June 19, 2020

June 19, 2020

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Praying for peace

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Our Unity in Christ: Bishop Jugis shares letter to the Faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte COVERAGE INSIDE: 3, 14 Swannanoa centenarian’s birthday celebrated in style 7

Retreat to find peace and purpose Catholic retreat centers in Hickory, Maggie Valley welcome you back 6

¡Feliz día Papá!

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Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | June 19, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope Francis

Christians called to intercede for, not condemn, others

T

rue believers do not condemn people for their sins or shortcomings but intercede on their behalf with God through prayer, Pope Francis said.

Just as Moses implored God’s mercy for his people when they sinned, Christians also must act as intermediaries because even “the worst sinners, the wickedest people, the most corrupt leaders – they are children of God,” the pope said June 17 during his weekly general audience.

“Think of Moses, the intercessor,” he said. “And when we want to condemn someone and we become angry inside – to get angry is good; it can be healthy, but to condemn does no good – let us intercede for him or her; it will help us so much.”

The pope continued his series of talks on prayer and reflected on Moses’ prayer to God who was angered at the people of Israel after they made and worshiped a golden calf.

When God first called him, Moses was “in human terms, a ‘failure’” and often doubted himself and his calling, the pope said.

“This happens to us, too: when we have doubts, how can we pray?” he asked.

“It is not easy for us to pray. And it is because of (Moses’) weakness, as well as his strength, that we are impressed.”

Despite his failings, the pope continued, Moses carries on the mission entrusted to him while never ceasing “to maintain close bonds of solidarity with his people, especially in the hour of temptation and sin. He was always attached to his people.”

“Despite his privileged status, Moses never ceased to belong to that multitude of the poor in spirit who live by trusting in God,” the pope said. “He is a man of his people.”

The pope said that Moses’ attachment to his people is an example of “the greatness of pastors” who, far from being “authoritarian and despotic,” never forget their flock and are merciful when they sin or give in to temptation.

When imploring God’s mercy, he added, Moses “does not sell out his people to advance his career,” but instead, intercedes for them and becomes a bridge between God and the people of Israel.

“What a beautiful example for all pastors who must be ‘bridges,’” the pope said.

“This is why they are called ‘pontifex,’ bridges. Pastors are the bridges between the people to whom they belong and God to whom they belong by vocation.”

“The world lives and thrives thanks to the blessing of the righteous, the prayer for mercy, this prayer for mercy that the saint, the righteous, the intercessor, the priest, the bishop, the pope, the layperson – any baptized person – incessantly raises up for humanity in every place and time in history.”

St. Thomas More, ‘heavenly patron of statesmen and politicians’ Feast day: June 22 On June 22, the Church honors the life and martyrdom of St. Thomas More, the lawyer, author and statesman who lost his life opposing King Henry VIII’s plan to subordinate the Church to the English monarchy.

Thomas More was born in 1478, the son of the lawyer and judge John More and his wife Agnes. He received a classical education from the age of 6, and at 13 became the protege of Archbishop John Morton, who also served an important civic role as the lord chancellor. Although Thomas never joined the clergy, he would eventually come to assume the position of lord chancellor himself.

More received a well-rounded college education at Oxford, becoming a “renaissance man” who knew several ancient and modern languages and was well-versed in mathematics, music and literature. His father, however, determined that Thomas should become a lawyer and withdrew his son from Oxford after two years to focus him on that career.

Despite his legal and political orientation, Thomas was confused about his vocation as a young man. He seriously considered joining either the Carthusian monastic order or the Franciscans, and followed a number of ascetic and spiritual practices throughout his life – such as fasting, corporal mortification and a regular rule of prayer – as means of growing in holiness.

In 1504, however, More was elected to parliament. He gave up his monastic ambitions, though not his disciplined spiritual life, and married Jane Colt of Essex. They were happily married for several years and had four children together, though Jane tragically died during childbirth in 1511. Shortly after her death, More married a widow named Alice Middleton, who proved to be a devoted wife and mother.

Two years earlier, in 1509, King Henry VIII had acceded to the throne. For years, the king showed fondness for Thomas, working to further his career as a public servant. Thomas became a part of the king’s inner circle, eventually overseeing the English court system as

“Sir Thomas More” by Hans Holbein (1527) lord chancellor. Thomas even authored a book published in Henry’s name, defending Catholic doctrine against Martin Luther.

Thomas’ eventual martyrdom would come as a consequence of Henry VIII’s own tragic downfall. The king wanted an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, a marriage that Pope Clement VII declared to be valid and indissoluble.

By 1532, Thomas had resigned as lord chancellor, refusing to support the king’s efforts to defy the pope and control the Church.

In 1534 Henry VIII declared that every subject of the British crown would have to swear an oath affirming the validity of his new marriage to Anne Boleyn. Refusal of these demands would be regarded as

treason against the state.

In April of that year, a royal commission summoned Thomas to force him to take the oath affirming the king’s new marriage as valid.

While accepting certain portions of the act which pertained to Henry’s royal line of succession, he could not accept the king’s defiance of papal authority on the marriage question. He was taken from his wife and children and imprisoned in the Tower of London.

For 15 months, his wife and several friends tried to convince him to take the oath and save his life, but Thomas refused. In 1535, while Thomas was in prison, an act of parliament came into effect declaring Henry VIII to be “the only supreme head on earth of the Church in England,” once again under penalty of treason. Members of the clergy who would not take the oath began to be executed.

In June of 1535, Thomas was finally indicted and formally tried for the crime of treason in Westminster Hall. He was charged with opposing the king’s “Act of Supremacy” in private conversations which he insisted had never occurred. But after his defense failed and he was sentenced to death, he finally spoke out in open opposition to what he had previously opposed through silence and refusal.

He explained that Henry’s “Act of Supremacy” was contrary “to the laws of God and His holy Church.” On July 7, 1535, the 57-year-old Thomas came before the executioner to be beheaded. “I die the king’s good servant,” he told the onlookers, “but God’s first.”

He was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 and canonized in 1935 by Pope Pius XI. — Catholic News Agency

More online

At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Read about other saints whose feast days are in June, including St. Boniface, St. Barnabas, St. Cyril of Alexandria and St. Irenaeus

Daily Scripture readings JUNE 21-27

Sunday: Jeremiah 20:10-13, Romans 5:12-15, Matthew 10:26-33; Monday (St. Paulinas of Nola, Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More): 2 Kings 17:5-8, 13-15, 18, Matthew 7:1-5,; Tuesday: 2 Kings 19:9-11, 14-21, 31-36, Matthew 7:6, 12-14; Wednesday (The Nativity of St. John the Baptist): Isaiah 49:1-6, Acts 13:22-26, Luke 1:57-66, 80; Thursday: 2 Kings 24:8-17, Matthew 7:21-29; Friday: 2 Kings 25:1-12, Matthew 8:1-4; Saturday (St. Cyril of Alexandria): Lamentations 2:2, 10-14, 18-19, Matthew 8:5-17

JUNE 28- JULY 4

Sunday: 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16, Romans 6:3-4, 8-11, Matthew 10:37-42; Monday (Sts. Peter and Paul): Acts 12:1-11, 2 Timothy 4:68, 17-18, Matthew 16:13-19; Tuesday: Amos 3:1-8, 4:11-12, Matthew 8:23-27; Wednesday (St. Junipero Serra): Amos 5:14-15, 21-24, Matthew 8:28-34; Thursday: Amos 7:1017, Matthew 9:1-8; Friday (St. Thomas): Ephesians 2:19-22, John 20:24-29; Saturday (Independence Day): Amos 9:11-15, Matthew 9:14-17

JULY 5-11

Sunday: Zechariah 9:9-10, Romans 8:9, 11-13, Matthew 11:25-30; Monday (St. Maria Goretti): Hosea 2:16-18, 21-22, Matthew 9:18-26; Tuesday: Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13, Matthew 9:32-38; Wednesday: Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12, Matthew 10:1-7; Thursday (St. Augustine Zhao Ron and Companions): Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9, Matthew 10:7-15; Friday: Hosea 14:2-10, Matthew 10:16-23; Saturday (St. Benedict): Isaiah 6:1-8, Matthew 10:24-33

Our parishes

June 19, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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PRAYING FOR PEACE Our Unity in Christ

Prayer to heal racial division We thank you, O Lord, For in your loving wisdom You created one human family With a diversity That enriches our communities.

Letter to the Faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte

We pray to you, O Lord, That we always recognize each member of this human family As being made in your image and beloved by you, With worth and dignity.

D

ear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We pray to you, O Lord, That we may envision a way forward To heal the racial divisions That deny human dignity and the bonds between all human beings.

We pray to you, O Lord, That we may affirm each person’s dignity Through fair access for all To economic opportunity, housing, Education, and employment.

We pray to you, O Lord, That we may have eyes to see What is possible when we reach out Beyond fear, beyond anger, To hold the hand of our sisters, our brothers.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY AMY BURGER

Parishioners of St. Mark Church in Huntersville joined Father John Putnam, pastor, and other parish clergy June 4 for a Fatima Peace Procession and Rosary Prayer Vigil. The purpose of the prayer vigil and candlelight procession was to call upon the help of Mary, Queen of Peace to intercede for us and “calm the many storms that afflict our nation with violence, hate and divisions.” The estimated 175 people in attendance also prayed for the repose of the souls of all victims of violence in the United States, especially George Floyd, and for the conversion of all perpetrators of acts of violence. Rosary prayers included Glorious Mystery meditations specifically written by Father Alfonso Gámez and Father Melchesideck Yumo for the occasion.

We thank you, O Lord, For your call and challenge to us That we may reveal your teachings and your love Through our actions to end racism And to proclaim that we are all your children, heirs to your sacred creation.

Amen.

Catholics across the Diocese of Charlotte have reacted to the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis – one of the latest symptoms of the persistent sin of racism in the United States – by turning to prayer.

St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte and St. Mark Church in Huntersville recently held prayer vigils calling for peace and conversion of hearts.

Pastors at many other churches have preached and shared messages with their parishioners about the sin of racism and the need for reconciliation and justice.

Important info online

More inside

At www.usccb.org/racism: Read the U.S. bishops’ 2018 pastoral letter “Open Wide Our Hearts” and find more information including prayers, videos, and educational resources on how we as Catholics can combat the sin of racism At.www. catholicnewsherald.com: See continuing coverage of this issue and the Church’s response

“Racism is a pro-life issue,” see PAGE 14.

During a prayer service and Eucharistic Adoration held June 10 at St. Gabriel Church, Father Richard Sutter, pastor, recalled Jesus’ words to His disciples: “Peace be with you.”

Peace is the message Jesus Christ brings to us all, he said, yet “the peace He brings is the peace that the world does not bring. Peace is not necessarily the absence of conflict, it’s the embracing of God’s will. Peace comes from doing good and avoiding evil.”

Only the Prince of Peace, who has conquered sin and death, can bring true healing and comfort, he said, and we as Christians are called to share that peace with others.

Invoking Our Lady under her title of Queen of Peace during an outdoor candlelight procession and rosary held June 4, St. Mark parishioners prayed “that she may intercede for us and that she would calm the many storms that afflict our nation with violence, hate and divisions.”

The estimated 175 people in attendance also

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DARBY MCCLATCHY

A prayer vigil for peace was also held June 10 at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte. Father Richard Sutter, pastor, led parishioners in a Holy Hour, followed by Eucharistic Adoration all day and night until the Feast of Corpus Christi, June 14. Prayer vigil attendees wrote prayer requests and posted them on Father Sutter’s Lenten cross. prayed for the repose of the souls of victims of violence in the United States, and for the conversion of all perpetrators of acts of violence.

Also June 4, Father Patrick Cahill, pastor, and members of St. Eugene Church joined in an ecumenical prayer service in downtown Asheville.

The community gathering, estimated at about 1,000 people by organizers, called for peace and justice, and for an end to violence and racism.

— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

There is a deep sadness at the center of our hearts over the horribly tragic death of George Floyd, and now Rayshard Brooks, and all Jugis that has transpired over the past few weeks. Please join me in praying for the repose of the souls of George and Rayshard, and for God’s strength and love to be with their families and friends, and all who mourn their passing.

We also must pray for our country, that the Holy Spirit will help us to heal deep wounds and hurts in our society, and help us move toward reconciliation and peace. We Catholic bishops in the United States affirmed in “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love – A Pastoral Letter Against Racism,” that racism infects our nation. We wrote: “Racism arises when – either consciously or unconsciously – a person holds that his or her own race or ethnicity is superior, and therefore judges persons of other races or ethnicities as inferior and unworthy of equal regard. When this conviction or attitude leads individuals or groups to exclude, ridicule, mistreat, or unjustly discriminate against persons on the basis of their race or ethnicity, it is sinful. Racist acts are sinful because they violate justice. They reveal a failure to acknowledge the human dignity of the persons offended, to recognize them as the neighbors Christ calls us to love (Mt. 22:39).”

In our recent celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), Saint Paul reminded us: “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Cor. 10:17). As Catholics, our unity in Christ is strengthened by our partaking of the one Holy Eucharist, Jesus. Through our union with Christ, may we who are of different races and ethnicities in the Diocese of Charlotte remain united to each other in mutual love, and be a leaven of Christ’s peace in our local communities.

May the Prince of Peace generously bestow His blessing upon us, especially at this time of great need.

Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus,

Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis Bishop of Charlotte

Online Masses 4

catholicnewsherald.com | June 19, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

June 19, 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.

Volume 29 • NUMBER 19

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

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

BELMONT ABBEY MONASTERY: 11 a.m. daily DIVINE REDEEMER CHURCH, BOONVILLE: 9 and 11 a.m.

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

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

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

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

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

ST. MARK CHURCH, HUNTERSVILLE

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. MARY MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH, SYLVA

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

ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE CHURCH, GREENSBORO

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

ST. STEPHEN MARONITE CHURCH, CHARLOTTE

ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL, CHARLOTTE: 12:30 p.m.

Sunday

ST. THERESE CHURCH, MOORESVILLE

HOLY INFANT CHURCH, REIDSVILLE: 9 a.m. Sunday

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

Monday, Wednesday-Friday; 10 a.m. Sunday

OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CHURCH, CHARLOTTE

ST. PETER CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 11:30 a.m. Sunday

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

ST. STEPHEN MISSION, ELKIN: 9 a.m. Sunday

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

ST. THERESE CHURCH, MOORESVILLE

SACRED HEART CHURCH, BREVARD: 12 p.m. daily Mass, 10 a.m. Sunday 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. BARNABAS CHURCH, ARDEN: 10 a.m. Sunday ST. BASIL THE GREAT EASTERN CATHOLIC CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 11 a.m. Sunday

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

ST. MARY’S CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 8 a.m. Sunday

ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM: 9 a.m. English; 2 p.m. Spanish ST. EUGENE CHURCH, ASHEVILLE: 5:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil; 5:30 p.m. Sunday Mass ST. JAMES CHURCH, CONCORD: English and Spanish ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 9 a.m.

Sunday in English and 10 a.m. Sunday in Spanish ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CHURCH, WAYNESVILLE, AND IMMACULATE CONCEPTION MISSION, CANTON

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

ST. MICHAEL CHURCH, GASTONIA ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL, CHARLOTTE ST. STEPHEN MISSION, ELKIN

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, CHARLOTTE 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

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:

ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM: 1:30 p.m. Domingo ST. EUGENE CHURCH, ASHEVILLE: 7:30 a.m. Sabado

GOOD SHEPHERD MISSION, KING

ST. JAMES THE GREATER CHURCH, CONCORD

HOLY CROSS CHURCH, KERNERSVILLE

ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, ASHEBORO

HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH, DENVER

ST. LUKE CHURCH, MINT HILL: 1 p.m. Domingo

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, FOREST CITY

ST. MARK CHURCH, HUNTERSVILLE: 1 p.m. Domingo

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHURCH, HIGH POINT

ST. MARY’S CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 11 a.m. Domingo

OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION, CHARLOTTE (ST. HELEN MISSION, SPENCER MOUNTAIN) OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH, GREENSBORO OUR LADY OF MERCY CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM SACRED HEART CHURCH, SALISBURY ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH, LENOIR

ST. MARY, MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH, SYLVA: 7 p.m. Sabado VIETNAMESE ST. JOSEPH VIETNAMESE CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday ST. MARY’S CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 9:30 Sunday

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

ST. GABRIEL CHURCH, CHARLOTTE

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. 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

ST. JOAN OF ARC CHURCH, CANDLER

ST. LEO THE GREAT CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM

LATIN

ST. MARGARET MARY CHURCH, SWANNANOA

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 St. Rosalie 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 St. Roch we are enduring from the coronavirus. 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.

June 19, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

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Major gift from St. Matthew Church will assist those affected by pandemic CHARLOTTE — Five major gifts totaling $250,000 have gone to five Charlotte-area charities serving on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, from the largest Catholic parish in the United States.

St. Matthew Church has given $50,000 each to Crisis Assistance Ministry of Charlotte, Loaves & Fishes, Roof Above (formerly known as Urban Ministry and Men’s Shelter of Charlotte), Union County Crisis Assistance and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Charlotte.

Charities that provide relief to individuals and families in need in our community have seen a decline in donations due to the economic impacts of the pandemic, while at the same time

facing a dramatic increase in people coming to them for help.

That makes charitable giving even more critically needed at this moment, said Father John Allen, parochial administrator of St. Matthew Catholic Church, “when the need for God and for the virtues of charity, humility and civility have never been greater.”

“Such a gift is only possible because of the faithful stewardship and sacrificial giving of our parish family,” Father Allen said of his south Charlotte parish, which has a membership of nearly 12,000 families.

The gift will enable Catholic Charities to continue serving people “living on the peripheries,” providing food aid, mental

health counseling and other vital social services, said Dr. Gerard Carter, executive director and CEO. “This funding is especially indispensable at this point in time as we actively provide direct services to those impacted by COVID-19,” Carter said. “As we unofficially say, ‘the world may have been on pause’ but the work of Catholic Charities has continued every single day since the arrival of coronavirus in our state.”

“We encourage our parishioners in the diocese to give generously in gratitude for all the blessings they receive from God. Many of our parishes, like St. Matthew, model that generosity by giving to ministries in their communities

St. Gabriel teacher honored with award CHARLOTTE — St. Gabriel School fifth-grade teacher Meghan Hader received the “Fr. Frank O’Rourke Award for Excellence in Teaching” June 5 for her dedication to Catholic education.

This award, in its fourth year, is presented to one outstanding full-time St. Gabriel School teacher at the end of each school year. Nominated by school families, staff and fifth-grade students, Hader was recognized for being passionate about her students, going the extra mile to make learning fun and to build their confidence, and for the qualities of our Catholic faith that she exhibits in her work.

She is a graduate of the University of Dayton and has a master’s degree in elementary education from Wingate University.

St. Gabriel parishioners Herb and Tess Verbesey established this $10,000 award in honor of former pastor Father Frank O’Rourke, who retired in 2019. The late Tess Verbesey had been a guidance counselor at Charlotte Catholic High School for many years. The Verbeseys have been longtime supporters of Catholic education and created a similar award at the high school in 2007.

To be eligible for the award, a teacher must teach fulltime and have taught at St. Gabriel School for at least five years. Nominees must demonstrate a positive impact on students; exceptional dedication to Catholic education; commitment to the school’s overall mission and success; faith and mercy in their interactions with students, families and faculty; and best teaching practices.

One nomination for Hader noted, “She is passionate

GASTONIA — Michelle Vollman has been named principal of St. Michael School and will start July 1.

In a letter to the St. Michael School and Parish communities, Father Lucas Rossi, pastor, noted, “During her interview, it was clear to the search committee members that Ms. Vollman is an emerging leader. She brings great excitement and enthusiasm to her new position.”

Vollman comes to Gastonia from Huntersville Elementary, where she taught for four years. She has taught in the classroom since 2012.

She was a founding teacher at Cabarrus Charter Academy, where she served as lead teacher, overseeing curriculum planning and advocating for the teachers and students under her leadership.

She has participated in over 100 hours of professional development including educational strategies which focus Vollman on teaching to the whole child. She also recently achieved Google expert certification – particularly relevant as schools have had to rely on virtual learning and communication tools during the COVID-19 pandemic, Father Rossi noted.

Vollman earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary

Permanent deacons’ formation continues through pandemic SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MICHELE SNOKE

Father Frank O’Rourke, retired pastor of St. Gabriel Church, presents the Fr. Frank Excellence in Teaching Award to Meghan Hader of St. Gabriel School. Also pictured are former award winners (from left) Amanda McCallum, Nikki Warren and Marion Scherger. about her students, goes the extra mile for making learning fun and supporting her students.”

Another said, “She seems to have a way of building students’ confidence.”

— Catholic News Herald

Vollman named St. Michael School principal SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

that changes lives, including Catholic Charities,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan development director.

“What a wonderful gift St. Matthew has provided at a time when we are seeing unprecedented needs across this city, not only for shelter but for food, health care and emergency financial assistance to help people stay in their homes,” said Roof Above CEO Liz Clasen-Kelly. “At Roof Above we remain committed to ending homelessness in our community, and generosity like that of St. Matthew will put us one step closer to realizing that aspiration.”

— Catholic News Herald

education from the University of North CarolinaWilmington, and she will begin master’s degree studies in educational administration in July at Queens University in Charlotte.

One of Vollman’s first tasks will be to implement a virtue program the school purchased last fall called “Disciples of Christ, Education in Virtue.” Developed by the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, it is structured on the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas teaching children the virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Vollman will also help lead the school in incorporating a new Catholic liberal arts curriculum, in the classical model, phasing in with the 2021-’22 academic year.

Dr. Greg Monroe, superintendent of diocesan schools, said, “St. Michael’s School is a valuable part of our diocesan school system, and we at the CSO look forward to working with and supporting Principal Vollman as the school community plans, prepares and launches the new curriculum and pedagogy of the Catholic liberal arts while embracing the state-of-the-art technology at the school.”

Vollman said she is eager to make a difference in the lives of St. Michael’s students, teachers and families.

“I am blessed to be part of such a wonderful parish and school family,” she said. “What I love about St. Michael’s is that it has such a rich history and has seen its fair share of successes and milestones in the past. As the new leader of St. Michael’s, I hope that it will see many more during my time here.”

CHARLOTTE — Thirteen deacon candidates for the permanent diaconate and their instructors have had to adjust to virtual formation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure of churches, parish activity and retreat centers over the course of several months meant classes had to be conducted remotely in order to keep the men on track for a scheduled 2021 ordination.

In addition to meetings via video conferencing software, the candidates are continuing their online classes through the University of Notre Dame in addition to their other assignments for formation, said Deacon Ed Konarski, who has been assisting with formation.

“With the good spirit and cooperation of the teachers, and the candidates and their wives, the current year has been completed as planned. Going forward, we will continue the process of formation in this fashion until we are able to meet in person,” Deacon Konarski said.

He acknowledged that they have missed the personal encounters, discussions and interactions with the candidates due to public health restrictions that until recently prohibited in-person meetings and trainings. Not being able to pray together or participate together at Mass has been unfortunate, he added.

But, he noted, the physical separation has enhanced the importance of the men’s own personal spiritual practices.

“Despite these losses, we trust that the current situation is somehow an important part of the men’s formation in order for them to become the deacons God intends for them to be,” he said.

Deacon Ruben Tamayo of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte helped facilitate in-person sessions as well as the last remote session the candidates had in May. “The remote learning still allows for some level of interaction and makes it possible to continue the classes when on-site classes are not feasible,” he said. “I can see this class format remaining useful beyond the pandemic.

For example, we can avoid canceling classes due to inclement weather such as snow and ice.”

Deacon Tamayo said the candidates will still need “same time, same place instruction to allow the candidates and their wives to develop a sense of community – something that has been very helpful to my classmates and our wives.”

“Yes, the pandemic has been a challenge for formation, but our leaders in formation have modeled responsible, responsive and reflective adaptation to the changing and evolving situation,” said candidate John Langlois. “These alone are valuable examples and lessons that we will all be able to bring forward in our ministry, God willing, as future deacons.”

The candidates are scheduled to be instituted as acolytes on Aug. 15, another step forward in their formation journey.

Your DSA contributions at work The Permanent Diaconate Program is funded by the annual Diocesan Support Appeal. For more information or to donate, go online www.charlottediocese.org/dsa.

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 19, 2020 OUR PARISHES

Retreat to find peace and purpose Catholic retreat centers in Hickory, Maggie Valley welcome you back

Living Waters Retreat Center in Maggie Valley offers beautiful views for retreatants.

PHOTOS BY SUEANN HOWELL AND LIVING WATERS RETREAT CENTER

PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE CATHOLIC CONFERENCE CENTER

People enjoyed a day-long outdoor retreat at the Catholic Conference Center last month, including attending an outdoor Mass and reciting the rosary while walking along the beautiful trails on the property. Everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy the peaceful grounds of the center, located just outside Hickory.

Seek spiritual renewal at the Catholic Conference Center HICKORY — The COVID-19 pandemic has not only caused much physical harm and economic disruption, but has also called people to reexamine their spiritual health. In doing so, many have discovered the Catholic Conference Center as a place to seek answers to the searching questions prompted by the crisis and at the same time renew their own spiritual well-being.

People have taken advantage of the property in many ways: Some take a peaceful hike on the grounds, others spend some time in the chapel. Some have come for personal overnight retreats.

When the coronavirus pandemic emerged, the most popular feature at the conference center became its outdoor trails.

Deacon Scott Gilfillan, the director of the center, said he was initially surprised by the interest. “When we started clearing the trails last year with the help of youth groups from St. Aloysius Parish in Hickory and Holy Family Parish in Clemmons, I thought the quaint little paths would be a nice perk for the rare person who wanted to go for a walk during one of the retreats.

I had no idea the trails would become a magnet for people seeking spiritual respite and renewal in a time of crisis.”

Rather than being cooped up inside, Donna and Joe Lichtenwalner used the trails to spend some safe, quality time with their son, his wife and their newborn granddaughter. Donna Lichtenwalner said after spending a day at the center, “the trails provided a great outlet for serenity and enjoyment of nature – with a few added surprises for prayerful moments. A great place to find peace!”

Some have come for full-day retreats.

Deacon Gilfillan noted, “We have a beautiful indoor chapel, perfect for Eucharistic Adoration.” For people who come for a day-long retreat, he usually spends a few minutes listening to them talk about where they are spiritually, then

encourages them to spend an hour or more in Adoration and prayer – just listening to God. One hidden blessing in this crisis is that it has invited many to use the slower pace and isolation to pose probing questions about their purpose in life and God’s will for them, he noted.

Peggy Bowes took advantage of her free time and structured a personalized retreat. “I reached out to Deacon Scott Gilfillan to plan a day retreat. We began with an incredibly helpful private spiritual mentoring session. Next, I spent time outside enjoying the beautiful grounds – outdoor Stations of the Cross, a picnic lunch and a long hike on the trails adjoining the center. I concluded the day with a very fruitful hour of Adoration.”

Bowes left “full of joy and armed with many ideas to enrich my faith journey.”

Some people have extended their retreats to spend one or several nights in the center’s lodging.

Two friends recently arranged a onenight retreat. They used the time to renew their friendship, refresh their spirit, and encourage each other in their walks with Christ. They said the center was perfect to do all three.

“We really enjoyed the beautiful view of the surrounding countryside and mountains, as well as the nicely maintained paths to walk in this peaceful environment,” said Heather Blondin.

Her friend added, “It provided just the atmosphere we needed to reinvigorate our spiritual life and friendship.”

— Catholic Conference Center contributed.

Learn more For more information about the Catholic Conference Center, email info@ catholicconference.org or go online to www. catholicconference.org.

Living Waters reopens for retreats ‘Bible Women Speak’ retreat set for July 17-19 SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

MAGGIE VALLEY — Living Waters Catholic Retreat Center, tucked away in the picturesque Smoky Mountains, has reopened under revised public health guidelines and is hosting its first weekend retreat in July.

Deacon William Shaw, director of Living Waters, oversaw compliance with public health protocols before reopening the center.

“We have gone through our entire facilities evaluating and making all things compliant for public health requirements,” Deacon Shaw said, to ensure the well-being of guests and employees. “The main lobby, guest rooms, dining room, kitchen, chapel and meeting rooms are all sanitized and arranged to accommodate current sanitary and social distancing requirements.”

One of the first events the retreat center will host is “Bible Women Speak” July 17-19 with Olivia Woodford.

Woodford holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater from Boston University and has performed and directed regional and off-Broadway theater productions, as well

as taught theater to people of all ages.

She is a member of Network of Biblical Storytellers International, the founder of Healing Theater and a professional storyteller. Her career has been focused on how to connect theater with the sacred.

She was “inspired to create sacred dramas based on the Gospels to have the words and verses leap from the page and into our lives and hearts in a meaningful and beautiful way,” she said.

The July 17-19 retreat can accommodate 20 participants. It will be a weekend to embrace the words of Scripture with a live voice who shares the uniqueness of each of the women of the Bible as they are presented.

The cost of the weekend retreat is $215 per person which includes retreat fee; two-night, three-day stay; and all meals from Friday night.

Living Waters Catholic Retreat Center offers private, group, diocesan youth sponsored as well as preached, directed and nature retreats. There are also many opportunities for hiking and meditative walks.

— Living Waters Catholic Retreat Center contributed.

For more info To learn more about “Bible Women Speak,” go online to www.catholicretreat.org. To register, call Living Waters at 828-926-3833.

June 19, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com

Swannanoa centenarian’s birthday celebrated in style SWANNANOA — Friends and parishioners of St. Margaret Mary Church organized a surprise party and parade May 30 to celebrate the 100th birthday of long-time member Julie Howachyn.

Plans for a party at the church had to be changed due to public health restrictions, but the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t stop everyone from throwing a party for Howachyn outside her home instead.

There was a surprise parade down the driveway outside her house, where her family had set up a tent. More than 45 parishioners came out to sing “Happy Birthday” to her, and Father Brian Becker, parochial administrator, gave Howachyn a special birthday blessing.

Howachyn said she was so surprised and happy to see her fellow parishioners.

Howachyn and her late husband moved to the Swannanoa Valley and joined St. Margaret Mary Parish over 30 years ago. A daily Mass goer until only recently, she has been active in almost every volunteer role possible and in a variety of liturgical and social ministries at the parish. One of her most memorable efforts was the stained glass window project at the church.

— Catholic News Herald

PHOTO PROVIDED BY TAYLER CRABB AND CLAUDIA GRAHAM

OUR PARISHESI

7

Tabernacle stolen from Boone church BOONE — The pastor of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church is calling for prayers and the safe return of the Blessed Sacrament after the tabernacle was stolen from the church June 16.

The brass tabernacle was taken from behind the altar inside the church sometime after 9 p.m. Tuesday. Staff discovered the theft Wednesday morning at about 9 a.m. and immediately alerted Boone police.

Father Brendan Buckler, pastor, has appealed to those responsible to return the Blessed Sacrament, if not the tabernacle.

Catholics profess that the consecrated Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ, and stealing it is considered a desecration.

“We pray that your hearts may be moved to please return the tabernacle to us, but most especially the contents,” he said.

The church was open for Mass at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, and the last person left the building around 9 p.m., Father Buckler said.

The individual or individuals apparently entered through a window and did not take anything else or cause any damage, he said.

The tabernacle held a ciborium containing multiple consecrated hosts.

Father Buckler also asked people to pray and ask for reparation for the desecration of the church and the theft of the Blessed Sacrament.

Boone police are investigating and said they have not seen any similar incidents at other churches in the area.

Anyone with information about the crime is urged to call the Boone Police Department at 828-268-6900.

— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 19, 2020 OUR PARISHES

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Seminarian summer assignments

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Contact Attorney Sabrina Winters to help navigate you through this complicated process.

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CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte Vocations Office announces the following seminarians have been assigned this summer: n Darren Balkey – St. John the Evangelist Church, Waynesville n Christopher Brock – Immaculate Conception Church, Hendersonville n Matthew Dimock Jr. – Holy Cross Church, Kernersville n Aaron Huber – St. Mark Church, Huntersville n Kevin Martinez – St. Mary, Mother of God Church, Sylva n Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu – Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury n José Palma Torres – St. John the Baptist Church, Tryon n Peter Rusciolelli – Our Lady of the Mountains Mission, Highlands n Juan Miguel Sanchez – St. Therese Church, Mooresville n Elliott Suttle – St. Ann Church, Charlotte n Kevin Tran – St. Joseph Church, Charlotte n Joseph Wasswa – St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Charlotte Most assignments began June 3 and will run through Aug. 9.

throughout the summer, is online at www.bac. edu/return2020.

Plans for former school being considered by city council LEXINGTON — The Lexington City Council unanimously voted June 8 to table a vote on a zoning permit for the renovation of the Dunbar School building into apartments for seniors and persons with disabilities until its July 13 meeting.

The City of Lexington is considering an application from Shelter Investments Development Corp. for the renovation of the former Dunbar School into 72 apartment units for seniors and persons with disabilities. The property is currently owned by the Diocese of Charlotte.

Constructed for the African American community in 1951, before integration, the Dunbar School was named for Paul Lawrence Dunbar, a prolific African American poet and writer born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1872. He was the son of former slaves and a classmate of Orville and Wilbur Wright, and there are numerous schools named in his honor.

The 10-acre property is zoned as Traditional Neighborhood Development, which allows for residential care homes, apartments and condominiums, with additional requirements.

— The (Lexington) Dispatch

Belmont Abbey College announces in-person opening for Fall 2020 BELMONT — Belmont Abbey College will open its residential and commuter campus this fall for in-person instruction.

The college announced June 1 that as it plans for students’ arrival on campus, it has set up protocols to abide by federal, state and local government mandates regarding COVID-19 restrictions, and it will continue to monitor public health guidance on transmission of the coronavirus. In addition to physical distancing and disinfecting protocols for campus operations and activities, dining services will be modified to minimize virus spread. The college will also make special accommodations for students, faculty or staff with existing health or medical conditions.

Students will return to campus the week of Aug. 10, with day classes beginning Aug. 18.

There have been no positive cases of COVID-19 within the college community, the college noted in its June 1 statement.

A detailed description of the specific actions and requirements for opening in the fall semester, which the college said it will update

Knights help distribute food ANDREWS — The Knights of Columbus Council 14087 at Holy Redeemer Church recently partnered with the community and set a new record for the Hiwassee Dam Community MANNA Food distribution. With the help of the National Guard, 15 volunteers from the council, parish and community distributed nearly 9,000 pounds of food May 27 to more than 300 people. ASPCA volunteers also assisted 68 of those families with food for 219 pets. Remaining food items were delivered to Bellview Community Center in Murphy.

— Phil Roche, correspondent

Middle School Youth Ministry Assistant St. Mark Catholic Church in Huntersville, NC has an opening for a part-time, Middle School Youth Ministry Assistant. This person will provide

Coordinator of Contemporary Music

assistance to the Confirmation Coordinator/Middle School Youth Minister

St. Mark Catholic Church in Huntersville, NC has a part-time position

to plan and implement Edge youth ministry sessions for the 2020-2021

available directing the Psalm 150 Praise Band. Must be available for

year. The position is supervised by the Confirmation Coordinator/Middle

weekly rehearsal and Sunday 5:00 PM Mass.

School Youth Minister.

Music degree preferred, or equivalent experience in Church music,

To apply please submit a cover letter and resume to Emily Hogan, Middle

Liturgy, Theology, or relevant field. Pleasant singing voice and ability to

School Youth Minister/Confirmation Coordinator, at

play either keyboard or guitar preferred.

emily.hogan@stmarknc.org.

For more information contact: jacob.temple@stmark.nc.org

June 19, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

PHOTO PROVIDED

MIKE FITZGERALD | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Vigil of Two Hearts resumes CHARLOTTE — More than 40 faithful returned to St. Patrick Cathedral June 5 to commemorate the Vigil of the Two Hearts devotion, the first held after COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings were partially lifted in May. Father Peter Ascik of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte offered the First Friday Mass, and afterwards heard confessions.

Assisting at Mass was Transitional Deacon Jacob Mlakar, who is scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood in July, and Deacon Paul Bruck, who led a Holy Hour of Reparation after Mass. The Mass and Holy Hour of Reparation were followed by all-night Eucharistic Adoration. The vigil is a monthly First Friday-First Saturday devotion organized by the Carolina Pro-Life Action Network to help offer penance for sins, pray for families and for an end to abortion, and for the conversion of the United States back to God. For more information e-mail info@prolifecharlotte.org or go online to www.prolifecharlotte.org/two-hearts.

Seminarians engage in Spanish immersion BELMONT — Nine seminarians of the Diocese of Charlotte participated in a two-week Spanish immersion program June 8-19 at the new St. Joseph College Seminary campus. This is the first time the program was conducted in the diocese.

The program is a supplement to two years of in-class studies. Carmen Garmilla, a Spanish teacher at Charlotte Catholic High School, instructed the men in vocabulary, grammar and culture. “I am really amazed by their disposition to learn,” Garmilla said. “The level of respect, willingness to learn and participation is incredible. They are very fine young men, who have a true desire to understand not only the language, but the culture and the people.” Each day began with Mass offered in Spanish, and for 12 hours the men conversed only in Spanish. Meals were prepared by seminarian Anthony del Cid Lucero, from Guatemala, featuring traditional dishes from Spanish-speaking countries. Father Alfonso Gamez, parochial vicar of St. Mark Church in Huntersville, also sat in on some of the sessions, providing his insights.

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.

Grow in your faith.

Are you 70 ½ years or older?

Unlock your potential to make a difference.

An IRA rollover gift to your parish, the diocese, Catholic school, agency, or the Foundation provides meaningful support without impacting your checkbook, and can maximize your giving potential.

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, go to www.charlottediocese.givingplan.net or call Gina Rhodes at 704/370-3364.

Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte

9

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

FACEBOOK.COM/ CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD ESPAÑOL

catholicnewsherald.com | June 19, 2020 10

Padre Julio Domínguez

Volver a la normalidad

E

n estos días he estado viendo mucha publicidad en los medios de comunicación de la euforia que hay por volver a la normalidad.

Antes que nada, yo aconsejo que no nos precipitemos y tomemos las cosas con calma.

En la historia de la humanidad, la experiencia nos dice que siempre después de las grandes epidemias ha venido nuevamente una recaída por estas ganas de que ya todo vuelva a la normalidad, y se han agravado mucho más las cosas.

Ahora bien, reflexionando un poquito, ¿a qué normalidad nos referimos, si la normalidad era que todas las familias andaban cada quien por su lado sin acordarse de que era importante sentir el calor de hogar? Si la realidad era que desperdiciábamos en abundancia de cosas y de comidas, pues creíamos que la economía estaba viento en popa hacia arriba y nada la podía detener. Si la realidad era que el ser humano en su prepotencia y arrogancia se había olvidado de ese Dios tan bueno que sabe darnos cosas buenas cuando se lo pedimos, y sin embargo nos habíamos vueltos indiferentes a Él. Si nuestra realidad era que no valorábamos nuestros trabajos e íbamos renegando a ellos, sin darle gracias a Dios por tener de donde proveer para la familia. Si mi realidad era el que ni siquiera tenía la cortesía de llamarle a mis viejitos para saber cómo se encontraban y mandarles un dinero para que se mantuvieran. Si nuestra normalidad era que teníamos un montón de conocidos y amigos a nuestro alrededor y vivíamos bien indiferentes a ellos, sin siquiera notar que eran parte importante de nuestra vida. Si esa era nuestra “normalidad”, realmente no le veo mucho la gracia de volver a ella.

Pienso que nuestro regreso y ganas de volver tiene que ser a una nueva realidad, en la cual valore más a mis familiares y quiera tenerlos cerca. Valorar lo poquito o mucho que tengo como don de Dios. Acordarme que es Dios quien lleva control de todo y que solo a Él le debo el honor y la gloria. Tener en cuenta que nuestras personas mayores son un tesoro para nosotros, patrimonio de experiencia y bondad entre nosotros. Ser conscientes de que la comida puede escasear en cualquier momento y que no es bueno estar desperdiciando comida al por mayor. Y lo que es más hermoso, haber aprendido la lección que es maravilloso tener tanta gente a nuestro alrededor que puede darnos un abrazo, un beso fraternal que exprese su cariño hacia nosotros.

Esa mis queridos hermanos tiene que ser la nueva realidad que tenemos que ir buscando.

Dios les bendiga.

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

Iglesia San Pablo Apóstol asiste a parroquia hermana en Ecuador Relación de 20 años continua dando frutos, incluso en medio de la pandemia en casa y se les permite salir solo para atender necesidades esenciales, pero deben regresar a casa antes de las dos de la tarde. Con muy pocas personas trabajando, la necesidad GREENSBORO — En menos de una semana, los miembros de es grande. Niño Jesús distribuye donaciones de alimentos la parroquia San Pablo Apóstol recaudaron $ 11,000 para Niño consistentes en arroz y pescado, a través de un sistema de Jesús, su parroquia hermana en Manta, Ecuador. Los feligreses tickets a 600 familias por semana. Si quedan alimentos, los habían escuchado recientemente cómo sus contrapartes reparten a quienes no están en el programa. Estas familias ecuatorianas estaban sufriendo por la pandemia de COVID-19 forman una fila a las 4:30 de la madrugada, esperando que y sabían lo haya suficiente que tenían que para ellos. hacer para Los alimentos ayudar. se entregan “El padre a domicilio a Joseph Mack, quienes carecen nuestro pastor, de transporte y fue el primero viven en áreas en decir que remotas. necesitábamos La donación hacer algún monetaria de la tipo de colecta, parroquia San y preguntamos Pablo Apóstol si podíamos permitirá que organizar una Niño Jesús recolección continúe ‘al paso’”, dijo proporcionando Gregg Hauser, este sustento miembro del crítico, después comité de que se agoten parroquias las donaciones hermanas locales. en la Iglesia Cinco San Pablo sacerdotes que Apóstol. “No viven en Manta, me sorprende liderados por que el Padre el padre Roque fuera el primero Botton Bisognin, en presentar sirven a unas la idea. Es un 60,000 personas hombre muy en 20 capillas caritativo, y e iglesias algo tenía que cercanas. hacerse”.

La relación Con la de parroquias planificación hermanas entre y trabajo del San Pablo y Consejo 13236 de Niño Jesús los Caballeros comenzó en de Colón de FOTOS PROPORCIONADAS POR LA PARROQUIA SAN PABLO APÓSTOL 2000. Su misión la parroquia, Parroquianos de la Iglesia San Pablo Apóstol en Greensboro participaron en un esfuerzo de recolección de es establecer organizaron donaciones para atender las necesidades de su parroquia hermana en Manta, Ecuador. Con el dinero obtenido, “una relación un evento de compraron arroz y pescado para apoyar la alimentación de cientos de familias en Manta afectadas por las espiritual, recaudación condiciones económicas que ha causado la pandemia de COVID-19. cultural y de fondos el personal a largo domingo 10 plazo” que de mayo. La mayoría de los fondos, $ 8.400 donados por 181 abraza la Eucaristía como el centro de sus vidas y expande las familias, llegaron ese mismo día en tan solo una hora. oportunidades para el crecimiento personal, compromiso y La iglesia continuó recibiendo cheques para Niño Jesús participación en las comunidades. después de la colecta del Día de la Madre, para alcanzar el gran Los feligreses de San Pablo patrocinaron la educación total de $ 11.000. Un sobre marcado como “parroquia hermana” de 160 jóvenes en 2019, y 26 de ellos actualmente asisten contenía 10 billetes de $ 100 de un donante anónimo. a la universidad. Viajan a Niño Jesús cada dos veranos, y Este esfuerzo se efectuó aproximadamente un mes después sus hermanos y hermanas ecuatorianos en Cristo visitan que la parroquia recolectara 8,000 abrumadoras libras de Greensboro los veranos intermedios. productos para la despensa de alimentos de la parroquia en Hauser ha visitado la parroquia ecuatoriana tres veces. solo una hora en Domingo de Ramos. “Ese es uno de los puntos “Expande nuestra fe”, dijo. “Nuestros hermanos y hermanas fuertes de esta parroquia”, dijo el Padre Mack. “Cuando hay están en Ecuador. Cuando los visitamos, obtenemos mucho una necesidad, la dices, y la necesidad se satisface”. más de ellos que ellos de nosotros. Así somos los católicos. Nos Los residentes de Manta están bajo la orden de permanecer sentimos responsables”.

ANNIE FERGUSON CORRESPONSAL

June 19, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

11

¡Feliz día Papá!

E

n el día del Padre, queremos reconocer en la persona de José Capistrano: hijo, hermano, esposo, padre y amigo ejemplar, a todos los padres migrantes que, anteponiendo su propio bienestar, emigraron de muchas partes del mundo a labrar un futuro para sus familias en Estados Unidos, el país de las oportunidades.

Don José Capistrano encarna las virtudes de los padres migrantes, luchadores por el bienestar material y espiritual de sus familias en Estados Unidos, y la de sus padres y hermanos en la tierra que los vio nacer.

Siguiendo el ejemplo de Nicasio, su padre fallecido hace cuatro años, es ahora modelo para sus hijos que ven en él la inspiración para alcanzar sus metas. ¡Feliz día del Padre!

CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE ­— Hace más de tres décadas, José Capistrano, un joven de 17 años nacido en Zacatecas, México, vio que las oportunidades de trabajo eran muy pocas en su tierra natal y decidió emigrar a Estados Unidos para labrarse un futuro y ayudar a su familia.

Así llegó a Texas y luego a Charlotte, Carolina del Norte, donde acompañado de su hermano Julio se dedicó a trabajar en labores de construcción, la industria que estaba en pleno apogeo en 1989.

La comunidad hispana era muy reducida en aquella época. José se congregaba en la única iglesia que ofrecía misa en español los domingos a las 7 de la noche en la zona este de la ciudad. “Esperaba con ansias los domingos, no sólo para escuchar la palabra sino también para encontrarme con los amigos”, relató.

Poco a poco su participación creció en la congregación.

Un día le preguntaron si podía mover sillas, luego participó en un retiro carismático donde le dijeron que ‘despertó’ a la vida espiritual y así se fue envolviendo más.

Sintiéndose solo, en 1993 viajó a México a buscar una compañera a su pueblo. Allí encontró a la que sería su esposa, Leticia, a quien convenció de tratar, “al menos por seis meses”, de vivir en Estados Unidos.

Los seis meses se fueron extendieron. Poco después nació su primer niño, Neftalí, al que le siguieron otros cuatro: Uriel, Vicente, Marcos y Josué.

Es la llegada del Padre Vicente Finnerty al Centro Hispano la que hace se involucre más con la Iglesia.

“El Padre hacía de todo. A mí me daba miedo ayudarle.

Hasta que un día, viendo que podía ayudar, decidí agarrar la canasta de la colecta”, contó Juan. Luego, decidido a proclamar las lecturas, aprendió a leer. Más adelante sería colaborar con la celebración de las fiestas de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe “con tamales y atole”.

Neftalí, su hijo mayor de 28 años, recuerda acompañarlo a visitar otras parroquias por encargo del Padre Vicente.

“Mi papá luchaba y hacía todo lo que podía para hacernos felices. A veces no queríamos ir a la Iglesia, pero íbamos.

Un tiempo me alejé, pero creo que fue su ejemplo lo que hizo que más tarde decidiera regresar a la parroquia porque sabía que así mi vida podría mejorar”, dijo.

FOTOS CORTESÍA FAMILIA CAPISTRANO

INSPIRACIÓN

Quien sembró la semilla del servicio y amor a Dios en el corazón de Juan fue su padre, Nicasio, quien falleció hace solo cuatro años. “Desde más chico, cuando andaba con mi papá, lo veía que rezaba. Él cantaba fuerte en la iglesia.

Cuando entraba a ver a la Virgen de San Juan de los lagos y en Plateros, él siempre entraba de rodillas. Luego me contó que había sido monaguillo”.

Gracias a su ejemplo, ha participado en innumerables ministerios y grupos apostólicos parroquiales. Por diez años, junto a su esposa, estuvo a cargo de la venta de comida en la Iglesia Guadalupe, en donde además es Caballero de Colón, coordinador de ministros e integrante de Emaús y los hijos de María Santísima. “He dejado otras cosas para que otros tomen la posta”, explicó.

Tener cinco hijos, dijo, ha sido difícil. “Pensábamos tener dos y llegaron tres, y luego dos más”, por lo que se dedicó a trabajar duro y, “con la ayuda de mi esposa pudimos salir juntos adelante”.

Alguna vez pensó seguir el diaconado permanente, pero la experiencia de ofrecer un servicio intenso a la Iglesia alguna vez, cree, lo llevó a descuidar a su familia.

“No puedes ser luz de la calle y oscuridad de la casa”, le aconsejaron, y eso lo hizo recapacitar.

Los 28 años de casado, confiesa, “lo han hecho muy feliz”.

Su esposa, que comparte el servicio y la oración con él, “es muy sociable y sencilla” y piensan, en el futuro, irse para México por un tiempo pues “nos sentimos muy a gusto allá”.

Su hijo Marcos, de 16 años, afirma que su papá es un hombre de muchas capacidades y “siempre quiso que mis hermanos y yo tuviéramos lo que él no podría tener: una buena educación”.

Uriel, de 26, dice que su padre es su amigo y guía. “Es un pilar de fuerza, apoyo y disciplina. Él ama a sus hijos, pero no deja que se salgan con la suya. Usa el amor para probar un punto y lo hace a través del poder de sus palabras y experiencia. Dios me dio un modelo para seguir”.

Para Josué, de 10 años, “es el mejor papá del mundo. Lo amo, lo quiero mucho”, asegura.

Leticia, su esposa, contó que han atravesado juntos “momentos difíciles y felices”, pero siempre primando la honestidad y el respeto por sus decisiones.

Neftalí, el mayor, asegura que un día será como su padre, “y con mis hijos espero ser como él mismo”.

Emprendedor, José ha dejado de trabajar para otros y es su propio jefe en su negocio de remodelaciones, empresa en la que colaboran algunos de sus hijos.

Para esta fiesta, nos confiesa, no desea regalos caros, solo le basta un beso y un abrazo, porque, “cuando no hay

abrazos y besos no me siento a gusto”.

Y desde México, sus hermanos Noé, Camila, Amalia, Eva le agradecen todo lo que ha hecho por la familia y por sus padres. A su madre, la señora Luz, le da gusto que su hijo “siempre atento y obediente” haya seguido los pasos de su padre y “estés criando a tus hijos igual”.

Vicente, su hijo de 23 años, siempre tiene presente estas palabras de su padre: “en esta vida solo existen dos cosas: el amor y el miedo. Si dejas que el miedo controle tu vida, nunca vas a ser feliz; pero cuando haces las cosas con amor, siempre vas a estar feliz”.

“Cuando voy a salir me gusta repetir lo que él siempre dice. A la pregunta de ¿a dónde vas? responde, ahorita vengo, voy a hacer historia”.

José solo pide que sus hijos sean más entregados a Dios.

“Mi esposa y yo oramos por ello todo el tiempo”, resaltó.

Más online En www.facebook.com/CNHEspañol: Vea fotografías y saludos de los familiares del Sr. José Capistrano en México

12

catholicnewsherald.com | June 19, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

La fiesta de San Pedro y San Pablo, mártires de la fe católica CONDENSADO DE ACIPRENSA

Cada 29 de junio, la Iglesia celebra la solemnidad de San Pedro y San Pablo, apóstoles, recordando a estos grandes testigos de Jesucristo y, a la vez, invitándonos a realizar una solemne confesión de fe en una única Iglesia, santa, católica y apostólica. Pedro, el amigo frágil y apasionado de Jesús, es el hombre elegido por Cristo para ser “la roca” de la Iglesia. Pedro aceptó con humildad su misión hasta el final, muriendo como mártir. Su tumba en la Basílica de San Pedro en el Vaticano es meta de millones de peregrinos que llegan de todo el mundo. Es por ello que esta fecha es también conocida como el Día del Papa. Por otro lado, Pablo, el perseguidor de cristianos que se convirtió en Apóstol de los gentiles, es el modelo de evangelizador ardoroso para todos los católicos, porque después de encontrarse con Jesús en su camino se entregó sin reservas a la causa del Evangelio. “Porque si predico el evangelio, no tengo nada de qué gloriarme, pues estoy bajo el deber de hacerlo. Pues ¡ay de mí si no predico el evangelio!” (1 Cor 9, 16).

SAN PEDRO

San Pedro fue un pobre pescador de Galilea, residente en Cafarnaúm, en casa de su suegra. Era un hombre sencillo, con poca instrucción, y vivía de su modesto oficio.

Su hermano, San Andrés, también pescador, fue quien lo presentó al Maestro. “Simón, hijo de Jonás, de ahora en adelante te llamarás Pedro”, le dijo Jesús. Y desde aquel entonces le trató siempre con distinción delante de los otros, como había querido significar con el nuevo nombre: piedra.

Luego, el Señor lo nombró su representante: “Y te daré las llaves del reino de los Cielos: todo lo que ates en la tierra, será atado en el Cielo y todo lo que desatares en la tierra, en el Cielo será desatado”, le dijo.

Recordamos a Pedro defendiendo con su espada a Jesús cuando es entregado en el huerto de Getsemaní. Pese a su ímpetu, negaría más tarde a su Maestro tres veces. Un hecho que Jesús le perdona apareciéndosele después de su Resurrección.

A la mañana siguiente de la Ascensión de Jesucristo, comenzó Pedro a ejercer la dignidad y el oficio de primer Papa. En el Cenáculo presidió a los discípulos durante aquellos días en espera del Espíritu Santo. Asimismo, dirigió la elección de San Matías, que había de ocupar el lugar de Judas en el Colegio Apostólico. El día de Pentecostés inauguró la predicación del Evangelio, convirtiendo en la misma Jerusalén a tres mil personas.

IMAGEN CORTESÍA DEL MUSEO DEL PRADO

‘La conversión de San Pablo’, de Bartolomé Esteban Murillo

San Pedro murió mártir en Roma, de donde fue el primer Obispo durante veinticinco años. Antes de establecerse en la Ciudad Eterna había regido la iglesia de Antioquía y hecho numerosos viajes para visitar las diócesis que se iban fundando y organizar toda la naciente Iglesia.

tiempo, de grandes triunfos para la causa cristiana.

Después de un quinquenio en las cercanías de Jerusalén y Damasco, se lanzó a través de Asia por sendas desconocidas, juntamente con su amigo San Bernabé, organizando iglesias, luchando con judíos y gentiles.

Predicó en plazas, anfiteatros y sinagogas. Mientras unos se hacían discípulos suyos, otros se amotinaban, le maldecían y apedreaban.

Viajó a Galacia, Tróada, Filipos, Tesalónica, donde deja establecida una comunidad que pronto será iglesia floreciente.

Luego se embarcó para Atenas y Corinto, para posteriormente regresar a Jerusalén. También visitó España y Roma.

“El mundo no verá jamás otro hombre como Pablo”, dijo San Juan Crisóstomo, el más ilustre de sus admiradores.

La palabra y el ademán de Pablo, su vigor y fulgor místicos, subyugaban de una manera fulminante. Y fue incomparable la clara sutileza de su inteligencia.

Era el año 67 cuando fueron presos San Pedro y San Pablo, por orden del emperador Nerón. Ambos fueron conducidos al suplicio el 29 de junio. San Pablo fue decapitado, mientras que el primer Papa moría crucificado, cabeza abajo, en el mismo lugar en que hoy se venera su glorioso sepulcro y se eleva la magnífica Basílica vaticana.

SAN PABLO

Saulo, el futuro San Pablo, nació en Tarso de Cilicia, hacia el año 8 de la era cristiana. Pertenecía a una familia judía de la diáspora y, como tal, estaba sólidamente formado en la ley judaica. Su celo e impetuosidad le llevaron a perseguir a muerte a los seguidores de una nueva doctrina: los cristianos.

En un viaje a Damasco, una luz del cielo lo envolvió, cayó ciego y oyó una voz que le decía: “Saulo, Saulo, ¿por qué me persigues?”.

El Señor le dió instrucciones de entrar a la ciudad y hacer lo que se le diga.

Recobró milagrosamente la vista, se retiró a Arabia donde permaneció entregado a la oración y en trato íntimo con el Señor. Regresó luego a la ciudad, entrando de lleno en su función de apóstol y en su gran labor evangelizadora.

Desde entonces su vida apostólica fue una cadena de persecuciones y grandes dificultades; pero, al mismo

Busque la intercesión de San Roque y Sta. Rosalía CHARLOTTE — El Obispo Peter J. Jugis está alentando a los feligreses de la Diócesis de Charlotte a orar por la intercesión de San Roque y Sta. Rosalía para poner fin a la pandemia de COVID-19.

La mayoría de las Misas públicas y todas las actividades parroquiales permanecen canceladas y/o restringidas en el oeste de Carolina del Norte, y las 19 escuelas diocesanas ofrecen solamente clases en línea, como parte de la respuesta de la comunidad a la amenaza a la salud pública.

Durante una Misa especial grabada en video que fuera ofrecida el 15 de marzo, el Obispo Jugis alentó a los fieles a rezar a San Roque y Sta. Rosalía para “liberarnos del ataque actual y el sufrimiento posterior que estamos padeciendo por coronavirus”.

San Roque, quien se cree nació en Francia y vivió en Italia durante el siglo XIII, atendió a víctimas de la peste en Italia. Contrajo la enfermedad pero sobrevivió, y se le atribuyeron muchas curaciones. Es el santo patrón de los inválidos. Su fiesta es el 16 de agosto.

Sta. Rosalía nació en Sicilia y vivió a mediados del año 1100. En su juventud dejó su hogar y vivió en una cueva, dando su vida a Dios. Murió sola en una caverna cerca de Palermo en 1166.

En 1624, una plaga golpeó Palermo y Sta. Rosalía se apareció a una mujer enferma y a un cazador, indicándoles el lugar donde estaba enterrado su cuerpo.

La santa les dijo que hicieran una procesión de sus

IMAGEN CORTESÍA DEL MUSEO DEL PRADO

‘San Pedro libertado por un ángel’, de Antonio de Pereda y Salgado

Lecturas Diarias JUNIO 21-27

Domingo: Jeremías 20:10-13, Romanos 5:12-15, Mateo 10:26-33; Lunes (San Paulino de Nola, Santos John Fisher y Thomas More): 2 Reyes 17:5-8, 13-15, 18, Mateo 7:1-5,; Martes: 2 Reyes 19:9-11, 14-21, 31-36, Mateo 7:6, 12-14; Miércoles (La Natividad de San Juan Bautista): Isaías 49:1-6, Hechos 13:22-26, Lucas 1:57-66, 80; Jueves: 2 Reyes 24:8-17, Mateo 7:21-29; Viernes: 2 Reyes 25:112, Mateo 8:1-4; Sábado (San Cirilo de Alejandría): Lamentaciones 2:2, 10-14, 18-19, Mateo 8:5-17

JUNIO 28- JULIO 4

St. Rosalie

St. Roch

huesos alrededor de la ciudad por tres veces consecutivas para terminar con la plaga. La plaga cesó y su fiesta se celebra el 4 de septiembre.

Se sugiere la siguiente oración a los dos santos: “Padre Misericordioso, por intercesión de la Bendita Virgen María, San Roque y Sta. Rosalía, libéranos del ataque actual y el sufrimiento posterior que estamos padeciendo por el nuevo coronavirus. Que busquemos ayudar a los necesitados en cuerpo o espíritu y a nosotros mismos para apartarnos del pecado y confiar en ti. Te lo pedimos en nombre del Médico Divino, Jesucristo Nuestro Señor”.

— Catholic News Herald, contribuyó CatholicOnline.

Domingo: 2 Reyes 4:8-11, 14-16, Romanos 6:3-4, 8-11, Mateo 10:37-42; Lunes (San Pedro y San Pablo): Hechos 12:1-11, 2 Timoteo 4:6-8, 17-18, Mateo 16:13-19; Martes: Amós 3:1-8, 4:11-12, Mateo 8:23-27; Miércoles (San Junípero Serra): Amós 5:14-15, 21-24, Mateo 8:2834; Jueves: Amós 7:10-17, Mateo 9:1-8; Viernes (Santo Tomás): Efesios 2:19-22, Juan 20:24-29; Sábado (Día de la Independencia): Amós 9:11-15, Mateo 9:14-17

JULIO 5-11

Domingo: Zacarías 9:9-10, Romanos 8:9, 11-13, Mateo 11:25-30; Lunes (Santa María Goretti): Oseas 2:16-18, 2122, Mateo 9:18-26; Martes: Oseas 8:4-7, 11-13, Mateo 9:3238; Miércoles: Oseas 10:1-3, 7-8, 12, Mateo 10:1-7; Jueves (San Agustín Zhao Ron y Compañeros): Oseas 11:1-4, 8-9, Mateo 10:7-15; Viernes: Oseas 14:2-10, Mateo 10:16-23; Sábado (San Benedicto): Isaías 6:1-8, Mateo 10:24-33

Mix

June 19, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

In theaters

‘The King of Staten Island’ A directionless slacker (Pete Davidson) still trying to come to terms with the long-ago death of his fireman father finds his life transformed when his mom begins dating another firefighter with whom he at first butts heads but eventually discovers common ground. Below the crust of vulgar behavior and language overlying director and co-writer Judd Apatow’s ultimately moving conversion story lies a salute to such fundamentally positive values as the dignity of work, the importance of emotional connection and the heroism of first responders. Some violence with gore, pervasive rough and crude language.

CNS: L (limited adult audience); MPAA: R

13

Catholic Book Pick

On TV

‘Manual for Marriage’

by Dan and Danielle Bean

n Friday, June 19, 9:15 a.m. (EWTN) “No Greater Love.” After finding out he was nearly aborted, Deacon Julio reflects on how this and other events in his life have shaped his calling to the priesthood.

Dan and Danielle Bean, married for 25 years and veteran parents of eight children, offer a modern take on an ancient idea: in marriage, we are called to something greater than ourselves. What can that mean in a modern world that abhors sacrifice, rejects the concept of permanence, and devalues the sacrament of marriage?

With personal stories, humor, touching insight and practical suggestions, they offer complementary reflections, as husband and wife, on the value and meaning of marriage for Christians today.

At www.tanbooks.com: Order your copy of “Manual for Marriage.” Catholic News Herald readers enjoy 20 percent off their order – use the exclusive coupon code “CNH20.”

n Friday, June 19, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Saint Margaret Mary and the Sacred Heart.” The remarkable life of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French Catholic nun whose devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was officially recognized 75 years after her death. n Saturday, June 20, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Saint Peter.” Acclaimed actor Omar Sharif gives a powerful performance in the title role of this classic film as St. Peter, apostle, martyr and the rock upon which Jesus built His Church. n Sunday, June 21, 1:30 p.m. (EWTN) “The Father Effect.” The powerful, personal story of John Finch, whose research into his own father’s suicide led him to seek a deeper understanding of the profound effect fathers have on the lives of their children. n Monday, June 22, 1:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Saints of China: Martyrs of the Middle Kingdom.” Dr. Anthony Clark recalls the struggles, suffering and martyrdom of the Dominican martyrs of China. The holy lives of such Dominican saints as Francis Capillas, Peter Sanz, Joachim Royo, John Alcober, Francis Serrano and Francis Dias will be discussed.

Our nation 14

catholicnewsherald.com | June 19, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘God is inviting us to be part of the solution’: Black Catholic priests on racism and healing JONAH MCKEOWN CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY

CNS | MICHAEL ALEXANDER, GEORGIA BULLETIN

Demonstrators in Atlanta marched for racial justice June 11, as more than 400 Catholics filled the street in front of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. ”This is a peaceful and prayerful march for justice,” said Father Victor Galier, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church and one of the march organizers. “We must examine our own consciences for the times we have let racism take root in our conversations, our lives and in our nation.”

Racism is a pro-life issue, Pope Francis says CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — Observing with great concern the social unrest unfolding in the United States, Pope Francis said no one can claim to defend the sanctity of every human life while turning a blind eye to racism and exclusion.

Addressing all “dear brothers and sisters in the United States” during his livestreamed general audience June 3, the pope said, “Today I join the Church in St. Paul and Minneapolis, and in the entire United States, in praying for the repose of the soul of George Floyd and of all those others who have lost their lives as a result of the sin of racism.”

“Let us pray for the consolation of their grieving families and friends and let us implore the national reconciliation and peace for which we yearn,” he said in Italian.

The pope said he has “witnessed with great concern the disturbing social unrest in your nation in these past days, following the tragic death of Mr. George Floyd,” a 46-year-old man, whose last moments of life were recorded on a widely disseminated video showing a white police officer in Minneapolis pushing down on his neck with his knee May 25 for almost nine minutes. Floyd was later pronounced dead.

“My friends, we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life. At the same time, we have to recognize that ‘the violence of recent nights is self-destructive and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost,’” he said, quoting Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Important info online At www.usccb.org/racism: Read the U.S. bishops’ 2018 pastoral letter “Open Wide Our Hearts” and find more information including prayers, videos, and educational resources on how we as Catholics can combat the sin of racism The pope prayed for the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of America, to assist “all those who work for peace and justice in your land and throughout the world. May God bless all of you and your families.”

Hundreds of thousands of people have turned out to protest Floyd’s death over the past two weeks, not just in the U.S., but in other parts of the world. And many of the country’s Catholic bishops joined the calls for justice.

Four officers from the Minneapolis Police Department were fired May 26, including Derek Chauvin, with whom Floyd pleaded “Please, I can’t breathe” as he held him down. Chauvin is facing third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges.

Continuing coverage online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Read ongoing daily coverage of the responses to George Floyd’s death and subsequent protests, including: n “More Catholic bishops, laity join in ‘Black Lives Matter’ protests” n “Knights ask Catholics to pray novena for national unity, end to racism” n “African American Catholic leaders urge justice, action to address racism” n “Black Catholic’s challenge: Make change by living out faith principles” n “Prayer vigils, protests, bishops’ homilies echo call for racial justice”

DENVER — Two black Catholic priests – one ordained six years, the other 42 – recently shared their thoughts on the sin of racism, and the importance of praying, fasting and advocating for healing.

Father Josh Johnson, pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, said he has been encouraging prayer for healing from racism for years.

George Floyd’s death May 25 at the hands of Minneapolis police spurred protests across the world. Father Johnson said a friend sent him the video of the arrest either the day it happened or the day after.

Johnson says he didn’t just see a fellow black man as he watched Floyd’s death play out on video – he saw a Christian man, a fellow member of the body of Jesus Christ.

“To watch a human being die, to watch a member of the Body of Christ die on camera...He’s saying, ‘I can’t breathe,’ his calling out for his mom...to watch another human being die on camera was traumatizing,” Father Johnson said.

“As a Christian, as a Catholic priest, I can’t watch that happen and not be affected and not grieve, not be sad, not experience anger that I pray was just, and then also just not be reminded of my own experiences, too,” he said.

Johnson’s father was a cop – in fact, he was captain of the Baton Rouge Police Department. Johnson said he has had the opportunity to collaborate with local law enforcement throughout his priesthood.

“However, that does not change the fact that when I’m not wearing my clerics, people in society don’t see me as Father Josh, they see me as another black man,” he said.

For too long, it seemed to Johnson, most Catholics have been inattentive to racism or overly entrenched in a left-or-right political mindset over the issue.

“If the disciples of Jesus Christ could come together, then we could be used by God to combat this evil that has just brought about so much damage to the Body of Christ, and to men and women made in the image of God in the United States of America, for hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years.”

‘THIS IS ONE THAT WE CANNOT IGNORE’

Father James Boddie, the African American pastor of Christ the King Church in Jacksonville, Fla., has been a priest for 42 years. Like Father Johnson, Father Boddie’s first reaction upon seeing the video of George Floyd’s death was horror, and an immediate desire to pray.

“I went immediately into prayer for Mr. George Floyd, for his family and for the police department,” Father Boddie said.

“The actions of a few police officers does not cast a shadow over the entire police department, but those individuals who acted that way was just...it was unimaginable.”

When he entered St. John Vianney Minor Seminary in Miami in the 1970s, he was the first African-American seminarian from Florida to study there.

Father Boddie remembers the civil rights movement of the 1960s firsthand. In fact, his father was involved in civil rights efforts in the Jacksonville area.

When protests begin to turn violent, focusing on the fundamental problem is necessary, Father Boddie said.

“When you started to see the violence and destruction taking place, that’s when I felt that it began to lose focus. Why is that destruction? Why are particular groups destroying people’s property, livelihood?” he said.

“Focus back on what they’re marching for: to address the issue of racism, the issue of injustice, but also do it in peaceful means and involving everyone from the community and not going towards destruction of property, of burning down buildings, because that is contrary to everything,” he said.

He also suggested Catholics read the U.S. bishops’ 2018 pastoral letter against racism, “Open Wide Our Hearts.”

“My hope is that everyone comes together – everyone comes together as one – identifying that, yes, this is a problem. This is one that we cannot ignore,” he said.

— Kate Olivera contributed to this story.

Let’s keep talking.

June 19, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Setting of execution dates for death-row prisoners denounced WASHINGTON, D.C. — Critics of the death penalty denounced the decision June 15 by Attorney General William Barr to set execution dates for four federal prisoners on death row. The executions of three of the men are scheduled within a five-day span in mid-July. If carried out, these would be the first executions of federal prisoners since 2003. Three of the men had been given execution dates last July, but before the executions could be carried out, court fights ensued over the drugs to be used in the executions. “The federal government’s decision to pursue executions is wrongheaded.

It is profoundly disappointing to see our federal government take such great pains to restart executions – a practice which plainly violates Catholic teaching and disregards the sacred dignity of human life,” said a June 16 statement

by Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network.

“Each of these inmates has exhausted appellate and post-conviction remedies, and no legal impediments prevent their executions, which will take place at U.S. Penitentiary Terre Haute, Indiana,” the Justice Department said in a June 15 statement.

Court: Federal law protects LGBT workers from discrimination WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a 6-3 vote June

15, the Supreme Court said LGBT people are protected from job discrimination by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. “An employer who fires an individual for being homosexual or transgender fires that person for traits or actions it would not have questioned in members of a different sex,” said Justice Neil Gorsuch in writing the opinion.

He pointed out that when Congress enacted Title VII, it might not have expected “this particular result.” But he also said Congress likely didn’t see many interpretations of the federal law coming, including its prohibition against discrimination on the basis of motherhood or its ban on the sexual harassment of male employees.

Dissenting votes were from Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh.

The decision was for two consolidated cases about fired gay employees and a separate case concerning a fired transgender worker who had sued for employment discrimination after being fired. At issue in this case is the wording in the Civil Rights Act which prevents employment discrimination based on race, religion, national origin and sex. The court had to determine if discrimination that was not allowed based on sex applied to sexual orientation as well as gender identity.

Bishops: HHS rule helps ‘restore rights of health care providers’ WASHINGTON, D.C. — The chairmen of three U.S. bishops’ committees welcomed a final rule implemented by the Trump administration June 12 to restore “the long-standing position of the federal government that discrimination on the basis of ‘sex’ means just that and does not refer to ‘termination of pregnancy’ nor ‘gender identity.’”

This final rule replaces the Obama administration’s Health and Human Services 2016 rule revising the definition of “sex” in

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the civil rights provision of the Affordable Care Act known as Section 1557. This section provides that individuals cannot be subject to discrimination based on their race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Under the Obama administration’s rule, it included “gender identity” and “termination of pregnancy,” and HHS regulations governing its implementation had no exemption for religious organizations.

The Trump administration’s new regulation “will help restore the rights of health care providers – as well as insurers and employers – who decline to perform or cover abortions or ‘gender transition’ procedures due to ethical or professional objections,” the bishops said.

White House to issue more stringent asylum rules WASHINGTON, D.C. — Faith groups and other immigrant supporters are bracing for an announcement from the White House that may further limit those seeking asylum in the U.S. Trump administration officials are soon expected to announce the changes, which may eliminate multiple grounds under which people can be granted asylum, allow immigration judges to reject asylum applications without hearing from those seeking it and may not allow those who have traveled through more than one country on their way to the U.S. to petition for asylum.

Specifics were to be announced in a proposed rule this week, which will be followed by a 30day period for public comment.

— Catholic News Service

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you, G.Y.

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Our world 16

catholicnewsherald.com | June 19, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Pope Francis: The Eucharist gives us Christ’s healing love COURTNEY MARES CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY

love.”

“The Lord knows that evil and sins do not define us; they are diseases, infections. And He comes to heal them with the Eucharist, which contains the antibodies to our negative memory. ... We will always remember our failures, troubles, problems at home and at work, our unrealized dreams. But their weight will not crush us because Jesus is present even more deeply, encouraging us with His love,” he said.

God gave the world the gift of the Eucharist because He knows how easily people can forget Him in their weakness, the pope said.

“God knows how difficult it is, He knows how weak our memory is – He did not just leave us words, for it is easy to forget what we hear. He did not just leave us the

VATICAN CITY — Christ’s presence in the Eucharist heals wounds and transforms bitter negativity into the joy of Lord, Pope Francis said in his homily for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.

“The Eucharist brings us the Father’s faithful love, which heals our sense of being orphans. It gives us Jesus’ love, which transformed a tomb from an end to a beginning, and in the same way can transform our lives.

It fills our hearts with the consoling love of the Holy Spirit, who never leaves us alone and always heals our wounds,” Pope Francis said June 14.

“Every time we receive Him, He reminds us that we are precious, that we are guests He has invited to His banquet, friends with whom He wants to dine. And not only because He is generous, but because He is truly in love with us. He sees and loves the beauty and goodness that we are,” he said in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Pope Francis offered Mass for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, a feast established in the 13th century following a Eucharistic miracle that led a host to bleed at the words of consecration.

“The Eucharist is not simply an act of remembrance; it is a fact: the Lord’s Passover is made present once again for us. In Mass the death and resurrection of Jesus are set before us,” Pope Francis said in his homily.

The Solemnity of Corpus Christi, meaning the “Body of Christ” in Latin, is traditionally celebrated on the Thursday CNS| TIZIANA FABI, REUTERS POOL following Trinity Sunday or, in Pope Francis leads Benediction at the conclusion of the Mass marking the feast of Corpus Christi in St. some countries including the Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican June 14. The Mass was celebrated with a small congregation of some 50 United States and Italy, on the people as part of efforts to contain spread of the coronavirus.

Sunday following that feast.

It provides an opportunity for the Church to focus on Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist, which Pope Francis said Scriptures, for it is easy to forget what we read. He did satisfies the deepest desires of our hearts. not just leave us signs, for we can forget even what we “The Lord, offering Himself to us in the simplicity of see. He gave us Food, for it is not easy to forget something bread, also invites us not to waste our lives in chasing the we have actually tasted. He left us Bread in which He is myriad illusions that we think we cannot do without, yet truly present, alive and true, with all the flavor of His that leave us empty within,” he said. love.”

“The Eucharist satisfies our hunger for material things The pope said the Mass is a “treasure” that should and kindles our desire to serve. It raises us from our “take precedence both in the Church and in our lives.” comfortable and lazy lifestyle and reminds us that we are At the end of Mass, Pope Francis spent time in not only mouths to be fed, but also His hands, to be used Eucharistic Adoration, praying before the Blessed to help feed others.”

Sacrament in the basilica.

Pope Francis said Jesus approaches gently “in the “Let us also rediscover Eucharistic Adoration, which disarming simplicity of the Host.” continues the work of the Mass within us,” he said. “This “Only love can heal fear at its root and free us from will do us much good, for it heals us within. Especially the self-centeredness that imprisons us. And that is what now, when our need is so great.”

Jesus does.”

He explained that Christ’s presence in the Eucharist “He comes as Bread broken in order to break open the is a font of charity, giving us strength to be His helping shells of our selfishness. He gives of Himself in order to hands. teach us that only by opening our hearts can we be set “It is especially urgent now to take care of those who free from our interior barriers, from the paralysis of the hunger for food and for dignity, of those without work heart,” he said. and those who struggle to carry on. And this we must do Many people have been hurt by lack of affection and in a real way, as real as the Bread that Jesus gives us,” he “bitter disappointments caused by those who should said. have given them love and instead orphaned their hearts,” “This is the strength of the Eucharist, which Francis said. transforms us into bringers of God, bringers of joy, not “We would like to go back and change the past, but we negativity,” Pope Francis said. “In the Eucharist, Jesus cannot,” he said. “God, however, can heal these wounds draws close to us: let us not turn away from those around by placing within our memory a greater love: His own us.”

Church leaders urge scientists to develop ethical COVID-19 vaccine CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — Spanish Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera of Valencia made headlines when he described as a “work of the devil” attempts to find a COVID-19 vaccine using cell lines created from fetuses aborted voluntarily decades ago.

While his remarks June 14 at Mass in the Valencia cathedral were stronger than many others have used, the Vatican and bishops around the world have been urging governments and scientists to support the development of vaccines that have no connection to abortion.

A spokesman for the Pontifical Academy for Life said June 15 that the academy is working on a statement specifically regarding the development of vaccines for COVID-19, which he said would follow Church teaching as explained in 2008 by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the academy’s 2017 note on the importance of vaccines.

In the document, “Dignitas Personae” (“The Dignity of the Person”), the doctrinal congregation said researchers have an ethical duty not to use “biological material” obtained from morally illicit procedures, especially abortion.

However, the document also recognized that – apart from the question of the material used to develop a vaccine – the actual use of a successful vaccine involves “differing degrees of responsibility. Grave reasons may be morally proportionate to justify the use of such ‘biological material.’ Thus, for example, danger to the health of children could permit parents to use a vaccine which was developed using cell lines of illicit origin, while keeping in mind that everyone has the duty to make known their disagreement and to ask that their healthcare system make other types of vaccines available.”

An article published online by sciencemag.org June 5 said that at least five of the 10 potential COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved for human trials “use one of two human fetal cell lines: HEK-293, a kidney cell line widely used in research and industry that comes from a fetus aborted in about 1972; and PER.C6, a proprietary cell line owned by Janssen, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, developed from retinal cells from an 18-week-old fetus aborted in 1985.”

In April, the chairmen of four U.S. bishops’ committees, joined by the leaders of several health care, bioethics and pro-life organizations, “urgently and respectfully” implored the commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ensure vaccines developed for the coronavirus “are free from any connection to abortion.”

The letter noted that, “among the dozens of vaccines currently in development, some are being produced using old cell lines that were created from the cells of aborted babies” while others “utilize cell lines not connected to unethical procedures and methods.”

“It is critically important that Americans have access to a vaccine that is produced ethically: No American should be forced to choose between being vaccinated against this potentially deadly virus and violating his or her conscience,” the group said.

The Pontifical Academy for Life, expressing a similar hope that scientists and governments would avoid using cell lines from aborted fetuses, also said June 15 that when vaccines exist to protect people from serious contagions, there is a “moral obligation to guarantee the necessary vaccination coverage needed for the safety of others, especially weak and vulnerable subjects such as pregnant women and people with an immunodeficiency who could not directly be vaccinated against these pathologies.”

“As for the question of vaccines that in their preparation may or did use cells derived from voluntarily aborted fetuses,” the statement said, “it must be pointed out that ‘evil’ in a moral sense resides in actions, not in things or material as such,” so while abortion and the manipulation of fetal tissue are morally evil, a vaccine itself is not.

June 19, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief World Refugee Day is June 20 According to the 1951 Refugee Convention, a refugee is one who “owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.” The Catholic Church has for decades taken seriously the plight of these vulnerable refugees and through advocacy, education efforts, and service provision sought to provide increased protections for them.

These efforts take place on the international level through the hard work of Catholic organizations like Catholic Relief Services and Jesuit Relief Service, who provide support in camps and communities across the world to refugees. It takes place domestically, here in the United States, through Catholic Charities and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Both organizations advocate for further protections and provide support for newly arriving refugees.

More online

— Justice for Immigrants

At www.justiceforimmigrants.org: Learn more about World Refugee Day and download prayer and educational resources for your family, parish and community

Ex-Salvadoran colonel goes on trial for 1989 Jesuit murders

Christians, Muslims hope Mosul project helps rebuild trust

MADRID — A former military commander accused of killing six Jesuits and two women working with the Society of Jesus during El Salvador’s civil war went on trial June 8 in Spain, offering hopes of justice for crimes that have wallowed in impunity for more than three decades. Inocente Orlando Montano, a former colonel in the Salvadoran army and former deputy defense minister, appeared in a Spanish courtroom to face charges of murder and a sentence of up to 150 years in prison, if convicted. Prosecutors allege Montano, 76, participated in “the decision, design or execution of the killings” in 1989.

AMMAN, Jordan — Christians and Muslims hope a project to reconstruct Mosul’s iconic places of worship, badly damaged by Islamic State militants during their 2014-2017 occupation, will help rebuild trust among Iraq’s fractured religious communities. French Dominican Father Olivier Poquillon described talking to a young Mosul man, probably born after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, who told him, “’Oh, you are Christians. Come back, come back here to live in peace together.’ We know it will be a challenge for everybody to rebuild trust among people, families and communities. But this is our faith. We believe in a God of mercy, and we believe we have this humanity as a common responsibility.” The $50.4 million UNESCO project, funded by the United Arab Emirates, envisions rebuilding Mosul’s landmark Great Mosque of al-Nouri and its minaret, the Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Hour, and Al-Tahera Syriac Catholic Church.

— Catholic News Service

Pope prays for those still hit

by COVID-19, urges caution VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis prayed for people living in countries where COVID-19 is still causing a huge number of deaths, and he cautioned people in Italy to continue to be careful and follow health precautions.

“Be careful, do not sing ‘Victory!’ yet, do not celebrate victory too soon! It remains necessary to follow the rules in force carefully because they are rules that help us to prevent the virus from gaining ground,” he said June 7 after reciting the Angelus. He greeted the few hundred visitors who had assembled in St. Peter’s Square, maintaining social distancing and many wearing masks. Seeing people in the square, he said, was a sign that “the acute phase” of the pandemic in Italy was over, which had led to the gradual easing of restrictive measures. But the pope cautioned everyone to continue to be careful. “Thanks be to God we are coming out of the epicenter stronger, but always with the rules given the authorities give us,” he said.

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

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

Website Developer Put your professional skills to work for a higher cause!

The Diocese of Charlotte is seeking a full-time website developer who will be responsible for the day-to-day development, management and improvement of the Diocese’s website and growing online presence, with the aim of furthering our mission of evangelization and outreach.

The website developer works with diocesan ministries and departments to guide and ensure the site's user interface is easy to understand and efficient. The position also monitors web server and site technical performance, and maintains the web server’s operating system by applying patches and updates.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED: • 4 year degree preferred in business, management, or computer related field • 2+ years of experience and extensive working knowledge of Wordpress. Familiarity with Joomla and/or other CMSs a plus.

• 2+ years of experience in CSS and HTML5 (including Bootstrap), as well as PHP, SQL and client-side JS programming experience required.

• Knowledge of cloud-based website-hosting services like AWS and Apache web server software useful.

• 2+ years of knowledge of browser compatibility issues for all platforms/major browsers required, including mobile OS • Must demonstrate strong grasp of usability best practices, SEO strategies, and web design concepts.

• Knowledge of Adobe CC design software useful.

Must have a good track record in managing projects both independently and as part of a team to accomplish common objectives. Experience achieving both short- and long-term deadlines with the ability to prioritize tasks and juggle multiple projects. Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills, and attention to detail.

The Diocese offers a generous benefits package including paid vacation and sick leave time, health insurance and flex spending plans, tax-advantaged retirement savings plan, and more. The Diocese is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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.

Send your resume and letter of interest explaining why you would like to work for the Diocese of Charlotte by June 25, 2020, to employment@charlottediocese.org.

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 19, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Kelly Henson

Deacon Matthew Newsome

Now is the time to listen “

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Eccl 3:1). So begins the best-known passage in the Book of Ecclesiastes. Among the litany of appointed times is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (3:7). For many today, especially people of color, the addition of George Floyd’s name to the lengthy roll of black victims of police brutality means the time for silence has passed. Now is a time to speak.

But for some to speak others must be silent. If everyone speaks at once, no one’s voice is heard.

We just end up in a shouting match, which is an accurate description of most discourse in our country today. The events of the past few months have only amplified the divisiveness that has long infected our society. Whether we are discussing something as simple as wearing face masks or as serious as ending institutional racism, our instinct has become to “pick a side.” Name any issue: by the end of a news cycle it will have been divided into a “conservative” and “liberal” stance.

These have become the modern tribes of our society. We learn the talking points of our tribe so we can shout them at the other – to what end no one knows or cares. The devil rejoices.

Our adversary is a master divider. That’s been his trick from the beginning. When he divided our

‘Those who are hurting deserve to be heard, regardless of their political stance or the color of their skin.’ first parents from God, he also divided them from one another. He divides us from our neighbors and causes division even within ourselves by disordering our intellect and our passions.

Christ, by contrast, is a healer. He mends what was broken and brings together those who were apart. His high priestly prayer is “that they may be one” (Jn 17:12). By restoring our union with our Heavenly Father, He restores union with our brothers and sisters on earth, as well. This is why St. Paul remarks that in Christ there is no Gentile or Jew, slave or free, male or female (Gal 3:28).

Rather, “in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have become near by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, He who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through His flesh” (Eph 2:13-14).

When St. Justin Martyr was defending Christianity to the pagan emperor Antoninus in the second century, he pointed to this very unity, saying, “We who hated and destroyed one another, and would not share the same hearth with people of a different tribe on account of their different customs, now since the coming of Christ, live familiarly with them, and pray for our enemies” (“First Apology,” 14). Could the same be said of most Christians today? How ready are we to share our hearth with those of a different tribe?

Perhaps it’s time for a long overdue examination

Don’t let the winds of change harden your heart to love, peace

of conscience.

Only 3 percent of U.S. Catholics are African American, according to the latest Pew Research data. I’m not one of them. As a white male, I have the privilege of not thinking about race. Not once in my life have I worried about police violence. To me, uniformed officers are signs of security. There are things that people of color -- many of whom are my brothers and sisters in Christ -- have to worry about every single day that are not even on my radar. So now is not a time for me to speak.

It’s a time to be silent – not the passive silence of neglect, but the active silence of listening.

Listening means treating one another as people to be loved, not problems to be solved or positions to be debated. When a black woman says, “black lives matter,” instead of retorting, “Actually, all lives matter,” we need to listen to what she’s saying. Of course all lives matter. That is the clear teaching of our faith. She’s telling us that her life matters. Her children’s lives matter. They matter to her and they matter to God, but they don’t seem to matter to society. The pain she feels is real and not a matter for debate.

If you go to the hospital with a bleeding wound, the doctor does not test your hearing or check your cholesterol, even though all parts of the body are important. He gives his attention to the part that’s wounded. Those who are hurting deserve to be heard, regardless of their political stance or the color of their skin. Politics are necessary to help us govern a just society, but our personal interactions should always be governed by charity.

This includes our response to the police officer who expresses frustration at being spat upon by the people he risks his life daily to protect.

Beneath that uniform is a person who is hurting because of the evil done by a few bad actors in his profession. He also deserves to be listened to with charity and not dismissed as an instrument of oppression.

It sounds so simple, but the Golden Rule still applies: Treat others as you would be treated.

The Second Vatican Council calls for every one of us to look upon our neighbor as “another self” (“Gaudium et Spes,” 27) – not as an other, but as another me. God doesn’t expect us to save the world. That’s His job. He expects us to love our neighbors, especially those who are hurting.

That’s why it saddens me to see the reactions to George Floyd’s death and the protests and subsequent riots fall predictably along party lines.

This suggests people are listening to their political tribe instead of to one another. We need to stop listening to pundits who seek to divide us to win elections, and instead listen to Christ who seeks to unite us to win souls. He tells us blessed are the persecuted (Mt 5:10, 11) and whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me (Mt 25:40).

There is a time for everything, and for some this is a time to speak. Pain and persecution have won them that privilege. But for those who have the privilege of not suffering the pain of racism, now is a time to listen. Racism is a wound in the Body of Christ. Part of the Body is bleeding; it deserves our attention.

inds buffet poor souls to and fro, whipping them out of control as they cling to one another in a desperate attempt to avoid contact with any of the other people hurtling through the storm. Believe it or not, this is not an artistic description of our hearts and minds during the last three months; it’s Dante’s imaginative rendering of the first circle of hell. Yet after the past several months, it sounds relatable.

It’s a time to ask lots of questions, but we must focus on the right questions – the ones that lead to truth, trust and hope, questions of what the Christian life is and who God is.

We are not living in some hellish landscape. We are people on a pilgrimage to heaven. Each nuance of social distancing, inter-racial dialog, and political positioning has to begin with questions that keep us centered on our identity and on our goal.

Question 1: Why am I being asked to change?

The one thing Christ certainly never promised was comfort and stability. He took each of His disciples out of their jobs and families and set forth on a journey to the cross and His resurrection. The lives of the saints show few similarities to each other beyond their choice to be receptive to change and growth. It is human nature to put down roots and get comfortable, but grace challenges us to find our rootedness in Christ and bear fruit – regardless of the cultural climate.

Question 2: What is a fully human response to violence and unrest?

Change feels like violence because it can be, interiorly or exteriorly.

We admire the interior violence of the saints when they seek to break free from the chains of complacency, prejudice, pride, bodily cravings or self-centeredness. We shrink from change when it feels pushed on us.

Whenever an individual or group tries to force a change of heart or a major adjustment of lifestyle, people might acquiesce out of fear or guilt, but long-term progress will be fraught with rebellion.

Each person’s sufferings are different right now. Some hurts are longstanding and some are recent and sudden crosses bearing down on our shoulders. Each of us needs to adapt in meaningful ways, as the saints do. Growth demands vulnerability, a cracking open of our hearts so that God can reach into our depths and transform us. A fully human response extends mercy to our fellow pilgrims as we all push through this crisis.

We need to feel known and heard as we cry out, “I am here. I am essential. I am hurt. I am hoping for change. I need help.” That is a personal and individual need that cannot be met by broad-sweeping legalism, a political movement or a personal manifesto on social media.

We must talk to real people face to face. We must serve real individuals to address their pain. Faceless posturing online will never bring about catharsis for grief or a solution to division.

Question 3: Who is my leader? And, do I trust Him? Frequently, I have had to examine my heart and consider how many voices I am listening to during a given day and how often that voice is God’s.

Only cradled in Christ’s Heart are we absolutely safe to make the journey from the old self to the new, unfettered from past pains or regrets. We must choose to accept truth, recognize where our lives have been contrary to the truth, repent and confess our sins with the help of the sacraments, and move forward strengthened by God’s grace. When we fall back into old patterns, we repeat the process. Repentance does not mean camping in the hallways of shame or victimization overwhelmed by emotion. True repentance is an ongoing dynamic of hope that moves us forward in love.

The deepest love spurs the deepest change. Learning to love is a beautiful process that takes time, reflection and dialogue with the one loved. Only with love and humility can we break down the walls that divide us instead of breaking windows.

True unity can only be found in a person: the Person of Christ. Even when the winds of change feel like a hurricane, we must fix our eyes on Christ. He alone brings the unity and peace our hearts ultimately desire.

This month, I encourage you to pray the Prayer of St. Francis with your family. I believe the world will be a different place if we come to understand the interior violence and change needed to become true “instruments of peace” and choose to let God form our hearts in His image.

DEACON MATTHEW NEWSOME is the Catholic campus minister at Western Carolina University and the regional faith formation coordinator for the Smoky Mountain Vicariate.

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

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June 19, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Sister Rose Marie Tresp, RSM

Fr. John Michalowski, SJ

Reflecting on the U.S. bishops’ pastoral letter on racism

T

he events of the past weeks call us to read, study and reflect on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2018 pastoral letter, “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love – A Pastoral Letter Against Racism.” This document gives us guidance for further reflection, understanding and action as we respond to the murder of George Floyd, the ensuing protests, and the underlying racism in our country.

This document calls racism “one particularly destructive and persistent form of evil.” Our faith requires us to work against racism because we are all children of God, all made in God’s image and likeness. Racism violates human dignity. The bishops “unequivocally state that racism is a life issue.” Pope Francis recently added in condemning the death of George Floyd: “My friends, we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life” In response to the “Black Lives Matter” movement, some respond “but all lives matter.” But we have not acted as though all lives matter. The pastoral states: “we must admit the plain truth that for many of our fellow citizens, who have done nothing wrong, interactions with the police are often fraught with fear and even danger.” The bishops acknowledge the reality that African Americans, Latinos and other minority groups face discrimination in hiring, housing, educational opportunities and incarceration. In my own family and in my religious community, I have heard their experiences of racial profiling. My Mexican American brother-in-law was frequently stopped by the police in his neighborhood, but his white stepsons were never stopped.

My religious community, the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, committed us to conversion by this statement: “We will deepen our response to the unrecognized and unreconciled racism past and present within our community.” Unrecognized?

In the pastoral, the bishops recognize and acknowledge the historical and institutional racism in our county, our institutions and our Church. St. John Paul II also recognized this when he called racism “the most persistent and destructive evil of the nation.”

As Catholics, especially white Catholics, have we taken the time to recognize and learn the historical reality of racism that our African-American, Latino, indigenous and Asian brothers and sisters experienced as they contributed by their work to building this country on plantations, railroads, mines, and in so many others ways? Have we taken the time to learn about the present reality of racism in the justice system, in the workplaces, and even in our churches?

Cardinal Peter Turkson recently noted the lack of welcome Catholic immigrants from Africa have often felt in U.S. Catholic churches, and many have left the Church.

Do we personally and individually invite

new parishioners, especially those from a minority group, to join parish organizations?

One sign of welcome in our churches and schools is the décor. Do we have religious art that reflect the broad diversity of the Church? In every part of the world where the Catholic faith is practiced, there are depictions of saints from that culture. Does our religious art and our faith formation programs include multiple cultures and races such as St. Josephine Bakhita, the Sudanese patron saint of trafficked victims, or Venerable Father Augustine Tolton, born a slave and the first AfricanAmerican priest in the United States?

Also often unrecognized, as the bishops state, “too often racism comes in the form of the sin of omission, when individuals, communities, and even churches remain silent and fail to act against racial injustice when it is encountered.” As an individual Catholic, am I willing to speak up even with family and friends, when I hear a racist remark or respond to a racist remark on social media? To stand by in silence is to be complicit.

As a white Catholic, a sin of omission for many of us is that we have not recognized that we live in a society that privileges white people. While I may not feel privileged, I am not afraid when I get stopped by the police for speeding, and I am never followed around inside a store or asked for my ID when I use my credit card. When I travel within the U.S., I do not take my passport because I don’t anticipate any problems going through security. One of my Mexican-American Mercy sisters told me that she always carried her birth certificate, passport, and drivers’ license.

The pastoral states: “What is needed, and what we are calling for, is a genuine conversion of heart, a conversion that will compel change, and the reform of our institutions and society. Conversion is a long road to travel for the individual.”

I have served on the Sisters of Mercy Institute Anti Racism Transformation Team for 10 years. I am still learning, still becoming aware of my implicit or unconscious biases, and am still working on conversion.

Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the USCCB, said, “We should all understand that the protests we are seeing in our cities reflect the justified frustration and anger of millions of our brothers and sisters who even today experience humiliation, indignity, and unequal opportunity only because of their race or the color of their skin.”

To end racism requires both an individual conversion of heart and a reform of our unjust racist systems and institutions. We are encouraged by the pastoral to be on this journey in faith because “in Christ we can find the strength and the grace necessary.”

MERCY SISTER ROSE MARIE TRESP is director of justice for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas South Central Community.

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‘Lord, help me to know myself; help me to know You.’

O

ne of the great blessings that following Jesus and coming to know God is that the Holy Spirit helps us to know who we are. Often who we are is determined by our family and our society.

We take for granted these influences and do not realize their effect on us and how we look at the world. It can influence not just the foods we eat and the music we listen to, but how we look at people who are different than we are by ethnicity, race, language, customs and even gestures.

I gained some insight into this when I was a Jesuit novice on a pilgrimage trial in northern India. Here in the U.S., shaking your head from side to side basically means “no.” In northern India, when you shake your head from side to side and say “Tik hai,” you’re saying “yes, yes.”

As Sts. Augustine and Ignatius of Loyola learned as they turned to the Lord, it is God who can help us to know who we really are – that is, who we are in God’s eyes. To know who we are in the eyes of our loving God, can help to free us from our fears and from the biases that are part of our background and culture. For St. Ignatius, it led him to found an order that accepted men from every nation, ethnicity and race. This was at a time of intense nationalism and regionalism in Europe and at a time when Jewish converts were looked on with prejudice and suspicion in Spain. One of the early Companions, Pedro Ribadeneira, was of Jewish decent and Ignatius established two houses for Jewish catechumens in Rome.

One of the saints we celebrate each June is the Apostle Barnabas. He was a person who, with God’s help, knew his own strengths and weaknesses and trusted all in God. The Acts of the Apostles tells us about how Barnabas was sent by the Church in Jerusalem to Antioch in Syria to see what was happening in this Church which welcomed Gentiles. The followers of Jesus in Jerusalem were Jewish Christians who followed the dietary and other Mosaic rules and all of the males were circumcised. “When he (Barnabas) arrived and saw the grace of

God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart, for he was a good man filled with grace and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 11:2324). Even though Barnabas came from the Jerusalem Church, he looked not at the manner of observance in Jerusalem but at the faith and love in the Antioch community. As Jesus said, “By their fruits you will know them.” That is a true rule of discernment.

Barnabas also knew himself well enough that when he realized that many in Antioch, because of their Gentile background were ignorant of the Scriptures, he went to Tarsus to fetch Saul. He knew Saul had been trained as a rabbi and knew the Scriptures better than he did. (Remember that there were not the Gospels and other New Testament writings until some decades later.)

Saul joined Barnabas in teaching the community until the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul to evangelize what today is Cyprus and Eastern Turkey. As they journeyed and preached, it became clear that Saul, known as Paul in Greekspeaking areas, was the better evangelist.

Without jealousy, Barnabas stepped into the background. He knew his own talents and weaknesses and rejoiced that Saul was bringing more people to Christ. Like John the Baptist, Barnabas knew that it was not about him and his ego, but about Jesus and bringing people to faith and love.

In this time of struggle in our own nation over the sin of racism and the prejudices our culture and economic system perpetrate against black and brown people, perhaps we are called to ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes and our hearts. Perhaps we can pray, as St. Augustine did, “Lord, help me to know myself; help me to know You.” For it is in knowing You, that we meet our deepest desire – to be caught up in a community of love – love of God and love of neighbor.

Lord, let it be so.

JESUIT FATHER JOHN MICHALOWSKI is parochial vicar of St. Peter Church in Charlotte.

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catholicnewsherald.com | June 19, 2020 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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