May 22, 2020

May 22, 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

St. Joseph College Seminary moves into new home, sees largest graduating class

SPECIAL COVERAGE: THE CHURCH RESPONDS TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

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White Mass offered for front-line health care workers 12 INDEX

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Parishes navigate changes State eases public health restrictions St. Luke Parish starts work on new building projects Plans for larger church on 31acre site also get under way

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‘La Misión del Santo Rosario está activa’ 14

Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | May 22, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope Francis

Wonder at gift of creation opens human hearts to prayer

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he mystery and wonder of God’s creation can open the hearts of men and women to express their gratitude through prayer, Pope Francis said. During a live broadcast of his weekly general audience from the library of the Apostolic Palace May 20, the pope said that human beings are “the only creature aware of such a profusion of beauty” and cannot help but “wonder what design of love must be behind such a powerful work.”

“The prayer of man and woman is closely linked to the feeling of wonder. Human greatness is miniscule when compared to the dimensions of the universe. The greatest human achievements seem to be few and far between” when compared to God’s creations.

The pope’s reflection coincided with the observance of “Laudato Si’ Week” May 16-24. The weeklong event was promoted as an occasion for Catholics to look at steps they have taken to protect the environment and assist the world’s poor people.

Before concluding his talk, the pope said that in contemplating God’s creation, Christians can be inspired to give thanks to God through prayer.

“We are children of the great King, the Creator, capable of reading His signature in all of creation, that creation which we don’t care for today. But in that creation, there is the signature of God who made it out of love,” he said.

Continuing his series of talks on prayer, the pope said that while one may feel insignificant in the grand scale of the universe, “in prayer, a feeling of mercy is overwhelmingly affirmed” and leads to gratitude to God. “The relationship with God is the human being’s greatness,” he said. “By nature, we are almost nothing but by vocation, we are the sons and daughters of the great King!”

“It’s an experience many of us have had.

If the story of life, with all its bitterness, sometimes risks stifling the gift of prayer in us, it is enough to contemplate a starry sky, a sunset, a flower, to rekindle the spark of thanksgiving,” he said.

He explained that the biblical account of creation was written when the people of Israel were under occupation, and many were deported or forced into slavery in Mesopotamia. Nevertheless, “just starting from the great story of creation, someone began to find reasons to give thanks, to praise God for existence,” he said.

“I would say that prayer opens the door to hope,” the pope said. “Because men and women of prayer safeguard basic truths; they are the ones who say – first to themselves and then to others – that this life, despite all its labors and trials, despite its difficult days, is filled with a grace for which to marvel.”

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ST. MARK CHURCH AND ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH

Marian devotions Despite the limitations on public gatherings imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, parishes have still found ways to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary during May, the Month of Mary. May crownings, including this one outside St. Mark Church in Huntersville (with St. Mark second-grader Hannah Hoover representing the school along with Johnathan Kelly-Bleiler), and Fatima processions, like this one outside St. Thomas Aquinas Church on May 13, were among the celebrations held. May isn’t over yet – plan your own do-it-yourself Marian devotion at home, such as a May crowning or planting a Marian garden. For more ideas on how to honor Mary as a family this month, check out www.joyfullydomestic.com/may-devotions.

Marian groups foster relationship with Christ SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — The Legion of Mary and Teams of Our Lady are two apostolates with a presence in the Diocese of Charlotte that encourage participants to grow in love of Christ through the example and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

While the Legion of Mary focuses on one’s personal growth in holiness and serving others in the community, Teams of Our Lady is a married couples movement in which both husband and wife grow together in their faith.

The Legion of Mary is a nearly 100-yearold international lay apostolate whose primary purpose is to lead people to Christ through His Blessed Virgin Mother so they can benefit from the love and mercy of God. “Specifically, the Legion of Mary seeks to lead the people we encounter in our works to a greater knowledge and faith in God and to increase the faith and holiness

of our own members through prayer and service to Our Lord,” explains member Eve Smith.

It is open to all Catholics with a desire to serve Our Lord Jesus Christ through the intercession of Mary. Catholics 18 or older can join adult praesidia. Catholics younger than 18 can join junior Legion of Mary praesidia.

Teams of Our Lady is an international lay movement in the Church designed to enrich married couples’ spirituality and strengthen their marriages. Teams provide a proven method of increasing and improving prayer life, which will help couples grow closer to God and to each other.

Under the patronage of Mary, members strive to follow and imitate her “yes” to God through prayer, Scripture and the sacraments. Members understand Mary is the perfect disciple and follower of Christ who takes everything and everyone to her Son. The Magnificat – Mary’s proclamation of

God’s greatness – is prayed daily by Teams couples in communion with fellow Teams members worldwide.

A team is comprised of five to seven couples whose marriage is recognized in the eyes of the Church. The team meets once a month at each other’s homes or in a church meeting room or outside, if necessary.

Currently there are 10 active Teams in the Charlotte area. Couples come from local parishes including St. Matthew, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Luke, St. Ann and St. Peter Church and St. Patrick Cathedral.

Learn more Learn more about The Legion of Mary at www.legionofmary.ie. Questions? Contact Eve Smith at evesmith1974@yahoo.com.

Information on Teams of Our Lady is online at www.teamsofourlady.org. Questions? Contact Mary Ann and Jim Kirchner at makirchner3@ gmail.com.

Daily Scripture readings MAY 24-30

Sunday: Acts 1:12-14, 1 Peter 4:13-16, John 17:1-11; Monday (St. Bede the Venerable, St. Gregory VII, St. Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi): Acts 19:1-8, John 16:29-33; Tuesday (St. Phillip Neri): Acts 20:17-27, John 17:1-11; Wednesday (St. Augustine of Canterbury): Acts 20:28-38, John 17:11-19; Thursday: Acts 22:30, 23:6-11, John 17:20-26; Friday: Acts 25:13-21, John 21:15-19; Saturday: Acts 28:1620, 30-31, John 21:20-25

MAY 31-JUNE 6

Sunday (Pentecost Sunday): Acts 2:1-11, 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13, John 20:19-23; Monday (The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church): Genesis 3:9-15, John 19:2534; Tuesday (Sts. Marcellinus and Peter): 2 Peter 3:12-15, 17-18, Mark 12:13-17; Wednesday (St. Charles Lwanga and Companions): 2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12, Mark 12:18-27; Thursday: 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Mark 12:28-34; Friday (St. Boniface): 2 Timothy 3:10-17, Mark 12:35-37; Saturday (St. Norbert): 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Mark 12:38-44

JUNE 7-13

Sunday (The Most Holy Trinity): Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9, Daniel 3:52-56, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, John 3:16-18; Monday: 1 Kings 17:1-6, Matthew 5:1-12; Tuesday (St. Ephrem): 1 Kings 17:7-16, Matthew 5:13-16; Wednesday: 1 Kings 18:20-39, Matthew 5:17-19; Thursday (St. Barnabas): Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3, Matthew 5:20-26; Friday: 1 Kings 19:9, 11-16, Matthew 5:27-32; Saturday (St. Anthony of Padua): 1 Kings 19:19-21, Matthew 5:33-37

Our parishes

May 22, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

College seminary moves into new home, sees largest graduating class SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

BELMONT — May has been a historic month for St. Joseph College Seminary: Its longawaited permanent home is finally finished, and its latest five graduates are heading to major seminaries this fall.

The college seminarians and their formators moved furniture and boxes into the nearly 30,000-square-foot Gothic-styled building last week. The building includes a chapel, classroom, conference rooms, four faculty suites, a kitchen and refectory (cafeteria), faculty offices and a guest room for speakers and visiting priests. It also includes 40 dorm rooms or “cells” for the growing number of college seminarians.

During the 2019-’20 academic year, the college seminarians lived spread out across four temporary homes in and around St. Ann Church in Charlotte and they commuted to Belmont Abbey College for classes during the week. Going forward, they will be living under one roof, only minutes from the college campus in Belmont.

St. Joseph College Seminary has been a magnet for young men wanting to discern the priesthood since its founding in 2016.

Enrollment growth has been faster than the diocese had anticipated, from eight students in its first year to 26 this academic year. The Class of 2020 is the largest graduating class in the college seminary’s four-year history.

Graduates this year include: Matthew Dimock Jr. of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte; Christian Goduti of St. Mark Church in Huntersville; Matthew Harrison of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury; and Kevin Martinez and Jose Palma, both of St. Joseph Church in

Asheboro.

Dimock, Martinez and Palma will continue their studies at Mount St. Mary Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Goduti and Harrison will study at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

Father Matthew Kauth, rector of the college seminary, celebrated Mass for PHOTO PROVIDED BY ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE SEMINARY the five graduates St. Joseph College Seminary graduates, pictured with Father Matthew Kauth, rector, are on May 13 at St. (from left) seminarians Matthew Harrison, Kevin Martinez, Christian Goduti, Jose Palma and Ann Church in Matthew Dimock Jr. Also pictured are (far right) Father Jason Christian, college seminary Charlotte, joined by academic dean, and Father Matthew Buettner, house spiritual director.

Father John Putnam, Father Jason Barone, Father Matthew Buettner and Father Timothy cannot imagine having a finer first class of men.”

Reid. After Mass, the St. Joseph College The building may be largely complete yet seminarians and their formators celebrated the campaign fundraising continues, with $14.5 accomplishments of the five graduates who each million of the $20 million raised so far. For received, as a rite of passage, a newly blessed information about the capital campaign, go to “Roman” cassock to replace the “house” cassock www.stjosephcollegeseminary.org or contact Jim of the college seminary.

Kelley, diocesan director of development, at 704On May 16, the five young men participated 370-3301 or email jkkelley@charlottediocese.org. in Belmont Abbey College’s virtual Public celebrations to open the college commencement exercises. seminary’s new home will be held after public “I am incredibly grateful to God,” Father health restrictions due to the COVID-19 Kauth said. This year marked the graduation pandemic have been lifted. of the college seminary’s last inaugural “Alpha class” members, and some of its “Bravo class” In their own words members.

At www.stjosephcollegeseminary.org: Learn more “It is quite fitting, as we began with that (first) about St. Joseph College Seminary and check out what class at St. Ann and we leave St. Ann and begin the five Class of 2020 graduates have to say. a new chapter, all leaving together,” he said. “I

St. Luke Parish starts work on new building projects SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

MINT HILL — St. Luke Church is building a pavilion, athletic fields and rectory on 31 acres along Fairview Road to accommodate the parish’s significant growth.

The projects totaling $2.173 million are the first phase of a major expansion plan for the parish, which has grown from 300 families to 1,500 families over the past three decades. Plans are under way to build a new, larger church on the land in the future as well.

Initial site work involves widening the road and adding turn lanes, installing water lines, and adding a septic field and electric utilities on the site that the parish bought in 2011. The covered pavilion, multi-purpose fields and rectory are the first building projects on the site and are expected to be completed this fall.

The fields and pavilion will be used for events such as outdoor Masses, scouting and youth events, and the parish’s annual fall festival.

Parishioner Chuck White is overseeing the project as building and planning committee chair.

St. Luke is “a very active parish with a great community spirit,” White said. “There are over 60 active ministries in the parish from youth involvement, to elderly involvement, to small faith groups, to the We Care Program helping

those in need. Of the 1,500 families that make up the parish the vast majority are involved in one or more of the ministries.”

The parish has been looking forward a long time to using its new property. Uncertainty created during the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed things down a bit, but in April, diocesan officials approved proceeding with plans for a new church – part of a later phase in the parish’s master plan.

Father Paul Gary, pastor, said the fact the parish is moving forward however it can during these challenging times “is a mixed blessing.”

Right now, he said, building a new church “is not the top priority. We are more concerned with people returning to church and the end of the coronavirus (pandemic).”

“We have to wait until things improve to move forward with building the new church,” he said.

Plans currently call for construction on the church to begin in May 2021, and it is expected to take about a year to complete. ALR Architecture will handle the design of the new church, White said.

Plans call for a brick church that would seat 840 people, with the capability to expand to 1,100 later as needed.

This new 31-acre home for St. Luke Church is becoming reality and getting done carefully in stages, parish and diocesan planners say, and they are enthused by the progress made so far.

White noted that the first phase of the project has been completely paid for through the parish’s capital campaign – “a wonderful testament to the generosity of the people of the parish.”

St. Luke Parish has a history of good stewardship since the parish was established over 30 years ago, noted Jim Kelley, diocesan development director. The parish has conducted seven successful capital campaigns, he said, as “they have consistently had to address issues of growth over the years.”

“St. Luke is a strong parish family that continues to attract more parishioners in the vibrant Mint Hill community,” he said.

“This is a very exciting time for their church community.”

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Summer vocation camps SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have prompted the Diocese of Charlotte to make adjustments to its annual vocation discernment camps this summer.

Belmont Abbey College is unavailable for both summer vocations camps this year, so the “Quo Vadis Days” men’s vocation discernment camp will be held later and at a different location: July 6-10 at the new St. Joseph College Seminary in Belmont.

The women’s “Duc In Altum” camp has been canceled.

Space is very limited at the college seminary for Quo Vadis Days, so although the registration deadline is June 29, young men aged 17-19 are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for the five-day vocation discernment camp.

The goal of Quo Vadis Days is to challenge young men to ask the fundamental question, “quo vadis,” or “where are you going?” while equipping them with the tools and opportunity to discern God’s will for their life. The camp includes talks by local priests, seminarians and others on the vocations to the priesthood, marriage and fatherhood.

The cost to attend is $150, which covers all lodging, meals and retreat materials.

Financial aid is available.

Contact the Office of Vocations at 704-370-3353 for details.

For more information and to register, go to www.charlottediocese. org/vocations/quo-vadisdays.

For questions about registration, contact Sister Mary Raphael at MRaphael@ charlottediocese. org or call 704-3703402. For questions about the camp itself, contact Father Jason Barone at JKBarone@ charlottediocese.org or call 704-370-3351.

Online Masses 4

catholicnewsherald.com | May 22, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

May 22, 2020

The following parishes are providing live or recorded Masses each week. An updated schedule is online at www.catholicnewsherald.com, or contact your parish for details.

ST. MARY MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH, SYLVA: Noon Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; 9 a.m. Saturday; 11:30 a.m. Sunday in English and 7 p.m. Saturday in Spanish

ST. LEO THE GREAT CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM

ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 12 p.m. daily; 9 a.m. Sunday

ST. MARY’S CHURCH, GREENSBORO

BELMONT ABBEY MONASTERY: 11 a.m. daily

ST. MICHAEL CHURCH, GASTONIA: 10:30 a.m. Sunday

ST. MICHAEL CHURCH, GASTONIA

DIVINE REDEEMER CHURCH, BOONVILLE: 9 and 11 a.m.

Sunday

ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL, CHARLOTTE: 12 p.m. Sunday

ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL, CHARLOTTE

Volume 29 • NUMBER 17

LIVESTREAMED MASSES

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

The following parishes offer Masses live at the following times on their Facebook page or YouTube or Vimeo channel. If no time is listed here, check their parish website for more information:

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

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH, KING: 11 a.m. English; 1:30 p.m. Spanish Sunday HOLY INFANT CHURCH, REIDSVILLE: 9 a.m. Sunday

STAFF

OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CHURCH, CHARLOTTE

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

OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH, MONROE: 9 a.m. daily

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

QUEEN OF THE APOSTLES CHURCH, BELMONT: 9:15 and 11 a.m. Sunday

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

SACRED HEART CHURCH, BREVARD: 12 p.m. daily Mass, 10 a.m. Sunday

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.

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SACRED HEART CHURCH, SALISBURY: 9 a.m. daily (except Tuesday), Tuesday Mass, 6 p.m.

ST. ALOYSIUS CHURCH, HICKORY: 9 a.m. daily; 11 a.m.

Sunday English; 1 p.m. Sunday Spanish ST. ANN CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

(Latin Mass) Sunday

ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 9 a.m.

Monday, Wednesday-Friday; 10 a.m. Sunday ST. PETER CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 11:30 a.m. Sunday ST. STEPHEN MISSION, ELKIN: 9 a.m. Sunday ST. THERESE CHURCH, MOORESVILLE ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 9 a.m. daily; 9:30 a.m. Sunday ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 10 a.m. daily, 10 a.m. Sunday in English and 2 p.m. Sunday in Spanish RECORDED MASSES The following parishes offer Masses recorded on their website, Facebook page, YouTube or Vimeo channel.

Search those platforms for the parish’s name to find the latest Mass information: GOOD SHEPHERD MISSION, KING

ST. BARNABAS CHURCH, ARDEN: 10 a.m. Sunday

HOLY CROSS CHURCH, KERNERSVILLE

ST. BASIL THE GREAT EASTERN CATHOLIC CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 11 a.m. Sunday

HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH, DENVER

ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM: 9 a.m. English; 2 p.m. Spanish

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHURCH, HIGH POINT

ST. JAMES CHURCH, CONCORD: English and Spanish

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, FOREST CITY OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION, CHARLOTTE (ST. HELEN MISSION, SPENCER MOUNTAIN)

ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 9 a.m.

Sunday in English and 10 a.m. Sunday in Spanish

OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH, GREENSBORO

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CHURCH, WAYNESVILLE, AND IMMACULATE CONCEPTION MISSION, CANTON

SACRED HEART CHURCH, SALISBURY

ST. LUKE CHURCH, MINT HILL: 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday in English; 1 p.m. Sunday bilingual; 4:30 p.m. Sunday

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH, LENOIR

ST. MARK CHURCH, HUNTERSVILLE: 7 and 9 a.m.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 7 a.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday in English, and 1 p.m. in Spanish

ST. JOAN OF ARC CHURCH, CANDLER

OUR LADY OF MERCY CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM ST. EUGENE CHURCH, ASHEVILLE ST. GABRIEL CHURCH, CHARLOTTE

ST. MARGARET MARY CHURCH, SWANNANOA ST. MARK CHURCH, HUNTERSVILLE ST. MARY MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH, SYLVA

ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE CHURCH, GREENSBORO ST. STEPHEN MISSION, ELKIN ST. STEPHEN MARONITE CHURCH, CHARLOTTE ST. THERESE CHURCH, MOORESVILLE ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, CHARLOTTE MISAS LOCALES EN ESPAÑOL Las siguientes parroquias ofrecen misas en vivo o grabadas cada semana. Un horario actualizado está en línea en www.catholicnewsherald.com, o comuníquese con su parroquia para más detalles: OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH, GREENSBORO OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 8 a.m. Domingo OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH, MONROE SACRED HEART CHURCH, SALISBURY: 11 a.m. Domingo ST. ALOYSIUS CHURCH, HICKORY: 1 p.m. Domingo ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM: 1:30 p.m. Domingo ST. JAMES THE GREATER CHURCH, CONCORD ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, ASHEBORO ST. LUKE CHURCH, MINT HILL: 1 p.m. Domingo ST. MARK CHURCH, HUNTERSVILLE: 1 p.m. Domingo ST. MARY MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH, SYLVA: 7 p.m. Sabado LOCAL MASSES IN VIETNAMESE ST. JOSEPH VIETNAMESE CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday LIVESTREAMED LATIN MASSES

ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, ASHEBORO

ST. ANN CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 12:30 p.m. Sunday

ST. LAWRENCE BASILICA, ASHEVILLE

OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 1 p.m.

Sunday

Seek the intercession of St. Roch, St. Rosalie CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter J. Jugis is encouraging the people of the Diocese of Charlotte to pray for the intercession of St. Roch and St. Rosalie to end the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Most public Masses and all parish activities remain canceled across western North Carolina, and all 19 diocesan schools have now shifted to online classes only, as part of the community’s response to the public health threat.

During a special videotaped Mass offered March 15, Bishop Jugis encouraged the faithful to pray to St. Roch and St. Rosalie to “deliver us from the current attack and subsequent suffering we are enduring from the coronavirus.”

St. Roch, who is believed to have been born in France and lived in Italy in the 1300s, cared for the victims of the plague in Italy.

He contracted the plague but survived, and

many healings were attributed to him. He is the patron saint of invalids. His feast day is Aug. 16.

St. Rosalie was born in Sicily and lived during the mid-1100s. In her youth she left her home and lived in a cave, giving her life to God. She died alone in a cave near Palermo in 1166.

In 1624 a plague hit Palermo and St. Rosalie appeared to a sick woman and a hunter and instructed him to the place where her body was buried. St. Rosalie told him to have her bones processed around the city three times to end the plague. The plague ceased, and her feast day is celebrated Sept. 4.

The following prayer to the two saints is suggested: “Merciful Father, through the intercession of Blessed Mary, St. Roch, and St. Rosalie, deliver us from the current attack and subsequent suffering we are enduring from the coronavirus.

St. Roch

St. Rosalie

May we seek to assist those in need in body or spirit and ourselves turn away from sin and trust in You. We ask this in the name of the Divine Physician, Jesus Christ Our Lord.”

— Catholic News Herald. CatholicOnline contributed.

May 22, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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In Brief Deacon appointed

Powers

CHARLOTTE — Deacon William David Powers has been incardinated as a permanent deacon into the Diocese of Charlotte effective May 1, Bishop Peter Jugis has announced. Deacon Powers is active in diaconal ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Monroe and is vice president of the diocese’s Association of Deacons. Prior to his service in the Charlotte diocese, he was ordained and served the Diocese of Arlington, Va. — Deacon John Martino

OLC teacher passes away

Young

BALTIMORE — Sister Mary Sharon Young, an Oblate Sister of Providence for more than 63 years, passed away April 26, 2020. A private Mass of Christian Burial was offered May 4, 2020.

During her decades of ministry in Catholic education, she was missioned in several cities, including Detroit, Baltimore and in Charlotte, where she taught at the former Our Lady of Consolation School.

— Catholic News Herald

COVID-19 screening mobile unit to be in Kannapolis May 29 KANNAPOLIS — Atrium Health’s COVID-19 mobile testing unit will be out at St. Joseph Church on Friday, May 29, from noon to 6 p.m., conducting community screening and testing for COVID-19. The church is located at 108 St. Joseph St. Part of Atrium Health’s ongoing effort to address underserved and minority communities in the Charlotte region that have limited access to COVID-19 testing, healthcare professionals at the Coronavirus Testing Center will conduct free screenings and immediate tests for COVID-19 as well as assess other health issues with patients, including the ability to socially isolate and quarantine, and make connections to other resources such as access to food or a pharmacy.

If you’re having coronavirus symptoms, just walk up – you don’t need an appointment or ID. Some symptoms are fever, cough, shortness of breath, or loss of smell and/or taste.

In fulfilling its mission to provide health, hope and healing for all, Atrium Health will ensure the ability to pay will not be an inhibiting factor for those who need to be screened and tested. Testing is available to those who do not have insurance coverage, as well as those with coverage or who are covered by a government program.

Additionally, Atrium Health does not share a patient’s immigration status and will not report if a patient is undocumented.

— Catholic News Herald

Knights donate to school program ALBEMARLE — Knights of Columbus Council 10495 recently donated $1,240 in L.A.M.B. funds to the Stanly County School System’s Exceptional Children’s Program. Pictured are L.A.M.B. chairman Don Barker and Adria Speights, district coordinator.

The L.A.M.B. (Least Among My Brethren) Foundation of North Carolina raises money to support organizations that assist people in North Carolina with intellectual disabilities.

These funds come from a number of sources, such as corporate and individual donations and special events as the Belk Dept. Store Charity Sale events. Most of the money is raised by members of the Knights of Columbus throughout the state.

In addition to the Exceptional Children’s Program, Council 10495 has also financially supported the Special Olympics, Monarch, Life Span and GHA Autism Supports.

— Don Barker

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ST. PIUS X PARISH

St. Pius X Parish staff (from left) Shelley Kreber, Patricia Spivey, Lindsay Kohl, Liz Pendergrass and parishioner and Greensboro Urban Ministry Food Pantry Director Mary O’Neill are pictured after the food drive with Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio, pastor, and his dog “Tater.” The food shown here is only a fraction of what parishioners donated during the Mother’s Day food drive.

Massive Mother’s Day food drive by SPX parishioners benefits Greensboro non-profit GEORGIANNA PENN CORRESPONDENT

GREENSBORO — Parishioners at St. Pius X Church donated more than three tons of food – 6,300 pounds – in a special food drive held in honor of Mother’s Day and benefiting Greensboro Urban Ministry.

On May 10 people drove through the church’s parking lot, where Knights of Columbus and volunteers with the “Guys Doing Stuff” ministry collected their donations while maintaining safe social distancing.

“The great outpouring of generosity by St. Pius X parishioners is just heartwarming,” said Mary O’Neill, parishioner and director of the food pantry at Greensboro Urban Ministry. “Normally, we have two big food drives in the spring which carries us through summer, but because of COVID-19, they were canceled.”

“This is a great opportunity to honor our mothers – who fed us not only with food at our tables, but with the example of their charity,” said Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio, St. Pius X’s pastor. “We can continue their legacy of love and pay them tribute on Mother’s Day by generously assisting other mothers and families as they put food on their tables.”

Greensboro Urban Ministry has served the Greensboro community for over five decades providing emergency assistance, food and housing for people in need. Its programs include Weaver House, a year-round shelter accommodating 100 adults nightly; Pathways Center, which provides temporary housing for up to 16 families; Partnership Village, a housing community for families “resettling” after homelessness; and Potter’s House Community Kitchen, which serves lunch daily to 400 community guests.

Weaver House guests receive breakfast and dinner at Potter’s House, and these meals are typically sponsored by local churches including St. Pius X, which has provided meals to Potter’s House for decades.

“The people, they are so happy and appreciative, you just feel good about yourself afterwards,” said parishioner Desmond Morrissey.

“Greensboro Urban Ministry is one of our longeststanding community partners,” said Carolyn Painley, parish pastoral associate. “Working with GUM is truly living out our mission to know, love and serve the Lord.”

In 2019, the food pantry distributed 1.4 million pounds of food to 22,454 households and 42,725 individuals.

Besides canned and boxed food items, each household also receives fresh produce, fresh meat, bread, dessert

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ST. PIUS X CHURCH

On May 10 parishioners at St. Pius X Church donated more than three tons of food – 6,300 pounds – in a special food drive held in honor of Mother’s Day and benefiting Greensboro Urban Ministry. and pre-made meals.

“It’s really a well-rounded order – we feed approximately 100 households a day and clients can visit the pantry once a month,” O’Neill said.

The May 10 donations from St. Pius X will enable Greensboro Urban Ministry to feed 378 people.

“We’ve had a long history of great support from St. Pius X,” noted Myron Wilkins, executive director of Greensboro Urban Ministry. “It is a great encouragement to us to know that people not only care about what we care about, but they also trust us as a steward of their resources.”

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catholicnewsherald.com | May 22, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Schools office names second assistant superintendent CHARLOTTE — Crystal Koury has been named as second assistant superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Charlotte, the schools office announced May 19.

During the past year, Koury has served as the educational liaison for the Catholic Schools Office. She will join the administration Koury team of Dr. Gregory Monroe, incoming superintendent; Debbie Mixer, assistant superintendent; and the office staff.

“I very much look forward to working with Mrs. Koury and the Catholic Schools Office for the future growth and development of the Catholic schools in the diocese,” said Father Roger Arnsparger, vicar of education for the diocese. “As a product of the Catholic schools in Charlotte, she brings a rich history of learning, teaching and

administrative service in our Catholic schools.”

Koury has spent 14 years in education.

She started her career in the public sector, where she was named “Beginning Teacher of the Year.”

She began teaching fourth grade at St. Patrick School in Charlotte, and taught literacy to advanced students at the school in grades two through five. She also completed internships in both the public and private sectors in elementary, middle and high school levels to round out her Masters in Educational Leadership.

In the diocese, she has served as an assistant principal at St. Mark School in Huntersville and as principal at St. Michael School in Gastonia.

Koury said she is proud of the fact that she and her husband are both products of the Catholic schools system, and they have two children who attend St. Ann School in Charlotte.

She is grateful for the opportunity to serve the Church and the mission of the diocese’s Catholic schools, she said.

— Catholic News Herald

Live Your Faith Be affirmed in your present ministry.

Upgrade your certification as a catechist and religion teacher.

Fulfill the prerequisite for the Permanent Diaconate.

Scholarship funds Catholic school tuition for 12 students this fall SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Students in 12 Catholic schools across the diocese will receive financial aid from the “C. Philip JohnstonAline W. Kaneer Scholarship Fund,” paying all of their tuition for the 2020-’21 academic year.

The fund was created by C. Philip Johnston with $4 million from his estate before his death in 2017.

Johnston, a Catholic convert, was born in Charlotte but lived all over the country before retiring in the Southeast. He attended Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md., and earned a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1958. He worked in the entertainment industry, but when acting work became scarce, he took a “temporary job” working for Conrad Hilton in a new credit card venture called Carte Blanche. He rose to success in the emerging credit card industry and, after reaching the position of senior vice president at a large regional bank in St. Louis, he left the credit card industry to lead a non-profit organization specializing in consumer credit counseling.

St. Jude Novena May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us, St. Jude, help of the hopeless, pray for us.

Say this prayer 9 times a day. By the ninth day your prayers will be answered.

It has never been known to fail.

Grow in your faith.

Thank you, J.L.

Publication must be promised.

Students from all 19 Catholic schools in the diocese are eligible for scholarship awards from the fund, expected to total $110,000 this year.

Students receiving awards for this fall come from Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville; Charlotte Catholic High, Holy Trinity Middle and St. Patrick schools in Charlotte; St. Mark and Christ the King High schools in Huntersville; Immaculate Heart of Mary School in High Point; Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro; St. Leo and Our Lady of Mercy schools in Winston-Salem; Sacred Heart School in Salisbury; and St. Michael School in Gastonia.

The scholarship awarded to each student ranges from $3,000 to $14,000 depending on the tuition cost and the need. Each student can continue receiving assistance through the scholarship fund every year for the length of their academic career as long as they remain eligible.

“I first met with Mr. Johnston back in 1989. He made his decision to put this (scholarship) gift in his estate back then,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development. “He never wavered from that commitment, even though he moved away from the diocese in his later years.”

Kelley noted he is finding that “more and more people across the diocese like Philip Johnston are remembering different ministries of the Church – such as Catholic schools and parishes, seminarian education, and Catholic Charities – and making plans in their wills and estates.”

To date, the diocese has received 27 gifts of $1 million or more from individuals. Two of those gifts, Johnston’s included, are of $4 million or more.

Learn more Interested in establishing an endowment to benefit the Church in western North Carolina?

Set up an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a gift of real estate or life insurance, cash or securities sufficient to set up an endowment, or a life income arrangement such as a trust or annuity. For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or email gmrhodes@ charlottediocese.org.

The Diocesan Office of Lay Ministry offers a two-year program designed to help you understand more fully your baptismal call to minister to your family, to others in the Church, and to those in your daily life.

Potential sites include Arden, Charlotte, Greensboro and Lenoir.

We are currently accepting applications for the 2020-2022 program.

For more information:

Frank Villaronga

Director, Evangelization and Adult Education Office F O R M AT I O N P R O G R A M

frankv@charlottediocese.org

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

May 22, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

CCHS announces 2020 National Merit Scholarship Finalists CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Catholic High School seniors Jamison M. Cox, Alexander J. Denton, Christopher J. Hoefling, John P. Meehan II and Sophia A. Roper have been named National Merit Scholarship finalists.

Jamison Cox is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, and Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society. He earned his Eagle Scout Award and serves as Woodwind Captain in the CCHS Band. He also serves as a Student Ambassador at CCHS. Jamison is the son of Mitch and Lennie Cox of Charlotte.

Alex Denton is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and Rho Kappa. He also is a member of the Latin Honor Society. He is active in the Young Democrats Club and serves as a camp counselor at Camp Gabe, a summer camp for elementary school children. Alex is the son of Brett and Natalie Denton of Charlotte.

Chris Hoefling is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Rho Kappa, and Mu Alpha Theta. He competed on the speech and debate team for two years. He plays varsity baseball at CCHS and travel baseball, as well as CYO basketball and golf. He serves as an assistant coach for a local youth baseball association and as a student ambassador at CCHS. Chris is the son of Matt and Jennifer Hoefling of Charlotte.

Jack Meehan is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and the Spanish National Honor Society.

A lifelong swimmer, Jack is captain of the CCHS Swim and Dive team and holds six school records. He has been named an All-American, has competed successfully at Senior and Junior Nationals, and works

as a lifeguard. He volunteers with Freedom School and at the Teen Mass at his church.

Jack is the son of Dennis and Kristin Meehan of Charlotte.

Sophia Roper is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and Rho Kappa. She is captain of the Science Olympiad team at CCHS, which consistently wins competition medals. In addition to her extensive STEM coursework, she plays tennis and is first chair and a section leader in the CCHS band. She has been selected for All District and All State Honor Bands in multiple years. She began her own charity, Greater Good Cookies, selling homemade cookies to donate money to causes she supports. She is the daughter of David Roper and Anne Bradley of Charlotte.

Nearly 1.6 million high school juniors from more than 22,000 high schools nationwide entered the 2020 competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test last fall.

Approximately 16,000 students qualified as semifinalists, representing less than 1 percent of all U.S. high school seniors.

From this group of outstanding students, approximately 15,000 finalists were named, and more than half of all finalists will receive either a Merit Scholarship or a Special Scholarship from a corporate sponsor.

The National Merit Scholarship program was founded in 1955 to distinguish and honor academically talented American high school students and to encourage them to develop their talents and skills to the fullest. The competition is very rigorous, and scholarship winners are chosen based on their skills, abilities, extracurricular accomplishments, and potential for future success.

— Carolyn Kramer Tillman

PHOTO PROVIDED BY STEPHANIE GULLA HILLEY

Odyssey of the Mind team wins CHARLOTTE — Holy Trinity Middle School’s Odyssey of the Mind Team took home a first-place award from the N.C. Central Region Odyssey of the Mind Tournament Feb. 29 at Wingate University and are competing virtually in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals this month. Team members (pictured from left) are Rocio Vega-Saenz, Montsi McGee, Ally Breeyear, Michaela Hilley and Sabrina Hankins. They competed in the regional tournament’s Division 2/Problem 2, in which teams were challenged to design and create a network system to transmit an image, text and e-mail and then present their solution in a live performance that included pop-up advertisements, team-made musical instruments, an original song, a malware character, three network characters and an anti-virus hero character. With the in-person tournament canceled in lieu of a virtual competition because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the team donated the funds they would have used for tournament travel to the Levine Children’s Hospital.

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catholicnewsherald.com | May 22, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

SPECIAL COVERAGE: THE CHURCH RESPONDS TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Practice Christian love during pandemic restrictions, Bishop Jugis preaches PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR

CHARLOTTE — As people increasingly chafe against public health restrictions in place to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to practice Christian love towards others.

That was the message from Bishop Peter J. Jugis during Mass on May 17 – a little over a week since N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper began slowly easing restrictions on non-essential business, travel and public gatherings. Churches could hold outdoor services but were still prohibited from allowing more than 10 people inside at a time until late Saturday, when a circuit court judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the governor’s restrictions on places of worship. Thanks to the temporary order, which remains in effect for at least 14 days, churches could offer indoor worship services with few limitations for the first time since the pandemic hit North Carolina in mid-March.

Only a couple of Catholic churches in the diocese immediately modified their Sunday plans following the May 16 ruling and subsequent guidance from the Chancery, allowing pastors to exercise discretion in resuming indoor Masses while continuing public health protocols such as social distancing and sanitizing high-touch surfaces between services.

St. Patrick Cathedral continued with two outdoor Masses it already had scheduled, as well as a private Mass with the bishop that was streamed live to the cathedral’s Facebook page for the people of the diocese.

In his homily for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Bishop Jugis reflected on the day’s Gospel from John 14:15-21, in which Jesus tells His disciples, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

“During this coronavirus pandemic we have been practicing Christian love in a very exceptional way,” the bishop said. “We’ve been able to make sacrifices for others and accept limitations on our activity out of love and compassion for others – out of consideration for the sick and the suffering, compassion for the dying and for those grieving the death of a family member, out of concern for the elderly and the vulnerable whose health is compromised.

“Because of our Christian love for them, we have been willing to make sacrifices because negligence simply on our part could very well mean death to others.”

Christian love is not selfish, nor is it merely humanitarianism, he explained.

“Christian love has its starting point in God, the Triune God – the love of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. That love which comes from the heart of a loving God, the Holy Spirit places into our hearts, and God transforms us because of His Presence in us.”

Jesus describes love in the two greatest commandments: “Love of God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, all your strength; and love of neighbor as yourself.”

That commandment to love is “so especially appropriate for us during these days,” Bishop Jugis said. Christians should be “ambassadors of that divine love.”

“During this time of stress, and some confusion and uncertainty, let us continue to be flexible and let the love of God be our guiding light,” he entreated. “As we celebrate our new life in Christ during this Easter season – as children of God, citizens of a kingdom not of this world – let the love of God which is in our hearts be seen by others in what we say and do.”

BILL WASHINGTON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father John Eckert, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury, distributes Holy Communion at the parish’s outdoor Mass May 17.

Parishes navigate changes as state eases public health restrictions PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE AND SUEANN HOWELL CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CHARLOTTE — Outdoor Masses and Communion services have given way to indoor Masses with some specific precautions, and more changes are on the way to people’s ability to worship publicly.

North Carolina has begun the slow and uneven process of easing public health restrictions that have been in place since mid-March, starting with Gov. Roy Cooper’s announcement May 8 that he was relaxing restrictions on businesses, travel and public gatherings as part of a threephase reopening process. For churches, “Phase 1” meant being able to hold outdoor worship services in which people could leave their cars.

Then in response to a lawsuit challenging that restriction on churches, a circuit court judge issued a temporary restraining order May 16 to block it – essentially giving churches the green light to hold indoor services with no crowd limits other than generally abiding by social distancing and sanitizing guidelines.

On Friday, May 22, the state moves to “Phase 2,” further relaxing some restrictions and removing the “stay-at-home” order.

Many churches across the diocese arranged outdoor Masses or Communion services once North Carolina entered “Phase 1,” but only in the past few days have some opted for indoor liturgies. Throughout all the ups and downs, all of them are trying to navigate the rule changes while ensuring social distancing and frequent sanitizing.

Parishes that had been offering “parking lot Masses,” in which people stayed inside their cars during Mass, switched to outdoor Masses in which people could get out of their cars and sit spaced safely apart. Other parishes began offering outdoor Masses, enabling their parishioners to attend Mass in person for the first time since the pandemic hit in March.

Indoor Masses are now being offered at the discretion of each pastor. A few churches began offering daily Masses inside this week and plan to offer Sunday Mass starting this weekend, albeit with some limitations to maintain social distancing.

As the situation remains fluid, people should check their parish’s website and social media for the latest information on church openings, Mass times and sacrament guidelines.

Whether liturgies are held indoors or outdoors, all churches are continuing to follow public health directives to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. For example, clergy are wearing personal protection equipment and sanitizing their hands during the distribution of Holy Communion.

Mass-goers are being urged to remain at least six feet apart (excluding members of the same family or household), wear a mask or cloth covering their nose and mouth, and wash or sanitize their hands when they arrive and when they leave.

Throughout the diocese, the Sunday Mass obligation remains suspended, and everyone is asked to exercise prudence in deciding whether to attend Mass in person.

People who are ill or vulnerable to infection are still strongly encouraged to stay at home and attend Mass virtually on TV or streamed live online.

In addition to outdoor and indoor Masses, churches have continued offering “drive-up” Eucharistic Adoration and confessions, livestreamed vespers services and recitation of the rosary, and other offerings to provide the faithful with opportunities to pray.

Some parishes have also been hosting talks online from mental health professionals at their parish, to help people stay positive and deal with the stress of isolation.

Parishes with schools have also been honoring their Class of 2020 graduates, extending blessings to them and their families.

On May 22, “Phase 2” of the governor’s reopening plan will begin, further reducing some restrictions as the state emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. Phase 2 keeps indoor public gatherings at 10 people and outdoor gatherings at 25 people, but churches are specifically excluded from those limits.

Regarding weddings, baptisms and funerals, “Phase 1” meant churches could host weddings and baptisms for up to 10 people inside church, and funeral services of up to 50 people. In “Phase 2,” these liturgies are excluded from the governor’s directives – allowing any number of people to attend – but receptions or visitations before and afterwards are limited by the indoor and outdoor public gathering restrictions. Many of these services are being postponed until public health restrictions are eased further and more people are allowed to attend.

Social distancing, face masking and other public health directives remain in effect.

May 22, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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SPECIAL COVERAGE: THE CHURCH RESPONDS TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

PHOTO PROVIDED

A statue of St. James the Greater in front of St. James Church in Concord bears a mask to show public solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DELLA SUE BRYSON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD PHOTO PROVIDED BY JAMES SARKIS

Father Christopher Roux, rector, elevates the Eucharist at an outdoor Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral May 10, the first public liturgy for the parish since the pandemic began in mid-March.

Deacon Matthew Newsome lights the Easter candle before an outdoor Mass at St. Mary, Mother of God Church in Sylva May 17.

BARBARA CASE SPEERS | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

An outdoor Mass was offered by retired Father Ed Sheridan at the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory May 17. Before Mass, Deacon Scott Gilfillan, director of the conference center, also led a “Trail Rosary” along with Deacon Miguel Sebastian from St. Charles Borromeo Church in Morganton and Deacon Larry O’Toole from St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte. The prayerful day was offered as a “mini-retreat” at the conference center, which remains open for individuals to come out to enjoy the grounds in prayer and peace.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY PETER ASHBY AND CHRIS NEUBAUER

An outdoor Mass was offered by Father Joseph Mack, pastor, at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Greensboro May 17. Parishioners remained socially distanced and wore face masks, in accordance with public health guidelines.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY AMY BURGER

Transitional Deacon Jonathan Torres distributes Holy Communion at an outdoor Mass at St. Mark Church in Huntersville May 17.

Mass al fresco From forests to battlefields, outdoor worship amid crisis has a storied past that includes Greensboro ANNIE FERGUSON CORRESPONDENT

GREENSBORO — A holy anticipation grew to a crescendo May 10 as many North Carolina Catholics attended open-air Masses and received Our Lord in the Eucharist for the first time since pandemic restrictions began eight weeks prior.

Greensboro’s Our Lady of Grace Church offered three outdoor Masses in English, Spanish and Latin. Individuals and families knelt in the grass six feet apart as they worshiped together for the first time since March 14. Tears started flowing as Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria” filled the air in the familiar voice of Andrew O’Connor, the parish’s music director.

“People were elated, joyful and showing great piety,” O’Connor said. “I think this is going to bring a renewed vigor of people’s faith because they’ve been without the Eucharist for so long.”

As unusual as the current situation is, emotions ran high at open-air Masses in Greensboro once before. In the fall of 1941, the nation faced a different global crisis – the Second World War. As the U.S. prepared to enter the conflict, Greensboro hosted thousands of troops on break from the rigors of mock warfare in Eastern North Carolina.

St. Benedict – Our Lady of Grace’s “mother church” – ministered to the Catholic troops offering hospitality and a multitude of outdoor Masses to accommodate crowds. The optics were starkly opposed to those on May 10, however. Several hundred servicemen huddled together to worship, and there appeared to be no limit on congregation size.

Greensboro native Monsignor Joseph Showfety, then 14, recently recalled the events.

“They used the stoop for Mass, and the men would kneel on the same level as the hall or

in the middle of the street,” he said. “They (the police) blocked off Elm, Eugene, Greene, and the priest would say Mass outdoors, and people would sit out on front porches to watch the whole thing.”

Monsignor Showfety also noted that the pious soldiers caught the attention of many in the Protestant community, including a nearby Presbyterian minister who was so impressed with the young men’s midnight fast prior to Mass that he talked about it on the radio.

Spiritual warriors Benedictine Father Eugene Egan and Benedictine Father Cornelius Diehl offered the Masses as did Father James P. McLarney of Chicago and “The Catholic Hour” radio program. The church’s four-Mass schedule swelled to nine before it was all over, and an estimated 800 soldiers attended one service. A week later, there were about 2,000 troops at the Sunday

Masses.

St. Benedict came of age in its wartime role, making a deep impression on people in Greensboro and across several states. With influence beyond its usual scope, the parish unified thousands and brought Jesus in the Eucharist to scores of servicemen, spiritually fortifying them before they headed into the bloodiest war in history. Today, this fortification is as crucial as ever.

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catholicnewsherald.com | May 22, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

SPECIAL COVERAGE: THE CHURCH RESPONDS TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Increased financial aid available to Catholic school families this fall SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

(At right, clockwise) Bishop McGuinness High School’s rock in Kernersville is a sign of the times; Charlotte Catholic High School celebrates seniors May 16.

Christ the King High School staff made house calls to seniors in May. PHOTOS PROVIDED

Drive-through kudos and graduations mark end of 2020 academic year SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte’s three high schools have come up with creative ways to celebrate this year’s graduating class in light of COVID-19 public health restrictions.

Students, teachers and parents have already gone the extra mile since all 19 Catholic schools in the diocese nimbly shifted to online learning in mid-March, as the coronavirus pandemic reached North Carolina. Now as the end of the school year nears, online learning is continuing apace and school leaders are making plans to honor the Class of 2020. All 19 Catholic schools will close out the 2019-’20 academic year by the first week of June.

In what will be a first for the diocese, Bishop Peter Jugis will offer a baccalaureate Mass for all three graduating classes, livestreamed from St. Patrick Cathedral to the diocese’s YouTube channel on May 28. Seniors and their families and friends will be able to watch online and hear the bishop’s special message to them as they prepare to graduate from Catholic school and move on to the next stage of their lives.

School leaders have been taking other celebrations to their seniors – with drive-through events, home visits and lots of video conferencing and virtual activities.

“Our administrative team drove a collective 400 square miles and six to eight hours each to deliver (Class of 2020) yard signs, caps and gowns and a cupcake on May 1 to celebrate our seniors making their decisions regarding college next year,” said Bishop McGuinness High School’s Principal Tracy Shaw.

“Normally, this would have been a big celebration at school, so we took it on the road! The seniors were excited to be recognized and see someone from school. We miss them all so much and it was so nice to be able to see and speak with them – socially distanced, of course,” she said.

The Kernersville high school will have a “graduation parade” at 6:30 p.m. June 5 on the school campus. Seniors and their families are being encouraged to decorate their cars and drive through the school parking lot, stopping to get their diploma and take pictures.

Charlotte Catholic High School in Charlotte held a drivethrough yearbook, cap and gown pick-up May 16 on the school campus. Staff, teachers and guidance counselors lined up along the route to congratulate seniors and their families and pass out graduation materials and snack bags.

A highlight every year for Charlotte Catholic seniors is seeing the “baby wall” with photos of them in their early years. This

year, the “baby wall” was displayed on the sports stadium fencing for the Class of 2020 to view as they came through the drivethrough line.

“Saturday`s cap and gown and yearbook pick-up was wonderful,” said Principal Kurt Telford. “Dean of Students Randy Belk organized the day. The PTO provided Chick-fil-A for the seniors and the faculty volunteers.”

“I am glad that the staff was able to interact with so many of the students,” he added. “Although the students remained in their vehicles, teachers, administrators and volunteers were able to cheer for them. I am excited to be able to see the students again at graduation on May 29.”

As of press time, Charlotte Catholic was still in the process of finalizing specifics for graduation. Organizers hope to have an in-person graduation ceremony at the school’s stadium, which has enough space to keep families socially distanced. Other options include a “rolling” graduation event where seniors and their families come to campus at assigned times to receive their diplomas and take photos, or a virtual graduation recorded and shared on May 29.

Christ the King High School in Huntersville also celebrated the Class of 2020 with home deliveries of yard signs. Staff visited their graduating seniors’ homes to acknowledge their hard work and celebrate their achievements.

“On May 8, members of the faculty and staff surprised each graduate with special lawn signs,” said Dr. Carl Semmler, principal. “A parade of cars arrived at the home of each graduate, a token of love was placed on the lawn and a symphony of car horns and cheers ensued.”

Graduation was originally scheduled for May 30 at Davidson College, Semmler said, but “after consultation with our stakeholders and in response to the most recent information from the governor’s office, we have decided to move graduation to June 6.”

By then, he said, “it is our hope that this will place us safely within the (governor’s) Phase 2 reopening plan.” If social distancing guidelines allow at that time, an in-person graduation could be held on the school lawn, he said.

In case graduation cannot be held in person, the school will have a drive-through ceremony and share recorded graduation speeches from Debbie Mixer, Catholic Schools’ interim superintendent; Monsignor Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor; Father John Putnam, the high school’s chaplain; and Jack Zuhosky, the school’s Class of 2020 representative.

Watch the baccalaureate Mass online A baccalaureate Mass offered by Bishop Peter J. Jugis for the Class of 2020 of Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville, Charlotte Catholic High School in Charlotte and Christ the King High School in Huntersville will be streamed live online starting at 12:10 p.m. Thursday, May 28. The private Mass from St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte is being offered in lieu of in-person baccalaureate Masses this year due to COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings. To watch the livestreamed Mass, go to the Diocese of Charlotte’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/DioceseOfCharlotte.

CHARLOTTE — Enrollment for the 2020-’21 school year is open for all 19 Diocese of Charlotte Catholic schools, and to help families hurt economically by the COVID-19 pandemic, diocesan officials have set up a special tuition assistance program.

Diocesan leadership, in conjunction with school administrators, developed the Emergency Tuition Assistance program to provide needed financial aid to any family financially impacted by the pandemic. The application process is simple and does not require submission of tax returns.

“We made the application process as easy as possible so families are not hesitant to apply,” said Bill Weldon, the diocese’s chief financial officer and chief administrative officer.

Through this new program, current and prospective Catholic school families who have lost income because of the pandemic, and cannot afford to pay some or all of the school’s tuition, can apply for temporary tuition assistance for the 2020-’21 school year.

The Emergency Tuition Assistance funds are separate from existing tuition assistance funds, which are also available to families each year based on need.

“Our goal is to not have a single student withdraw (or fail to re-enroll) because of the financial ramifications of COVID-19,” Weldon said.

The new program is being implemented at all 19 schools in the diocese. To apply, a family must complete a separate application that is available from their school. Applications will be reviewed and financial assistance awarded by the school’s principal and a committee of two staff members.

Emergency Tuition Assistance funds are temporary but renewable based on continued need.

“The COVID-19 Tuition Assistance program that was initiated and implemented system-wide has allowed us the opportunity to continue to provide quality Catholic education to families while recognizing that this is a financially precarious time,” said Debbie Mixer, interim schools superintendent. “This is an example of the community working together to further the mission of our Catholic schools.”

The diocese’s Catholic school system includes nine schools in the greater Charlotte area (Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools) and 9 parish-based schools around the diocese and one diocesan school.

Several schools offer special learning programs to meet the needs of diverse learners. In many parts of the diocese, a Catholic education from pre-kindergarten through high school is available.

All of the diocese’s Catholic schools are accredited through Cognia (formerly called AdvancED).

More info At www.gonccatholicschools.org: Get more information about any of the diocese’s 19 Catholic schools, enroll online and learn how to apply for financial aid. Questions? Please call the school of interest directly for more information.

May 22, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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SPECIAL COVERAGE: THE CHURCH RESPONDS TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Catholic Charities launches mental health tele-counseling KIMBERLY BENDER ONLINE REPORTER

PHOTO PROVIDED BY OPPORTUNITY THREADS

Opportunity Threads employees at the Carolina Textile District work on mask prototypes as part of a COVID-19 PPE production gear-up response.

CCHD grant recipient in Morganton has new role in fight against COVID-19 JOSEPH PURELLO SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

MORGANTON — An organization that has been a multi-year recipient of a National CCHD Economic Development grant is now at the forefront of efforts to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) in North Carolina.

Coordinating production of PPE in the central foothills region of the state is the Carolina Textile District, an enterprise of The Industrial Commons, headquartered in Morganton. The Carolina Textile District has been working over the past two months to integrate the manufacturing efforts of varied companies that are retooling to adapt to healthcare needs. The rapid adaptation that the Carolina Textile District has promoted among its member companies recently received national notice in the April Nonprofit Quarterly article “Masks, Mutual Aid, and Our Broken Supply Chains: A North Carolina Story.”

A variety of manufacturers in North Carolina – including Opportunity Threads, a founding member of the Carolina Textile District and a recipient of CCHD grant funding – have responded to the need for PPE supplies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These manufacturers are working with North Carolina’s Task Force for Emergency Repurposing of Manufacturing, which has been charged with assisting local manufacturers to help increase local production of protective gear to fight the spread of COVID-19.

The varied collaborative and member companies of the Carolina Textile District have now moved fully from

making apparel, furniture textiles and other cloth-based consumer items to making PPE such as medical gowns, masks and sturdy washable surgical mask covers.

The Industrial Commons established the Carolina Textile District thanks in part to multi-year grant funding from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, a national program of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that is coordinated in western North Carolina by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte. Achievements of The Industrial Commons, as well as those of Opportunity Threads, have been highlighted by the USCCB in its nationally distributed publications.

Growing jobs and rebuilding an integrated textile manufacturing base in western North Carolina – which saw catastrophic job losses in the 1980s and 1990s – have been goals of The Industrial Commons, along with sustainable practices, fair wages and cooperative worker ownership and profit-sharing. While the work of rebuilding manufacturing in textiles and supporting industries in the central foothills will continue once this pandemic has passed, it is fortunate that the foundational knowhow and worker expertise was already in place to help respond in the fight against COVID-19.

JOSEPH PURELLO is director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s Office of Social Concerns and Advocacy.

More online At www.ccdoc.org/cchdcrs: Learn more about the CCHD Economic Development grant program and how it has benefited The Industrial Commons and Opportunity Threads in the Morganton area.

CHARLOTTE — Feelings of anxiety, loneliness and depression are becoming more widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s mental health counseling program has shifted from in-person to “tele-counseling” to make sure their clients continue getting this much-needed help.

“When in-person meetings were suspended on March 19, our immediate priority as a program was to find a way to continue mental health services for our existing clients,” said Bryan Sullivan, a licensed professional counselor supervisor with Catholic Charities. “At the time, there were 180 adults and couples who were under the care of our three full-time and one part-time licensed mental health counselors.”

Within two weeks the counselors, who provide individual and couples therapy in the Charlotte, WinstonSalem, Greensboro and Asheville areas, transitioned to an easy-to-use, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform in which people use their computer, mobile phone or tablet to have a one-on-one confidential video session with a counselor. Clients receive the same level and types of services as with in-person sessions.

Only existing clients are currently part of the new telecounseling effort, but Catholic Charities hopes to open the program to new applicants by the end of May, which is Mental Health Month.

“We are very excited to extend our mental health therapy during this time of COVID-19,” said Catholic Charities’ executive director, Dr. Gerard Carter. “We are even more excited to identify concrete ways in which we can employ telehealth to offer these services to those who live in rural areas across the diocese.”

In providing tele-counseling services, Catholic Charities had to consider several important factors and challenges, Sullivan noted.

“Many of those issues included choosing a telecommunication platform that served to maintain our standards for ethical care that meets HIPAA compliance guidelines and agency accreditation standards,” he said.

“It was also important that we select a reliable, secure, user-friendly telecommunication product that we also had the technical support to maintain. We also had to problemsolve a way to get appropriate consent from our clients in order to render this service in line with best practice guidelines.”

Clients who agree to participate get an email invitation with instructions on how and when to join the session.

Sessions last about an hour, just as they would have been in person.

“The vast majority of our clients have given us very positive feedback on this service thus far,” Sullivan said.

“They have expressed that they are grateful that we have been able to continue to provide care.”

With each passing week that in-office operations remain suspended, more clients are opting for tele-counseling.

“This platform provides access to exceptional mental health care for everyone, and we remain deeply committed to ensuring access to care,” said Sharon Davis, program assurance director for Catholic Charities.

Your DSA contributions at work Some Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte programs are funded in part by contributions from the annual Diocesan Support Appeal. Learn more about the DSA and how you can contribute at www.charlottediocese. org/dsa.

More online At www.mhacentralcarolinas.org: Catholic Charities’ Mental Health Counseling has a relationship with Mental Health America of Central Carolinas. Learn more about mental health or get immediate assistance after business hours on their website.

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catholicnewsherald.com | May 22, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

SPECIAL COVERAGE: THE CHURCH RESPONDS TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Caring for the sick in a pandemic: Two Catholic doctors’ perspectives KIMBERLY BENDER ONLINE REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Now more than ever, Catholic medical professionals have been relying on their faith as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Catholic News Herald reached out to two Charlotte-area doctors to see how they are approaching their work and adapting to the crisis.

Dr. Matt Zban and Dr. Matthew Harrison belong to the Catholic Health Professionals of Charlotte, whose mission is to provide Catholic health professionals with an opportunity to network and grow in their Catholic faith.

“The COVID-19 epidemic has challenged and re-affirmed my faith,” said Zban, an emergency physician with Mid-Atlantic Emergency Medical Associates who works as an emergency physician at Novant Presbyterian Medical Center and Novant Matthews Medical Center. “Even before the pandemic, the words of Jesus directly challenged me and faith is a daily conversion/transformation. Being Catholic has me battle-ready because I trust in God and the many ways He provides for me, us.”

Zban, a parishioner at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, turns to the Magnificat devotional for inspiration and his “weapon of choice” is the rosary.

“In many ways, I approach this pandemic with the same fundamentals I have employed for decades,” he said. “I believe science and faith are both important every day I work. They do not oppose one another but actually complement each

other. Physicians, and our patients, are body and spirit and we must care for the entire person.

“If we treat our patients as a random grouping of molecules, we are not doing our absolute best. We should consider aspects of a patient’s soul – such as their feelings, what they are thinking, their fears and concerns, religious preferences and needs while in the hospital.”

Harrison, a hospitalist physician at Novant Health Rowan Regional Medical Center who is a designated COVID patient provider, said he is seeing a good amount of elderly and patients with other medical problems becoming very sick with COVID-19.

As of May 20, 702 North Carolina residents have died from COVID-19.

“It’s very challenging to take care of patients that are unable to have family visit,” said Harrison, who is a parishioner at St. Mark Church in Huntersville. “It’s also challenging to find disposition for many patients when they are discharged, because nursing homes do not want to take them and some families do not want them at home, either. The patients are lonely in their rooms as they cannot have visitors, and patients with dementia are scared and confused when family cannot stay with them.”

Most COVID-19 patients Zban said he is caring for are young people who experience flu-like symptoms and recover uneventfully.

“However, he noted, “approximately 10 to 15 percent of COVID-19 patients become seriously ill with pneumonia. We have cared for many people with respiratory

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failure that require hospitalization in the intensive care unit. A small percentage, less than 1.5 percent of all patients infected, not just those with a positive test, will die. Those over age 50 and with chronic medical conditions are most at risk.”

“As you can imagine, this is very stressful for the patients, their families and health care workers,” he added. “This disease brings us face-to-face with our own mortality.”

Adjusting to a new work-life balance in an extreme medical situation can be challenging for anyone, but not infecting their families remains a top priority for health care workers on the front lines of the pandemic.

“Some doctors, nurses and physician assistants isolate themselves by staying in different parts of the house than the rest of the family,” Zban said. “There are many effective practices to make sure one does not bring the virus home and infect loved ones.”

“During the first weeks, I quarantined from my family after work and slept in a separate area,” Harrison said. “But after reading more reports and understanding contagion factors, I am no longer quarantining from my family. I am not visiting my elderly parents, and all of my children are healthy.”

Comforting families who are unable to be with their COVID-ill loved one is challenging.

“I have made more phone calls to patients’ families,” Harrison said. “I have several elderly couples that have both been admitted and have made sure they are able to visit each other since they both have COVID. We have used iPads to allow families to FaceTime and Skype each other. We have had patients that were going to have to be intubated, and we were unsure if they would live, FaceTime family members to say goodbye because they were not sure if they would survive.”

Harrison said he’s prayed with and for patients – especially those isolated from their families.

“Psalm 27:14 is great because it encourages people not to despair or give up on the Lord,” he said. “My faith has been reaffirmed during this time and the separation from the easy access to the sacraments has made me appreciate them more, as well as our priests.”

He has assisted patients with receiving the sacraments, working with the hospital chaplain to help bring in local priests.

And he’s been able to provide protective personal equipment for priests’ use if needed when they visit ill patients, and offer them recommendations on offering the sacraments safely.

“I am encouraged by how our priests have taken on this challenge of comforting their parishioners and providing sacraments through new and innovative ways while preserving social distancing recommendations and safety,” he said.

Let’s keep talking.

White Mass offered for front-line health care workers KIMBERLY BENDER AND PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CHARLOTTE — A “White Mass” was offered May 9 at St. Patrick Cathedral to pray for those on the front lines caring for people stricken with the COVID-19 virus.

The special liturgy is so named by the white uniforms traditionally worn by doctors and nurses and others in the healing profession of medicine.

The White Mass was streamed live on the cathedral’s YouTube and Facebook pages, kicking off a Catholic health care ethics conference held online May 9 by the St. John Paul II Foundation, in partnership with the Diocese of Charlotte and Belmont Abbey College.

It was celebrated by Father Cory Catron of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte, who reflected in his homily on Mary’s title of “Health of the Sick” (“Salus infirmorum”), one of her titles listed in the popular Litany of Loreto.

The prayer, which dates from the Middle Ages, has been invoked by the Church during plagues throughout history.

In the present COVID-19 pandemic, the Litany of Loreto can be a particularly meaningful prayer for those sick in body, mind and soul, Father Catron noted in his homily.

Mary is called “Health of the Sick” because “Mary is mother, and Mary is disciple,” he said.

Mary is the mother of Jesus, and she was given to us by Jesus on the cross to be our spiritual mother, he noted.

“Mary is our mother, so she cares for us in our infirmities,” he said, just as our parents took care of us when we were sick as children.

Mary is also called “Health of the Sick,” because she was Jesus’ first and greatest disciple, and everything she did pointed to Jesus, to the Truth.

“Jesus went about healing the sick, and Mary accompanied Him as He did this,” Father Catron said. Similarly, Mary accompanies those who do the work of healing today.

Health care “is an act of charity … an act of mercy, and it’s one that must be tempered by the truth,” he said.

“In everything that we do, if we are to attain the glory of God, if we are to be made holy by our labors, it must be in union with the will of God, it must be with the heart of Jesus Christ.”

“This is important now more than ever,” he said, when we don’t always see ethical medical practices.

“Even now in the midst of the present crisis, we have discussions of: are vaccines being developed ethically, are certain measures being taken correctly,” he said.

“We can hardly hope to heal in the name of Jesus Christ if we do not seek to do the will of the Father who sent Him.” The health care ethics conference, “Converging Roads,” offered continuing education for health care professionals to help them practice the highest ethical and medical standards of their profession.

Originally scheduled as an in-person event, the third year of this conference was held online.

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May 22, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com

Padre Julio Domínguez

La tentación de desacralizar la Iglesia

Yesenia Echevarria, a cargo del programa de despensas de la Casa Marillac, acomoda los alimentos recibidos como parte de la donación gestionada por la Asociación Americana del Corazón. Según cifras del condado Mecklenburg, aproximadamente el 30% de la población infectada con COVID-19 es de origen hispano.

H

ay una realidad muy hermosa y tan digna de pensarse continuamente entre los cristianos que a veces, por distracción o ignorancia, no lo hacemos.

Me refiero a la naturaleza de nuestra Santa Madre Iglesia, la que es Una, Santa, Católica y Apostólica.

Meditando en estos días el capítulo de San Juan 17, me di cuenta de la petición que el Hijo hacía al Padre, pidiendo que nosotros los cristianos fuéramos uno siguiendo el modelo de la Santísima Trinidad, que fuéramos al mismo tiempo santos imitando al Hijo, y que llegáramos a la verdad completa a través de la moción e inspiración del Espíritu Santo. El Hijo claramente pide al Padre que seamos testigos de esta Verdad hasta los confines del mundo.

La belleza de nuestra Iglesia viene precisamente de este deseo de Cristo que la fundó precisamente para que fuera Columna y Fundamento de la Verdad.

La hizo Santa precisamente al darle todos los medios ganados por los méritos de su Cruz y salvaguardados por el Espíritu Santo, que la llevaría de la mano hasta el final de los tiempos.

En el transcurso de mi sacerdocio, me he dado cuenta de que mucha gente no logra apreciar este fundamento divino de la Iglesia y, al verla como una pura institución humana, tratan de quererla transformar con los criterios de este mundo para hacerla, según ellos, más atractiva al hombre contemporáneo.

Pondré algunos ejemplos que se ven palpables y que no necesitamos investigar, tanto pues ha habido ya muchos intentos de transformación de la Iglesia: El primero se encuentra en el orden litúrgico. Ante la creencia y gran tentación de que los ritos litúrgicos y la música sagrada dependen de lo que el mundo propone, se ha querido hacer de las misas un show más que un verdadero y santo Sacrificio. Se ha querido introducir la música pagana y mundana en nuestros templos sagrados, quitando la música sagrada en ellos. Hay una gran diferencia en la música sagrada y la pagana o mundana, pues una fue hecha precisamente para elevar el espíritu a Dios y la otra fue hecha para despertar en el cuerpo movimientos. Una es sagrada por naturaleza, es decir hecha precisamente para alabar a Dios y expresar los bellos sentimientos del alma a Dios; la otra fue hecha para divertir al hombre.

Me he encontrado mucha gente que me dice, padre pero ¿por qué en algunas parroquias se hace como un concierto DESACRALIZAR, PASA A LA PÁGINA 16

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

ANTE PEDIDO DE AYUDA DE CASA MARILLAC

Comunidad responde generosamente CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE — Dos toneladas de alimentos llegaron el pasado lunes 11 de mayo a las instalaciones de Casa Marillac con el objetivo de ayudar en la entrega de despensas a familias que han visto afectados sus ingresos debido a la crisis económica generada por el brote de COVID-19.

Un camión de BlueSky Farms pudo hacer la entrega gracias a la gestión de la Asociación Americana del Corazón, en cooperación con Greater Charlotte BlueCross BlueShields y Medic. A quienes reciban la ayuda de alimentos, también les serán entregados recursos de educación y recetas para preparar comidas saludables.

Héctor Salgado, director de impacto a la comunidad de la Asociación Americana del Corazón, dijo que su organización se encontraba trabajando con la Iglesia Católica en Charlotte para capacitar a promotores comunitarios cuando “apareció COVID-19 y todo cambió”, por lo que crearon un programa para ayudar a la Iglesia con fondos y comida, recibiendo rápidamente el apoyo de BlueCross BlueShields.

“El programa seguirá, al menos por un mes más, y vamos a seguir buscando recursos para ver si podemos continuar porque sabemos que todavía hay mucha necesidad en la comunidad”, aseguró Salgado. La donación entregada consistió en arroz, frejoles, maíz, tomates, pepinos y otros vegetales, “pero también quisimos traer muchas otras cosas que comemos como chile poblano y otras cosas que comemos nosotros como latinos”, señaló.

Lester Oliva, relacionista público de Medic y cubano de nacimiento, dijo que cuando llegó a Estados Unidos, de muy pequeño, no recuerda haber pasado hambre, “pero si recuerdo las historias que me contaban mi abuela y mi mamá. Por eso, mi corazón se mueve cuando se presenta la oportunidad de dar una comida a una familia”.

Oliva, quien también se desempeña como paramédico, expresó el compromiso de todo el personal paramédico de la institución para con la comunidad. “El COVID-19 ha puesto muchos frenos en nuestros programas de ayuda. Primero es la salud de nuestros pacientes, nuestros paramédicos, pero todavía sigue el deseo de estar en la comunidad y estamos en la búsqueda

de oportunidades para ayudar, para luego reiniciar nuestros programas, pero ahora de manera virtual”.

El Padre Gregorio Gay, párroco de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, dijo que “estamos siendo bendecidos por la ayuda que recibimos”, y que la idea que mantienen en su mente es que “tenemos que continuar manteniendo la bodega de nuestra despensa llena para seguir ayudando a la gente”.

Respecto a la ayuda proporcionada por la CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD Asociación Americana Lester Oliva, representante de relaciones del Corazón, más allá de públicas de Medic, compañía que presta reconocer la generosidad servicios de atención de emergencia al e importancia de ella, condado Mecklenburg, ayuda con la descarga señaló que es muy de la donación de alimentos que recibió la buena “la promocion Casa Marillac. que ellos realizan por lograr una dieta más sana”, especialmente para la comunidad que se ve aquejada por enfermedades tales como la diabetes.

La Casa Marillac no fue la única institución que se benefició con la donación de alimentos coordinada por la Asociación Americana del Corazón. Ese mismo día, en horas de la tarde, el Centro Comunitario Camino, ubicado en la zona norte de la Ciudad Reina, recibió un aporte similar.

Más online En www.facebook.com/CNHEspañol: Vea un video con imágenes de la entrega de esta donación. Para colaborar con la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe y Casa Marillac, visite www.parroquiansguadalupe.com.

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catholicnewsherald.com | May 22, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

“La Misión del Santo Rosario está activa”, afirmó Diácono Darío García CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

HICKORY — Utilizando recursos informáticos y redes sociales, “la misión del Santo Rosario está activa y el misionero no descansa”, aseguró el Diácono Darío García, coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato del Hickory, refiriéndose al empeño de las familias consagradas a la Virgen María en mantenerse unidas durante este tiempo de aislamiento social decretado por las autoridades para contener el brote de COVID-19.

“Todos nos mantenemos informados a través de videos, audios y escritos, y permanecemos en oración con el Santo Rosario, la difusión de las ‘florecillas de María’, meditando en familia y compartiendo sugerencias y comentarios”, añadió.

La misión, que cumplió ya nueve años instalada en la región, tenía programada la realización de su octavo encuentro anual a finales del mes de mayo, cita que ha quedado pendiente.

UNA DEVOCIÓN TEMPRANA

Para el diácono, la devoción mariana llegó a muy temprana edad en su natal Colombia. Más tarde, refiere, fue reforzada por su menor hija, quien encontró una pequeña estampita de la Virgen María y pidió que fuera enmarcada y colocada en su cuna. “Esa imagen todavía la acompaña”, dijo con emoción, y subrayó que su esposa “es una devota a tiempo completo”.

Ya en la vida pastoral, “la Virgen ha sido mi compañía en el trabajo” porque ella es la perfecta representación de la familia, y en esta misión “el diácono no obra solo sino en compañía de la familia”.

La Misión del Santo Rosario nació en la parroquia San José, en Newton, gracias a una iniciativa de Florencio Vásquez, su cofundador. Desde esa ‘parroquia madre’, se extendió a San Francisco de Asís en Lenoir, Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles en Marion, Santa Dorotea en Lincolnton, e inclusive trascendiendo fronteras hasta

El Salvador y Colombia, a donde fieles del vicariato, originarios de esos países, han viajado y establecido misiones ‘hermanas’.

Actualmente, evalúan solicitudes de asistencia requeridas por parroquias de los estados de Nueva York y Virginia, además de colaborar con “los hermanos de Guatemala, aprovechando la difusión de la emisora ‘Alégrate María’ con la que cuenta la parroquia San Carlos Borromeo en Morganton”.

ROSARIO DE BENDICIONES

En estos momentos de pandemia, en que las reuniones presenciales momentáneamente ‘han pasado a la historia’, los misioneros consagrados mantienen un altar en sus hogares, donde la familia se reúne, ora y medita bajo su propia disponibilidad horaria.

Las reuniones, a las que llaman cenáculos, anteriormente al mes de marzo se llevaban a cabo mensualmente en calendario rotativo en casa de los consagrados.

Según explica el Diácono García, los cenáculos difieren en su celebración. La de ellos incluye elaborar un pequeño altar con flores, imágenes, veladoras y agua bendita. Luego del saludo se reza el Santo Rosario, realiza una lectura bíblica, lee un mensaje de la Virgen, se ora el rezo a San Miguel Arcángel, la magnificat, se invoca al Espíritu Santo y, tras una oración de sanación, se comparten experiencias, para finalizar con una bendición.

“Siempre las personas contaban sus impresiones y las bendiciones que recibían de María Santísima”, dijo el diácono, aclarando que no buscan “cosas raras ni espectaculares”, sino acciones del día a día que permiten ver cambios en sus vidas.

“Mi esposo antes no rezaba el rosario”, “mi hija no participaba y ahora es la primera que reclama que nos juntemos para orar”, “mi hijo ya reza las letanías”, son frases que frecuentemente se escuchan.

“Vemos la presencia de Dios y la Virgen, la iluminación del espíritu. No deseamos más”, apuntó.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

En la gráfica de archivo, aparece un grupo de niños encabezando la procesión de la Virgen María organizada por la Misión del Santo Rosario en los alrededores de la parroquia San José en Newton. En la actualidad no se realizan procesiones ni reuniones presenciales debido a las restricciones impuestas por las autoridades para frenar el brote de COVID-19.

Al concluir un cenáculo, el anfitrión regularmente ofrecía comida a los participantes en la medida de sus posibilidades. “Pero el estómago del misionero es sencillo. Se come cuando hay y cuando no hay se aguanta”, añadió risueño el Diácono García.

Todo este proceso, al ser conducido bajo una estricta guía, es posible de realizarse íntimamente en casa. Ya los responsables del monitoreo de los consagrados, junto al diácono, trabajan en la elaboración de una pauta que explique claramente los pasos para que se pueda hacer en el núcleo familiar.

“Esta es una misión, no es un grupo.

Lo que se le exige al misionero es que busque familias para consagrar. La idea es extender la misión, es ir en la búsqueda.

Una vez que tenemos a las familias iniciamos la Consagración a María, siguiendo la guía de ‘33 días del glorioso amanecer’. Y un punto muy importante, la misión debe estar cobijada por el pastor de cada parroquia”, subrayó el diácono.

Mayores informes Si desea mayor información sobre la Misión del Santo Rosario, contacte al Diácono Darío García al correo dario50gospina@hotmail.com o escriba un texto al WhatsApp 828-228-662.

Seminario universitario tiene nuevo hogar y promoción más numerosa SUEANN HOWELL REPORTERA SENIOR

BELMONT — Mayo ha sido un mes histórico para el Seminario Universitario San José: su tan esperado hogar permanente finalmente ha sido terminado y sus últimos cinco graduados se dirigirán a seminarios importantes este otoño.

Los seminaristas universitarios y sus formadores trasladaron muebles y cajas al edificio de estilo gótico de casi 30,000 pies cuadrados la semana pasada. El edificio incluye una capilla, aulas, salas de conferencias, cuatro suites para profesores, cocina y cafetería, oficinas de profesores y una habitación para oradores y sacerdotes visitantes. También incluye 40 dormitorios o ‘celdas’ para el creciente número de seminaristas universitarios.

Durante el año académico 2019-2020, los seminaristas universitarios vivieron repartidos en cuatro hogares temporales dentro y alrededor de la Iglesia Santa Ana en Charlotte y se movilizaban a Belmont Abbey College para recibir sus clases durante la semana. En adelante, vivirán bajo un mismo techo a solo minutos del campus universitario en Belmont.

Desde su fundación en 2016, el Seminario

Universitario San José ha sido un imán para jóvenes varones que desean discernir sobre el sacerdocio. El crecimiento de los estudiantes inscritos ha sido más rápido de lo que la diócesis había anticipado, de ocho estudiantes en su primer año a 26 este año académico. La Promoción 2020 es la más numerosa en su corta historia.

Los graduados de este año incluyen a Matthew Dimock Jr. de la Iglesia Santo Tomás de Aquino en Charlotte; Christian Goduti de la Iglesia San Marcos en Huntersville; Matthew Harrison de la Iglesia Sagrado Corazón en Salisbury; y Kevin Martínez y José Palma, ambos de la Iglesia San José en Asheboro.

Dimock, Martínez y Palma continuarán sus estudios en el Seminario Mount St. Mary en Cincinnati, Ohio. Goduti y Harrison estudiarán en el Pontificio Colegio Norteamericano en Roma.

El Padre Matthew Kauth, rector del seminario universitario, celebró una Misa para los cinco graduados el 13 de mayo en la Iglesia Santa Ana en Charlotte, junto con los Padres John Putnam, Jason Barone, Matthew Buettner y Timothy Reid. Después de la Misa, los seminaristas y sus formadores celebraron los logros de los cinco graduados que, como rito

de iniciación, recibieron cada uno una sotana ‘romana’ recientemente bendecida en reemplazo de la sotana regular del seminario universitario.

El 16 de mayo, los cinco jóvenes participaron en los ejercicios virtuales de graduación de Belmont Abbey College.

“Estoy increíblemente agradecido con Dios”, dijo el padre Kauth. Este año marcó la graduación de los últimos miembros inaugurales de la ‘promoción Alfa’ del seminario universitario, y algunos de sus miembros de la ‘promoción Bravo’.

“Es bastante apropiado, ya que comenzamos con esa (primera) clase en Santa Ana y dejamos Santa Ana comenzando un nuevo capítulo, todos saliendo juntos”, dijo. “No me puedo imaginar el tener una mejor promoción”.

El edificio puede estar en gran parte terminado, pero la campaña de recaudación de fondos continúa, con 14,5 de los 20 millones recaudados hasta el momento. Para obtener información sobre la campaña de recaudación visite www.stjosephcollegeseminary.org o comuníquese con Jim Kelley, director diocesano de desarrollo, al 704-370-3301 o envíe un correo electrónico a jkkelley@ charlottediocese.org.

FOTO CORTESÍA SEMINARIO SAN JOSÉ

En la gráfica aparecen, de izquierda a derecha el P. Matthew Kauth, rector; los seminaristas Matthew Harrison, Kevin Martínez, Christian Goduti, José Palma y Matthew Dimock; el P. Jason Christian, dean; y el P. Matthew Buettner, director espiritual.

Las celebraciones públicas de apertura del nuevo seminario universitario se llevarán a cabo después que se hayan levantado las restricciones de salud pública debido a la pandemia de COVID-19.

En sus propias palabras En www.stjosephcollegeseminary.org: Obtenga más información sobre el Seminario Universitario San José y vea lo que los cinco graduados de la Promoción 2020 tienen que decir.

May 22, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Las parroquias continúan su ministerio Misa al aire libre GREENSBORO — Al igual que otras parroquias de la Diócesis de Charlotte, Nuestra Señora de la Gracia en Greensboro inició celebraciones litúrgicas al aire libre respetando la distancia social requerida. Las autoridades estatales dictaron nuevas normas de retorno a la normalidad que entraron en vigencia el pasado viernes 8 de mayo a las cinco de la tarde. Gracias a ellas, se pudo hacer posible celebrar Misa en estacionamientos y jardines de algunas parroquias.

FOTO CORTESÍA ANTONIO GARCÍA

Entregaron alimentos a 200 familias

FOTO CORTESÍA DIÁCONO ENEDINO AQUINO

ASHEVILLE — Voluntarios de la parroquia San Eugenio, Caridades Católicas, Pisgah Legal y el Banco de alimentos Manna distribuyeron comestibles para 200 familias en el norte de Asheville. En la imagen se aprecia la entrega realizada en la parroquia San Eugenio el pasado viernes 8 de mayo. El Banco de alimentos Manna atiende las necesidades de 16 condados del oeste de Carolina del Norte.

Al aire libre y por Internet REIDSVILLE — Utilizando la tecnología y siguiendo las nuevas normas de distanciamiamiento social emitidas por las autoridades del estado, el Padre Frank Seabo celebró Misa en un salón de la iglesia Santo Niño el pasado domingo 10 de mayo, fecha en que se recordó el Día de la Madre. En los exteriores, los fieles pudieron seguir la liturgia a través de un equipo de amplificación y luego recibir la Comunión de manera presencial.

FOTO CORTESÍA SERGIO LÓPEZ

Uso de redes sociales se extiende

FOTO CORTESÍA VICTORIA MERAZ

BOONE — El Padre Brandon Buckler, párroco de Sta. Elizabeth en Boone, envió un mensaje grabado en video especialmente dirigido a la comunidad hispanoparlante de su área. El Padre Buckler, quien domina perfectamente el español, recibió la ayuda de Sergio López, coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Boone y especialista en redes sociales, para la realización de este video.

FOTO CORTESÍA KILVER FUENTES

Celebraron Día de la Madre con Serenata CHARLOTTE — La parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe homenajeó a las madres en su día ofreciéndoles una serenata el pasado sábado 9 de mayo por la noche. Fueron casi dos horas de música que iniciaron con ‘Las Mañanitas’.

El domingo 10, durante el servicio de comunión que ofrece esa iglesia, todas las madres recibieron una rosa como signo de reconocimiento a su importante papel en la familia.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Previenen diabetes entre católicos hispanos CHARLOTTE — Participantes del taller de prevención de diabetes que ofrece la pastoral de salud del Vicariato de Charlotte, gracias a un convenio con Cabarrus Health Alliance, recibieron material de lectura e implementos deportivos complementarios a las sesiones informativas que ahora siguen únicamente a través de redes sociales. El proyecto de salud, que concluirá en doce semanas, tiene una duración de doce meses.

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catholicnewsherald.com | May 22, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

COBERTURA ESPECIAL: LA IGLESIA RESPONDE A LA PANDEMIA DEL CORONAVIRUS COVID-19

Parroquias realizan cambios a medida que el estado reduce restricciones de salud pública PATRICIA GUILFOYLE AND SUEANN HOWELL CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CHARLOTTE — Las Misas al aire libre y los servicios de comunión han dado paso a las misas en interiores con algunas precauciones específicas, y se están produciendo más cambios en la capacidad de las personas realizar actividades de adoración para pública.

Carolina del Norte ha comenzado un proceso lento y desigual de alivio de las restricciones de salud pública que han estado vigentes desde mediados de marzo. El Gobernador Roy Cooper anunció el pasado 8 de mayo la reducción de restricciones en negocios, viajes y reuniones públicas como parte de un proceso de reapertura de tres fases. Para las iglesias, la ‘Fase 1’ significó poder celebrar servicios de adoración al aire libre en los que las personas pueden dejar sus automóviles.

Luego, en respuesta a una demanda que impugnó esa restricción a las iglesias, un juez de un tribunal estatal de circuito emitió el 16 de mayo una orden de restricción temporal para bloquearla, esencialmente dando a las iglesias luz verde para celebrar servicios en interiores sin límites de multitudes, más allá de acatar el distanciamiento social y las pautas de desinfección.

El viernes 22 de mayo, el estado pasará a la ‘Fase 2’, suavizando aún más algunas restricciones y eliminando la orden de ‘quedarse en casa’.

Muchas iglesias en la diócesis siguieron adelante con Misas al aire libre o servicios de comunión una vez que Carolina del Norte entró en la ‘Fase 1’, pero solo en los últimos días algunas han optado por los servicios en interiores. En este camino de altibajos, todas ellas están tratando equilibrar los cambios en la reglamentación con el distanciamiento social y la desinfección frecuente.

Las parroquias que habían estado ofreciendo ‘Misas de estacionamiento’, en las que las personas se quedaban dentro de sus automóviles durante la Misa, cambiaron a Misas al aire libre en las que las personas pueden salir de sus automóviles y sentarse separadas de manera segura.

Otras parroquias comenzaron a ofrecer Misas al aire libre, permitiendo a sus feligreses el asistir a Misa en persona por primera vez desde el inicio de la pandemia en marzo.

Ahora las Misas en interiores se ofrecen a discreción de cada pastor. Algunas iglesias comenzaron a ofrecer Misas diarias dentro de esta semana y planean ofrecer la Misa dominical a partir de este fin de semana, aunque con algunas limitaciones para mantener el distanciamiento social.

Las personas deben consultar la página web y las redes sociales de sus parroquias para obtener información más reciente sobre la apertura de iglesias, horarios de Misa y

DESACRALIZAR VIENE DE LA PÁGINA 13

o baile y la gente se siente atraída a eso? Precisamente porque estamos tan acostumbrados a que nos entretengan a nosotros, pero el fin primario de la liturgia es darle gloria a Dios Padre por medio del Hijo en el Espíritu Santo y no el entretener a la gente. Es una realidad que para que nuestro sacrificio sea válido tenemos que unirnos al Hijo y hacer las cosas como Él quiso que se hicieran.

Otra de las grandes tentaciones es la tendencia de quitarle lo sagrado al sacerdocio. Desde el momento que queremos que el sacerdote sea como otro hombre del mundo le quitamos inmediatamente la dignidad de su sacerdocio.

La palabra sacerdote, compuesta por tres palabras latinas sacer-do-te (Sagrado

pautas sacramentales.

Ya sea que las liturgias se lleven a cabo en interiores o exteriores, todas las iglesias continúan siguiendo las directivas de salud pública para reducir la transmisión de COVID-19. Por ejemplo, el clero usa equipo de protección personal y desinfecta sus manos durante la distribución de la Sagrada Comunión. Se insta a los asistentes a las Misas a permanecer alejados de otras personas al menos a seis pies de distancia (excluyendo a los miembros de la misma familia u hogar), usar una máscara o un paño que les cubra la nariz y la boca, y lavarse o desinfectarse las manos al llegar y retirarse.

En toda la diócesis, la obligación de asistencia a la Misa dominical permanece suspendida, y se pide a todos que sean prudentes al decidir si asisten a la Misa en persona. A las personas enfermas o vulnerables a la infección se les recomienda que permanezcan en casa y asistan a Misa virtualmente por televisión o transmitidas en vivo por internet.

FOTO PROVISTA POR AMY BURGER Además de las Misas al aire En las Misas, en exteriores o interiores, el clero sigue las directivas para reducir la transmisión del libre y bajo techo, las iglesias han COVID-19, utilizando equipo de protección personal y desinfectando sus manos durante la distribución continuado ofreciendo adoración y de la Sagrada Comunión. confesiones eucarísticas ‘al paso’, servicios de vísperas ‘en vivo’, rezo del rosario y más, brindando a los fieles oportunidades pero las iglesias están específicamente excluidas de esos para rezar. límites.

Algunas parroquias también han estado ofreciendo Con respecto a bodas, bautizos y funerales, la ‘Fase conversaciones online con profesionales de salud 1’ significaba que las iglesias podían organizar bodas y mental de sus parroquias, para ayudar a las personas a bautizos para hasta 10 personas dentro de la iglesia, y mantenerse positivas y lidiar con el estrés del aislamiento. servicios funerarios de hasta 50 personas. En la ‘Fase Las parroquias con escuelas también han estado 2’, estas liturgias están excluidas de las directivas del honrando a sus graduados de la Promoción 2020, dándoles gobernador, lo que permite que asista cualquier número bendiciones a ellos y a sus familias. de personas, pero las recepciones o visitas antes y después El 22 de mayo comenzará la ‘Fase 2’ del plan de están limitadas por las restricciones de reunión pública reapertura del gobernador, reduciendo aún más algunas en interiores y exteriores. Muchos de estos servicios han restricciones a medida que el estado emerge de la pospuesto hasta que las restricciones de salud pública se pandemia de COVID-19. La ‘Fase 2’ mantiene la limitación reduzcan aún más y se permita que más personas asistan. de las reuniones públicas en interiores a 10 personas y fija El distanciamiento social, uso de mascarillas faciales y las reuniones al aire libre a un máximo de 25 personas, otras directivas de salud pública siguen vigentes.

- dar - a ti) que traduciríamos como ‘el que te da lo sagrado’, viene precisamente de la consagración que recibió el día de su consagración. El sacerdote es elegido de entre los hombres y consagrado para servir a Dios totalmente y al prójimo por la acción de Dios, para ofrecer sacrificios espirituales y ser un alter Christus en medio de la asamblea cristiana.

En mi caminar como sacerdote me he encontrado con personas que me ponen ejemplos de sacerdotes que se embriagan y que dicen que ellos son sacerdotes dentro de la iglesia, pero fuera de ella son normales como cualquier otra persona.

Y la gente siente que este sacerdote hace bien, cuando en realidad se está negando así mismo.

Otros ponen ejemplos de sacerdotes que dicen un montón de malas palabras o que se van a los bailes, o que utilizan pistolas, etc. El sacerdote es, por la naturaleza de su consagración, llamado a reproducir la imagen de Cristo en su persona y debería de presentar con su bondad, amabilidad,

generosidad y buen ejemplo a Cristo ante todas las almas que piadosamente le buscan. El ejemplo pecaminoso de un sacerdote enviciado o indiferente no lleva a las almas a Dios, sino que las arrastra a vivir de acuerdo a los criterios de este mundo.

Otro medio en el cual se puede ver latente la tentación de la desacralización de la Iglesia está en las mismas estructuras materiales de los templos. Antes, entrar a la iglesia era un sentimiento de apertura a lo trascendente, era realmente entrar a la casa de Dios, era sencillamente una enseñanza plasmada en el altar, las paredes, los techos, encontrábamos las figuras de Dios, grandes murales de los Santos y de las almas del purgatorio.

Las imágenes sagradas de los Santos nos llevaban a querer llegar a donde ellos estaban. En pocas palabras, las iglesias eran una Biblia abierta para las almas humildes y piadosas.

Bajo la influencia del modernismo y del protestantismo, muchas de nuestras

iglesias actuales han quedado desposeídas de esta inspiración cristiana que se venía siguiendo por tradición desde las primeras comunidades cristianas, como lo muestran las catacumbas en Roma y en Tierra Santa.

Nuestras iglesias han perdido ese ‘toque de misterio’ para convertirse en verdaderos teatros en donde se presentará un show.

Incluso los mismos laicos, al no reconocer lo sagrado de un templo, han llegado hasta a utilizar el presbiterio, al que solamente los ministros ordenados deberían tener acceso.

Ojalá que a través de este artículo se pueda producir un reenfoque más profundo en la realidad de nuestra Iglesia y que respetemos y defendamos el principio fundacional que Cristo quiso dejarle desde el principio.

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

May 22, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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COBERTURA ESPECIAL: LA IGLESIA RESPONDE A LA PANDEMIA DEL CORONAVIRUS COVID-19

Felicitaciones y graduaciones ‘al paso’ marcan final de año académico 2020 SUEANN HOWELL REPORTERA SENIOR

CHARLOTTE — Las tres escuelas secundarias de la Diócesis de Charlotte han ideado formas creativas para celebrar la graduación de este año a la luz de las restricciones de salud pública por el COVID-19. Las 19 escuelas católicas cerrarán el año académico 2019-20 en la primera semana de junio.

Por primera vez para la diócesis, el Obispo Peter Jugis ofrecerá una Misa de Graduación para las tres promociones que se gradúan, la que será transmitida ‘en vivo’ desde la Catedral San Patricio por el canal YouTube de la diócesis el 28 de mayo. Los estudiantes de último año, sus familias y amigos podrán ver el mensaje especial del obispo para ellos mientras se preparan para graduarse de la escuela católica y pasar a la siguiente etapa de sus vidas.

Los líderes escolares han festejado a sus alumnos de último año con eventos ‘al paso’, visitas a domicilio y muchas videoconferencias y actividades virtuales.

“El pasado 1 de mayo, nuestro equipo administrativo distribuyó a domicilio, en un área de 400 millas cuadradas, carteles de ‘Promoción 2020’, togas, birretes y un pastelito, para celebrar que nuestros estudiantes de último año están decidiendo su paso a la universidad el próximo año”, dijo Tracy Shawn, directora de Obispo McGuinness High School.

La escuela secundaria de Kernersville tendrá un ‘desfile de graduación’ en el campus de la escuela el 5 de junio a las 6:30 p.m. Se invita a los estudiantes y sus familias a decorar sus automóviles y conducir por el estacionamiento de la escuela, deteniéndose para obtener su diploma y tomar fotografías.

Charlotte Catholic High School en Charlotte llevó a cabo una entrega ‘al paso’ del yearbook, toga y birrete, el 16 de mayo en el campus de la escuela. El personal, los maestros y consejeros se alinearon a lo largo de la ruta para felicitar a los graduados y sus familias, y distribuir materiales de graduación y bolsas de bocadillos.

Todos los años, los estudiantes de último grado de Charlotte Catholic disfrutan de ver la ‘pared del bebe’ con fotos de ellos en sus primeros años. Este año, la ‘pared del bebé’ se exhibió en la verja del estadio para que la Clase 2020 lo pudiera ver mientras seguía la ruta de ingreso.

“Me alegra que el personal haya podido interactuar con tantos estudiantes”, dijo el director Kurt Telford.

“Aunque los estudiantes permanecieron en sus vehículos, los maestros, administradores y voluntarios pudieron animarlos. Estoy emocionado por volver a ver a los estudiantes nuevamente en la graduación el 29 de mayo”.

Al cierre de nuestra edición, Charlotte Catholic todavía estaba en el proceso de finalizar los detalles para la graduación. Los organizadores esperan tener una ceremonia de graduación en persona en el estadio de la escuela. Otras opciones incluyen un evento de graduación ‘al paso’, o una graduación virtual grabada y compartida el 29 de mayo.

Christ the King High School en Huntersville también celebró la graduación de la Promoción 2020 con la entrega a domicilio de carteles de jardín. El personal visitó las casas

Siga la Misa de Graduación online La Misa de Graduación que será ofrecida por el Obispo Peter Jugis para la Promoción 2020 de las escuelas secundarias Bishop McGuinness en Kernersville, Charlotte Catholic en Charlotte y Christ the King en Huntersville será transmitida ‘en vivo’ por internet el jueves 28 de mayo, iniciando a las 12:10 del mediodía.

La Misa privada, que se realizará en la Catedral San Patricio en Charlotte, se ofrece como alternativa a las Misas de Graduación durante este año debido a las restricciones de reuniones masivas ocasionadas por la pandemia de COVID-19. Para seguir la Misa en directo, visite el canal YouTube de la Diócesis de Charlotte en www.youtube.com/DioceseOfCharlotte.

Aumenta la ayuda financiera disponible para las familias con niños en las Escuelas Católicas SUEANN HOWELL REPORTERA SENIOR

FOTO PROVISTA POR TRACY SHAW

Una gran roca en los exteriores de Bishop McGuinness High School en Kernersville ha sido decorada para celebrar la Promoción 2020 durante esta inusual temporada de graduaciones.

de los graduados para reconocer su esfuerzo y celebrar sus logros.

“El 8 de mayo, los miembros de la facultad y el personal sorprendieron a todos los graduados con carteles especiales de jardín”, dijo el director, Dr. Carl Semmler. “Un desfile de autos llegó a la casa de cada graduado, se colocó una muestra de nuestro cariño en el césped y se produjo una sinfonía de bocinas y vítores”.

La graduación se programó originalmente para el 30 de mayo en Davidson College, dijo Semmler, pero “después de consultar con las partes interesadas y, en respuesta a la información más reciente de la oficina del gobernador, hemos decidido postergar la graduación para el 6 de junio”.

Para entonces, dijo, “esperamos que esto nos coloque de manera segura dentro del plan de reapertura de la Fase 2 (del estado)”. Si las pautas de distanciamiento social lo permiten en ese momento, una graduación en persona podría realizarse en los jardines de la escuela, señaló.

En caso que la graduación no pueda realizarse en persona, la escuela tendrá una ceremonia ‘al paso’ y compartirá discursos grabados de Debbie Mixer, superintendente interina de las Escuelas Católicas; Monseñor Patrick Winslow, vicario general y canciller; Padre John Putnam, capellán de la escuela secundaria; y Jack Zuhosky, representante de la Promoción 2020.

CHARLOTTE — Funcionarios diocesanos, en conjunto con administradores escolares, han desarrollado un programa de Asistencia de Matrícula de Emergencia para proporcionar ayuda financiera necesaria a cualquier familia perjudicada económicamente por la pandemia de COVID-19.

El proceso de solicitud es simple y no requiere la presentación de declaraciones de impuestos.

“Hicimos el proceso lo más fácil posible para que las familias no duden en presentar la solicitud”, dijo Bill Weldon, director financiero y administrativo de la diócesis.

A través de este nuevo programa, las familias con estudiantes (nuevos o antiguos), que han perdido ingresos debido a la pandemia y no pueden pagar parte o la totalidad de la matrícula, pueden solicitar asistencia para el año escolar 2020-2021.

Los fondos de Asistencia de Matrícula de Emergencia no están incluidos en los fondos de asistencia de matrícula existentes, que también están disponibles para las familias cada año.

“Nuestro objetivo es que ningún estudiante se retire (o no se reinscriba) debido a las consecuencias financieras de COVID-19”, dijo Weldon.

El nuevo programa está siendo implementado en las 19 escuelas de la diócesis. Para solicitarlo, la familia debe completar una forma por separado que está disponible en su escuela. Las solicitudes serán revisadas y la asistencia otorgada por el director de la escuela y un comité.

Los fondos de Asistencia de matrícula de emergencia son temporales pero renovables, en la medida en que las necesidades continúen.

“El programa de Asistencia de Matrícula COVID-19 implementado en todo el sistema nos da la oportunidad de continuar brindando educación católica de calidad a las familias, al mismo tiempo que reconocemos que este es un momento financieramente precario”, dijo Debbie Mixer, superintendente interina de las escuelas. “Este es un ejemplo de que la comunidad trabaja en conjunto para promover la misión de nuestras escuelas católicas”.

El sistema escolar católico de la diócesis incluye nueve escuelas en el área metropolitana de Charlotte, 9 escuelas parroquiales alrededor de la diócesis y una escuela diocesana. Todas las escuelas católicas de la diócesis están acreditadas a través de Cognia.

Más información En www.gonccatholicschools.org: Obtenga mayor información sobre cualquiera de las 19 escuelas católicas, inscripciones online y cómo solicitar ayuda financiera. ¿Preguntas? Por favor llame directamente a la escuela de su interés.

Lecturas Diarias MAYO 24-30

Domingo: Hechos 1:12-14, 1 Pedro 4:13-16, Juan 17:1-11; Lunes (San Beda, el Venerable, San Gregorio VII, Sta. María Magdalena de’ Pazzi): Hechos 19:1-8, Juan 16:29-33; Martes (San Phillip Neri): Hechos 20:1727, Juan 17:1-11; Miércoles (San Agustín de Canterbury): Hechos 20:28-38, Juan 17:11-19; Jueves: Hechos 22:30, 23:6-11, Juan 17:20-26; Viernes: Hechos 25:13-21, Juan 21:15-19; Sábado: Hechos 28:16-20, 30-31, Juan 21:20-25

MAYO 31-JUNIO 6

Domingo: (Pentecostés): Hechos 2:1-11, 1 Corintios 12:3-7, 12-13, Juan 20:19-23; Lunes (La Santísima Virgen María, Madre de la Iglesio): Génesis 3:9-15, Juan 19:25-34; Martes (Santos Marcelino y Pedro): 2 Pedro 3:12-15, 17-18, Marcos 12:13-17; Miércoles (San Carlos Lwanga y Compañeros): 2 Timoteo 1:1-3, 6-12, Marcos 12:18-27; Jueves: 2 Timoteo 2:8-15, Marcos 12:28-34; Viernes (San Bonifacio): 2 Timoteo 3:10-17, Marcos 12:35-37; Sábado (San Norberto): 2 Timoteo 4:1-8, Marcos 12:38-44

JUNIO 7-13

Domingo (La Santísima Trinidad): Éxodo 34:4b-6, 8-9, Daniel 3:52-56, 2 Corintios 13:11-13, Juan 3:16-18; Lunes: 1 Reyes 17:1-6, Mateo 5:1-12; Martes (San Efrén): 1 Reyes 17:7-16, Mateo 5:13-16; Miércoles: 1 Reyes 18:20-39, Mateo 5:17-19; Juebes (San Bernabé): Hechos 11:21-26, 13:1-3, Mateo 5:20-26; Viernes: 1 Reyes 19:9, 11-16, Mateo 5:27-32; Sábado (San Antonio de Padua): 1 Reyes 19:19-21, Mateo 5:33-37

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catholicnewsherald.com | May 22, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

COBERTURA ESPECIAL: LA IGLESIA RESPONDE A LA PANDEMIA DEL CORONAVIRUS COVID-19

Caridades Católicas lanza teleconsejería de salud mental KIMBERLY BENDER REPORTERA ONLINE

CHARLOTTE — La ansiedad, soledad y depresión se están generalizando durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Como respuesta, el programa de consejería de salud mental de Caridades Católicas de la Diócesis de Charlotte ha cambiado de presencial a tele-consejería, para asegurarse que sus beneficiarios continúen recibiendo esta ayuda tan necesaria. “Cuando el 19 de marzo se suspendieron las reuniones de persona a persona, nuestra prioridad inmediata era encontrar una manera de continuar prestando los servicios de salud mental para nuestros clientes existentes”, dijo Bryan Sullivan, supervisor consejero profesional de Caridades Católicas. “En ese momento, había 180 adultos y parejas que estaban bajo el cuidado de nuestros tres consejeros licenciados de salud mental de tiempo completo y uno de medio tiempo”.

En dos semanas, los asesores, que brindan terapia individual y para parejas en las áreas de Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greensboro y Asheville, hicieron la transición a una plataforma de telesalud fácil de usar y compatible con HIPAA, en la que las personas usan su computadora, teléfono móvil o tableta para tener una sesión de video personal y confidencial con un consejero. Los clientes reciben el mismo nivel y tipo de servicio que con las sesiones en persona.

Actualmente, solo los clientes existentes forman parte del nuevo esfuerzo de tele-asesoramiento, pero Caridades Católicas espera abrir el programa a nuevos solicitantes para fines de mayo, que es el Mes de la Salud Mental.

“Estamos muy emocionados de extender nuestra terapia de salud mental durante este tiempo de COVID-19”, dijo el director ejecutivo de Caridades Católicas, Dr. Gerard Carter. “Estamos aún más entusiasmados de identificar formas concretas en las que podemos emplear la telesalud para ofrecer estos servicios a quienes viven en zonas rurales de toda la diócesis”.

Al proporcionar servicios de asesoramiento psicológico, Caridades Católicas tuvo que considerar varios factores y desafíos importantes, señaló Sullivan.

“Muchos de esos problemas incluyeron la elección de una plataforma de telecomunicaciones que sirviera para mantener nuestros estándares éticos de atención que cumplan con las pautas de cumplimiento de HIPAA y los estándares de acreditación de la agencia”, dijo. “También era importante que seleccionáramos un producto de telecomunicaciones confiable, seguro, fácil de usar y con soporte técnico. También tuvimos que resolver cómo obtener el consentimiento apropiado de nuestros clientes, con la finalidad de prestar este servicio de acuerdo con las pautas de excelencia”.

Los clientes que aceptan participar reciben una invitación por correo electrónico con instrucciones sobre cómo y cuándo unirse a la sesión.

Las sesiones duran aproximadamente una hora, tal como habría sido en persona.

“Una amplia mayoría de nuestros clientes nos han dado comentarios muy positivos sobre este servicio hasta el momento”, dijo Sullivan. “Han expresado que están agradecidos de que hayamos podido continuar brindando atención”.

Con el paso del tiempo y las operaciones de oficina todavía suspendidas, cada día más clientes optan por el tele-asesoramiento.

“Esta plataforma proporciona acceso a una atención de salud mental excepcional para todos, y seguimos profundamente comprometidos a garantizar el acceso a la atención”, dijo Sharon Davis, directora de calidad de programas de Caridades Católicas.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Participantes de la conferencia sobre Prevención de Suicidio conversaron con la expositora, Rita Dominguez, coodinadora del Ministerio Latino de la Salud de Atrium Healthcare, al término de la sesión. El tema suscitó gran interés en los miembros de la comunidad, entre los que se encontraban numerosos promotores de salud del Vicariato de Charlotte.

Hablaron sobre la prevención del suicidio CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO HISPANO

CHARLOTTE ­— Mayo es el Mes de Concientización sobre la Salud Mental. La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), define la salud mental como un estado de bienestar en el cual el individuo es consciente de sus propias capacidades, puede afrontar las tensiones normales de la vida, trabajar de forma productiva y es capaz de hacer una contribución a su comunidad.

En 2018, los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades en Estados Unidos (CDC) advirtieron sobre el constante crecimiento de los índices de suicidio en el país.

“En 2016, murieron por suicidio casi 45 000 estadounidenses de10 años o mayores. El suicidio es la décima causa principal de muerte y una de solo tres causas principales de muerte que están aumentando”, señalaron en un informe.

PREVENCIÓN DE SUICIDIO

Sus contribuciones al DSA en acción Varios programas de Caridades Católicas de la Diócesis de Charlotte están financiados en parte por contribuciones de la Campaña anual de Apoyo Diocesano. Obtenga más información sobre el DSA y como puede contribuir en www.charlottediocese.org/dsa.

Más online En www.mhacentralcarolinas.org: La Consejería de Salud Mental de Caridades Católicas está relacionada con Mental Health America of Central Carolinas. Obtenga más información después del horario regular de labores en su página web.

Para ofrecer un primer vistazo a la problemática del suicidio en nuestra comunidad, Rita Dominguez, coodinadora del Ministerio Latino de la Salud de Atrium Healthcare, ofreció una sesión de capacitación dirigida a los integrantes del Ministerio de la Salud del vicariato de Charlotte.

Domínguez reveló que las personas, una vez que se revela un problema mental, regularmente toman diez años antes de solicitar ayuda de salud mental, impactando su vida social. “Cada año más de 800 mil personas mueren en todo el mundo por suicidio”, dijo, “y en Estados Unidos por cada suicidio hay otros 25 intentos de quitarse la vida”.

La buena noticia es que, “el suicidio se puede prevenir, como cualquier otro tipo de enfermedades, por lo que es importante conocer las señales de advertencia e intervenir rápidamente para salvar vidas”, resaltó.

Según explicó la especialista, factores de salud mental, enfermedades graves o crónicas, antecedentes familiares, estrés prolongado o acontecimientos personales, entre otras causas, podrían llevar a una persona a considerar terminar con su vida.

Lo que dicen los potenciales suicidas sobre poner fin a su vida, no tener una razón para vivir, el ser una carga para los demás, es importante para identificar el riesgo. “Pero no solo es lo que se dice, sino también cómo se comporta.

El aumento de consumo de alcohol y drogas, problemas para dormir, abandono de actividades, el aislarse, investigar el suicidio y regalar posesiones puede indicar que la persona está en camino de suicidarse”, explicó Domínguez.

En caso llega a detectar a un potencial suicida, hay que acercarse, hablarle en privado, “y dedicarle el tiempo necesario para escuchar”, evitando menospreciar sus sentimientos, convencerlos de que “vale la pena vivir” y dar consejos “para arreglar las cosas”.

Con la crisis de COVID-19, algunas personas pueden experimentar problemas de salud mental.

Por ello, la Coalición de Fe y Salud, una organización sin fines de lucro que tiene como misión crear una comunidad más saludable, integral, confiable y segura, ha abierto la línea directa (980)500-9541 para atender llamadas en español, de lunes a viernes, a fin de brindar apoyo a quienes lo soliciten.

En junta de la Coalición de Fe y Salud participa un prepresentante del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Charlotte.

Por otra parte, la línea nacional de prevención de suicidio es 1-800-273-TALK y atiende en varios idiomas las 24 horas del día los siete días de la semana.

Si necesita ayuda, envie un texto con la palabra TALK al 741741. Para mayor información, visite suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/enespanol.

Mix

May 22, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Catholic Book Pick ‘Thy Kingdom Come: Living the Lord’s Prayer in Everyday Life’ by Fr. Jeffrey Kirby, S.T.D. It’s the most wellknown Christian prayer in the world, but do we truly understand its power and meaning?

We regularly pray it.

We learned it while we were still learning to speak. It’s one of the most important prayers ever given to the human family. And yet, many of us take it for granted, missing its depth and breadth. But this is the Lord’s Prayer. It’s called by such a distinguished name because the Lord Jesus gave it to us after His apostles asked Him how to pray. He taught them then with this prayer, and it teaches us still today.

“Thy Kingdom Come: Living the Lord’s Prayer in Everyday Life” is about diving into the familiar and yet unknown world of the Lord’s Prayer.

At www.tanbooks.com: Order your copy of “Thy Kingdom Come: Living the Lord’s Prayer in Everyday Life.” Catholic News Herald readers enjoy 20 percent off their order – use the exclusive coupon code “CNH20.”

Documentary on Nicholas Black Elk, Lakota medicine man turned Catholic teacher, premiers CHARLOTTE — “Walking the Good Red Road: Nicholas Black Elk’s Journey to Sainthood” – a documentary about Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk – offers a unique glimpse into this Catholic lay leader’s life and spirituality.

Nicholas Black Elk was a Catholic convert and catechist among the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) Tribe in South Dakota during the late 19th and early 20th centuries – among the most turbulent times for Native Americans living on the Great Plains.

A second cousin to Crazy Horse, Black Elk was 12 when he participated in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, in 1876. He fought in the aftermath of the Massacre of Wounded Knee, in 1890, and spent two years touring Europe with Buffalo Bill Cody.

In 1904, at the age of 40, he came to know the Jesuits at Red Cloud, then Holy Rosary Mission, and converted to Catholicism after a Jesuit missionary confronted him about his medicine man practices. At his baptism he chose the name Nicholas in honor of St. Nicholas, known for his humility and commitment to serving the poor. After he learned to read, Nicholas Black Elk became known for his ability to memorize Scripture and for his

dynamic preaching. He worked tirelessly as a catechist and lay missionary among the Lakota Nation, promoting peace and reconciliation between them and the U.S. government. He is credited with bringing 400 people into the Church.

He also experienced much suffering in life. His first wife died in 1903, and five of his children died either in infancy or of tuberculosis. He himself suffered from tuberculosis from 1912, but he never complained about his suffering – proclaiming his Catholic faith until his death in 1950.

His cause for canonization was put forth by the Diocese of Rapid City in 2017. If canonized, he would become the second Native American saint after St. Kateri Tekakwitha.

“Walking the Good Red Road” will air on WSOC-TV Channel 9 in Charlotte on Saturday, May 30. Airtime is 2:35 a.m., so you’ll likely want to set your DVR to record this special documentary.

Presented in partnership with the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission, it was funded in part by the USCCB’s Catholic Communications Campaign.

— Catholic News Herald

19

On TV n Saturday, May 23, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “St. Rita.” The life of Rita of Cascia, the saint of the impossible and advocate of desperate cases, reveals the great faith of a woman who endured many hardships and difficulties on her journey to God. Part2. n Sunday, May 24, 6 a.m. (EWTN) “Regina Caeli with Pope Francis.” Pope Francis recites the glorious prayer to Our Lady Queen of Heaven: The Regina Caeli. n Monday, May 25, 10:40 a.m. (EWTN) “Pier Giorgio Frassati: Get to Know Him.” A brief introduction to Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati: a young, joyful man, whose devotion and charity towards the poor caused Pope Francis to encourage young people to look up to him as an example of holiness.

Our nation 20

catholicnewsherald.com | May 22, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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In Brief Atlanta’s new archbishop is installed in quiet ceremony ATLANTA — In the silence of the Cathedral of Christ the King, Archbishop Gregory J.

Hartmayer was installed May 6 as leader of the 1.2 million Catholics in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, telling believers they must care for each other without limit. Speaking for the first time as the seventh archbishop of Atlanta, he said: “This cathedral is empty. And yet it is filled with the presence of the guiding force of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised His disciples He would send them to give them the gifts they needed to continue to guide His flock. And so, the tradition continues.” The installation Mass looked unlike any other in the 64-year history of the church in Atlanta. The hour and a half ceremony in the Gothic mother church of the archdiocese began with the archbishop outside its wooden doors, knocking three times to gain admittance. Absent were the hundreds of priests and bishops who traditionally lead a new archbishop into the church. Instead, Archbishop Hartmayer followed several deacons, priests, four bishops and a laywoman down the long center aisle.

National shrine celebrates two 100-year milestones WASHINGTON, D.C. — On May 16, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington – the largest Catholic church in North America and one of the 10 largest churches in the world – marks the 100th anniversary of the blessing of the land on which it was built. At 9:30 a.m. on May 16, 1920, Archbishop Giovanni Bonzano, apostolic delegate to the United States, celebrated Mass and blessed the site of the future national shrine. More than 6,000 people attended the event, including 1,500 Knights of Columbus and

Your Life’s Journey…

500 Daughters of Isabella. “In many ways, this was the first pilgrimage to the national shrine, as Catholic groups from across the country gathered to witness the event,” says a history of the basilica on its website, www.nationalshrine. org. The altar used at the Mass was used by the first Catholic bishop of the United States, Bishop John Carroll, and dated to 1774. The placing of its first stone of the future national shrine – the foundation stone – took place Sept.

23, 1920. This significant event marked the beginning of the construction of the church. The Great Depression and World War II delayed its completion until 1959. A timeline of the history of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is online at https:// www.nationalshrine.org/history/#timeline.

Divided court examines if religious schools exempt from discrimination laws WASHINGTON, D.C. — In oral arguments May 11, the Supreme Court examined, and seemed divided about, laws governing church and state in its look at two California Catholic schoolteacher firings where the teachers claimed they had been victims of job discrimination. The phrase of the day in the oral arguments heard by phone due to coronavirus restrictions, was “ministerial exception” since that’s what the schools claim they can use in firings, based on a 2012 Supreme Court decision that said church and religious school employers are exempt from anti-discrimination laws for employees who are ministers of the faith. In this case, the court is asked to determine if the fired teachers fell under the “ministers” category and were therefore exempt from job discrimination protections. Determining who is a minister and who isn’t seemed to be something both sides were looking for with acknowledgment by the justices that this could prove to be complicated.

As Justice Neil Gorsuch put it: “Struggling with where do you draw the line and how much entanglement both sides are going to get us in here in deciding what’s an important enough person in a particular faith and how we avoid that difficulty.”

how will you be remembered?

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

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.

Pope accepts resignation of Cincinnati auxiliary bishop WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of 65-year-old Auxiliary Bishop Joseph R. Binzer of Cincinnati, less than nine months after it was revealed he had failed to inform the archbishop and priest personnel board of a priest’s inappropriate conduct with minors. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr removed Bishop Binzer as director of priest personnel for the archdiocese in August after his failure to report the incidents became known; Bishop Binzer also resigned from the U.S. bishops’ Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People. Bishop Binzer’s resignation as auxiliary bishop was announced May 7 in Washington by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Vatican nuncio to the United States.

The announcement and a similar one published by the Vatican did not give a reason for the resignation. The normal retirement age for a bishop is 75. Bishop Binzer continued to serve as auxiliary bishop but was removed from the priest personnel board after Archbishop Schnurr placed the priest, Father Geoff Drew, on a leave of absence in July 2019.

Nashville parishes begin long process of rebuilding after March tornado NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The historic Church of the Assumption in Nashville has started the long walk back from the damage it sustained from the tornadoes that swept across the middle of Tennessee March 3. The repairs to the church, which was built in 1859 to serve German-speaking Catholics in Nashville, could take several years to complete and will cost an estimated $4 million to $6 million, said Father Bede Price, pastor. “They just don’t know” the full extent of the damage, Father Price said. The church “blew up like a balloon,” Father Price told the Tennessee Register, Nashville’s diocesan newspaper. “The pressure on the windows was tremendous. They were saved because the roof popped off, releasing the pressure.”

— Catholic News Service

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

(Never known to fail)

(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, Anonymous

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, K.B.

Our world

May 22, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

21

Vatican announces Laudato Si’ anniversary year JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — The fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment will be commemorated by a yearlong series of initiatives dedicated to the safeguarding and care for the Earth.

A “Special Laudato Si’ Anniversary Year” will be celebrated from May 24, 2020, to May 24, 2021, and emphasize “ecological conversion in action,” said a statement from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si’” was released on May 24, 2015.

As the world continues to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the dicastery said, the encyclical’s message is “just as prophetic today as it was in 2015.”

“Truly, COVID-19 has made clear how deeply we are all interconnected and interdependent. As we begin to envision a post-COVID world, we need above all an integral approach as everything is closely interrelated and today’s

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problems call for a vision capable of taking into account every aspect of the global crisis,” the statement said.

Among the events set to take place throughout the year are prayer services and webinars dedicated to environmental care, education and the economy. The dicastery also detailed the rollout of a “seven-year journey toward integral ecology” for families, dioceses, schools, universities, hospitals, businesses, farms and religious orders.

The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development said that amid the current pandemic, “Laudato Si’” can “indeed provide the moral and spiritual compass for the journey to create a more caring, fraternal, peaceful and sustainable world.”

“We have, in fact, a unique opportunity to transform the present groaning and travail into the birth pangs of a new way of living together, bonded together in love, compassion and solidarity and a more harmonious relationship with the natural world, our common home,” the dicastery’s statement said.

“As Pope Francis reminds us,” it said, “’all of us can

St. Peter’s Basilica reopens VATICAN CITY — Almost 10 weeks after St. Peter’s Basilica was closed to the public in cooperation with Italy’s COVID-19 lockdown measures, the faithful and tourists were allowed back in May 18. Pope Francis celebrated Mass at 7 a.m. at the tomb of St. John Paul II to mark the 100th anniversary of the Polish pope’s birth. It had been closed to the public since March 10.

St. John Paul II was a good shepherd, pope says VATICAN CITY — St. John Paul II was a man of deep prayer, who loved being close to people and loved God’s justice and mercy, Pope Francis said May 18, the 100th anniversary of the Polish pope’s birth.

Before releasing a written decree later that day, Pope Francis also announced during the Mass that the Oct. 5 liturgical memorial of St. Faustina Kowalska would no longer be optional but would be an obligatory feast day for the whole Church. St. John Paul canonized St. Faustina and promoted her devotion to Divine Mercy.

CRS unveils campaign CLEVELAND — As tens of millions more people are at risk of acute hunger because of the global coronavirus pandemic, Catholic Relief Services is embarking on a campaign to raise awareness, advocate and raise funds to head off the brewing crisis. Called “Lead the Way on Hunger,” the effort will address how the agency and the Church worldwide is responding to the needs of the people who are unable to access sufficient amounts of nutritious food. Currently one in nine people, about 135 million, experience acute hunger.

Information about the campaign is available at www.crs.org/get-involved/lead-way/ hunger.

— Catholic News Service

Go online At www.usccb.org/environment: Learn more about “Laudato Si’” and get educational resources in English and Spanish for this yearlong anniversary celebration, including a link to the full encyclical, prayers, a summary video, and study guides.

Pope joins interreligious prayer, begging God to end pandemic CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

In Brief

cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.’”

Recalling the fifth anniversary of his encyclical after reciting the “Regina Coeli” prayer May 17, Pope Francis expressed his hope that the message of “Laudato Si’” will encourage people to take upon themselves the shared responsibility of caring for the Earth.

“In these times of pandemic, in which we are more aware of the importance of caring for our common home, I hope that all our common reflection and commitment will help to create and strengthen constructive behaviors for the care of creation,” the pope said.

VATICAN CITY — At a time of global “tragedy and suffering” because of the coronavirus, and in view of the long-term impact it will have, believers of every religion should beg mercy from the one God and father of all, Pope Francis said.

During his early morning Mass, Pope Francis joined leaders of every religion marking May 14 as a day of prayer, fasting and acts of charity to ask God to stop the coronavirus pandemic.

Some people might think, “’It hasn’t affected me; thank God I’m safe.’ But think about others! Think about the tragedy and also about the economic consequences, the consequences on education,” the pope said in his homily.

“That is why today everyone, brothers and sisters from every religious tradition are praying to God,” he said.

The day of prayer was called for by the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, an international group of religious leaders formed after Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmad el-Tayeb, grand imam of al-Azhar, signed a document in 2019 on promoting dialogue and “human fraternity.”

During the pope’s Mass, livestreamed from the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, he said he could imagine some people would say that gathering believers of all religions to pray for a common cause “is religious relativism, and you can’t do it.”

“But how can you not pray to the Father of all?” he asked.

“We are all united as human beings, as brothers and sisters, praying to God each according to our own culture, traditions and beliefs, but brothers and sisters praying to God,” the pope said. “This is important: brothers and sisters fasting, asking God to pardon our sins so that the Lord would have mercy on us, that the Lord would forgive us, that the Lord would stop this pandemic.”

But Pope Francis also asked people to look beyond the coronavirus pandemic and recognize that there are other serious situations bringing death to millions of people.

“In the first four months of this year,

3.7 million people died of hunger. There is a pandemic of hunger,” he said, so when asking God to stop the COVID-19 pandemic, believers should not forget the “pandemic of war, of hunger” and so many other evils spreading death.

“May God stop this tragedy, stop this

pandemic,” he prayed. “May God have mercy on us and also stop other awful pandemics: those of hunger, war, children without education. And we ask this as brothers and sisters, all together. May God bless us and have mercy on us.”

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catholicnewsherald.com | May 22, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Andrew Petiprin

Jesuit Father John Michalowski

The Oz of quarantine and longing for our real home

I

magine for a moment being stuck at home. It’s easy to do these days.

You dream of getting away from the blackand-white routine of life: getting up, doing chores, passing time with solitary walks, taking care of pets, and having conversations with the same old set of people. You might even sing a song about a magical escape to some great colorful beyond, where even the sky above feels bright and new.

And then one day, you get your wish. A catastrophe strikes; but once you emerge from your little house, you are set on a new road, heading toward an unknown destination, with every color of the rainbow lit up before your eyes. You make new friends, you overcome adversities; but before you know it, you like the idea of being back under your old roof. “There’s no place like home,” you emote.

There we have the basics of one of the most beloved films of all time, the 1939 technicolor classic “The Wizard of Oz,” adapted from the novel by Frank L. Baum. I’ve loved it my whole life, and especially so when I discovered as a teenager that you could synch it with Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.”

It is also on the Vatican Best Film list.

‘What awaits us as we go home to our churches? Let us hope that all of the detours since our last Holy Communion have been of some benefit. More brains, more heart, more courage.’

As we begin to come out from our COVID-19 quarantine, we may flip its plot for the next season of our lives as Catholics. “There’s no place like home” ... in the Church.

At the beginning of “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy Gale dreams of getting away from it all, but she eventually longs to return to what may not end up being any happier a place than it was before the tornado took her away. Presumably she once had a different home with her parents, and the life lived with her poor farmer relatives, Auntie Em and Uncle Henry, reinforces the ache for a home that could have or should have been. In fact, in Frank Oz’s 1985 sequel “Return to Oz,” her family treats her like a lunatic, and she escapes back to a dystopian Emerald City. But after new adventures, she still itches to see Kansas again.

For many of us, the start of the COVID-19 lockdown was a strange journey, to say the least. Just as we began to hear mutterings about the virus possibly

affecting our lives, my city of Nashville, Tenn., was hit by devastating tornadoes that evoked the Gale family’s horror in “The Wizard of Oz.” Our house and neighborhood were spared, but it shook our whole area deeply. At the same time, my family and I were just a week away from closing on the sale of our home and relocating to Texas. We were excited for our move, but “there’s no place like home” rang true as we said tearful goodbyes to our dear friends.

And then we arrived at our new home and had to stay inside. Our Oz has presented itself within a lockdown; we were exploring and enjoying our new (if quarantined) space immensely, not longing to go back to our old home or anywhere else, but dreaming of the day when “home” can mean more than just the place I will be paying the bank to live in over the next 30 years.

For Catholics, all the positives and negatives of our earthly homes – intensified during these weeks of pandemic – should raise our eyes to heaven, by way of the Church. We’ve been stuck within a familiar space, but pretty soon we will really be able to go home. The Oz-like experience has been within our walls, not over the rainbow.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “We can view realities and events in terms of their eternal significance, leading us toward our true homeland: thus the Church on earth is a sign of the heavenly Jerusalem” (CCC 117). I find myself turning over and over again in my mind that phrase that everyone told us when we came into full communion: “Welcome home.”

Every morning I take a long run in still unfamiliar surroundings. My chosen route is going back and forth between my new house and our local parish church – precisely one mile each way. Every day I feel the hunger pains for the meal that only the Church can provide, from a building in which I have never worshiped. I have no idea whether the choir sings my favorite hymns, or the preaching is inspiring. I don’t know whether the people are friendly, or the faith formation opportunities are solid. But I know that Jesus Christ is inside, and I want to be with Him. It is the Lord of lords, not a snake oil salesman turned selfstyled wizard, behind the curtain there.

Whatever else it is, it’s where I truly belong.

What awaits us as we go home to our churches?

No doubt, we will find many of the same old controversies and annoyances, just as Dorothy likely did when she woke up in Kansas. But maybe seeing our spiritual father, Pope Francis, step out to bless the world, as he did on March 27, will put new wind in our evangelistic sails. Maybe after months at home, lapsed Catholics or non-Catholics will step into our churches looking to belong to something bigger than their own small worlds. Or if church was a place where we felt bored or stuck before, maybe, like Dorothy, our perspective will be refreshed, and we’ll be unstuck now.

Let us hope, at least, that all of the dream-like detours since our last Holy Communion have been of some benefit. More brains, more heart, more courage.

ANDREW PETIPRIN is an author and former Anglican cleric.

This commentary first appeared on Word on Fire’s website, www. wordonfire.org.

Finding comfort in our faith

A

s a Christian, Holy Week and the Easter season plunge me into the midst of the Paschal Mystery: the fact of Jesus’ passion, death, resurrection and sending of the Holy Spirit. We follow Jesus on Holy Thursday at the Last Supper as He shares in table fellowship with His disciples, calling them friends, and giving to them and to all who believe His Body and Blood in the Eucharist. He says, “This is my body which is given for you all,” and “This is my blood of the new covenant which will be poured out for you all. Do this in remembrance of me.” Ever since, when we share in the Eucharist, we share in communion with Christ and with one another. He never leaves us.

Then we enter into His crucifixion and death on Good Friday, as Jesus shoulders the suffering, abandonment and loneliness of everyone who suffers abandonment, loneliness or death. His greatest suffering was not merely physical, but it was His taking on the suffering of the world. As the French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal said, “Jesus will be in agony until the end of time.”

He takes upon Himself the sufferings of all so that no one will ever need to be alone in their suffering and death. Jesus then descends among the dead on Holy Saturday to bring into the kingdom of heaven all those who followed God the best that they could and who loved their neighbor.

Jesus’ resurrection on Easter and His appearances to His disciples over the next 40 days assure us that suffering and death are not the end, but that there is hope of new life. Jesus is the Paschal Lamb, who offers Himself for us to destroy sin and death. Finally, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, the source of love. As the First Letter of John tell us, “God is love, and whoever lives in love, lives in God and God in him.”

All of the medical personnel, therapists, cleaning and maintenance staffs, chaplains and others serving on the front lines of this pandemic are in some way united to the love of God because of their love for those they serve. God recognizes them and they will not be lacking a reward.

All those in my parish who pray for the sick and the deceased, their families, the medical workers and everyone who cares for others are also part of the community of love. Those in the parish who support Second Harvest or Urban Ministries or other local shelters with their time and money, or who work in hospitals or nursing homes, follow the same Jesus who washed the feet of His disciples. They serve and assist in love and are the hands, feet and voice of Christ in the world.

In the service of love, we die to ourselves, and in this selftranscendence we discover meaning and enter into the peace of God. Yes, I have found comfort in these tragic times, just as Christians have found comfort over the past 2,000 years in times of persecution, war, famine or plague. God has not abandoned us. The message of love that Jesus incarnated in His life, death and resurrection fosters hope and brings new and eternal life.

‘In the service of love, we die to ourselves, and in this selftranscendence we discover meaning and enter into the peace of God.’

JESUIT FATHER JOHN MICHALOWSKI is parochial vicar of St. Peter Church in Charlotte. This commentary is adapted from remarks he gave at an interfaith dialogue May 6 sponsored by Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, moderated by a chaplain from the medical center.

He joined with religious leaders from Buddhist, Jewish and Muslim traditions to answer the question: “How have you found comfort in your faith tradition during this time of pandemic/ high holidays?”

May 22, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

23

Sister Mary Raphael

The strength of weakness

O

ne incredibly intriguing aspect of our faith is the abundant use of paradoxes; as Catholic Christians we seem to relish countering the attitude of modern society with them. At the same time on a personal level, these paradoxes even rub against the grain of our own human nature in our struggle towards holiness of life. Scripture is full of these paradoxes: “The first shall be last, and the last shall be first” (Mark 9:35); “Whoever loses his life will save it” (Matthew 16:25); “He has cast the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly” (Luke 1:52).

One paradox that both scandalizes society and challenges us as individuals is the true strength found in weakness.

In this era, as we encounter the influences of a culture of death, we see our weak elderly ones neglected, and our babies denied existence through contraception or killed through abortion.

Many view the physically and mentally sick as unwelcome burdens, and when it is too hard, expensive or time-consuming to care for them, they pull all life-support away. Children are abandoned, sometimes physically, but more often spiritually and emotionally. The weak ones of society are marginalized and not recognized for their true strength.

Even in our personal spiritual lives, there is a natural aversion to acknowledging our own weakness; it is very painful to realize we have this addiction, that attachment, or these sinful habits and imperfections.

We don’t want to admit to our insecurities and defects because we fear rejection from others, and maybe even from God. We don’t realize that in bringing these frailties to the merciful Trinity, we will find the true strength that the world can only mimic.

Now is the time to believe and live witness to this paradox of our faith. St. Paul said, “I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (2 Cor. 12:30); and the Lord said to him, “My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). These are powerful statements, which completely contradict the modern viewpoint and defy our interior fears.

It is obvious, though, that the little ones, sick ones, weak ones and sinners attract the attention of God. For as many paradoxes found in Scripture, there are at least as many examples of this truth. When the disciples tried to discourage the children from approaching Jesus, He chided them and said, “Let the children come to Me”

(Matthew 19:14). The Caananite woman, snubbed because she didn’t belong to the house of Israel, moved Christ with her humility and faith when she admitted that “even the dogs take from the scraps,” and He healed her daughter. Jesus touched lepers and ate with tax collectors. Mary Magdalene wounded the heart of Jesus through the humble acknowledgment of her sins and her heartfelt sorrow, while Simon, the “righteous” one, really did not impress our Lord.

A modern-day example of this paradox shows itself in Lourdes, France, where thousands of sick people make pilgrimage to the place where the Blessed Mother appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858. Many of the people who travel to Lourdes go with great physical sufferings and ailments, while others carry deep spiritual, emotional or psychological wounds.

When I journeyed to Lourdes, I was struck by the simplicity and faith of those who gathered there, as well as by the freedom I felt to also be simple and weak. Of the people I spoke with, no one expressed shame over their weaknesses or ailments. Pilgrims in my group shared testimonies about what they came to ask our Lady for and what graces she obtained for them. Those who came seeking for spiritual healing and relief from emotional or mental anxieties shared their stories and left with peace.

Young students acknowledged their initial reluctance in giving up their free time to be with pilgrims, and then conveyed how our Blessed Mother transformed that reluctance into supernatural joy and charity towards others. Those with physical infirmities witnessed to their search for healing. Some did receive real physical healing, while others became grateful for their sufferings as a way of drawing closer to God. Everyone was eager to share their limitations and struggles, and by the end of the pilgrimage, these were the happiest, most peaceful people I’ve ever come to know. They were brave enough to be weak, and these dear ones are now the ones who remember to pray for others, who bring joy to those they meet, and who show that in their weakness lies the strength of God. SISTER MARY RAPHAEL is a member of the Daughters of the Virgin Mother, a community dedicated to serving the spiritual and practical needs of the priesthood and of seminarians in the Diocese of Charlotte.

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catholicnewsherald.com | May 22, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Where are you going?

QUO VADIS DAYS 2020 St. Joseph College Seminary, July 6 – 10* A camp for Catholic men age 17-19 to learn more about the priesthood, deepen their faith, and help discern God’s call in their lives.

Registration opens soon, and will be limited. For details and updates: www.charlottevocations.org * Due to COVID-19, Quo Vadis Days remains subject to change or to cancellation.