Feb. 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

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

Bishop Jugis appoints new Vicar of Hispanic Ministry Obispo Jugis nombra nuevo Vicario del Ministerio Hispano

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St. Philip the Apostle Church dedicates new parish hall 6

INDEX

Contact us.....................................4 Español......................................... 8-11 Events calendar............................4 Our Faith........................................2 Our Parishes............................. 3-7 Schools........................................ 12 Scripture readings.......................2 TV & Movies................................. 13 U.S. news.................................14-15 Viewpoints..............................18-19 World news............................. 16-17

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Pope to health workers:

Uphold right to life CRS Rice Bowl

Celebrate the Year of St. Joseph INSIDE: Details about

making a pilgrimage around the diocese or a 33-day consecration

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‘You have given everything over to Him’

Small sacrifices make a big difference each Lent 5

Bishop Jugis celebrates Mass for World Day for Consecrated Life

A través del Plato de Arroz de CRS profundiza tu fe y servicio a los más necesitados 10

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Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | February 14, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Also inside n 33-day consecration to St. Joseph starts Feb. 16 n St. Joseph Prayer Books available SEE PAGE 20

Celebrate the Year of St. Joseph by making a pilgrimage in the diocese CHARLOTTE — This is an extraordinary year in the life of the Church in the Diocese of Charlotte. Bishop Peter Jugis has declared 2020 as the Year of St. Joseph, according to this year’s special commemoration of the life of St. Joseph, the Guardian and Protector of the Holy Catholic Church.

The faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte are encouraged to celebrate the Year of St. Joseph by making a pilgrimage to the many parishes and chapels named for St. Joseph across western North Carolina.

Visit these St. Joseph churches and chapels EDEN St. Joseph of the Hills Church, 316 Boone Road

ASHEBORO

WHAT IS A PILGRIMAGE?

A pilgrimage is no ordinary journey. It is a kind of “holy traveling” undertaken with resolve for a particular spiritual purpose. Throughout Church history the faithful have traveled to holy sites – whether it is a place where a saint lived, where a miracle occurred, or where a saint is especially honored – to obtain a special favor and to do penance for one’s sins.

When a church is named for a saint, it means that particular saint is its special guardian and intercessor in heaven. When you travel to parishes named for St. Joseph and leave your prayer intentions at his altars, it shows him special honor and will increase the blessings and graces you’ll receive through his intercession.

St. Joseph Church, 512 W. Wainman Ave.

NEWTON St. Joseph Church, 720 W. 13th St.

BRYSON CITY St. Joseph Church, 316 Main St.

OBTAINING INDULGENCES IN THE YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH

The Holy See has granted a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions for pilgrims who visit the designated pilgrimage sites across the diocese during the Year of St. Joseph.

A plenary (or full) indulgence is “a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1471).

In general, obtaining an indulgence requires certain prescribed conditions and performing certain prescribed works.

St. Joseph Church, 108 St. Joseph St.

MOUNT HOLLY “Old” St. Joseph Church, N.C. 273 and Sandy Ford Road (Note: Historic chapel open only for Mass on March 17 and 19, and 1-3:30 p.m. on the first Sunday of every month, February to December. To arrange group tours, contact Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont at 704-825-9400.)

YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH PILGRIMAGES

To enhance your Year of St. Joseph Pilgrimage experience, look for the official Year of St. Joseph Prayer Book, with a forward written by Bishop Jugis. The prayer book is expected to be available in parishes in early March, prior to the feast of St. Joseph on March 19.

The prayer book includes blank, passport-style pages to be stamped at each church or chapel with an official Year of St. Joseph stamp customized for each location. You are encouraged to plan pilgrimages throughout the year – consider making it a family or group activity to collect all of the stamps as part of your Year of St. Joseph devotions.

KANNAPOLIS

CHARLOTTE St. Joseph Vietnamese Church, 4929 Sandy Porter Road St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East

BELMONT Belmont Abbey’s St. Joseph Adoration Chapel, on the campus of Belmont Abbey College at 100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Road St. Joseph College Seminary, 1212 Perfection Ave. (Note: To be completed in May 2020)

To gain an indulgence, whether plenary or partial, you must be in the state of grace at least at the time you complete your indulgenced work. In addition, you must: n have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, even venial sin; n have sacramentally confessed your sins; n receive Holy Communion; and n pray for the intentions of the pope.

It is appropriate, but not necessary, that the sacramental confession and especially Holy Communion and the prayer for the pope’s intentions take place on the same day that you perform the indulgenced work; but it is sufficient that these sacred rites and prayers be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act.

How you pray for the pope’s intentions is left up to you, but an “Our Father” and a “Hail Mary” are suggested.

One sacramental confession suffices for several plenary indulgences, but a separate Holy Communion and a separate prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions are

required for each plenary indulgence.

For the sake of anyone who is legitimately impeded, confessors can commute both the work prescribed and the conditions required (except, obviously, detachment from even venial sin).

Indulgences can be applied either to yourself or to the souls of the deceased, but they cannot be applied to other living people.

HOW TO HAVE A FRUITFUL PILGRIMAGE

It is important to carry on your pilgrimage a special prayer intention in your heart and mind. It can be a single intention or a different one for each destination. Kneel at the altar upon arrival and pray fervently, asking St. Joseph to intercede with Jesus Christ for your request. When you receive an answer, remember to offer prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter, with information compiled from www. yearofstjoseph.org.

Daily Scripture readings FEB. 16-22

Sunday: Sirach 15:15-20, 1 Corinthians 2:6-10, Matthew 5:17-37; Monday: James 1:1-11, Mark 8:11-13; Tuesday: James 1:12-18, Mark 8:14-21; Wednesday: James 1:19-27, Mark 8:2226; Thursday: James 2:1-9, Mark 8:27-33; Friday (St. Peter Damian): James 2:14-24, 26, Mark 8:34-9:1; Saturday (The Chair of St. Peter): 1 Peter 5:1-4, Matthew 16:13-19

FEB. 23-29

Sunday: Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18, 1 Corinthians 3:16-23, Matthew 5:38-48; Monday: James 3:13-18, Mark 9:14-29; Tuesday: James 4:1-10, Mark 9:30-37; Wednesday (Ash Wednesday): Joel 2:12-18, 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18; Thursday: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Luke 9:22-25; Friday: Isaiah 58:1-9, Matthew 9:14-15; Saturday: Isaiah 58:914, Luke 5:27-32

MARCH-1-6

Sunday (First Sunday of Lent): Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11; Monday: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18, Matthew 25:31-46; Tuesday (St. Katharine Drexel): Isaiah 55:10-11, Matthew 6:7-15; Wednesday (St. Casimir): Jonah 3:1-10, Luke 11:29-32; Thursday: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25, Matthew 7:7-12; Friday: Ezekiel 18:21-28, Matthew 5:20-26; Saturday (Sts. Perpetua and Felicity): Deuteronomy 26:16-19, Matthew 5:43-48

Our parishes

February 14, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Bishop Jugis appoints new Vicar of Hispanic Ministry CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Father Julio Domínguez has been appointed vicar of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Charlotte, Bishop Peter Jugis has announced.

Father Domínguez succeeds Father Fidel Melo, who has been granted a sabbatical for a year to participate in a Purépecha language and culture immersion in the Archdiocese of Morelia in Michoacán, Mexico, in order to minister to the Purépecha immigrant community here in the diocese.

Father Domínguez’s appointment was effective Feb. 1.

Domínguez The new role caps more than 16 years of ministry in the diocese for Father Domínguez, who was ordained for the diocese in 2003.

A native of Tamaulipas state, Mexico, Father Domínguez knew he wanted to be a priest since he was 8 years old, he says. Yet like many young people as they grow up, he left the Church for a time in his teenage years and had doubts about his faith. But a conversation with his mother, Esperanza Prieto, impelled him to return to his faith when he was in high school.

He recalls his mother telling him, “Look, César (that is what his mother calls him), I’m just going to tell you something. I already showed you the way of God and you had taken it very well, but you left it. I just want you to know that there is a heaven and a hell, and you are on the road to hell. It depends on you, I already gave you the basis, and you are going to take the path you want.”

He began to take a more active role in the Church after a missionary priest urged him to receive training to become a catechist. What he learned about his faith, he says, filled his heart.

“The missionaries explained everything so well that it made sense,” he says.

He left his secular studies and a girlfriend at the time, and enrolled at the Religious House of the Missionaries of Christ Mediator. He remained in religious life for the next 10 years, but he felt God was calling him to work more closely with people at a parish, in a community.

While studying his third year of philosophy and theology in Rome, he made plans to enter the diocesan priesthood in Jalisco, Mexico. But before returning home to Mexico from Rome, he stopped over in Gastonia to visit relatives.

That visit to Gastonia changed his life, he says. There he met Father John Allen, who at the time was pastor of St. Michael Church there. Father Allen encouraged him to consider studying for the priesthood for the Charlotte diocese. He had doubts about leaving his home and family in Mexico and he wondered about the challenges of learning a new language and serving in an unfamiliar area, he recalls, but his mother encouraged him again to follow God’s will.

“God does not work by chance,” she told him.

After his ordination, Father Domínguez served at Sacred Heart Parish in Salisbury, where his mentor was Father John Putnam, formerly pastor there. He then served at St. Aloysius Church in Hickory, and for the past seven years he has served as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Lenoir.

His secondary assignments have included serving on the Presbyteral Council, overseeing the Hispanic Track of the annual Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress, serving on the diocesan vocations team and, most recently, serving as Hispanic Ministry coordinator for the Smoky Mountains Vicariate.

Bishop Peter Jugis is pictured (from left) with Mercy Sisters Mary Robert Williams, Maria Goretti Weldon and Sister Mary Schmuck after Mass Feb. 1.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘You have given everything over to Him’ Bishop Jugis celebrates Mass for World Day for Consecrated Life SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Dozens of religious sisters, brothers and priests gathered with Bishop Peter Jugis to celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life with a Mass Feb. 1 at St. Patrick Cathedral.

During his homily, Bishop Jugis recognized seven Sisters of Mercy from the South Central Community in Belmont for their longtime service to the Church: Sister Maureen Dees (75 years); Sister Mary Jerome Spradley, Sister Mary Robert Williams and Sister Maria Goretti Weldon (70 years); Sister Barbara Wheeley and Sister Mary Schmuck (60 years); and Sister Mary Rose Bumpus (50 years).

“I am happy to be celebrating this World Day for Consecrated Life with you, the consecrated religious of in our diocese, and especially at this Mass to be honoring those sisters who are celebrating special anniversaries of religious profession this year,” Bishop Jugis said.

The annual celebration for the World Day for Consecrated Life was instituted for three purposes, he noted: “Firstly, to thank God for the gift of consecrated life in the Church – a marvelous blessing He has bestowed upon the Church in every age. Secondly, it was instituted in order to continue to promote appreciation for the vocation of the consecrated life among the people of God, that people would see the value and the blessing and the beauty of this calling from God and continue to appreciate it as part of the local Church. And thirdly, this annual commemoration was instituted to affirm consecrated persons themselves in their vocations: religious sisters, religious brothers and religious priests.”

Bishop Jugis went on to preach that the Gospel reading chosen for the Mass, Matthew 16:24-27, has special meaning for consecrated persons.

“Jesus says, ‘Whoever loses life for my sake will save it.’

Whoever gives over one’s life to Jesus will save it,” he said.

They receive “a new life of freedom in Christ, a new life of joy, a new life of self-offering in service to Jesus and the Kingdom of God.” “You, my sisters and brothers, are living that Gospel passage by your consecration to God – handing your life over to the Lord.”

We should give thanks to God for His gift of religious to

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Three Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in High Point bring up the gifts at Mass for World Day for Consecrated Life at St. Patrick Cathedral Feb. 1. the Church in western North Carolina, Bishop Jugis added.

Looking out over the congregation, he said, “I consider your personal witness of consecrated holiness to be very important to our diocese. And the witness of all the religious families in our diocese to be very important, to be essential in filling out the universal call to holiness in our Church.”

Consecrated religious are like “anchors of holiness” in our diocese, he said, just as vital to the spiritual strength of our diocese as those who are ordained clergy and those who choose the vocation of holy matrimony.

“All of these anchors keeping us grounded in our life in Christ and in the Gospel are so essential, so integral, so necessary to the complete picture of the life of our diocese,” he said.

“Together we are all contributing in some way, according to our special vocations, to the flourishing culture of holiness. Therefore, the Church of Charlotte is able to shine brightly with the presence of Christ,” he said.

CONSECRATED, SEE PAGE 20

UPcoming events 4

catholicnewsherald.com | February 14, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following upcoming events: FEB. 21 – 10 A.M. Diocesan Finance Council Meeting Pastoral Center, Charlotte

FEB. 29 – 12 P.M. Rite of Election St. Matthew Church, Charlotte

MARCH 7 – 12 P.M. Rite of Election St. Eugene Church, Asheville

MARCH 11 – 6 P.M. Seminarian Education Campaign Graylyn International Conference Center, Winston-Salem

FEB. 23 – 3 P.M. Dedication of New Church Queen of the Apostles Church, Belmont

MARCH 5 – 12 P.M. Diocesan Foundation Board Meeting

MARCH 10 – 11 A.M. Presbyteral Council Meeting Pastoral Center, Charlotte

MARCH 14 – 12 P.M. Rite of Election Holy Cross Church, Kernersville

Diocesan calendar of events February 14, 2020

ESPAÑOL

Volume 29 • NUMBER 10

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

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

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

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.

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.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING NFP INTRODUCTION AND FULL COURSE: 1:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, Our Lady of Mercy Church, 1730 Link Road, Winston-Salem. Topics include: effectiveness of modern NFP methods, health risks of popular contraceptives and what the Church teaches about responsible parenting and marital sexuality. Sponsored

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

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

ANOINTING OF THE SICK MASS: 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, St. Luke Church, 13700 Lawyers Road, Mint Hill.

Anointing is typically presented to those who need healing from physical, mental illness, or someone who will be under-going surgery. Refreshments will be served following Mass. Sponsored by the HOPE Committee. For details, call Mary Forgach at 704-545-1224.

HELPER OF GOD’S PRECIOUS INFANTS PROCESSION FOR LIFE: 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte. Procession will begin with Mass, followed by one decade of the rosary on the way to the abortion facility, “A Preferred Women’s Health”, 3220 Latrobe Dr. in Charlotte. Father Matthew Codd will lead the procession. For details, contact Francesca Sperrazzo at fsperrazzo@gmail.com.

THE DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM: 3 p.m. Sunday, March 1, in the chapel at Holy Family Church, 4820 Kinnamon Road, Winston-Salem. The Divine Liturgy (Mass) will be celebrated in English. For details, contact ucmcanton@gmail.com.

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

Thursday, Feb. 27, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne

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

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

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

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

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING ‘Protecting God’s Children’ workshops are intended to educate parish volunteers to recognize and prevent sexual abuse. For details, contact your parish office. To register and confirm workshop times, go to www.virtus. org. Upcoming workshops are: ASHEVILLE: 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, St. Eugene Church, 72 Culvern St.

learn how to: apply practical ways to manage fatigue and stress, discover how to manage difficult behaviors and feelings, how to make good decisions and future plans for loved ones and themselves and will also have the opportunity to connect with other caregivers who understand what you are going through. To register, contact Sandra Breakfield at 704-370-3220 or email sabreakfield@charlottediocese.org.

A MATTER OF BALANCE CLASSES: Thursdays, March 5 to April 23, St. Eugene Church, 72 Culvern St., Asheville, and Mondays, March 9 to May 4, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. Do you have concerns about falling? Are you interested in improving your flexibility, balance and strength? A Matter of Balance can help reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity levels of older adults who have concerns about falling. Participants will learn to: View falls and fear of falling as controllable, set realistic goals for increasing activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors, promote exercise to increase strength and balance. Classes are limited to 14 participants.

Register by Monday, March 2. For details, contact Sandra Breakfield at 704-370-3220 or email sabreakfield@ charlottediocese.org.

YOUNG ADULTS

CHARLOTTE: 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, St. Peter Church, 507 South Tryon St.; 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road

JUVENTUTEM MASS & TALK: New young adult group is centered on growing in holiness through the Traditional Latin Mass. For details, contact Angela Kessler at JuventutemCLT@gmail.com.

MAGGIE VALLEY: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, St. Margaret of Scotland Church, 37 Murphy Dr.

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.

GREENSBORO: 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road 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.

WORKSHOPS BUILDING BETTER CAREGIVERS WORKSHOPS: Wednesdays, March 4 to April 8, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte and Tuesdays, March 10 to April 14, St. Mark Church, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville. Building Better Caregivers is a free six-week workshop for family caregivers. The workshop addresses specific needs for caregivers who care for someone with dementia, memory problems, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or any other serious illness or injury. Participants will

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

OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION CHURCH: on Facebook at “Our Lady of Consolation Young Adult Ministry ST. GABRIEL CHURCH: www.stgabrielchurch.org ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH: www.4sjnc.org/faithformation/adult-ministry/young-adult-ministry ST. LUKE CHURCH: www.stlukechurch.net/youngadult-ministry ST. MARK CHURCH: on Facebook at “The Young Adult Ministry of St. Mark” ST. MATTHEW CHURCH: on Facebook at “Young Adult Life: A St. Matthew Ministry” or visit www. stmatthewcatholic.org/youngadultministries

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

February 14, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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PHOTO BY OSCAR LEIVA | SILVERLIGHT FOR CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES

PHOTO BY GEORGINA GOODWIN FOR CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES

PHOTO BY ERIC CLAYTON | CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES

María Ana Gómez Perez, 16, is seen at her family bean parcel. She dreams of becoming a nurse and helping lift her family out of poverty.

Parents Cristobal and María Demetria don’t know if they are going to have the money to keep her in high school when she finishes ninth grade.

She lives in poverty-stricken El Pinal village in San Francisco de Opalaca, Intibucá, Honduras. She is a beneficiary of the CRS Food for Education program that gives her and her two brothers a meal every school day.

Through the FFE project, CRS and its partners seek to improve school attendance and literacy among school-aged children in Intibucá.

Approximately 53,000 children in preschool through ninth grade receive daily school meals and school supplies. Parents and community members help with a number of related activities, such as school infrastructure improvements, transportation and preparing school meals.

Yvone Nancy Awino, 11, carries a slice of bread on the road from her family home in Konjiko village in Siaya County, western Kenya, May 1, 2019. Yvone is one of seven grandchildren of Eliakim Dude, 62, and his wife Patricia, 54, whose youngest daughter Gaudencia, 25, has been part of a Catholic Relief Services initiative Integrated Mothers and Babies Course IMBC program which is a pre-program for Early Childhood Development ECD. Guadencia is now a lead mother, checking on the other mothers to make sure that they are practicing what they learn in their group. Guadencia’s whole family has noticed improved nutrition and sanitation practices.

They now diversify their diet, plant different crops, keep eggs to eat not sell, all resulting more energy to work and for the kids to attend school.

Sisters Nguyen Thi Trinh (12) and Nguyen Thi Trang (9) play in the field behind the family home while their mother, To Thi Kim Tien (46) looks on.

Since 2016, CRS has been working in the farming community of the Bính Dao commune, located in Quang Nam Province outside of the city of Hoi An, Vietnam. The Disaster Risk Reduction program (DRR) aims to increase the resiliency of farming families in the face of increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather conditions, particularly typhoons and droughts. The traditional knowledge of weather patterns upon which these communities relied on for generations no longer serves to keep families and crops safe. CRS, in partnership with local and national government partners, is working to educate and prepare these families while helping to better care for the natural environment.

CRS Rice Bowl: Small sacrifices make a big difference each Lent This Lenten season Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is asking Catholics to remember the Gospel story of the feeding of the 5,000, as we celebrate the 45th anniversary of CRS Rice Bowl. Just as the modest amount of five loaves and two fish was multiplied to be shared by thousands, small sacrifices add up to make a big difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters around the world. This is one of the lessons CRS Rice Bowl brings to families each year when they use the popular Lenten program.

Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 26, families in the U.S. will get to know three young girls from Honduras, Vietnam and Kenya. Their stories unfold over the 40 days of Lent and each week the story reveals a different aspect of their lives, from home and mealtime, to school and their dreams for the future.

“CRS Rice Bowl is a great way for families to understand that people around the world have similar hopes and dreams but some need our support and assistance to reach those dreams,” said Beth Martin, CRS director for

Mission and Mobilization. “By focusing our prayers and Lenten sacrifices on these three girls and their families, the meaning of Lent is made so much more accessible and richer for Catholic families in the U.S.” New this year is a redesigned Lenten calendar and family guide to make it easy for families to make Lent meaningful. Over the six weeks of Lent, CRS Rice Bowl will follow Maria Ana, Yvone and Trinh through their morning routines, their time at school and meals with their families. Maria Ana, a 16-year-old from Honduras lives with her parents and four brothers in her village El Pinal. She dreams of one day becoming a nurse so she can help her family and community. Yvone is 11 years old and lives in Kenya with her siblings, cousins, grandparents and aunt. Yvone has learned about having a balanced, nutritious diet at school and was able to share that knowledge at home. Trinh, an energetic 12-year-old from Hoi An, Vietnam rides her bike every day and enjoys playing a jump rope game, tung bung, with her friends.

Resources available online

PRAY

FAST

GIVE

LEARN

At www.crsricebowl.org: Catholic Relief Services has a lot of resources for you and your family this Lenten season. Besides the rice bowl kit that you can download online, find video “Stories of Hope” from people who have been aided by CRS, and meatless recipes from the countries featured by CRS this Lent. All materials are available in English and Spanish.

“We hope families will watch the videos together, read the stories and talk about what we have in common with the girls they meet, Martin said.

Every year Catholic families from 14,000 communities across the country are using nearly 4 million rice bowls for almsgiving, which are turned in at the end of Lent.

Those small sacrifices really add up – raising nearly $12 million annually. 75 percent of every donation goes to CRS programming in targeted countries worldwide while 25 percent remains in the local diocese from which the donation came, supporting initiatives that help alleviate poverty.

“We can all be inspired by the miracle Jesus performed in the Gospel story of the loaves and fishes,” Martin said.

“CRS Rice Bowl gives us the opportunity to experience God’s love when we share what we have with those in need.”

How to give and mini-grants information If your parish or school participates in the CRS Rice Bowl campaign, giving guidelines are provided. You can also give directly to CRS Rice Bowl securely online at www.crsricebowl. org; by phone at 1-877-435-7277; or by mail to CRS Rice Bowl, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21297-0303. Find info on CRS Rice Bowl $1,000 Mini Grants at www.ccdoc.org/cchdcrs.

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catholicnewsherald.com | February 14, 2020 OUR PARISHES

Arden’s ‘Deacon Mike’ passes away after cancer battle FLETCHER — Deacon Michael LeVon Stout, 75, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, from this life and is now in the presence of our Lord. He finished his fight with cancer peacefully in the afternoon surrounded by family.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Feb. 8, 2020, at St. Barnabas Church in Arden by Father Adrian Porras, pastor.

Deacon Mike, as he was better known by many, was born in South Bend, Ind., on May 14, 1944, to the late Elmer and Mary Loma (Hannah) Stout. At the tender age of 9, he lost his mother also to cancer, and then a few years later his father remarried the former Nina Engel. He was a graduate of Central High School in South Bend. He met the love of his life, Cathie, and they were married in August 1965. He continued his education at Purdue University and majored in mechanical engineering – technology. Later, he Stout went on to pursue a degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University-New Orleans.

He began his career working at Bendix in South Bend, moved on to Wheelabrator Frye in Mishawaka, and then transferred to Arden in June 1983 to work at Balcrank Products. While raising his family in the mountains of western North Carolina, he discovered a new passion for trout fishing and anything associated with being outside.

He enjoyed his plants, gardening and helping others with anything they needed. He never met a stranger, always sharing a smile and a laugh that lit up any room.

He felt a calling to greater service in the Church and pursued his studies to become a permanent deacon. He was ordained a permanent deacon on June 10, 2006, and served at St. Barnabas Church. His many areas of service included presiding at weddings, baptisms and funerals. Other areas of outreach included prison ministry, visiting the sick and mentoring other deacon candidates, along with countless other tasks.

In his 14 years of diaconate service, Deacon Mike took to heart his call to service.

As a permanent deacon, Deacon Mike was a committed man whose faith was an example to others. He not only proclaimed the Gospel, but he lived the Gospel message and brought it to others with his wife Cathie always by his side.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Ron; and his brother-in-law, Kenny Cole.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Cathie; daughter, Mary Swanson; son, Darren (and wife Heather); grandchildren Jilian, Katie and Trey; sisters Barb (and husband Marcel) Landuit, and Christine Cole; sisters-in-law, Joyce Schrader and Pat Luczynski; brother-in-law, Norman Michaels; and many other relatives including aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to: St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Barnabas Catholic Church, P.O. Box 39, Arden, N.C. 28704; or Bridge Foundation (formerly CarePartners Hospice), P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, N.C. 28813.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian was in charge of the arrangements.

— Catholic News Herald

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY PAULA COLEMAN AND FATHER THOMAS KESSLER

St. Philip the Apostle dedicates new parish hall STATESVILLE — With gratitude to Almighty God, after all the Masses on the weekend of Jan. 11-12, the parishioners of St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville enjoyed an open house and blessed their new parish social hall. The facility has a seating capacity for 250 diners and includes a large commercial kitchen.

The cornerstone of the building contains a quote from very generous and anonymous friends of the parish: “Not a donation but a contribution to the Kingdom of God.” Sacrificial contributions came from many parishioners, and other friends of the parish,

to complete and pay off this Phase I of the parish’s Forward With Christ Building Campaign.

The Parish Planning and Building Committee first met with Diocese of Charlotte officials in March 2015 and benefitted from their assistance, as well as that of Little Architectural Consulting and Messer Construction Co. An ambitious Forward With Christ Capital Campaign is now under way to raise $3.5 million for Phase II, a much-needed Activity & Education Center for the parish.

St. Pius X hosts educational ‘Celebration of Life’ event GEORGIANNA PENN CORRESPONDENT

GREENSBORO — St. Pius X Church’s Purple Hat Ministry hosted a Celebration of Life event Jan. 28 featuring Room At The Inn and Cone Health Women’s Hospital.

The event was timed to coincide with the National Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children in January, and the U.S. bishops’ new initiative “Walking with Moms in Need: A Year of Service” that marks the 25th anniversary of “Evangelium vitae.”

“At St. Pius X, respecting life is a way of life and we are overjoyed to witness the efforts for life within this parish,” said parishioner Tita Wofford.

“It’s a spectacular initiative, this is what we do,” said Krisan Walker, the parish’s community life chair. “We are thrilled to line up with this effort to ensure our parishioners are equipped to guide families in need to our local community partners.”

The event featured a talk by Dr. Sue Pedaline, parishioner and CNO of Cone Health Women’s Hospital (soon to be Cone Health Women’s and Children’s Center), about the impacts of a the “Period of PURPLE Crying” an evidence-based educational program designed to educate parents on the dangers of Shaken Baby Syndrome. Parents learn healthy ways to respond to their new babies during these times of inconsolable crying and St. Pius X parishioners are enthusiastic supporters of the program. They donate knitted and crocheted hats – close to 10,000 purple hats since 2010 – that are then distributed during Period of PURPLE Crying parenting classes at the hospital.

“Infant abuse from head trauma from shaking is one form of abuse we can prevent,” said Walker.

“What stood out for me is the difference one person can make,” Pedaline said, referring to the love each knitter pours

GEORGIANNA PENN | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

During a pro-life event Jan. 28, St. Pius X parishioners donated 168 knitted baby hats for Cone Health Women’s Hospital’s “Period of PURPLE Crying” educational effort to prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome. into each handmade purple hat. She thanked Walker, who along with ministry leader Lupina Doyle helped start the purple hat ministry 10 years ago during a Living Your Strengths class at St. Pius X. Walker, who has worked in foster care and mental health for years, knows the devastation that can occur from shaking. Out of the babies admitted to a hospital with Shaken Baby Syndrome, 30 percent die and 35 percent have lifelong disabilities. The Period of PURPLE Crying program has been implemented in more than 2,000 organizations in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Israel, Australia, North Korea and the Cayman Islands. Studies show a 35 percent decline in children being admitted to the emergency room for shaking-related injuries in hospitals that implement this program.

At Cone Health, Pedaline notes, “it is required…because of the impact on patient safety.”

This life-saving program is directly in line with the U.S. bishops’ new “Walking

with Moms in Need: A Year of Service” initiative because “if a baby is shaken and something horrible happens, DSS is called,” Walker points out. “And if there’s other children in the family, they might be given to another relative to raise or they might come in to foster care. So the reach goes beyond the infant who is getting this hat – it is for an entire family.”

Marianne Donadio, Room At The Inn’s vice president of development, thanked St. Pius X Church for “walking with” the mothers Room At the Inn has assisted over the years.

Some mothers have a background of extreme poverty, Donadio said, and “many of them have been chronically homeless themselves.” There is often a history of domestic violence, substance abuse or mental illness, as well. “It’s really quite terrifying, so to choose life in that situation, you have to be quite heroic,” she said.

Pro-life work, she noted, is “most effective when we provide support while mothers are pregnant, when they’re trying to choose life and then for years afterwards. It’s a matter of helping them succeed long-term.”

Learn more Pregnant and parenting moms in need are in our parishes and our neighborhoods. As Pope Francis reminds us, our parishes need to be “islands of mercy in the midst of a sea of indifference.” Everyone in the parish community should know where to refer a pregnant woman in need.

The 25th anniversary year of “Evangelium vitae” is an opportunity to assess, expand and communicate resources to pregnant moms and families in need. Parishes are invited to join the nationwide effort from March 25, 2020, to March 25, 2021, entitled: “Walking with Moms in Need: A Year of Service.”

Go to www.usccb.org/about/pro-lifeactivities/walking-with-moms-in-need.cfm to learn more.

February 14, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Parochial administrator named for St. Margaret Mary Church CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter J. Jugis announces the appointment of Father Brian J. Becker as parochial administrator of St. Margaret Mary Church in Swannanoa effective Feb. 21.

He succeeds Father Matthew Leonard, who passed away unexpectedly in December 2019.

Father Becker will continue in his assignment Becker as parochial vicar at St. Mark Parish in Huntersville, where he has served since his ordination in June of 2017.

— Catholic News Herald

Boone parish hosts Marian icon BOONE — The Knights of Columbus of Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Council at St. Elizabeth Church in Boone recently hosted the traveling icon Mary Help of Persecuted Christians as part of the 18th edition of the Knights of Columbus Marian Prayer Program. The icon,

written by Fabrizio Diomedi and blessed by Pope Francis, depicts the Blessed Mother sheltering representatives of persecuted Christian communities in the world under her protection. The icon traveled among Knights of Columbus councils within North Carolina to promote personal and communal Marian prayer and especially to pray for the intercession of the Blessed Mother for the protection of Christians persecuted around the world. The icon also traveled to St. Aloysius Church in Hickory.

— Amber Mellon, correspondent

Celebrating Candlemas CHARLOTTE — With a large crowd of 350 attendees, St. Ann Parish and the Charlotte Latin Mass Community celebrated the Feast of the Purification, traditionally known as Candlemas, with a special blessing of candles followed by a candlelight procession and Mass Feb. 2. Pictured above: The ceremonies began with St. Ann’s pastor Father Timothy Reid performing the Latin blessing of candles for the many candles parishioners brought. Father Reid then led an outdoor candlelight procession symbolizing the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph bringing the Infant Jesus into the temple in Jerusalem to meet Holy Simeon and Anna the Prophetess. After the procession, he offered a High Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

The feast day is often associated with candles as the Blessed Mother, while visiting the temple 40 days after Christmas for the purification law, presented the Infant Jesus, the Light of the World, to Holy Simeon. A tradition in the Church developed to bless candles on this special Marian feast day. In the Extraordinary Form, Candlemas also represents the end of the 40day Christmas season. To mark the occasion, the Charlotte Latin Mass Community celebrated with a dessert potluck and the Cantate Domino Latin Choir performed its annual Wassailing Christmas carol to officially close the season.

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

(803) 327-2097

OUR PARISHESI

Human trafficking educational events held More than 120 people attended an educational event in Mooresville Jan. 31 on the issue of human trafficking and how to combat it in their everyday lives. The event was co-sponsored

by St. Therese Church and Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s Respect Life Program and Anti-Trafficking Task Force.

The U.S. bishops’ Anti-Trafficking Program encourages parishes to raise awareness on human trafficking during the month of January. Both the Catholic Charities’ Anti-Trafficking Task Force and St. Therese’s social justice committee are raising awareness on this issue all year long.

On the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita (Feb. 8), the patron saint of human trafficking victims, “Discussing Human Trafficking and How You Can Make a Difference,” was offered by Catholic Charities, the Sisters of Mercy and other anti-trafficking nonprofits at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte. These collaborating groups are part of the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force coordinated by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte. The event began with Mass celebrated in the parish chapel, and continued with a fair trade sale with informational resources.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JESSICA GRABOWSKI The event closed with a prayer service. Pictured is Kara Griffin, a member of the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force and a parishioner of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte, presenting a wide variety of fair trade produced by artisans from around the world, some of whom are survivors of human trafficking.

At www.usccb.org/anti-trafficking-program: Read more about what you and your parish can do to combat the evil of human trafficking

Seminarian Wasswa takes oath of fidelity COLUMBUS, Ohio — In preparation for ordination to the transitional diaconate, seminarians in their third year of graduate study at the Pontifical College Josephinum – including Diocese of Charlotte seminarian Joseph Wasswa – made the profession of faith and took the oath of fidelity in the presence of Father Steven Beseau, rector, and the seminary community Feb. 11. Candidates for ordination pledge to remain faithful to the teachings of the Church and swear to be faithful teachers of the Gospel.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CAROLYN A. DINOVO AND PETER STETSON

— Mike FitzGerald and Markus Kuncoro, correspondents

Center for Spirituality rockhilloratory.net

oratorycenter@gmail.com

Parish School Principal St. Mary's Catholic School, a PK (3)-8 parish school located in Rome, Georgia, seeks a principal beginning on July 1, 2020. St. Mary's Catholic School enrolls 219 students with a dedicated and professional staff of 19. The school is fully accredited through Cognia

Racism, Prejudice and Bias

Friday, March 13, 2020 7:00pm-9:00pm Saturday, March 14, 2020 9:30am-4:00pm Presented by: Sr. Mary Priniski, OP and Matthew Cressler This will be an opportunity to look at some difficult but timely topics. In these sessions we will examine both personal and institutional responses to those located on what Pope Francis calls “the peripheries”. We will address both the historic and current realities in the U.S., with a particular focus on the South.

Sister Mary Priniski is an Adrian Dominican currently serving as Project Coordinator for Gathering for Mission in the Aquinas Center of the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She has a Masters in Health Care Mission and a Doctorate in Missiology and has served in various justice ministries throughout her ministerial life, including several years in Rock Hill.

Matthew Cressler is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at the College of Charleston.

Cost: $50 includes program and lunch Additional $40 for Friday night accommodations and breakfast

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District-Wide Accreditation.

The successful candidate will be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church. This candidate will exhibit strong leadership skills and the ability to maintain the school's strong Catholic identity.

Additional requirements include: hold a minimum of a Master's degree in Educational Leadership, a minimum of three years of Catholic school experience, superior communication skills, a collaborative leadership style to lead others in the mission of Catholic education, be knowledgeable in current areas of professional development and exhibit excellent instructional leadership.

Send resume and letter of interest by February 20, 2020 to: Connie Urbanbski, Ed.D Associate Superintendent of Schools - Archdiocese of Atlanta 2401 Lake Park Dr. SE Smyrna, Georgia 30080 curbanski@archatl.com (no phone calls please)

FACEBOOK.COM/ CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD ESPAÑOL

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catholicnewsherald.com | February 14, 2020

Padre Julio Domínguez

H

“Siempre guiados por el Espíritu Santo”

ace algunos meses tuve la gracia de ser llamado por mi Obispo Peter Jugis a servir como Vicario Episcopal del Ministerio Hispano.

Con la salida del P. Fidel Melo a su año sabático, tomé a cargo la oficina del Ministerio Hispano el 31 de enero de 2020 y espero poder servir a mi Obispo y a toda la comunidad hispana con gran alegría y entusiasmo, confiando siempre en el poder de Dios que actúa a través de su Santo Espíritu para transformar su Iglesia.

Podría hablar de muchos proyectos y planes que serían fácil decir que quiero realizar, pues en realidad hay una gama de necesidades reales en la comunidad hispana. Sin embargo, quiero enfocarme sobre todo en las prioridades pastorales de mi Obispo para poder ser un verdadero instrumento de ayuda en el gobierno de nuestra diócesis de Charlotte. Todo mi equipo de trabajo estará realizando el trabajo que se nos ha asignado en las áreas de formación, evangelización, familia, vocaciones, liturgia y jóvenes.

En el área de formación me interesan los líderes parroquiales, aquellos que con generosidad nos ayudan en la enseñanza. Así como nosotros los sacerdotes necesitamos la formación contínua, de la misma manera ellos necesitan esta formación doctrinal permanente.

En el área de Evangelización, la comunidad hispana se caracteriza por estar siempre muy activa en los retiros y conferencias, llamando contínuamente más y más gente a seguir a Cristo. Me gustaría que, de manera sistemática y organizada, todos los movimientos apostólicos, en colaboración con los párrocos y coordinadores diocesanos, sigamos esta noble misión de la Evangelización, tanto de adultos como jóvenes y matrimonios.

En el área de Familia estamos llamados a poner mucha atención, pues se requiere un nuevo empuje de la gracia de Dios para poder ayudar a tantos matrimonios jóvenes que están iniciando su camino matrimonial. En nuestra comunidad hispana existen cientos de parejas que no han recibido la gracia del sacramento del matrimonio y que viven fuera de la gracia de Dios debido a esto.

En el área de las vocaciones veo un gran potencial en la comunidad hispana, pues es donde tenemos una hermosa y floreciente juventud.

Estoy seguro que, con las familias bien envueltas y empapadas en la fe y una atención más profunda en los jóvenes, sobre todo en lo que se refiere a grupos juveniles y retiros para ellos, vendrá en un futuro no muy lejano una floreciente cultura de vocaciones que provea pastores continuamente para nuestra Iglesia diocesana.

En el área de Liturgia, me interesa mucho proponer una formación sólida basada en el Catecismo de la Iglesia y en las instrucciones litúrgicas del Misal Romano sobre la celebración de los sacramentos y los ministerios que ayudan a los sacramentos, a saber: lectores, ministros extraordinarios de la Comunión, visita a los enfermos, ujieres, monaguillos, etc. Así como la preparación doctrinal de los sacramentos que podamos llevar a cabo en toda la diócesis de una manera uniforme.

Y por último, y no por esto lo menos importante, los jóvenes.

Siempre pienso en los miles de jóvenes entre los14 y 17 años que se encuentran en nuestra familia hispana. Muchos de ellos, terminada su formación catequética con el sacramento de la confirmación, se quedan sin seguir recibiendo la formación adecuada a su edad. La verdad es que tenemos un reto grande en nuestras manos, pues ellos vienen a ser el futuro de nuestra Iglesia aquí en nuestra diócesis, al mismo tiempo que el puente de unión entre las dos comunidades de habla hispana e inglesa pues ellos ya son perfectamente bilingües.

Con la ayuda y gracia de Dios, la colaboración del clero de nuestra diócesis, el equipo de coordinadores diocesanos, los miles de colaboradores voluntarios y todas las familias cristianas, tengo la sincera y firme esperanza que trataremos de hacer lo mejor posible para que muchas almas conozcan y amen más a Jesucristo, para gloria de Dios Padre, siempre guiados por el Espíritu Santo.

EL PADRE JULIO DOMÍNGUEZ es el director del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

El Padre Julio Domínguez ha sido nombrado vicario del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

FILE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Obispo Jugis nombra nuevo Vicario del Ministerio Hispano CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE — El obispo Peter Jugis anunció un cambio en el liderazgo del Ministerio Hispano diocesano. Al padre Fidel Melo se le ha otorgado un año sabático para participar en una inmersión del idioma y cultura purépecha en la Arquidiócesis de Morelia, Michoacán, México, con el objetivo de poder servir a la comunidad de inmigrantes purépechas que residen en la Diócesis de Charlotte.

El Padre Julio Domínguez ha sido designado para suceder al Padre Melo como Vicario del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte, a partir del 1 de febrero.

El Padre Julio César Domínguez Prieto nació en Tampico, Tamaulipas en 1972, siendo sus padres don Marcial Domínguez y doña Esperanza Prieto.

Su apego a la religión se puso de manifiesto muy pronto y a los ocho años de edad le dijo a su madre que deseaba ser sacerdote.

Como todo adolescente, en crisis de rebeldía, se alejó de la iglesia y tuvo sus dudas sobre Dios.

En la preparatoria, como consecuencia de una conversación que sostuvo con su madre, regresó a la Iglesia.

“Mira César (así lo llama su madre), yo nomás te voy a decir una cosa. Yo ya te mostré el camino de Dios y tú lo habías tomado muy bien, pero lo dejaste. Solamente quiero que sepas que hay un cielo y un infierno, y tú vas por el camino del infierno. De tí depende, yo ya te di las bases y tú vas a tomar el camino que tú quieras”, le dijo doña Esperanza.

La invitación para tomar un rol más activo en la Iglesia le llegó por un sacerdote misionero para que se capacite y desempeñe como catequista.

Las verdades de la fe que recibió lo llenaron intensamente. “Los padres misioneros explicaban todo tan bien que hacía sentido”, relató.

Pese a contar con una novia que le atraía mucho y a estar estudiando, sintió el llamado de Dios a tomar otro camino, decidió darse la oportunidad de probar algo distinto e ingresó, junto con otros diez jóvenes, a la Casa Religiosa de Los Misioneros de

Cristo Mediador.

Permaneció diez años en la vida religiosa, pero al inquieto joven le gustaba la vida de parroquia, quería acercarse a la gente, trabajar con la comunidad.

Mientras estudiaba en Roma su tercer año de Filosofía y Teología, y bajo recomendación de su consejero religioso, inició contactos para ingresar al sacerdocio diocesano en Jalisco, México.

Cuando regresaba a México, gracias a una invitación de familiares llegó a Gastonia, Carolina del Norte, de visita. Allí se encontró con el Padre Joan Allen, pastor en la parroquia San Miguel, quien lo invitó a presentarse como candidato al sacerdocio por la Diócesis de Charlotte y continuar su formación como seminarista.

La duda de llegar a un mundo desconocido cuando esperaba retornar a México, el reto de estudiar un nuevo idioma y la separación por más de diez años de su familia lo hizo dudar.

Nuevamente un consejo de su madre fue decisivo.

En una conversación telefónica doña Esperanza lo alentó a seguir el camino pues, como le dijo, “Dios no trabaja por casualidades”.

El siete de junio de 2003, fue ordenado por el Obispo William Curlin junto a los sacerdotes Enrique González Gaytán y Matthew Ryan Beuttner en la Iglesia San John Neumann.

El Padre Julio recuerda la intensa lluvia de ese día y también la emoción de ver a la familia presente, aunque algunos de ellos, incluido su padre, no pudieron llegar pues se les negó la visa.

Su primera asignación fue en la parroquia Sagrado Corazón en Salisbury, donde permaneció por 3 años. Ahí tuvo como mentor al Padre John Putnam, a quien reconoce debe su crecimiento.

Le siguieron San Luis Gonzaga en Hickory y San Francisco de Asís en Lenoir, donde permaneció siete años.

El Padre Julio Domínguez es también miembro del Consejo Presbiteral, responsable del track hispano del Congreso Eucarístico, parte del equipo diocesano de Vocaciones y su última asignación fue la de coordinador del Ministerio Hispano en Smoky Mountains.

February 14, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Compartiendo la historia de la liberación CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE — Gracias a una invitación del Templo Beth El, una sinagoga judía, el Padre Hugo Medellín, vicario parroquial de la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte, asistió como orador a una serie de conferencias sobre la liberación del pueblo elegido por Dios y el llamado a la justicia social.

Las charlas tuvieron lugar los viernes 10, 17, 24 y 31 de enero, con la asistencia de la comunidad judía e interreligiosa unida en una cena tradicional de Shabat, seguida de los Servicios de la noche de Shabat y el Sermón.

Como oradores, aparte del Padre Medellín, participaron la Rabina Judith Schindler, el Reverendo Dr. Peter Wherry y la Dra. Hadla Mubarak.

La rabina Judith Schindler se desempeñó como rabina mayor del Templo Beth El de 2003 a 2016 y como rabina asociada de 1998 a 2003. Actualmente es profesora asociada de estudios judíos y directora del Centro Stan Greenspon para la Paz y la Justicia Social en la Universidad Queens en Charlotte.

El Reverendo Wherry es pastor de la Iglesia Bautista Misionera Memorial Mayfield y graduado en Artes en Trabajo Social, Maestría en Divinidad y Doctor en Ministerio del Seminario Teológico Wesley en Washington, D.C. Como parte de sus estudios

de doctorado, viajó a El Salvador, donde se comprometió con líderes políticos y teólogos, incluido uno de los padres de la Teología de la Liberación, el jesuita Dr. Jon Sobrino.

Por su parte, la Doctora Hadia Mubarak es profesora asistente de estudios religiosos en el Guilford College. Anteriormente enseñó en la Universidad de Carolina del Norte en Charlotte y Davidson College. Mubarak completó su Ph.D. en estudios islámicos de la Universidad de Georgetown, donde se especializó en exégesis coránica moderna y clásica, feminismo islámico y reforma de género en el mundo musulmán moderno.

El 31 de enero, en su alocución, el Padre Medellín se refirió a las enseñanzas sobre justicia social, liberación y dignidad humana que entregan los cinco primeros libros del Antiguo Testamento: Génesis, Éxodo, Levítico, Números y Deuteronomio, conocidos como Pentateuco en la religión Católica y Torá en el Judaísmo.

Medellín inició definiendo el mito más allá de su acepción regular de ser un relato tradicional sobre acontecimientos que forman parte del sistema de creencias de una cultura o de una comunidad. El mito, dijo, “es una realidad que nunca sucedió, pero que se repite todos los días de nuestras vidas”.

Abordando la creación del mundo, señaló que el Génesis relata que “Dios creó al hombre a su imagen y semejanza, lo que quiere decir que estamos creados con la

habilidad para relacionarnos con él y con el prójimo”.

Después de ello, creó a la mujer y le dio al hombre una compañera digna. “Una compañera digna, no más ni menos que él”, dijo, para luego preguntarse el porqué de la violencia doméstica, del abuso, del trabajo mal remunerado hacia ella.

En la misma creación, señaló, “Dios nos da una bendición, que es multiplíquense y cubran la faz de la tierra. Y nos da la creación entera cuando nos dice que los seres que caminan y las plantas están a nuestro servicio”. Por ello, añadió, “cuando explotamos y destruimos el medioambiente estamos rompiendo esta relación con Dios”.

“Luego sucede la desobediencia”, continuó.

“La serpiente nos promete ser como dioses y tener la capacidad de decidir sobre el bien y el mal. Este querer ser como Dios es otro pecado”, afirmó.

La consecuencia de esta desobediencia, aseguró, es una sentencia que suena como castigo, pero que también se entiende como la dignificación del trabajo: “ganarás el pan con el sudor de tu frente”. “¿Y qué entonces sobre el trabajo forzado, la esclavitud sexual, el tráfico humano, el desempleo, el desplazamiento masivo de migrantes, las leyes laborales manipuladas para el beneficio de algunos cuantos?”, se preguntó. “Todas son faltas ante la justicia que demanda Dios”, aseguró.

Conozca sobre el tráfico humano CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

El pasado mes de enero estuvo dedicado a la concientización sobre el tráfico humano en todo el país. La trata de personas es un delito que ha existido por siglos y actualmente, según lo considera la Interpol, es una forma de delincuencia organizada internacional, valorada en miles de millones de dólares, que constituye una forma de esclavitud en nuestros tiempos.

El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (Homeland Security) indica que el delito implica el uso de la fuerza, el fraude o la coerción para obtener algún tipo de acto sexual laboral o comercial.

“Cada año, millones de hombres, mujeres y niños son traficados en todo el mundo, incluso aquí en los Estados Unidos. Puede suceder en cualquier comunidad y las víctimas pueden ser de cualquier edad, raza, género o nacionalidad. Los traficantes pueden usar la violencia, la manipulación o las falsas promesas de trabajos bien remunerados o relaciones románticas para atraer a las víctimas a situaciones de trata”, asegura en su página web.

Para los delincuentes, sus víctimas no son más que una mercancía que puede utilizarse, incluso venderse, para obtener beneficios. Hay un desprecio total por la dignidad y los derechos humanos.

En muchos casos, la barrera del idioma y el miedo hacen que las víctimas no busquen ayuda, lo que convierte el tráfico de personas en un delito oculto.

Los centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades en Estados Unidos (CDC) han determinado que las consecuencias de este delito en las víctimas son muy severas, incluyendo el contagio de enfermedades de transmisión sexual, embarazos no deseados por violaciones y prostitución, infecciones, mutilaciones, malnutrición, abuso de sustancias, adicciones, otros desórdenes físicos y psicológicos generados por el abuso diario y tortura.

Por ello, añadió, más tarde vendría la liberación del pueblo de Dios ante la opresión de los egipcios. “Pero la liberación viene con un compromiso y le pide a su pueblo que sea compasivo con las viudas, con los desprotegidos, con los migrantes, con los extranjeros. Le pide que cumpla con su ley”.

Luego, siguiendo los hechos narrados en el libro del Génesis, “viene el fratricidio, la violencia. Un hermano mata a su hermano. Y ante la pregunta del Señor sobre el paradero de Abel, Caín responde a Dios “¿Acaso soy yo su guardián para saber dónde está?”, dijo el Padre Medellín.

Esta violencia, asegura, “este hecho, este mito, se repite hasta nuestros días. Y nuestra respuesta, en muchos casos, es la misma de Caín: ¿acaso soy yo responsable?”.

La respuesta, dijo, la dió el Papa Francisco, “quien nos indica ciertamente, que donde no se puede señalar un responsable, todos lo somos”. Esto, precisó lo hizo el Papa al denunciar lo que el Pontífice llama “la globalización de la indiferencia”, que incluye la relativización del bien y el mal.

Al término, el Padre Hugo reconoció que tocar el tema de la justicia social “puede incomodar a algunas personas” pero, para encontrar una solución, “lo único que nos queda es seguir proclamando el mensaje de liberación, de justicia, y confiar en la misericordia de Dios”.

Director of Communications

Nuestra ciudad y estado no está libre de este delito. El 31de enero de este año, un hombre fue detenido en Charlotte y acusado de seis cargos de tráfico humano gracias a una víctima -esclavizada sexualmente- que tuvo el valor de denunciarlo.

A fines de 2019, el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional, en conjunto con el Departamento de Policía de Charlotte Mecklenburg, anunció que Charlotte está entre las ciudades con mayor número de arrestos por este delito en todo el país. “Es una verdadera pesadilla”, dijeron.

Los datos presentados revelaron un crecimiento nacional en el número de casos del 38 por ciento. Localmente, los agentes policiales de Charlotte arrestaron a 125 sospechosos y rescataron a 30 víctimas en el año fiscal 2019.

Si conoce un caso o es víctima de tráfico humano, de ser posible, denuncie de inmediato el hecho a la policía. También puede llamar a la Línea Nacional de Tráfico Humano al 1-888-373-7888 o enviar un texto al 233733.

The Catholic Diocese of Savannah is seeking a seasoned professional to direct

Cifras alarmantes

of diocesan events, initiatives and programs. Host regular webinars/workshops and

Se estima que actualmente hay entre 20 y 40 millones de personas en esclavitud moderna.

Internacionalmente, solo se identifican aproximadamente el 0,04% casos de sobrevivientes de trata de personas.

La trata de personas genera ganancias globales de aproximadamente $ 150 mil millones al año para los traficantes, de los cuales $ 99 mil millones provienen de la explotación sexual comercial Alrededor de 71% de las personas esclavizadas son mujeres y niñas, mientras que los hombres y los niños representan el 29%.

Fuente: Dosomething.org

Más online En www.humantraffickinghotline.org/ obtenga-ayuda: Para enterarse más sobre este delito

diocesan Communication and Marketing strategies both internal and external. This position reports to the Senior Director Operations and facilitates internal communications and public relations; directs the editorial and business components of the diocesan newspaper, Southern Cross; as well as the website and social media presence consistent with diocesan policies, goals and guidelines.

Specifically; plan, organize and direct department activities, provide leadership and guidance to staff of 3; implement programs, budgets, operating plans, guidelines and diocesan policies. Work collaboratively with department directors to carry out the mission of the diocese to maximize publicity for special events, programs and major announcements from diocesan offices. Build relationships and maintain contacts with local media, Catholic media and national media, if needed. Work in tandem with and provide leadership to editor of Southern Cross to ensure positive and thorough coverage one-on-one regional training on crisis communications for parishes and schools.

Successful candidates must be Catholic in full-communion with the Church and possess extensive knowledge of the policies and programs of the Roman Catholic Church and have the ability to explain and carry out the mission of the diocese and the teachings of the Church.

A minimum of a BA/BS in Mass Communications, Journalism, Marketing or Public Relations is required with 5-10 years’ experience with increasing levels of responsibility preferred.

To apply email a resume with three references to: jagreen@diosav.org.

The deadline for resumes is February 28, 2020.

The position will remain open until a candidate is hired.

10

catholicnewsherald.com | February 14, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Acción en Honduras REZA

AYUNA

DONA

APRENDE

María Ana Gómez Pérez, de 16 años, ayuda a su madre Demetria a cocinar arroz para sus hermanos y hermanas menores, Juan Manuel y Dinora Marlene.

Come en su escuela llamada Centro de Educación Básica José Suazo Córdova en El Pinal, San Francisco de Opalaca, Intibucá Honduras, gracias al programa Alimentos para la Educación (FFE, por su sigla en inglés) de CRS que les da a ella y a sus dos hermanos, Denis y Marcos, una comida diaria. Esta comida hace una gran diferencia en su familia, que vive en condiciones de extrema pobreza y generalmente come una vez al día. La familia de siete depende solo del trabajo de Cristóbal Gómez, de 50 años, su padre.

María Ana Gómez Pérez, de 16 años, ayuda a su madre Demetria a cocinar arroz para sus hermanos y hermanas menores, Juan Manuel y Dinora Marlene.

Come en su escuela llamada Centro de Educación Básica José Suazo Córdova en El Pinal, San Francisco de Opalaca, Intibucá Honduras, gracias al programa Alimentos para la Educación (FFE, por su sigla en inglés) de CRS que les da a ella y a sus dos hermanos, Denis y Marcos, una comida diaria. Esta comida hace una gran diferencia en su familia que vive en condiciones de extrema pobreza y generalmente come una vez al día.

La familia de siete depende solo del trabajo de Cristóbal Gómez, de 50 años, su padre.

A través del programa FFE, CRS y sus socios buscan mejorar la asistencia escolar y la alfabetización entre los niños en edad escolar en los 17 municipios de Intibucá. Aproximadamente 53,000 niños en edad escolar reciben comidas diarias y útiles escolares para los más necesitados.

Los padres y miembros de la comunidad participan en la mejora de la infraestructura escolar, organización del transporte y preparación de las comidas escolares.

El programa también otorga capacitación en nutrición e higiene, promueve el valor de una educación de calidad, capacita a maestros y administradores escolares en técnicas de gestión escolar.

Más online En bit.ly/382TiRx: Aprende a cocinar baleadas, un plato típico hondureño aparente para Cuaresma con el que se alimenta María Ana y su familia

FOTO DE OSCAR LEIVA | SILVERLIGHT PARA CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES

¡Dale vida a la Cuaresma!

A través del Plato de Arroz de CRS profundiza tu fe y servicio a los más necesitados Para el tiempo de Cuaresma que se avecina, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) nos pide que recordemos el pasaje de la multiplicación de los panes que relatan los cuatro evangelios, a la vez que celebramos el 45 aniversario de su programa Plato de Arroz.

Así como cinco panes y dos peces se multiplicaron para ser compartidos por miles, los pequeños sacrificios se suman para hacer una gran diferencia en la vida

de nuestros hermanos en todo el mundo.

Esta es una de las lecciones que Plato de Arroz de CRS trae a las familias cada año cuando hacen uso del popular programa de Cuaresma que iniciará el 26 de febrero, Miércoles de Ceniza.

“Plato de Arroz de CRS es un excelente medio para que las familias entiendan que las personas en todo el mundo tienen esperanzas y sueños, y que algunos necesitan de nuestro apoyo y ayuda para alcanzarlos”, dijo Beth Martin, directora de Misión y Movilización de CRS. Lo nuevo de este año es un calendario rediseñado y una guía familiar para que sea más fácil para las familias hacer que la Cuaresma sea significativa.

Durante las seis semanas de Cuaresma, seguiremos a María Ana, Yvone y Trinh a través de sus rutinas matutinas, su tiempo en la escuela y las comidas con sus familias.

María Ana, una jovencita hondureña de 16 años, sueña con convertirse algún día en enfermera para poder ayudar a su familia y comunidad. Yvone tiene 11 años, vive en

Kenia, donde aprendió a tener una dieta equilibrada y nutritiva en la escuela y pudo compartir ese conocimiento en casa. Trinh, una enérgica niña de 12 años de Hoi An, Vietnam, disfruta jugar con sus amigos.

PEQUEÑOS DONATIVOS, GRANDES RESULTADOS

Cada año, las familias católicas de 14,000 comunidades en todo el país usan casi 4 millones de platos de arroz para dar donativos, que se entregan al final de la Cuaresma. Esos pequeños sacrificios realmente suman, recaudando casi 12 millones de dólares anuales.

El 75 por ciento de cada donativo se destina a la programación de CRS en países seleccionados en todo el mundo, mientras que el 25 por ciento permanece en la diócesis local de donde proviene el donativo, apoyando iniciativas que ayudan a aliviar la pobreza.

“Plato de Arroz de CRS nos da la oportunidad de experimentar el amor de Dios cuando compartimos lo que tenemos

con los necesitados”, dijo Martin.

Recursos disponibles Los materiales de Plato de Arroz de CRS están diseñados para familias, parroquias, educadores, universidades y diócesis. Están disponibles en forma impresa y en la web en inglés y español. También puede unirse al grupo de Facebook de Plato de Arroz de CRS. Los materiales impresos están disponibles en inglés y español, y se pueden pedir gratis para grupos de 25 o más. Las familias también pueden ordenar sus propios Platos de Arroz de CRS individuales. Llame al 800-222-0025 o visite crsplatodearroz.org/pedidos para hacer un pedido.

Para obtener más información sobre Plato de Arroz de CRS, visite crsplatodearroz.org

Más online En bit.ly/2S08Hg5: Vea un video sobre el programa del Plato de Arroz de CRS para esta Cuaresma

February 14, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Nuestra Señora de Lourdes

San Valentín El santo del amor y la amistad Cada 14 de febrero se recuerda a San Valentín, patrono de los enamorados. Según la tradición, durante la persecución a los cristianos en los primeros siglos, el santo ponía en riesgo su vida para unir a las parejas en matrimonio.

En antiguos martirologios se menciona en la fecha del 14 de febrero al menos a tres santos de nombre Valentín, todos ellos mártires.

A uno se le describe como un sacerdote de Roma que solía socorrer a los presos que serían martirizados durante la persecución del emperador Claudio II. Este fue detenido y enviado por el emperador al prefecto de Roma, quien al ver que todas sus promesas para hacerlo renunciar a su fe eran ineficaces, mandó que lo golpearan y después lo decapitaran.

El otro San Valentín, y el más conocido, es el obispo de Pignataro Interamna — actualmente Terni, en Italia— famoso por su evangelización, milagros y curaciones, y que fue decapitado en tiempos del emperador romano Marco Aurelio.

Aunque San Valentín sigue siendo reconocido como verdadero santo de la Iglesia, muy poco se sabe de seguro sobre su vida, fuera del hecho de su martirio. Es por eso que el calendario litúrgico celebra el 14 de febrero a los Santos Cirilo y Metodio en vez de a San Valentín.

En la fiesta de San Valentín, día de los enamorados, muchas personas que creen que su vocación es el matrimonio ruegan a Dios que les muestre a la persona correcta con la que compartirá su vida.

DÍA DE LOS ENAMORADOS

Para abolir la costumbre pagana de que los jóvenes sacaran por suerte nombres de jovencitas, en honor de la diosa del sexo y la fertilidad llamada Februata Juno, celebrada el 15 de febrero, algunos pastores substituyeron esta costumbre escribiendo nombres de santos. Así con el tiempo la fiesta sería cristianizada y se celebraba en vez San Valentín.

El 14 de febrero se envían postales los enamorados porque, según la creencia medieval procedente de Inglaterra y Francia, ese día, es decir, a mediados del segundo mes del año, “todas las aves escogen su pareja”.

— Condensado de Aciprensa

Oración de los Enamorados

En mi corazón, Señor, se ha encendido el amor por una criatura que tú conoces y amas.

Tú mismo me la has hecho encontrar y me la has presentado.

Te doy gracias por este don que me llena de alegría profunda, me hace semejante a Ti, que eres amor, y me hace comprender el valor de la vida que me has dado.

Haz que no malgaste esta riqueza que tú has puesto en mi corazón: enséñame que el amor es don y que no puede mezclarse con ningún egoísmo; que el amor es puro y que no puede quedar en ninguna bajeza; que el amor es fecundo y desde hoy debe producir un nuevo modo de vivir en los dos.

Te pido, Señor, por quien me espera y piensa en mí; por quien camina a mi lado; haznos dignos el uno del otro; que seamos ayuda y modelo.

Ayúdanos en nuestra preparación al matrimonio, a su grandeza, a su responsabilidad, a fin de que desde ahora nuestras almas dominen nuestros pensamientos y los conduzcan en el amor.

Amén.

Finalmente, hace hincapié en la importancia de la conversión y la confianza en Dios.

— Condensado de Aciprensa

“¡Ruega a Dios por los pecadores!”

Oración para pedir a la Virgen por la salud de los enfermos

El 11 de febrero de 1858, tres niñas, Bernadette Soubirous, de 14 años, su hermana Marie Toinete, de 11 y su amiga Jeanne Abadie, de 12 salieron de su casa en Lourdes para recoger leña. Camino al río Gave, pasaron por una gruta natural donde Bernadette escuchó un murmullo y divisó la figura de una joven vestida de túnica blanca, muy hermosa, ceñida por una banda azul y con un rosario colgado del brazo. Se acercó y comenzaron a rezar juntas, para luego desaparecer.

El domingo 21 de febrero, la niña ve que la Virgen estaba triste, le pregunta lo que le pasa y Nuestra Señora le contesta: “Rogad por los pecadores”.

Por un período de cinco meses, la Virgen se le apareció a la niña en medio de multitudes que se acercaban para rezar y poder observar a la hermosa señora, pero la Virgen sólo se le aparecía a la niña.

En reiteradas ocasiones, Bernadette fue víctima de desprecios y burlas por parte de las autoridades eclesiales y civiles de pueblo, pero la niña se mantuvo firme en su fe mariana sobre todo en el especial pedido que la Virgen le había encargado: la construcción de una capilla sobre la gruta y la realización de una procesión.

Luego de la última aparición ocurrida el 16 de julio, fiesta de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, Bernadette ingresó a la orden religiosa de las hermanas enfermeras, a la edad de 22 años, y permaneció allí hasta su muerte a los 34 años de edad.

¡Oh amabilísima Virgen de Lourdes, Madre de Dios y Madre nuestra!

Llenos de aflicción y con lágrimas fluyendo de los ojos, acudimos en las horas amargas de la enfermedad a tu maternal corazón, para pedirte que derrames a manos llenas el tesoro de tu misericordia sobre nosotros.

Indignos somos por nuestros pecados de que nos escuches,

EL MENSAJE DE LA VIRGEN

El Mensaje que la Santísima Virgen dio en Lourdes, puede resumirse en los siguientes CNS | PAUL HARING puntos: Una enfermera empuja la silla de ruedas de una mujer en el Santuario Es un agradecimiento del cielo por la de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes en el suroeste de Francia en esta foto de definición del dogma de la Inmaculada archivo del 16 de mayo de 2014.

Concepción, que se había declarado cuatro años antes por Pio IX (1854), al mismo tiempo que así se presenta Ella misma como pero acuérdate que jamás se ha oído decir que ninguno Madre y modelo de pureza para el mundo que está de los que han acudido a ti haya sido abandonado. necesitado de esta virtud. ¡Madre tierna! ¡Madre bondadosa! ¡Madre dulcísima!

Derramó innumerables gracias de sanaciones Ya que Dios obra por tu mano curaciones sin cuento en físicas y espirituales, para que nos convirtamos a la Gruta prodigiosa de Lourdes, sanando tantas víctimas Cristo en su Iglesia. del dolor, Es una exaltación a las virtudes de la pobreza y guarda también una mirada de bendición para nuestro humildad, aceptadas cristianamente al escoger a pobre enfermo… (se dice el nombre).

Bernadette como instrumento de su mensaje.

Alcanzadle de vuestro Divino Hijo Jesucristo la deseada Un mensaje importantísimo en Lourdes es el salud, de la Cruz. La Santísima Virgen le repite que lo si ha de ser para mayor gloria de Dios. importante es ser feliz en la otra vida, aunque para Pero mucho más alcanzadnos a todos el perdón de ello sea preciso aceptar la cruz. “Yo también te nuestros pecados, paciencia y resignación en los prometo hacerte dichosa, no ciertamente en este sufrimientos mundo, sino en el otro”. y sobre todo un amor grande y eterno a nuestro Dios, En todas las apariciones vino con su Rosario, prisionero por nosotros en los Sagrarios. resaltando la importancia de rezarlo.

Amén.

Subraya la importancia de la oración, de la Virgen de Lourdes, rogad por nosotros. penitencia y humildad (besando el suelo como Consuelo de los afligidos, rogad por nosotros. señal de ello); también, un mensaje de misericordia Salud de los enfermos, rogad por nosotros. infinita para los pecadores y del cuidado de los Rezar tres Avemarías. enfermos.

Lecturas Diarias FEB. 16-22

Domingo: Sirácides 15:15-20, 1 Corintios 2:6-10, Mateo 5:1737; Lunes: Santiago 1:1-11, Marcos 8:11-13; Martes: Santiago 1:12-18, Marcos 8:14-21; Miércoles: Santiago 1:19-27, Marcos 8:22-26; Jueves: Santiago 2:1-9, Marcos 8:27-33; Viernes (San Pedro Damián): Santiago 2:14-24, 26, Marcos 8:34-9:1; Sábado (La Cátedra de San Pedro): 1 Pedro 5:1-4, Mateo 16:13-19

11

FEB. 23-29

Domingo: Levítico 19:1-2, 17-18, 1 Corintios 3:16-23, Mateo 5:38-48; Lunes: Santiago 3:13-18, Marcos 9:14-29; Martes: Santiago 4:1-10, Marcos 9:30-37; Miércoles (Miércoles de Ceniza): Joel 2:12-18, 2 Corintios 5:20-6:2, Mateo 6:1-6, 16-18; Jueves: Deuteronomio 30:15-20, Lucas 9:22-25; Viernes: Isaías 58:1-9, Mateo 9:14-15; Sábado: Isaías 58:9-14, Lucas 5:27-32

MARZO-1-6

Domingo (Primer domingo de Cuaresma): Génesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7, Romanos 5:12-19, Mateo 4:1-11; Lunes: Levítico 19:1-2, 11-18, Mateo 25:31-46; Martes (Sta. Katharine Drexel): Isaías 55:10-11, Mateo 6:7-15; Miércoles (San Casimiro): Jonás 3:1-10, Lucas 11:29-32; Jueves: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25, Mateo 7:7-12; Viernes: Ezequiel 18:21-28, Mateo 5:20-26; Sábado (Santas Perpetua y Felícita): Deuteronomio 26:16-19, Mateo 5:43-48

Our schools 12

catholicnewsherald.com | February 14, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

St. Gabriel School’s Catholic Schools Week prayer card winners

PHOTO PROVIDED BY TIMOTHY GALARDE

OLA lends a hand at Second Harvest CHARLOTTE — Eighth-graders from Our Lady of the Assumption School recently volunteered at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in Charlotte. In the community service project, students and teachers sorted and packaged food and non-food supplies that were then distributed throughout 24 local counties across North and South Carolina among the 800-plus partner agencies of Second Harvest. These partner agencies include soup kitchens, emergency pantries, homeless shelters, senior programs and low-income daycares. Since 1981, Second Harvest has aimed to eliminate hunger through advocacy, education and partnerships to collect and distribute food. Second Harvest employs programs to bring aid to children, seniors, families, veterans and pets. For example, one children’s program that OLA supports is the Backpack Program, which provides children at risk for hunger with backpacks full of ready-to-eat, nutritious foods for weekends and holidays when school meals are not available. Last year, Second Harvest distributed more than 60 million pounds of food and other household items throughout its service region.

&Mary

Mercy

April 3-4, 2020

Retreat

Holy Family Catholic Church

4820 Kinnamon Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27103

Experience the Time of Mercy!

“How much the world needs to understand and accept Divine Mercy!”

– Saint John Paul II

Featuring speaker Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC

This Retreat Includes:

•

5 Conferences with Fr. Gaitley:

• • • • • •

Coffee & Donuts Lunch with the Marian Missionaries Retreat Mass & Divine Mercy Chaplet Adoration & Benediction Personal Testimonies Book Signing with Fr. Gaitley and more!

• • • • •

Personal Testimony: Now is the Time of Mercy St. John Paul II: Fatima and the Great Mercy Pope St Maximilian Kolbe: Mary’s Instrument of Mercy St. Thérèse: The Way of Merciful Love Your Role in this Time of Mercy

NEW! Special Rate $4995

Register Now

Events.MarianMissionaries.org For more information: 413-944-8500 Ext. 10

Hosted by the Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy

CHARLOTTE — St. Gabriel School’s annual prayer card contest is one of the highlights of its annual Catholic Schools Week events. This year’s winners were Catalina Lizarazu (prayer) and Hannah Pepitone (illustration), whose beautiful work reflects the themes of “Learn, Serve, Lead, Succeed.”

Pictured are Principal Michele Snoke, Father Richard Sutter, and the winning students.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DARBY MCCLATCHY

Mix

February 14, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

In theaters

New documentary seeks to mobilize Christians in fighting sex trafficking combat this societal scourge.

Churches can host their own one-night screenings of the film until Feb. 20.

SAN DIEGO — A powerful new documentary on Several of those interviewed on camera in “Blind sex trafficking makes its intentions clear from the Eyes Opened” suggest that society’s blindness to this outset. “Blind Eyes Opened: The Truth About Sex widespread crime is the result of simply not wanting Trafficking in America” begins with this scriptural to believe that such things are happening, with passage from Isaiah: “to open eyes that are blind, increasing frequency, in our own neighborhoods. to free captives from prison and to release from the In the film, Cpl. Alan Wilkett of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office in Florida tells viewers, “It’s happening right before our eyes, and yet we’re not seeing it.”

The film tackles such topics as the insidious ways in which children are lured by traffickers who often prey on vulnerabilities such as low self-esteem and an unstable family life; how law enforcement has shifted from viewing trafficked persons as criminals to recognizing them as crime victims; what additional steps that American society can take against trafficking; and what resources are currently available to those fortunate enough to escape from such a hellish life.

Among the many CNS | COURTESY BLIND EYES OPENED heartbreaking stories Women pray in the documentary “Blind Eyes Opened: The Truth About Sex Trafficking in recounted in the film is that America.” Churches can sign up to host a screening of the powerful new documentary on sex of Edie B. Rhea, founder of trafficking until Feb. 20.

Healing Root Ministry Inc., a nonprofit led by trafficking survivors. dungeon those who sit in darkness.”

Her father died when she was 4. A few months later, Over the hour and a half that follows, viewers’ eyes a man named Bill moved in with her and her mother. will indeed be opened, not only by the many disturbing He molested her when she was 10 and, two years facts related by law enforcement personnel, legislators later, began selling her for sex to strangers. and those dedicated to facilitating the healing of A childhood photo of a smiling Edie is seen onscreen trafficking victims, but also through the haunting as the grown woman recounts her lost innocence and first-person accounts of survivors of this modern-day the multiple rapes she endured at the butcher shop form of slavery. that Bill and her mother owned. On one occasion, Bill In a recent interview with The Southern Cross, prostituted her in exchange for a new meat grinder.

San Diego’s diocesan newspaper, executive producer Rhea says in the film that she believes that there Geoffrey Rogers described the film as unabashedly “a were “lots of opportunities for people to see (what Christian documentary.” was happening), but they didn’t see.”

“Certainly it exposes the darkness, it shows the “The signs were there,” she said. “They just looked truth about sex trafficking in America – that’s the the other way.” goal of it – but, when we produced it, we had a very clear objective and that was to show the hope in Jesus Christ to solve this problem,” he explained.

For more information about the film, visit www.

During the film, viewers hear from survivors who BlindEyesOpened.com. Churches interested in learning share Jesus’ role in their recovery. The film also how to host a screening can do so by visiting www. shows Christian ministries reaching out to those in faithcontentnetwork.com, clicking on “See the Current the commercial sex trade, and it concludes with a Film Line-Up,” and selecting “Blind Eyes Opened: The Truth direct challenge to its Christian viewers to do more to About Sex Trafficking in America.”

DENIS GRASSKA CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

‘Birds of Prey’ Intended as a tart treat, this DC Comics adaptation instead comes across as a sour exercise in random mayhem. Margot Robbie plays Harley Quinn, the psychiatrist who fell for Batman’s nemesis, the Joker, while treating him at an asylum. After the two split, she finds herself vulnerable without his protection and is targeted by a gangster who agrees to let her live if she can retrieve a diamond purloined from his top henchman (Chris Messina) by a young pickpocket (Ella Jay Basco). Her pursuit of the gem puts her at cross purposes with the police detective (Rosie Perez) investigating the kingpin and with a mysterious assassin whose weapon of choice is a crossbow. With a semipsychotic, smart-alecky antihero at the heart of its proceedings, director Cathy Yan’s action adventure lacks any sense of moral direction. Skewed values, relentless rough and crude language.

CNS: O (morally offensive); MPAA: R

‘Gretel & Hansel’ Child abandonment and hunger are the backbone of this horror-film framing of the Grimm Brothers fairy tale. Gretel (Sophia Lillis), who is 16 in this version, has to decide whether bounteous meals from a forest witch are worth the risk to her and her 8-year-old brother Hansel (Sammy Leakey). Holda the witch (Alice Krige), of course, has murderous culinary intentions. Screenwriter Rob Hayes and director Oz Perkins also give Holda an origin story. An occult theme and fleeting gore.

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

Other Movies: n ‘The Rhythm Section’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: R n ‘The Turning’: CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13

Get more info

Catholic Book Pick ‘King of the Shattered Glass’ by Susan Joy Bellavance Marguerite is an orphan who works in the King’s kitchen.

When she repeatedly breaks the King’s precious glass, those around her tell her to bury the glass and hide the evidence.

But Marguerite knows what she must do: she brings the broken shards to the King, explains what happened and says she is sorry.

This beautifully illustrated story is a tale of courage,

honesty and bravery. More than that, what Marguerite receives from the King is what we all experience when we go to the Lord in confession: His loving mercy!

This story is perfect for older children and a refreshing reminder for everyone that God’s mercy knows no bounds.

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13

On TV n Friday, Feb. 14, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Called by Mary.” Pilgrims and their families recount their journeys of healing to the Grotto in Lourdes where Mary appeared before St. Bernadette. n Wednesday, Feb. 19, 4 p.m. (EWTN) “Odyssey: A Journey Back Home.”

Ulysses, King of Ithaca, has just won the Trojan War. Now he wants to return home to his beloved wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus. A new look at this classic tale of faith, courage, patience, and family unity. n Thursday, Feb. 20, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Left to Tell.”

A survivor of the Rwandan genocide, Immaculee explains how she was able to forgive the people who murdered her family. n Friday, Feb. 21, 1:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Speaking of Saints; Holiness.” Susan Conroy looks at the profound holiness of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and what we can learn from it. n Saturday, Feb. 22, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Polycarp.”

When the Roman proconsul demands all citizens to worship Caesar, Polycarp and other Christians must find the courage to stand up for their faith against the growing threat of persecution. n Tuesday, Feb. 25, 1:30 p.m. (EWTN) “St. Francis: Mirror of Christ.” Father Apostoli looks at how Saint Francis unintentionally formed a new order, and examines what encouraged people to follow him. n Wednesday, Feb. 26, 9:30 a.m. (EWTN) “Meditations with Father Groeschel: Ash Wednesday.”

Father Groeschel offers a Lenten Meditation on Ash Wednesday and how to grow closer to God during Lent. n Wednesday, Feb. 26, 4:30 p.m. (EWTN) “My Time with Jesus: Fatima- Lucia and Her Faithfulness to the Message.” The children see the life of Venerable Lucia dos Santos and her great effort to record and proclaim the message of Our Lady of Fatima. n Thursday, Feb. 27, 5 p.m.

(EWTN) “Bob and Penny Lord Present: St. Maria Goretti.” Bob and Penny Lord recount the heroic virtues of St. Maria Goretti and how she lost her life to preserve her purity.

Our nation 14

catholicnewsherald.com | February 14, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Videos are new component to bishops’ ‘Faithful Citizenship’ guide DENNIS SADOWSKI CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A series of long-planned videos that supplement the U.S. bishops’ quadrennial “Faithful Citizenship” document that provides guidance to voters during a presidential election year have been finalized for viewing.

Posted on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website at faithfulcitizenship.org and the USCCB’s YouTube channel at bit. ly/31DHDGN, five videos in four languages explore various aspects of Catholic social teaching while reflecting the teaching of Pope Francis.

The videos are part of the bishops’ effort to broaden their outreach through the document, titled “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility,” Jill Rauh, director of education and outreach in the USCCB’s Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, said.

“The videos intend to help Catholics engage in participation in political life, first and foremost, guided by their faith as opposed to any affiliation with any political party that they have,” Rauh said.

“In addition, the videos invite Catholics to engage with civility and to learn about and advocate on behalf of all of who are vulnerable, from the unborn to immigrants to people who are in poverty, to our common home, to families,” she said.

Four English-language videos of about two minutes in length examine participation in public life, protecting human life and dignity, promoting the common good and loving others. The fifth video is a six-minute compilation of the highlights of the four shorter pieces.

Videos in Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese are slightly longer.

Each video, funded by was produced with young people in mind, Rauh added.

“The (bishops) had a particular interest in creating videos for sharing on social media and engaging with young people,” she said.

Along with images and voices of young people, each piece features one bishop narrating an aspect of Catholic social teaching. Each production closes with a different prayer specifically written for the series.

A letter introducing the document is one of the resources. Approved by the bishops during their fall general assembly in November, the letter reminds Catholics that “we bring the richness of our faith to the public square” and that “faith and reason inform our efforts to affirm both the dignity of the human person and the common good of all.”

Other wide-ranging resources are being made available to parishes, schools, prayer groups and other interested parties through the faithful citizenship web page.

The bishops who appear in the Englishlanguage videos include Los Angeles

Go online Find the videos online at www. faithfulcitizenship. org and the USCCB’s YouTube channel Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, USCCB president, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kan., Auxiliary Robert E. Barron of Los Angeles and Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, La. The Spanish-language videos feature Archbishop Gomez, Archbishop Nelson J. Perez of Cleveland, who will soon move on to Philadelphia; Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, Texas; and Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, Texas.

The videos in Tagalog feature Bishop Oscar A. Solis of Salt Lake City, while the videos in Vietnamese feature Auxiliary Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen of Orange, Calif.

Scenes showing people feeding the hungry, protecting God’s creation, comforting the elderly, caring for children, migrant people and families, and engaging in civil discussions are prominent in the productions.

“The videos are meant to reflect the teaching of the bishops in ‘Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,’” Rauh explained. “The videos are really

trying to make that teaching more accessible.”

In the video about Catholic participation in public life that introduces the series, Archbishop Gomez said, “The Church’s participation in shaping the moral character of society is a requirement of our faith. It is a basic part of the mission we have received from Jesus Christ.”

Later in the piece he noted, “We are not aligned with any party, but we shine the light of faith to influence parties to which we may belong as well as to elected officials and thus in our communities.”

The productions, funded by a grant from the Catholic Communication Campaign, also are meant to guide people in public life beyond voting, Rauh said, as they present “a call for ongoing engagement in the public sphere.”

Rauh also is coordinating her department’s outreach for upcoming elections through the Civilize It campaign.

Introduced by the USCCB Nov. 3, one year before the 2020 vote, the campaign stresses that respectful dialogue – rather than name-calling and nasty barbs – can occur among people with differing political views.

The idea for Civilize It originated in the Social Action Office of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 2016. Its success in southwest Ohio caught the attention of the USCCB, which decided that the model, with a few tweaks, would be introduced in parishes nationwide.

February 14, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Marriage, family therapist to chair U.S. bishops’ Review Board WASHINGTON, D.C. — Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has appointed Suzanne Healy, former victims assistance coordinator for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, as the new chair of the National Review Board, effective in June.

Healy, a retired marriage and family therapist, served as the victim assistance coordinator for the Los Angeles Archdiocese from 2007 to 2016 and for the past three years she has been a member of the National Review Board. She will succeed Francesco Cesareo, who concludes his term as chair after the bishops’ June 2020 meeting. Cesareo, president of Assumption College in Worcester, Mass., has served as chairman since 2013. The group advises the bishops’ Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People and works closely with the USCCB’s Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection in accordance with the 2002 “Charter for Protection of Children and Young People.”

Archbishop to conduct further investigation on Crookston bishop ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Vatican Congregation for Bishops has authorized Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis to further investigate claims that Bishop Michael J. Hoeppner of Crookston, Minn., interfered with an investigation of clerical sexual misconduct,

according to a Feb. 4 statement from the archdiocese. Judge Tim O’Malley, director of the archdiocese’s Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment, will oversee the investigation.

The statement says the investigation will continue to look into claims that the bishop, “had engaged in ‘acts or omissions intended to interfere with or avoid civil or canonical investigations of clerical sexual misconduct’ as prescribed by the ‘motu proprio,’ ‘Vos Estis Lux Mundi’ (‘You are the light of the world’).” It sets new worldwide norms for reporting sexual abuse and holding bishops accountable for abuse and/or its cover-up. It states that if a bishop is accused of misconduct, the Vatican will mandate that his metropolitan archbishop investigate the claim. As archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Archbishop Hebda is the metropolitan of the bishops in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Georgetown plans to divest from fossil fuels within a decade WASHINGTON, D.C. — Georgetown University is embarking on a plan to end new investments in fossil fuels companies, gradually divest from those firms and boost its endowment portfolio in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The university’s board of directors decided Feb. 6 to take the steps following a years-long campaign by students and other activists to encourage the divestment in an effort to address climate change. The step is the latest in a national and international trend that finds Catholic banks, institutions, organizations, dioceses and religious congregations divesting from companies primarily focused on fossil fuel extraction. In announcing the decision, university president John J. DeGioia said in a statement the decision was rooted in the school’s Catholic and Jesuit identity and builds on the school’s work to follow Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical on the environment, “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home.”

— Catholic News Service

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15

Our world 16

catholicnewsherald.com | February 14, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope to health workers: Uphold ‘the truest human right, the right to life’ CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — Health care professionals always must “promote the dignity and life of each person and reject any compromise in the direction of euthanasia, assisted suicide or suppression of life, even in the case of terminal illness,” Pope Francis said.

“Life is sacred and belongs to God,” the pope said, “hence it is inviolable, and no one can claim the right to dispose of it freely.”

Pope Francis addressed health care professionals in his annual message for the celebration of Pope Francis World Day of the Sick, which is marked Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

To people suffering from illness in body or mind, the pope offered words of hope and encouragement, assuring them of Jesus’ closeness and His promise to

‘Life is sacred and belongs to God.’

alleviate their burdens.

“Jesus does not make demands of those who endure situations of frailty, suffering and weakness, but offers His mercy and His comforting presence,” the pope said.

Jesus “looks upon a wounded humanity with eyes that gaze into the heart of each person,” he said. “That gaze is not one of indifference; rather, it embraces people in their entirety, each person in his or her health condition, discarding no one, but rather inviting everyone to share in His life and to experience His tender love.”

In Jesus, the pope said, those who are sick “will find strength to face all the worries and questions that assail you during this ‘dark night’ of body and soul.”

And, he said, within the Church they should find welcome, concern and gentle care, “a home where you can encounter His grace, which finds expression in closeness, acceptance and relief.”

In a section of the message addressed to physicians, nurses and other health professionals, Pope Francis urged them to “remember that diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic treatments, research, care and rehabilitation are always in the service of the sick person; indeed the noun ‘person’

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Pope Francis blesses a sick child in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Dec. 15, 2016, during a meeting with patients and workers of Rome’s Bambino Gesu children’s hospital.

World Day of the Sick is marked Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

CNS | MAX ROSSI, REUTERS

takes priority over the adjective ‘sick.’”

Catholic health care professionals “can make patients feel the presence of Christ, who consoles and cares for the sick and heals every hurt.”

“Life must be welcomed, protected, respected and served from its beginning to its end: both human reason and faith in God, the author of life, require this,” Pope Francis said.

Sometimes, he told Catholic health workers, “conscientious objection becomes a necessary decision if you are to be consistent with your ‘yes’ to life and to the human person.”

Like all Christians, he said, they must

safeguard “the truest human right, the right to life.”

And, the pope told them, “when you can no longer provide a cure, you will still be able to provide care and healing, through gestures and procedures that give comfort and relief to the sick.”

Pope Francis also urged governments to do more to ensure that all their citizens, especially the poor, have access to quality medical care, and he thanked “volunteers who serve the sick, often compensating for structural shortcomings, while reflecting the image of Christ, the good Samaritan, by their acts of tender love and closeness.”

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February 14, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

17

Pope shares his ‘dreams’ for Amazon region, its Catholic community CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis said he dreams of an Amazon region where the rights of the poor and indigenous are respected, local cultures are preserved, nature is protected, and the Catholic Church is present and active with “Amazonian features.”

In his apostolic exhortation “Querida Amazonia” (“Beloved Amazonia”), Pope Francis made no mention of the idea of ordaining married men to the priesthood so that far-flung Catholic communities would have regular access to the Eucharist.

Instead, he said “every effort should be made to ensure that the Amazonian people do not lack this food of new life and the sacrament of forgiveness.”

“A specific and courageous response is required of the Church” to meet the needs of Catholics, he said, without dictating what that response would be.

However, Pope Francis opened the document saying he wanted “to officially present the final document” of October’s Synod of Bishops for the Amazon. The final document asked for criteria to be drawn up “to ordain as priests suitable and respected men of the community with a legitimately constituted and stable family, who have had a fruitful permanent diaconate and receive an adequate formation for the priesthood, in order to sustain the life of the Christian community through the preaching of the word and the celebration of the sacraments in the most remote areas of the Amazon region.”

Speaking about the final document, Pope

Francis wrote that the synod “profited from the participation of many people who know better than myself or the Roman Curia the problems and issues of the Amazon region.”

Having a Church with “Amazonian features,” he said, also will require greater efforts to evangelize, official recognition of the role women have and continue to play in the region’s Catholic communities, a respect for popular forms of piety and greater efforts to inculturate the Catholic faith in Amazonian cultures.

In the document, Pope Francis did not mention the theft during the synod of wooden statues of a pregnant woman, usually referred to by the media as “pachamama” or described as a symbol of life and fertility by synod participants.

But he insisted, “Let us not be quick to describe as superstition or paganism certain religious practices that arise spontaneously from the life of peoples.”

The pope devoted several long passages to the theme of “inculturation,” the process by which the faith becomes “incarnate” in a local culture, taking on local characteristics that are in harmony with the faith and giving the local culture values and traits that come from the universal Church.

“There is a risk,” he said, “that evangelizers who come to a particular area may think that they must not only communicate the Gospel but also the culture in which they grew up.”

Instead, he said, “what is needed is courageous openness to the novelty of the Spirit, who is always able to create something new with the inexhaustible

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riches of Jesus Christ.”

One of the characteristics of many Catholic communities in the Amazon, he wrote, is that, in the absence of priests, they are led and sustained by “strong and generous women, who, undoubtedly called and prompted by the Holy Spirit, baptized, catechized, prayed and acted as missionaries.”

While the idea of ordaining women deacons was mentioned at the synod, it was not included in the bishops’ final document.

In his exhortation, Pope Francis said the idea that women’s status and participation in the Church could come only with ordination “would lead us to clericalize women, diminish the great value of what they have already accomplished and subtly make their indispensable contribution less effective.”

Instead, he called for including women in roles “that do not entail holy orders,” but that are stably established, publicly recognized and include “a commission from the bishop” and a voice in decision making.

Peppered with poetry praising the region’s beauty or lamenting its destruction, much of the document looks at the exploitation of the Amazon region’s indigenous communities and poor inhabitants and the destruction of its natural resources.

“The Amazon region has been presented as an enormous empty space to be filled, a source of raw materials to be developed (and) a wild expanse to be domesticated,” the pope wrote. “None of this recognizes the rights of the original peoples; it simply ignores them as if they did not exist or acts as if the lands on which they live do not belong to them.”

The destruction of the forest, the polluting of the Amazon River and its tributaries and the disruption and contamination of the land by mining industries, he said, further impoverish the region’s poor, increase the chances that they will become victims of trafficking and destroy their communities and cultures, which are based on a close and care-filled relationship with nature.

“The inescapable truth is that, as things stand, this way of treating the Amazon territory spells the end for so much life, for so much beauty, even though people would like to keep thinking that nothing is happening,” he wrote.

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

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

Rev. Edward Beatty 1990 Bishop Michael J. Begley 2002 Rev. Lawrence Hill 1985 Msgr. Anthony Kovacic 2015 Rev. Kieran Neilson, OSB - 2019 Rev. Andrew J. Volkommer, 2016 Rev. Joseph J. Waters, 2015

Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte

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.

ViewPoints 18

catholicnewsherald.com | February 14, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Kelly Henson

Bobby Speers

The power of enough A

s I sat looking fixedly at my spring and summer calendar, I felt the perennial question that torments parents surfacing in my mind, “Is it enough?”

Is it enough time to get from the piano lesson to the basketball skate party?

Is there enough time to get a First Communion dress if I order it next month?

Are there enough vacation days for a family trip? Do we have enough money, time, energy or capacity to multitask for every relationship, need, desire and expectation?

That insidious word – enough – can torture us in our emotional life, as well.

Am I engaging enough to still fascinate my spouse? Am I available enough to meet my child’s need for a late night chat? Is my knowledge enough to problem solve a medical concern with my doctor? Tied to the humdrum routines of my life, am I interesting enough to keep the attention of a new friend? Do I have enough time for myself to recharge? And, am I enough to somehow earn the love and care of God? The reality is that this intangible standard of enough cannot be met in our fallen world. Our restless desire for perfection points to the longing we all have for heaven. Feeling that tension and imperfection in our lives is a prompting to turn toward God to help us find balance, order, confidence and peace.

Contrary to that prompting, the devil would prefer us to be consumed by the countless and constant demands for our attention. He hopes this insatiable clamor will make us question our sense of self and shatter our confidence in our identity as loved children of God. He seeks to make us slaves of an over-packed schedule, trying to fulfill a list of expectations for our career advancement or for a child’s ideal resume. Or we try to make everyone happy by volunteering and helping everywhere at the expense of our own family time and care for our homes and households. He may overwhelm us with sufferings, like Job in the Bible. After expending our resources to the last drop, we can cower in self-doubt and guilt if we hear a critique saying we did it all wrong after all. Of course, God wants us to live and grow intentionally. But our efforts will not bear lasting fruit and joy if they stem from a place of fear. St. Augustine’s long search for success shifted dramatically when he realized, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.” When I face an avalanche of worry, it helps me to recall that all my imaginings usually fail to include one essential element: grace. God’s dynamic grace, weaving itself in and through the fabric of my life, is often creative in ways I have no possible way of predicting. An unforeseen check, the perfectly timed help from a stranger, an unexpected healing or even a week of warm sunshine during a rainy spell – these

seemingly fortuitous moments can eliminate the fear of enough like an overhead light chasing darkness from an enclosed room.

Other times, I discover much later that God’s grace has mysteriously mended parts of my life that I thought were left threadbare or torn because of my inability to do it all during that season.

God doesn’t need us to be enough for Him; He wants us to realize He is enough for us.

While I may never “be enough” to tackle every obstacle in life with wisdom, equanimity and skill, I am certain that God is enough to make up for my lack. This is why we have the sacraments, to open our hearts to His grace acting in our lives.

Biblical wisdom and the loving voice of the Church in her many reflections on the family help us to reorient our standards from the standards of the world. Nowhere does Jesus give a sermon telling us success in life is measured by health, wealth, position, intelligence or the ability to replicate the Valentine’s Day cupcakes you saw on Pinterest. Instead, His standard of perfection is Himself. Christ demonstrated through His life, death and resurrection that life is about self-sacrificing love.

If the real goal is holiness and heaven, we do have enough of the essential things.

There are enough opportunities in daily family life for kindness and acts of mercy.

There are enough moments in a day (or night) to lift our hearts to God in prayer and thanksgiving. There are enough times to mourn, to hunger for righteousness, to be merciful, to be a peacemaker and to live out the Beatitudes that Christ says will bring us close to His Heart. And God will give us enough grace to bring us through even the hardest moments.

As the pressure builds to commit your calendar to all the activities and events of the next few months and you begin to feel overwhelmed, I encourage you to put each opportunity at the feet of Christ. Ask why you must do it or if you would like to do it and at what cost. Ask, “What is this in the light of eternity?” – especially if it taxes your family to the point where the life of holiness becomes strained or overshadowed by external pressures. After all, it’s much better to be a saint who happens to be a soccer mom, than to be a soccer mom who never accepted the invitation to become a saint.

When we focus on the world’s evermoving ideals of perfection, our vision is narrowed and our capacity to love is underdeveloped. May we pray to God with St. Augustine, “The house of my soul is too small for You to come to it. May it be enlarged by You.” Only then will we know the satisfaction of enough, because there is only One who has the ability to fill a bottomless desire.

KELLY HENSON is a Catholic writer and speaker who explores the art of integrating faith into daily life. She and her family are parishioners of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Greensboro. She blogs at www.kellyjhenson.com.

Avoid information overload; practice self-censorship

R

ecently I read an article which asked: could Catholic writers or speakers who post on social media be required to have a bishop’s imprimatur, a note stating that what they write or say is approved content? Could that be misconstrued as censorship?

In the past, censorship often took the form of book burnings. In 213 B.C., the Chinese emperor Shih Huang Ti ignited a huge bonfire fueled by poetry, philosophy and history books. His objective was to place all information under government control. The emperor also didn’t want his subjects to compare him to previous emperors, especially if they were deemed virtuous. One man’s pride erased generations of knowledge, art and wisdom.

Pride really is the root of all evil.

During periods of political unrest, the fames Library of Alexandria was set on fire. In 48 A.D., this extraordinary edifice was targeted by Julius Caesar. Historians claim that when Julius rode into town, he may have accidentally started the fiery malady. We still wonder to this day: did he light a match or knock over a candle?

A more recent book burning took place on May 10, 1933, by the Nazi regime. The fires illuminated the night skies of 34 cities as books by prominent Jewish authors were turned into ash – a vile destruction of cultural, political, and religious works of the Jewish people at the time.

Even the New Testament recounts a book burning. Acts 19:13-20 says: “Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits, saying, ‘I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.’ When the seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest, tried to do this, the evil spirit said to them in reply, ‘Jesus I recognize, Paul I know, but who are you?’ The person with the evil spirit then sprang at them and subdued them all. He so overpowered them that they fled naked and wounded from that house. When this became known to all the Jews and Greeks who lived in Ephesus, fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in great esteem.

Many of those who had become believers came forward and openly acknowledged their former practices. Moreover, a large number of those who had practiced magic collected their books and burned them in public. They calculated their value and found it to be fifty thousand silver pieces.

Thus did the word of the Lord continue to spread with influence and power.”

The Apostle Paul lived in Ephesus for two years, teaching the resident Jews and Greeks about the kingdom of God. Paul’s focus was preaching in the synagogues but when the Jews became obstinate, he taught boldly in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. Reading the biblical text, when word got out about the botched exorcism, fear fell on all those who

lived in Ephesus. Holy fear led to holy action!

What did the believers do – those who gave their lives over to Jesus? They burned their pagan and satanic books. Books were costly then, and Luke makes the point by tallying up the dollar figure of the manuscripts.

These new Christians once dabbled in paganism, divination and fortunetelling, and evil spirits were lurking all around them. Giving their lives over to Jesus and being filled with the Holy Spirit, they denounced their former lifestyles by freely casting aside what they had been reading.

Notice that Paul did not need to give a homily about what books should be on people’s bookshelves, and he didn’t need to form a censorship committee. By his miracles, reading scriptures, and daily teachings about Jesus, these believers were convicted by the Holy Spirit.

Similarly, when we read and study God’s word, we use our free will and make the necessary changes in our daily lives to reflect holiness. Holiness is not forced on us by our priest, the bishop, or the USCCB. The Holy Spirit convicts the heart, giving us the strength and freedom to cast aside anything that is not of God. So what does that mean for us in this Information Age? We struggle with information overload, constant distractions and fake news. Even in the world of Catholic information and social media, it can be difficult to determine whether the content is valid or approved.

There are not enough bishops in the world to issue an imprimatur or screen every piece of information to verify that it conforms to Church teaching. We must be savvy media consumers, checking our facts and using our God-given common sense – just as the Bereans did in Acts 17:11: “These Jews were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all willingness and examined the scriptures daily to determine whether these things were so.” As faithful Catholics, just like the Bereans, it is up to us to examine what we read, hear and watch and compare it against God’s word.

A final thought: social media is not an obligation of our faith. Using our free will, like those living at Ephesus, we can choose to toss social media into the burning fire if it contradicts or blasphemes our faith. Don’t we turn off the TV if something comes on that could cause us to sin? As the saying goes, “When in doubt, throw it out,” – or turn off, or log out. Our souls will be better spiritually fed if we limit the time we spend on social media and invest in reading the Bible, praying, or reading the works of Catholic writers that have stood the test of time. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in practicing self-censorship so that you may stay on the path to holiness.

BOBBY SPEERS is an author who lives in Hickory. Her writing can be found online at www.writecatholic.com.

February 14, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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‘Medicare for All’ – confused yet? “

Medicare for All” has become a focal point of controversy during the 2020 election season. What does Catholic social teaching have to say?

What about “Medicare for Some,” which is what I and millions of others now enjoy? Does Catholic teaching favor “Medicare for All” or “Medicare for Some”? Or neither?

Of course, this is the wrong question. In the first place, Catholic social teaching rarely points to a specific public policy position. Policy positions must be discerned by Catholic voters and the people they elect. In the second place, health care policy is too complex for a political slogan, whether it’s “Medicare for All” or “Repeal and Replace Obamacare.”

Here’s the good news for Catholics. We have principles of Catholic social teaching to help us, and we Catholics are good at complexity. If we can handle “Three persons in one God” and “Transubstantiation” and “Two natures in one person,” we can discuss health policy with more depth than policy slogans.

Catholic social teaching relies on faith and reason in dialogue with human experience (the Second Vatican Council’s “signs of the times”). Its fundamental principles, articulated in papal encyclicals, other magisterial documents and episcopal statements in the United States include: the irrevocable equal human dignity of all persons; the fundamental responsibility of government to promote social justice and the common good; and the preferential option for the poor as the measure of social health. The virtue of solidarity, linking each of us to the fate of all, motivates us to act on these principles in the political realm.

For half a century, Catholic teaching has drawn the conclusion that all people deserve access to health care based on their need for prevention or treatment of injury or illness. (For example, read the U.S. bishops’ 1993 “Framework for Comprehensive Health Care Reform.”)

The vast technical and human resources available in the U.S. health care system support this conclusion.

We know from experience that the U.S. falls well short of this goal: 27.5 million people (8.5 percent of the population) lack any health insurance, and an additional 23 percent of all adults are underinsured.

Our faith requires that any health care reform proposal guarantee to every person the means to care for their health. That in turn entails health insurance for all that covers all necessary treatments. The United States possesses the means to achieve universal health care. We have simply lacked the political will.

Human reason counsels that medical care should be the highest quality possible, provided in the most efficient manner possible (lowest cost compatible with access and quality). Experience again demonstrates that the United States falls short on both these dimensions. We have too many preventable medical errors in a system that is the most expensive and least efficient in the modern, democratic world.

What’s the conclusion? Our dysfunctional health care system is a long way from the Catholic principle of universal access with high quality and acceptable costs.

Deacon Clarke Cochran Any health care reform proposal acceptable to Catholic voters must move appreciably toward this goal. There is, however, no uniquely Catholic way to move from where we are to where we need to be. (There are other Catholic considerations related to coverage of abortion and contraception, but I have space here for only the most general policy outlines.)

Only four approaches on the political agenda fulfill our Catholic principles. However, there are many possible variations of each. Here I will clarify what’s behind the campaign slogans. (I will not attempt to evaluate the conflicting claims made by proponents or opponents of each option.) {The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation published an overview of the main proposals at (https:// www.kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/medicare-forall-and-public-plan-buy-in-proposals-overview-and-keyissues/).

1. “Medicare for All Right Now” This alternative would immediately eliminate all private insurance, and most public insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, and the state Children’s Health Insurance Program) and enroll all people in a new federally-funded insurance program patterned on Medicare. It would cover all medically necessary services, including vision and dental and long-term care. Households, families, employers and states would no longer pay directly for health care. Instead, federal tax dollars would fund the new program.

2. “Medicare for All Soon” This alternative would end up at the same place as the option above, but would phase out existing insurance and phase in the new program over three to five years.

3. “Expanded Medicare” (or “Medicare for Some+”) This alternative, as the name implies, would keep the existing Medicare program (currently limited to disabled persons and those 65 and older), but would allow older working adults (aged 50-64) to “buy in” to Medicare when they have difficulty affording individual or employmentbased insurance. Low-income older adults would be eligible for subsidies to help them afford Medicare premiums. In some versions, Medicare could be opened gradually to all for buy-in if they prefer it to their current insurance. This option retains the existing system of public and private health insurance.

4. Reforming the Affordable Care Act (ACA) This alternative would establish a federal public insurance plan to be offered on the Affordable Care Act market, so that people dissatisfied with current ACA options would have another and more affordable insurance

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option. Existing Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance would remain in place. These proposals also expand the income eligibility for ACA premium subsidies, enabling more individuals and families to afford policies. This proposal also includes multiple technical “fixes” to the ACA to help it run more efficiently.

These policy options differ primarily on two questions: first, what is the most effective means to enroll people into health insurance (private companies, public insurance, or a combination); and second, how to pay for the insurance (what combination of taxes, premiums, co-pays, and employer contributions). They do not include significant change to the delivery of health care by private physicians or private hospitals. None proposes government ownership or operation of health care delivery. Additionally, none has any unique plan to improve quality of health care. All adopt and build on already-existing quality improvement initiatives.

Each alternative does address the unsustainable cost of health care. Options 1 and 2 above aim to achieve lower costs by reducing the number of health care dollars flowing to administration (insurance advertising, claims processing, hospital and physician office billing and claims operations, and such). These costs, related to competitive insurance markets, make American bureaucratic costs very high but contribute little or nothing to the quality of care provided by doctors and nurses. If there were a single payer for health care, most of these dollars could be saved or redirected toward better care.

Options 3 and 4 would retain private insurance, so they cannot claim extensive administrative cost savings.

Instead, they would achieve savings by using Medicare or a new public insurance plan to negotiate lower payment rates to hospitals, physicians, pharmaceutical companies and other providers.

There is no fifth option that Catholic social teaching could support, because there is no other way currently proposed by either of the major political parties or by any Republican or Democratic presidential candidate to realize the goals of universal coverage with high quality and efficient cost.

Apart from Catholic principles directly applicable to health care, our faith and our experience tell us also that many other social problems directly affect people’s health and well-being. We recognize that poverty and severe economic inequality influence health; thus, we support laws designed to reduce poverty and inequality.

We recognize that unaffordable and unsafe housing affects health; thus, we advocate for preserving and building affordable housing. We recognize that racial and ethnic discrimination impinge on well-being; thus, we fight against racial and ethnic discrimination. We recognize that crime and violence affect health; thus, we support policies to reduce violence and improve law-enforcement and courts. We recognize that lack of education affects health; thus, we endorse education improvement.

We’re Catholics. We can handle complexity.

DEACON CLARKE E. COCHRAN, PhD, serves at St. Peter Church in Charlotte.

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catholicnewsherald.com | February 14, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CONSECRATED FROM PAGE 3

Mercy Sister Maria Goretti Weldon, 91, is celebrating 70 years of religious life this year. She has loved working with people throughout her long ministry. “I did a lot of work with sisters, I loved that. In the community, in the diocese and in the mountains. It was very joy-filled. I feel blessed.”

“There have been a variety of wonderful, God-filled blessings in my life,” she added.

“The people I have been able to associate with have blessed me. It is a very rich, very rewarding, very blessed way to live.”

Also celebrating her 70th jubilee this year is Mercy Sister Mary Robert Williams.

She served 17 years as a teacher and 13 years as a school principal. For the past 31 years, she has served as a pastoral associate in Salisbury. “I really love that work, working with people,” she said.

They both have seen major changes in the Church and in their religious community over the years.

“We were young through Vatican II

and all of the changes and all of the implementing the documents of Vatican II applied to religious. We lived through all of the changes and the adaptations,” Sister Maria Goretti said.

Their advice to women discerning a religious vocation? “Let it unfold and trust the Holy Spirit,” Sister Maria Goretti said.

At the conclusion of his homily, Bishop Jugis prayed that God will bestow His blessing on all of the religious jubilarians celebrating special anniversaries this year.

“May God keep all of us close to Jesus,” he prayed.

Instituted by Pope John Paul II in 1997, World Day for Consecrated Life is marked in conjunction with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas Day, commemorating the coming of Christ, the Light of the World, through the symbolic lighting of candles.

Similarly, consecrated men and women are called to spread the light and love of Jesus Christ through their unique witness of selfless service, such as caring for the poor, the contemplative work of prayer, or through their professional careers.

On Feb. 2, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to recognize and pray for the essential role

of consecrated persons in the life of the Church and to express gratitude for their service to the Church.

The Charlotte diocese was among those in the United States that celebrated the vocation to consecrated life during the weekend of Feb. 1-2 to recognize the essential role of consecrated religious in the life of the Church. As engaged members of their local communities, consecrated men and women bring the presence of Jesus to all they encounter throughout their day, allowing His Spirit to live and move within them so that the truth of the Gospel can be proclaimed to all.

In a statement Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations, reiterated the importance of the witness offered by those in consecrated life: “Consecrated men and women are a special treasure in the Church who allow the love of Jesus to become tangible. By dedicating their entire lives to following Christ, consecrated persons are particularly able to reach out to those on the peripheries of our society and bring the message of the Gospel to all those in need.”

— USCCB contributed.

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‘I thought we could use a strong father to restore order to all of this chaos’ 33-day consecration to St. Joseph starts Feb. 16 SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Parishioners across the Diocese of Charlotte are encouraged to make a consecration to St. Joseph during this special Year of St. Joseph.

One of the recommended resources for a consecration to St. Joseph is a new book: “Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father,” written by Marian Father Donald Calloway.

Father Calloway serves as vocation director of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception and currently resides in Steubenville, Ohio.

“This year marks the 150th anniversary of when Blessed Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph the Patron of the Universal Church, so this year is very significant,” Father Calloway said. “I said to myself, ‘We have a real crisis today in families where the family has been redefined. We have these so-called ‘modern families’ and there is gender confusion.’ I thought we could use

a strong father to restore order to all of this chaos. I thought, ‘It has got to be St. Joseph.’”

After researching, writing and translating works into English over the course of three years, Father Calloway comprised the book drawing on the wealth of the Church’s tradition.

“All children resemble their parents. As our spiritual parents, Our Lady and St. Joseph, we are called to resemble them in virtue. I am hoping that people will walk away from this consecration with a great knowledge of St. Joseph and how much he loves them and how much he wants to protect them during these crazy times,” Father Calloway said.

The book focuses on the virtues of St. Joseph: his patience, prudence, faith and purity for example.

The Consecration to St. Joseph emulates the Marian consecration made popular by St. Louis de Montfort, highlighting many of St. Joseph’s titles, privileges and heroic virtues.

The program of preparation and consecration takes 33 days. Participants spend about 20-30 minutes a day on a short exposition on one of the invocations in the

St. Joseph Prayer Books available CHARLOTTE — To commemorate the diocese’s Year of St. Joseph, “The St. Joseph Prayer Book” has been compiled to assist the faithful in their prayers to St. Joseph, the Protector of the Church.

Produced by St. Benedict Press, “The St. Joseph Prayer Book” contains all the famous prayers: the Novena for a Special Favor, the Litany of St. Joseph, 30 Days’ Prayer to St. Joseph, the Memorare, as well as prayers for purity, conversion, a happy death, and more. In total, the book contains more than 50 prayers, litanies and novenas. A Spanish version is also available.

powerful Litany of St. Joseph, followed by a reading about St. Joseph, and concluding with the recitation of the Litany of St. Joseph.

The consecration to St. Joseph can be done anytime, but particular feast days such as March 19 or May 1 are special opportunities to focus this devotional effort. To conclude the consecration on March 19, plan to begin on Sunday, Feb. 16.

On the day of consecration, use whichever act of consecration you prefer or compose your own act of consecration to St. Joseph. Find suggestions online at www.yearofstjoseph.org.

Some parishes are organizing special Masses or opportunities to participate in the consecration as a group. Check with your parish office for details.

— www.consecrationtostjoseph.org contributed.

More info At www.consecrationtostjoseph.org: Learn more about what it means to consecrate yourself to St. Joseph, and order the book “Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father”

Included in this commemorative edition is a letter from Bishop Peter Jugis about his declaration of 2020 as the Year of St. Joseph, as well as passport-type pages in the back of the book for pilgrims to have stamped as they visit each St. Joseph parish in our diocese throughout the year.

Take advantage of this special, limited-time offer to gift this treasury of prayers and bring souls closer to Jesus through St. Joseph. Orders are being accepted online at www.saintbenedictpress.com. Search for “The St. Joseph Prayer Book.” Cost is $12.95. Some parishes have also purchased copies, so check with your parish to see if books are available for purchase in the parish office.

— Catholic News Herald; St. Benedict Press contributed.

More online At www. yearofstjoseph. org: Find educational resources, prayers and devotions, and “Year of St. Joseph” event details from across the diocese, as dates for special events are finalized.

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K OF C HOLY SPIRIT COUNCIL # 10389

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (Never known to fail) O Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother.

O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request).

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

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

3 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, 3 Glory Be Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days.

You must publish it, and it will be granted to you.

Thank you, J.P.