June 7, 2019

June 7, 2019

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

Hundreds gather to celebrate 25 years of Perpetual Adoration at Maryfield 3 Pennybyrn unveils $35M expansion 3 INDEX

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2019 grads told, ‘Living a life in Christ is the highest form of happiness’ Catholic Charities reunites ‘priceless’ Bible with family 5

20 Pope Francis in Romania

Se inauguró campeonato de fútbol infantil/juvenil 17

Catholics, Orthodox must unite against ‘culture of hate,’ he says

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Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | June 7, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope Francis

Through the Holy Spirit, God’s word can tear down divisive walls

W

hen the Holy Spirit speaks to men and women through the word of those who evangelize, it ignites a power strong enough to break down the barriers that divide the human family, Pope Francis said.

When human words are purified by the Holy Spirit, they can give life and create communion, the pope said May 29 during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square. “When the Spirit visits the human word, it becomes dynamic, like ‘dynamite,’ that is, it is capable of igniting hearts and breaking up patterns, resistances and walls of division, opening new paths and expanding the boundaries of the people of God,” he said.

Beginning a new series of talks on the Acts of the Apostles, the pope reflected on the first chapter in which Jesus commands His disciples “to wait for the gift My Father promised.”

The gift of “baptism in the Holy Spirit” that was given to the disciples, the pope said, is the same gift that awaits all Christians and “allows us to enter into a personal communion with God and participate in His universal salvific will.”

The Holy Spirit, he added, is given to Christ’s followers “free of charge” and, like the apostles who waited in the cenacle, Christians must wait for this gift to come “in its due time.”

“The Risen One invites His followers not to live anxiously in the present, but to make a covenant with time, to know how to wait for the unraveling of a sacred history that has not been interrupted but rather is advancing, to know how to wait for the ‘steps’ of God who is the Lord of time and space,” he said.

Encouraging the crowd gathered in the square, Pope Francis invited them to pray with patience and perseverance.

“Let us also ask the Lord for patience in waiting for His steps, in not wanting to build His work on our own and instead remain docile by praying, invoking the Spirit and cultivating the art of ecclesial communion,” he said.

In his main audience talk June 5 reviewing his trip to Romania, the pope noted his encounter with Romanian Orthodox Patriarch Daniel and the Permanent Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, where he reiterated “the desire of the Catholic Church to walk together in reconciled memory and toward full unity.”

“This important ecumenical dimension of the trip culminated in the solemn prayer of the Our Father,” showing that “unity does not eliminate legitimate diversity.” The Lord’s Prayer represents the “common heritage of all baptized.

No one can say ‘my Father’ and ‘your Father.’ No, ‘our Father,’” he said.

St. Barnabas: apostle and missionary Feast day: June 11 BENJAMIN MANN CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY

Catholics will celebrate the memory of St. Barnabas June 11. The apostle and missionary was among Christ’s earliest followers and was responsible for welcoming St. Paul into the Church.

St. Barnabas was born to wealthy Jewish parents on the Greek-speaking island of Cyprus, probably around the time of Christ’s own birth. Traditional accounts hold that his parents sent him to study in Jerusalem, where he studied at the school of Gamaliel (who also taught St. Paul). Later on, when Christ’s public ministry began, Barnabas may have been among those who heard Him preach in person.

At some point, either during Christ’s ministry or after His death and resurrection, Barnabas decided to commit himself in the most radical way to the teachings he had received. He sold the large estate he had inherited, contributed the proceeds entirely to the Church, and joined Christ’s other apostles in holding all of their possessions in common.

Saul of Tarsus, the future St. Paul, approached Barnabas after the miraculous events surrounding his conversion, and was first introduced to St. Peter through him.

About five years later, Barnabas and Paul spent a year in Antioch, building up the Church community whose members were the first to go by the name of “Christians.”

Both Paul and Barnabas received callings from God to become the “Apostles of the Gentiles,” although the title is more often associated with St. Paul. The reference to the “laying-on of hands” in Acts, Chapter 13, suggests that Paul and Barnabas may have been consecrated as bishops on this occasion.

Barnabas and Paul left Antioch along with Barnabas’ cousin John Mark, who would

later compose the most concise account of Christ’s life and be canonized as St. Mark.

The group’s first forays into the pagan world met with some success, but Mark became discouraged and returned to Jerusalem.

The question of Mark’s dedication to the mission would arise again later, causing a significant personal disagreement between Paul and Barnabas. For many years prior to this, however, the two apostles traveled and preached among the Gentiles, suffering persecution and hardships for the sake of establishing Christianity among those of nonJewish backgrounds.

The remarkable success of Barnabas and Paul led to one of the earliest controversies in Church history, regarding the question of whether Christian converts would have to observe Jewish rites.

During the landmark Council of Jerusalem, recorded in Acts, the assembled apostles confirmed St. Peter’s earlier proclamation that the laws of the Old Testament would not be mandatory for Christians.

Barnabas and Paul finally separated in their ministries, while remaining apostles of the one Catholic Church, over Paul’s insistence that Mark not travel with them again.

In death, however, the “Apostles to the Gentiles” were reunited. Mark is said to have buried Barnabas after he was killed by a mob in Cyprus around the year 62. St. Paul and St. Mark were, in turn, reconciled before St. Paul’s martyrdom five years later.

Read about more of the saints More saints whose feast days are in June are featured in the Our Faith section at www. catholicnewsherald.com, including: St. Justin Martyr (June 1), St. Charles Lwanga and companions (June 3), St. Boniface (June 5), St. Norbert (June 6), St. Anthony of Padua (June 13), St. Romuald (June 19), St. Thomas More (June 22), and St. Cyril of Alexandria (June 27).

Faith Q&A Q: Someone I know is saying that Jesus was not raised physically, that He was raised in a “spiritual body” instead of a physical body. He says Paul teaches this. What is the straight story?

A: Jehovah’s Witnesses often use this canard to buttress their idea that Jesus is Michael the Archangel. In attempting to prove that Jesus did not physically rise, they cite 1 Peter 3:18 and 1 Corinthians 15:45, stating that Jesus was, “put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit” and “(Jesus) became a life-giving spirit ... (for) flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom.”

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul demonstrates that the resurrected body is endowed with qualities of imperishability, glory, power and spirituality in contrast to man’s current perishable, dishonorable, weak and physical body (42-44). Paul then speaks of man’s nature putting on incorruptibility and immortality.

He is not suggesting that matter is an evil to be discarded. Rather, grace builds upon nature, and so the resurrected body is a fulfillment of the natural body, not the destruction of it. The tendency to think otherwise – regarding matter as evil and spirit as good – is Manichean in origin. Christians have always rejected this misconception because it contradicts the goodness of God’s creation – and the Incarnation itself.

In Luke 24:39, the risen Jesus says to the disciples, “See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”

This verse is sufficient to debunk the idea that Jesus did not rise bodily, but John 2:19-22 provides another nail in the coffin. Here Jesus claims, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Two verses later, it is made clear what Jesus has in mind: “He spoke of the temple of His body.” Thus, Jesus prophesied that His body would rise.

This raises the questions: If Jesus’ body was not raised, where did it go? What was raised? What is so miraculous? The idea that Jesus’ body was discarded while His spirit rose seems to require more faith than acceptance of the bodily resurrection. In the words of Paul, “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is in vain, and you are still in your sins” (1 Cor 15:17).

— Jason Evert, Catholic Answers

Daily Scripture readings JUNE 9-15

Sunday (Pentecost Sunday): Acts 2:1-11, Romans 8:8-17, John 14:15-16, 23-26; Monday (The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church): Genesis 3:9-15, John 19:25-34; Tuesday (St. Barnabas): Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3, Matthew 5:13-16; Wednesday: 2 Corinthians 3:4-11, Matthew 5:17-19; Thursday (St. Anthony of Padua): 2 Corinthians 3:15, 4:1, 3-6, Matthew 5:20-26; Friday: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15, Matthew 5:27-32; Saturday: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21, Matthew 5:33-37

JUNE 16-22

Sunday (The Most Holy Trinity): Proverbs 8:22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15; Monday: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Matthew 5:3842; Tuesday: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, Matthew 5:43-48; Wednesday (St. Romuald): 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18; Thursday: 2 Corinthians 11:1-11, Matthew 6:7-15; Friday (St. Aloysius Gonzaga): 2 Corinthians 11:18, 21-30, Matthew 6:19-23; Saturday (St. Paulinas of Nola, Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More): 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Matthew 6:24-34

JUNE 23-29

Sunday (The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ): Genesis 14:18-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Luke 9:11-17; Monday (The Nativity of St. John the Baptist): Isaiah 49:1-6, Acts 13:22-26, Luke 1:57-66, 80; Tuesday: Genesis 13:2, 5-18, Matthew 7:6, 12-14; Wednesday: Genesis 15:1-12, 1718, Matthew 7:15-20; Thursday (St. Cyril of Alexandria): Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16, Matthew 7:21-29; Friday (The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus): Ezekiel 34:11-16, Romans 5:5-11, Luke 15:3-7; Saturday (Sts. Peter and Paul): Acts 12:1-11, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18, Matthew 16:13-19

Our parishes

June 7, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Hundreds gather to celebrate 25 years of Perpetual Adoration at Maryfield PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR

HIGH POINT — More than 400 people of all ages filled the chapel and the main gathering space inside Pennybyrn’s healthcare building June 2 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

The continuing care retirement community, run by the Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God, has hosted Perpetual Adoration in its chapel since 1994. Adorers, friends and supporters attended the Mass in Maryfield Chapel, offered by chaplain Father Jim Solari.

After Mass, a Eucharistic procession took place around the Maryfield Garden Circle, followed by enthronement of the monstrance on the altar and Benediction by Father Solari.

Two deacons and seven St. Joseph College Seminary students assisted at Mass and participated in leading the outdoor Eucharistic procession.

Serving as honor guard for Mass and the procession were members from several area Knights of Columbus councils, including Bishop Hafey Council 4507 and Christ the King Council 14767 in High Point and Our Lady’s Council 9249 in Thomasville.

The celebration was “extremely meaningful to me,” said Anne Carr, a member of Our Lady of the Highways Church in Thomasville and one of the first to sign on as an adorer in the 24-7 prayer effort. “It was splendid.”

The Maryfield Chapel “is a treasure for us every day.

It is a place of such peace,” Carr added.

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament began in the Maryfield Chapel on June 5, 1994, the Feast of Corpus Christi.

Following the celebration of Holy Mass at 3 p.m. with Bishop William G. Curlin of the Diocese of Charlotte as principal celebrant and seven priests from local parishes as concelebrants, there was a procession of the Blessed Sacrament around the Rose Garden that concluded with Benediction in the Chapel at 4 p.m.

After Benediction, Our Lord was enthroned in the monstrance and placed on the altar – thus beginning Eucharistic Adoration at Maryfield Chapel that continues unbroken to this day.

“Now looking back at our brave beginnings, we understand how the Holy Spirit guided our lay leaders to bring the awareness of this treasure of the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament into the lives of so many people in the Triad,” noted Mission leader Sister Lucy Hennessy, SMG. Eucharistic Adoration originated in the area with Joe Lanham, a parishioner at Our Lady of the Highways Church. His then-pastor, Father John Murphy, OSFS, gave his blessing to the project and suggested Dick Kellenbarger, a fellow parishioner, help chair the committee to launch the effort.

Adoration started in Thomasville with 12 hours of Adoration on the fourth Saturday of each month. The parish’s Knights of Columbus and their families rallied behind the idea, and it wasn’t long before 100 people had signed up.

Thanks to encouragement from then-Bishop John Donoghue, local priests and lay leaders, and the intervention of Divine Providence, people wanted to expand Eucharistic Adoration to 24 hours – and the

chapel of Pennybyrn was the perfect home for it.

By 1994, when Bishop Curlin came to Pennybyrn, more than 400 people had signed up to participate at least one hour per week in Eucharistic devotion.

In addition to Carr, Eileen Rohan and Colette Woelfel of Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro, and Edna Corrigan of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in High Point have been instrumental in the prayer effort from

PHOTOS BY PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Jim Solari, chaplain, elevates the Host during a Mass June 2 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Perpetual Adoration at Maryfield Chapel. Local Knights of Columbus served as honor guard for the Mass and Eucharistic Procession that followed. the early years, Sister Lucy noted.

“These leaders, in whatever capacity, worked long and hard for months and weeks before the chapel was opened to make sure there was a least one adorer in front of Our Lord every single hour of the day and night,” she said.

“But the real heroes continue to be the adorers, who sign up to spend one hour once a week to be with the Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament.”

The constant flow of traffic to and from the chapel, she added, demonstrates that more and more people have been drawn to visit the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and that Perpetual Adoration has fostered a deeper prayer life for those who participate.

The day’s celebration, which concluded with a picnic on the lawn under sunny skies, was joyful and prayerful, Sister Lucy said. “It was a wonderful sight to see many families come together from various parishes to attend Mass and the picnic.”

— Pennybyrn contributed.

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Pennybyrn unveils $35M expansion plans ANNETTE K. TENNY CORRESPONDENT

HIGH POINT — Pennybyrn has announced plans for a major expansion to its range of services and facilities.

The continuing care retirement community, run by the Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God, will develop a new, stand-alone Transitional Rehabilitation Center, open an adult day care support center, and make extensive renovations to its existing properties. Construction of 40 units of apartment household living is also planned. The entire project totals $35 million.

At a press conference June 4 to unveil the expansion plans, Sister Lucy Hennessy, mission leader, paid tribute to the “pioneer sisters” who came to High Point from London over 70 years ago, purchasing the Penny House and converting it into a convent and a convalescent center with 22 beds.

In the decades since its start in 1947, Pennybyrn has grown into a 71-acre continuing care retirement community with a range of care services. The facilities, which were entirely rebuilt in 2007, include a neighborhood of 49 independent living cottages, 131 independent living apartments, 24 assisted living and 24 memory support apartments, and a nursing care building.

The Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God continue in the tradition of their founder, Frances Taylor, who took the name of Mother Magdalen, caring for their residents with the help and guidance of a board of directors and ambassador council comprised of community members.

As the needs of the elder population changed, the sisters have taken advantage of new opportunities, Sister Lucy said. “Keeping before them all the time the spirit of our foundress, Mother Magdalen, to serve God always but not always in the same way.”

The rehabilitation center will be named the Lillian Congdon Transitional Rehab Center, in memory of Earl Congdon’s late mother. Earl and Kitty Congdon, longtime supporters of Pennybyrn, provided a $3.5 million matching challenge gift to help meet the initial $7 million campaign goal.

Construction will begin in January 2020. The building will have 24 resident rooms, continuing the home-like model already established at Pennybyrn.

The length of stay is estimated to be less than three weeks and outpatient rehab will also be available. Residents will receive expert care from a team of physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech language pathologists. They will also enjoy access to Maryfield’s Perpetual Adoration Chapel as well as other spiritual services, Sister Lucy pointed out.

The Adult Care and Support Center will be open seven days a week and offer flexible arrangements for families seeking elder care support. Pennybyrn is known for being a national leader in its vision for quality elder care, and the design and placement of the Adult Care and Support Center continues that mission.

The center will be fully integrated into the wider community, offering clients engagement with full-time residents and participation in social gatherings and activities, in addition to first-class medical and health support services in a safe and caring environment.

Support from so many people for this project has been truly inspiring, Sister Lucy said. Many people, including current residents of Pennybyrn, committed significant financial gifts before a single plan had been drawn because they believe in the mission, she said.

The initial $7 million goal has been met, but an additional $2 million is needed for further renovation of current structures.

The sisters are confident that the ever-growing number of supporters of Pennybyrn will come forward to help, Sister Lucy said.

“God is so good,” she said. “God brings us together, and with God’s help, together we can offer the care and support of others.”

Support Pennybyrn and learn more Learn more about Pennybyrn and how you can support this project by calling 336-821-4020 or emailing Edward Cordick at ecordick@ pennybyrn.org.

More information about what Pennybyrn offers is online at www. pennybyrnliving.org.

More info online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See sketches of the expansion plans

UPcoming events 4

catholicnewsherald.com | June 7, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following upcoming events: JUNE 8 – 10 A.M. Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

JUNE 18 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Mary Church, Greensboro

JUNE 9-14 U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Meeting Baltimore

JUNE 20– 5 P.M. Holy Hour for Priesthood Candidates St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

JUNE 22 – 10 A.M. Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood St. Mark Church, Huntersville

JUNE 24-26 Province Meeting of Bishops Raleigh

JUNE 27 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. John the Baptist Church, Tryon JUNE 30 – 5 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation Our Lady of Grace Church, Greensboro

Diocesan calendar of events June 7, 2019

ESPAÑOL

Volume 28 • NUMBER 18

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

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

1123 S. CHURCH ST. CHARLOTTE, N.C. 28203-4003 catholicnews@charlottediocese.org

704-370-3333 PUBLISHER: The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING

STAFF EDITOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org ADVERTISING MANAGER: Kevin Eagan 704-370-3332, keeagan@charlottediocese.org SENIOR REPORTER: SueAnn Howell 704-370-3354, sahowell@charlottediocese.org ONLINE REPORTER: Kimberly Bender 704-808-7341, kdbender@charlottediocese.org HISPANIC COMMUNICATIONS REPORTER: Cesar Hurtado, 704-370-3375, rchurtado@charlottediocese.org GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher 704-370-3331, tpfaragher@charlottediocese.org COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Erika Robinson, 704-370-3333, catholicnews@ charlottediocese.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday, July 20, St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte. Topics include: effectiveness of modern NFP, health risks of popular contraceptives and what the Church teaches about responsible parenting.

Sponsored by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte.

RSVP to Batrice Adcock, MSN, RN, at 704-370-3230.

PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS WOMEN’S MORNING OF REFLECTION, ‘THE FEMININE GENIUS – GOD’S GIFT TO WOMEN AND OUR GIFT TO GOD’: 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 15, in the Our Lady of Grace School library, 201 South Chapman St., Greensboro. Start exploring this theme through Father John Bartunek’s new retreat “The Apostle of the Apostles: St. Mary Magdalene.” Mass is available at 8 a.m. in the church prior to the reflection. The morning will include time for refreshments and discussion.

Donations are accepted at the door. To register, go to www.rcwomenjune15.eventbrite.com. For details, contact Kate Boschini at 336-430-8856 or regnumchristitriad@ gmail.com.

TOUR OF ST. PIO RELICS: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. public veneration, Tuesday, June 11, at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. Mass in honor of St. Pio will be celebrated at 8 a.m. by Father Christopher Roux.

A Mass in the Extraordinary Form will be offered at 5:30 p.m. by Father Jason Barone. For details, contact the parish office at 704-334-2283 or stpiovisit@stpatricks. org. Sponsored by the Saint Pio Foundation.

IGBO MASS: Noon, Sunday, June 16, in the Windsor Center at St. Mary’s Church, 812 Duke St., Greensboro. For details, call Godfrey Uzochukwu at 336-707-3625.

PRO-LIFE ROSARY: 10 a.m. Saturday, July 6, 901 North Main St. and Sunset Drive, High Point. Come and help pray for the end of abortion, and feel free to invite anyone who would be morally supportive of this very important cause. For details, email Jim Hoyng at Ajhoyng@hotmail. com or Paul Klosterman at Pauljklosterman@aol.com.

MORNING REFLECTION, ‘TOOLS OF PRAYER’: 8:30 – 11 a.m. Saturday, July 20 in the parish Life Center at Our Lady of Grace Church, 2203 West Market St., Greensboro.

Presented by Father Joseph Koterski, S.J. Mass will be celebrated at 8 a.m. Registration Requested by Wednesday, July 17. To register, contact parish office at 336-274-6520 or Sandra Breakfield at 704-370-3220 or

email sabreakfield@charlottediocese.org.

MORNING REFLECTION, ‘THE EXAMEN PRAYER’: 10 a.m.- Noon, Tuesday, July 23 in the Bishop Begley Parish Center, at St. Leo the Great Church, 335 Springdale Avenue, Winston-Salem. Presented by Father Joseph Koterski, S.J. Registration requested by Thursday, July 18. To register, contact Mary Beth Young at 336-724-0561 Ext. 227 or Sandra Breakfield at 704-370-3220 or email sabreakfield@charlottediocese.org.

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

The Divine Mercy Holy Hours are celebrated (except for Lent) and consist of Eucharistic Adoration, readings from the diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, the sung chaplet of Divine Mercy and benediction. Is Divine Mercy needed today? St. John Paul II had this to say: “There is nothing more man needs than Divine Mercy – that love which is benevolent, which is compassionate, which raises man above his weakness to the infinite heights, to the holiness of God.” The Lord told St. Faustina: “I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish.” For details, call Paul Deer at 704-577-3496.

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

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING ‘Protecting God’s Children’ workshops are intended to educate parish volunteers to recognize and prevent sexual abuse. For details, contact your parish office. To register and confirm workshop times, go to www.virtus. org. Upcoming workshops are: CHARLOTTE: 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 8, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.

HENDERSONVILLE: 9 a.m. Saturday, June 8, Immaculate Conception Church, 208 Seventh Ave. W. FRANKLIN: 5 p.m. Saturday, June 22, St. Francis of Assisi Church, 299 Maple St.

– Public Protection. Sponsored by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte. For details and registration, contact Sandra Breakfield at 704-370-3220 or sabreakfield@ charlottediocese.org.

FIRST FAMILY ENCOUNTER: Friday-Saturday, June 21-22, in Winston-Salem. Mission to offer the family a chance to rekindle and affirm each family member’s love and relationship with one another. Spiritual Director, Monsignor Paul Schetelick, will host the encounter. For details and registration, call Aimee Pena at 908-510-0053 or Lith Golamco at 732-453-4279.

‘I FIRMLY RESOLVE’ SERIES OF TALKS BY FATHER MATTHEW KAUTH: Seven-day online devotional series designed to help you get your life on the right spiritual track. Free viewing at www.catholiccompany.com/goodcatholic/about-family-resolve.tr.

SUPPORT GROUPS RACHEL’S VINEYARD: Are you or a loved one seeking healing from the effects of a past abortion? Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreats are offered by Catholic Charities for men and women in the western, central and eastern regions of the Diocese of Charlotte. For details about upcoming retreats, contact Jackie Childers at 980-241-0251 or Jackie.childers1@gmail.com, or Jessica Grabowski at 910-585-2460 or jrgrabowski@ charlottediocese.org.

YOUNG ADULTS ASHEVILLE THEOLOGY ON TAP: For Catholics in their 20s and 30s in the Asheville region. For details, check them out on Facebook, Twitter or MeetUp. ST. LAWRENCE BASILICA: www.saintlawrencebasilica. org/young-adult-ministry.

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

GREENSBORO: 9 a.m. Saturday, June 15, St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road

SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS LEADERSHIP FOR CATHOLIC TEENS: Registration is open for Faithful Servant Catholic Leadership Institute for high school aged youth and adults who work with them. This year’s institute will be held June 16-22 at Belmont Abbey College. To register, go online to www. charlottediocese.org/ev/youth/events/faithful-servant.

For more information, contact Paul Kotlowski at 828-2281692 or pjkotlowski@charlottediocese.org.

EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP, ‘SENIOR FRAUD & SCAMS PREVENTION’: 1:30-3:30 p.m., Thursday, June 13, in the Our Lady of Mercy Church cafeteria, 1730 Link Road, Winston-Salem. Presented by Hugh A. Harris, outreach and policy counsel for the N.C. Department of Justice

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

Correction The May 24 edition published an incorrect address for the new website of St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville. The new website is www.stjohnrcc.com. We regret the error.

June 7, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE

(From left) John Higgins and his grandmother, Martha Ann Consolvo, are shown with the Bible that was recently found by volunteers at the Catholic Charities’ Wee Care Shoppe in WinstonSalem. The inside of the Bible shows the handwritten inscription by Lt. Col. John Consolvo Sr. to his son, Capt. John Consolvo Jr. upon his departure to fight in Vietnam in 1969. The tombstone of Capt. John Consolvo Jr., who was shot down over Vietnam on May 7, 1972.

Catholic Charities reunites ‘priceless’ Bible with family SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

WINSTON-SALEM — Sorting through donated books is a routine chore for Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte Wee Care Shoppe volunteers. But volunteers Kelly Thomas and Judy Moore recently discovered a priceless treasure for one West Coast family – a longlost Bible with a history that has touched many hearts.

It all started when the pair of Catholic Charities volunteers were going through the latest donation of used books, some collected from another agency that Moore had brought to the Wee Care Shoppe. They found an old Bible among the assorted titles, and they became curious.

“I think God had a huge hand in all of it,” Thomas says. “Judy collects Bibles from another agency that doesn’t accept them. She opened the Bible up and showed the personal message inside. She said we should try to find who this belongs to.”

Thomas, a college student who is adept at research, went online and found a memorial page on Facebook with one of the names inscribed in the front of the Bible.

According to the inscriptions, the Bible was given to U.S. Army Lt. Col. John W. Consolvo Sr. by his mother-in-law and father-inlaw, Major and Mrs. R.A. Merchant, on Easter, April 26, 1943, just before he left for World War II. Consolvo ended up serving in both the Second World War and in the Korean War. In 1969 Consolvo passed on the Bible to his son, Capt. John Consolvo Jr., when the younger Consolvo was deployed to Vietnam with his Marine Corps unit.

According to the websites Thomas researched, the younger Consolvo was shot down over hostile territory on May 7, 1972. His body was never found.

Says Thomas, “They had no idea where the Bible was, that it even still existed. I think it’s miraculous that the Bible fell into our hands and that Judy took the time to open the Bible to see the writing inside.”

Thomas reached out and connected with John Higgins, a nephew of the dead Marine. Consolvo family members now live in Washington State and Oregon.

“The family was stunned to hear that we had found the Bible,” says Becky DuBois, Catholic Charities’ Winston-Salem office director. “We mailed the Bible to them, and John Higgins and his mother took the Bible to the widow of John Sr., who is 93 years old.”

DuBois shares that “the family has been overjoyed to have the Bible back in the family and amazed that the volunteer took the time to find them, and that we sent the Bible back to them.”

In a taped video of the Bible being returned to the family, tears of joy can be seen on Martha Ann Consolvo’s face as her husband’s and son’s Bible is put in her hands. She reads the inscription out loud and says, “This is priceless.”

“I thank you more than I can express in words. You don’t know what this means to me. I remember the day my parents gave this Bible to my husband, and I am so grateful to you. I never thought I would ever see it again. I see the pages are well worn and I know they used it – both of my boys.”

— Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte contributed.

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St. Pio relics to visit St. Patrick Cathedral June 11 CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte will host a collection of relics of St. Pio of Pietrelcina – more commonly known as Padre Pio – from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, at St. Patrick Cathedral.

A Mass in honor of St. Pio will be offered by Father Christopher Roux, rector, at 8 a.m. Veneration of the relics will begin after Mass at 9 a.m. A Mass in the Extraordinary Form will also be offered by Father Jason Barone, promoter of vocations for the diocese, at 5:30 p.m.

The sacrament of reconciliation will also be available during the day.

St. Pio was born on May 25, 1887, in Pietrelcina, Italy, and baptized Francesco Forgione. He first expressed his desire for priesthood when he was 10. The future saint entered the Capuchin order when he was 15, taking the name Pio. He was ordained a priest in 1910 at the age of 23.

During his lifetime, Padre Pio was known as a mystic with miraculous powers of healing and knowledge and who bore the stigmata, wounds that correspond to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ. They can appear on the forehead, hands, wrists and feet. The stigmata remained with him until his death on Sept. 23, 1968.

Pope John Paul II canonized him in 2002.

The relics of St. Pio that will be available for public veneration are: his glove; crusts of the wounds; cotton gauze with blood stains; a lock of his hair; his mantle; and a handkerchief soaked with his sweat just hours before he died.

The Saint Pio Foundation, which is sponsoring the tour, will provide books and items related to St. Pio in the entryway of the cathedral.

St. Patrick Cathedral is located at 1621 Dilworth Road East in Charlotte.

Limited parking is available along city streets adjoining the cathedral. There is also a parking lot and an additional parking area behind St. Patrick School on Buchanan Street which runs alongside the cathedral.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JAMES SARKIS

Incorrupt heart of St. Jean Vianney comes to Charlotte CHARLOTTE — St. Patrick Cathedral hosted the relic of the incorrupt heart of St. Jean Vianney May 24. Throughout the day, people lined up to venerate the relic and to pray for the intercession of St. Jean Vianney, patron saint of parish priests. The saint’s relic, on a national tour sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, was also hosted at Belmont Abbey’s Mary Help of Christians Basilica May 24, the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians, the

patroness of Belmont Abbey. St. Jean Vianney (1786-1859), a parish priest in Ars, France, was known for his gentle pastoral manner and great humanity. Many miracles were worked at his intercession. After his death, Pope Pius XI canonized him in 1925 and he has been looked to as a patron saint of parish priests and as a model of priestly holiness. When his body was exhumed, his heart was found to be preserved and is now a focus of devotion.

Learn more Information about the relic tour at St. Patrick Cathedral can be found at www. stpatricks.org. More details about the relics and the Saint Pio Foundation can be found at www.saintpiofoundation.org.

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 7, 2019 OUR PARISHES

Fully accepted 93-year-old enters Church at Easter Vigil SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

ASHEVILLE — Charlie Dobson, 93, may be the oldest convert to Catholicism in the history of the Diocese of Charlotte. His journey into the Church, although longer than many, has inspired others at St. Eugene Parish.

Dobson decided to formalize his conversion to the Catholic faith this year after attending the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults three times in the past five years since his son Carl’s conversion.

One of seven children, Dobson was raised a Southern Baptist and later embraced the Methodist and Presbyterian churches as an adult.

Dobson lived through the segregationist South, and he has a lifetime of experience in embracing change and relating to people from diverse religious and racial backgrounds. He served in the U.S. Navy for 11 years and then in the U.S. Army as a dentist. That’s where he met his late wife, Stella.

The two adopted Carl, who in Dobson’s later years served as a catalyst for his conversion to Catholicism. After his mother died in 2010, Carl went through a difficult time. A former Methodist minister, Carl started watching the televised Mass on

EWTN. He found it to be very comforting and realized it helped him through his grief.

In 2014 Dobson visited St. Eugene Church, which also happens to serve as a polling place near the Dobsons’ home.

After voting, he came home and, knowing that Carl enjoyed the chapel where the televised Mass was held, told Carl he would love the interior of St. Eugene Church.

“So both of us started attending church there and I took RCIA class in the autumn of 2014,” Carl recalls.

Carl entered the Church at Easter in 2015.

“I have my mother’s love of history, so I like the ritual,” he explains. “I think the Mass is beautiful. Of course, as the Eucharist is the climax of the Mass, I feel blessed being able to take the Eucharist weekly.”

Dobson shares that the final hurdle he needed to overcome to formalize his conversion was the understanding that he could keep his relationships with friends and family of the other denominations he had practiced over the course of his life.

“I didn’t want to give up my Presbyterian friends or my Methodist friends,” he says.

He says he did not always find members of those former churches to be as accepting of his membership in other churches, so his complete acceptance at St. Eugene Parish has meant a great deal to him.

Deacon Mike Zboyovski assisted both Dobsons in their journey into the Church.

“Carl asked to continue participating in the RCIA process after he was fully initiated by serving as a sponsor and team participant,” Deacon Zboyovski says.

Charlie Dobson (left) is pictured with Deacon Mike Zboyovski and his son, Carl Dobson, at St. Eugene Church in Asheville.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY RICK LOBER

“Carl’s call to RCIA ministry kept Charlie attending RCIA sessions.”

Deacon Zboyovski shares that the Dobsons’ story reminds him of how in John’s Gospel, “Andrew, a disciple of John the Baptist, was first led to Jesus – and who in turn grabbed his brother Peter to come meet the newly discovered Messiah. The rest is history!”

“One is called into a deeper relationship with the Lord and before you know it, the word and the enthusiasm spreads,” he continues. “That was the case with Carl and Charlie. Carl was the ‘first called,’ and his faith and enthusiasm became the catalyst that prompted Charlie to continue to ‘come and see.’”

Carl agrees, saying, “There was no

‘One is called into a deeper relationship with the Lord and before you know it, the word and the enthusiasm spreads.’

Deacon Mike Zboyovski St. Eugene Church

pressure on my part. He started going with me and started mentioning to me that he could understand what was going on and he agreed with what our priest Father Pat (Cahill) was saying. He said he felt at home from the very beginning at St. Eugene.”

A lifetime of wisdom comes through in Dobson’s advice to others.

“I would say, if you don’t know Christ you are missing out. Everyone should know the Lord and try to live by His example,” he says. “If you don’t live by Christ’s example, you are going to pay the consequences.”

Father Cahill, pastor, notes, “Charlie’s life journey is a reminder to me that goodness really does exist in our world.”

Pray for peace this Memorial Day, Catholics urged at annual Mass PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR

CHARLOTTE — Memorial Day is an occasion to honor those who defended the cause of peace with their very lives, and it serves as a reminder that all Christians are called to follow their example.

On Memorial Day “we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of peace for our country,” noted Father Christopher Roux, rector, during a Mass for the Military offered May 27 at St. Patrick Cathedral.

Bishop Peter Jugis, who traditionally celebrates the annual Mass on Memorial Day, was unable to attend due to illness.

The Gospel reading for the annual Mass was from Matthew Chapter 5 – Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which includes “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Memorial Day is not a celebration of war, Father Roux said in his homily. “We do not do that because there is no glory in war. There is no glory in killing. That is a sad result of sin.”

War, division and hatred are the products of sin, not what God intends for His creation, Father Roux said. “Unfortunately, because of sin we need a military … because there are those who hate, and hatred is always the beginning of war.”

“We are at war – not with other human beings – but we’re at war against those who would destroy the peace that comes from God,” he said.

Lasting peace can only come from Jesus Christ, he noted. “It is only through His Blood poured out for us that we find peace.”

Our response in the face of sin and hatred must be prayer, Father Roux continued.

Peace “will not come with guns, and it will not come with bombs. It will come with prayer.”

“The greatest weapon that we have,” he said, holding up a rosary, “is this right here.”

“You and I need to join those who put on uniform,” he said. “Let us join the fight – not for an unsubstantial peace, but for a peace which will win hearts and minds and souls for God.” “We are not meant to be violent, we were made to be together” with God, he said. “Let us lay down our very lives for the Gospel of Christ.”

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Check out a video of “Echo Taps” that was played at the conclusion of the Mass for the Military at St. Patrick Cathedral

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GLORIA WILSON

Buffalo Soldiers highlighted during Memorial Day program WINSTON-SALEM — St. Benedict the Moor Church observed its fourth annual Veterans Memorial Day Mass and program May 27. Father Henry Tutuwan preached in his homily how grateful we are to those in the military who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. He reminded us that freedom is not free and that we should always pay homage and show respect to those who have fallen protecting the United States and the whole world. Guest speaker was Trooper Anthony Cornell Wilkinson, president of the Greater North Carolina Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers. He shared with the congregation the sacrifices and contributions the Buffalo Soldiers made in the developing years of the United States.

The Negro soldier fought in every American war, but they were not officially organized as the Buffalo Soldiers, placed in the 10th Cavalry Regiment by Congress, until Sept. 21, 1866. Other than engaging in battle during the formative years of the United States, Buffalo Soldiers built and renovated forts, strung thousands of miles of telegraph lines, protected American Indians who lived on reservations, and escorted wagon trains, railroad trains surveying parties across the West.

The Buffalo Soldiers were active from 1866 to 1951, after which the military was integrated. Progress would have been very slow for the growth and development of this country had it not been for the valor and dedication of the Buffalo Soldiers, Wilkinson said. Other veterans featured during the parish’s program were: Timothy Jackson Jr., Air National Guard, U.S. Army, and Trooper R. J. Clark, chaplain, Greater North Carolina Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers.

June 7, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

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St. Michael parishioner receives first Holy Communion at Lourdes shrine (From left) St. Michael parishioner Madeline Miller receives her first Holy Communion from Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York during Mass May 4 at the Grotto in Lourdes, France.

Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey and Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio of St. Pius X Church in Greensboro also concelebrated the Mass.

SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

GASTONIA — The Miller family of Gastonia had long awaited an opportunity to travel to Lourdes with the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to assist the malades (those who are seriously ill) on one of their annual pilgrimages to the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France.

As Divine Providence would have it, their daughter Madeline completed her preparation for first Holy Communion at St. Michael Parish just in time to be able to receive the sacrament while they were on the Order of Malta’s 34th annual pilgrimage to the famous Marian shrine and its healing waters.

“We have wanted to go on this pilgrimage ever since my parents went for the first time many years ago,” says Ginny Miller, Madeline’s mother. “My dad, Kip Rolland of Dallas, Texas, is a Knight of Obedience in the Order of Malta, and I have learned about the order and their works from him.”

She recounts that the first time her parents, Martha and Kip, went to Lourdes, they came home and couldn’t stop talking about how amazing and fulfilling the experience was. “They indicated it was very hard to put into words their experience there, and since then we really wanted to go.”

Miller’s husband Mike served on the medical team during the pilgrimage last month. She served as a volunteer and her daughters, Kate and Madeline, were pages.

The Millers had made arrangements for Madeline to receive her first Holy Communion at the shrine before the end of their pilgrimage.

“The thought of having our daughter receive the sacrament of her first Holy

PHOTOS BY MEGAN BEAN

Communion in Lourdes, where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette, just seemed like it would be an amazing and blessed experience for her,” Miller explains.

“We did not know which Mass or who would be giving her first Communion until we got there, but did know it would be happening.”

Madeline’s first Holy Communion took place at the Grotto Mass on May 4, with Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, as the main celebrant.

Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari, chaplain of the North Carolina chapter of the Order of Malta, and Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio, pastor of St. Pius X Church in Greensboro, were concelebrants and accompanied the North Carolina pilgrims and malades.

“We did not realize that Madeline would be the only one receiving first Holy Communion that day, so that was a surprise!” Miller recounts.

“It is hard to put into words what it was like to see our daughter receive her first

Holy Communion in the Grotto at Lourdes.

Just being there and standing at the sight where 18 Marian apparitions occurred and where Bernadette dug the spring that has produced so many miraculous healings was almost emotionally overwhelming. There is such peace and hope there,” she says.

“To see Madeline stand there in her beautiful white dress before the statue of Our Lady – I was so proud of her and in awe that she was able to receive this holy sacrament in such a sacred and beautiful location. It was hard to hold back the tears.

“Plus, to have Cardinal Dolan give her first Communion was pretty amazing! The whole Mass was beautiful.”

Madeline says it was very special to receive her first Holy Communion in Lourdes. She will never forget how chilly it was that day, and how a sweet Italian woman in the audience came up and wrapped her scarf around her to help her stay warm.

“After the Mass, when we walked over to return the scarf, she hugged all of us and

was crying,” Miller recalls. “She pulled a prayer card of Padre Pio from her pocket and gave it to Madeline. Even despite the English/Italian language barrier, it was as if we all knew what the other was saying and feeling.

“I know that has meant a lot to Madeline.”

Miller says her daughter thinks “it’s pretty cool that Cardinal Dolan walked over afterwards and hugged her and gave her $10 as a first Communion gift. She has loved telling everyone that, too!”

Beyond receiving the sacrament, Miller says, it was wonderful to see both Kate and Madeline get to work right away on the pilgrimage assisting the malades.

“They loved meeting everyone, made good friends with the two other girls who were pages also,” she says. “And I loved seeing the joy on their faces as they were serving the malades and just being a help to whomever needed it. There is something so satisfying to your soul to see your children doing God’s work.”

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

We also specialize in custom trips for Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. www.proximotravel.com Hablamos Español anthony@proximotravel.com

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MERCY SISTER NANCY NANCE

Order of Malta hosts annual blessing at Holy Angels BELMONT — Members of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta participated in the annual blessing of the residents of Holy Angels June 1. Father Jeff Kirby, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Church in Indian Land, S.C., performed the blessing of the residents of Holy Angels in the residential facility established by the Sisters of Mercy. Members of the Order of Malta are devoted supporters of Holy Angels, which provides specialized, around-the-clock care for children and adults with intellectual developmental disabilities and delicate medical conditions. Holy Angels is an environment that fosters loving and compassionate care and opportunities for dignified living and innovative learning programs for their residents who are differently abled. For more information on how you can assist them, go online to www.holyangelsnc.org.

508-340-9370 855-842-8001 Call us 24/7

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Celebrating the sacraments

Children of the Hispanic community at Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury received first Holy Communion May 11 during Mass celebrated

by Father John Eckert, pastor.

PHOTOS BY BILL WASHINGTON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JULIA FREDRICA FOY MICHAELS

Children at Our Lady of the Rosary Church received their first Holy Communion during three Masses in May offered by Father Ambrose Akinwande, MSP, pastor.

PHOTOS BY GIULIANA POLINARI RILEY | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD PHOTOS PROVIDED

Children at Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville received their first Holy Communion during two recent Masses, one said in English and the other in Spanish.

Seventeen children of the Hispanic community of Immaculate Conception Church in Forest City received first Holy Communion May 19 during a Spanish Mass concelebrated

by Father Josè Antonio Juya (pictured) and Father Herbert Burke, pastor.

(At left) Also on May 19, 16 children received the sacrament of first Holy Communion during a Mass offered in English at Immaculate Conception Church. They are pictured with (from left) Deacon Steve Puscas, Father Burke and Deacon David Faunce.

June 7, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

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Celebrating the sacraments

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY AMY BURGER

Eighty-four teenagers at St. Mark Church in Huntersville received the sacrament of confirmation from Bishop Peter Jugis during Mass May 16. In his homily, Bishop Jugis entreated the young people to put God first in their lives and trust the Holy Spirit. “The Holy Spirit allows us to go beyond extraordinary things,” he said.

Another 82 teenagers received the sacrament of confirmation from Father John Putnam, pastor, during Mass May 25.

Speaking to the students before the Mass and again in the homily, Father Putnam said, “Sacraments are not magic.

They work by the way you live them out. There are many voices in the world – but the voice we are called to follow is a still small voice. In a world filled with noise and chaos, claim that small voice of the Holy Spirit when you say ‘I do.’”

GIULIANA POLINARI RILEY | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Michael Kottar, pastor of St. Mary Help of Christians Church in Shelby, conferred the sacrament of confirmation on 16 candidates at Mass May 25.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JULIA FREDRICA FOY MICHAELS

Young people at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Lexington received the sacrament of confirmation during Mass May 15. They are pictured with their pastor, Father Ambrose Akinwande, MSP. On May 8, Father Thomas J. Kessler, pastor, administered the sacrament of confirmation to 26 candidates at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville. The confirmandi included Rashel Alarcon-Loyola, Aaron Alvarez, Raul Andrade, Edgar Arroyo, Jimena Benavides, Raoul Eno, Lindsey Garcia, Ashley Gaspar, Melinda Gonzalez, Brandon Hernandez, Jesenia Hernandez, Edward Limon, Reagan Lund, Rosaisela Luviano, Jonathan Marino, Stephanie Marino, Brenda Mata Osorio, Jennie Neader, Felipe Nunez, Isabel Passant, Stephanie Pena, Selena Solis, Emily Swierczewski, Alexis Tamayo, Evelyn Trevino, Luis Vargas, Enzo Vicidomini, Vincenzo Vicidomini and Isaac Webber.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CONNIE RIES

Young people at St. Peter Church in Charlotte received the sacrament of confirmation from Benedictine Abbot Placid of Belmont Abbey during Mass the weekend of May 11-12.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CATHY CHIAPPETTA

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 7, 2019 OUR PARISHES

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

Consolation parishes in Charlotte.

Father Schratz asked for everyone’s prayers during this time of transition.

— Catholic News Herald

In Brief Capuchin Franciscans to leave Hendersonville parish

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JAMES SARKIS

Pro-life vigil held outside Planned Parenthood facility in Charlotte CHARLOTTE — More than 200 people took part in a peaceful procession and prayer vigil June 1 outside the future Planned Parenthood facility in Charlotte. The mile-long procession took participants from St. Patrick Cathedral down the tree-lined streets of Dilworth Road East to South Torrence Street, where Planned Parenthood expects to open an abortion facility in July. The Mass and procession were the culmination of a Forty Hours Devotion at St. Patrick Cathedral that began May 30. It was among several prayer efforts underway in response to news that Planned Parenthood is expanding its services in Charlotte. The building at 700 South Torrence St. will be a larger location for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic’s Charlotte Health Center, currently located on Albemarle Road. The new facility will be the fourth abortion facility in Charlotte, where more abortions are performed than in any other city in North Carolina.

At the Diocese of Charlotte’s YouTube channel: View video highlights of the pro-life procession in Charlotte

HENDERSONVILLE — Capuchin Franciscan Father Martin Schratz, pastor, announced June 1 that the order will be departing Immaculate Conception Parish next month after 28 years of pastoral ministry there. The parish will be served by Diocese of Charlotte clergy effective July 9.

“Over these years we have seen this parish grow in so many ways – physically and spiritually. St. Francis called us friars to be pilgrims and strangers in this world. We came here 28 years ago as pilgrims and strangers and now it is time for us to continue that journey elsewhere,” Father Schratz wrote in a newsletter to parishioners.

The order is withdrawing from other parishes in the province, he noted, as a result of declining vocations and the advancing ages of its friars.

Immaculate Conception is the only remaining parish served by the Capuchin Franciscans in the Charlotte diocese. Seven years ago, the friars also withdrew from pastoral ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas and Our Lady of

College students study the stars, thanks to local Catholic parish’s hospitality WAYNESVILLE — Eighteen astronomy students from the University of Dallas have been special guests at St. John the Evangelist Church for the past two weeks.

The students have been meeting in the parish hall in Waynesville for a two-week course entitled “Astronomy in the Smoky Mountains,” BRIEFS, SEE PAGE 11

THE ORATORY

Center for Spirituality

(803) 327-2097

oratorycenter@gmail.com

434 Charlotte Avenue, P.O. Box 11586 Rock Hill, SC 29731-1586

rockhilloratory.net

SUMMER BIBLE INSTITUTE Sunday, July 14 – Friday, July 19

His Excellency The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis Bishop of Charlotte requests the honor of your presence at the Liturgy of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood Reverend Mr. Michael John Carlson Reverend Mr. Alfonso Gamez, Jr. Reverend Mr. Britt Alexander Taylor Saturday, the twenty-second day of June Two thousand and nineteen at ten o’clock in the morning Saint Mark Catholic Church 14740 Stumptown Road Huntersville, North Carolina Reception immediately following Parish Hall

The Summer Bible Institute is an annual opportunity to come together to study and reflect on the Scriptures. Two program tracks are offered:

New Testament (Mornings) Presented by: Stephen Binz Sacred Texts and Sacred Places: A Biblical Theology of Pilgrimage

We will experience armchair pilgrimages in the footsteps of Jesus, Mary, Peter and Paul. With a sacramental understanding of pilgrimage, we can realize how to experience every place as sacred and all of life as pilgrimage.

Old Testament (Evenings) Presented by: Alice Camille

That Nothing May Be Wasted: On the Trail of Shiny Bits of Scripture This week we will look at, and pose some questions about, things like clothing, trees, water, animals and children – things we might overlook but have a meaningful place in our understanding of the Bible.

$175 – Tuition Both Courses $90 – Tuition Single Course $250 – Room & Board Stephen Binz is a biblical scholar and award winning author of over 50 books as well as a popular speaker. He also frequently leads pilgrimages to biblical sites and sacred places throughout the world. Along with graduate degrees from the Pontifical Gregorian University and Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, he is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Alice Camille is a nationally known writer, religious educator and speaker. She has a Master of Divinity degree from the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley. In addition to numerous books, she writes regularly for U.S. Catholic and Give Us This Day as well as Exploring the Sunday Readings for over two decades.

June 7, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

BRIEFS FROM PAGE 10

and attending daily Mass each morning with Father Richard Sutter, pastor. After an afternoon break and dinner each day, they have been going up into the mountains to peer up at the night sky for several hours.

Waynesville and the nearby Pisgah National Forest make an ideal location for astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts because the area has clean air and very little light pollution. The area’s elevation ranges from 3,200 to 5,500 feet.

Under the instruction of their professor, Dr. Richard Olenick, students have been using an 11-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope for their nighttime observations. They have been studying basic astronomy – including constellations, the life cycle of stars, the formation of planets and solar systems, and the structures of galaxies.

Students have also been enjoying the natural beauty of the western North Carolina mountains, going hiking, whitewater rafting, ziplining and more.

The University of Dallas is a private Catholic university in Irving, Texas, and the astronomy students said they have greatly enjoyed the hospitality they have received from the Waynesville parish community.

“I’d like to thank St. John the Evangelist for being such a welcoming environment to really dive into the study of the stars,” said junior Gabi Helms, adding, “It’s been awesome to have the opportunity to go into the church if we need to.”

The astronomy class ended June 5, but the connection between the Catholic college and the mountain parish may continue.

“It’s been a joy hosting the students from UD and their professor this summer,” said Father Sutter. “My hope is to arrange

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a college scholarship to UD for one of our teen parishioners at SJE each year through our support of their ongoing summer study program here in the Smoky Mountains. I also hope to offer a UD Campus Ministry Conference and Mission for them during their spring break next year. God willing, we will host this event at the Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center in Maggie Valley! A great relationship is building between UD and us.”

— Catholic News Herald

OLC hosts ‘Revival of the Spirit’ CHARLOTTE — Parishioners at Our Lady of Consolation Church took part in a “Revival of the Spirit,” led by Father Manuel Williams, CR, May 19-21. Father Williams is the pastor of Resurrection Catholic Church in Montgomery, Ala., and director of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans.

— Travis Burton, correspondent

Prayer service held in Forest City FOREST CITY — A Day of Reflection at Immaculate Conception Church April 13 included a prayer service for persecuted Christians.

The program began with Mass, followed by presentations given by Deacon Dave Faunce and Benedictine Sister Gertrude Gillette.

Deacon Faunce focused on God’s forgiveness, and referred to the parable of the Prodigal Son as depicted in Rembrandt’s painting. Sister Gertrude’s talk focused on Jesus’ Passion, and was based on Scripture, science (especially what has been learned from research on the Shroud of Turin), geography and history. Her second talk looked at the Passion from the perspective of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The program continued with a prayer service for persecuted Christians which was held in the chapel, in front of the image of Our Lady of Persecuted Christians, provided by the Knights of Columbus.

The Blessed Sacrament was exposed and Deacons Puscas and Faunce led the prayer service, which concluded with Benediction.

— Giuliana Polinari Riley, correspondent

Igbo Mass scheduled GREENSBORO — Mass will be offered in the Igbo language at noon Sunday, June 16, at St. Mary’s Church, located at 812 Duke St. in Greensboro. Parking is available at the Windsor Center. For more information, call Godfrey Uzochukwu, coordinator, at 336-707-3625.

Tryon parish honors Our Lady TRYON — Father Jason Christian, pastor, led parishioners of St. John the Baptist Church in a candlelight procession with prayer and song to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima May 13. Pictured is Father Christian blessing the newly-installed statue of St. John the Baptist, a sculpture by Jacob Wolfe.

— Liz Cocciolillo

Abortion pill reversal talk held at St. Mark Parish HUNTERSVILLE — St. Mark Respect Life Ministry and the Carolina Pro-Life Action Network (C-PLAN) organized a special presentation May 21 by local Catholic doctor Matthew Harrison on the abortion pill reversal method.

Harrison, a parishioner at St. Mark Church in Huntersville who practices family medicine, developed the method after receiving an urgent BRIEFS, SEE PAGE 12

A community worth discovering.

At Pennybyrn, your wished-for life can become a reality. That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome you to come see the plans for our beautiful new residences and learn more about what the exciting expansion at Pennybyrn could mean to you. Our spacious new homes will range from one bedroom to two bedroom with den, with balconies or patios to bring the outdoors in. And, of course, our entire 71-acre campus comes with plenty of amenities, including a new spa, café and movie theater, updated and expanded dining area, beautiful gardens and walking trails, and an Irish pub. You’ll find a great variety and a great value.

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 7, 2019 OUR PARISHES

BRIEFS FROM PAGE 11

Today many pro-life doctors have discovered this life-saving treatment and have now formed an online organization called the Abortion Pill Reversal Network, a program of Heartbeat International, where women who have taken the first abortion pill can find local referrals to help save their pregnancy.

The presentation at St. Mark Church was organized to help generate awareness of this new reversal method so more abortion-minded women are aware of options to save their pregnancy. For more information, go online to www.abortionpillreversal.com.

is for Catholic Boy Scouts to help them develop their Christian faith. Sam and Alexander are members of BSA Troop 100, and Mark is a member of BSA Troop 109.

— Amber Mellon, correspondent

Holy Angels earns accreditation

— Mike FitzGerald, correspondent

call from a woman who had taken the first dosage of the abortion pill (called RU 486), regretted her decision and wanted to save her baby. The abortion pill works by slowly depriving the unborn baby – over a certain amount of hours or days – the hormone progesterone, which is necessary to maintain the baby’s life.

The first abortion pill is then followed up a few days later with a second dosage designed to expel the dead baby or embryo from the uterus.

Using his obstetrics and pharmacology experience, Harrison prescribed the mother extra dosages of the hormone, progesterone, in an attempt to counter the effects of the first abortion pill dosage. The treatment, administered in time, was successful in saving the pregnancy, and the mother gave birth to a healthy baby girl who is now 12 years old.

Over time, other mothers who regretted their decision to have a chemical abortion took the same treatment. If treatment is started within 24 hours, it has around a 65 percent success rate in saving the pregnancy. Though, Harrison noted, some pregnancies have been saved when the abortion pill reversal treatment was started up to 72 hours after taking the abortion pill.

Scouts earn Eagle rank CHARLOTTE — Four Boy Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 288 at St. Vincent de Paul Church – Will Horne, Riley Hagemeyer, Timo Cashman and Zach Tennyson – earned their Eagle Scout rank May 11.

— Carmen Cashman

Scholarship awarded JEFFERSON — The St. Francis of Assisi Men’s Club Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 has been awarded to Adrian Arado, the son of Jovie and Bonie Arado. Adrian is a long-time altar server and honor student at Ashe County High School.

— Patrick Hession, correspondent

Boone Scouts earn religious award BOONE — Three parishioners of St. Elizabeth Church – Sam Copenhaver, Alexander Degen and Mark Mellon – were recently awarded the Ad Altare Dei award. The Ad Altare Dei award

Evangelization, and the Eucharist.

To register, go online to www.charlottediocese. org/ev/youth/events/faithful-servant.

For more information about the Faithful Servant Leadership Institute, contact Paul Kotlowski at 828-228-1692 or pjkotlowski@ charlottediocese.org.

Faithful Servant Leadership Institute registration open CHARLOTTE — Registration is open for Faithful Servant Catholic Leadership Institute for high school aged youth and adults who work with them. The 38th annual institute will be held June 16-22 at Belmont Abbey College.

Regardless of participants’ ultimate vocational call, Faithful Servant provides a foundation of insight into discipleship coupled with proven life skills. Some of the topics covered during the week include: Christian leadership styles, communication skills, negotiation and consensus building, morality and natural law, group dynamics, the New

BELMONT — Regina Moody, president/CEO, recently announced that Holy Angels has earned a three-year accreditation by CARF International. This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. This is Holy Angels’ fourth CARF survey and the fourth three-year accreditation for its programs and services.

The two-member survey team spent three days observing at the community group homes, Cherubs Café, Cotton Candy Factory, Spruced Goose Station, the Morrow Center, LifeChoices and the five ICF (Intermediate Care Facilities) group homes and reviewed records, and policy and procedure manuals.

Moody noted, “It is truly affirming when professionals in the field of developmental disabilities, each having more than 30 years knowledge, sees and experiences the spirit of compassionate care of our staff for our residents and their families.”

An organization receiving this accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process and has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit that its programs and services are of the highest quality, measurable and accountable.

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body that promotes the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served.

— Mercy Sister Nancy Nance

We have GOOD NEWS to Share!

We have good news to share! As we strive to reach our $956,000 fundraising goal this year, an anonymous group of generous donors has committed to match up to $40,000 in new or increased gifts donated April 1 through June 30. Our goal is to raise $80,000 with this challenge. We need your help!

As we look to the summer months when the need for help typically increases, we strive to change the lives of many families by offering them the help they need to get back on their feet during difficult times.

ccdoc.org/donate

June 7, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

“I am not afraid; I was born to do this”

DUC IN ALTUM June 24 - 28, 2019 * Belmont Abbey College

Retreat open to young women 15 thru 19 years old Register by June 18, 2019 www.charlottevocations.org

— St. Joan of Arc

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FACEBOOK.COM/ CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD ESPAÑOL

catholicnewsherald.com | June 7, 2019 14

Diácono Darío García

Las fiestas del Señor

V

ivir las fiestas del Señor no es simplemente celebrar por la fecha que corresponde en el calendario litúrgico de la iglesia o por el necesario cumplimiento de guardar las fiestas que ordena el mandamiento.

Vivir las Fiestas del Señor es actualizar el compromiso de fe con Él, en una vida de obediencia en la fe que nos lleva a una dimensión profunda del deber cristiano, a un estilo de vida que sea testimonio de un verdadero encuentro, compromiso y adhesión al Señor, manifestado de una manera visible en la celebración de la Eucaristía y los actos litúrgicos que conlleva la solemnidad.

Más allá de la expresión visible y sensible de la manifestación de fe, la celebración de la fiesta del Señor nos debe conmover a nivel espiritual, motivándonos a un serio proceso de conversión sin miramientos ni atenuantes propios de una vida sin interés por la entrega total al Señor.

Haber celebrado, por ejemplo, la Ascensión del Señor, tiene que haber sido motivo no sólo de alegría por la obra maravillosa que festejamos, sino de haberla sentido como una invitación que el Señor nos hace para que también nosotros ascendamos en la vida diaria, queriendo ir con Él a las alturas celestiales, fortalecidos en la fe, en las sanas costumbres, en la frecuencia sacramental, en la práctica de las buenas obras y, dentro de la iglesia, con profundo respeto y veneración.

Muy comúnmente nos entusiasmamos poniendo alrededor de la celebración muchos elementos, actividades y prácticas personales y comunitarias que, en vez de solemnizar en lo requerido en el plano de la fe, atentan desacralizando y haciendo ver la solemnidad como una simple fiesta de pueblo, de barrio o de un movimiento. Llenamos la celebración de actividades propias de una feria o festividad folclórica, quitándole casi la esencia de lo que conmemoramos como fiesta del Señor.

Se ve muy a menudo a la gente más preocupada de esto que de la celebración Eucarística, hasta el punto que muchos que dicen “participamos” permanecen fuera durante la ceremonia litúrgica montando tiendas, poniendo adornos y acarreando comidas y bebidas. No hablemos de la música y la instalación de los inmensos equipos con cantidad de cables y luces.

Celebremos las fiestas del Señor con la mayor dedicación y reverencia posibles, llenos de fe, de disponibilidad para vivir las maravillas del Señor y recibir las gracias y bendiciones que nos trae, que nos regala ese día, llenas de misericordia y salvación.

Las fiestas del Señor son únicas y mejores oportunidades para expresar nuestra admiración, respeto y agradecimiento a las manifestaciones de su amor, compasión y solidaridad para con nosotros.

Dediquemos el tiempo que sea necesario y difundamos a todos los hermanos que están alejados de las maravillas que contemplamos y vivimos en esas solemnidades.

EL DIÁCONO DARÍO GARCÍA es coordinador del Ministerio Hispano en el Vicariato de Hickory.

La pastoral familiar del Vicariato de Charlotte iniciará una ‘Escuela de Matrimonios’ dirigida a parejas unidas por el sacramento matrimonial.

La intención es profundizar en la relación, antropología y teología del sacramento.

FOTO DE ARCHIVO

Pastoral Familiar alista programa de verano CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE ­— La Pastoral Familiar del Vicariato de Charlotte anunció que llevará a cabo un programa denominado “Escuela de Matrimonios”, dirigido a parejas casadas que deseen comprender y profundizar su relación conyugal a la luz de la antropología y teología del sacramento del matrimonio.

El programa se desarrollará del jueves 13 de junio hasta el sábado 27 de julio, en sesiones semanales programadas los jueves de 6:30 a 8:30 p.m. y el sábado 27, última fecha, de 10 de la mañana a cuatro de la tarde.

Así lo informó Eduardo Bernal, coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Charlotte, quien junto con su esposa conducirá la escuela.

Bernal, quien se encuentra en el programa de formación de diáconos que lleva adelante la Diócesis de Charlotte, explicó que la intención del programa es “profundizar en lo que es el sacramento en la relación de pareja”, para así “ver de dónde venimos, nuestro llamado a la salvación y la teología del sacramento”.

Por esta razón es que no se ha cursado invitación a las parejas no casadas. “Vamos a analizar las gracias, frutos y retos del matrimonio. Y solo las parejas casadas han pasado por las experiencias de lo que vamos a hablar, como por ejemplo la preparación y el rito del matrimonio”.

Los organizadores creen además que, en este especial caso, al ser los conductores una pareja casada, que vive el matrimonio en carne propia, con sus retos del día a día en la relación con los hijos, la influencia de la familia extendida, el influjo de las relaciones laborales “en especial en este país en el que vivimos”, se puede entender mejor la problemática y transmitir sus experiencias a otras parejas casadas.

Al concluir el programa, se invitará a las parejas que lo han vivido a que se congreguen con otros matrimonios.

Se les entregará material bíblico para que compartan las enseñanzas recibidas y “sigan reuniéndose, formen sus pequeñas comunidades de esperanza y amor con otras familias”, afirmen su iglesia casera y “se fortalezcan unos con otros”. “Los mejores compañeros de viaje para una pareja casada es otra pareja casada. Por eso se les invita a que creen esos pequeños grupos con sus amigos, familiares o vecinos”, dijo Bernal.

Para las parejas preocupadas por el cuidado de sus hijos mientras atienden el programa, se ofrecerá ‘tracks’ para niños y jóvenes, con actividades programadas de acuerdo a los intereses de su edad.

El costo de registro es de 30 dólares por pareja.

“Lamentablemente solo tenemos cupo para 25 parejas”, dijo Bernal, por lo que se invita a quienes deseen participar se inscriban lo antes posible. Para ello pueden llamar al teléfono (980) 239-9118 o al (704) 770-8342 y comunicarse con Gonzalo Pulgarín o Eduardo Bernal, respectivamente.

June 7, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

El Teniente Coronel de la Reserva del Ejército de EE.UU., Robert Gleason, lleva las ofrendas durante la Misa por los Militares en el Día de los Caídos, celebrada el 27 de mayo en la Catedral San Patricio.

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

El Padre Jim Solari, capellán, eleva la Hostia durante la Misa del 2 de junio, celebrada por el 25 aniversario de la Adoration Perpetua en la Capilla Maryfield. Caballeros de Colón de la localidad sirvieron como guardia de honor durante la Misa y la Procesión Eucarística que siguió.

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Católicos piden orar por la paz en Misa anual por el Día de los Caídos PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITORA

CHARLOTTE — El Día de los Caídos es una ocasión para honrar a quienes defendieron la causa de la paz con sus propias vidas, y sirve como un recordatorio de que todos los cristianos están llamados a seguir su ejemplo.

En el Día de los Caídos “recordamos a los que pagaron el máximo sacrificio en nombre de la paz por nuestro país”, señaló el Padre Christopher Roux, rector, durante una Misa celebrada para los militares ofrecida el 27 de mayo en la Catedral San Patricio.

La lectura del Evangelio fue Mateo, capítulo 5, Sermón de Jesús en la Montaña, que incluye el versículo que reza “Bienaventurados los pacificadores, porque serán llamados hijos de Dios”.

El Día de los Caídos no es una celebración de la guerra, dijo el Padre Roux en su homilía.

“No hacemos esto porque no hay gloria en la guerra. No hay gloria en matar. Ese es un triste resultado del pecado”.

La guerra, la división y el odio son los productos del pecado, no es lo que Dios pretende para Su creación, subrayó el padre Roux. “Desafortunadamente, debido al pecado necesitamos un ejército ... porque hay quienes

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odian, y el odio siempre es el inicio de la guerra”.

“Estamos en guerra, no con otros seres humanos, sino en guerra contra aquellos que podrían destruir la paz que viene de Dios”, anotó.

La paz duradera solo puede venir de Jesucristo, señaló. “Es solo a través de Su Sangre derramada por nosotros que encontramos la paz”.

Nuestra respuesta frente al pecado y el odio debe ser la oración, continuó el Padre Roux. La paz “no vendrá con las armas, y no vendrá con bombas. Vendrá con oración”.

“Esta es el arma más grande que tenemos” dijo, sosteniendo un rosario, “está aquí mismo”.

“Ustedes y yo necesitamos unirnos a los que se ponen el uniforme”, dijo. “Unámonos a la lucha, no por una paz insustancial, sino por una paz que gane corazones, mentes y almas para Dios”.

“No estamos destinados a ser violentos, fuimos hechos para estar juntos” con Dios.

Dejemos nuestras vidas por el Evangelio de Cristo”, sentenció.

Más online En www.catholicnewsherald.com: Vea un video del ‘Toque de Silencio’ que se ejecutó al término de la Misa para los Militares en la Catedral San Patricio.

Cientos se reunieron para celebrar 25 años de Adoración Perpetua en la Capilla Maryfield PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITORA

HIGH POINT — Más de 400 personas llenaron la capilla y el salón de reunión principal de Pennybyrn en Maryfield el 2 de junio para celebrar el 25 aniversario de la Adoración Eucarística Perpetua de Nuestro Señor en el Santísimo Sacramento.

La comunidad de cuidado continuo de jubilados, dirigida por las Hermanas de los Siervos Pobres de la Madre de Dios, ha acogido la Adoración Perpetua en su capilla desde 1994. Adoradores, amigos y simpatizantes asistieron a la misa en la Capilla de Maryfield, ofrecida por el capellán, Padre Jim Solari.

La celebración fue “muy significativa para mí”, dijo Anne Carr, miembro de la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de las Carreteras en Thomasville, una de las primeras en firmar como adoradora en el

esfuerzo de oración 24-7.

La Capilla de Maryfield “es un tesoro diario para nosotros. Es un lugar de mucha paz”, agregó Carr.

Después de la Misa se llevó a cabo una Procesión Eucarística alrededor del óvalo del jardín de Maryfield, seguida de la entronización de la custodia en el altar y la bendición del Padre Solari.

La guardia de honor para la Misa y la procesión estuvo integrada por miembros de varios concejos de los Caballeros de Colón de la zona, entre ellos el Concejo Bishop Hafey 4507, el Concejo Cristo Rey 14767 en High Point y el Concejo Nuestra Señora 9249 en Thomasville.

La Adoración Eucarística Perpetua de Nuestro Señor en el Santísimo Sacramento comenzó en la Capilla Maryfield el 5 de junio de 1994, fiesta de Corpus Christi.

CELEBRAR, PASA A LA PÁGINA 19

Exitoso Jaripeo organizado por la parroquia Divino Redentor STATESVILLE — El pasado cinco de mayo, la parroquia Divino Redentor realizó un Jaripeo en memoria a Don Gabriel Torres, propietario de una compañía de acero, quien fuera gran benefactor de esa iglesia. El evento se realizó con éxito en las instalaciones de la Plaza Pura Lumbre, en Statesville, y el propósito de recaudar fondos para el sostenimiento económico de la parroquia se cumplió a cabalidad con la cooperación de la feligresía en pleno. El Padre Enrique González, quien acaba de sumar doce años como pastor en Divino Redentor, en Boonville, y cumplirá el 7 de junio 16 años de ordenado, publicó en 2015 un agradecimiento a Dios porque, “por intermedio del Obispo Peter Jugis, me envió a esta comunidad a ser su pastor”. También resaltó el crecimiento de la comunidad, “en cantidad y calidad”, además de la realización de muchos proyectos, “a base de unidad, esfuerzo, dedicación y, sobretodo, por su amor a Dios, a su fe, a su Iglesia”.

FOTOS POR GIOVANNI GONZÁLEZ Y SERGIO LÓPEZ

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 7, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Promotoras de salud se capacitan en violencia doméstica CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE ­— Promotoras de salud del Vicariato de Charlotte recibieron capacitación para detectar las señales de la violencia doméstica y brindar asistencia primaria de referencia a la población afectada por este mal social.

María Zuluaga, supervisora clínica de servicios para adultos de los servicios comunitarios de prevención y apoyo del condado Mecklenburg, tuvo a cargo el entrenamiento de las voluntarias.

Zuloaga, quien labora en el programa ‘Confianza’ que desarrolla el condado Mecklenburg para atender a las víctimas adultas de violencia doméstica y menores afectados por las relaciones violentas en el hogar, explicó a las promotoras las diferencias entre violencia familiar y doméstica, analizó estadísticas, dio cuenta de los signos a los que debe estar atenta la comunidad para detectar a posibles víctimas y determinó los pasos para actuar correcta, legal y rápidamente para evitar que el maltrato cause más daños a las víctimas.

La especialista enfatizó que donde ya existe violencia en una relación, “no se debe ofrecer consultoría de pareja”, puesto que la integridad física de la víctima está en riesgo.

“Es importante ayudar a las personas a entender que la violencia doméstica es algo que sucede con frecuencia en nuestra comunidad”, dijo, añadiendo que es “importante recordar que las relaciones saludables no incluyen abuso físico, emocional, económico, sexual, amenazas y no son normales en una relación familiar”.

“En todas las parejas hay dificultades, pero es necesario entender que una relación saludable no daña el autoestima”, subrayó Por ello, dijo, es necesario recibir ayuda y mejorar así la calidad de vida de todos los integrantes de la familia y, por tanto, de la comunidad donde se vive.

Zuluaga dijo que el abuso en la pareja es “muy complejo” y a la víctima se le hace imposible entender la razón por la cual “la persona que supuestamente le quiere y ama, le maltrate y haga daño”.

Respecto a la demora de la víctima para reportar el maltrato señaló que

permanecen en silencio en ocasiones porque “tienen la esperanza que el abusador va a cambiar”, por miedo, trauma psicológico, falta de claridad, estigma social, sensación de soledad, aislamiento, dependencia económica y otros motivos.

“Es necesario que las víctimas sepan que sí hay recursos en la comunidad y que podemos ayudarles a salir de la situación de abuso”, resaltó.

En cuanto a la recuperación de las víctimas, expresó que es posible lograr un éxito en esta tarea. Sin embargo, hizo notar que, en algunos casos, la persona abusiva aprende cómo causar daño sin dejar huellas. “Aprenden a estrangular sin dejar marcas externas. Los traumas son internos y generan impedimentos significativos, ya que se interrumpe el flujo de oxígeno al cerebro, causando daños cognitivos y físicos a las víctimas”.

“También hay opciones para las personas abusadoras”, añadió, pero un abusador no se hace de momento a otro, “es una persona que aprendió a vivir así; quizás lo vivió en su familia, es posible que haya sido abusado y normaliza lo que está haciendo porque no sabe qué otra cosa hacer. Se puede cambiar, es cierto, pero no es de la noche a la mañana. Es un proceso muy complejo”, aclaró.

Eduardo Bernal, coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Charlotte, dijo que el trabajo de las promotoras de salud “sigue la indicación del Papa Francisco de salir a la periferia”, entendiendo por periferia a nuestras comunidades que, por una u otra razón, no pueden llegar a la iglesia.

“Muchas veces cuando pensamos en salud vemos solo las cosas físicas, pero la salud va más allá, es integral, toma al ser como persona en sus aspectos social, espiritual, psicológico”.

“Estamos tratando de evangelizar con hechos, siendo ‘hospitales de campaña’, como dice el Papa Francisco, para llevar la sanación al mismo lugar, ahí, donde están los heridos, sin necesidad de recogerlos y trasladarlos hasta el hospital grande y, a veces, inaccesible”, dijo el coordinador, destacando que las promotoras de salud “están en la capacidad de detectar las reales necesidades de sus comunidades y llevar las soluciones más convenientes”.

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Compartirán valiosa información sobre el Censo 2020 CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE ­— Tras recibir la visita de un representante de la Oficina del Censo de los Estados Unidos, durante la reunión mensual de los coordinadores del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte, los miembros de esta junta se comprometieron a difundir información concerniente sobre la importancia de la participación comunitaria en este conteo.

El censo, una recolección de información entre todos los habitantes del país, se realiza cada diez años en todos los hogares de Estados Unidos. La realización del Censo es un mandato de la Constitución de Estados Unidos, que requiere que cada década se realice un conteo de la población del país Agustín Velásquez, especialista del Centro Regional de Atlanta de la Oficina del Censo, explicó que la información procesada por el Censo, entre otros beneficios, determina el número de representantes de cada estado en el Congreso, informa al gobierno sobre la necesidad de redistribución de los distritos congresionales, es utilizada para la distribución de más de 675 billones de dólares anuales del gobierno federal en fondos estatales, de condados y comunidades para escuelas y hospitales, además de ser utilizada en decisiones de inversiones, políticas, iniciativas comunitarias y defensa del consumidor.

Velásquez dijo que la participación de la comunidad de Carolina del Norte se ha incrementado de 69 a 76 por ciento desde el censo de 2000 al que se realizó en 2010, con un aumento generalizado en los cien condados que forman el estado de Carolina del Norte.

El trabajo de campo para realizar el Censo 2020 dio inicio en enero de 2018, señaló Velásquez, con la búsqueda del compromiso comunitario y aliados, además de la realización de campañas educativas entre los líderes comunitarios.

En la comunidad latina, dijo, se han encontrado algunos obstáculos, especialmente tras las declaraciones del presidente Donald Trump sobre la necesidad de incluir una pregunta acerca del estatus de ciudadanía o residencia del participante.

“Aún no se sabe si esta pregunta estará en el formulario”, respondió el especialista, advirtiendo que “las respuestas al Censo de 2020 son seguras y protegidas por la ley

federal”, ya que la Oficina del Censo “tiene que responder a un compromiso con la ley de proteger cualquier información personal que recolecte y mantenerla de manera estrictamente confidencial”.

Por ley, las respuestas al censo no pueden ser utilizadas en contra de quienes las responden por ninguna agencia federal o corte de justicia. Tampoco por el FBI, la CIA, el departamento de Seguridad Nacional o ICE. “Solo después de 72 años, se permite que, con motivos de investigación histórica, los Archivos Nacionales y la Administración de Registros puedan revelar datos confidenciales del Censo”, puntualizó.

Según el diseño del Censo de 2020, desde el 23 de marzo de 2020 se invitará a los residentes a responder a una encuesta.

Millones de cartas se enviarán a las direcciones de vivienda, mientras que paralelamente se iniciará el proceso de conteo en puntos de residencia transitorios como refugios, dormitorios estudiantiles, asilos, residencias de adultos mayores o vida asistida, prisiones, bases militares, parques de estacionamiento de vehículos recreacionales y otros.

“Las invitaciones de participación que se recibirán por correo pueden ser respondidas online, por correo o por teléfono”, aclaró Velásquez.

La información recibida por los coordinadores del Ministerio Hispano será compartida en las parroquias de sus respectivos vicariatos, aunque no se precisó la modalidad ni fecha.

La hermana Juana Pearson, coordinadora del Ministerio Hispano en el Vicariato de Salisbury, expresó su interés en recibir la visita de representantes del censo en actividades de su comunidad. “Sería importante que pudieran presentarse, tener una mesa y compartir la información que nos han presentado hoy”, dijo.

Su especial atención fue bien recibida por el representante de la Oficina del Censo, quien ofreció de inmediato su colaboración.

La Oficina del Censo también se encuentra brindando posibilidades de empleo temporal para el Censo de 2020, ofreciendo capacitación remunerada, pagos semanales, horarios flexibles y un buen salario. “Es una buena oportunidad para muchas personas, incluyendo estudiantes”, dijo Velásquez, quien urgió a los interesados a buscar mayor información llamando al teléfono 1-855-JOB-2020.

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

June 7, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Doce son los equipos que participan en las tres categorías de la Copa Congregación que organiza anualmente la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Cientos de niños y jóvenes participaron de la jornada inaugural.

FOTOS POR CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Se inauguró campeonato de fútbol infantil/juvenil Más de cien deportistas participan de la Copa Congregación CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE ­— “Padre bueno, te damos gracias por tu amor para con nosotros, por la juventud y la niñez, recordando que están reunidos aquí, juntos con sus familias, para disfrutar este deporte.

Ayúdanos Señor a recordar siempre el respeto que debemos tener el uno por el otro, en una competencia sana, para desarrollar de manera correcta los talentos que nos has dado”. Con estas palabras inició el Padre Gregorio Gay la bendición

del torneo Copa Congregación 2019 que se inauguró el pasado sábado 1 de junio en las instalaciones deportivas de la iglesia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte.

Más de un centenar de deportistas, acompañados de sus padres, amigos, directores técnicos y organizadores, participaron de la jornada inaugural del campeonato, programada al mediodía.

El clima soleado, pero sin temperaturas extremas como las presentadas en días anteriores, puso el marco aparente para el buen desarrollo de la fecha inicial.

Doce equipos, divididos en tres categorías, desfilaron frente a las tribunas central y lateral habilitadas para espectar los encuentros.

En la categoría mayor, integrada por niños y jóvenes entre 12 y 16 años, participan los equipos San Pablo, Santa Rosa, San Lorenzo y Santa María.

La categoría media, para niños de 9 a 11 años, la forman las escuadras de San Pedro, San Andrés, Santa Lucía y Santa Marta.

Finalmente, los más pequeños, entre los 6 y 8 años, son parte de la categoría menor.

Los equipos que la conforman son San Vicente, San Judas, Santa Catalina y Santa Elena.

Como es tradicional, se tomó juramento a los menores, árbitros, organizadores y padres de familia.

Richard Sierra, organizador del campeonato, al tomar el juramento a los deportistas, los invitó a respetar las normas del torneo, desarrollar un juego limpio dentro y fuera de la cancha, apoyar a su equipo y al director técnico, “por la gloria del deporte y el honor de nuestros equipos y de nosotros mismos”.

Por su parte, los padres de familia se comprometieron a respetar el terreno del campo de juego, las decisiones de los árbitros y directores técnicos, así como a animar a sus equipos favoritos sin desmerecer a otros competidores ni tratar de dirigir a sus niños.

Organizadores y árbitros juraron poner todo de su parte, respetar las reglas y efectuar decisiones ajustándose a ellas.

“Si nos equivocamos será solo por nuestra condición humana”, afirmaron.

Si bien los niños se robaron la atención de los presentes, una verdadera fiesta se vivió fuera del campo deportivo.

Los padres, familiares y amigos de los deportistas departieron, tomaron fotos y videos con sus teléfonos celulares, a la vez que alentaban a sus favoritos.

Andrea Olivera y Gloria Cortez, cuñadas y madres de familia, acompañaron a sus hijos Eduardo, Isabel y Leonardo Aragón, quienes participan por primera vez en este torneo como integrantes de los equipos Santa Lucía y San Vicente. Nunca habíamos tenido una experiencia así. “En verdad nosotras creemos que los niños necesitan distraerse y dejar de lado por un momento las computadoras, ipads y todo eso, todo lo que es tecnología”, dijeron, y añadieron que, además, están felices “porque a nosotras nos encanta el fútbol”.

Más online En www.facebook.com/CNHespañol: Vea un video sobre la inauguración de este campeonato

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 7, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pentecostés ¿Cuál es el significado de la fiesta?

CONDENSADO DE ACIPRENSA

El domingo 9 de junio se celebra la Solemnidad de Pentecostés, que conmemora la venida del Espíritu Santo sobre María y los Apóstoles, cincuenta días después de la Resurrección de Jesucristo.

San Juan Pablo II, al reflexionar sobre este acontecimiento, señaló que “Cristo resucitado vino y ‘trajo’ a los apóstoles el Espíritu Santo. Se lo dio diciendo: ‘Recibid el Espíritu Santo’. Lo que había sucedido entonces en el interior del Cenáculo, ‘estando las puertas cerradas’, más tarde, el día de Pentecostés es manifestado también al exterior, ante los hombres”.

Para comprender más de esta fecha, aquí presentamos ocho claves.

1. Proviene de la palabra griega que significa “quincuagésimo”.

La razón es que Pentecostés es el quincuagésimo día (en griego, pentecoste hemera) después del Domingo de Pascua (en el calendario cristiano).

2. Esta festividad tiene otros nombres La fiesta de las semanas, la fiesta de la cosecha, el día de los primeros frutos Hoy en día en los círculos judíos se le conoce como Shavu`ot (en hebreo, “semanas”).

En los países de habla inglesa también se le ha conocido como “Whitsunday” (Domingo Blanco), nombre que se deriva probablemente de las prendas blancas de los recién bautizados.

3. Pentecostés fue otro tipo de fiesta en el Antiguo Testamento Fue un festival para la cosecha y significaba que esta estaba llegando a su fin. Deuteronomio 16 dice: “Luego contarás siete semanas; las contarás desde el día en que comiences a cortar el trigo. Entonces celebrarás la fiesta de las Siete Semanas a Yahvé, tu Dios, haciéndole ofrendas voluntarias según lo que hayas cosechado por la gracia de Yahvé, tu Dios”.

4. En el Nuevo Testamento representa el cumplimiento de la promesa de Cristo Representa el cumplimiento de la promesa de Cristo al final del Evangelio de San Lucas: “Les dijo: ‘Todo esto estaba escrito: los padecimientos del Mesías y su resurrección de entre los muertos al tercer día. Luego debe proclamarse en su nombre el arrepentimiento y el perdón de los pecados, comenzando por Jerusalén, y yendo después a todas las naciones, invitándolas a que se conviertan. Ustedes son testigos de todo esto. Ahora yo voy a enviar sobre ustedes lo que mi Padre prometió.

Permanezcan, pues, en la ciudad hasta que sean revestidos de la fuerza que viene de arriba’”.

5. El Espíritu Santo tiene diferentes símbolos en el Nuevo Testamento Hechos 2 recuerda: “Cuando llegó el día de Pentecostés, estaban todos reunidos en el mismo lugar. De repente

vino del cielo un ruido, como el de una violenta ráfaga de viento, que llenó toda la casa donde estaban, y aparecieron unas lenguas como de fuego que se repartieron y fueron posándose sobre cada uno de ellos.

Todos quedaron llenos del Espíritu Santo y comenzaron a hablar en otras lenguas, según el Espíritu les concedía que se expresaran”.

Este pasaje contiene dos símbolos del Espíritu Santo y su actividad: el viento y el fuego.

El viento es un símbolo básico del Espíritu Santo. Mientras que el agua significaba el nacimiento y la fecundidad de la vida dada en el Espíritu Santo, el fuego simboliza la energía transformadora de los actos del Espíritu Santo.

6. Existe una conexión entre las “lenguas” de fuego y el hablar en otras “lenguas”.

La palabra “lengua” se utiliza para significar tanto una “llama” (fuego) como “lenguaje”.

Las “lenguas como de fuego” que se distribuyen y se almacenan sobre los discípulos, provocan que empiecen a hablar milagrosamente en “otras lenguas” (es decir, los idiomas).

Ese es el resultado de la acción del Espíritu Santo, representado por el fuego.

7. El Espíritu Santo es Dios Según el Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, el Espíritu Santo es la “Tercera Persona de la Santísima Trinidad”. Es decir, habiendo un sólo Dios, existen en Él tres personas distintas: Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo. Esta verdad ha sido revelada por Jesús en su Evangelio.

8. Pentecostés significa participar de la vida divina de Cristo y ser testigos De esta forma lo resumió Benedicto XVI: “Esta solemnidad nos hace recordar y revivir la efusión del Espíritu Santo sobre los Apóstoles y los demás discípulos, reunidos en oración con la Virgen María en el Cenáculo. Jesús, después de resucitar y ‘Pentecostés’, como se la imaginó el artista Doménikos Theotokópoulos, (1541- 1614), subir al cielo, envía a la Iglesia su Espíritu conocido como el Greco (“el griego”). para que cada cristiano pueda participar en su misma vida divina y se convierta en su testigo en el mundo. El Espíritu Santo, irrumpiendo lograrlo: en la historia, derrota su aridez, abre los corazones a la Firme intención de no volver a pecar, incluso esperanza, estimula y favorece en nosotros la maduración venialmente. interior en la relación con Dios y con el prójimo”.

Confesar sacramentalmente todos los pecados.

Recibir la Eucaristía.

Orar por las intenciones del Papa.

INDULGENCIA PLENARIA Durante la Solemnidad de Pentecostés, rezar o cantar el En la Solemnidad de Pentecostés la Iglesia dispone que himno Veni Creator Spiritus. todos los católicos pueden ganar una indulgencia plenaria, ya sea para uno mismo o para algún alma del Purgatorio, lo que significaría la entrada directa al cielo en este último Más online caso.

En bit.ly/2JSFBfz: Puedes cantar y seguir la letra del himno Veni Estos son los 5 pasos que todo católico puede seguir para Creator Spiritus si deseas ganar la Indulgencia Plenaria.

Lecturas Diarias JUNIO 9-15

Domingo (Domingo de Pentecostés): Hechos 2:1-11, Romanos 8:8-17, Juan 14:1516, 23-26; Lunes (Santísima Virgen María, Madre de la Iglesia): Génesis 3:9-15, Juan 19:25-34; Martes (San Bernabé): Hechos 11:21-26, 13:1-3, Mateo 5:13-16; Miércoles: 2 Corintios 3:4-11, Mateo 5:17-19; Jueves (San Antonio de Padua): 2 Corintios 3:15, 4:1, 3-6, Mateo 5:20-26; Viernes: 2 Corintios 4:7-15, Mateo 5:27-32; Sábado: 2 Corintios 5:14-21, Mateo 5:33-37

JUNIO 16-22

Domingo (Santísima Trinidad): Proverbios 8:22-31, Romanos 5:1-5, Juan 16:12-15; Lunes: 2 Corintios 6:1-10, Mateo 5:38-42; Martes: 2 Corintios 8:1-9, Mateo 5:4348; Miércoles (San Romualdo): 2 Corintios 9:6-11, Mateo 6:1-6, 16-18; Jueves: 2 Corintios 11:1-11, Mateo 6:7-15; Viernes (San Luis Gonzaga): 2 Corintios 11:18, 21-30, Mateo 6:19-23; Sábado (Sta. Paulina de Nola, Santos John Fisher y Thomas More): 2 Corintios 12:1-10, Mateo 6:24-34

JUNIO 23-29

Domingo (Santísimo Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo): Génesis 14:18-20, 1 Corintios 11:23-26, Lucas 9:11-17; Lunes (Nacimiento de Juan Bautista): Isaías 49:1-6, Hechos 13:22-26, Lucas 1:5766, 80; Martes: Génesis 13:2, 5-18, Mateo 7:6, 12-14; Miércoles: Génesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Mateo 7:15-20; Jueves (San Cirilo de Alejandría): Génesis 16:1-12, 15-16, Mateo 7:21-29; Vienes (Sagrado Corazón de Jesús): Ezequiel 34:1116, Romanos 5:5-11, Lucas 15:3-7; Sábado (San Pedro y San Pablo): Hechos 12:1-11, 2 Timoteo 4:6-8, 17-18, Mateo 16:13-19

June 7, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

CELEBRAR VIENE DE LA PÁGINA 15

Después de la celebración de la Santa Misa, a las 3 p.m. con el Obispo William G. Curlin de la Diócesis de Charlotte como celebrante principal y siete sacerdotes de parroquias locales como concelebrantes, hubo una procesión del Santísimo Sacramento alrededor del jardín de rosas que concluyó con la bendición en la Capilla a las 4 p.m.

Después de la bendición, Nuestro Señor fue entronizado en la custodia y colocado en el altar, comenzando así la Adoración Eucarística en la Capilla Maryfield, la que continúa ininterrumpidamente hasta nuestros días.

“Ahora, recordando nuestros valientes comienzos, entendemos cómo el Espíritu Santo guió a nuestros líderes laicos para que tomen conciencia del tesoro de la presencia de Jesús en el Santísimo Sacramento en las vidas de tantas personas en el Triad”, señaló la lideresa de la Misión, Hermana Lucy Hennessy, SMG. La Adoración Eucarística se inició en el área por iniciativa de Joe Lanham, feligrés de la iglesia Nuestra Señora de las Carreteras en Thomasville. Su entonces pastor, el padre John Murphy, OSFS, dio su bendición al proyecto y sugirió que Dick Kellenbarger, otro feligrés, ayude a presidir el comité para iniciar el esfuerzo.

La adoración comenzó en Thomasville con 12 horas de Adoración el cuarto sábado de cada mes. Los Caballeros de Colón de la parroquia y sus familias se unieron a la idea, y no pasó mucho tiempo antes de que se inscribieran 100 personas.

Gracias al estímulo del entonces Obispo John Donoghue, sacerdotes locales, líderes laicos y la intervención de la Divina

Providencia, la comunidad pidió expandir la Adoración Eucarística a 24 horas, y la capilla de Pennybyrn en Maryfield resultó ser el lugar perfecto para ello.

Por 1994, cuando el obispo Curlin llegó a Pennybyrn, más de 400 personas se habían inscrito para participar al menos una hora por semana en la devoción Eucarística.

Además de Carr, Eileen Rohan y Colette Woelfel, de la iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia en Greensboro, y Edna Corrigan, de Inmaculado Corazón de María en High Point, han contribuido decisivamente en el esfuerzo de oración desde los primeros años, señala la hermana Lucy.

“Estos líderes, en cualquier caso, trabajaron mucho y duro durante semanas y meses antes que se abriera la capilla para asegurarse que hubiera un adorador por lo menos frente a Nuestro Señor cada hora del día y de la noche”, dice ella. “Pero los verdaderos héroes siguen siendo los adoradores, que se registran para pasar una hora a la semana para estar con el Señor en el Santísimo Sacramento”.

El flujo constante de tráfico desde y hacia la capilla, agrega, demuestra que cada vez más personas han sido atraídas a visitar al Señor en el Santísimo Sacramento, y que la Adoración Perpetua ha fomentado una vida de oración más profunda para aquellos que participan.

“Uno podría decir que las personas se han abierto al lado espiritual de lo que se ofrece aquí en Maryfield”, dice la hermana Lucy. “Tenemos muchos adoradores que se comprometieron al principio y que todavía están con nosotros. Un joven que nunca ha faltado a sus horas, sonrió y me dijo: ‘¡La paga es baja, pero los beneficios son excelentes!’ A muchas personas les gusta tener dos horas, porque la primera se va demasiado rápido”.

– Pennybyrn en Maryfield contribuyó en la nota.

Your Life’s Journey… how will you be remembered?

Establish a legacy that responds to the many gifts God has given you.

Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte

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

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For more information on how to leave a legacy for your parish, please contact Gina Rhodes, Director of Planned Giving at 704/370-3364 or gmrhodes@charlottediocese.org.

We Are His Hands

CATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE

OTHER

DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE

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Easy Ways to Donate

Pledge | One-Time Gift | Online Gift | Stock Donation | IRA Contribution www.charlottediocese.org/DSA

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Our schools 20

catholicnewsherald.com | June 7, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

PHOTOS BY SUEANN HOWELL, GEORGIANNA PENN AND AMY BURGER | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(From left) Deacon Daren Bitter distributes Communion during the CCHS Baccalaureate Mass May 28 at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte. Bishop

McGuinness grad Giuseppe Pugliese, who will attend N.C. State University, is pictured with his family May 23 at St. Pius X Church in Greensboro.

Members of the Christ the King High School Class of 2019 pray during the Baccalaureate Mass May 30 at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.

Catholic high schools’ Baccalaureate Masses celebrated SUEANN HOWELL AND GEORGIANNA PENN CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CHARLOTTE — Three Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Charlotte recently celebrated Baccalaureate Masses for the Class of 2019, which is comprised of a total of 472 graduates.

Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville celebrated its 2019 Baccalaureate Mass May 23 at St. Pius X Church in Greensboro.

Father Christian Cook, school chaplain, celebrated the liturgy and reflected on the Gospel of Matthew 5:1-12, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

“The Beatitudes and the Gospel of Matthew are telling us that these are the building blocks of being blessed,” he said. “Living a life in Christ is the highest form of happiness.”

“If you build your life on a solid foundation as you have begun to do at Bishop (McGuinness), and you live an authentic life in Christ, you will be blessed,” he said. “Each blessing builds upon another. Be merciful and seek to make peace, and goodness will cling to your soul.”

Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio, pastor of St. Pius X Church, concelebrated the Mass. He told students, “It’s been a pleasure to get to know you and watch you grow to full stature in Christ.”

During his remarks he recognized Dr. Janice Ritter, superintendent of the diocese’s Catholic Schools, who is

Special playground project at Immaculata School gets underway HENDERSONVILLE — Official groundbreaking has taken place! Thanks to the generous donations from school families, parish families and the community, Immaculata School is excited to announce that construction of the long-awaited update to the school’s playground began June 3.

Dedicated to the memory of Immaculata’s former student, Malachi Siltzer, “Malachi’s Playground” will provide students with an updated, safe, fun and exciting environment to create and share new memories during their time at Immaculata.

Fundraising has taken place over the past year and a half. Many people have been involved in the process along the way. The school thanks each and every supporter for their contribution, big or small.

Churchich Designs of Bluffton, S.C., is spearheading the work.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JULIE WOJCIK

retiring in June, and he thanked her for her many years of service to Catholic education.

Principal Tracy Shaw noted, “The Class of 2019 will go out into the world living the mission of Bishop: ‘Serving a world in need of peace, love and justice.’ We are so proud of each and every one of them and will miss them.”

Bishop McGuinness High School graduated 118 seniors, who will attend a total of 41 colleges this fall. They earned $7,083,752 in scholarships.

Charlotte Catholic High School celebrated its 2019 Baccalaureate Mass May 28 at St. Matthew Church for 285 graduating seniors. Father Pat Hoare, pastor, served as main celebrant and homilist. Father Elias Khalil, parochial vicar, and Father Jason Barone, school chaplain, concelebrated.

Principal Kurt Telford said he is honored to be the principal for the Class of 2019. “They are a delightful group of students who value their education at Charlotte Catholic. They have been supportive of each other and are genuinely happy for their classmates’ success. They are a very kind class.”

The CCHS Class of 2019 will attend a total of 78 colleges and universities in 27 states, plus the United Kingdom and the Dominican Republic. They have earned $19,633,500 in scholarships.

Thirty-eight graduating seniors have signed to play 14 different collegiate sports at 32 different colleges and universities.

Christ the King High School’s Baccalaureate Mass was

celebrated May 30 at St. Mark Church in Huntersville by Father John Putnam, pastor. The homily was given by Father Paul McNulty, parochial vicar and school chaplain.

Parochial vicars, Father Noah Carter and Father Brian Becker, and Monsignor Richard Bellow were also in attendance.

“It was such a wonderful opportunity for our seniors, their loved ones and the faculty to gather around the altar of the Lord one last time,” noted Dr. Carl Semmler, CTKHS’s principal.

“The Eucharist is the summit of our prayer life as a Church. If CTKHS did its job well, Christ will be the center of the journey for our students at the universities. Catholic high schools not only educate their students, but they help to form their students into disciples of the Lord and worshipers in the Catholic faith,” Semmler said.

“Ending the high school journey with the celebration of the Eucharist speaks volumes about who we are as a people and what we are as a school,” he added.

Christ the King High School graduated 69 seniors.

Members of the Class of 2019 will continue their education at 40 colleges this fall. They earned $5,282,541 in scholarships.

More photos online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos from all three Baccalaureate Masses

June 7, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Student-led effort nets 700-plus toys for kids in the hospital KIMBERLY BENDER ONLINE REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — A rising fifth-grader at St. Gabriel School recently helped organize a toy drive that collected more than 700 toys for Hemby Children’s Hospital and St. Jude’s Clinic.

Aidan Flynn’s younger brother, Liam, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in October. While his brother was in the hospital, Liam built 65 Lego sets in 79 days, Aidan explains.

“I wanted to organize a toy drive because Liam used so many toys while he was in the hospital. We wanted to help other kids get new toys to use,” he says.

Liam, a rising second-grader, has completed his treatment, says his father, Shawn Flynn. Currently, all of his scans are clear.

Having new toys for the hospital to use is very important, Shawn Flynn notes. It is hard to rewash and sanitize toys, so they often give them to the children to keep.

After Liam returned to school from being in the Charlotte hospital, the school had a huge celebration for him, and that’s when they kicked off the toy drive. Toys were collected at St. Gabriel School, Holy Trinity Middle School and The Cradle at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte.

“We collected everything, for babies up through teenagers,” Aidan Flynn says. “Games, Legos, coloring books, a lot of random toys – so many it filled a whole theater at the hospital! It filled the room, and some of the people who worked there, they looked shocked when they saw all the toys.”

Families in the Flynns’ Cotswold neighborhood, with children who attend the two Catholic schools, helped organize this effort. The toys were collected in May and recently dropped off at the hospital.

“It feels pretty good to help,” says Aidan. “It feels even better because I know what it was like to go through this. I know how it will help other kids.”

While the timing wasn’t planned, Shawn Flynn says they learned the supply of toys donated to the Hemby

Children’s Hospital at Christmas-time tends to run low by the start of summer.

“So many people helped out with this and the response was amazing,” he says. “Aidan is a pretty awesome big brother to organize this.”

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SHAWN FLYNN

Students at St. Gabriel and Holy Trinity Middle schools in Charlotte collected more than 700 toys to donate to Hemby Children’s Hospital and St. Jude’s Clinic.

Christ the King Catholic High School Class of 2019 I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; Wonderful are your works! My very self you know.

-Psalm 139:14

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 7, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Charlotte Catholic High School Class of 2019

Charlotte Catholic High School

University of Alabama Mardany, Thomas Plym, Ansley Wicker, Jack Alvernia University Radcliffe, Abigail Appalachian State University Baratta, Madeline Fitzgerald, Olivia Kuhn, Emma LeTourneau, Meredith Osborne, Anna Pace, Hadley Ramirez, Kaitlyn Ruedas, Vanessa Said, Gamal Salmi, Michael Santiago-Medero, Adrian Srnovrsnik, Jaden Tramontano, Jarred Tully, Edith Grace Welch, Kristopher Wooton, Taylor Auburn University Morais, Drew Tocco, Lucy

Clemson University Burg, Harrison Colley, Clayton Cunnane, Maria Derrico, John Paul DiCristo, Joseph Flatau, Clara Hall, Vaughan Haltiwanger, Charles Kitterman, Robert Kroger, Jackson Macalintal, Patrick Moritz, Gregory Schmidt, Adrianna Stuckey, Logan Werner, Matthew Coastal Carolina University Bowling, Perris Mead, Samantha Richards, Leia Rivas, Paige Rivas, Peyton Colgate University Brown, Tucker Contra Costa College Alston, William

Babson College Nowak, Lindsay

Dartmouth College Gagnon, Luke

Belmont Abbey College Luczak, Allison

Davidson College Jacobs, Jason Jerjees, Mirna

Belmont University Bruno, Rachel Caskie, John Streppa, Maura

University of Dayton Kerr, Jillian Neel, Michael

Caldwell Community College Kwong, Anthony

Denison University Anderson, Catherine

Carnegie Mellon University Zhou, Luye

Duke University Nelson, Alyssa

Catawba College Sacopla, Ruth

East Carolina University Briner, Sophia Brocco, Madison Do, Darwin Garner, Noah Griggs, George Hynes, Chad James, Christopher Koltze, Marc Michaels, Allison Reitz, Brady Vesey, Madalyn

Catawba Valley Community College Samuelson, William The Catholic University of America Hanson, Madeline Martinelli, Gino Sie, Matthew Central Piedmont Community College Carvajal, Mario Scavone, Jared Charleston Southern University Della-Mea, Andrew College of Charleston Bruce, Margaret Duke, Matthew Jeffs, Lachlan Petruski, Aidan Walsh, Eleanor Winner, Caroline The Citadel Curran, Jayson Jernigan, Francis

Elon University Eby, Delilah Kelligrew, James Mullin, John Saulsby, Kendall Emmanuel College Wells, Ireland Fairfield University Morgan, Madison Florida Atlantic University Bertsch, Daniel Fordham University Gibbons, Ellen Sullivan, Sarah

Furman University Diaz-Santillan, Alfredo Gardner-Webb University Evivie, Edafe Georgia Institute of Technology Nguyen, Andrew University of Georgia Picarazzi, Cole Skovira, Kylie Stein, Nathan Gettysburg College Curry, Kevin Guilford College Hoffman, Sean Hampden-Sydney College Rubino, Alexander Thornton, William University of Hartford Cherok, Steven High Point University Ayers, Lauren Baisley, Kayci Companion, Bennett Enow-Tanyi, Bernard Frondorf, Benjamin Loeber, Kayla Pitt, Cedric Sommer, Angelena Illinois State University Vance, Tyler Indiana University at Bloomington Hironimus, Grace University of Kentucky Arnold, Chloe Lander University Melber, Jason Mars Hill University Yarussi, Maria Miami University Amico, Mary Schwartz, Morgan University of Mississippi Eckert, Claire Strause, Julian New York University Yu, Victor University of North Carolina at Asheville Foster, Carson Priest, Anna University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Arooji, Omeed Baughman, Chance Black, Bryce Brady, Grace Brockmann, Clayton Burket, Kathryn Clawson, Ryan Conner, Delaney Curran, Fletcher

DiVittorio, Timothy Escobal, Noelle Gilman, Hailey Gornet, Alexa Hall, Lauren Irmscher, Alexander Jagdon, Cassandra Mahn, Andrew Nazarian, Lewis Rossitch, Kelley Schilly, Caleb Schreder, Joseph Sciacca, Anthony Sigman, Samantha Silbaugh, Caroline Smith, Abigail Steele, Michael Traynor, Monique Webster, Gabrielle University of North Carolina at Charlotte Cummings, Jonas Dest, Megan Nguyen, Thomas Phan, Alexander Roosa, Brendan Said, Yehia Schottland, Thomas University of North Carolina at Wilmington Borda, Susan Brady, Caileigh Coleman, Kaitlin Cromie, Emily Fluett, Alisa Fritz, Claire Hackett, Drew Nguyen, Gwendolyn Sartori, Joseph Temesghen, Yosan Teves, Christopher Whalen, Kathryn Wilkinson, Teresa North Carolina State University Allen, Jacob Boll, Sam Clickner, Camila Cummings, Gabrielle Cune, Sean Druhan, Benjamin Duke, Mitchell Fitzpatrick, Tara Francke, Jorge Fuller, Owen Herman, Elena Hogg, Carrigan Jarrell, Carmen Kuchenbrod, Morgan Lowe, Riley Mai, Hoang Marin, Sofia Norman, Ansley Overcash, Gabriella Popoola, Bradley Reid, Kennedy Schwartz, Connor Spath, Anne-Marie Valenti, Caroline Warren, Kate

Charlotte Catholic High School

Whitehead, Robert Wolf, Annalise University of Notre Dame Gregory, Elizabeth Kelly, John MacQuarrie, Cullen Purdue University Ellis, Emma Luksas, Benjamin Reilly-Grim, Joshua Queens University of Charlotte Bowling, Peyton Branch, William DiCristo, Kathryn Hilgen, Allie Marshall, Caroline Randolph College Dooley, Joseph Walton, Maggie University of Richmond Collins, Patrick King, Nicholas McKane, William Saint Joseph’s University Bohmer, Matthew Rigali, Thomas Savannah College of Art & Design Martinez, Victor Seton Hall University Craig, Caroline University of South Carolina Bridges, Dalton Clare, Matthew Dalton, Grace Dougherty, Bridget Dougherty, Griffin Dumser, Jack Futch, Noah Gerber, Lyndon Hahn, Eveleen Hubbard, Cole Martin, Zachary McBride, Mason Miechkowski, Daniel Miller, Aleesha Nye, Kendall Petchel, Mason Pool, Haley Reaves, Kaitlyn Robbe, Adam Ryan, Quinlan Svetik, Samuel Thomasson, Samuel Valenta, Isabela Wozniak, Karen Young, Shannon

Texas Christian University Crowe, Isabel Marascio, Corinne Murlless, Caitlin The Ohio State University Buck, Carter United States Coast Guard Academy Portigue, Claire United States Naval Academy Preparatory School Rodriguez, Ari Universidad Ibero Americana Mexico Domenech Castillo, Vera University College Birmingham, England Ceely, Isabela Villanova University Hambrook, William Neira, Ariana Virginia Tech Boll, Daniel Dorsey, Connor Patcha, Moorea Smith, Olivia Wake Forest University Gerlach, Sarah Lefaivre, Sophia Wake Technical Community College Antonio, Julianne Shaver, Liam Washington & Lee University Salvino, Mitchell Wielechowski, Grace West Virginia University Davis, Andrew Miller, Dominic Western Carolina University Biittig, Evan Briante, Alexander Espinoza, Axel Lapps, Victoria Lisi, Brennan Reele, Samantha Schlager, Bo Westfield State University Pozzo, Thomas Westminster College Walton, Christopher University of Wisconsin Chen, Yushun

University of Tennessee Charlonis, Daniel Corser, Ann Fotiadis, Alexander Grasso, Nina Morgan, John Susi, Giavanna

The Senior Class of 2019 has earned a total of $19,652,500 in scholarships.

We congratulate these seniors, as well as the entire senior class, for their many outstanding accomplishments

June 7, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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CLASS OF 2019

was awarded $7,083,752 in scholarships!

Joseph Abriola, Mark Agejew, Adannaya Aham-Iroetugo, Gabriella Angiolino, Giacomo Arnaboldi, Ji Yeon Baek, Min Ji Baek, Chasen Barber, Lilly Bernard, Heidi Bleyer, Trevor Bode, Edwin Booth III, Matthew Bruns, Elizabeth Caress, Cameron Caroway, Ethan Chase, Adaeze Chukwudebe, Sophia Cobb, Cameron Cooke, Gennaro Coppola, Caroline Coyte, Ansleigh Craven, Ty Cressman, Donna Maria Crink, Megan D’Annunzio, Charlotte Dabar, Lauren Darnell, James Dasher, Caroline Deal, Megan DeWeese, Brian Dick, Olivia Dioli, Ella Doran, Lacy Drane, Diana Fernandez-Borunda, Grace Forish, Daniel Gabriel, Kerry Garner, Allen Gaskell, Anissa Gatland, Edgardo Gonzalez, Michael Goodman, Thomas Hamlet, Jackson Herndon, Katherine Herzberger, Andrew Hoang, Seoyeon Hong, Garrett Hope, Niel Ingle, Chelsea Jeffrey, Phillip Johnson, Nathan Joseph, Timothy Kammire, Mikaela Kamsch, Daniel Kelly, Matthew Kelly, Layth Khan, Bridget Kinsley, Henry Kirby, Henry Klier, Elizabeth Knox, Luke Kreber, Ho Tin Li, Brandon Linares, Natalia Lindo, Sarah Lininger, Zachary Loncar, Sandra Lopez, Catherine Lucas, Adam Lucek, Audrey MacDonald, Nicholas Madarasz, Benjamin McAlhany IV, Olivia McDonald, Samuel McDonald, Phillip McDonough, Maximus Merrill, Olivia Montanez, Juan Montoya, Jr., Madison Moore, Bella Morehead, Paulo Morillo, Noelle Mosby, Sean Muller, Hunter Murray, John Nastasi, Nick Nguyen, Augustine O’Hale, Hannah O’Shaughnessy, Jacqueline Ognovich, Isabella Pardino, Tyler Patrick, Brianna Paul, Ivo Pestana, Anna Pfister, Margaret Pinder, Giuseppe Pugliese, Albamaria Rivera, Elizabeth Rogers, Parker Rose, Riley Russell, Carter Shannon, Joshua Shreve, Erin Silva, Maximo Sprenkle, Megan Standen, Jacob Sullivan, James Teza, Hoai Tran, Alyvia Troxler, Brandon Tubby, Anthony Vanore, Alexandra Wasilauskas, Taylor Waters, Ashlee Wilson, Joshua Wong, Jiyue Zhang, Joseph Zukowski

Valedictorian Olivia Dioli: Olivia will be studying Chemistry at North Carolina State University Salutatorian Margaret Pinder: Margaret will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She will be on the Pre-Med track with a double major in Chemistry and History

Bishop McGuinness Class of 2019 Colleges/Universities The University of Alabama American University Appalachian State University Arcadia University Arizona State University The University of Arizona (Fine Arts) Auburn University Baylor University Belmont Abbey College Boston College Boston University Brandeis University Brevard College Bucknell University Butler University Butler University (College of Business Administration) California State University, Monterey Bay University of California, Davis University of California, San Diego Campbell University Case Western Reserve University Catawba College The Catholic University of America University of Central Florida Champlain College College of Charleston Clemson University Clemson University (Business and Behavioral Sciences) Coastal Carolina University University of Colorado at Boulder Davidson College University of Dayton East Carolina University

Elon University Fairfield University Flagler College Florida State University University of Florida Fordham University Fordham University (College of Business Administration) Forsyth Technical Community College Franciscan University of Steubenville Furman University Gardner-Webb University George Mason University Korea The George Washington University Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia Institute of Technology (Scheller College of Business) University of Georgia Guilford College Guilford Technical Community College Hampden-Sydney College High Point University Howard University University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (College of Business) The University of Iowa Johnson & Wales University (Charlotte) Lander University Lees-McRae College Lehigh University Lenoir-Rhyne University Louisiana State University (Honors College) Loyola University Chicago (School of Business) Loyola University Maryland

Loyola University New Orleans Marist College Mars Hill University Mary Baldwin University University of Maryland, College Park Meredith College Miami University, Oxford University of Miami Michigan State University University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (CSOM Carlson School of Managemen) University of Mississippi New York University (Tandon School of Engineering) North Carolina A&T State University University of North Carolina at Asheville The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Charlotte University of North Carolina at Greensboro University of North Carolina at Pembroke University of North Carolina at Wilmington North Carolina State University North Carolina State University (Engr) Northeastern University Northern Illinois University University of Notre Dame University of Oregon Pennsylvania State University University of Pittsburgh Presbyterian College Purdue University Queens University of Charlotte Radford University Randolph-Macon College Roanoke College

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Rutgers University-New Brunswick Saint Joseph’s University Salem College San Diego State University Santa Fe College Seton Hall University Shaw University University of South Carolina University of South Carolina (Honors) Southern Methodist University St. John’s University St. Thomas University Stetson University Stony Brook University SUNY Korea Syracuse University The University of Tampa University of Tennessee, Knoxville Texas Christian University The University of Texas, Austin University of Lynchburg University of Vermont Villanova University Virginia Tech Virginia Tech (Liberal Arts & Human Sciences) University of Virginia Wake Forest University Washington and Lee University West Virginia University Western Carolina University College of William & Mary Wingate University University of Wisconsin, Madison (School of Business) Wofford College

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 7, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief

St. Matthew Summer Forum 2019 Register online with your credit card at //stmatthewcatholic.org/smu Registrar: Judy Stumbo 704-543-7677 ext:1004 or jstrumbo@stmatthewcatholic.org

Special presentation Finding God In Midlife: Opportunity Or Impasse?

Presented by: Father Jim Bowler, SJ, MA, M. Div. Tuesdays, June 18, 25 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm $15

Father Jim served as facilitator for Catholic and Jesuit identity at Fairfield University, as well as Director of the Center for Ignatian Spirituality. This followed more than 20 years of ministry in the area of spiritual direction as director of Campion Renewal Center, Executive Director of the National Jesuit Retreat and Renewal Ministries, and as a staff member at the Guelph Center of spirituality in Ontario, where he was responsible for training and supervising spiritual directors in the Ignatian tradition. He has spent many years integrating Ignatian Spirituality with the psychology of Carl Jung. For more information, visit jbowler@stpeterscatholic.org.

Islamic Beliefs and History: Views from a Catholic Outsider

Presented by: Dr. Denis J. Obermeyer Mondays, June 24 and July 1, 8, 15 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm $30

Dr. Denis J. Obermeyer is the Curator of Rare Books and Special Collections at Belmont Abbey College. He also lectures on theology and history for the college.

Dr. Obermeyer holds a Ph.D. in Theology from the Catholic University of America, a S.T.B. degree from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, a M.A. in Religious Studies from the Institute for Religious Studies, Dunwoodie N.Y, and a M.A. in History from S.U.N.Y. Binghamton. Dr. Obermeyer has taught Christology at Catholic University, as well as Christology and Church History for the diaconate formation programs in the Archdioceses of New York and Washington D.C., and the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia.

Brew Like a Benedictine

Presented by: Mark Bartholet M.A. Thursday, June 27 - 6:30 to 9 pm DreamChaser’s Brewery 115 E. North Main Street Waxhaw, NC 28173 $20 – By registration only, seating is limited!

Young adults 21 and over are encouraged to join us. Benedictines and beer is a partnership made in heaven. Over the course of the evening, we will learn the basics of beer making, brew an original abbey ale with Dreamchaser's Brewery owner and St. Matthew parishioner, Neil Gimon, and explore the historic relationship between monks and beer. Gimon will share his expertise on abbey style beers and ingredients, and Mark Bartholet will provide insights into the history and spirituality of the Benedictines.

For more information, contact Judy Stumbo at 704-543-7677 x1004 or jstumbo@stmatthewcatholic.org.

Dr. Edward Sri - Nationally well-known author is returning to St. Matthew for Two Talks in One Evening – There is a 15-minute break between talks.

Wednesday, July 31 from 7 to 9 pm $10 7:00 PM Talk #1: Vibrant Faith in a Secular Age:

Today’s Challenges for Parents, Families, and Parish Leaders

This presentation engages the challenges we, our children and our friends constantly face from the secular culture—challenges that, if not addressed, can choke the life of faith in the people we love. Why do I need a Church? Can’t I be spiritual on my own? Isn’t one religion just as good as another? Isn’t each person free to make up his own morality? Why does the Church talk so much about human life, sex and marriage? Shouldn’t we just be tolerant and get along with everyone? This engaging and thought-provoking talk shows how parish ministry and faith formation in the home cannot be “business as usual.” We cannot simply teach the truth. We must pass on the faith in a way that anticipates the cultural influences that affect the life of faith and give people the tools to thrive as intentional Catholics in a relativistic world.

8:00 PM Talk #2: No Greater Love

St. John Paul II said Christ’s passion is the fullest revelation of God’s love. It’s also the fullest revelation of the love we’re called to live—in our marriages, within our families, in the workplace and in our parishes. How do we conform our daily lives to the Christ? Learn how to find your life story in the climax of Christ’s story.

Christ The Life of the Soul: The Theology of the Spiritual Life

Presented by: Father Peter Ascik M.Div. Thursdays, August 8, 15, 22, 29 from 7 to 8:30 pm $30 August 8: Christ the Foundation of the Spiritual Life August 15: Grace and the Sacraments August 22: Faith, Hope & Charity August 29: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me, says St. Paul in the Letter to the Galatians. As Catholic Christians we have received a new life in Christ and the Church. But what does it mean for Christ to live in us? This course will explore the nature of our new life in Christ. We will seek to understand our redemption and adoption as God’s children, how grace and the sacraments affect our souls, the role of faith, hope, and charity, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

St. Patrick students learn all about trout CHARLOTTE — This school year St. Patrick School students have been participating in the Trout in the Classroom program through the Rocky River Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Students cared for 150 rainbow trout eggs starting last September, and after the eggs hatched in October students transferred them to a 55-gallon tank to monitor their growth and development. The fish team, comprised of fourth- and fifth-graders, were responsible for conducting water quality tests and feeding.

Twice weekly they were also responsible for changing the water in the tank.

The fish thrived, quickly crowding the tank, so the school gave 25 of the fish to J.T. Montessori School in Charlotte. The fish team kept in touch with the other school and the 25 fish were released on April 25.

On May 15, the fish team and all of the fourth- and fifth- grade classes traveled to South Mountain State Park where they were able to get in the water and release 46 healthy rainbow trout, including one that the students had named “Tiny” after it survived a rocky start in the hatchery to grow up and thrive despite being smaller than the other fish. Students also learned about cold water conservation and how to care for fish along with other wildlife in North Carolina.

— Angie Noonan

BMHS National Merit finalists named KERNERSVILLE — Bishop McGuinness High School students Daniel Gabriel and Margaret Pinder have been named finalists in the 2019 Gabriel Competition for National Merit Scholarships.

The National Merit Scholarship Corp. recognizes and honors academically talented students across the United States. To be recognized as a finalist, students must complete an application, have a very high academic record, write an essay, are Pinder recommended by their school, and earn an SAT score that confirms their PSAT/NMSQT performance.

— Kimberly Knox

Mix

June 7, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

In theaters ‘Aladdin’ Spirited live-action remake of the 1992 animated feature in which the street lad of the title (Mena Massoud) is aided by a genie (Will Smith) both in his seemingly hopeless pursuit of the princess (Naomi Scott) for whom he’s fallen and in thwarting the evil schemes of her father the sultan’s (Navid Negahban) chief adviser (Marwan Kenzari). Exuberant and lavish, director and co-writer Guy Ritchie’s musical fantasy will have viewers rooting for its underdog hero, savoring the gentle romance in which he engages and appreciating messages about humility, honesty, self-sacrificing friendship and the equal dignity of women. Too scary for small fry, the protagonist’s adventure also finds him surviving, initially, by petty theft and pickpocketing, activities which the script, penned with John August, airily excuses in a way that might take some sorting through with impressionable kids. Occult material, a benign view of minor wrongdoing, considerable peril.

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

his homosexuality in a way that puts it at odds with scriptural values. Born to self-centered, perpetually quarreling parents, young Reginald Dwight (Matthew Illesley, later Kit Connor) has an unhappy childhood relieved only by the kindness of his grandmother (Gemma Jones) and his gift as a musical prodigy. Partnering with lyricist Bernie Taupin and adopting his stage name, he gains fame with a smash debut at a Los Angeles nightclub. But bad professional and personal choices, principally involving his combined romantic and business ties to manager John Reid (Richard Madden), lead to a downward spiral of addiction. Strong sexual content, including semi-graphic aberrant activity, partially glimpsed full nudity, crude language.

CNS: O (morally offensive); MPAA: R

‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’

Though polished and generally appealing, this musical fantasy recounting the early life of rock star Elton John (Taron Egerton) deals with

The messy plot of this grating sequel to 2014’s “Godzilla” centers on a divorced couple (Kyle Chandler and Vera Farmiga) and their teen daughter (Millie Bobby Brown) who get caught up in a worldwide rampage by out-sized monsters known as Titans. Human interest gets trampled underfoot as the lumbering creatures screech with rage and do battle with one another, courtesy of the special effects unit. While director and co-writer Michael Dougherty’s film is acceptable for most grown-ups, its weird attempt at an environmentalist theme comes across as addled and the repeated assertion in its dialogue that the Titans were “the first gods” will irk believers. Pervasive stylized violence, some of it harsh, numerous uses of profanity, a couple of mild oaths, at least one rough and several crude terms.

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

On TV

Catholic Book Pick

n Friday, June 7, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Saints Among Us: Restoring the Order of the Sacraments.” A movement that advocates for children to receive Confirmation before First Communion so that they can experience the sacramental graces that let them fully live, learn and love their faith.

Editor’s note: Introducing “Catholic Book Pick,” a regular feature of recommended Catholic reading from Katie DeMoss, publicity director for Charlotte-based TAN Books and former reporter for the Catholic News Herald.

‘Rocketman’

n Saturday, June 8, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Paul.”

The first of a two-part movie about Paul VI, widely considered one of the most important popes of the modern period, highlighting his priesthood, his time as a university professor and his apostolic activity. Part 1. n Tuesday, June 11, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “The Monks of Moyross.” The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal witness to the residents of Moyross, Ireland, a poverty-stricken and crime-ridden housing project in Limerick. n Thursday, June 13, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “St. Anthony of Padua.” A look at the life of St. Anthony of Padua, Doctor of the Church. n Friday, June 14, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “The Monastic Voice.” A look at the Benedictine monks at Pluscarden Abbey. Abandoned after the Reformation but revived in the 1940’s, it is the oldest monastery of men in use in the United Kingdom. n Saturday, June 15, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Paul.”

Paul VI’s election as Supreme Pontiff, his leadership of the Second Vatican Council, his defense of human life in his encyclical, and his pastoral efforts to promote interreligious dialogue and world peace. Part 2. n Wednesday, June 19, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “The Mass as a Sacrament.” Dominican Father Brian Mullady and Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers show how the Eucharist is food for the journey to heaven.

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Other movies: n ‘Booksmart’: CNS: O (morally offensive); MPAA: R n ‘Brightburn’: CNS: O (morally offensive); MPAA: R n ‘Ma’: CNS: O (morally offensive); MPAA: R n ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 -- Parabellum’: CNS: O (morally offensive); MPAA: R

n ‘The Hustle’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13 n ‘Poms”: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13 n ‘Pokemon Detective Pikachu’: CNS: A-II (adults and adolescents); MPAA: PG n ‘The Sun Is Also a Star’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13 n ‘Long Shot’: CNS: O (morally offensive); MPAA: R

School Principal Immaculata Catholic School Hendersonville, NC

“Manual for Men” by Bishop Thomas J. Olmstead Now, perhaps more than ever, men need to be men. But what it means to be a man has been twisted into a pale and mangled image of true manhood. “Manual for Men” serves as a field guide and instruction manual for those husbands, fathers, sons and brothers who wish to become real men of God – men who protect, physically and spiritually, those entrusted to them; men who sacrifice, pray, fight, love and live by the example of Christ.

The first part of the manual is an exhortation from Bishop Thomas Olmsted calling for Catholic men to step up and go “into the breach” in service to God, their families, parishes and wider communities.

Part two of the manual contains a treasure trove of prayers, Church teachings, and writings from the saints that serve as a tremendous source of inspiration for men who seek to become better men of God. At www.tanbooks.com: Order your copy of “Manual for Men.” Catholic News Herald readers enjoy 20 percent off their order – use the exclusive coupon code “CNH20.”

Immaculata Catholic School in Hendersonville, NC is seeking a school principal for the 2019-20 school year. Candidates must be a practicing Catholic and support and uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church in both word and deed.

The candidate must have a Master’s degree or higher in Educational Administration or equivalent, and have, or be eligible for a NC principal license. Working knowledge of Spanish is preferable.

Send cover letter, application, resume and professional license to: Business Manager Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 208 Seventh Ave. W. Hendersonville, NC 28791 businessmanager@icwnc.com

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 7, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Audit report released; bishops urged to renew vigilance ‘each day’ JULIE ASHER CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 16th annual report on diocesan compliance with the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” shows a significant increase in the number of abuse allegations over last year’s report because of additional claims received in five New York dioceses after implementation of their Independent Reconciliation and Compensation programs in the last year.

Released May 31, the report for audit year July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018, states that 1,385 survivors of child sex abuse, including 26 minors, came forward with 1,455 allegations. In last year’s report, charges were raised by more than 650 adults and 24 minors.

Twenty-six of the new allegations reported by dioceses and eparchies involved current minors – 12 males and 14 females – and came from three different dioceses, the report said.

Of the other new allegations reported by dioceses and eparchies, 47 percent were said to have occurred or begun before 1975; 43 percent between 1975 and 1999; and 5 percent since 2000. The most common time period for when these reported allegations occurred was 1975 to 1979, followed by 1970-1974.

More than half of new allegations reported by religious institutions in the latest audit year, or 55 percent, are alleged to have occurred or begun before 1975; 41 percent occurred or began between 1975 and 1999; and 1 percent (two allegations) occurred or began after 2000.

Regarding the 26 allegations involving current minors, the report said that as of June 30, 2018, three claims were substantiated and the clergy were removed from ministry; seven were unsubstantiated; three were categorized as “unable to be proven”; investigations were still in process for six of these allegations; two were referred to a religious order; two were reported as unknown clerics; and three were not claims of sexual abuse, but were boundary violations.

The report was issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection and is based on the audit findings of StoneBridge Business Partners.

“These current allegations point to the reality that sexual abuse of minors by the clergy should not be considered by bishops as a thing of the past or a distant memory,” said Francesco Cesareo, chairman of the all-lay National Review Board, which oversees the audits. He called the 26 new allegations by current minors in dioceses and eparchies “concerning.”

“Any allegation involving a current minor should remind the bishops that they must rededicate themselves each day to maintaining a level of vigilance that will not permit complacency to set in or result in a less precise and less thorough implementation of the charter,” he said in introductory remarks to the report.

Cesareo pointed to areas of concern that he said must be addressed, such as “poor recordkeeping of background checks; failure to train or background check clergy, employees or volunteers who have contact with children; a high percentage of children not trained, especially in religious education programs; and lack of cooperation by parishes in the implementation of safe environment requirements.”

If parishes are unable to implement the charter “as fully as possible” because of a lack of resources, he said, parishes – and dioceses – should find ways to collaborate with one another, including by sharing resources.

In some dioceses, he said, there is a “lack of diligence” and a “laxity” that is putting children’s safety at risk. He was dismayed that “we have still not achieved 100 percent participation” in the auditing process. He also called for a “more in-depth” audit process and a revision of the charter that “will incorporate new practices, such as parish audits,’ which he said the National Review Board has been recommending for some time.

“It should be pointed out that, given

Director of Advancement Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church Winston-Salem Our Lady of Mercy Church is accepting applications for the Director of Advancement. The Director of Advancement reports directly to the Pastor and is a member of the school’s leadership team. Primary responsibilities include implementing and advancing programs and events relating to fundraising, recruitment, and marketing/communications. This position will work to promote awareness of Our Lady of Mercy School, increase school enrollment, development and implement fundraising projects, research possible grants, and develop and implement the school’s marketing strategy, including public relations and advertising.

Please email resume with cover letter to Fr. Carl Zdancewicz – Fr.carl@triad.twcbc.com or by mail to Our Lady of Mercy Church 1730 Link Road, Winston Salem, Nc 27103.

the current climate within the Church, StoneBridge noticed a heightened sense of urgency and focus in many of the dioceses that were visited during this cycle,” Cesareo said. “This was evident in the active review of priest files, the release or updating of lists of alleged abusers, and greater emphasis on discussion and transparency with parishioners in individual dioceses/eparchies.

“This is a welcome change which must be sustained going forward rather than a one-time response to the heightened sense of scrutiny if a lasting cultural change is to take place,” he said.

The “current climate” relates to several events of the last year, including allegations of sexual misconduct with minors and seminarians, some decades old, against former Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, which led to his Church trial last fall and the Vatican dismissing him from the clerical state in February.

Also, last August a Pennsylvania grand jury issued a report on the state attorney general’s monthslong investigation into six of the state’s Catholic dioceses. The probe covered a 70-year period starting in 1947 and linked more than 300 priests and other Church workers to over 1,000 abuse claims during that timeframe. However in the months since that report’s release many have criticized the methodology of investigators.

“While much has been done to ensure survivor ministry and the protection of the vulnerable are core values of the Church, improvements still must be made. When it comes to the protection of young people, the question must always be ‘what more can be done?’” Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, USCCB president, said in the report’s preface.

“We must continually rededicate ourselves to keeping our promise to protect and pledge to heal. Not once, not twice, but every single day,” he said. “With every action we take, let us all remember to keep the survivor, the child, the vulnerable person, at the center of everything we do.”

The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, based at Georgetown University in Washington, gathers data for the annual audit report. StoneBridge Business Partners, based in Rochester, New York, provides the compliance report based visits to dioceses and eparchies and reviews of diocesan documentation.

During 2018, StoneBridge conducted on-site audits of 72 dioceses and eparchies, and collected data from 122 others. All dioceses/eparchies were found compliant except for the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, which, the report said, had not complied with article 7 of the charter requiring dioceses “to be open and transparent” in communications regarding allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy, “especially those parishes that may have been affected.”

Three eparchies did not participate: the Syro-Malankara Catholic Eparchy of St. Mary, Queen of Peace, based in Elmont, N.Y.; the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle of San Diego; and Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix.

Under canon law, dioceses and eparchies cannot be required to participate in the audit, but it is strongly recommended that they do.

The Lincoln Diocese, in a June 2

statement responding to the audit report, said it announced the promulgation of new safe environment policies April 2 of this year and at the time “acknowledged that in November 2018, it was audited onsite by the USCCB to ensure that its safe environment policies and procedures are in compliance with the charter.”

“Citing a 2017 example of allegations against Father James Benton,” the diocese said, “the auditors concluded that the diocese must be more transparent in informing parishes and other Church communities who are directly affected by an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor.

While the diocese changed its practices in this regard in August 2018, the April 2, 2019, revised policies formally adopt this change.”

In 2017, Father Benton, now retired, resigned as pastor following allegations that more than 25 years ago, he abused two family members. The Diocesan Review Board addressed the claims and referred them the case to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which then asked Lincoln Bishop James D. Conley “to take appropriate action,” according to the bishop’s open letter published Aug. 10, 2018, in the Lincoln Star Journal daily newspaper. He prohibited the priest from exercising public ministry and restricted him from being with minors.

Earlier claims that surfaced in 2002 that the priest had inappropriately touched a minor on a camping trip in the early 1980s “was fully investigated by the Lincoln Diocese,” the bishop said, but the “allegations could not be substantiated.

In the new audit report, the CARA data shows that more than nine in 10 alleged offenders, or 92 percent, identified during the 2017-2018 survey year were already deceased, already removed from ministry, already laicized or missing. Most abuse reported occurred between 1960 and 1990, peaking in the 1970s.

Dioceses, eparchies and religious institutes reported paying out $262,619,537 for costs related to allegations between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018. This includes payments for allegations reported in previous years. That payout figure is just under the amount reported the previous year.

Outreach and support was provided to 472 victims/survivors and their families who reported abuse during this audit period. Continued support was provided to 1,542 victims/survivors and their families who reported abuse in prior audit periods.

Support may include counseling, spiritual assistance, support groups, and other social services.

The report also notes the ongoing work of the Church in continuing the call to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. In 2018, over 2.6 million background checks were conducted on Church clerics, employees, and volunteers.

In addition, in 2018 over 2.6 million adults and 3.9 million children and youth also have been trained on how to identify the warning signs of abuse and how to report those signs.

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Read the full annual report on compliance with the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

June 7, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief ‘Conquer bitterness with sacrificial love,’ bishop preaches VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. ­­­— Bishop Barry C. Knestout of Richmond celebrated Masses at St. Gregory the Great and St. John the Apostle churches in Virginia Beach June 2, two days after 12 people were killed in the city’s Municipal Center. One victim, Kate Nixon, was a member of St. Gregory the Great; another, Mary Lou Gayle, was a member of St. John the Apostle. “After tragedy and sudden loss, we often have many unanswered, and even unanswerable questions,” the bishop said during his homily. “This leads to anxiety and maybe even depression or despair. How can one move forward with so much loss?” He noted that the ordination of five priests for the diocese the previous day and the feast of the Ascension that Sunday were to be occasions of joy and thanksgiving, but “there seems little for us to celebrate. All we can feel is a sadness in our hearts, and for those for whom the loss is closer, and its sting, so much greater,” Bishop Knestout said. “There is the mixture of emotion: grief, anger, anxiety or maybe even, understandably, bitterness and rage at the injustice of it.”

Rhode Island bishop issues statement after tweet PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Providence Bishop Thomas J. Tobin issued a statement June 2 saying he regretted comments that “turned

out to be so controversial” on Twitter when he said Catholics should not support or “attend LGBTQ ‘Pride Month’ events” because “they promote a culture and encourage activities that are contrary to the Catholic faith and morals.

They are especially harmful for children.” The backlash on Twitter – and elsewhere – was swift and focused on the harm children have suffered in the Catholic Church because of clergy sex abuse. Many others said his comments were offensive to gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual and other communities. A rally by the LGBT community and supporters took place outside the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul in Providence after the comments. “I regret that my comments yesterday about Pride Month have turned out to be so controversial in our community, and offensive to some, especially the gay community,” the bishop said in the statement. “That certainly was not my intention, but I understand why a good number of individuals have taken offense. I also acknowledge and appreciate the widespread support I have received on this matter.” He added that “the Catholic Church has respect and love for members of the gay community, as do I. Individuals with same-sex attraction are beloved children of God and our brothers and sisters,” but also said that as a Catholic bishop he has an obligation to “teach the faith clearly on various matters.”

Ill. Senate passage of abortion bill called ‘sad day in history of state’ CHICAGO — Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich June 1 said the Illinois Senate’s passage of a bill “eliminating even minimal limitations on abortions under previous law marks a sad moment in our history as a state. We have worked to make the case for a consistent approach to human dignity in Illinois and will

continue to do so even as elected officials single out unborn persons for particular disregard,” he said in a statement. “It remains our hope that Illinois will eventually distinguish itself as a safe place that welcomes not only those seeking a new life or second chance, but also the most vulnerable among us who deserve a chance at life,” he added. Close to midnight May 31 in a 34-20 vote, the Senate passed the “misnamed ‘Reproductive Health Act,’” as the state’s Catholic bishops referred to it. The state House OK’d it May 28 in a 64-50 vote.

La. governor OKs ‘heartbeat bill’ BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana’s Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Catholic, signed into law a measure that makes nearly all abortions

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illegal in the state once the fetal heartbeat is detected, which could be as early as six weeks. “As I prepare to sign this bill,” Edwards said in a statement late May 30. “I call on the overwhelming bipartisan majority of legislators who voted for it to join me in continuing to build a better Louisiana that cares for the least among us and provides more opportunity for everyone.” A day earlier, in 79-23 vote, the state House approved the so-called “heartbeat bill.”

The state Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill May 6. It has no exceptions for rape or incest but would allow abortions only to prevent a pregnant woman’s death or in cases of “serious risk” to her health. It is expected to be almost immediately challenged in the courts.

— Catholic News Service

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 7, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Freedom, mercy are lasting legacy of martyred bishops, pope says JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

BLAJ, Romania — The memory and witness of Romania’s martyred bishops are a reminder that Christians are called to stand firm against ideologies that seek to stifle and suppress their cultural and religious traditions, Pope Francis said.

On the last leg of his visit to Romania, the pope June 2 celebrated a Divine Liturgy during which seven Easternrite Catholic bishops, who died during a fierce anti-religious campaign waged by the communist regime in Romania, were beatified.

“These pastors, martyrs for the faith, re-appropriated and handed down to the Romanian people a precious legacy that we can sum up in two words: freedom and mercy,” the pope said.

According to the Vatican, an estimated 60,000 people filled Blaj’s Liberty Field, while some 20,000 people followed the liturgy on big screens set up in various squares around the city.

For Eastern Catholics in Romania, the field – located on the grounds of Blaj’s Greek Catholic Theological Seminary – is both a symbol of national pride and sorrow.

It was in Liberty Field where, during the 100th anniversary of the Romanian nationalist revolution that communist authorities formerly dissolved the Eastern-rite Romanian Catholic Church.

One of the newly beatified bishops, Bishop Ioan Suciu, the apostolic administrator of Fagaras and Alba Iulia, refused to appear at the event, which was perceived by his flock as a sign that they were called to remain steadfast in their faith and follow the path of persecution and martyrdom.

Thirty years after the fall of communism, the sun shined brightly and solemn hymns echoed over the field that was once the site of the Eastern Catholic Church’s darkest period.

Men, women and children, many dressed in traditional outfits, held up images of the seven martyred bishops who gave their lives defending their faith: Bishop Suciu; Auxiliary Bishop Vasile Aftenie of Fagaras and Alba Iulia; Bishop Valeriu Traian Frentiu of Oradea Mare; Auxiliary Bishop Tit Liviu Chinezu of Fagaras and Alba Iulia; Bishop Ioan Balan of Lugoj; Bishop Alexandru Rusu of Maramures and Bishop Iuliu Hossu of Gherla, who had been named a cardinal by St. Paul VI “in pectore” or in his heart, withholding publication of his name until 1973.

In his homily, the pope remembered the sufferings of Easternrite Catholics who were forced to “endure a way of thinking and acting that showed contempt for others and led to the expulsion and killing of the defenseless and the silencing of dissenting voices.”

The martyred bishops left a “spiritual patrimony” for future generations demonstrated by their “exemplary faith and love for their people,” the pope said. Their faith, he added, was matched only by their willingness to suffer martyrdom “without showing hatred toward their persecutors and indeed responding to them with great meekness.”

“The mercy they showed to their tormentors is a prophetic message, for it invites everyone today to conquer anger and resentment by love and forgiveness, and to live the Christian faith with consistency and courage,” the pope said.

However, Pope Francis warned that even today there are new ideologies that “attempt to assert themselves and to uproot our peoples from their richest cultural and religious traditions.”

“Forms of ideological colonization that devalue the person, life, marriage and the family, and above all, with alienating proposals as atheistic as those of the past, harm our young people and children, leaving them without roots from which they can grow.”

On his final stop before departing for Rome, Pope Francis visited members of the Roma community living in the neighborhood of Barbu Lautaru.

He told the Roma community that his heart was heavy due to “the many experiences of discrimination, segregation and mistreatment experienced by your communities,” inflicted upon them, including by members of the Catholic Church.

He asked forgiveness from them “for those times in history when we have discriminated, mistreated or looked askance at you” instead of defending them in their “uniqueness.”

According to the Jesuit journal Civilta Cattolica, a 2011 census estimated that there are more than 620,000 Roma people in Romania. However, the figure may not reflect the actual numbers because many do not declare their ethnicity out of fear of discrimination.

Pope Francis walks with Romanian Orthodox Patriarch Daniel during a meeting with members of the Orthodox synod at the patriarchal palace in Bucharest, Romania, May 31.

CNS | PAUL HARING

Catholics, Orthodox must unite against ‘culture of hate,’ pope says JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

BUCHAREST, Romania — In an increasingly globalized world where technological and economic developments have both benefited and excluded many, the Catholic and Orthodox churches must learn to listen to each other and walk together, Pope Francis said.

Meeting with Romanian Orthodox Patriarch Daniel and the Permanent Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church May 31, the pope said both churches must “go out and engage” with their flocks who fall prey to the uprooting of “traditional values and weakening ethics and social life” that “leads to attitudes of rejection and hate.”

“We need to help one another not to yield to the seductions of an individualistic ‘culture of hate’ that, perhaps no longer ideological as in the time of the atheist persecution, is nonetheless more persuasive and no less materialist,” he said.

After meeting with civil authorities, the pope made his way to the Romanian Orthodox Patriarchate, a palatial structure built at the start of the 20th century and once used as the state congress building.

After the communist takeover in 1948, the building was used as the headquarters of the Great National Assembly. Seven years after the fall of communism, the Romanian Orthodox Patriarchate was allowed to use and eventually own the property.

After warmly greeting each other, Pope Francis and Patriarch Daniel met privately before making their way to the Conventus room. The two leaders sat beneath a plaque commemorating the historic meeting between St. John Paul II and Romanian Patriarch Teoctist in 1999.

In his address to the permanent synod, the pope recalled St. John Paul’s visit 20 years earlier, which he said not only contributed to “renewed relations between Orthodox and Catholics in Romania, but also to the Orthodox-Catholic dialogue in general.”

The dialogue between the two churches, he said, are a “time of journeying together” and rediscovering what unites the Catholic and Orthodox churches.

Both churches, he added, must not hold onto the memories of “wrongs endured and inflicted, of judgements and prejudices that enclose us in a vicious circle and bring only barrenness.”

Instead, the pope said, Catholics and Orthodox must remember that despite their differences, they share a common heritage founded on the first martyrs and

confessors of the faith whose holiness was “lived out and witnessed to by so many simple persons who share the same heaven.”

“The remembrance of steps taken and completed together encourages us to advance to the future in the awareness – certainly – of our differences but above all in thanksgiving for a family atmosphere to be rediscovered and a memory of communion to be revived that, like a lamp, can light up the steps of our journey,” he said.

Catholics and Orthodox are journeying toward “a new Pentecost” like the apostles awaiting the arrival of the Holy Spirit who “in the one Spirit and a plurality and richness of languages, bore witness to the risen Lord by their words and by their lives.”

The pope prayed so that both churches receive the grace to “walk beside one another” and that God may “sweep away the hesitation that holds us back from bearing witness together to the new life He offers us.”

“May the Holy Spirit renew us, for He disdains uniformity and loves to shape unity from the most beautiful and harmonious diversity,” he said.

Although he was expected to ride in his popemobile, Pope Francis was driven in a small black vehicle to the People’s Salvation Cathedral, the new Romanian Orthodox Cathedral currently under construction.

Several hundred people lined the streets and the square in front of the cathedral to welcome the pope.

Although the cathedral’s construction is expected to be completed in 2024, the massive interior featured Byzantine iconography depicting key moments in Jesus’ life and adorned in glistening gold leaf.

Pope Francis and Patriarch Daniel recited the “Our Father” each in the language of their respective churches: Latin and Romanian.

Before reciting the prayer, Pope Francis delivered a meditation on the Lord’s Prayer, reflecting on each verse and asking God to grant Catholics and Orthodox “the grace to nurture the shared roots of our Christian identity.

“May it inspire us to be patient cultivators of communion, tireless in sowing seeds of unity, encouraging goodness, working constantly at the side of our brothers,” the pope said. “Without suspicion or reserve, without pressuring or demanding uniformity, in the fraternal joy of a reconciled diversity.”

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See video highlights and more coverage from Pope Francis’ trip to Romania

June 7, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Australian Church releases standards for child protection MELBOURNE, Australia — The Australian Catholic Church has released its National Catholic Safeguarding Standards, more than 18 months after they were recommended by the country’s landmark Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse, in the latest chapter in the overhaul of how the Church responds to clergy sexual abuse. The standards closely parallel the commission’s recommendations as well as norms enshrined by the government in the National Principles for Child Safe Organizations, although some provisions have been watered down, observers noted. One example was the number of hours per year that people should be undergoing professional and pastoral supervision, which was reduced from the recommended 12 hours to six hours. Catholic Professional Standards Limited, or CPSL, formed in 2017 in response to the commission’s findings, developed the safeguarding standards and will audit Church leaders’ compliance with them. Audit reports will begin being published later this year. “The standards sometimes exceed current regulatory

and legislative requirements and sometimes fill gaps in areas where there is currently no regulation,� Geoffrey Gludice, CPSL chairman, said in the introduction to the new standards. — Catholic News Service

Mexico’s fifth Walk for Peace draws 40,000 participants CUERNAVACA, Mexico — On June 1, an estimated 40,000 people attended the fifth Walk for Peace in Mexico, organized by the Diocese of Cuernavaca, with the goal of stopping the growing wave of violence caused by the country’s major crime gangs. The tens of thousands of attendees, most of them dressed in white, began the walk around 9 a.m. local time from Our Lady of Miracles parish in Tlatenango,

World Refugee Day Join Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program in celebrating the vibrant communities of refugees in the Queen City. This free family friendly festival will include performances, activities, information, and food brought to you by the diverse populations who arrived as refugees and now call Charlotte home.

Saturday, June 22, 2019 12:00pm to 5:00pm The Galilee Center 3601 Central Avenue Charlotte, NC 28205

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Cuernavaca, to the Plaza de Armas, where Mass was celebrated. “The reality of the suffering of our people demands of us, without a doubt, an attitude of co-responsibility for this reality that we are facing‌Before this bloody holocaust of violence we must not be filled with fear. Even though it is a complicated reality, a prophetic Church is required,â€? said Bishop RamĂłn Castro of Cuernavaca in his address. He also called the main crime gangs to conversion and to remember that the violence also affects their families. “To the principal cartels that operate in our state‌you also are sons of God and, despite everything, the Lord loves you. But it’s never too late to make things right and be converted!â€? he said. “Violence engenders violence and your fighting over territory, drug distribution, money laundering, arms trafficking, not only harms society but also your own children, brothers and parents. For their sake, for the fear of God, we

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entreat you: be converted, it’s never too late, it’s always possible, and may we all be converted into a new culture of peace.� — Catholic News Agency

K OF C HOLY SPIRIT COUNCIL # 10389

Celebrate Diversity with World Refugee Day World Refugee Day is a global observance on June 20 to celebrate refugee resilience and raise awareness of their presence on local and international stages.

Please join with our Holy Father in praying for the needs of refugees and immigrants.

"From this encounter with Jesus present in the poor, the rejected, the refugee, the asylum seeker, flows our prayer...To the maternal intercession of Mary Most Holy we entrust the hopes of all the world’s migrants and refugees and the aspirations of the communities which welcome them. In this way, responding to the supreme commandment of charity and love of neighbour, may we all learn to love the other, the stranger, as ourselves."

-Homily of Pope Francis, 14 January 2018 ,

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ViewPoints 30

catholicnewsherald.com | June 7, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Robert Barron

What is happening at Mass?

As many Catholics know, the Second Vatican Council famously referred to the liturgy as the “source and summit of the Christian life.” And following the prompts of the great figures of the liturgical movement in the first half of the twentieth century, the Council Fathers called for a fuller, more conscious, and more active participation in the liturgy on the part of Catholics.

That the Vatican II dream of a revived liturgical awareness and practice has, at least in the West, largely remained unrealized goes without saying. In the years following the Council, Mass attendance in Europe, North America, and Australia has plummeted. The numbers of Catholics who regularly attend Mass in those parts of the world hover between 10 percent and 25 percent.

Therefore, it is not surprising that an extraordinary number of those who self-identify as Catholics in the West have very little idea what the Mass actually is.

My 31 years of priestly ministry convince me that, even for a great number of those who attend Mass regularly, the liturgy can seem something like a religiouslythemed jamboree.

So what is the Mass? What happens during this paradigmatic prayer? Why is it the beginning and culmination of what it means to be a Christian? In the course of this brief article, I will share just a couple of basic insights.

First, the Mass is a privileged encounter with the living Christ. Christianity is not a philosophy, ideology or religious program; it is a friendship with the Son of God, risen from the dead. There is simply no more intense union with Jesus than the Mass.

Consider for a moment the two major divisions of the Mass: the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of the Eucharist.

When we meet with another person in a formal setting, we typically do two things.

We get together and talk, and then we eat.

Think of the first part of Mass as an exchange, a conversation between the Son of God and members of his mystical body.

In the prayers and interventions of the priest, and especially in the words of the Scriptures, Jesus speaks to His people, and in the songs, responses and psalms, the people talk back.

There is, if you will, a lovely call and response between the Lord and those who have been grafted onto Him through baptism. In the course of this spirited conversation, the union between head and members is intensified, strengthened, confirmed.

Having talked, we then sit down to eat – not an ordinary meal, but the banquet of the Lord’s Body and Blood, hosted

by Jesus Himself. The communion that commenced with the call and response during the first part of Mass is now brought to a point of unsurpassed intensity (at least this side of heaven), as the faithful come to eat the body and

drink the lifeblood of Jesus.

A second rubric under which to consider the Mass is that of play. We tend quite naturally to think of play as something less than serious, something frivolous and far less important than work.

But nothing could be further from the truth. Work is always subordinated to an end beyond itself; it is for the sake of a higher good. So I work on my car that I might drive it; I work at my place of employment that I might make money; I work around the house so that it might be a more pleasant place to live, etc.

But play has no ulterior motive, no end to which it is subordinated. Hence, I play baseball or watch golf or attend a symphony or engage in philosophical speculation or get lost in a sprawling novel simply because it is good in itself.

These activities are referred to in the classical tradition as “liberal,” precisely because they are free (liber) from utility.

When I was teaching philosophy years ago in the seminary, I would gleefully tell my students that they were engaging in the most useless study of all. Invariably they laughed – revealing the utilitarian prejudice of our culture – but I always reminded them that this meant the highest and most noble kind of study.

The Mass, as an act of union with the highest good, is therefore the supreme instance of play. It is the most useless and hence sublimest activity in which one could possibly engage. Recently, I had the privilege of attending the Mass for the installation of new members of the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulcher.

For the solemn liturgy, the Knights wore dashing capes emblazoned with the Jerusalem cross and jaunty black berets, while the ladies donned elegant black gowns, gloves and lace mantillas.

Two bishops, in full Mass vestments and tall miters, welcomed the new members into the order by dubbing them on both shoulders with impressively large swords.

As I watched the proceedings, I couldn’t help but think of G.K. Chesterton’s remark that children often dress up when they engage in their “serious play.”

Capes, hats, ceremonial gloves, vestments and swords for dubbing are all perfectly useless, which is precisely their point.

So all of the colorful accouterments and stately actions of the Mass are part of the sublime play.

Why is the Mass so important? Why is it the “source and summit” of the Christian life? I could say many more things in answer to these questions, but suffice it to say that it is the most beautiful encounter between friends and that it is an anticipation of the play that will be our permanent preoccupation in heaven.

BISHOP ROBERT BARRON is an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries.

Bobby Speers

Focus on the spiritual race and goal of heaven

S

ince the beginning of time, men were honored with exemplary titles for physical fortitude. For example, Nimrod was given in Genesis 10:8-9: “Cush became the father of Nimrod, who was the first to become a mighty warrior on earth. He was a mighty hunter in the eyes of the Lord; hence the saying, ‘Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter in the eyes of the Lord.’”

As time progressed, men of old devised competitive games to test their bodily strength. Archeologists documented ancient Olympic Games occurring around 776 B.C. These games were held during the festival honoring the Greek god of sky and thunder, Zeus. Participation was limited to freeborn Greek men who would compete in footraces, javelin hurling and wrestling.

The winners in each category would receive an olive leaf wreath or crown.

There were no second- or third-place awards given at these events. Only the best were recognized and honored.

Evan Andrews gave this account on www.history.com/news/7-ancient-sportsstars: “One of the towering figures of ancient sports was Theagenes, a Greek pugilist who supposedly won 1,300 bouts over the course of a 22-year career. His most significant achievements came at the Olympics in 480 and 476 B.C., when he became the first athlete to win the wreath in both boxing and pankration, an ancient form of mixed martial arts.”

It may seem a bit parsimonious that Theagenes would sacrifice so much time and energy for a wreath that would wilt in a couple of weeks. Yet Theagenes and many other Greek men dedicated their time and transformed their bodies to enter these games in the hope for a few moments of glory.

The New Testament also refers to organized competitions similar to these ancient Olympic Games. During the Isthmian Games, a celebration to the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon, thousands of people traveled to Corinth to see the athletes in action. The ancient city and surrounding towns were filled to capacity.

They cheered in stadium seats and vendors sold food, drinks and souvenirs. Even during wartime, peace prevailed and a truce was struck between rivals during the games.

The Apostle Paul, who had established a church in Corinth, heard during his travels that the Corinthian Christians needed guidance. Paul admonished the Church by painting a picture that would be readily understood: “Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we have an imperishable one.

Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified” (1 Cor 9:24-27).

When the Apostle Paul wrote these verses, he was comparing the Christian faith to the Isthmian Games. The Corinthians understood that the winner would receive only a perishable wreath made of olive branches. They knew athletes who displayed complete selfcontrol and trained their bodies to perfection – all to obtain one fleeting moment of glory.

Paul used this analogy, hoping to motivate and inspire the Christians to take on the spiritual challenge of running their daily spiritual race for Christ. By training their bodies to resist temptations, forming a godly conscience, participating in Mass, getting spiritually pumped up by praying, studying, reading, persevering in faith, living and proclaiming the Gospel, training regardless of any obstacles and in any weather, they would all receive an imperishable crown – rather than a couple of leaves woven into a headpiece, meant only for one person.

To win the spiritual race, Paul preaches, one must use free will and devote the necessary time to train daily. Sure, one can begin the race unprepared, but if life’s temptations or distractions get in the way of that race towards eternal salvation, one will ultimately stumble and fall.

One’s focus must be on winning the race and gaining heaven. Total spiritual preparation is the key to receiving an imperishable crown.

There is another benefit in running a spiritual race. Writing to the church at Philippi, Paul exhorts: “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to come to a mutual understanding in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my true yokemate, to help them, for they have struggled at my side in promoting the gospel, along with Clement and my other co-workers, whose names are in the book of life” (Phil 4:1-3). Just like the runners during the Olympic and Isthmian Games had their names written in a book, our names are also written in a book – the Lamb’s book of life, which is eternal.

In Revelation 21:27, John gives a stern warning for those hoping to enter heaven: “But nothing unclean will enter it, nor any(one) who does abominable things or tells lies. Only those will enter whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

Our spiritual race is a chance of a lifetime. It begins on earth, starting at our baptism and the finish line is heaven.

BOBBY SPEERS is an author who lives in Hickory. This commentary is in memory of Sister Mary Norman and the Krispy Kreme Challenge 5K run or walk benefit for Carcinoid Cancer, sponsored by the Maryvale Sisters. This year’s race will be held Saturday, June 8. Details are at runsignup.com/Race/NC/Hickory/ TheKrispyKremeChallenge5K.

June 7, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Chris Hazell

I

n lifeless, bold letters across a slab of concrete, the word “Indifferenza” (“Indifference”) is etched at Milan’s Holocaust Memorial. The somber word, heavy with plaintive meaning and tragic history, serves as both a constant and cautionary reminder of the grave horrors that can befall humanity if we give into such a state of apathy. The museum stands where Platform 21 used to, a train station that seventy years ago was secretly used to load Jews onto trains headed for death camps. The museum opened in 2013, and in taking seriously the writing on the wall, recently has sheltered and accommodated foreign refugees: an influx of men, women and children who have fled war, hunger and persecution in northern Africa.

Elie Wiesel, the Nobel Peace Prize winning novelist, political activist and Holocaust survivor, knew well the consequences of a world lulled by the nefarious pitch of indifference: “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference.

And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.”

Wiesel’s words conjure a sobering passage from the Book of Revelation in their indictment of those who stand detached, disengaged and disinterested with the world and the suffering of those in it: “I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth” (Rev 3:15-16).

Moreover in the Gospels, Christ harbors convicting words for those who ignore the least brothers of His. In one parable, the Rich Man ends up in hell not because of a sinful action on his part, but rather a selfish inaction – his “blindness” to the needs of Lazarus. Pope Francis has also warned of a “globalization of indifference,” a great temptation by which Christians of the West can often be lured: “Our heart grows cold. As long as I am relatively healthy and comfortable, I don’t think about those less well off. Today, this selfish attitude of indifference has taken on global proportions, to the extent that we can speak of a globalization of indifference. It

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How do we respond with love to a crying world? is a problem which we, as Christians, need to confront.”

Interestingly, although comfort and health can muddy our sight of those suffering in our midst, we at the same time have access to more human misery and pain than ever before. We do not have to exert much energy to view a good measure of misfortune. Daily through television, online news sources, social media, etc., we are exposed to gruesome, mind-searing images and stories. We see with eyes that would often rather remain blind to the plight of those living in our world, and not necessarily because we don’t care, but because the misery is far too great and we far too helpless. With a battering of our senses and such a widened scope of human suffering and pain, we can often only process it through avoidance – and if not avoidance, then disengaged curiosity.

A CNN article from a few years back, “Is the Internet Killing Empathy” by Gary Small and Gigi Vorgan, raises serious questions about the seeming loss of empathy – and, consequently, the rise of indifference – experienced by many in our society: “Have our brains become so desensitized by a 24/7, all-you-can-eat diet of lurid flickering images that we’ve lost all perspective on appropriateness and compassion when another human being apparently suffers a medical emergency? Have we become a society of detached voyeurs?”

By “medical emergency,” Small and Gigi are referring to an incident involving a Los Angeles news reporter who seemingly had a stroke on live TV (it turned out only to be a migraine). The video became a viral sensation, incurring a shocking slew of likes and shares. The article continues, speculating why such alarming behavior is becoming more widespread: “(8- to 18-year-olds’) brains have become “wired” to use their tech gadgets effectively in order to multi-task – staying connected with friends, texting and searching online endlessly, often exposing their brains to shocking and sensational images and videos. Many people are desensitizing their neural circuits to the horrors they see, while not getting much, if any, off-line training in empathic skills.”

Our culture’s media is aware of the mass appeal of sensational stories, often

feeding this morbid appetite with accounts of lurid suffering and disturbing violence.

The gritty, neo-noir film “Nightcrawler,” starring Jake Gyllenhall, unearths this very infatuation embedded within our culture. The film explores the harrowing underbelly of crime journalism.

Gyllenhall’s sociopathic character, Louis Bloom, and others in the film, are motivated to record and broadcast the most violent and crime-riddled narratives they can dig up in the urban sprawl of Los Angeles, not for the sake of responsibly informing society – the noble and necessary purpose of journalism – but rather, to package them neatly with a bow as forms of voyeuristic entertainment.

As we become privy to the suffering of others to such a massive extent, how do we respond with hearts made of flesh the way Christ would have? I don’t think there is an easy answer. If we’re honest, we are helpless against the majority of suffering and evil we witness. There is the need for humility in looking out at a world that is deeply wounded and accepting that we can’t save it by our own efforts. Only God can – and did – shoulder the totality of the world’s sin and suffering. In most cases, all we can do is pray, fast and mourn with others. God can use our sacrifices and prayers to dispense His grace in mysterious ways. Who knows how skipping a meal for the sake of someone enduring persecution in the Middle East can restore justice? Or how proffering a heartfelt Our Father can restore healing? Prayer and sacrifice, when united to Christ’s suffering on the cross, allows us to do more than we can possibly imagine – surely more than we’ll ever know in this life.

However, we are still responsible to bring about God’s loving mercy into the world through our own acts – through our very flesh that images Christ’s Body. As His baptized children, we are His sacraments – signs of His grace in a world gone awry.

God calls us to act, for we are people of reason and will, tasked with the great command to work for the salvation of the whole world. “If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?” (James 2:15-16)

We are called to pray for some and act for others. We are called to let God show us when He wants us simply to stand in solidarity with our neighbor who is suffering and offer him or her God’s mercy through prayer and sacrifice, and when we can be the hands and feet of Christ in a literal way. If we are honest in our prayers and listen for the voice of God, He will let us know when we are to explicitly and concretely enter into others’ suffering and strive to relieve it. And when He doesn’t right away, we do the best we can to hold the tension of the world – to love when there is only darkness. We know some are called to defend the unborn, others to feed the hungry, others to bring hope to the imprisoned, others to teach the doubtful, and so on.

I’ve heard some say that witnessing the plight and misery of others allows for us to be thankful of our own situation.

While I agree that there can be a grace in seeing more clearly the blessings we have compared with another who lacks those same blessings – and a proper response is always gratitude to God for His undeserved gifts – I think we have to be careful. Surely, the misery of others does not serve only to help us appreciate how blessed we are and then rest comfortably behind the curtain of those very gifts and blessings. We can never stop at a gratitude that is content with only a thank you. Instead, in our sheer gratefulness, we should desire to pour out those blessings we have onto others. Our prayer should be a thank you, followed by a question: How are You asking me to bless others – especially those suffering – with the blessings You’ve given me, Lord?

Because for every blessing we have, we also have our own inimitable sufferings for which we need others to share God’s mercy with us.

The Christian response should not be avoidance or numbness in the midst of our suffering neighbors, no matter how great or small. Instead, let us seek to hold the tension of living in a fallen but redeemed world, eschewing an indifference that has no place in the hearts of God’s people.

CHRIS HAZELL is the founder of The Call Collective, a blog exploring the intersection between faith, culture and creativity.

Letter to the editor

Life is the right of every child – not a privilege for the fortunate and the planned Sixteen years ago I lay in a basket on the side of the road in China. Born into a country where abortions were required and forced due to the one child policy. I was born into poverty and my parents were not able to care for me. But they gave me something far better than any amount of money or comfort. They gave me the gift of life. It is unknown if I had another sibling who came before me or if they were just too poor to take care of me, but either way they could’ve gone the easy way out and just aborted me.

Instead, they gave me a chance at life. I remained with them for 10 days until I was put up for adoption, and 10 months later I was adopted by an amazing family.

I am forever grateful for my biological parents for giving me life and a chance.

Without their gift of life to me, I wouldn’t have known my amazing family. I would not know my brother, sister, mom and dad. Without their gift of life to me, I would not know all my friends and extended family. I wouldn’t be able to experience all the joys and sorrows of life. Yes, I might have lost my biological parents, but I can never doubt their love for me because they chose to bring me into the world through difficulty and pain.

Life is one of the greatest gifts of love from God and from our parents. I believe that life should not be given up so easily.

I believe that we all deserve a chance.

I don’t believe in accidents because miracles don’t just happen by chance. I am so grateful that I am alive today. Life is the right of every child – it is not a privilege for the fortunate and planned.

Abortion goes far past any government decision or a woman’s right to chose, it goes back to our Creator, God, who gave us His only Son so that we may have eternal life. Yes, bad things happen, but an unborn child should not be the victim.

I stand for life for every single child in foster care, orphanage, child of rape and every unborn child because I believe that what is broken can become beautiful. Choose life!

KAIA FRANKS lives in Charlotte.

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