House passed a measure to legalize physician-assisted suicide, called the “End-of-Life Option Act” in a 74-66 vote. It now goes to the state Senate.

N.Y. court rules Sheen remains should go to Peoria PEORIA, Ill. — Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of Peoria announced “with great joy” March 5 that the New York Appellate Court ruled 5-0 that the remains of Archbishop Fulton Sheen should be transferred from New York to the Peoria Diocese.

Bishop Jenky is promoter of the canonization cause of Archbishop Sheen, a Peoria diocesan priest, who gained fame in the 1950s with a prime-time television series called “Life Is Worth Living.” He died in New York in 1979 aged 84, and was entombed at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. In 2016, Joan Sheen Cunningham, Archbishop Sheen’s oldest living relative, petitioned the courts in New York, asking that his body be moved to the Peoria cathedral. The decision was the third time

Report: Thousands of immigrant children in custody faced abuse WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal documents show that the U.S. government has received more than 4,500 complaints over the last four years alleging that children who are under government custody because of immigration matters faced sexual abuse. But the agency in charge of keeping track of the complaints said the “data given to Congress by our agency reflects allegations much broader than ‘sexual abuse’” and could have included incidents of vulgar language. A Feb. 26 statement from Jonathan Hayes, acting director of the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement, said the numbers include complaints of sexual harassment and inappropriate sexual behavior, “a catch-all category for sexual behaviors that do not rise to the level of sexual abuse or sexual harassment.”

Some of it involved behaviors perpetrated among children detained, the statement said. But they do include allegations that adults charged with caring for the children abused them sexually in some form. Hayes said in the statement that the total number of incidents of alleged abuse by “facility-staff-on-minor,” basically adults who allegedly abused minors, is small and over the four-year period the figure totaled 178 cases.

— Catholic News Service

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CRS staffers aboard Ethiopian jet that crashed DENNIS SADOWSKI CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Four Catholic Relief Service staff members on their way to a training session in Nairobi, Kenya, were among the passengers aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed moments after takeoff March 10 – claiming the lives of 157 people on board, many of them from humanitarian agencies.

Others on the jetliner included a Georgetown University law school student who was serving as a campus minister and 19 staff members of U.N. agencies. Two Kenyan religious, Mariannhill Father George Kageche Mukua and an unidentified nun, were also among those killed in the crash.

Pope Francis offered prayers for the passengers from 35 countries in a telegram March 11.

“Having learned with sadness of the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash, His Holiness Pope Francis offers prayers for the deceased from various countries and commends their souls to the mercy of almighty God. Pope Francis sends heartfelt condolences to their families, and upon all who mourn this tragic loss he invokes the divine blessings of consolation and strength,” said the telegram from Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

In a statement March 11, CRS shared the news of the tragedy involving its staffers, all Ethiopian nationals: Getnet Alemayehu, Mulusew Alemu, Sintayehu Aymeku and Sara Chalachew.

“Although we are in mourning, we celebrate the lives of these colleagues and the selfless contributions they made to our mission, despite the risks and sacrifices that humanitarian work can often entail,” CRS said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and all of those who lost a loved one as a result of this tragedy.”

CRS is the U.S. bishops’ international relief and development agency. In Washington, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed sadness at the “deaths of four of our esteemed colleagues.”

Cedric Asiavugwa, a third-year law student at Georgetown University and campus minister, was among the passengers. A letter sent to the Georgetown community late March 10 said he was on his way home to Nairobi because of the death of his fiancee’s mother.

Asiavugwa was a residential minister at Georgetown.

He had served as assistant director of advancement at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School, a free high school for orphans with HIV/AIDS in Nairobi, before enrolling at the law school. He also had served refugees and marginalized people Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

The day of the crash, the Ethiopian Catholic bishops also sent condolence and offered prayers “for those who have lost their lives, that they may rest in peace in heaven.”

David Beasley, World Food Program executive director, mourned the loss of his agency’s seven staffers.

“As we mourn, let us reflect that each of these WFP colleagues were willing to travel and work far from their homes and loved ones to help make the world a better place to live. That was their calling, as it is for the rest of the WFP family,” he said March 10.

A list of the dead released by Ethiopian Airlines included 32 Kenyans, 18 Canadians, eight from the United States and others from China, India, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Somalia.

Aviation officials from Ethiopia were investigating the accident, the second in recent months involving the brandnew Boeing 737 Max jet. In October, a Lyon Air flight killed 189 people in Indonesia.

The plane has been the workhorse for airlines worldwide and has been the company’s best-selling aircraft.

Four investigators from the U.S. National Transportation Security Board were dispatched to Ethiopia to assist in the investigation, an NTSB spokesman said March 10.

Addis Ababa and Nairobi are major hubs among worldwide agencies serving poor and marginalized people, refugees and migrants.

Pope Francis hears the confession of a priest March 7, 2019, at Rome’s Basilica of St. John Lateran. The pope administered the sacrament to several priests during his annual Lenten meeting with the priests of the Diocese of Rome.

CNS | VATICAN MEDIA

Pope: God is purifying the Church with ‘unbearable’ pain of abuse scandal CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ROME — The clerical abuse scandal has caused everyone in the Catholic Church “pain and unbearable suffering,” Pope Francis said, but it also is a call to repentance and the renewal of the Church.

“Our humble repentance, which remains silent between our tears for the monstrosity of sin and the unfathomable greatness of God’s forgiveness, this, this humble repentance is the beginning of our holiness,” the pope told priests from the Diocese of Rome.

Pope Francis’ annual Lenten meeting with the priests March 7 began with a penitential prayer service and individual confessions at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome.

In a long, impromptu talk on priesthood and forgiveness, the pope acknowledged the clerical sexual abuse crisis and the particular way it had impacted priests.

“Sin disfigures us,” he said, and it is “humiliating” when “we or one of our brother priests or bishops falls into the bottomless abyss of vice, corruption or, worse still, of a crime that destroys the lives of others,” like the sexual abuse of minors does.

Pope Francis said he is convinced the scandal is ultimately the work of the devil.

“Still, do not be discouraged,” he told the priests.

“The Lord is purifying His bride (the Church) and is converting us all to Himself. He is putting us to the test so that we would understand that, without Him, we are dust.”

God is working “to restore the beauty of His bride, surprised in flagrant adultery,” the pope said.

Focusing much of his talk on the Exodus story of God forming His people, teaching them, castigating them and leading them to the promised land, Pope Francis insisted that God must teach His people humility so that they recognize He is God and they are totally dependent on Him. When the ancient Israelites made the golden calf, he said, “a patient process of reconciliation began, a wise pedagogy through which God threatens and consoles, makes them aware of the consequences of the evil done and decides to forget their sin, punishes the people and heals the wounds He inflicted.”

God threatens to abandon His people, and He lets them experience some of what it might mean to be without Him, the pope said. “We’ve experienced this, these awful moments of spiritual desolation.”

But the Lord always returns, allowing people to learn to fear their own powerlessness, their slyness, the way they say one thing and do another, he said.

Confession, for priests like for any Catholic, is a moment of coming face to face with one’s own weakness, being honest and saying out loud how one has sinned, he said. It’s like removing the mask or makeup people usually wear so no one sees their faults.

Pope Francis told the priests they should not expect to be always understood, accepted and appreciated, but “let us believe in the patient guidance of God, who does things in his time, opening our hearts and placing ourselves at the service of His word of reconciliation.”

March 15, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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In Brief

Traditionally, the formal sainthood process, which includes compiling the candidate’s writings and gathering sworn testimonies about his or her life and holiness, can begin no sooner than five years after the person’s death.

However, Pope Francis set aside the restriction and allowed the priest’s sainthood cause to begin in 2017.

Cardinal Pell sentenced to six years in prison on abuse charges

French cardinal convicted for failing to report sexual abuse

MELBOURNE, Australia — Cardinal George Pell, 77, was sentenced to six years in prison March 13, just over two weeks after a Melbourne court allowed the publication of news that he had been found guilty of sexually abusing two boys.

Cardinal Pell, who continues to maintain his innocence, will try to appeal the verdict. The court has set June 5-6 as the dates to consider the basis for the appeal.

In December, a jury had found him guilty on five charges, each of which carried a maximum jail term of 10 years. The jury unanimously found that Cardinal Pell, shortly after being named archbishop of Melbourne in 1996, sexually assaulted two choirboys in the sacristy of Melbourne’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The guilty verdict regarded one count of “sexual penetration,” in this case oral sex, and four counts of indecent acts with or in the presence of a minor under 16 years of age.

VATICAN CITY — A French cardinal was given a six-month suspended sentence at a civil trial after being found guilty of covering up abuses committed decades ago by a priest. Lyon Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, 68, was convicted March 7 of covering up abuse by Father Bernard Preynat, who ran a Catholic Scout group in the 1970s and 1980s.

In a statement following the verdict March 7, Cardinal Barbarin expressed “compassion for the victims” and said he would meet with Pope Francis to hand in his resignation.

However, Cardinal Barbarin’s lawyer, Jean-Felix Luciani, told journalists that the cardinal would “challenge this decision through all appropriate legal channels.”

Diocese concludes inquiry of French priest’s martyrdom VATICAN CITY — The Archdiocese of Rouen concluded its sainthood inquiry into the life and death of a French priest who was killed while celebrating Mass. Archbishop Dominique Lebrun of Rouen presided over the final session of the diocesan inquiry into the life and martyrdom of Father Jacques Hamel, Vatican News reported March 9.

Father Hamel was killed July 26, 2016, when two men stormed a church in Saint-Etiennedu-Rouvray near Rouen while he offered Mass.

After taking hostages, the attackers slit Father Hamel’s throat and seriously injured another parishioner. Following a standoff, police killed the attackers.

Pope grants access to wartime documents in Vatican archives VATICAN CITY — Documents in the Vatican Secret Archives relating to the wartime pontificate of Pope Pius XII will be open to scholars in 2020, Pope Francis has announced.

Researchers have pressed the Vatican to open the archives and allow a full study of Pope Pius’ actions during the war, including what he did or failed to do for Jews during the Holocaust.

“The Church is not afraid of history, on the contrary, she loves it and would like to love it more and better, just as she loves God. Therefore, with the same confidence as my predecessors, I open and entrust to researchers” this wealth of documents, the pope told supervisors, staff members and assistants at the Vatican Secret Archives March 4 as he marked the 80th anniversary of Pope Pius XII’s election. ­— Catholic News Service

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 15, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Benjamin Roberts

Kelly Henson

Lent: Unity in diversity is the A season for hidden growth vision of the Church I A had a very disturbing conversation about a year ago. A person told me that they liked this parish. They liked the windows and the artwork.

They liked the preaching and the music. But they were not going to stay at this parish, and they told me the reason. The person said to me, “You just have too many Mexicans.”

Apparently, they could only recognize the presence of Jesus in people who looked and spoke like them.

Not long after that conversation, one of the leaders in our Hispanic community brought a question to me. He said that it was not his question, but he heard many people asking this question, so he brought the question to me. What was the question? “When will Our Lady of Lourdes get a Spanish-speaking priest?” My Spanish is not perfect.

I know that. But that question had nothing to do with language. That question suggests that my skin is the wrong color to proclaim the Good News, consecrate the Eucharist and celebrate the sacraments in this parish. Apparently, some people can only recognize the ministry of Jesus in people who look and speak like them.

We can look differently, and we can look at things differently, and we can still have unity.

Whatever word we would use to describe the attitudes behind both of those conversations – whatever way we might choose to define it – it is not Christianity. Those statements and those attitudes are wooden beams that blind the eyes to the vision of the Kingdom of God. They are obstacles to the work of the Holy Spirit. These statements and these attitudes prevent the unity that we seek in Christ Jesus.

And some of us might have these wooden beams, but we all have splinters. Sometimes we find old ideas and bad ideas and divisive ideas hiding in our minds and in our hearts.

We all have splinters.

But I hope, that all of us who are here, all of us who claim the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, want to see clearly. We want the splinters and the wooden beams to be removed.

We want the vision of the Kingdom.

We want to see the face of Jesus in the face of every person. We want to hear the voice of Jesus in the voice of every person. We want to recognize the splinters and the wooden beams in our own eyes so that the loving hand of Jesus Christ, extended through our life together in this community, can heal us and free us. We want to live to see the unity of faith and love that Jesus wants for us, here in this place and in this community.

What will it look like? Honestly, I do not know. God has granted me only the vision to see the next step or two that we will take. Our unity will not be uniformity. We will have unity in diversity. That is the vision of the Church. We can look differently, and we can look at things differently, and we can still have unity.

But there are some who want division. There are some who want separation. There are some who want segregation. There are people outside of our community who will fight against our unity. They will say that they know better. We will say that we know each other. We will say that we want the vision of God’s Kingdom. We want the power of God’s mercy and the light of God’s glory to burn away the splinters in our eyes, our minds and our hearts. We want to see Jesus and we want to see each other in Christ Jesus more clearly.

Our first step on the path to unity and healing is to ask for God’s mercy.

On Ash Wednesday, we were united by being marked with the ashes of repentance. We repented of our sins and our failings. We were marked with the Sign of the Cross. And we received the invitation to repent and believe in the Gospel. Our journey to unity began there.

And Jesus gives us the food for the journey. We come to the banquet where people of every nation, language and race, join in one act of worship of the Most Holy God. Here Jesus will feed us and here Jesus will lead us to the Kingdom where He lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

FATHER BENJAMIN A. ROBERTS is the pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe. This is adapted from his homily for the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time March 2-3.

pril is the cruelest month...” When I used to teach T.S. Eliot’s poem “The Wasteland” to North Carolina high school students, they always stopped right there at the first line in consternation. How could anyone think spring is cruel? The poem goes on to speak longingly of winter: “Winter kept us warm, covering / Earth in forgetful snow, feeding / A little life with dried tubers.” I have to admit, I’ve been ready for warm weather since about Jan. 6, so I can appreciate how these verses seem to contradict a Southerner’s deep seated dislike of cold. However, “The Wasteland” is a poem about a spiritual wasteland in our hearts, and each uncomfortable image needles us into self-reflection.

I’m frequently afraid of a spiritual spring.

Looking back, I can see that my greatest spiritual growth has often come out of seasons of suffering, loss, loneliness and hard work. Yet it’s hard to voluntarily enter into a season of discomfort, even knowing that the results could transform me.

Lent is a time to till the soil of our hearts. We disturb the status quo, seek to root out weeds of sin and open up the soil to the life-giving rain of grace that God hopes to send us. We have to fertilize the good things growing in us with prayer, silence and patience.

Lent is a time to till the soil of our hearts. We disturb the status quo, seek to root out weeds of sin and open up the soil to the life-giving rain of grace that God hopes to send us.

A priest once counseled me that the greatest tool the devils uses to ruin love within a family and marriage is a spirit of resentment. We so easily grasp at what is comfortable and known, even if we don’t like it and even if we know it is hardly keeping the “little life” alive in our hearts. Letting go of resentment, especially in the daily struggles of our vocation, is not a onetime act. Over and over, I find myself giving in to frustration and tempted to turn to something easier than the task in front of me. In those moments, I try to invite God into those emotions and circumstances, asking Him to make known His Presence and to change my perspective. We cannot get rid of resentment unless we have an eye to the growth that is happening, as hidden as

it may be. In fact, at the beginning of each new attempt to cultivate a virtue, we just have to trust that the growth is happening without any green shoots to show for it yet. During Lent, our most meaningful sacrifices will trade our distractions for intentional time spent in faithfulness to our responsibilities. These sacrifices chose to embrace the small (and large) mortifications that are already present in our lives. Only with grace can we make headway. Dorothy Day wrote frankly about the difficulties of parenting. She noted how we have mortification built into our daily lives. Speaking of a stay-at-home mother with little ones, she explains: “Here is her mortification of the senses: Her eyes are affronted by disorder, confusion, the sight of human ailments, and human functions. Her nose also; her ears tormented with discordant cries, her appetite failing often; her sense of touch in agony from fatigue and weakness.

“Her interior senses are also mortified. She is alone with her little ones, her interest adapted to theirs; she has not even the companionship of books. She has no longer the gay companions of her youth (their nerves can’t stand it). So she has solitude, and a silence from the sounds she’d like to hear, conversation, music, discussion.

“Of course there are consolations and joys.

Babies and small children are pure beauty, love, joy – the truest in this world. But the thorns are there…”

I think lists of natural mortifications could just as easily be written about a working mother’s attempts to place so many needs before her own, a father’s grind at a job he doesn’t love, a parent’s self-control as he nervously encourages his teenage driver onto the interstate, a teen’s frustrations with the demands of younger siblings on her time and attention. Anyone who works with other humans experiences the refining friction inherent in relationship. Thankfully, each mess and annoyance has meaning when it’s united to the cross. Faced with courageous acceptance rather than resentment, like Our Lady standing at Calvary, those moments make our hearts fertile ground for God’s work in us.

Spiritual writer Jacques Philippe writes, “To achieve true interior freedom we must train ourselves to accept, peacefully and willingly, plenty of things that seem to contradict our freedom. This means consenting to our personal limitations, our weaknesses, our powerlessness, this or that situation that life imposes on us, and so on. ... But the fact is that the situations that really make us grow are precisely those we do not control.”

Let go of the winter in your hearts. Embrace the spring. You cannot imagine the beautiful plans the Master Gardener has for you.

KELLY HENSON is a Catholic writer and speaker who explores the art of integrating faith into daily life. She, her husband and their four children are parishioners of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Greensboro, and she has worked for more than 15 years with teens, children and families as a missionary, youth minister and teacher. She blogs at www.kellyjhenson.com.

March 15, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

23

Steven Richardson

Mary’s motherhood is perfect – unlike Sarah’s or Hagar’s

I

n Galatians 4:23, St. Paul writes, “The son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through the promise.” This contrast reveals the immense mercy and love that Our Lady has for us. She is the perfection of Sarah, the free woman who gave birth to the child of the promise, for she didn’t laugh impertinently when God told her that she would bring forth a son. And she is the antithesis of Hagar, who abandoned her child in the desert.

While Our Blessed Mother Mary consecrated herself and her virginity to God, Sarah fretted about not being fruitful.

And just after God gave His promise to Abram, she said to her husband: “Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children; go in to my maid; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.”

(Gen 16:2) In contrast, when God gave His promise to Mary, she neither derided nor doubted. Most of all, she didn’t take the matter into her own hands. She said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no husband?” (Lk 1:34) When the angel explains that God will overshadow her, she thinks last of all of herself. Though she now owns the promise in her womb, she acts with pure Christian faith and love, bounding away to visit her cousin.

By committing herself to the service of others for six months, Mary allows the promise to grow inside of her unimpeded.

All along, she trusted that it would be to her according to God’s word (Lk 1:38). The antithesis of this is the way that Sarah and Hagar grapple with each other, fighting to put their children into competition. Sarah laughs sarcastically when the three angelic visitors say that she will bear a son: “So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?’” (Gen 18:12) Her heart had grown hard due to her constant focus on herself and what she thought was due to her.

‘Throughout her life, Mary gives up her son willingly.’

Further evidence of the hardness of Sarah’s heart can be seen in the interactions between her child and Hagar’s, and the effect that this has on Abraham. “But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac. So she said to Abraham, ‘Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.’” (Gen 21:9-10) While it is true that Isaac was the son of the free woman, representing the heavenly Jerusalem, he is to be brought to the nations as a sign of mercy and love. However, Sarah immediately is seized by envy when she sees Hagar with Isaac, and has her cast out.

After conceiving Our Lord, however, Our

Blessed Mother takes him to the mother of another boy. And Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, rejoices at Mary’s greeting: “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Lk 1:41) This, one of the most joyous scenes in all of salvation history, is made possible by the absolute selflessness of Our Lady. Mary gives away everything to rejoice in Elizabeth’s pregnancy, and she is duly rewarded with conviviality and adulation.

Indeed, throughout her life, Mary gives up her son willingly. She sets him free on His public ministry, which will certainly lead to His death, and she stands alongside on the Way of the Cross as He carries that cross toward the mountain on which He will perish. She is there all along because, just as during the early days of her pregnancy, she thinks not about herself, but about the other. Hagar and Sarah, on the other hand, are willing to let their children go to death without their mother’s accompaniment.

Even though Isaac didn’t die at the top of Mt. Moriah after carrying the wood of his offering on his back, Sarah surely thought that he would. Abraham led him up the mountain to die, but Sarah is nowhere to be found. Unlike Mary, who stood beside Jesus as He walked with that wood, Sarah can’t bear to witness the awful truth. But Hagar is even clearer in her inability to be with her son in his death. “When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes. Then she went, and sat down over against him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, ‘Let me not look upon the death of the child.’ And as she sat over against him, the child lifted up his voice and wept.” (Gen 21:15-16) This tragic cry of a dying son echoes forward through history to the death of Christ on the cross. As St. Mark relates: “At the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Mk 15:34) And further: “Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last.” (Mk 15:37) Unlike Sarah, who waits at home while her son goes off to die, and unlike Hagar, who deliberately walks away from her perishing son, Mary is there, as St. John tells us: “Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother...When Jesus saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing near, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’” (Jn 19:25-27) Full of grace from the moment of her conception, Mary puts the life of Jesus above her own at every moment. And even here, she is consoled not personally, not as a son to a mother, but by becoming a mother to the entire people of God. And there, the Church is born, the offspring of charity and selflessness at the foot of the cross of Jesus.

STEVEN RICHARDSON is a Lay Dominican and a member of St. Ann Parish in Charlotte with his wife Mary and his three children, Maria, Rita and Joseph.

Pray for our Church leaders to have courage The photo and headline of the March 1, 2019, edition of the Catholic News Herald was both encouraging and several decades late for many young Catholic boys and girls. Where was the leadership for all those years? How do we expect our Catholic family to “turn the other cheek” after so many countless failures of the perpetrators and their leaders? The lack of oversight of the actions of those who were accountable to the bishops and other hierarchy may be accountable not only to God, but to our civil courts of justice.

As a community of Catholic hierarchy and lay persons, we need to pray unceasingly for Pope Francis and his delegates to have the courage, understanding and objective decisions to help eradicate, or at least minimize, these acts of abuse.

Theirs is a tremendous task. Pray for their divine guidance.

News item omitted information I wish to express my dissatisfaction with a national news item printed in the March 1 edition, entitled “Senate fails to pass bill opposing infanticide.” For starters, it is a tragedy that this bill did not pass and is a severe blow to our moral foundation as a civilization. However, I especially make note that nowhere in the article does it state that no Democrats supported this bill. Was this just another journalistic oversight or an intentional “sin of omission”? Once again we have been shown that the “culture of death” has clearly penetrated the Democratic Party. Where is the outcry and proactive battle for defending God’s laws from our alleged moral voices within the Church?

Humanity, and especially America, is in a serious spiritual battle. Now, more than ever, we need responsible leadership from the Catholic Church. Are you willing to be a voice crying out in the desert or just another propaganda newspaper marching in line with the mainstream media?

SEAN O’MEARA lives in Hendersonville.

JIM ZEUNIK is a member of Christ the King Mission in Kings Mountain.

Most-read stories on the web

‘Women make the world beautiful, they protect it and keep it alive.’

Pope Francis

From online story: “Christians and Jews must join to fight hatred, promote women, pope says” Through press time on March 13, 7,729 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of 12,271 pages. The top 10 headlines in March were: n Abuse allegations reported against two former pastors of St. Elizabeth Church................1,317 n Benedictine Father Kieran Neilson passes away............................................................................. 676 n Parishioners donate $74K for technology, curriculum updates at OLG School.....................293 n A few things to know about Ash Wednesday.....................................................................................214 n Queen of the Apostles Parish breaks ground on new church....................................................... 177 n View the current print edition of the Catholic News Herald..........................................................158 n St. Pius X celebrates life at ‘Night to Shine’.......................................................................................149 n Sights of Ash Wednesday........................................................................................................................215 n Almsgiving: Lenten practice gives chance to ‘be generous with the poor’............................. 188 n Holy Angels opens restaurant, gift shop in McAdenville................................................................158

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BILLS FROM PAGE 3

cases already have no time limit on prosecution.

The statute of limitations on civil lawsuits related to claims of past child sexual abuse would extend to when the alleged victim reaches the age of 45 (in the House version) or 50 (in the Senate version). Under current law, the statute of limitations on civil lawsuits generally expires when the victim turns 21.

Noting that victims often don’t come forward until years – sometimes even decades – later, Stein said, “We fully anticipate that more charges will be brought and more civil claims will be brought, because we know a great deal more about the psychological impact of abuse of children.”

“The right for child abusers to wait out the statute of limitations and leave their emotionally damaged victims with no criminal recourse is going to end,” said North Carolina Sen. Danny Britt, one of the bill’s sponsors, in a statement. “The scars of child abuse do not magically heal after two years. We have to give a child ample time to realize they may have been abused and summon the courage to seek justice.”

The proposed legislation would also empower the attorney general to convene an investigative grand jury to examine child sexual abuse claims – a power not available in North Carolina now.

Stein said an investigative grand jury – like that recently used by Pennsylvania’s attorney general to scrutinize 70 years of abuse allegations in six of the state’s Catholic dioceses – is “a key law enforcement authority that many states have and use to fight child sexual abuse.”

An investigative grand jury’s broad powers to subpoena documents and compel people to testify would bolster his office’s ability to

prosecute abusers and institutions that may have covered up abuse, Stein said.

Currently the North Carolina attorney general can convene an investigative grand jury only for cases of drug trafficking or sex trafficking, he said.

The legislation would also mandate that all “high risk” sex offenders register their computer’s IP address in addition to their physical address on the North Carolina sex offender registry. Stein said those offenders could then be blocked from contacting minors, but when questioned by reporters he gave no details about who would monitor their online activity or how it would be done.

The proposed legislation would also require any adult or institution that suspects child abuse to report it to local police – not just to the North Carolina Department of Social Services as current law mandates. Failure to report abuse would be a misdemeanor.

Both the Charlotte and Raleigh dioceses already report all allegations of child sexual abuse to DSS as well as to the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys, which then routes the report to the appropriate local law enforcement agency to investigate.

Since 2003, the Raleigh Diocese has trained more than 24,000 staff and volunteers in recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect and have received national criminal background checks.

In the Diocese of Charlotte, more than 48,900 people have received training and nearly 57,000 background checks have been processed since 2002.

Reports of child abuse are declining in North Carolina – down 5.5 percent from 2013 to 2017, according to the latest data available from the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In 2017, 7,392 North Carolina children were victims of abuse or neglect, 19.5 percent of whom were sexually abused.

CUARESMA VIENE DE LA PÁGINA 10

“cuarentena” que señala el tiempo de nuestra marcha hacia Dios.

Debemos encontrar nuestro propio desierto, es decir lugar, para reflexionar. Descargarse, desembarazarse de lo que entorpece, de lo que ata. Aceptar hacer una pausa, tener un desierto interior, un lugar que esté lejos de ruidos superficiales para entrar en uno mismo para escuchar mejor.

Aligerarse por el ayuno, aislarse en el desierto, son las condiciones que se nos proponen para ponernos en camino hacia un conocimiento más grande, un descubrimiento.

Recomiendo mucho un retiro espiritual y una buena confesión durante la Cuaresma.

Sabemos que nada se detiene durante la Cuaresma: ni la vida familiar, ni el trabajo, ni las preocupaciones, ni las relaciones sociales. Hacer un alto, aunque sea en forma muy modesta, es ser llevado por el Espíritu, como lo fue Jesús cuando se retiró al desierto.

En esto consistirá nuestro mejor ayuno, en hacer el tiempo para Dios y ponerlo como prioridad en nuestra vida generalmente ocupada.

El texto de los cuarenta días de Jesús en el desierto nos muestra como Él fue confrontado consigo mismo a todas las preocupaciones que surgen en el hombre cuando trata de decidir su relación con Dios.

A saber, la preocupación por el pan,

When we make our annual contribution to the DSA, we join with all our sisters and brothers in Christ throughout the diocese to do the Lord’s work – works of love and service that no one individual or parish can do alone.

32%

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EL PADRE JULIO DOMÍNGUEZ es coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Smoky Mountains.

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la preocupación por el poder, la preocupación por la fama y el éxito.

El desierto no es forzosamente un lugar de silencio. Es también el lugar en donde se dejan oír murmullos interiores que son habitualmente inaudibles por los ruidos exteriores ordinarios.

Si nuestro desierto y nuestro ayuno nos permiten ver dentro de nosotros mismos, probaremos quizás el escándalo de no ser dioses y no poder poner todo bajo nuestros pies; o nos descubriremos terriblemente hambrientos de otro pan que el de la Palabra de Dios; y, más todavía, estaremos tentados por la desesperación delante de nuestro pecado y nuestra incapacidad de responder totalmente al llamado de Dios. Pero, en este combate, tal vez viviremos un encuentro amoroso, como en la lucha de Jacob con el Ángel, en un cuerpo a cuerpo con Dios hasta que Él se descubra: “No te dejaré hasta que tú me bendigas” (Génesis 32, 23-32).

En la Cuaresma nos preparamos a comprender un poco mejor lo que quiere decir “Resurrección”, pues nos hace anhelar la absoluta necesidad de la salvación. Durante esta “cuarentena” nos adviene el deseo de llegar a la Tierra prometida, nos inunda en gracia para poder escuchar mejor la voz de Dios y, aunque nos señala nuestra pecaminosidad, nos muestra la esperanza de ser salvador por quien murió y resucitó por nosotros.

DIOCESAN SUPPORT APPEAL 2019