Vocations Section

June 21, 2019

catholicnewsherald.com charlottediocese.org

In His Presence

Stay With Us, Lord. — Luke 24:29

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 21, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

PHOTO PROVIDED

St. Joseph College Seminary students recently visited the construction site of the permanent college seminary in Mount Holly. Construction work and fundraising efforts on the $20 million project have picked up pace since ground was broken last September on the site near Belmont Abbey College. Enrollment is also on the rise and expected to be more than two dozen, although it’s too early to report an official number yet for this fall.

‘Called to be bold and decisive’ More are accepting the call to serve the Lord with courage

About the cover This year’s Vocations cover features the tabernacle and sanctuary lamp in the chapel at the Diocese of Charlotte Pastoral Center. The tabernacle features an embossed design of a mother pelican feeding her baby pelicans with her own blood. The symbol is an ancient legend, adopted by the early Christians and recorded in the Physiologus, a second-century Christian work from Alexandria, Egypt.

According to the legend, in time of famine the mother pelican wounded herself, striking her breast with her beak to feed her young with her blood.

For Christians, the pelican symbolizes Jesus our Redeemer, who gave His life for our redemption and the atonement He made through His passion and death. Moreover, Jesus continues to feed us with His body and blood in the Eucharist.

— Photo by Tim Faragher, Catholic News Herald. Source: www.catholiceducation.org

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SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

he Diocese of Charlotte ordained its first priest in 1974, only two years after it was established, and since then the number of clergy has continued to grow as the diocese has grown. The diocese’s four bishops – starting with the first bishop, Bishop Michael Begley, and continuing to current Bishop Peter Jugis – have encouraged the faithful to support people pursuing religious vocations and to pray for an increase in vocations.

Those prayers and that support – seeds planted in fertile ground – have brought the Presence of Christ to every corner of western North Carolina. And the diocese is

experiencing a vocations boom, with more people discerning the priesthood, permanent diaconate and religious life especially over the past decade.

As the Catholic population living in western North Carolina has swelled from about 35,000 when the diocese was established in 1972 to today’s estimated 450,000, the number of people serving the local Church has also increased.

In the diocese’s 92 parishes and missions, 81 diocesan priests and 135 deacons are at work serving the people of God in western North Carolina – up from 72 priests and 96 deacons just a decade ago. Nearly two dozen religious orders also serve in the diocese.

June 21, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

A record number of 1,400 young people attended the Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage April 6 at Belmont Abbey, a day of reflection, prayer, formation, vocation awareness and fellowship.

Reflecting on the 2019 Eucharistic Congress theme “Stay With Us, Lord,” in his Holy Hour homily, Bishop Peter Jugis explained that the passage from Luke 24:29, the account of two dejected disciples on the road to Emmaus, is a petition that we continue to pray to the Lord – and a prayer that He grants us through the gift of His Body and Blood in the Eucharist. “What an answer to prayer that is, when we say ‘Stay with us’ … His Real Presence. Jesus says, ‘OK, I will stay with you.’ What a gift He has given to each one of us,” he said.

‘We are called to be bold and decisive in seeking God’s plan for our lives.

Gazing out at the vast “ocean” of vocation, we cannot remain content to repair our nets on the boat that gives us security, but must trust instead in the Lord’s promise.’

Pope Francis PHOTOS BY DOREEN SUGIERSKI | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

PRIESTLY FORMATION

This fall, it is anticipated that the diocese will have 39 men studying for the priesthood, including 15 seminarians at three major seminaries in the U.S. and Rome and more than two dozen students anticipated at St. Joseph College Seminary in Charlotte.

Opened in 2016, St. Joseph College Seminary has been a magnet for young men wanting to discern the priesthood, as young men have responded to the opportunity to study and discern a religious vocation close to their homes and parishes. It will be the only college seminary located between northern Virginia and southern Florida.

Enrollment growth has been faster than the diocese had anticipated, from eight students in its first year to 20 during the 2018-’19 academic year. The college seminary has attracted men from across the diocese, with eight of the diocese’s 10 vicariates represented.

Intensified interest in the college seminary has prompted the diocese to expand housing for enrollees near the campus of St. Ann Church. The students already fill three houses adjacent to the church, and a fourth house is being refurbished to accommodate more this fall.

Last September, the diocese broke ground on a site about two miles from Belmont Abbey College as a permanent home for the college seminary, and construction is well under way. The structural steel was recently erected for the residential wing of the building, and the first- and second-floor concrete slabs were poured for the residential wing. In July workers will start the exterior masonry, and if weather cooperates, the framing and roofing should be complete and windows installed by the end of that month. Plumbing, mechanical and electrical rough-in work will be at least half finished by then, too.

The two-story, Gothic-style building is expected to be substantially completed in March 2020.

It will include a chapel, classroom, library, conference rooms, a kitchen and refectory (cafeteria), faculty offices, and a guest room for speakers and visiting priests. It will also include 40 dorm rooms or “cells” for the college seminarians. The original plans called for 20 cells, but enrollment at the college seminary has already exceeded that projection.

The college seminary continues to enjoy steady growth as its permanent location starts to take shape, and not only with climbing enrollment. The fundraising campaign recently surpassed $9.5 million of its $20 million goal, including two donors who committed a total of $3 million.

The increasing interest in priestly vocations is welcomed by Bishop Jugis, who has commented, “Although the number of priests serving our diocese has increased by 76 percent since it was founded in 1971, the number of Catholics has grown by 900 percent. Adding to that, we have had 13 priests retire in the last 10 years, and still 27 more are expected to retire in the next 10 years.

Though we’ve been blessed with many good and holy priests, we need more to meet the needs of our rapidly growing flock.”

On June 22, Bishop Jugis will ordain three more men as priests for the diocese. A local vocation himself, the Charlotte native is celebrating his 36th anniversary of ordination: he was ordained on June 12, 1983, by St. John Paul II at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

This year also marks his 16th anniversary as the fourth bishop of Charlotte.

2019 World Day of Prayer for Vocations message

Father Matthew Kauth, rector of St. Joseph College Seminary, is astonished by the number of men who are discerning a call to the priesthood. “What we did know was that vocations often spring up in a heart at that time when a young man begins to ask the question, ‘What will I live for?’ What we didn’t know is that 31 men in four academic years would look at our new, fledgling seminary and say, ‘That is what I will live for. I will live for Christ as His priest.’”

“The numbers have simply been astounding and there is no end in sight,” Father Kauth said. “Now we must build so that we might be under one roof instead of many. They have answered the call to sacrifice, and now we must answer the call to support.”

PERMANENT DIACONATE

From 1980, when the Diocese of Charlotte established a Permanent Diaconate ministry, to today, the permanent diaconate has similarly flourished as the diocese has also grown. Nineteen men were ordained by Bishop Begley as the first class of permanent deacons on May 29, 1983. The past two ordinations, in 2014 and 2018, saw a total of 31 men ordained permanent deacons for the diocese.

In the diocese there are now 135 permanent deacons who are responding to the ministry of the Word, of the Altar, and of Charity. And the steady stream of men interested in the permanent diaconate continues, with 13 men in the formation class. These men are currently being reviewed for institution into the role of lector this August, and the list of inquirers continues to grow for future aspirants.

CONSECRATED RELIGIOUS

When the Diocese of Charlotte was established in 1972, 15 religious communities of men and women were active in the diocese. Today, there are 23 communities spread across western North Carolina. Currently there are 128 active women religious ministering across western North Carolina. Parishes around the diocese are witnessing parishioners, young men and women, entering religious orders – courageously answering “yes” to the call from the Lord.

‘COURAGE TO TAKE A RISK’

In his message for the 2019 World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis said: “Every vocation is a summons not to stand on the shore, nets in hand, but to follow Jesus on the path He has marked out for us, for our own happiness and for the good of those around us.”

The Lord’s call makes those who answer His call to serve the Church in the priesthood and religious life “bearers of a promise and, at the same time, asks of us the courage to take a risk, with Him and for Him,” he said.

Embracing this promise naturally demands courage.

“The first disciples, called by Jesus to be part of something greater, ‘immediately left their nets and followed Him’ (Mk 1:18).

Responding to the Lord’s call involves putting ourselves on the line and facing a great challenge. It means being ready to leave behind whatever would keep us tied to our little boat and prevent us from making a definitive choice. We are called to be bold and decisive in seeking God’s plan for our lives. Gazing out at the vast ‘ocean’ of vocation, we cannot remain content to repair our nets on the boat that gives us security, but must trust instead in the Lord’s promise.”

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Vocation resources If you or someone you know is contemplating a religious vocation, check out the following general resources online.

Talk with your pastor, read up on consecrated life and the various communities that exist, and contact religious communities that interest you.

Many offer “come and see” days or retreats that are good opportunities to learn more and meet others who have already accepted God’s call to religious life.

For young men and women, there are also summer discernment retreats offered by the Diocese of Charlotte and hosted at Belmont Abbey College: Quo Vadis Days for young men, and Duc in Altum for young women. Check them out online at www.charlottediocese.org/ vocations.

And don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Diocesan vocations office Father Christopher Gober, Director of Vocations: 704-370-3327, vocationsmail@ charlottediocese.org

General information n www.foryourvocation.org: Set up by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, dedicated to the promotion of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life for both men and women. They are also on Facebook and YouTube. There are resources for parents and teachers, questions to ask yourself if you feel God is calling you, see videos of vocation stories from priests and religious all over the U.S., and much more. n www.religiouslife.com: The Institute for Religious Life’s website, with plenty of resources for both men and women interested in a vocation or those who wish to support religious life. n Not sure what religious communities are out there that might be a good fit for you? Check out: www.religiousministries. com. Search this database to find a men’s or women’s religious community, whether you wish to become a priest, nun, brother or lay missioner, or just want to find out more about living a religious life. n www.cloisteredlife.com: Aims to bring to attention the gift of cloistered and monastic life in the Church, sponsored by the Institute for Religious Life.

Religious communities for men n www.cmsm.org: The Conference of Major Superiors of Men serves the leadership of the Catholic orders and congregations of the more than 17,000 vowed religious priests and brothers in the U.S. n www.religiousbrotherhood.com: Sponsored by the Institute for Religious Life specifically to increase awareness of the specific charism of religious brotherhood in the U.S.

Religious communities for women n www.cmswr.org: The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR) is a canonically approved organization, founded in 1992, to promote religious life in the U.S. n www.lcwr.org: The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) is an association of the leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the U.S.

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 21, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Three men to be ordained priests June 22 The Diocese of Charlotte welcomes three new priests this weekend, as Bishop Peter Jugis ordains three seminarians to the priesthood during the Liturgy of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.

Transitional Deacons Michael Carlson, Alfonso Gamez Jr. and Britt Taylor will all receive the sacrament of holy orders during the two-hour Mass.

Deacon Michael Carlson, a parishioner of St. Ann Church in Charlotte, studied at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He is the son of Rock and Julianne Carlson.

Deacon Alfonso Gamez Jr., a parishioner of Immaculate

Conception Church in Hendersonville, studied at the Pontifical College Josephinum. He is the son of Jose and Ana Maria Gamez.

Deacon Britt Taylor, a parishioner of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte, also studied at the Pontifical College Josephinum. He is the son of Rick and Terri Taylor.

A light reception after the ordination Mass will be held in the Monsignor Kerin Family Life Center adjacent to the church, located at 14740 Stumptown Road.

The faithful are also invited to attend a Holy Hour for the ordinands before their ordination. The Holy Hour will start at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 20, at St. Patrick Cathedral, located at 1621 Dilworth Road East in Charlotte.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

Meet our three new priests Father Michael Carlson

Father Alfonso Gamez Jr.

Home parish: St. Ann Church, Charlotte Birthplace: Merced, Calif.

Birthday: Nov. 21, 1988 Raised in: Mariposa, Ca. Family: Parents Rock and Julianne Carlson; siblings Melissa Lewis, Charles Carlson, Christina Broodno, Jonathan Carlson, Kaitlyn Brittain College: Concordia University, Irvine Ca. Degree: Business administration–

Home parish: Immaculate Conception Church, Hendersonville Birthplace: Clyde, N.C. Birthday: Sept. 16, 1990 Raised in: Hendersonville Family: Parents Jose Alfonso and Ana Maria Gamez; sibling, Diana Castillo College: University of North CarolinaCharlotte Degree: Bachelor’s degree in political

finance Pre-Theology/Theology: Pontifical North American College in Rome Summer assignments in the diocese: Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Monroe; St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Charlotte; St. Therese Church, Mooresville

science Pre-Theology/Theology: Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio Summer assignments in the diocese: St. Francis of Assisi Church, Lenoir; St. Joseph Vietnamese Church, Charlotte; St. Elizabeth Church, Boone

CNH: What are some of your interests/hobbies?

Carlson: I enjoy playing the violin, jogging, hiking, fishing, reading theology, philosophy and classical literature, studying languages and cooking.

CNH: When did you first realize you had a vocation to the priesthood?

Carlson: I had an initial interest in the priesthood when I was 9 years old and would serve Mass at my hometown parish of St. Joseph’s Church. However, I did not seriously consider a vocation to the priesthood until after college.

CNH: Who has helped you (mentored you) or given you a good example to follow during these years of discernment and seminary?

Carlson: The example of my family has helped to sustain me through their untiring support and zeal. In a particular way, the pastors who have mentored me during parish summer assignments. Their examples of holiness and daily priestly service are truly inspiring. Finally, the examples of so many religious and laity whom I have encountered during assignments or various diocesan events. Their prayers, encouragement and excitement for the faith has motivated me during these years of study, and has helped prepare me for priestly ministry.

CNH: Is there any comment you would like to share with our readers about serving as a priest for the Diocese of Charlotte?

Carlson: Through summer parish assignments as a seminarian, as well as through many diocesan events such as the Eucharistic Congress, I have had the privilege to meet many of the individuals who form our Catholic community in the Diocese of Charlotte. Offering Mass and the sacraments is the very best way I can think of to give thanks to and to serve all of these people who have been so instrumental in my vocation to the priesthood.

CNH: What are some of your interests/hobbies?

Gamez: I enjoy watching documentaries and going to the movies with my brother seminarians. I also like studying languages and learning about different cultures.

CNH: When did you first realize you had a vocation to the priesthood?

Gamez: Throughout college, I had a deep desire to serve the Lord and the Church and to learn more about my faith. I simply cultivated this desire by becoming more involved in activities and theological study, and it led me to the realization that I wouldn’t want to spend my life any other way than to come to know Christ more deeply every day, and to share this knowledge and love of Him with others.

CNH: Who has helped you (mentored you) or given you a good example to follow during these years of discernment and seminary?

Gamez: Father Patrick Hoare was the first priest who invited me to consider a vocation to the priesthood and he was always very available to answer my questions. Father Patrick Winslow was also extremely instrumental in my discernment. He taught me how to serve Mass and eventually how to serve as master of ceremonies. In my senior year of college, every day before going to class, I would go to Mass and serve with him and after Mass I would ask him random theological questions about priesthood and the faith. He was always very attentive to my questions and this has always left a great impression upon me.

CNH: What would you like to say to young men who may have a call to the priesthood?

Gamez: My advice to any man who is considering a vocation to the priesthood is to not be afraid and to courageously step forward and see through the experience if indeed God is calling you to live out a life as a priest.

CNH: Is there any comment you would like to share with our readers about serving as a priest for the Diocese of Charlotte?

Gamez: First, I would like to express my profound gratitude to our bishop, vocations board and the faithful of the diocese who have always supported and encouraged me on this journey. I am very excited to come back home after being in seminary for the past six years to serve the people in our diocese and to help them encounter Christ.

Father Britt Taylor Home parish: St. Matthew Church, Charlotte Birthplace: Atlanta, Ga. Birthday: Sept. 5, 1990 Raised in: Charlotte Family: Parents Rick and Terri Taylor; siblings Ashton and Mike Taylor College: University of North CarolinaCharlotte Degree: Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, N. C. State University Pre-Theology/Theology: Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio Summer assignments in the diocese: St. Eugene Church, Asheville; Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury; St. Elizabeth Church, Boone; St. Ann Church, Charlotte CNH: What are some of your interests/hobbies?

Taylor: I enjoy watching and playing sports. The main sport that I play is golf, which I have played since middle school.

CNH: When did you first realize you had a vocation to the priesthood?

Taylor: I realized around the second grade when I first started altar serving. This does not mean I was ready to enter seminary, but the idea was in my mind. I found other distractions but ultimately towards the end of college I found myself drawn more than ever to the priesthood and so entered seminary.

CNH: Who has helped you (mentored you) or given you a good example to follow during these years of discernment and seminary?

Taylor: Father Pat Cahill was the first priest I really started to talk to about the process of becoming a priest and the idea of having a vocation while I was at Charlotte Catholic High School.

After being in seminary, all of the priests at my various summer assignments have been tremendous mentors and I have learned so much from each of them. Within seminary, Father Brian Becker was a great mentor. He was always one who was willing to help not just me but all of the younger seminarians. All of this, of course, began with my parents, though. Looking at their pursuit of holiness started this desire within me to want to deepen my relationship with the Lord.

CNH: What would you like to say to young men who may have a call to the priesthood?

Taylor: Do not be afraid. I remember during my early years of discernment the prospect of becoming a priest was very daunting.

The only way to overcome this fear is to stay close to our Lord in prayer. For me the easiest way to do this was to pray the rosary daily.

Pray the rosary as often as you can and entrust your vocation to our Blessed Mother. Our Lady will not lead you in the wrong direction.

CNH: Is there any comment you would like to share with our readers about serving as a priest for the Diocese of Charlotte?

Taylor: I am most looking forward to officially getting my ministry started here in the diocese. Through my six years at seminary, I had to focus on the people of Charlotte that I would one day be serving to help me through tests and papers. Focusing on them, rather than the stress of schoolwork, helped remind me that ultimately I am not doing this for myself. I am doing this to serve God’s Church and, in particular, the people here in the diocese. After having the people be my motivating factor for so long, I am excited to get to work with the people and in service of the people in the diocese.

June 21, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Prayerful best wishes on the occasion of your ordination to the Holy Priesthood.

Special prie-dieus, or kneelers, that will be given to the three men being ordained priests for the Diocese of Charlotte this year have been on tour around the diocese, enabling the faithful to pray for the men and sign journals conveying their well-wishes.

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

PHOTO PROVIDED

First Masses for the newly ordained to be held June 23 CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte’s newly ordained priests will celebrate their first Masses at their home parish: n Father Michael Carlson will celebrate his first Mass at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, June 23, at St. Ann Church in Charlotte. n Father Alfonso Gamez Jr. will celebrate his first Mass at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, June 23, at Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville. n Father Britt Taylor will celebrate his first Mass at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, June 23, at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte.

The newly-ordained men carefully selected their vestments and chalices for their first Masses. Bishop Peter Jugis blessed their vestments and chalices after Vespers June 20 at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.

Hear why they selected the particular vestments and chalices and who will vest them at their ordination on June 22: Father Michael Carlson: My chasuble is a Gothic-style. An important symbol on the chasuble will be the Auspice Maria symbol. It is formed by intertwining the letters A and M and means “under the protection of Mary.”

Devotion to Our Lady helped me respond to this vocation. This symbol is my way to honor and thank her publicly. The symbol is also a way of including my home parish of St. Ann Church, which has helped to nourish my vocation to the priesthood.

The chalice is a Baroque style and was recently re-discovered at the parish of St. Joseph Church. While respecting a historical restoration, a few small gems will be added to the chalice to commemorate my paternal grandmother, family members, as well as the parish of St. Joseph’s. My hope is that these gems will help me keep in mind St. Monica’s request of her son St. Augustine to “remember me at the altar of the Lord.”

Father Stephen Bulfer will vest me at the ordination. He was the pastor of St. Joseph’s in Mariposa, Calif., during most of my youth. He helped teach me to serve Mass and was an everpresent figure in our small town. His faithfulness in offering the sacraments and joyful witness to Christ undoubtedly had a profound impact upon me and helped lead me to the priesthood.

Father Alfonso Gamez Jr.: My chasuble is a Gothic-style chasuble, ivory with red embroidery. The embroidery is in the form of the cross of St. Andrew. What I like most about

my chalice is that it dates from 1928. I wanted something that had a history behind it, to have a connection with the past. I think that’s meaningful and it communicates a sense of perseverance. The world events my chalice lived through is incredible to think about.

Capuchin Franciscan Father Robert Pérez is vesting me at my ordination. He has served as parochial vicar at my home parish for the past four years, and while his time there has been brief, his impact has made an immense and lasting impression. He has shown us an example of selfless dedication in ministry that I hope to emulate.

Father Britt Taylor: My vestments are white and gold with red lining for the feast of Corpus Christi. The main feature on the chasuble is the emblem of the pelican on the back. This depiction of Christ is one of the most beautiful images and one that is not well known in my opinion. In the wild, when she cannot find food, a mother pelican will pluck her feathers and feed her chicks with her blood so that they might survive. This image is used by the Church because this is exactly what Christ does for us.

He feeds us with His Body and Blood so that we might live. This emblem ties in with the red lining to remember the Blood that Christ gives us at each Mass.

The chalice, given to me by my parents, has a number of images from Our Lord’s life etched into it. There are scenes from the Transfiguration and the Nativity, all the way to His death and Resurrection. The thing that stands out to me is the image of Mary at the foot of the cross. Having a tremendous devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows, this chalice spoke to me immediately. Surrounding this image, my mom has placed two diamonds from her engagement ring as well as the diamond from my grandmother’s engagement ring. Their stones, along with the image of the Blessed Mother, remind me of the women in my life who helped get me to the altar as a priest.

Father Jason Barone is going to vest me at my ordination. I had Father Brian Becker vest me for my diaconate ordination and I picked him because he was my mentor throughout seminary. He was the big brother I looked up to and helped me through the seminary formation program. I chose Father Barone for similar reasons. Whereas Father Becker guided me through seminary, Father Barone has become one of my closest priest friends and mentors.

Father Barone has helped with the transition from seminary into priestly ministry.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

Fr. Michael J. Carlson

Fr. Alfonso Gamez, Jr.

Fr. Britt A. Taylor

“If some of you hear the call to follow Christ more closely, to dedicate your entire heart to Him, like the Apostles John and Paul...

be generous, do not be afraid, ...because you have nothing to fear when the prize that you await is God Himself, for Whom, sometimes without ever knowing it, all young people are searching.”

- Saint John Paul II

Office of Vocations Diocese of Charlotte Father Christopher Gober Director of Vocations

(704) 370-3327 1123 South Church Street Charlotte, NC 28203-4003 vocationsmail@charlottediocese.org

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 21, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

In Brief Support our seminarians’ education and priests’ retirement Our seminarians’ education is possible thanks to the generosity of parishioners who give to the annual Diocesan Support Appeal, through the Seminarian and Priests’ Continuing Education second collection on Easter Sunday, and those who contribute gifts to the Seminarian Education Campaign. Sixteen endowments in the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte are also designated for seminarian education.

For information on making a gift to support seminarian education, contact Jim Kelley, director of development, at 704-370-3301 or jkkelley@ charlottediocese.org.

Each September, people have the opportunity to celebrate the faithful service of our retired diocesan priests, as well as show gratitude to the priests currently serving in the diocese, by contributing to the Priests’ Retirement and Benefits second collection. Each parish is assessed 3.5 percent of its annual offertory collection to raise the funds needed to support priests’ retirement and benefits. The second collection helps the parishes pay this assessment. Three endowments in the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte are also designated for priests’ retirement.

For information on establishing endowments for seminarian education or priests’ retirement, contact Kelley at 704370-3301 or jkkelley@charlottediocese. org.

Interested in becoming a permanent deacon?

Have you thought God might be calling you to serve the Church as a deacon? Would you like to know more about the process involved in becoming a permanent deacon? The Diocese of Charlotte’s Office of the Permanent Diaconate continuously collects names of men who are inquiring into the diaconate. If you are interested in finding out more, call Deacon Scott D. Gilfillan at 828-327-7441 or email sdgilfillan@ catholicconference.org. The diocese starts a new formation class every four years. Before being selected for diaconate formation, a man has to complete the two-year Lay Ministry program offered by the diocese. Details and more information can be found at www.charlottediocese. org/permanent-diaconate.

Learn more about your faith through the Lay Ministry program Interested in learning more about the faith as an adult, becoming a catechist or religion teacher, or discerning the possibility of becoming a permanent deacon? The diocesan Lay Ministry Office offers a two-year program with classes in Arden, Charlotte, Greensboro, Lenoir and Sylva. Lay Ministry classes will begin in the fall of 2020. The application process will begin in May 2020. For details, go online to www.charlottediocese. org/ev/adult-education or contact Dr. Frank Villaronga at 704-370-3274 or favillaronga@charlottediocese.org.

— Catholic News Herald

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Above) Bishop Peter Jugis congratulates Deacon Jonathan Torres after his ordination June 8 at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte. (Facing page) Bishop Jugis lays his hands on Torres’ head and prays the prayer of ordination over him, thus consecrating him as a deacon.

Be a model of holiness, diocese’s newest deacon told SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — During his ordination Mass June 8, the Diocese of Charlotte’s newest deacon was encouraged to persevere in his formation for the priesthood and to follow Jesus Christ as his model of holiness.

Jonathan Torres was ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop Peter Jugis at St. Patrick Cathedral, during a Mass that drew more than 19 priests, 14 deacons, seminarians and hundreds of faithful.

Torres is a seminarian at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, and his ordination to the transitional diaconate marks one of the last steps on his journey to the priesthood.

At the start of the ordination rite, the diocese’s vocations director, Father Christopher Gober, attested to Torres’ preparedness for ordination. Torres was then called from his parents’ side to stand before the bishop at the steps of the altar.

Bishop Jugis then stated, “Relying on the help of the Lord God and our savior Jesus Christ, we choose this man to the order of the diaconate.”

Everyone gathered replied, “Thanks be to God,” and broke into a thunderous round of applause.

During his homily, Bishop Jugis entreated Torres to be a model of holiness for others.

“Today the sacrament of holy orders marks you with an indelible spiritual character which configures you to Christ the servant, who came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom

for many,” the bishop said. “You are consecrated by the laying on of hands and established in the state of holiness by the grace of the Holy Spirit.”

Holiness is expected of the clergy, he continued. The people of God want the sacred ministers of the Church to be models of holiness for them, to serve them in holiness, and to inspire and help them to greater holiness.

“They have a right to expect this holiness because of the grace of the Holy Spirit that is communicated in the sacrament of holy orders,” Bishop Jugis said.

“In these very challenging times in the Church, everyone must make a renewed commitment to holiness – and especially the clergy. Holiness restores the beauty of Christ’s bride, the Church, which has been soiled by abuse and scandals. Holiness comes through union with God. He is the Holy One!” Bishop Jugis then spoke to Torres about the responsibilities he will assume in the role of deacon: to discharge his duties with humble charity; to hold fast to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience; to maintain and deepen his prayer life through the Liturgy of the Hours; and to conform his way of life to serve the people of Christ.

“May the good Lord help you to persevere faithfully in this resolve that you promise.

Jesus is your model of holiness,” he said.

Bishop Jugis also explained to Torres that “the Lord has given you the gift of celibacy so you may offer the whole of your life, your love to the Lord, your service. Celibacy is a sign of pastoral charity, offering yourself pastorally in charity to serve others. Celibacy is a source of great spiritual fruitfulness in

the Church and in the world.”

After the homily, Torres stood before the bishop and publicly affirmed his intention to serve him and the Church. Then he prostrated himself before the altar as Bishop Jugis knelt in prayer and the faithful chanted the Litany of Supplication (also known as the Litany of the Saints).

Torres then arose and approached the bishop, who laid hands on Torres’ head and prayed the prayer of ordination over him, thus consecrating him as a deacon.

Deacon Torres was vested by Father Patrick Winslow, his pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte. He received a stole, a sign of the deacon’s office of service, and the dalmatic, the outer garment used in the liturgy.

The newly-vested deacon then again approached the sanctuary, receiving the Book of the Gospels from Bishop Jugis and a fraternal kiss of peace to welcome him to his new role in the Church.

In his closing remarks to Torres, Bishop Jugis said, “Jonathan, a whole new life now opens before you – the life of being a deacon of the Church. You will now change by the action of the Holy Spirit.”

Deacon Torres will serve at St. Therese Church in Mooresville this summer until he returns to the Pontifical College Josephinum this fall to complete his final year of formation.

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos, video highlights and Bishop Jugis’ complete homily from the June 8 ordination Mass

June 21, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Meet Deacon Jonathan Torres Deacon Jonathan Torres is the son of John and Lucy Torres of Huntersville. He is the oldest of eight children. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Belmont Abbey College and studied theology at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.

CNH: When did you first realize you had a vocation to the priesthood?

Deacon Torres: Growing up, I always wanted to get married and have a family like my parents did.

It was my brother Matthew who always wanted to be a priest. As fate would have it, Matthew is now married and has three kids, while I’m but a year away from becoming a priest.

During my time at Belmont Abbey, I began to study literature, which did wonders for my faith.

While I grew up in a good Catholic family, my experience of Catholicism had become rather dull.

For years, the practice of my faith felt too routine.

Studying literature at Belmont Abbey helped me see how beautiful my Catholic faith was. In particular, reading Dante’s “Divine Comedy” was a major factor in me coming to love my faith in a new way. I had known the truths of my faith all my life, but it wasn’t until I experienced its beauty expressed in classic literature that I began to desire God more. Needless to say, my faith, which had become mundane, had now become something I was passionate about. Having a good group of friends at Belmont Abbey to discuss new ideas we learned in our literature, philosophy and theology classes was something that consumed all of my time.

After graduating I wanted to be a novelist, where I could express the same beauty that inspired me to live an all-consuming Christian life. I landed an editing job at St. Benedict Press, where I worked with renowned professors from all around the country to create Catholic Courses, a video lecture series that discussed topics such as history, literature, philosophy, theology and scripture. It fit well with my love of literature and my Catholic background. However, after working there for a

year, I felt something lacking in my life.

In the summer of 2013, a good friend of mine entered the seminary. When he came back the next summer to begin his first summer assignment, he invited me to dinner with a few priests of Charlotte – Fathers Patrick Winslow, Matthew Kauth and Timothy Reid. Something happened during that dinner. It was as though scales fell from my eyes, and I saw before me men who did not live compartmentalized lives.

During my year at St. Benedict Press, I felt like I had divided my life in a very unattractive way; I had my faith-life on Sunday, my work-life during the week and my social-life on the weekends. I knew I wanted something more – something more full and encompassing. The life of a priest was the answer to that desire.

Further, the concepts of epic adventures, perilous journeys and a hero’s quest for goodness that I fell in love with in so many stories in the literature that enkindled the fire for my faith, found its fulfillment in the priesthood. The idea that I could experience life to the fullest in a single day (from baptizing a child, to celebrating a wedding, to presiding over a funeral) filled me with awe.

CNH: Is there any comment you would like to share about becoming a transitional deacon here in the Diocese of Charlotte?

Deacon Torres: My parents have done so much for me over the years, from passing down the faith, to supporting me in my vocation. A simple “thank you” would not suffice. I feel like responding to the call to the priesthood is a way in which I can give back to those who have first given to me. Even beyond my parents, there have been so many people – friends, priests, fellow parishioners at numerous parishes in the diocese – who have given me more than I deserve. They have opened their homes to me, supported me financially, and have shown me love in so many different ways. I feel extremely grateful for this opportunity to give back to a community that has given me so much throughout my life.

On the 35th Anniversary of your ordination, your parish family at St. Luke would like to extend our Blessings and Congratulations to our pastor Father Paul Gary.

Thank you for your dedication and service to our parish!

St. Luke Catholic Church 13700 Lawyers Road Mint Hill, NC 28227 www.stlukechurch.net

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 21, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

PHOTOS BY PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Top left) Bishop Bohdan Danylo lays hands on deacon candidate David Rinehart while Basilius Magnus also kneels before the altar during their diaconate ordination June 16. (Above) Kevin Bezner reverences the Book of the Gospels, held by Bishop Bohdan, during his ordination to the priesthood. (Left) Newly-ordained Father Kevin Bezner gives his first priest blessings after his ordination. (Below left) Bishop Bohdan prays over a kneeling Magnus while holding his omophorion, a symbol of his ecclesiastical authority similar to a pallium, over the deacon candidate’s head. Father Kevin gives his first priest blessing to Bishop Bohdan.

‘Give witness to Christ’ First Eastern Catholic priest ordination held in western N.C. PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR

CHARLOTTE — “Axios! Axios!”

Chanting these ancient Greek words, hundreds of people gathered inside St. Thomas Aquinas Church June 16 acclaimed three men worthy of holy orders during a special ordination Mass for the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Josaphat, whose territory includes North Carolina.

Kevin Bezner was ordained a priest, and Basilius Magnus and David Rinehart were ordained deacons by Bishop Bohdan J. Danylo, who leads the Parma, Ohiobased eparchy or diocese.

The Mass, or Divine Liturgy, was the first Eastern Catholic rite priest ordination to take place in western North Carolina, and only the second deacon ordination.

The congregation included members of St. Basil the Great Ukrainian Catholic Church in Charlotte, which

has grown steadily since its founding in 2006 and now occupies a dedicated space at St. Thomas Aquinas Church to accommodate its rising number of families.

Bishop Bohdan acknowledged the community’s growth in remarks at the end of Mass.

“It is a joy for us here in the community of St. Basil the Great,” he said.

Reflecting on Christ’s Ascension, which he called “one of the most beautiful scenes” in the Bible, Bishop Bohdan said Christ calls each of us today to go out and proclaim the Gospel just as He commissioned the Apostles.

“The same mission is given to us – to preach the Good News of Christ, to bring people closer to Him,” he said.

The newly-ordained Father Kevin and Deacons Basilius and David are fruits “brought forth from among you, the living community,” Bishop Bohdan noted, not dropped magically from out of nowhere.

Follow their example and the example of the saints and martyrs, he urged, in giving one’s life totally to Christ.

“Give witness to Christ,” he urged.

The Pontifical Mass drew clergy from around the region, including Atlanta and from St. Nicholas Mission in Cary, as well as from the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh.

Priests and deacons from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte who have supported St. Basil the Great Church and its new mission in Canton were also present for the celebration.

Former Canton resident Mike Hoey, who has known Father Kevin for years, credited his efforts to develop the Eastern Catholic mission for people living in the Asheville area. The Divine Liturgy is celebrated about once a month in Canton, hosted at the Charlotte diocese’s Immaculate Conception Mission.

“I marvel at his dedication and how his spirituality has grown,” Hoey said before receiving a blessing from the new priest.

June 21, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

(Left) Deacon Basilius Magnus holds his orarion, or diaconal stole, while chanting during the Divine Liturgy. (Below) The Pontifical Divine Liturgy drew clergy from around the region, including Roman rite clergy from the Diocese of Charlotte.

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THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE COUNCIL

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

“IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR PRIESTS”

OFFERS CONGRATULATIONS TO: Fr. Michael J. Carlson Fr. Alfonso Gamez, Jr. Fr. Britt A. Taylor

Father Kevin Bezner Kevin Bezner was born in Bainbridge, Md., in 1953. From elementary to high school, he attended Catholic schools in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Massachusetts. He earned a bachelor’s degree in American studies from Roger Williams in 1975, master’s degrees from the University of Maryland in 1976 (American Studies) and 1989 (English), and a doctorate in English and Creative Writing from Ohio University in 1991. He has worked as a daily newspaper reporter, college professor, and communications manager, writer and editor in banking.

He earned a certificate in spiritual direction from the Center for Spirituality and Ministry at Sacred Heart University, an advanced catechist certificate from Catholic Distance University, and a certificate in lay ministry from the Diocese of Charlotte in 2012.

He completed the eparchy’s Diaconate Formation Program and was ordained a deacon in 2014. That same year, he also completed a master’s in theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary. In preparation for ordination to the priesthood, in May he completed the Ongoing Formation program at Byzantine Catholic Seminary.

Deacon Basilius Magnus Many have asked whether “Basilius Magnus” is his real name or a “pseudonym,” and if it is inspired by “St. Basil the Great.” The answer to both questions is yes, he says. “My parents gave me that name when I was born, and I got to know the reason on my eighth birthday when my dad sent me a birthday gift of a book titled ‘Friends of Jesus’ with the icon of St. Basil the Great on its cover. One statement that I succinctly remember from that book is: ‘The Cathedral where St. Basil celebrated the liturgy was always

packed with faithful waiting to hear his homily.’ I knew that my parents prayed and wished me to inherit St. Basil’s spirit and charisma.”

He studied the organ in elementary school and played from middle school through college.

He also contributed in theological discourses in ecumenical forums (of mostly pastors, theologians and seminary professors) such as Partners in Ministry and Indonesian Pastors Network. After moving to the United States, he became immersed in the Eastern Catholic tradition, especially its emphasis on mysticism, contemplation and a meditative prayer life.

At St. Nicholas Mission in Cary, where he has been assigned, he served as an altar server and reader before completing the eparchy’s Diaconate Formation Program at Holy Apostles Institute.

He and his wife Nora have three children, Fidelia, Vitus and Andrea.

Deacon David Rinehart David Rinehart is a native of Tennessee. His father’s job took the family to Washington, D.C., where they became members of St. Gabriel Parish. Their neighborhood included the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the Catholic University of America. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army “and made a career of it serving in numerous assignments worldwide.”

A lifelong learner, he earned bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and management from Excelsior University of New York and associate’s degrees in criminal justice and general education from Central Texas College.

A member of St. Nicholas Mission, he served in many positions including altar server before graduating from the eparchy’s Diaconate Formation Program at Holy Apostles Institute, where he now serves as administrator.

A resident of Fayetteville, he survives his wife Fabiola and has two sons, David and Francis.

Fr. Michael J. Carlson

Fr. Alfonso Gamez, Jr.

Fr. Britt A. Taylor

On their Ordination as Priests for the Diocese of Charlotte Special Congratulations also to: all priests, deacons & religious Who are celebrating the anniversary of their service To the faithful of the diocese of charlotte

www.kofcnc.org

catholicnewsherald.com | June 21, 2019 10B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Three Sisters of Mercy celebrate their 70th jubilee EMILY WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT

BELMONT — On May 25, Sisters of Mercy Mary Julia Godwin, Jeanne Margaret McNally and Mary Agnes Solari celebrated a major milestone in their vocation to Christ and His Church: their platinum jubilee. They marked 70 years of religious life, which spans more than a third of the history of their order founded in 1831 by Venerable Catherine McAuley.

Since entering the Sisters of Mercy in 1949, they have contributed in a myriad of ways to their community, making an impact on so many lives through their work – in orphanages, hospitals and schools, with marriage counseling, to people with special needs, in college and high school administration.

Each Sister has given her life to helping others to the best of her ability, through the grace of Jesus Christ. Their lives are a testimony to the power of Christ’s love demonstrated through His Church and through the particular charism of the Sisters of Mercy.

SISTER MARY JULIA GODWIN

Aside from her recent Jubilee, Sister Mary Julia Godwin is proud of another facet of her life: her family was among the first Catholic families in eastern North Carolina. “In 1863, John Monck, mygreat-grandfather from Newton Grove, became Catholic and I am descended from that family. He was received into the Catholic Church and all of his family did afterwards,” she describes.

Although John Monck didn’t know it, that decision would have a lasting impact on the life of his descendant.

Sister Julia arrived in Belmont on July 15, 1949, after becoming better acquainted with the Sisters of Mercy through a chance encounter.

She recalls, “After high school, I was at Mercy Hospital for two years studying nursing. One day while at the hospital, I met a lovely Sister named Carmelita Barrett. She was my mentor, really. She was always teasing me, telling me, ‘You’d make a wonderful nun!’ I had thought about it, but not given it any serious

consideration. One day she had left her habit off, and I tried it on. She came back and caught me with it on, which pleased her to no end.” It wasn’t long before the young nursing student professed her vows as a Sister of Mercy.

Her ministries have included education, Catholic orphanages in Raleigh, and specializing in working with those with special needs, such as the residents of Holy Angels, where she served for 16 years. She has taught locally at St. Gabriel and St. Patrick schools in Charlotte, St. Michael School in Gastonia, St. Leo School in Winston-Salem, Sacred Heart School in Salisbury, and St. Eugene School in Asheville. She also went a bit farther away, teaching at St. Agnes School in Greenport, Long Island, N.Y. But it was her service at Nazareth Orphanage in Raleigh that has meant the most to her.

“Because I was very young, my work at the orphanage really shaped me,” she says. “I fell in love with that kind of work.

There was a lot of learning, but I loved it and it really shaped me for working at Holy Angels in Belmont.”

Now aged 91, Sister Mary Julia says the key to a long life, apart from “eating well and getting enough sleep,” is happiness.

“For one thing, I never worried about getting old. That never bothered me! I didn’t let little things bother me, either.

The last 70 years have all been so happy, and I know that God has intervened to keep me busy and interested in what I was doing. I have put my life into my work and never thought about going off and doing something else. I was always committed.”

SISTER JEANNE-MARGARET MCNALLY

Sister Jeanne-Margaret McNally is a native of New York and a canon lawyer who also holds a doctorate in psychology from The Catholic University. Her calling came when she read about the Sisters of Mercy and the rich missionary opportunities in North Carolina.

“What drew me to the Sisters of Mercy was the missions they were doing, because less than one-tenth of one percent of people were Catholic in North Carolina at that time,” she recalls. Nursing was also in Sister Jeanne-

Margaret’s background, and she remained busy with nursing and administrative work. She served as director of the school of nursing at Mercy Hospital for 18 years and worked as a college administrator at UNC-Chapel Hill. She has also served as a tribunal judge for the Diocese of Charlotte and the Archdiocese of Miami, besides serving as president of the Sisters of Mercy and on the Board of Trustees for Belmont Abbey College. Additionally, she taught at Barry University in Miami and Sacred Heart College in Belmont.

Each role she has taken on throughout her 70 years of ministry has affected and shaped her in a different way, she says.

“Nursing was very significant, but probably the administration as well, because I just seemed to flow naturally into it. They all shape you in some manner, because it changes your thinking. Between nursing and psychology and law, I’m always getting a better understanding of people all the time. That’s my job! There wasn’t anything I would have changed, and not many people can say that. That was a constant blessing.”

What has been the secret to her happiness?

“Every experience can be a blessing if you allow it to be; if you’re open for it,” Sister Jeanne-Margaret says. “The blessing was that I began thinking more rationally – your whole cognitive development changes with your experiences, but you have to be open to it.” And above all, renewing her commitment to God on a daily basis has been a critical aspect of her 70 years of service as a Sister of Mercy.

“I made a commitment to renewing my vows every single day. Even in marriage, you have to constantly renew that commitment, because psychologically your whole personality changes as the years go by. Everything is always going to change, every day. You have to constantly renew that commitment within the circumference of who you are and what you are right in the moment.” she says.

Looking back over 70 years of vocational service can be both delightful and aweinspiring, both for the Sisters themselves and for those who serve with them and encounter them in ministry. Sister Jeanne-Margaret adds that it can also be bittersweet.

“There were 12 of us and we were known as the ’49ers. However, when we celebrated recently, we were the only ones left still living.”

Congratulations to Deacon Joseph Denzler for

10 years of faithful service to our parish.

May God continue to bless you in the years ahead!

St. John Neumann Catholic Church 8451 Idlewild Road, Charlotte, NC 28227 www.4sjnc.org

Fr John Starczewski

“The rest,” adds Sister Mary Julia, “now belong to the Lord.”

SISTER MARY AGNES SOLARI

One of their fellow ’49ers was able to celebrate her 70th jubilee before quietly passing away June 11, surrounded by her fellow Sisters and family.

Sister Mary Agnes Solari’s name is a familiar one, as her cousins are Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari at Belmont Abbey Monastery and Father Jim Solari, chaplain of Maryfield in High Point.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Belmont Abbey and a master’s degree in administration and supervision from UNC-Chapel Hill. She had a long career in teaching and school administration. Her work included teaching at St. Patrick School in Charlotte, Charlotte Catholic High School, St. Mary School in Wilmington, St. Eugene School in Asheville, and Evelyn Mack Day School in Charlotte. She also served as principal of St. Patrick’s and St. Eugene’s. In addition, she served on the faculty and in Catholic campus ministry at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte.

Although she has departed this life, her legacy will be remembered by the Sisters of Mercy and all those touched by her ministry over the years, especially reflecting on her motto in religious life: “What is This to Eternity?” She explained it as: “In bad times – with help, we can get through it – don’t give up. In good times – don’t get too caught up that you lose sight of what’s important.”

Learn more At www.sistersofmercy.org: Find out more about the 9,000-plus women who are Sisters of Mercy and the work they do around the world

Congratulations!

Deacon Joseph Denzler

Faithful Friar Fr. John Starczewski – 15 Years

and

Deacon Joe Denzler – 10 years On your ordination anniversaries

Thank you for your service and dedication!

With love from all the Sir Knights at

SJN Msgr. Lawrence Newman K of C Fourth Degree Assembly 2208.

June 21, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Franciscan Father Louis Canino celebrates 50th jubilee SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

STONEVILLE — Franciscan Father Louis Canino, director of St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, entered religious life as a teenager. This year he celebrates the 50th anniversary of his priestly ministry.

A native of Syracuse, N.Y., his social and spiritual life growing up was centered around his family’s vibrant Catholic parish.

“By the time I was around 6 years of age, I wanted to be a priest. In short, I admired our pastor so much,” Father Canino says. “When people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said, ‘Father Walsh.’”

He graduated from Christian Brothers Academy, run by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a teaching order founded by St. John Baptiste de la Salle. He then entered St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in upstate New York, which was run by Franciscans for those seeking a Franciscan vocation.

Father Canino was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Amleto Cicognani on Sept. 13, 1969, at the Franciscan monastery in Washington, D.C. His openness to go where he was asked enabled Father Canino to take assignments at St. Joseph’s Monastery in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and twice at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston. He also juggled several roles at once, including roles as provincial councilor, rector of St. Anthony Shrine, director of the Province’s Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation efforts and oversaw ministry to the poor at St. Francis House in Boston in the mid-1980s.

Father Canino has served as the director of the Franciscan Center in Greensboro since 1990. He has also served at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center since 2005.

“My greatest fulfillment in my priestly or Franciscan ministry has been how the Lord has used me as His instrument in helping others to love Him more and to grow in their faith,” Father Canino says.

He shares that the greatest lesson he has learned in his 50 years as a priest is that “we are not fully in control of

Franciscan Father Louis Canino is director of the St. Francis Springs Prayer Center in Stoneville.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ST. FRANCIS SPRINGS PRAYER CENTER

our lives. Sometimes the Lord puts a lot of twists and turns in it and it doesn’t always turn out the way we would like.”

He adds, “I have realized in trying to pursue the ‘dream’ of my life is that God’s timing and mine are not always in sync.”

His advice to anyone discerning a religious vocation?

Congratulations to Fr. John Starczewski on 15 years of Priestly Ministry May God continue to bless you in the years ahead!

St. John Neumann Catholic Church 8451 Idlewild Road, Charlotte, NC 28227 www.4sjnc.org

“If someone felt that they were called to religious life or the priesthood, I would offer them the same advice that I received over 50 years ago: ‘If God is inviting you to follow Him this way, isn’t it best to at least pursue this vocation to see if it’s the right fit?’”

— Franciscan Friars, Holy Name Province contributed.

Reverend Monsignor Christopher J. Schreck, Rector, and the seminarians, faculty and staff of the Pontifical College Josephinum send congratulations and prayerful best wishes to Alumni

FAther michAel cArlson FAther AlFonso GAmez AlAnis FAther Britt tAylor Ordained to the Holy Priesthood June 22, 2019 Ad Multos Annos!

7625 North High Street Columbus, Ohio

catholicnewsherald.com | June 21, 2019 12B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘No two days are alike’ Father Kessler celebrates 35 years of priesthood SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

PHOTO PROVIDED

Over the course of his 35 years of priestly ministry, Father Thomas Kessler spent five years as a missionary in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

STATESVILLE — According to Father Thomas Kessler, pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Church, “no two days are alike” in the priesthood. Father Kessler, a native of Allentown, Pa., celebrated 35 years of priestly ministry May 12.

He recently shared some insights about his life and his ministry with the Catholic News Herald.

“I am a cradle Catholic,” he says. “My deceased parents were devout Catholics. By God’s grace, my 10 siblings and I have followed their example and have kept the faith.”

Father Kessler remembers that he thought about the priesthood during the second grade and again around the ninth grade.

“When I was 19 to 21 years old, I worked as a structural steel salesman in Philadelphia. I went to daily Mass and felt that I was called to the priesthood,” he recalls.

He studied for four years at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, where he received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. “I then studied four years of theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., where I received a Master of Divinity.”

Father Kessler was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Allentown on May 12, 1984, by then-Bishop Thomas Welsh of Allentown.

Upon his ordination, Father Kessler served as a parochial vicar of a parish in West Reading, Pa. He then spent five years as a missionary in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

When he returned to the U.S., he served as an administrator at Notre Dame High School in Easton, Pa. He was then named director of pastor formation at the Major Seminary of St. Paul in the Archdiocese of Minneapolis in St. Paul, Minn.

Father Kessler’s assignments in the Diocese of Charlotte over the years include serving as administrator of St. Dorothy Church in Lincolnton; parochial vicar of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte; pastor of St. Leo the Great Church in Winston-Salem; and pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe.

Father Kessler says what he loves most about his priestly ministry is “the diversity of the vocation. No two days are alike.”

What has he learned over the course of the past 35 years ministering as a priest? “A lesson that I have learned is that one never stops learning. Each day is a new adventure and a gift from God.”

The parishioners of Saint Matthew Catholic Church are very grateful for the dedication of our priests and clergy.

We especially celebrate and honor the following jubilarians:

Monsignor John McSweeney for 45 years as a priest

Deacon William Griffin for 20 years as a deacon Deacon Gary Schrieber for 5 years as a deacon Deacon Jack Staub for 5 years as a deacon We are delighted to celebrate with our own parish son, Britt Taylor, who will be ordained on June 22.

Please join Father Taylor for his Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, June 23, at 12:30 pm at St. Matthew Catholic Church.

Monsignor McSweeney

Deacon William Griffin

Deacon Gary Schrieber and Deacon Jack Staub

Father Britt Taylor

June 21, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Father Starczewski celebrates 15 years of priestly ministry SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — A native of Utica, N.Y., Father John Starczewski is now pastor of St. John Neumann Church. He celebrated his 15th anniversary of priestly ordination on June 5.

A cradle Catholic, born to an Episcopalian mother and Catholic father, he was taught the faith at his home parish of St. Stanislaus where he also attended grade school under the instruction of the Felician Sisters.

Father Starczewski says he realized the call to the priesthood shortly after becoming an altar boy in the fourth grade, when he was 9.

“It was a simple call that the priesthood would be a good life for me,” he recalls. “I struggled with the call for 30 years, becoming a chemical engineer in the meantime. Finally after joining the Knights of Columbus and beginning to pray more, I began to understand why God was calling me.

“I was the rich young man in the Gospel walking away sad. When I realized that, I pursued my vocation.”

Father Starczewski attended Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Mass., from 2000 to 2004.

He was ordained a transitional deacon along with Father Robert Conway and Father Timothy Reid in December 2003 by Bishop Peter Jugis – the bishop’s first diocesan transitional deaconate Mass after becoming the fourth bishop of Charlotte. The men were also the first diocesan priests to be ordained by Bishop Jugis in June 2004.

Father Starczewski has had several

assignments in the diocese over the past 15 years.

He served as parochial vicar of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte from 2004 to 2006. Then he served as parochial vicar of Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro from 2006 to 2007.

In 2007, he was named pastor of St. James Church in Hamlet and Sacred Heart Mission in Wadesboro. In 2011, he served as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Mocksville until 2017.

He has served as pastor of St. John Neumann Parish for the past two years.

Father Starczewski has also served on the diocese’s Presbyteral Council several times and was vicar forane of the Salisbury Vicariate from 2016 to 2017.

He says, “The most enjoyable part of my priestly ministry is meeting, getting to know and working with so many good people, especially when I have been able to help them in their faith.”

He shares that some of the most meaningful lessons he has learned in the past 15 years since his ordination are that a priest has to “be willing to be with the people. Don’t have something between you and them, like the sacristy door or the pulpit. Always thank the people for what they give or do for the parish. Always try to do your best for the people and the parish.”

His advice to men discerning a vocation to the priesthood?

“Pray a lot with scripture,” he says. “I wouldn’t have found my vocation without the Gospel of Matthew. When Father Christopher Gober, diocesan director of vocations, was ordained he told me also and it helped me a lot.”

For men discerning a call to the priesthood, he advises, “Have faith and take the leap.”

PHOTO PROVIDED

Father John Starczewski was among those who were the first diocesan priests to be ordained by Bishop Peter Jugis in June 2004.

14B iiJune 21, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

CATHOLIC N

Celebrating our 2 5 YEARS

10 YEARS

Father Paul Buchanan Father Noah Carter Father Paul McNulty

Father Benjamin Roberts Father Richard Sutter

Priests

25 YEARS

30 YEARS

35 YEARS

Father Michael Kottar

Father Conrad Hoover Father Joseph Mack

Father Jerome Chavarria, C.Ss.R. Father Paul Gary Father Peter Fitzgibbons Father Philip Kollithanath Father Thomas Kessler

55 YEARS

60 YEARS

Father Francis Forster, OSB Father Arthur Pendleton, OSB

Father Gabriel Meehan

Deacons

5Y

Deacon Guillermo J Deacon James Deacon Sigfrido A. De Deacon Joseph Deacon Michae Deacon John A. H Deacon Thomas E. M Deacon Marco

Deacon Thomas D. Sanctis Deacon C. William Schreiber Deacon Gary J. Schrieber Deacon Miguel P. Sebastian Deacon Jack G. Staub Deacon Ruben Tamayo Deacon James P. Trombley Deacon Emmanuel O. Ukattah Sr.

20 YEARS

25 YEARS

Deacon William G. Griffin Deacon Richard G. Voegele Deacon Bernardino (Wilson) Velez

45 YEARS

Deacon Michael Dennis Leahy

Deacon James Philip Cooper Deacon Richard McCarron

Women religious

25 YEARS

Sister Sheila Richardson, ESA Sister Ginsy Simon, SVP

Deacon Deacon Ro Deacon R

Sister Katherin Sister

NEWS HERALD

June 21, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

2019 Jubilarians 15 YEARS

20 YEARS

Father Jean Pierre Lhoposo Father Robert Conway Father Timothy Reid Father John Starczewski

Father Ricardo Sanchez Father Patrick Winslow

40 YEARS

45 YEARS

50 YEARS

Father Carl Kaltreider Father Vincent Finnerty, CM

Monsignor John McSweeney

Father Louis Canino, OFM

YEARS

J. Anzola s E. Bozik ella Valle h A. Diaz el F. Goad Harrison McGahey os Mejias

10 YEARS

Deacon Joseph C. Denzler

15 YEARS

Deacon Daniel J. Hoffert Deacon Webster A. James Deacon Robert E. Morris Deacon James H. Toner Deacon James H. Witulski

30 YEARS

n Thomas Jerome Kak onald Timothy Ritchey Ramon Eiberto Tejada

50 YEARS

ine Francis French, SP r Emma Yondura, SSJ

40 YEARS

Deacon Gordon Lawrence Forester Deacon William Stanley Shaw Deacon John Edward Sims

70 YEARS

Sister Mary Julia Godwin, RSM Sister Jeanne-Margaret McNally, RSM Sister Mary Agnes Solari, RSM

15B

catholicnewsherald.com | June 21, 2019 16B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish celebrates local priest’s ordination CÉSAR HURTADO HISPANIC REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — On June 1, the Congregation of the Mission celebrated the priestly ordination of Luis Romero and Leo Tiburcio, the first two men ordained in the Eastern Province since 2010.

Vincentian Father Alfonso Cabezas, Bishop Emeritus of Villavicencio, Colombia, presided over the ordination at the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal in Philadelphia.

For the two men, the occasion marked the culmination of 10 years of rigorous theological study, instruction in Vincentian spirituality and work in the order, which was founded by St. Vincent de Paul.

Father Leo Tiburcio’s first assignment will be at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Charlotte, where he first discerned his priestly vocation years ago.

Leo Tiburcio Ordaz was born in 1978 in Santa María Zacatepec, Cholula, Puebla, México.

The third of nine children of Felipe Tiburcio and Herlinda Ordaz, he left México in 1994 to go to New York, where for more than six years he worked in Turkish restaurants, until the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in 2001 meant the end of his job.

Looking for new horizons, he traveled to Atlanta, where he settled for two years and continued to work in restaurants. At the end of 2004, he requested a job transfer to Charlotte, but after arriving he had a hard time trying to find a local church where he could practice his faith. God led him to the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, he said.

After assisting at a men’s retreat and joining the parish’s youth group, he received an invitation from Father Vincent Finnerty, then pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, to enter a house of discernment.

His answer was simply: “Father, I do not want to be a priest; I rather want to get married and have children.”

But after much thought, he entered the house of discernment in 2005, only to leave after six months.

Sick and stressed out, Tiburcio decided to earn his GED and take English classes. He returned to work and started

Finnerty, Father Hugo Medellín and Father Gregorio Gay. Father Finnerty delivered the homily, his final one to the parishioners whom he has served for many years in the Diocese of Charlotte. Father Finnerty is retiring and leaving after 24 years for a small parish in Alabama.

He offered many recommendations to the new Father Tiburcio, joked with him and greeted the young priest’s family.

At the end of the Mass, Father Tiburcio addressed a few words to parishioners. After thanking them “for the faith you put in me” since his arrival to the parish in 2004, he recognized the support of his parents, who instilled in him the faith from his childhood, and especially to Father Finnerty, who supported and encouraged his call to a religious vocation.

CÉSAR HURTADO | Then the young priest showed CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD everyone the greeting card that parishioners had given him in 2009, before he left for the seminary in New York. He has kept it all these years: “There are many beautiful things that you told me here, your prayers, your support,” he told them.

Then he took a white cloth from his pocket – the maniturgium, a white linen cloth that the newly ordained priest’s hands are wrapped with after being anointed by the bishop in the ordination rite.

Father Tiburcio started to explain, “When my mom comes to God’s presence, God will say, ‘I gave you life, what have you given Me?’ Then she is going to take out this cloth and will say, ‘I gave you my son’ and then ... Mom,” but he became too emotional to continue. He went to embrace his mother, who was crying as she listened to the words of her son.

After the Mass, Father Tiburcio was greeted by parishioners and everyone enjoyed a lunch prepared by the parish.

Vincentian Father Leo Tiburcio, a vocation that emerged in the youth group at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, celebrated his first Mass with Fathers Vicente Finnerty, Gregorio Gay and Hugo Medellín June 2.

Father Tiburcio has been assigned to the parish where his desire for service to God was born.

dating a girl – but he could not ignore God’s whispering to him, calling him to the priesthood. Confused, he decided to speak with Father Finnerty again.

“God is calling you for a vocation that is not marriage, but you are free to say yes or no,” the pastor told him.

Two months later, he returned to Father Finnerty but this time his discernment process would be more serious: he would enter the Vincentians’ seminary in New York.

In 2014, Tiburcio moved to Philadelphia, where he completed his studies and pronounced his temporary vows.

In 2018, he offered his perpetual vows and was ordained to the transitional diaconate.

The day after his priestly ordination in Philadelphia, Father Tiburcio came home to Charlotte and offered his first Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church – side by side with the other Vincentian priests of the parish: Father

‘Everything about this life is so pure and so good’ Siblings with vocations share their story SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — St. Joseph College seminarian Jose Palma and his younger sister, Jessica, have a unique sibling bond.

Both have answered the call to serve the Lord in a vocation in the Church. Jose is in his third year of seminary now. Jessica is a postulant with the Daughters of the Virgin Mother, which supports seminarians and priests of the diocese in prayer and works.

These young adults recently provided some insights on their vocations and how a shared desire to serve the Lord has brought them closer.

CNH: Can you tell us what your family faith life growing up was and how that may have had an impact on your vocations?

Jose: At first for a while we weren’t faithful Catholics, we were lukewarm.

When I was about 12 (and Jessica was 5) we had a complete family conversion, which was great. This is the fruit of that. God had given my parents and my older sister a conversion – a conversion to God to be able to pay attention to Him and to pay attention at Mass.

From that point on, from my perspective, everything changed. We were going to Mass more faithfully, at church more regularly, and prayer was very much encouraged.

I think that definitely prepared the way for me to be able to discern to enter the seminary. We took the faith seriously. We embraced the wholeness of the Catholic

faith. That was crucial. To know that my parents were praying for us and with us, that definitely impacted me later in life.

Jessica: I was maybe about 16 when things started stirring up in my spiritual life. I think I owe it a lot to my parents for their prayers for us, and always praying for us and for our futures – letting God’s Will happen.

CNH: What does it feel like to know that you are supporting each other (in your vocations)?

CNH: What is it like living your vocation now?

Jose: These past three years in seminary, I can honestly say they have been the happiest years of my life. There is a certain sense of fulfillment. I came in expecting a lot; you’re nervous, scared. But coming in there was a sense of peace. The formation is phenomenal. It challenges you.

I was happy the very first day I came in. I said, ‘This is awesome!’ We have a lot of great guys. We spend a lot of time in prayer. It is difficult. You are adjusting to a very strict schedule. You are adjusting to a different prayer life. Before I entered seminary, I thought I had a decent prayer life. You come in and it’s like you really have to try, to dig deep.

There are difficulties in seminary, but it’s like normal life. It’s like anything else – you just have to keep going. You have to remember the Lord brought you here and He will get you through anything.

Living out the vocation is fantastic. We have a great fraternity. The guys are really awesome. We have great conversations. We play sports together. For us guys, it’s great to be able to play sports every day, to just

Jose Palma and his sister Jessica Palma hang out. Above all, to pray together. We challenge each other.

Jessica: I have only been in the convent seven months. It’s been really good. There is a certain peace that I feel ever since I entered. It has been so good. The sisters are great. They are very welcoming. The community life that we live, we mold well together. We all go out and do our work, and then we come back and we pray and have dinner and recreate.

We can be together, pray together, console our God and make friendships with Our Lady. When we come out of prayer, it is like fresh air that you just took in and then you don’t have to worry about worldly things.

I actually just tried on the habit because I am going to get clothed in October. It’s exciting! Everything about this life is so pure and so good.

Jose: It gives me a sense of joy, and I am obviously proud of my sister. It gives me great peace, great joy, to know I have my own sister in a convent that prays for priests in a diocese which I am a seminarian in. And God willing, I will be a priest.

It gives me a lot of joy and fills me with a lot of hope to know I am supported.

There is something very special to know that my own sister, with whom I lived all my life, whom I used to feed, is now in a convent praying for me, offering sacrifices for me for the work that God wants me to do. I know we understand each other very well.

Jessica: It has put a lot into perspective.

I get to watch him in his vocation to the priesthood. It’s hard to explain. He’s my brother. It is a special bond we have, we understand each other without saying words.

At first, for me, it was a little awkward.

Our vocations were colliding. Whenever you enter a vocation, you don’t expect to see family. Over the months, it normalized itself. It became tender.

The idea that we switch prayers – he prays for me and I pray for him – it’s just neat that I entered a convent that supports the priesthood.

It’s hard to explain. There are so many graces and beautiful things going on.

There’s no way to explain it and do it justice.

June 21, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

17B

A SHARED MINISTRY

Deacons and their wives reflect on service to the Church SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — For the past 36 years, the Diocese of Charlotte has been blessed with men who have been committed to serving the Church as permanent deacons.

They, along with their wives, have led countless ministries serving to educate the faithful and to assist the poor, the sick, the homeless, the refugee and the imprisoned.

To date, 117 deacons have been ordained by the four bishops of the diocese.

Two deacons among those celebrating special anniversaries this year, recently shared insights about the life of a deacon in the Church as they and their wives live out their vocations.

Deacon Miguel and Ana Sebastian serve at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Morganton.

The Sebastians are the parents of three children who were very young when Deacon Sebastian entered diaconate formation in 2009. The couple admits it was a sacrifice to juggle the formation and the busy life of a young family, but they say God always found a way for them to attend formation classes.

“During those years our three children were still little and it wasn’t easy to leave them by themselves at home,” Deacon Sebastian says. “It was one of the difficulties for us as parents, and the diaconate formation as well was difficult.

“But I thank God for my lovely wife, Ana, who was so positive and helpful in my life.

She worked very hard with me during this process of discernment and formation to the diaconate ministry.”

He was ordained on May 31, 2014, by Bishop Peter Jugis.

Deacon Sebastian assists his pastor, Father Ken Whittington, at Mass, proclaiming the Gospel in English and in Spanish.

“I love my ministries,” he says. “I like preaching the Word of God. I also take care for the sick and teach the truth about our faith to candidates in the RCIA program in Spanish.”

Ana embraces her role as support to her husband and her parish.

“I pray a lot. That is one of my strongest things I do. I pray for him,” she says. “I pray for what God wants for him and to let it happen. I always tell Miguel, ‘If that

is what God wants, let it be done.

Not our will. Let God work through you.’”

Deacon Sebastian says his additional ministry is in the Hispanic community, where the Lord is using him in many different ways such as preaching and accompanying people through their sorrows and difficulties.

“My wife and I are so grateful in serving the Lord in this capacity, because God has strengthened our faith and our marriage as well.

The Lord has been blessing us abundantly.”

Deacon Sebastian encourages more men to discern this vocation in the Church, he says, “because the Lord needs men to say yes to Him.” Deacon Daniel and Linda Hoffert serve at St. Margaret Mary Church in Swannanoa and are celebrating the 15th anniversary of his diaconal ordination.

Deacon Hoffert was ordained for the Diocese of Raleigh on Nov. 12, 2004, by Bishop Joseph Gossman – that diocese’s first class of deacons.

He and Linda have five children who, when they began the formation process, ranged from a toddler to a high school student. He was working for IBM as an engineer and Linda was a full-time elementary school teacher.

Both were extremely active in parish Deacon Miguel and Ana Sebastian Deacon Daniel and Linda Hoffert ministries, marriage preparation and RCIA particularly.

“At that time we were building our because we always were closely involved people, sharing their witness to Christ in third house, and we had three children in with our church community.” the world. It is clear faith is neither dead sports,” Deacon Hoffert adds. “At the time Since going through the diaconate nor dying in the world. Being a deacon of discernment there were 150 men who formation together, he said, he and Linda gives us access and the ability to share with had applied to the new deacon formation “are much better educated in our Catholic others in the hope we can strengthen them program, and they accepted 14 men this faith and traditions. We also enjoy the on their life’s journey.” first class of deacons.” sharing with the rest of the deacon Deacon Hoffert also believes that in life The Hofferts moved to the Charlotte community,” he says. the times which seem the most difficult diocese in 2014, and since then they have “God did an excellent job of matching us yield the greatest rewards. “God loves the continued to serve tirelessly at their parish up back when we first met in 10th grade in servant and as He told the disciples when in Swannanoa. high school, and we have enjoyed our life He washed their feet, the servant was the When asked what it has been like to together through the good times and the greatest, not the one being served. To be a serve the Church, Deacon Hoffert admits hard times,” Deacon Hoffert says. “We are deacon is to be a servant for God before all that, since his ordination, “it is different able to share more prayer time now than in other things.” for Linda sitting in the pew without me, the past, as we have more free time to do so He advises men interested in pursuing as we have always attended Mass together without our child-rearing obligations.” a vocation to the diaconate to apply. “The from the time we married. But other than In their service to the Church, they Church will help you discern if this is right that, things have not really changed much say they “have met many great Christian for you,” he says.

Ritcheys say diaconal ministry has brought them closer in marriage KERNERSVILLE — Deacon Tim and Rory Ann Ritchey of Holy Cross Church are celebrating 30 years of ministry to the Church this year.

Deacon Tim Ritchey went through formation for the permanent diaconate from 1985 to 1989 at a seminary in Denver, Colo. At the time, he and his wife Rory Ann had two boys, one married and one in high school. Both he and Rory Ann also owned their own businesses, he a financial company and Rory Ann an interior decorating company.

“Working full time, attending classes and doing homework” was challenging, Deacon Ritchey recalls, as well as making time for their family. “Rory Ann attended all the classes with me,” he notes.

But they successfully completed the formation process, and he was ordained on June 24, 1989, by Denver Archbishop J. Francis Stafford.

Deacon Ritchey served the Denver Archdiocese until moving to the Diocese of Charlotte in 2004, where he serves at Holy Cross Parish. Over the years, he has served the Church in numerous ways – baptismal preparation, RCIA, marriage preparation, nursing home and hospital visits, funeral services – as well as serving in prison ministry and

as a police chaplain, and in ministry to the deaf.

Serving the Church as a married couple, the Ritcheys say, has strengthened their marriage.

“It has brought us closer, if that was possible,” Deacon Ritchey says. “We only knew each other seven months when we got married 52 years ago because my squadron had orders for Vietnam.”

Their Catholic faith, and their hands-on ministry to the People of God, “has got us through family issues with our children and grandchildren, work issues, and health issues with me being in a wheelchair for eight years,” Deacon Ritchey says.

“We love the people. We are really close and loved by the people at Holy Cross and we love them. They are our family.”

What advice do they have for couples in the Church who may be discerning this vocation and service to the Church?

“Wives need to be supportive, as it’s a couples ministry,” he says. “The men in my class whose wives didn’t support them did not make it through formation.”

Deacon Tim and Rory Ann Ritchey

catholicnewsherald.com | June 21, 2019 18B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Witulskis encourage people to rely on the Holy Spirit as one’s guide in life CHARLOTTE — The Holy Spirit is in charge so any good deacon and his wife will humbly and prayerfully follow His Will in whatever they do, modeling the example set by the Blessed Virgin Mary.

That’s one of the lessons the Witulskis have followed throughout their marriage and their ministry to the Church.

Deacon James and Mary Witulski have served at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte for the past eight years. While Deacon James Witulski recently celebrated his 15th-year anniversary of his ordination, he is very happy that he was incardinated in 2015 (in which he officially became a deacon of the Diocese of Charlotte).

Deacon Witulski entered diaconate formation at the age of 47, relying upon God’s providence to work out the challenges. He and Mary had two college-aged children, and was working full-time. He was also volunteering in his home parish, serving on a church committee that assisted people in financial need. He was also a lector at daily and Sunday Mass, volunteered at a mission that served the homeless, and served the dying at a hospice.

“Having to balance roles of husband, father, full-time employee and student along with deepening my prayer and spiritual life” was a challenge, he describes. “Although being pulled in various directions can be challenging, it is the prayer life that keeps one focused and grants the grace to manage one’s commitments.”

“I remember my spiritual advisor, a holy priest telling me, ‘If they accept you into the Diaconate Formation Program, it’s Our Lady.’ Then four years later, he said, ‘If they ordain you, it’s Our Lady.’ Therefore, I recognize that it is Our Blessed Mother who has guided and protected me in my formation and in my life as an ordained deacon.”

Deacon Witulski served at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church after his ordination in 2004 for the Diocese of Rochester, N.Y. Masses were offered in English, Polish and Latin.

The Witulskis value their Polish heritage, and they brought that love for all things Polish to Charlotte when they moved here in 2011.

“Our Lady of Czestochowa, patroness of Poland, St. John Paul II and St. Maria Faustina Kowalska and the Divine Mercy devotion have a special place in our hearts,” Deacon Witulski says. “For the past seven years we have organized a Polish Mass in honor of Our Lady and these saints at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. These Masses have been attended by as many as 600 of the faithful.”

They also organize other Polish devotions such as the Blessings of the Easter Baskets or “Swieconka” on Holy Saturday.

Moving to Charlotte was a blessing, Deacon Witulski says, and another sign of the Holy Spirit at work.

“Mary was born in Kinston, a small city in rural eastern North Carolina but moved to Utica, N.Y., when she was 10 years old. She had fond memories of the South and on our visits to North Carolina, she always expressed a desire to return someday. I said, ‘Mary, let me know when you want to move.’ Mary replied with a smile, ‘I am ready now.’

“On Jan. 15, 2011, I drove to Albemarle, to my small, unfurnished apartment, while Mary remained up north while trying to sell our house in the midst of a recession.

In October 2011, our house in Rochester was sold and we purchased a house in Union County.”

After first moving to the area, Deacon Witulski served Masses for Father Peter Fitzgibbons at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Albemarle. In March 2011, Bishop Peter Jugis assigned him to serve at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, where he has ministered since.

“Mary and I feel truly blessed to reside and serve in the Diocese of Charlotte,” Deacon Witulski says.

Besides their work in fostering Polish Catholic devotions at their parish, the Witulskis are active in a variety of other diaconal ministries.

“As a youth, I remember thinking that if I could bring one person to Christ and His Church, my life would be worthwhile. Therefore, I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to bring souls to Our Master,” Deacon Witulski says.

“The typical ministries of a parish deacon are amazing blessings in themselves – such as performing baptisms, marriages, funerals and preaching. However, performing these sacraments for my children, grandchildren, parents, other family members and friends has been especially moving and has touched my heart.”

He adds, “I believe the Holy Spirit inspires any deacon to serve in new and various ways. Therefore, over the years I have been called to lead a Divine Mercy Holy Hour on First Fridays, lead a men’s retreat, work with young couples in preparation for marriage, which has given me great hope

as well.

“My wife Mary and I both believe that our faith has been strengthened as we are surrounded by faith-filled people who have shared their personal stories and struggles.

By us lending a caring and listening ear and by meeting people where they are at, we have experienced where the Holy Spirit has used us to spread the message of Christ’s love, hope and mercy to those around us.”

Mary Witulski says she has been drawn to a more active role and participation in events and devotional practices in the Church, especially praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet on First Fridays, participating in the diocese’s Eucharistic Congress, monthly Our Lady of Fatima processions at the parish, and talks and retreats alongside her husband.

“My involvement in the Church encouraged her to venture out of her own comfort zone,” Deacon Witulski adds.

“Although she does not consider herself as someone who is prone to volunteer, nonetheless she taught and prepared children for first confession and Holy Communion for five years in our previous home parish of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Rochester. She also became an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and lector and continues as a reader at St. Thomas Aquinas.

She has served as the Polish Tent Coordinator at the annual World Feast Celebration held at St. Thomas Aquinas, which celebrates and showcases the various cultural backgrounds of the parishioners. Mary also reached out to the Polish community of Charlotte and obtained a Polish choir and helps organize our annual Polish Mass and reception held each August at St. Thomas Aquinas.”

DOREEN SUGIERSKI | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD Mary Witulski feels she has After a Mass that was celebrated in Polish, Deacon James Witulski (left) and Mary Witulski (third from met and made many new friends left) lead a procession of relics of the three Apostles of Divine Mercy – St. John Paul II, St. Maria Faustina Kowalska and Blessed Father Michael Sopocko, the spiritual advisor and confessor of St. Faustina – at St. through her husband’s diaconate ministry.

Thomas Aquinas Church in 2018.

“These friendships have enriched our lives as we share a strong bond in our Catholic faith,” she says. in our youth and the future of our Church, meet with couples needing spiritual guidance and to be open to where Mary shared there are challenges in being married to a deacon, especially when a deacon still works full-time and I am being led to serve.” also tries to fulfill his many responsibilities in service to the In 2014, Deacon Witulski was assigned as Liaison for Church. Nonetheless, she strongly feels that the blessings of Catholic Jail Ministry for the Mecklenburg County, with being a deacon’s wife far outweigh the struggles. the charter to create a Catholic presence in the jails. He has been guided by the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Mother, “While we don’t spend every moment together, we serve the Church as a couple where we can,” Deacon Witulski he says, and greatly aided by his pastor Father Patrick says. “We do many faith-related activities together, which Winslow and the leaders of the Permanent Diaconate in turn enhances our marriage. We also participate in program, first the late Deacon Ron Steinkamp and now many enjoyable secular activities such as dancing, but the Deacon John Martino.

“This jail ministry has brought forth much spiritual core and foundation of our marriage is our faith. My faith has deepened because of Mary’s solid Catholic faith and fruit,” he says. “Without going into much detail, I personally meet with male and female inmates of all faiths. she has shared the same about me.”

What advice do they have for couples who may be I also have formed a brotherhood of 28 solid Catholic discerning this vocation and service to the Church? volunteers I send to the jails. They are to see the face of Christ in each inmate that they meet. Their mission is to “First of all, it is important to remember that through the Holy Spirit, there are many ways to serve God and His ‘teach hope’ and to tell each inmate that no sin is greater Church. There is one Spirit and many gifts, but some men than the mercy of God if one repents.” are called to a ministry of service through being ordained “While we don’t proselytize, two inmates after our as a deacon. When a deacon is ordained, he receives an instruction and guidance have entered the Catholic faith.

This brought me great joy because I remember as a youth imprint or ‘character’ upon his soul which cannot be removed. I have experienced this personally because as I thinking, ‘If I can bring one soul to Christ and His Church, reflect upon my ordained life, the Holy Spirit has led me to my life is worthwhile.’ Their entrance into the Church has serve others in many ways I had not thought possible. This brought tears to my eyes. This is the beauty of the gift of is no accomplishment of mine because I am a sinful man, the diaconate.”

“God has plans for us that we can never imagine,” but it is the work of the Holy Spirit as He promised that day I was ordained 15 years ago.

Deacon Witulski emphasizes. “These opportunities to “Therefore, if any man is reading this article and has serve Our Master and every person whom He loves would heard the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit to consider life not be possible for me personally without being blessed as as an ordained deacon, I encourage him and his wife to an ordained deacon in His Church.”

The diaconate has strengthened the Witulskis’ marriage, prayerfully discern this gentle urging.”

June 21, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

34 permanent deacons mark their jubilee anniversaries teaching the faith and serving many hours in pastoral care. On Jan. 15, 2018, he was granted retirement while maintaining all faculties.

Currently in his 40th year of diaconal service, Deacon Sims and his wife Cheryl remain active in parish activities in many ways.

DEACON JOHN MARTINO SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

This year we celebrate the jubilee anniversaries of 34 permanent deacons for the Diocese of Charlotte. In these deacons, we see men who have come from different family, social and work backgrounds. Their individual stories are different, but their call to serve God is represented in the oneness of the diaconate.

It is in this diversity that they bring their backgrounds, and many diverse gifts and talents to the One God, the One Church, and the One Faith they love. The Holy Spirit has led these 34 deacons throughout their lives and continues to guide them today in serving God and those He calls them to serve.

In knowing these deacons, I am sure they would tell you it is the ministry of Jesus, not their ministry, that we celebrate in recognizing their jubilees. Through prayer each day, they are thankful for God’s presence in their lives, within their families, and in their call to serve the Church.

It is with that sense of humility that we thank God for these deacons, their wives and families. We thank them for the many hours of service they give to our parishes and ministries throughout the diocese and where the Holy Spirit leads them. Today, we celebrate the ministry of 34 deacons, but even more importantly, we celebrate the ministry of Jesus in these deacons who bring Jesus to those they serve in their ministry of the Word, the Altar and Charity.

DEACON JOHN MARTINO serves as director of the diocesan Permanent Diaconate Program.

45 YEARS

Deacon Michael Dennis Leahy, 79, and his wife Judy live in Put In Bay, Ohio, where they both are active in parish activities. He was ordained for the Diocese of Toledo on June 1, 1974, by Bishop John A. Donovan. During his 45 years of ministry, he has served in the dioceses of Toledo, St. Augustine, Fla., and Charlotte, and the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

While in Florida, he was incardinated into the Diocese of St. Augustine on Oct. 4, 1994. Eleven years later, in 2005, Deacon Leahy and his wife Judy moved to North Carolina, serving at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Mars Hill along with Sacred Heart Mission in Burnsville. In 2014, he was assigned to St. Elizabeth in Boone and he retired effective July 8, 2015. Through the years he has been mainly involved in prison ministry and parish administration.

Currently he is a seasonal deacon for the diocese, remains active as a deacon and serves as a parish administrator in the Diocese of Toledo where his ministry began 45 years ago.

40 YEARS

Deacon Gordon Lawrence Forester, 96, was ordained for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y., on June 9, 1979, by Bishop John R. McGann. After his ordination he was assigned to St. Brigid Parish in Westbury, N.Y., where he served for nine years. Upon his arrival in North Carolina in 1988, he was assigned to St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Greensboro and on July 27, 1990, he was incardinated into the Diocese of Charlotte. For the past 31 years, he has been a member and served as a permanent deacon at the same parish. In 2008, he retired but maintains active status and extension of all faculties. Through these 40 years he has been involved in efforts such as diocesan charismatic renewal, hospital and bereavement support group ministries. He lives in Greensboro, where many parishioners at his parish continue to benefit from his ministry.

Deacon William Stanley Shaw, 74, and his wife Ann live in Whittier. He was also ordained

30 YEARS

“Praying Hands,” circa 1600, by Peter Paul Rubens

The Deacon’s Prayer God our Father, I thank you for the love and care you show to me and my family, and for calling me to serve you as a deacon in the Church.

May your Holy Spirit guide me in my home life, in my employment, and in my ministry to your people.

I ask for understanding of others and compassion to all. Help me to know the gifts you have given me, and show me how to use them in serving others.

Bless me with the humility needed to accept rejection, the ability to discern Your will, and the peace of mind that comes with serving You as You would have me do.

I pray for my brother deacons, the men in the diaconate formation program and those being called.

I pray for their wives and families, and their special needs. I pray for our pope, our bishops, priests, religious, parish communities and all peoples. May we serve each other in love and with understanding.

Give me the courage, strength and grace to help build a world of justice and peace through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.

on June 9, 1979, for the Diocese of Rockville Centre by Bishop McGann. Deacon Shaw’s first assignment was to St. Sylvester Parish in Medford, N.Y., where he was well respected by his parish and committed to service.

After relocating to Greensboro in 1990, he was assigned to St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Greensboro and on Sept. 4, 1996, he was incardinated into the Diocese of Charlotte.

Having served St. Paul for 14 years, he was then assigned to St. Pius X Parish in 2004. Through the years his ministry has focused on adult education, as a mentor in deacon formation, and in being an advocate and assessor for the diocesan tribunal. In moving to the western part of North Carolina in 2017 with his wife Ann, Deacon Shaw was appointed to serve St. Joseph Parish in Bryson City and Our lady of Guadalupe Mission in Cherokee. It is here that he serves alongside his son, Father Peter Shaw.

In 2018 with a foundation in his parish efforts, he has taken on a new diocesan responsibility as director of Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center in Maggie Valley. He and his wife Ann are active in parish work and in support of many diocesan ministries and events.

Deacon John Edward Sims, 76, was ordained for the Diocese of Syracuse, N.Y., on Sept. 28, 1979, by Bishop Frank Harrison at Our Lady of Angels in Endwell, N.Y. Upon ordination Deacon Sims was assigned to the parish of his ordination and became active in youth ministry. During his ministry at Our Lady of the Angels, he was also involved in small group ministries, baptismal and marriage preparation and spiritual renewal. Due to his employment Deacon Sims and his wife Cheryl relocated to the Charlotte area. In 1995 he and Cheryl took up residence in Mooresville, where Deacon Sims was assigned to St. Therese Parish. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Charlotte on March 19, 1999. While at St. Therese Parish, his diaconal duties have entailed leading the RCIA program, participating in liturgical functions,

Deacon Thomas Jerome Kak, 85, lives in High Point. Deacon Kak was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 11, 1989, by Bishop John F. Donoghue and assigned to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in High Point, where he served for 19 years. He was granted retirement on June 1, 2008, and is no longer active in ministry.

Deacon Ronald Timothy Ritchey, 73, and his wife Rory Ann live in Walkertown. He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Denver by then Archbishop J. Francis Stafford on June 24, 1989. Upon ordination, he was assigned to Holy Cross Parish in Thornton, Colo., where his ministry focused on a ministry of charity to the incarcerated. In addition to Holy Cross Parish, he was also assigned to St. Rose of Lima Parish in Denver. After moving to North Carolina, Deacon Ritchey was granted faculties for the Diocese of Charlotte in 2007 and was assigned to Holy Cross Parish in Kernersville, where he continues to serve the parish in the ministries of word, altar and charity. He and Rory Ann remain active in parish activities and at the diocesan level are involved in diaconate events.

Deacon Ramon Eiberto Tejada, 66, and his wife Ana live in Winston-Salem. On Jan. 21, 1989, he was ordained for the Diocese of Santiago, Dominican Republic, by Bishop Roque Antonio Adames Rodriguez. He served in the Diocese of Santiago for 11 years before moving to the United States in 2000, where he is now a permanent U.S. resident. After coming to the U.S., he first served in the Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y., at St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish. In 2013, he was granted faculties for the Diocese of Charlotte and assigned to Our Lady of Mercy Parish, where he currently serves. His primary diaconal ministry is to the Spanish-speaking community, for whom he conducts baptismal preparation, performs baptisms, does charismatic retreats, and responds to other parish needs. Deacon Tejada participates in diaconate retreats and shows a willingness to serve where called.

25 YEARS

Deacon James Philip Cooper, 62, and his wife Katheryn live in Greensboro. Deacon Cooper was ordained for the Archdiocese of Washington on Sept. 17, 1994, by then Archbishop James A. Hickey, Archbishop of Washington. His first assignment after ordination was to Mother Seton Parish in Germantown, Md., where he served for eight years and was responsible for baptismal preparation, helped prepare couples for marriage, worked with the parish youth ministry efforts, and more. Upon their arrival in North Carolina in 2002, Deacon Cooper was assigned to St. Pius X Parish, where he continues to serve. His diaconal approach is very welcoming and because of this he works with couples preparing for marriage, adults in RCIA, and families as part of preparation for baptism. At the diocesan level he actively participates in liturgical and educational events and actively supports and is involved in the formation of deacon candidates.

Deacon Richard McCarron, 73, and his wife Susan live in Davidson. He was ordained on May 21, 1994, for the Diocese of Metuchen, N.J., at St. Francis Cathedral by Bishop Edward T. Hughes. After ordination Deacon McCarron DEACONS, SEE PAGE 20B

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Wives of deacons: Ordinary women, extraordinary lives The unsung hero of a married man who is called to the diaconate is the wife of the permanent deacon. We sometimes lose sight of the role she plays both within the family and as part of the ministry of her deacon husband.

It is worth the time to reflect on her calling to be the wife, the mother, and the woman behind the deacon. In journeying with her husband, through formation and as an ordained deacon, she shares in the joys, sorrows, challenges and blessings of diaconate life within the vocation of married life.

As stated in “The Deacon Wife’s Prayer,” when she says “yes” to her husband being ordained a deacon, she says “yes” to supporting and sharing him with those he is called to serve. In prayer she seeks God. Through God, the wife seeks help in understanding her own gifts, and in how the Lord is calling her to use those gifts within her family and in her own calling to love and serve others as Jesus did.

As we see within our own deacon couple community, there is a realization that there is no single model or role that a wife follows. Each wife must determine through prayer and reflection what her response to her husband’s role as a deacon is going to be.

Circumstances are always different for each couple and the needs of their families. At times, a wife is already quite active in formal ministry before her husband ever becomes a deacon.

In other cases, a wife is drawn into a form of team ministry with her husband. While in still others, the wife chooses not to exercise any sort of public ministry.

In every case the deacon couple – husband and wife – find their own unique response to the diaconate in their lives. With prayer, God calls married couples to a life of diaconal service rewarding to husband, wife and family.

— Deacon John Martino. Excerpts included from USCCB Publication No. 5-617.

The Deacon Wife’s Prayer Lord, I said “yes” when my husband was ordained a deacon.

The “yes” meant my support, my love, my sharing him as he serves our brothers and sisters. Thank you for our marriage and our life together. I ask for Your help in my supporting him in his service to others as a deacon. I know You love me, Lord, as Your unique creation. You have gifted me in many ways. Help me to know my gifts and to use them wherever You desire – within my family circle, and in this world when I am called to love and serve others as Jesus did.

Amen.

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DEACONS FROM PAGE 19B

was assigned to his home parish, St. Augustine of Canterbury in Kendall Park, N.J. He served there 19 years in various roles including chaplain to the Outreach Ministry, consultant to the Pastoral Board, and along with his wife directed the pre-Cana ministry.

Deacon McCarron also served as director of Pastoral Life and Campus Ministry and was a teacher at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen for nine years. After moving to North Carolina, he was assigned to St. Mark Parish in Huntersville in 2013. With his generous and caring spirit and with a certification in bereavement ministry, he has established and continues to maintain the bereavement program at the parish.

Over these past six years, his ministry has benefited many St. Mark parishioners. Along with his wife Susan, they are active in many parish and diocesan events.

he serves the English and Hispanic communities with his main focus being on the Hispanic community.

15 YEARS

Deacon Daniel J. Hoffert, 66, and his wife Linda live in Alexander. He was ordained for the Diocese of Raleigh on Nov. 12, 2004,

by Bishop Joseph Gossman at his home parish, St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Apex. He served there for nine years and then in 2013 he was assigned to St. Matthew Parish in Durham, where he also served as director of the Avila Retreat Center. Under his leadership the retreat center showed continued growth and his dedicated service as a deacon in the Raleigh diocese was noted by Monsignor David Brockman, vicar general. Later, he and his wife

ordained for the Diocese of Bridgeport by then Bishop William E. Lori on June 12, 2004. After his ordination he was assigned to St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Ridgefield, Conn., where he served for seven years.

After moving to North Carolina, he and his wife Regina became members of St. Pius X Parish, where he was involved with the parish bereavement group and where he and his wife were teachers in parish faith formation. On Nov. 30, 2011, he was granted faculties for the Diocese of Charlotte and was assigned to St. Pius X. During his time of ministry his visits to the sick have shown his pastoral caring and compassion.

As noted by many, his ministry to the sick is a blessing to the parish where he continues to serve and remain active with his wife.

20 YEARS

Deacon William G. Griffin, 76, and his wife Lillian live in Waxhaw. He was ordained for the Diocese of Rockville Centre on May 22, 1999, by Bishop McGann and assigned after ordination to St. Kilian Parish in Farmingdale, N.Y., where his hard work was often recognized by those he served.

After moving to North Carolina, they became members of St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte. In 2009 Deacon Griffin received faculties for the Diocese of Charlotte and was assigned to his home parish. For the past 10 years he has continued his hard work as a deacon in the varied ministries of the parish, in which he visits homeless shelters, hospitals, and shut-ins, conducts baptismal preparation, performs baptisms, and serves at funerals. On Jan. 16, 2018, Deacon Griffin was granted retirement while maintaining faculties and continuing to serve and participate in parish, diaconate and diocesan events, rites and activities.

Deacon Richard G. Voegele, 78, and his wife Regina live in Hendersonville. Deacon Voegele was also ordained on May 22, 1999, for the Diocese of Rockville Centre by Bishop McGann and his first assignment was at St. Rosalie Parish in Hampton Bays, N.Y., where he served for 18 years. He was also granted faculties for the Diocese of Palm Beach, Fla., in 2004 and served as a seasonal deacon for St. Sebastian Parish.

Upon moving to Arden, he was granted faculties and assigned to St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville in 2007. He served there until he moved to Hendersonville, where he was assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish. In 2015, he was granted retirement while maintaining all faculties.

Currently in his 20th year of diaconal service, Deacon Voegele serves and participates in many parish activities.

Deacon Bernardino (Wilson) Velez, 76, and his wife Maritza live in Landis. He was ordained on Nov. 27, 1999, for the Diocese of Scranton, Pa., by Bishop James C. Timlin at St. Peter Cathedral. After ordination he was assigned to St. Gabriel Parish in Hazleton, Pa., where he served from 1999 to 2014, and then from 2014 to 2017 he served at Holy Name of Jesus Parish, also in Hazleton. In both parishes he carried out a vibrant apostolate to the Latino community. In 2017 he and his wife Maritza moved to Landis to enjoy the milder climate. He was granted faculties in the Diocese of Charlotte and assigned to St. Joseph Parish in Kannapolis. In March 2018 he retired, but he continues to participate in liturgical functions and ministerial activities. At the parish

he was incardinated into the Diocese of Charlotte and on March 5, 2019, Deacon Toner was granted retirement while retaining his faculties in ministry.

Deacon James H. Witulski, 67, and his wife Mary live in Monroe. Deacon Witulski was ordained for the Diocese of Rochester on May 22, 2004, by Bishop Matthew H. Clark. His first diaconal assignment was to St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Rochester, where he was pastoral minister/religious education coordinator. After serving the parish for more than six years, he and his wife Mary decided to move to Monroe to be closer to their family. On March 1, 2011, Deacon Witulski was granted faculties for the Diocese of Charlotte and assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Charlotte.

In addition to his parish responsibilities, in 2014 he was appointed the liaison for Catholic Jail Ministry for Mecklenburg County. In this role he has developed a seasoned group of volunteers and personally ministered to those in need.

Deacon Witulski was incardinated into the Diocese of Charlotte on March 10, 2015.

For over eight years now, Deacon Witulski and his wife Mary have coordinated and participated in parish activities at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, where he continues to serve as deacon.

10 YEARS

Deacon Joseph C. Denzler, 73, and his wife Erlinda live in Monroe. He was ordained for the Diocese of Brooklyn on May 23, 2009, by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.

After ordination, Deacon Denzler was assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Queens Village, N.Y., where he was moderator of the parish lectors and participated in the parish outreach program. In late 2012 Deacon Denzler and his wife moved to North Carolina, and on May 16, 2013, he was granted faculties for the Diocese of Charlotte and assigned as deacon to St. John Neumann Parish in Charlotte. Deacon Denzler and his wife Erlinda remain active in the events and activities of the parish where he serves, as well as with diocesan events and activities.

5 YEARS FILE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Sixteen men were ordained permanent deacons for the Diocese of Charlotte on May 31, 2014, during a standingroom-only Mass at St. Mark Church in Huntersville. Those men are marking their fifth anniversary in ministry this year, serving at parishes throughout the Diocese of Charlotte. moved to the Diocese of Charlotte and in 2016 he was assigned to St. Margaret Mary Parish in Swannanoa. He actively serves as deacon, and with his wife Linda he participates in many parish activities, diaconate liturgies and educational events.

Deacon Webster A. James, 69, and his wife Celia live in Denver. Deacon James was also ordained on Nov. 12, 2004, for the Diocese of Raleigh at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish by Bishop Gossman. After ordination Deacon James was assigned to St. Mary Parish in Goldsboro. His first assignment was as Catholic chaplain at Wayne Memorial Hospital and at a hospice center in eastern North Carolina. At St. Mary Parish he also served as director of faith formation. He served the Goldsboro parish for 12 years, and then he and his wife Celia decided to move to the Diocese of Charlotte to be closer to their family. In 2016, Deacon James was granted faculties to serve the Diocese of Charlotte and was assigned to Holy Spirit Parish in Denver. He and his wife Celia participate in the many activities of the parish and are active in deacon formation, and diocesan events and activities.

Deacon Robert E. Morris, 74, and his wife Regina live in Greensboro. He was

Deacon James H. Toner, 73, and his wife Rebecca live in Stokesdale. Deacon Toner was ordained at the U.S. Air Force Academy Chapel on May 8, 2004, by Bishop Michael J. Sheridan for the Diocese of Colorado Springs. After ordination he served for about six weeks at the chapel of his ordination, and then went on to be granted faculties for the Archdiocese of Military Services. He then served in Alabama, assigned to the Maxell Air Force Base Chapel in Montgomery. After 4 years he and his wife Rebecca returned to home in Connecticut. In 2008 Deacon Toner was granted faculties for the Archdiocese of Hartford and assigned to Sacred Heart Parish in Wethersfield, Conn. In 2008 he was also granted approval to teach at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell within the Diocese of Norwich.

In 2010 to be closer to family, Deacon Toner and his wife Rebecca moved to North Carolina, where he was granted faculties and assigned to Our Lady of Grace Parish in Greensboro. He is a noted professor, teacher and writer in the areas of ethics and Church doctrine. He has taught many future priests and deacons, and most recently for the Diocese of Charlotte has taught for the lay ministry and deacon formation programs. On May 21, 2014,

The following deacons were ordained by Bishop Peter J. Jugis on May 31, 2014, for the Diocese of Charlotte: Deacon Guillermo J. Anzola, 68. His first assignment after being ordained was to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Monroe.

At the parish his diaconal responsibilities focus on both liturgy and charity. He prepares couples for marriage, witnesses weddings and performs baptisms. He leads the RCIA efforts for the Spanish-speaking community and is active as an advocate for the diocesan tribunal. Deacon Anzola participates in parish ministries including visiting homeless shelters, hospitals and nursing homes. His Hispanic ministry has extended into involvement into the Cursillo movement. Deacon Anzola currently serves as spiritual advisor of the Spanish Cursillo for the Diocese of Charlotte. He and his wife Nora live in Charlotte, are active in their parish, and participate in diaconate and diocesan events.

Deacon James E. Bozik, 62. A resident of Pineville, Deacon Bozik was assigned to St. Peter Parish in downtown Charlotte after ordination. His service was a welcome addition to the parish, and he has become very active in serving the parish community in many ways. Besides serving at Mass, he is involved in airport ministry, makes hospital, nursing home and shut-in visitations, serves as a spiritual guide, is an advocate for the diocesan tribunal, serves as DEACONS, SEE PAGE 21B

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a spiritual director at men’s retreats, leads RCIA sessions, and helps in sacramental preparation. At the diocesan level Deacon Bozik serves on the diocesan Association of Deacons board, and is active in participating in diocesan liturgies and events.

Deacon Sigfrido A. Della Valle, 56.

His first assignment was to Immaculate Conception Parish in Forest City, his home parish, where he served both the English and Spanish communities. After three years there, Deacon Della Valle was assigned to St. Joan of Arc Parish in Candler, where he remains involved in its varied ministries especially to the ever-growing Hispanic parish population.

Deacon Della Valle has also become involved in the diocesan Hispanic Emmaus Ministry, and in 2018 he was assigned to Hispanic ministry to work with Father Julio Dominguez in the western part of the diocese to serve as spiritual director for Emmaus retreats. Deacon Della Valle and his wife Sonia live in Lake Lure.

Deacon Joseph A. Diaz, 65. He and his wife Carol live in Charlotte. Upon his ordination, Deacon Diaz was assigned to his home parish, St. Thomas Aquinas in Charlotte, where he has been involved in many aspects of homeless, homebound and nursing home ministries. His outreach ministry is extensive as he also serves as coordinator for the parish’s “Room in the Inn” ministry. Deacon Diaz is also responsible for the training and scheduling of liturgical ministers at the parish. In 2017 he was appointed regional coordinator of the permanent deacons in the Charlotte region. In this role he and Carol are active in diaconate formation initiatives and events. At the diocesan level, Deacon Diaz has also served as spiritual director for a Cursillo Weekend.

Deacon Michael F. Goad, 58. After ordination he was assigned to his home parish, St. Gabriel in Charlotte. He and his wife Lisa live in Matthews and are very active in the many activities of the parish where he seeks to be of service in any area of need. Deacon Goad has embraced his role as deacon, serving over the past five years in roles such as sacristan, altar server trainer, clerical liaison to faith formation at St. Gabriel School, and faith formation and RCIA teacher. He also conducts baptismal preparation classes and performs baptisms, and is employed by the parish. At the diocesan level, Deacon Goad has served on the diocesan Association of Deacons board.

Deacon John A. Harrison, 61. His assignment after ordination was to his home parish of Holy Family in Clemmons, where he and his wife Anne live. Deacon Harrison is involved in performing baptisms, witnessing weddings, conducting funeral services, and benediction as well as preparing people for reception of the sacraments. He currently leads the parish’s faith formation program and is confirmation team leader. In outreach ministries he participates in visitations to hospitals, nursing homes and the homebound. At the diocesan level, Deacon Harrison serves on the diocesan Association of Deacons board, and is active in participating in deacon formation and diaconal events.

Deacon Thomas E. McGahey, 65. He and his wife Nancy live in Cornelius. Upon ordination, he was assigned to St. Mark Parish in Huntersville, where he and his wife

Nancy are active parishioners. In serving at the altar, Deacon McGahey serves at Mass and for benedictions as well as performs baptisms, and leads novenas to Mary. Always willing to use his carpentry skills at the parish, he made a needed platform for the altar. In service to others, Deacon McGahey helps in RCIA ministry, in visitations to hospitals and nursing homes, and in leading the homebound Eucharistic ministry. At the diocesan level, Deacon McGahey has served on the diocesan Association of Deacons board and helped with the most recent permanent deacon ordination.

Deacon Marcos Mejias, 63. He and his wife Yvonne live in Winston-Salem. After ordination, Deacon Mejias was assigned to Holy Family Parish, his home parish. In serving the parish he was involved in the Hispanic RCIA program and served at the altar in performing baptisms, witnessing weddings, leading benedictions, and presiding at funerals. After two years, in 2016 he received a new assignment to Our Lady of Grace Parish in Greensboro, where he now is involved in sacramental preparation and assists in the Latin Mass.

Deacon Mejias currently works for the parish school and is active as the deacon for the Diocesan Youth Conference.

In 2016 Deacon Mejias was appointed regional coordinator for the Permanent Diaconate of the Triad region. In this role, he and his wife Yvonne serve their local deacon family, are active in the diaconate formation program, and participate in many diocesan liturgies and events.

Deacon Mejias also helps in fostering involvement of the Hispanic community.

Deacon Thomas D. Sanctis, 64. After ordination, he was assigned to St. Ann Parish in Charlotte, where his service involves many aspects of the liturgy including baptisms, weddings, Communion services, benedictions, and funerals. In addition, his ministries of charity involve visits to those in need and spiritual guidance upon request. In the area of formation, he is involved in the parish’s RCIA program and in the area of family life. Deacon Sanctis has made presentations and has been a speaker on the topics of “marriage communication” and “living a life of balance.” He and his wife Teresa live in Charlotte and are active in the life of their parish, as well as the diaconate formation program.

program, is involved in deacon formation efforts and attends many deacon and diocesan-wide programs and liturgies. He and his wife Marilyn live in Matthews.

Deacon Miguel P. Sebastian, 47. He was assigned to his home parish, St. Charles Borromeo in Morganton, after being ordained. As his pastor says, he is a valuable resource to the Spanish-speaking community and the entire parish. His willingness to serve is evident from his participation in the RCIA, soup kitchen, and hospital visit ministries. Deacon Sebastian spends much time in providing family and individual spiritual guidance to the Spanishspeaking community. He and his wife Ana live in Morganton, where both are active in parish activities as he serves the Spanishand English-speaking communities. Deacon Sebastian and his wife also encourage Hispanic permanent diaconate formation candidates and their wives.

Deacon Jack G. Staub, 62. After ordination he was assigned to his home parish, St. Matthew, where he is very active in the formation needs of its members.

Deacon Staub serves as the assistant coordinator of RCIA, and is involved in young adult ministry, Bible studies, the Divine Mercy Holy Hour devotion, Gospel reflections for the parish bulletin, and spiritual guidance to parishioners. In outreach ministry, he visits the homeless shelter and serves at the local soup kitchen.

At the diocesan level he participates in deacon functions and permanent deacon formation initiatives, and attends diocesan events and liturgies. Deacon Staub and his wife Susan live in Charlotte.

Deacon Ruben Tamayo, 64. After ordination he was assigned to his home

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parish, St. Vincent de Paul in Charlotte.

Deacon Tamayo is on the staff and serves in liturgical, formation and outreach ministries at the parish level and is always available to help the pastor and parishioners. As stated by his pastor, he has an authentic care for both the people and truths of Christ which manifest in all that he does. At the diocesan level, both he and his wife Aida have made presentations and teach deacon candidates and their wives within the deacon formation program and are always ready to help where needed. They live in Charlotte.

Deacon James P. Trombley, 67. After ordination, he was assigned to his home parish of St. Mary Help of Christians in Shelby, where he and his wife Carole are very active. He performs baptisms, serves at funerals, reaches out to parishioners through hospital, nursing home and shut-in visitations and works in the local soup kitchen. In addition he also serves in prison ministry at the Marion facility. At the diocesan level, Deacon Trombley is part of the team that serves in ministry at the Charlotte-Douglas Airport each week and is an advocate for the diocesan tribunal.

Both Carole and Deacon Trombley are active in diaconal formation efforts and other diaconal and diocesan events and liturgies.

Deacon Emmanuel O. Ukattah Sr., 68.

After ordination he was assigned to St. Mary, his home parish, in Greensboro.

There he is involved in the various needs of the multicultural parish as called upon by his pastor. He has become involved in conducting baptismal preparation and in performing baptisms, as well as performing hospital visits. Deacon Ukattah and his wife Martina live in Greensboro.

ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR ORDINATION

Deacon C. William Schreiber, 59. He and his wife Brenda live in Hickory, where after ordination, he was assigned to St. Aloysius Parish. Deacon Schreiber and his wife Brenda are active members of the parish, where he actively serves in sacramental preparation ministries, baptisms, marriages, funerals and benediction. He also serves as a local hospital chaplain, and makes hospital, nursing home and homebound visits. Deacon Schreiber is involved in youth ministry and is a member of the parish core team for Life Teen. In addition he has been an EDGE presenter and participated in the annual Diocesan Youth Conference. In this role he was presented with the 2019 St. Pope John Paul II diocesan award for his involvement with youth. In 2016 he was appointed regional coordinator for permanent deacons in the Hickory region.

Deacon Gary J. Schrieber, 57. After ordination he was assigned to his home parish of St. Matthew, where he serves as chaplain to the Boy Scouts, is involved with the altar server ministry, and serves at the Divine Mercy Holy Hour. In addition he teaches classes for RCIA ministry, and makes shut-in and hospital visits.

At the diocesan level he was involved in presenting during the deacon aspirancy

Deacon Rich McCarron — 25 years Father Noah Carter, Deacon Tom McGahey & Father Paul McNulty — 5 years

Vocaciones

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FOTO PROPORCIONADA

Los estudiantes del Seminario Universitario San José visitaron recientemente el lugar de construcción del seminario universitario permanente en Mount Holly, cerca a Belmont Abbey College. El trabajo de construcción y los esfuerzos de recaudación de fondos en el proyecto de $ 20 millones se han acelerado desde que se colocó la primera piedra en septiembre pasado. Las inscripciones están en aumento y se espera que sean más altas que este año, aunque aún es prematuro reportar una cifra oficial para este otoño.

‘Llamado a ser audaz y decidido’ Muchos aceptan el llamado a servir al Señor con coraje

“Estamos llamados a ser audaces y decididos en la búsqueda del plan de Dios para nuestras vidas. Al observar el vasto ‘océano’ de la vocación, no podemos contentarnos con reparar nuestras redes en el bote que nos da seguridad, sino que debemos confiar en la promesa del Señor”.

Papa Francisco

Mensaje por el día mundial de oración por las vocaciones 2019

SUEANN HOWELL REPORTERA SENIOR

L

a Diócesis de Charlotte ordenó su primer sacerdote en 1974, solo dos años después de su creación, y desde entonces el número de clérigos ha seguido creciendo en la misma medida que la diócesis. Los cuatro obispos, comenzando por el primero, el Obispo Michael Begley, terminando con el actual, Obispo Peter Jugis, han alentado a los fieles a apoyar a las personas que siguen vocaciones religiosas y a orar por un aumento en las vocaciones. Ese apoyo y oraciones, semillas plantadas en tierra fértil, han llevado la presencia de Cristo a todos los rincones del oeste de Carolina del Norte. Y la diócesis está experimentando un auge de vocaciones, con más personas discerniendo el sacerdocio, diaconado permanente y la vida religiosa, especialmente en la última década.

A medida que la población católica residente en el oeste de Carolina del Norte se ha incrementado, desde aproximadamente 35,000 cuando se estableció la diócesis en 1972, hasta llegar a los 450,000 actuales, el número de personas que sirven en la Iglesia local también ha aumentado. En las 92 parroquias y misiones de la diócesis, 81 sacerdotes diocesanos y 135 diáconos trabajan al servicio al pueblo de Dios, frente a 72 sacerdotes y 96 diáconos hace una década. Cerca de dos docenas de órdenes religiosas de hombres y mujeres, aproximadamente 36 sacerdotes religiosos, 128 hermanas y 11 hermanos religiosos también sirven en la diócesis.

FORMACIÓN SACERDOTAL

Para este otoño, se anticipa que la diócesis tendrá 39 hombres estudiando para el sacerdocio, incluidos 15 seminaristas en tres seminarios principales en Estados Unidos y Roma, y más de dos docenas de estudiantes en el Seminario Universitario San José en Charlotte.

Fundado en 2016, el seminario universitario ha sido un imán para las vocaciones, ya que los hombres jóvenes han respondido a la oportunidad de estudiar y discernir una vocación religiosa cerca de sus hogares y parroquias. Es el único seminario universitario ubicado entre el norte de Virginia y el sur de Florida.

Las inscripciones han crecido más rápido de lo que la Diócesis había anticipado, de ocho estudiantes en su primer año a 20 durante el año académico 2018-2019. El seminario universitario ha atraído hombres de toda la diócesis, representando a ocho de los diez vicariatos con los que cuenta.

El creciente interés en el seminario universitario ha impulsado a la diócesis a ampliar las viviendas para los estudiantes cerca del campus de la Iglesia Sta. Ana. Los jóvenes ya llenan tres casas adyacentes a la iglesia, y se está renovando una cuarta para acomodar a más personas este otoño.

En septiembre pasado, la diócesis comenzó la construcción de un edificio a unas dos millas de Belmont Abbey como sede permanente del seminario universitario.

AUDAZ, PASA A LA PÁGINA 27B

June 21, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Tres hombres serán ordenados sacerdotes el 22 de junio en Huntersville CHARLOTTE — La Diócesis de Charlotte dará la bienvenida a tres nuevos sacerdotes, pues el obispo Peter Jugis ordenará tres seminaristas al sacerdocio durante la Liturgia de la Ordenación al Santo Sacerdocio el sábado 22 de junio a las 10 de la mañana en la Iglesia San Marcos en Huntersville.

Los Diáconos Transicionales Michael Carlson, Alfonso Gámez y Britt Taylor recibirán el sacramento del orden sacerdotal durante la Misa de dos horas de duración.

El Diácono Michael Carlson, parroquiano de la Iglesia

Santa Ana en Charlotte, estudió en el Colegio Pontificio Norteamericano en Roma. Es hijo de Rock y Julianne Carlson.

El Diácono Alfonso Gámez, parroquiano de la Iglesia Inmaculada Concepción en Hendersonville, estudió en el Colegio Pontificio Josephinum. Es hijo de José y Ana María Gámez.

El Diácono Britt Taylor, parroquiano de la Iglesia San Mateo en Charlotte, estudió en el Colegio Pontificio Josephinum. Es hijo de Rick y Terri Taylor.

Una pequeña recepción después de la Misa de ordenación se llevará a cabo en el Centro de Vida Familiar Monseñor Kerin, al lado a la iglesia ubicada en 14740 Stumptown Road.

Los fieles también están invitados a asistir a la Hora Santa previa a la fecha de ordenación. La Hora Santa para los tres hombres comenzará a las 5 de la tarde del jueves 20 de junio en la Catedral San Patricio, 1621 Dilworth Road East en Charlotte.

— SueAnn Howell, reportera senior

Conozca a nuestros tres nuevos sacerdotes Padre Michael Carlson

Padre Alfonso Gámez

Parroquia de origen: Iglesia Santa Ana, Charlotte Lugar de nacimiento: Merced, California Fecha de nacimiento: 21 de noviembre de 1988 Criado en: Mariposa, Ca. Familia: Padres Rock y Julianne Carlson; hermanos Melissa Lewis, Charles Carlson, Christina Broodno, Jonathan Carlson, Kaitlyn Brittain Estudios superiores: Universidad Concordia, Irvine Ca. Especialidad: Administración de Negocios y Finanzas Pre-Teología/Teología: Colegio Pontificio Norteamericano Asignaciones de verano en la diócesis: Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, Monroe; Iglesia Santo Tomás de Aquino, Charlotte; Iglesia Santa Teresa, Mooresville

Parroquia de origen: Iglesia Inmaculada Concepción, Hendersonville Lugar de nacimiento: Clyde, N.C. Fecha de nacimiento: 16 de septiembre de 1990 Criado en: Hendersonville Familia: Padres José Alfonso y Ana María Gámez; hermana, Diana Castillo Estudios superiores: Universidad de Carolina del Norte en Charlotte Grado académico: Bachiller en Ciencias Políticas Pre-Teología/Teología: Colegio Pontificio Josephinum, Ohio Asignaciones de verano en la diócesis: Iglesia San Francisco de Asís, Lenoir; Iglesia Vietnamita San José, Charlotte; Iglesia Santa Elizabeth, Boone

CNH: ¿Cuáles son tus intereses, hobbies?

Carlson: Disfruto tocar el violín, correr, salir de excursión, pescar, leer teología, filosofía y literatura clásica, estudiar idiomas y cocinar.

CNH: ¿Cuándo te diste cuenta que tenías interés en el sacerdocio?

Carlson: Tuve un interés inicial cuando tenía 9 anõs y servía en la Misa de la parroquia San José de mi vecindario. No consideré seriamente mi vocación al sacerdocio hasta después de terminar la universidad.

CNH: ¿Quién te ayudó (quién fue tu mentor) o te dio un buen ejemplo a seguir durante los años de discernimiento y seminario?

Carlson: El ejemplo de mi familia me ha ayudado a sostenerme a través de su incansable apoyo y entusiasmo. De una manera particular, los pastores que me han guiado durante las tareas parroquiales de verano. Sus ejemplos de santidad y servicio sacerdotal diario son verdaderamente inspiradores. Finalmente, los ejemplos de tantos religiosos y laicos con los que me he encontrado durante las tareas y eventos diocesanos. Sus oraciones, ánimo y entusiasmo por la fe me motivaron durante mis años de estudio y me ayudaron a prepararme para el ministerio sacerdotal.

CNH: ¿Tienes algún comentario que quieras compartir con nuestros lectores sobre tu servicio como sacerdote aquí en la Diócesis de Charlotte?

Carlson: A través de las asignaciones parroquiales de verano como seminarista, así como a través de muchos eventos diocesanos como el Congreso Eucarístico, he tenido el privilegio de conocer a muchas de las personas que conforman nuestra comunidad católica de la Diócesis de Charlotte. Ofrecer Misa y los sacramentos es la mejor manera que se me ocurre para agradecer y servir a todas estas personas que han sido tan importantes en mi vocación al sacerdocio.

CNH: ¿Cuáles son tus intereses, hobbies?

Gamez: Disfruto viendo documentales y yendo al cine con mis hermanos seminaristas. También me gusta aprender sobre otros idiomas y culturas.

CNH: ¿Cuándo te diste cuenta que tenías interés en el sacerdocio?

Gámez: En la universidad tuve un profundo deseo de servir al Señor, la Iglesia, y aprender más sobre mi fe. Simplemente cultivé este deseo envolviéndome más en actividades y estudios teológicos que me llevaron a darme cuenta que no quería pasar mi vida de otra manera que no fuera conocer a Cristo más profundamente cada día y compartir este conocimiento y amor de Él con los demás.

CNH: ¿Quién te ayudó (quién fue tu mentor) o te dio un buen ejemplo a seguir durante los años de discernimiento y seminario?

Gámez: El padre Patrick Hoare fue el primer sacerdote que me invitó a considerar una vocación al sacerdocio y siempre estuvo disponible para responder mis preguntas. El padre Patrick Winslow también fue un instrumento fundamental en mi discernimiento, me enseñó a servir en Misa y, eventualmente, a servir como maestro de ceremonias. En mi último año de universidad, todos los días antes de ir a clase, iba a Misa, servía con él y, después de Misa, le hacía preguntas teológicas sobre el sacerdocio y la fe. Siempre estuvo muy atento a mis preguntas y esto me dejó una gran impresión.

CNH: ¿Qué te gustaría decir a los jóvenes que están considerando un llamado al sacerdocio?

Gámez: Mi consejo para cualquier hombre que esté considerando una vocación al sacerdocio es que no tenga miedo, valientemente dé un paso adelante y vea a través de la experiencia si de verdad Dios lo está llamando a vivir una vida como sacerdote.

CNH: ¿Tienes algún comentario que quieras compartir con nuestros lectores sobre tu servicio como sacerdote aquí en la Diócesis de Charlotte?

Gámez: Primero, me gustaría expresar mi profundo agradecimiento a nuestro obispo, a la junta de vocaciones y a los fieles de la diócesis que siempre me han apoyado y alentado en este viaje. Estoy muy emocionado de volver a casa, después de haber estado en el seminario durante los últimos 6 años, para servir a las personas en nuestra diócesis y ayudarlas a encontrar a Cristo.

Padre Britt Taylor Parroquia de origen: Iglesia San Mateo, Charlotte Lugar de nacimiento: Atlanta, Ga. Fecha de nacimiento: Sept. 5, 1990 Criado en: Charlotte Familia: Padres Rick y Terri Taylor; hermanos Ashton y Mike Taylor Estudios superiores: Universidad de Carolina del Norte en Charlotte Grado académico: Bachiller en Antropología, Universidad del Estado de Carolina del Norte Pre-Teología/Teología: Colegio Pontificio Josephinum, Ohio Asignaciones de verano en la diócesis: Iglesia San Eugenio, Asheville; Iglesia Sagrado Corazón, Salisbury; Iglesia Santa Elizabeth, Boone; Iglesia Santa Ana, Charlotte CNH: ¿Cuáles son tus intereses, hobbies?

Taylor: Disfruto viendo y jugando varios deportes. El que más me gusta jugar es el golf y lo he practicado desde la escuela media CNH: ¿Cuándo te diste cuenta que tenías interés en el sacerdocio?

Taylor: Me di cuenta como en el segundo grado, cuando empecé a servir el altar. Esto no significa que estuviera listo para entrar en el seminario, pero la idea ya estaba en mi mente.

Encontré otras distracciones, pero al final de la universidad me encontré atraído más fuertemente que nunca al sacerdocio y entré en el seminario.

CNH: ¿Quién te ayudó (quién fue tu mentor) o te dio un buen ejemplo a seguir durante los años de discernimiento y seminario?

Taylor: El padre Pat Cahill fue el primer sacerdote con quien realmente comencé a hablar sobre el proceso de convertirme en sacerdote. Mi vocación llegó cuando estudiaba en la escuela secundaria Charlotte Catholic. Después de entrar al seminario, todos los sacerdotes en mis diferentes asignaciones de verano han sido grandes mentores y he aprendido mucho de cada uno de ellos. Dentro del seminario, el padre Brian Becker fue un gran mentor. Siempre estuvo dispuesto a ayudar, no solo a mí, sino a todos los jóvenes seminaristas. Todo, por supuesto, comenzó con mis padres. Observar su búsqueda de santidad encendió dentro de mí el deseo de profundizar mi relación con el Señor.

CNH: ¿Qué te gustaría decir a los jóvenes que están considerando un llamado al sacerdocio?

Taylor: No tengan miedo. Recuerdo que durante mis primeros años de discernimiento, la perspectiva de convertirme en sacerdote era muy desalentadora. La única manera de superar este miedo es permanecer cerca de nuestro Señor en oración.

Para mí, la forma más fácil de hacerlo es rezar el rosario todos los días. Reza el rosario tantas veces como puedas y confía tu vocación a nuestra Santísima Madre. Nuestra Señora no te guiará en la dirección equivocada.

CNH: ¿Tienes algún comentario que quieras compartir con nuestros lectores sobre tu servicio como sacerdote aquí en la Diócesis de Charlotte?

Taylor: Espero con ansias comenzar oficialmente mi ministerio aquí en la diócesis. A lo largo de mis seis años en el seminario tuve que enfocarme en la gente de Charlotte, a la que algún día serviría, para ayudarme durante los exámenes y papeleos.

Enfocándome en ellos, en lugar del estrés del trabajo escolar, me ayudó a recordar que, en última instancia, no hago esto por mí mismo. Estoy haciendo esto para servir a la Iglesia de Dios y en particular a la gente aquí en la diócesis. Después de haber tenido a la gente como mi factor motivador durante tanto tiempo, me emociona poder trabajar con y al servicio de la gente de la diócesis.

catholicnewsherald.com | June 21, 2019 24B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Conoce al Diácono Jonathan Torres El Diácono Jonathan Torres es hijo de John y Lucy Torres de Huntersville. Es el mayor de ocho hermanos. Recibió el título de bachiller en Literatura Inglesa en Belmont Abbey College y estudió Teología en el Colegio Pontificio Josephinum en Columbus, Ohio.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Jonathan Torres fue ordenado como Diácono transicional por el Obispo Peter Jugis en la Catedral San Patricio. Torres es seminarista en el Colegio Pontificio Josephinum en Columbus, Ohio, y su ordenación al diaconado transicional marca uno de sus últimos pasos en su camino al sacerdocio.

Sé un modelo de santidad, pidieron al diácono más nuevo de la diócesis SUEANN HOWELL REPORTERA SENIOR

CHARLOTTE — Durante su Misa de ordenación del 8 de junio, el diácono más nuevo de la Diócesis de Charlotte fue alentado a perseverar en su formación para el sacerdocio y a seguir a Jesucristo como su modelo de santidad.

Jonathan Torres fue ordenado como Diácono transicional por el Obispo Peter Jugis en la Catedral San Patricio, durante una Misa que reunió más de 19 sacerdotes, 14 diáconos, seminaristas y cientos de fieles.

Torres es seminarista en el Colegio Pontificio Josephinum en Columbus, Ohio, y su ordenación al diaconado transicional marca uno de sus últimos pasos en su camino al sacerdocio.

Al inicio del rito de ordenación, el director de vocaciones de la diócesis, Padre Christopher Gober, atestiguó la preparación de Torres para su ordenación. Torres entonces fue llamado del lado de sus padres a presentarse frente al obispo en los escalones del altar.

El Obispo Jugis luego anunció a viva voz, “Confiando en la ayuda del Señor Dios y nuestro salvador Jesucristo, elegimos a este hombre para la orden del diaconado” Todos juntos respondieron: “Alabado sea Dios”, y aplaudieron.

Durante su homilía, el obispo Jugis le pidió a Torres que fuera un modelo de santidad para los demás.

“Hoy el sacramento del orden sagrado te marca con un carácter espiritual indeleble que te configura a Cristo, el siervo, que no vino para ser servido sino para servir y dar su vida como

redención por muchos”, dijo el obispo.

“Estás consagrado por la imposición de manos y confirmado en el estado de santidad por la gracia del Espíritu Santo”.

Se espera la santidad del clero, continuó. El pueblo de Dios quiere que los ministros sagrados de la Iglesia sean modelos de santidad para ellos, que los sirvan en santidad, que los inspiren y ayuden a alcanzar una santidad mayor.

“Tienen derecho de esperar esta santidad debido a la gracia del Espíritu Santo que se comunica en el sacramento del orden sagrado”, dijo el obispo Jugis.

“En estos tiempos tan difíciles para la Iglesia, todos deben comprometerse de manera renovada con la santidad, especialmente el clero. La santidad restaura la belleza de la novia de Cristo, la Iglesia, que ha sido manchada por abusos y escándalos. La santidad viene a través de la unión con Dios. ¡Él es el Santo!”.

El obispo Jugis luego le habló a Torres sobre las responsabilidades que asumirá en su rol de diácono: cumplir sus deberes con caridad y humildad; aferrarse al misterio de la fe con la conciencia tranquila; mantener y profundizar su vida de oración a través de la Liturgia de las Horas; y ajustar su modo de vida para servir al pueblo de Cristo.

“Que el Señor te ayude a perseverar fielmente en tu promesa. Jesús es tu modelo de santidad”, dijo el obispo.

El obispo Jugis también le explicó a Torres que “el Señor le ha dado el don del celibato para que pueda ofrecer toda su vida, su amor al Señor, su servicio.

El celibato es un signo de caridad pastoral, ofreciéndose a sí mismo pastoralmente en caridad para servir a

los demás. El celibato es una fuente de gran fecundidad espiritual en la Iglesia y en el mundo”.

Después de la homilía, Torres se presentó ante el obispo y afirmó públicamente su intención de servirle a él y a la Iglesia. Luego se postró ante el altar mientras el obispo Jugis se hincó en oración y los fieles cantaron la Letanía de la Súplica (también conocida como la Letanía de los Santos).

Luego, Torres se levantó y se acercó al obispo, quien puso las manos sobre su cabeza y rezó la oración de ordenación sobre él, consagrándolo como diácono.

El diácono Torres fue investido por el padre Patrick Winslow, su pastor en la iglesia Santo Tomás de Aquino en Charlotte. Recibió una estola, signo de servicio del diácono y la dalmática, prenda exterior que se utiliza en la liturgia.

El diácono, con su nueva vestimenta, se acercó nuevamente al santuario, recibiendo el Libro de los Evangelios de manos del Obispo Jugis y un beso fraternal de paz para darle la bienvenida a su nuevo rol en la Iglesia.

En sus comentarios finales a Torres, el Obispo Jugis dijo: “Jonathan, ahora se abre ante ti una vida completamente nueva: la vida de ser diácono de la Iglesia. Ahora cambiarás por la acción del Espíritu Santo”.

El Diácono Torres servirá en la iglesia Santa Teresa en Mooresville este verano, hasta que retorne al Colegio Ponticio Josephinum en otoño para completar su último año de formación.

Más online En www.catholicnewsherald.com: Vea más fotos y videos sobre la Misa de ordenación

CNH: ¿Cuándo se dio cuenta por primera vez que tenía vocación para el sacerdocio?

DIÁCONO TORRES: Al crecer, siempre quise casarme y tener una familia al igual que mis padres. Era mi hermano Matthew quien siempre quiso ser sacerdote (ironías del destino, Matthew ahora está casado y tiene tres hijos, mientras que yo estoy a un año de ser sacerdote).

Durante mi estadía en Belmont Abbey comencé a estudiar literatura, lo que hizo maravillas en mi fe. Crecí en una buena familia católica, pero mi experiencia como católico se había vuelto bastante aburrida. Durante años, sentí la práctica de mi fe demasiado rutinaria. Estudiar literatura en Belmont Abbey me ayudó a ver cuán bella era mi fe católica. En particular, leer la ‘Divina Comedia’ de Dante fue un factor importante para que llegara a amar mi fe de una manera nueva. Yo había conocido las verdades de mi fe toda mi vida, pero no fue hasta que experimenté su belleza expresada en la literatura clásica que comencé a desear más a Dios. No hace falta decir que mi fe, que se había vuelto mundana, se convirtió en algo que me apasionaba. Tener un buen grupo de amigos en Belmont Abbey para discutir nuevas ideas que aprendimos en nuestras clases de literatura, filosofía y teología fue algo que consumió todo mi tiempo.

Después de graduarme quería ser novelista, desde donde podría expresar la misma belleza que me inspiraba a vivir una vida cristiana total.

Conseguí un trabajo editando en St. Benedict Press, donde trabajé con renombrados profesores de todo el país para crear Cursos Católicos, una serie de conferencias en video sobre temas como historia, literatura, filosofía, teología y las escrituras.

Encajaba bien con mi amor por la literatura y mis antecedentes católicos. Sin embargo, después de trabajar allí por un año, sentí que faltaba algo en mi vida.

En el verano de 2013 un buen amigo ingresó al seminario. Cuando regresó el verano siguiente para comenzar su primer trabajo de verano, me invitó a cenar con algunos sacerdotes de Charlotte (Padres Patrick Winslow, Matthew Kauth y Timothy Reid).

Algo sucedió durante esa cena. Era como si cayeran escamas de mis ojos, y vi ante mí a hombres que no vivían vidas seccionadas, cortadas, partidas.

Durante mi estadía en St. Benedict Press sentí que había dividido mi vida de una manera poco atractiva; tuve mi vida de fe el domingo, mi vida laboral durante la semana y mi vida social los fines de semana. Sabía que quería algo más, algo más completo y amplio. La vida sacerdotal fue la respuesta a ese deseo.

Además, los conceptos de aventuras épicas, viajes peligrosos y la búsqueda de un héroe por la bondad de la que me enamoré en tantas historias de la literatura que encendieron el fuego de mi fe, encontraron su cumplimiento en el sacerdocio. La idea de poder vivir la vida al máximo en un solo día (desde bautizar a un niño, celebrar una boda, presidir un funeral) me llenó de asombro.

CNH: ¿Tiene algún comentario que le gustaría compartir acerca de convertirse en un diácono de transición aquí en la Diócesis de Charlotte?

DIÁCONO TORRES: Mis padres han hecho mucho por mí a lo largo de los años, desde transmitirme la fe hasta apoyarme en mi vocación.

Un simple “gracias” no sería suficiente. Siento que responder al llamado al sacerdocio es una forma en la que puedo devolver a quienes me lo han dado primero. Incluso más allá de mis padres, ha habido muchas personas –amigos, sacerdotes, feligreses de numerosas parroquias de la diócesis– que me han dado más de lo que merezco. Me han abierto sus hogares, me han apoyado financieramente y me han mostrado amor de muchas maneras diferentes.

Me siento extremadamente agradecido por esta oportunidad de retribuir a una comunidad que me ha dado tanto a lo largo de mi vida.

June 21, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe celebró ordenación de vocación local CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE — El pasado sábado 1 de junio, la Congregación de la Misión Vicentina celebró la ordenación sacerdotal de dos diáconos, Luis Romero, CM, y Leo Tiburcio, CM, los primeros dos hombres ordenados como sacerdotes vicentinos en la Provincia del Este desde 2010.

El hecho tuvo lugar en el Santuario de la Medalla Milagrosa en Filadelfia, Pennsylvania.

El Reverendo Alfonso Cabezas, CM, obispo emérito de Villavicencio, Colombia, presidió la ordenación que marca la culminación de diez años de riguroso estudio teológico, instrucción en la espiritualidad vicentina y trabajo en los ministerios vicentinos en toda la Provincia Oriental.

Los dos hombres trabajaron intensamente para vivir las enseñanzas de San Vicente de Paúl en sus ministerios de ayuda a los pobres.

La primera asignación de Leo Tiburcio como sacerdote vicentino será en la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte, Carolina del Norte, donde descubrió su vocación de servicio sacerdotal.

Leo Tiburcio Ordaz nació en 1978 en Santa María Zacatepec, Cholula, Puebla, México.

Tercero de los nueve hijos de Felipe Tiburcio y Herlinda Ordaz, emigró en 1994 a Nueva York, donde por más de seis años trabajó en restaurantes turcos hasta que el atentado terrorista a las torres gemelas terminó con su trabajo.

En 2001, en búsqueda de nuevos horizontes, viajó a Atlanta, donde se instaló por dos años y continuó su trabajo en el área de restaurantes. A finales de 2004 pidió su traslado a Charlotte, donde buscó una iglesia local para practicar su fe. El camino marcado por Dios lo guió hasta la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.

Después de participar en un retiro de hombres e ingresar al grupo juvenil de la iglesia, un sábado recibió la invitación del Padre Vicente Finnerty para ingresar a una casa de discernimiento.

Su respuesta fue rotunda: “Padre, yo no quiero ser sacerdote, yo más bien quiero casarme y tener hijos”. Sin embargo, después de avances y retrocesos, ingresó en 2005 a la casa de discernimiento, sólo para dejarla al cabo de seis meses.

Enfermo de estrés decidió regresar para recibir clases de GED e inglés y vivió en la casa por 14 meses. Una nueva duda se le cruzó en la mente y volvió a dejar la casa, retornó al trabajo e inició una relación.

Cada vez más confundido decidió hablar nuevamente con el Padre Vicente. “Dios te está llamando para una vocación que no es el matrimonio, pero tu eres libre de decirle sí o no”, le dijo el pastor. A los dos meses le pidió regresar, pero esta vez sería en serio, decidió ir al Seminario Menor en Nueva York.

En 2014 se trasladó a Filadelfia donde concluyó sus estudios y pronunció sus votos temporales. En 2018 ofreció sus votos perpetuos y fue ordenado diácono. El resto es una historia breve. Tras su ordenación sacerdotal en compañía de numerosos amigos llegados desde Charlotte, su pastor guía, el Padre Vicente y hermanos vicentinos, el domingo 2 de junio celebró su primera misa en la iglesia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, escoltado por los Padres Vicente, Hugo Medellín y Gregorio Gay. El Padre Vicente Finnerty ofreció la homilía, su última homilía frente a los feligreses que lo acompañaron por más de dos décadas. En ella dio numerosas

FOTOS POR CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

recomendaciones al flamante Padre Leo, bromeó con él y saludó la presencia de su familia.

Casi al término del servicio litúrgico, el Padre Leo dirigió unas breves palabras a los asistentes.

Después de agradecer “a todos ustedes por la jornada de fe que han puesto hacia mi”, desde que llegó a la parroquia en 2004, reconoció el apoyo de sus padres que le inculcaron la fe “desde casa” y, en especial, al Padre Vicente que “empezó la fe en mí”.

Minutos después mostró una tarjeta de saludo que le regaló la congregación en 2009, cuando lo despidieron en su partida al seminario. “Hay muchas cosas bonitas que me dicen acá, sus oraciones, su apoyo”.

Luego, sacando un paño blanco del bolsillo, dijo que se trataba del maniturgium, una toalla de lino blanca que los recién ordenados utilizan para limpiarse el óleo que el obispo pone en sus manos. “Cuando mi mamá llegue a la presencia de Dios y Dios le diga ‘te he dado vida, ¿qué me diste tu?’ Entonces, ella va a sacar este pañuelo y le dirá ‘te he dado a mi hijo’ y pues… mamá”, dijo emocionado antes de salir al encuentro de su madre que escuchaba llorando las palabras que su hijo le dirigía. Ambos se fundieron en un enternecedor abrazo.

Después de concluir la Misa, el Padre Leo recibió el saludo de los fieles y compartió un almuerzo que ofreció la parroquia.

El recién ordenado sacerdote Vicentino, Leo Tiburcio, una vocación surgida en el grupo juvenil de la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, celebró su primera Misa en compañía de los Padres Vicente Finnerty, Gregorio Gay y Hugo Medellín, además de un sacerdote invitado de su congregación. El Padre Tiburcio ha sido asignado a la iglesia donde nació su deseo de servicio a Dios.

Congratulations and Blessings!

Fr. Alfonso Gamez, Jr. from

Immaculate Conception Parish Hendersonville Pax et bonum!

Fr. Alfonso Gamez

¡Felicidades y Bendiciones!

Padre Alfonso Gámez, Jr. Immaculate Conception Parish Hendersonville Pax et bonum!

“Seek the Lost and Broken and Bring Them Home” Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church 208 7th Avenue West, Hendersonville, NC 28791

catholicnewsherald.com | June 21, 2019 26B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

ARCHIVO CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

El 31 de mayo, el Diácono Miguel Sebastián cumplió cinco años de ser ordenado. Nacido el 12 de septiembre de 1972 en el municipio San Rafael, La Independencia, departamento de Huehuetenango, Guatemala, está casado con Ana Sebastián y tiene tres hijos: Elizabeth, María y Josué. Junto a Sebastián se ordenaron otros cuatro diáconos latinos: Guillermo Anzola, Marcos Mejías, Rubén Tamayo y Sigfrido Della Valle.

Diácono Miguel Sebastián cumplió cinco años de ordenación CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

MORGANTON ­— El 31 de mayo se cumplieron cinco años de la ordenación al diaconado permanente de Miguel Sebastián, diácono que sirve en la parroquia San Carlos Borromeo en Morganton, localidad ubicada a poco más de 20 millas al oeste de Hickory.

Sebastián, nacido el 12 de septiembre de 1972 en el municipio San Rafael, La Independencia, departamento de Huehuetenango, Guatemala, confiesa ser cien por ciento guatemalteco y orgullosamente cien por ciento maya, destacada cultura milenaria que se desarrolló en Centroamérica.

Casado con Ana Sebastián, tiene tres hijos: Elizabeth, María y Josué.

En los años 80, su padre, Francisco, fallece como consecuencia de la guerra civil que causó un baño de sangre entre hermanos en Guatemala.

“Yo era muy pequeño”, cuenta, “y no pude entender la situación en ese momento. Mi madre tal vez nos descuidó un poco por ciertos momentos y yo tomé eso como algo muy negativo. Para llenar ese vacío me dediqué al alcohol”, relató.

En 1989 viajó a Florida con uno de sus familiares, donde se dedicó a labores agrícolas. Pero el vicio siguió haciendo estragos en su vida y lo llevó varias veces a ser detenido por las autoridades de policía.

“Llegó un momento en que ya no podía seguir en el vicio y comencé a buscar a Dios”, dijo. En 1991 conoció a quien luego se convertiría en su esposa y, de la mano de ella, inició su camino hacia el Señor.

El encuentro definitivo llegaría cuando, acompañado de su pareja, asistió a un retiro en Florida donde una mujer mayor le vaticinó que se convertiría en diácono.

“Fueron muchas las malas consecuencias por vivir de esa manera, en el alcohol, alejado de la Iglesia, pero el Señor tenía planes sin que yo supiera cuál era la visión de Él en mi vida”, dijo Sebastián, asegurando que desde que tomó la decisión de buscar a Dios vive, “alegre y feliz y más todavía en mi cargo como diácono”.

En 1992 se trasladó a Morganton, Carolina del Norte, donde se casó el 13 de noviembre de 1993. Desde entonces ha

caminado junto a su esposa, con quien el año pasado celebró sus bodas de plata matrimoniales. “Ella es una mujer de oración que me ha apoyado bastante”, añade el diácono.

Juntos se acercaron a la Iglesia y sirvieron en diversos ministerios, lo que generó un vínculo mucho más estrecho entre los dos.

El diácono Sebastián se encuentra muy agradecido con la comunidad y le da mucho crédito a su párroco, Padre Ken Whittington, que lo apoyó “mucho cuando era tierno espiritualmente”. “Él ayuda mucho a la comunidad hispana que tiene grandes necesidades”, agregó.

El Diácono Sebastián fue una de las personas claves para que un proyecto de instalación de una radio comunitaria por internet fuera viable y se convirtiera en realidad. Convencido de la importancia de los medios masivos en la evangelización de hoy en día, asegura que “la radio es un medio del siglo XXI para llevar el mensaje y la doctrina de nuestra iglesia católica”.

Radio ‘Alégrate María, de generación en generación’ se fundó hace 2 años y “está dando muchos frutos”, explicó el diácono.

Otro de los logros de la parroquia, del que es responsable en gran parte el Diácono Sebastián, es la integración de las diversas comunidades que se juntan para festejar su fe.

Su capacidad de comunicación en español, inglés y su lengua nativa guatemalteca hace que pueda atender a cualquier comunidad que lo necesite e invita al crecimiento de los grupos de apostolado que se multiplican en la parroquia.

El diácono afirma que desea mejorar las condiciones para las personas que trabajan en el servicio, que tienen esa pasión y están enamoradas de Jesús”, y destaca que en su comunidad todos, hispanos, anglos, afroamericanos, orientales, “entienden que tenemos que trabajar juntos porque somos de la misma Iglesia”.

Sebastián, quien encuentra especial gozo en la predicación y la Adoración Eucarística, asegura haber descubierto en el diaconado “el gran tesoro de la Iglesia que es la Eucaristía”. “Cuando sirvo lo hago con todo mi corazón. Es mi vida y mi pasión”, subrayó.

June 21, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

“Todo sobre esta vida es tan puro y tan bueno”

AUDAZ

Hermanos con vocaciones comparten su historia

VIENE DE LA PÁGINA 22B

SUEANN HOWELL REPORTER SENIOR

CHARLOTTE — El seminarista de San José, José Palma, y su hermana menor, Jessica, tienen un vínculo único como hermanos. Ambos han respondido al llamado de servir al Señor en una vocación en la Iglesia. José está en su tercer año de seminario. Jessica es postulante con las Hijas de la Virgen Madre, que apoya a los seminaristas y sacerdotes de la diócesis con oraciones y obras.

Estos jóvenes adultos recientemente nos proporcionaron algunos de sus pensamientos sobre sus vocaciones y cómo un deseo compartido de servir al Señor los ha acercado.

CNH: ¿Pueden decirnos en qué consistió su vida de fe familiar y cómo pudo haber tenido un impacto en sus vocaciones?

Vivir la vocación es fantástico. Tenemos una gran fraternidad. Estos chicos son realmente impresionantes. Tenemos grandes conversaciones. Practicamos deportes juntos.

Para nosotros, chicos, es genial poder practicar deportes todos los días, simplemente pasar el rato. Por encima de todo, rezamos juntos. Nos desafiamos unos a otros.

Jessica: Solo llevo siete meses en el convento.

Ha sido realmente bueno. Hay una cierta paz que siento desde que entré. Ha sido tan bonito. Las hermanas son geniales. Son muy acogedoras.

Nos amoldamos bien en la vida comunitaria.

Todos salimos y hacemos nuestro trabajo, y luego regresamos, rezamos, cenamos y nos recreamos.

Podemos estar juntas, orar juntas, consolar a nuestro Dios y hacer amistad con Nuestra Señora. Cuando salimos de la oración, es como el aire fresco que acabas de tomar y entonces no

José: Al principio, por un tiempo, no fuimos completamente fieles católicos, fuimos tibios.

Cuando tenía unos 12 años (y Jessica 5) tuvimos una conversión familiar completa, lo que fue genial. Esto es el fruto de ello. Dios le dio a mis padres y a mi hermana mayor una conversión, una conversión a Dios para poder prestarle atención y prestar atención en la Misa.

A partir de ese momento, desde mi perspectiva, todo cambió. Íbamos a Misa más fielmente, a la iglesia con más frecuencia y Jose Palma y su hermana Jessica Palma se nos promovía la oración. Creo que eso definitivamente preparó el camino para que tienes que preocuparte por las cosas mundanas. yo pudiera discernir mi ingreso al seminario. Nos De hecho, me acabo de probar el hábito porque tomamos en serio la fe. Abrazamos la totalidad me vestiré en octubre. ¡Es emocionante! Todo de la fe católica. Eso fue crucial. Saber que sobre esta vida es tan puro y tan bueno. mis padres estaban orando por nosotros y con nosotros definitivamente me impactó más tarde CNH: ¿Qué se siente al saber que se apoyan en la vida. mutuamente (en sus vocaciones)?

Jessica: Tenía unos 16 años cuando las cosas empezaron a agitarse en mi vida espiritual. Creo José: Me da un sentido de alegría, y obviamente que le debo mucho a mis padres por sus oraciones estoy orgulloso de mi hermana. Me da mucha por nosotros, siempre orando por nosotros y por paz, mucha alegría, saber que tengo a mi nuestro futuro, dejando que suceda la voluntad propia hermana en un convento que reza por de Dios. los sacerdotes de una diócesis en la que soy seminarista. Y si Dios quiere, seré sacerdote.

CNH: ¿Cómo es vivir tu vocación ahora?

Me da mucha alegría y me llena de muchas esperanzas el saber que recibo apoyo. Hay algo muy José: Estos últimos tres años en el seminario, especial en saber que mi propia hermana, con quien puedo decirlo honestamente, han sido los años viví toda mi vida, a la que solía alimentar, ahora más felices de mi vida. Hay un cierto sentido está en un convento orando por mí, ofreciendo de realización. Vine esperando mucho; estás sacrificios por mí, por el trabajo que Dios quiere nervioso, asustado. Pero al entrar había una que haga. Sé que nos entendemos muy bien. sensación de paz. La formación es fenomenal. Te Jessica: Me ha puesto muchas cosas en desafía. perspectiva. Lo veo en su vocación al sacerdocio.

Me sentí feliz el primer día que entré. Me Es difícil de explicar. Él es mi hermano. Es un dije, ‘¡Esto es increíble!’ Hay muchos buenos vínculo especial que tenemos, nos entendemos muchachos. Pasamos mucho tiempo en oración. uno al otro sin decir palabras.

Es difícil. Te ajustas a un horario muy estricto. Te Al principio, para mí, fue un poco extraño. adaptas a una vida de oración diferente. Antes de Nuestras vocaciones chocaban. Cuando entras entrar en el seminario creía que tenía una vida en una vocación no esperas ver a la familia. A lo de oración decente. Entras y es como si realmente largo de los meses se normalizó. Se volvió tierno. tuvieras que intentarlo, profundizar en ello.

La idea que intercambiemos oraciones (él ora Hay dificultades en el seminario, pero es como por mí y yo oro por él) es simplemente porque la vida normal. Es como cualquier otra cosa, ingresé a un convento que apoya el sacerdocio. solo tienes que seguir. Tienes que recordar que Es difícil de explicar. Hay tantas gracias y cosas el Señor te trajo aquí y Él te ayudará a superar bellas sucediendo. No hay manera de explicarlo y cualquier problema. con ello hacerle justicia.

27B

La estructura de acero del sector residencial fue recientemente levantada y se vertieron las losas de concreto del primer y segundo piso. Pronto se completarán otros trabajos estructurales y luego, en julio, los trabajadores comenzarán con la fachada. Si el clima colabora, el marco y el techo deberían estar completos y las ventanas podrían estar instaladas para fines de julio. Los trabajos de plomería, mecánicos y eléctricos también estarán terminados, al menos a un 50% para ese entonces.

Se espera que el edificio de estilo gótico de dos pisos se complete sustancialmente en marzo de 2020.

Incluirá una capilla, aula, biblioteca, salas de conferencias, cocina y refectorio (cafetería), oficinas de la facultad y una habitación para oradores y sacerdotes visitantes. También incluirá 40 dormitorios o “celdas” para los seminaristas universitarios. Se planearon originalmente 20 celdas, pero la inscripción en el seminario universitario ya excedió esa proyección.

El seminario universitario sigue creciendo a medida que su ubicación permanente comienza a tomar forma, y no solo con el aumento del número de matriculados. La campaña de recaudación de fondos recientemente superó los $ 9.5 millones de su meta de $ 20 millones, incluyendo a dos donantes que se comprometieron con un total de $ 3 millones.

El creciente interés en las vocaciones sacerdotales es bienvenido por el Obispo Jugis, quien ha comentado que, “aunque el número de sacerdotes que sirven a nuestra diócesis ha aumentado en un 76 por ciento desde su fundación en 1971, el número de católicos ha incrementado en un 900 por ciento. Además, se han retirado trece sacerdotes en los últimos diez años, y aún se espera que 27 más se retiren en los próximos diez años. Pese a que hemos sido bendecidos con muchos buenos y santos sacerdotes, necesitamos más para satisfacer las necesidades de nuestro rebaño que crece rápidamente”.

El 22 de junio, tres hombres serán ordenados al sacerdocio para la diócesis por el Obispo Jugis, él mismo una vocación local.

El Padre Matthew Kauth, rector del Seminario Universitario San José, está asombrado por el número de hombres que están discerniendo un llamado al sacerdocio. “Sabíamos que las vocaciones a menudo brotan en un corazón en el momento en que un joven comienza a preguntarse: ‘¿Para qué viviré?’. Lo que no sabíamos es que 31 hombres en cuatro años académicos podrán mirar nuestro nuevo seminario en ciernes y decir: ‘Para eso viviré. Viviré para Cristo como su sacerdote’”.

“Los números simplemente han sido asombrosos y no hay un final a la vista”, añadió el Padre Kauth. “Ahora debemos construir para que podamos estar bajo un mismo techo en lugar de muchos. Ellos han respondido al llamado al sacrificio, y ahora debemos responder al llamado al apoyo”.

DIACONADO PERMANENTE

Desde 1980, cuando la Diócesis de Charlotte estableció un Ministerio de Diaconado Permanente, hasta hoy, el diaconado permanente ha florecido de manera similar a la diócesis. El Obispo Begley ordenó diecinueve hombres en la primera promoción de diáconos permanentes el 29 de mayo de 1983. En las dos últimas ordenaciones, en 2014 y 2018, hubo un total de 31 diáconos ordenados para la diócesis. Hoy son 135 diáconos permanentes los que sirven en los ministerios de la Palabra, Altar y Caridad. Y el flujo constante de hombres interesados en el diaconado permanente continúa, con 18 aspirantes en el programa. De ellos se seleccionará una nueva promoción de candidatos este verano para comenzar su formación a fines de agosto.

RELIGIOSOS CONSAGRADOS

Cuando se formó la Diócesis de Charlotte, 15 comunidades religiosas de hombres y mujeres estaban activas en la diócesis. Hoy en día son 23. Actualmente hay 128 religiosas activas que ministran en el oeste de Carolina del Norte. Las parroquias alrededor de la diócesis son testigos de feligreses, hombres y mujeres jóvenes, que ingresan a las órdenes religiosas y dicen “sí” al llamado del Señor.

‘CORAJE PARA TOMAR RIESGOS’

En su mensaje en la Jornada Mundial de Oración por las Vocaciones de 2018, el Papa Francisco dijo que “toda vocación es una convocatoria no para estar en la orilla, con las redes en la mano, sino para seguir a Jesús en el camino que Él ha marcado para nosotros, para nuestra propia felicidad y por el bien de quienes nos rodean”.

Añadió que el llamado del Señor hace que aquellos que responden a su llamado a servir a la Iglesia en el sacerdocio y la vida religiosa “sean portadores de una promesa y, al mismo tiempo, nos pidan el coraje para arriesgarnos, con Él y por Él.”

El Santo Padre declaró que abrazar esta promesa naturalmente exige el coraje de arriesgarse a tomar una decisión.

“Los primeros discípulos, llamados por Jesús a ser parte de algo más grande, ‘dejaron sus redes de inmediato y lo siguieron’ (Mc 1:18).

Responder a la llamada del Señor implica ponernos en primera fila y enfrentar un gran desafío. Significa estar listo para dejar atrás cualquier cosa que nos mantenga amarrados a nuestro pequeño bote y nos impida tomar una decisión definitiva”, dijo.

“Estamos llamados a ser audaces y decididos en la búsqueda del plan de Dios para nuestras vidas. Al observar el vasto ‘océano’ de la vocación, no podemos contentarnos con reparar nuestras redes en el bote que nos da seguridad, sino que debemos confiar en la promesa del Señor”.

catholicnewsherald.com | June 21, 2019 28B CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

The Parishioners of St. Ann Catholic Church in Charlotte Take Great Joy in Offering Our

CONGRATULATIONS to Newly Ordained

Fr. Michael Carlson We Also Appreciate and Celebrate the Vocation Anniversaries of

Deacon Tonon 1 year

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Deacon Sanctis 5 years

Father Reid 15 years

6/3/19 11:57 AM