January 15, 2021
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2020 DSA campaign surpasses goal despite turbulent year 3
‘A sad day for our nation’ In wake of Capitol violence, religious leaders appeal for people to turn back to God Bishop Jugis: Violence in society shows that not enough people know Jesus 3
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New Healed and Restored ministry to assist abuse survivors 5 INDEX
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The American flag flies at half-staff at the U.S. Capitol in Washington Jan. 11, days after people broke into the building to protest the results of the 2020 presidential election. CNS | JOSHUA ROBERTS, REUTERS
Fresh-air worship indoors Greensboro pastors install high-tech, low-cost air purifiers to combat COVID-19
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catholicnewsherald.com | January 15, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
WORD OF GOD SUNDAY 2021
Sacred Scripture needs to be respected, valued Pope Francis
Praising God purifies the soul, is like breathing ‘pure oxygen’
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t may seem illogical, but Christians are called to give God praise – not complaints – in times of darkness and difficulty, Pope Francis said. Jesus and the saints “show us that we can always give praise, in good times and bad, because God is the faithful friend – this is the foundation of praise, He is the faithful friend and His love never fails. He is always by our side; He always waits for us,” the pope said Jan. 13 during his weekly general audience. This is why, he said, “praising God is like breathing in pure oxygen. It purifies the soul, it helps you look at the horizon” and not see oneself as imprisoned or trapped in the current moment. Livestreamed from the library of the Apostolic Palace, the pope continued his series of talks on prayer, reflecting on Jesus’ early ministry when His great works and miracles were still met with unbelief: St. John the Baptist, who had been imprisoned, was unsure whether Jesus was truly the Messiah; some towns remained unrepentant; and the wise and learned had rejected His preaching. According to St. Matthew, “Jesus does not lift up a lament to the Father, but rather a hymn of jubilation” and praise during this time of crisis and disappointment, he said. “Why?” the pope asked. “First and foremost, He praises Him for who He is: ‘Father, Lord of heaven and earth.’ Jesus rejoices in His spirit because He knows and He feels that His father is the God of the universe” and He is “my father.” Jesus’ prayer and praise should also teach everyone who reads the Gospel “to judge our personal defeats in a different way, the situations in which we do not see clearly the presence and action of God, when it seems that evil prevails and there is no way to stop it,” he said. “Jesus, who recommended the prayer of asking questions so much, at the very moment when he would have had reason to ask the father for explanations, instead begins to praise Him. It seems like a contradiction, but this is where the truth lies.” Praising God adds nothing to His greatness, he said, rather it allows one to experience the same happiness “of the pure of heart who love God in faith before seeing Him in glory.” “Paradoxically it must be practiced not only when life fills us with happiness, but above all in difficult moments, when the path becomes steep,” he said, because “we learn that, through that ascent, that wearisome path, those demanding passages, we get to see a new panorama, a broader horizon.” Jesus rejoices in this fact, and “we too must rejoice and praise God because humble and simple people welcome the Gospel.”
and readers, must be sufficiently prepared and familiar with the text to be proclaimed clearly and must avoid “all improvisation. It is possible to preface the readings with appropriate and short introductions,” however. The Sunday of the Word of God is meant to foster “an awareness of the importance of Sacred Scripture for our lives as believers, beginning with its resonance in the liturgy which places us in living and permanent dialogue with God,” the Vatican noted, quoting Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation “Evangelii gaudium”: “God’s word, listened to and celebrated, above all in the Eucharist, nourishes and inwardly strengthens Christians, enabling them to offer an authentic witness to the Gospel in daily life.”
CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
VATICAN CITY — In preparation for the Sunday of the Word of God Jan. 24, the Vatican has issued recommendations for the day as well as reminders on respecting the sacred Scriptures. For example, liturgical books should be high-quality texts and not photocopies, and the ambo is reserved for specific moments in the liturgy and prayer, and should not be used for making commentaries or announcements, said a note from the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments. The Dec. 19 note, signed by Cardinal Robert Sarah, congregation prefect, and Archbishop Arthur Roche, secretary, was a reminder that the Sunday of the Word of God is meant to reawaken “the importance and value of sacred Scripture for the Christian life, as well as the relationship between the word of God and the liturgy,” it said. The Sunday of the Word of God was instituted by Pope Francis in 2019. Though it is to be held every year on the third Sunday of Ordinary Time, “a day devoted to the Bible should not be seen as a yearly event but rather a year-long event, for we urgently need to grow in our knowledge and love of the Scriptures and of the risen Lord,” it said. God continues to speak His word “and to break bread in the community of believers,” which is why Catholics need to “develop a closer relationship with sacred Scripture; otherwise, our hearts will remain cold and our eyes shut, inflicted as we are by so many forms of blindness.” The note offered a few recommendations for the day, such as having the entrance procession with the Book of the Gospels, placing the Book of the Gospels on the altar and promoting the community celebration of Lauds and Vespers. Much of the note, however, emphasized the importance of rereading and respecting the theological, ritual and pastoral principles surrounding the word of God proclaimed at Mass and other liturgical celebrations. One should understand that “the books containing the readings from sacred Scripture stir up in those who hear a veneration for the mystery of God speaking to His people. For this reason, we ask that care be taken to ensure that these books are of a high quality and used properly.” Because of the importance of the word of God, “the Church invites us to pay special
Ideas for you to celebrate Word of God Sunday at home Pictured: St. Augustine by Philippe de Champaigne (c. 1645-1650). St. Augustine, bishop and Doctor of the Church, wrote in “Confessions” of a turning point in his life as he struggled with his personal and intellectual past. While sitting in a garden, he heard the voice of a child chanting over and over again, “Take it and read, take it and read.” Turning to pick up a Bible that he had set down only moments earlier, he read a passage from the writings of St. Paul that called him away from the life he once led. He recounted, “I had no wish to read more and no need to do so. For in an instant, as I came to the end of the sentence, it was as though the light of confidence flooded into my heart and all the darkness of doubt was dispelled.” The rest of his life was spent living out the meaning of God’s word. attention to the ambo from which it is proclaimed,” the note said. The ambo is not “a functional piece of furniture, but a place that is in keeping with the dignity of the word of God, in correspondence with the altar,” which is why the ambo is reserved for the readings, the singing of the Responsorial Psalm and the Easter Proclamation. “The homily and the intentions of the universal prayer can be delivered from it, while it is less appropriate to use it for commentaries, announcements or for directing singing,” it said. The homily should be used to help explain sacred Scripture and particular importance should be given to a period of silence for appropriately meditating on the word, it added. Those who proclaim the word of God in the assembly, such as priests, deacons
Recent surveys have shown that few Catholics read the Bible on their own or as a family. But what better place is there to encounter the person of Jesus Christ than in God’s Word? As St. Jerome once noted, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” n If you don’t already have a family Bible, get one and display it prominently in your home. n Set aside time each week to gather as a family and read aloud a brief Scripture passage, perhaps the Sunday Gospel. Allow time to reflect together and discuss its meaning. n Include Bible stories in your children’s reading, and when they are old enough, introduce them to the New American Bible revised edition (NABRE), the translation used at Mass. n Join in the common prayer of the Church by praying parts of the Liturgy of the Hours as a family, such as Morning or Evening Prayer. n Contemplate further on Scripture through the practice of lectio divina. There are numerous websites, smartphone apps and books to help, or check out the workshop “Discover the Ancient Practice of Lectio Divina,” 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory. Go to www.catholicconference.org for details. n For older children and adults, read the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (“Dei Verbum”). — U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
More online At www.usccb.org: Read or listen to the daily Mass readings, subscribe to get the daily readings via email, watch video reflections on each day’s readings, and more.
Daily Scripture readings JAN. 17-23
Sunday: 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19, 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20, John 1:35-42; Monday: Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 2:18-22; Tuesday: Hebrews 6:10-20, Mark 2:23-28; Wednesday (St. Fabian, St. Sebastian): Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17, Mark 3:1-6; Thursday (St. Agnes): Hebrews 7:25-8:6, Mark 3:7-12; Friday (Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children): Hebrews 8:6-13, Mark 3:1319; Saturday (St. Vincent, St. Marianne Cope): Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14, Mark 3:20-21
JAN. 24-30 Sunday: Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:2931, Mark 1:14-20; Monday (The Conversion of St. Paul): Acts 22:3-16, Mark 16:15-18; Tuesday (Sts. Timothy and Titus): 2 Timothy 1:1-8, Mark 3:31-35; Wednesday (St. Angela Merici): Hebrews 10:11-18, Mark 4:1-20; Thursday (St. Thomas Aquinas): Hebrews 10:19-25, Mark 4:21-25; Friday: Hebrews 10:32-39, Mark 4:26-34; Saturday: Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19, Luke 1:69-75, Mark 4:3541
JAN. 31-FEB. 6 Sunday: Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 7:32-35, Mark 1:21-28; Monday: Hebrews 11:32-40, Mark 5:1-20; Tuesday (The Presentation of the Lord): Malachi 3:1-4, Hebrews 2:14-18, Luke 2:22-40; Wednesday (St. Blaise, St. Ansgar): Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15, Mark 6:1-6; Thursday: Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24, Mark 6:7-13; Friday (St. Agatha): Hebrews 13:1-8, Mark 6:14-29; Saturday (St. Paul Miki and Companions): Hebrews 13:1517, 20-21, Mark 6:30-34
Our parishes
January 15, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
Bishop Jugis: Violence in society shows that not enough people know Jesus
A technician from Brady Services in Greensboro wires one of the REME HALO air systems recently installed inside Our Lady of Grace Church. These air purification systems help clear the air and surfaces of the COVID-19 coronavirus by neutralizing the air through ionic technology.
PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR
CHARLOTTE — Murder, violence and destruction in today’s world are signs that “many people are far away from God,” so Christians must live and act following the example of Jesus if we are to effectively spread the Gospel. That was the message from Bishop Peter Jugis during Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral Jan. 10, the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. The feast day, which formally concludes the Christmas season, commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist. The day’s Gospel from Mark recounts: “On coming up out of the water He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon Him. And a voice came from the heavens, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’” (Mk 1:7-11) Not many people knew then that Jesus was the Savior come to redeem the world by His death and resurrection, and not enough people know Him as Savior today, Bishop Jugis said in his homily. “A lot of people are ignorant of the fact of who Christ is and what He offers to us,” he noted. That means Christians “have a lot of important work to do.” “All we have to do is consider the riots and the vandalism and the looting, and the destruction of property (and) the murders last summer, fall and this winter (that) show that many people are far away from God – many people do not know God and have not accepted Christ into their hearts,” he said. “So, every one of us has the duty to make this culture more Christian, imbued with Christian values and virtues,” he said. By our own baptism we follow in Jesus’ footsteps, Bishop Jugis said, noting that “we live in this world but we’re citizens of another Kingdom.” “Let us be faithful always in practicing our faith, this precious gift that God has given to us, meant to be not only for ourselves, but lived and shared with others. So that we give (a) good example and good witness of the presence of Christ in our lives.”
PHOTOS PROVIDED
Fresh-air worship indoors Greensboro pastors install high-tech, low-cost air purifiers to combat COVID-19 ANNIE FERGUSON CORRESPONDENT
GREENSBORO — Father Joseph Mack and Father Casey Coleman have discovered an innovative way to keep SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, at bay in their Greensboro parishes: air purifiers that neutralize the virus in the air and on surfaces using ionic technology. “The negative and positive ions produced also settle on surfaces as well as circulate through the air,” explained Father Mack, the pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Church. “In both cases, the ions break down the cell walls of pathogens.” Father Mack first learned of this technology from one of the parish’s maintenance contractors that installed the parish’s LED lighting. The contractor has a partnership with Global Plasma Solutions, which makes an air purifier that neutralizes airborne pathogens using its patented needlepoint bipolar ionization (NPBI) technology. This technology showed a 99.8 percent rate of reduction of SARS-CoV-2 in lab tests. On Dec. 4, the parish had four NPBI purifiers installed for a total of $4,300: three on the HVAC units that heat and cool the church and another on the HVAC unit in the narthex.
SPREADING THE WORD
Father Mack recommended the ionic technology to Father Coleman, the pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish across town. A former mechanical engineer for Corning Cable Systems LLC, Father Coleman designed fiberoptic connectors and cable assemblies for Corning’s Hardware and Equipment Development Group before he was ordained a priest in 2015. The science behind the ionic air-
purifying system intrigued Father Coleman enough to contact the parish’s HVAC vendor, Brady Services, to inquire about installing something like it at his church. It turns out the company, owned by OLG parishioner and benefactor Don Brady, partners with RGF Environmental Group, which has developed a similar technology in its REME HALO units. Last year as the pandemic spread, Brady installed 1,168 of these units in a variety of commercial spaces, including schools and retirement homes, and provided them to contractors for installation in people’s homes. Both technologies – NPBI and REME HALO’s proprietary PHI- Cell – were tested against the coronavirus at Innovative Bioanalysis Laboratories in Cypress, Calif., and the tests showed they were more than 99 percent effective at neutralizing it. Father Coleman began working with the team at Brady last fall to get seven units installed in the church and gym in time for Christmas. He and Father Michael Carlson, parochial vicar, wanted to boost the number of Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day – what they called “The 12 Masses of Christmas” – to enable more parishioners and their families to worship while keeping everyone safely distanced inside the church. Brady installed REME HALO units in the church and gym on Dec. 21 and 22. The overall cost was about $12,000 for two units in the church, one for the sacristy and choir room, and four in the gym. Approximately 1,400 people attended the 12 Masses without any reports of COVID-19 cases as of press time. Similar units will soon be installed in Our Lady of Grace School and the Parish Life Center. “The technology looked almost too good to be true,” Father Coleman said. However, when he was able to review the data released shortly after he first learned of the REME HALO units, he was on board. “Once they had that, it was like a home FRESH-AIR, SEE PAGE 20
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2020 DSA campaign surpasses goal despite turbulent year SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER
CHARLOTTE — Even during the midst of a pandemic, parishioners of the Diocese of Charlotte continued to pledge support to the ministries and mission of the Church in western North Carolina. The 2020 Diocesan Support Appeal “Our Faith In Action” saw support from 15,104 donors who pledged $6.43 million, surpassing the $6.2 million goal by 4 percent. Overall, 23 percent of registered parishioners across the diocese shared an average gift of $408, up from an average gift of $382 in the 2019 campaign. Fifty-two percent of parishes and missions across the diocese reached or exceeded their goal. Parishioners in all 92 parishes and missions in the Charlotte diocese fund the DSA, which supports more than 50 ministries and programs that serve thousands of people across the diocese. Most notably, the DSA is a significant funding source for Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte for its counseling, food pantries, pregnancy support, refugee resettlement, elder ministry, Respect Life and other programs, as well as the programs and ministries of the Education Vicariate. Parishes that exceed their goal keep the extra funds they collect, while parishes that fall short of their goal in donations from parishioners make up the shortfall from their operating budgets. Some of the 47 parishes receiving rebate funds included St. Aloysius Church in Hickory, which will receive back $4,195, and Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Lexington, which will get back $15,385. “I would like to thank our generous parishioners for stepping up, in the midst of this pandemic, to assist the people in need within our diocese,” said Father Larry LoMonaco, pastor of St. Aloysius Church in Hickory. “Now, more than ever, it is essential for us to be beacons of light amidst the darkness of our world and wonderful witnesses to our faith. Dedicating our God-given gifts to assist God’s people will build up treasures in heaven, where we hope to reside for eternity.” Father LoMonaco noted that the parish’s DSA refund will be used to support faith formation and youth ministry programs “because they are the future generation of our Catholic Church.” The pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Lexington, Father Ambrose Akinwande, affirmed that over the past five years he has been at the parish, “the people in the parish have been tremendously generous and supportive of the Church. Their commitment to the people of the diocese can never be quantified.” As for the DSA refund, he said, “We have not really decided what the money will be used for, but I am confident that some part of the money will go for a new entrance door for the church and maybe some repairs in the parish center.” Barb De Mase, the diocese’s associate director of development, expressed deep gratitude to everyone who supported the DSA during a challenging year. “This past year has been unprecedented and very hard for many. It is wonderful to see how many people have come together and support others through the programs and services of the DSA. Thank you!” she said. The 2020 campaign continues the trend of the people of the diocese achieving the annual DSA goal every year since 2015.
Online Masses 4
catholicnewsherald.com | January 15, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
January 15, 2021 VOLUME 30 • NUMBER 8
1123 S. CHURCH ST. CHARLOTTE, N.C. 28203-4003 catholicnews@charlottediocese.org
704-370-3333 PUBLISHER: The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte
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. LIVESTREAMED MASSES 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:
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:
BELMONT ABBEY MONASTERY: 11 a.m. daily
GOOD SHEPHERD MISSION, KING
DIVINE REDEEMER CHURCH, BOONVILLE: 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday
HOLY CROSS CHURCH, KERNERSVILLE
GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH, KING: 11 a.m. English; 1:30 p.m. Spanish Sunday
HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH, DENVER
HOLY INFANT CHURCH, REIDSVILLE: 9 a.m. Sunday
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, FOREST CITY
OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 10 a.m. Sunday
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHURCH, HIGH POINT
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH, MONROE: 9 a.m. daily
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
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.
OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH, GREENSBORO OUR LADY OF MERCY CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM
SACRED HEART CHURCH, BREVARD: 12 p.m. daily Mass, 10 a.m. Sunday
SACRED HEART CHURCH, SALISBURY
SACRED HEART CHURCH, SALISBURY: 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, 7 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday, 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. Saturday
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH, LENOIR
ST. ANN CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (Latin Mass) Sunday
ST. JOAN OF ARC CHURCH, CANDLER
ST. BARNABAS CHURCH, ARDEN: 11 a.m. Bilingual Sunday Mass
ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, ASHEBORO
ST. BASIL THE GREAT EASTERN CATHOLIC CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 11 a.m. Sunday
ST. GABRIEL CHURCH, CHARLOTTE
ST. LEO THE GREAT CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM ST. MARGARET MARY CHURCH, SWANNANOA
ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM: 9 a.m. English; 2 p.m. Spanish
ST. MARK CHURCH, HUNTERSVILLE
ST. DOROTHY CHURCH, LINCOLNTON: 9 a.m. Sunday
ST. MARY MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH, SYLVA
ST. EUGENE CHURCH, ASHEVILLE: 5:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil; 9 a.m. Sunday Mass
ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, CHARLOTTE
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH, MOCKSVILLE: 9 a.m. English; 10:30 a.m. Spanish
ST. MICHAEL CHURCH, GASTONIA ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL, CHARLOTTE ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE CHURCH, GREENSBORO
ST. JAMES CHURCH, CONCORD: English and Spanish
ST. STEPHEN MISSION, ELKIN
ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 8, 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday in English and 12 p.m. Sunday in Spanish
ST. STEPHEN MARONITE CHURCH, CHARLOTTE
ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CHURCH, WAYNESVILLE, AND IMMACULATE CONCEPTION MISSION, CANTON
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, CHARLOTTE
ST. LAWRENCE BASILICA, ASHEVILLE: 7:30 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. Sunday in English and 5 p.m. in Spanish. ST. LUKE CHURCH, MINT HILL: 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday in English; 1 p.m. Sunday bilingual; 4:30 p.m. Sunday
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.
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. MARY’S CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 8 a.m. Sunday
SUBSCRIPTIONS: $15 per year for all registered parishioners of the Diocese of Charlotte and $23 per year for all others.
ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 8: 15 a.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. Sunday
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.
OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION CHURCH, CHARLOTTE
QUEEN OF THE APOSTLES CHURCH, BELMONT: 9:15 and 11 a.m. Sunday
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH, LENOIR: 10 a.m. Sunday, 12 p.m. Sunday in Spanish THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte 26 times a year.
RECORDED MASSES
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. MICHAEL CHURCH, GASTONIA: 9 a.m. Sunday ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL, CHARLOTTE: 11 p.m. Sunday ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday-Friday; 4:30 p.m. Saturday; 10:30 a.m. Sunday ST. PETER CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 11:30 a.m. Sunday ST. STEPHEN MISSION, ELKIN: 9 a.m. Sunday ST. THERESE CHURCH, MOORESVILLE: 9 a.m. weekdays, 5 p.m. Saturday 8, 10 a.m. and Noon on Sunday ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 8:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday; 10 a.m. Saturday’ 9:30 a.m., Sunday; ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 9 a.m. daily, 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. Sunday in English and 2 p.m. Sunday in Spanish
ST. THERESE CHURCH, MOORESVILLE
EN ESPAÑOL OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH, GREENSBORO OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 8 a.m. domingo; 7:30 p.m. martes; 12 p.m. miércoles, jueves y viernes OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CHURCH, CHARLOTTE OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH, MONROE SACRED HEART CHURCH, SALISBURY: 12:30 p.m. Domingo ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CHURCH, WINSTON-SALEM: 1:30 p.m. Domingo ST. DOROTHY CHURCH, LINCOLNTON: 12 p.m. Domingo ST. EUGENE CHURCH, ASHEVILLE: 7:30 a.m. Domingo ST. JAMES THE GREATER CHURCH, CONCORD ST. JOAN OF ARC CHURCH, CANDLER ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 12 p.m. Domingo ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, ASHEBORO ST. LAWRENCE BASILICA, ASHEVILLE: 5 p.m. Domingo ST. LUKE CHURCH, MINT HILL: 1 p.m. Domingo ST. MARK CHURCH, HUNTERSVILLE: 1 p.m. Domingo ST. MARY’S CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 11 a.m. Domingo ST. MARY, MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH, SYLVA: 7 p.m. Sabado ST. THERESE CHURCH: 2:30 p.m. Domingo VIETNAMESE ST. JOSEPH VIETNAMESE CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday ST. MARY’S CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 9:30 a.m. Sunday LATIN ST. ANN CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 12:30 p.m. Sunday OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH, GREENSBORO: 1 p.m. Sunday ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH, CHARLOTTE: 12:15 and 7 p.m. Thursday
January 15, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com
New Healed and Restored ministry to assist abuse survivors SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER
HUNTERSVILLE — Local author and abuse survivor Elza Spaedy feels led to do something to help women who have suffered sexual abuse. The St. Mark parishioner has written about her journey to healing in her book “Freedom Through Christ – A Memoir of Healing in the Aftermath of Sexual Abuse.” She is now collaborating with others to create a non-profit organization to assist sexual abuse victims. “Late in 2019 while finishing writing my book, I began to feel God’s gentle nudge that I was to do more for victims of abuse,” Spaedy remembers. “At this point I kept thinking He meant I should work hard on spreading the word about my book to as many people as possible, to assist them in their own healing.” Spaedy recalls that last April, “in the middle of all the craziness and stresses brought on by COVID-19, is when I started having a strong desire to do more. This desire was always strongest while praying. It led me to believe this was another one of God’s beautiful plans for my life.” Her discernment led her to establish Healed and Restored, a non-profit organization that Spaedy hopes will help young women struggling with life-controlling issues like eating disorders, self-harm and the devastating effects of physical and sexual abuse, including sex trafficking that is so prevalent in our world today. “God knows it takes a victim of abuse to truly understand what this does to a person,” Spaedy says. “By the grace of God I have been healed and have found a purpose for all my pain and suffering. My purpose is to be used by God as His instrument in the healing all His beloved daughters who have gone through similar traumas.” The mission of Healed and Restored will be to provide a premier care home in the Charlotte/Lake Norman area for women aged 13-30 suffering from traumatic experiences. “Through programs rooted in mind, body, spirit and soul care, women will be transformed and experience God’s tremendous healing power and embrace their identity as a beloved daughter of God – ultimately taking steps toward becoming the best version of themselves,” Spaedy explains. Holistic programs grounded in Christianity will include counseling, spiritual exercises, movement therapy, and outdoor restoration experiences, she says. Spaedy already has seen much interest in Healed and Restored and has noticed that people who have come forward with a desire to help all have very different skills and unique talents that she says will bring tremendous value to the overall program. “There’s no denying God has His hands in all of this, including handpicking four amazing women – Catherine Farley, Juliet Hirsch, Sharon Kucia and Alexandra Stanley – all of whom have been my friends for years and each belonging to a different
parish in our diocese, who are my core team who have been helping me establish Healed and Restored in our area,” she says. God “has been arranging the circumstances in my life and preparing me in order to accomplish His work within me and through me. Just another reminder of how God never gives us more than we can handle, and He always provides all that we need (including all the people who will help us) accomplish any mission He sets before us. He only asks that we persevere in faith and trust,” she explains. Spaedy has lots of plans already under way for 2021 to guide her in this effort. In the spring Healed and Restored will launch its first fundraising event. Spaedy also plans to begin offering workshops for young women, embark on a capital campaign to raise the funds necessary to build a 10-bed home for young women, establish an ambassador program, and continue forming a board of directors. — Elza Spaedy She hopes to see the full realization of her dream in two to three years’ time. Spaedy also prays that someone in the Charlotte/Lake Norman area will come forward to donate the land needed to build a house for the program to house the women. Says Spaedy, “It’s a big dream, but I truly believe this program will have an enormous ripple effect in our diocese and beyond. It will transform lives in a very concrete way.”
‘By the grace of God I have been healed and have found a purpose for all my pain and suffering.’
Want to be involved? For more information about Healed and Restored, go online to www. healedandrestored.org or contact Elza Spaedy directly at elzaspaedy@ gmail.com.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JOAN GUTHRIE
A close partnership with Druid Hills Academy CHARLOTTE — Members of St. Peter Church continued their longstanding partnership with Druid Hills Academy with two recent special efforts. Parishioner Sarah Fagan made a dollhouse, complete with furnishings, for a family with three daughters over Christmas. In association with culinary students from Johnson & Wales University, participants in the Druid Hills Academy partnership also coordinated gifts of bread and other baked goods for Teacher Appreciation Day at the school in November.
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Former Monroe pastor, diocesan evangelization director dies BETHEL PARK, Pa. — Father Edward J. Vilkauskas, a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, died Jan. 9, 2021, at St. Clair Hospital from complications from COVID-19. He was 74. Father Vilkauskas was born Aug. 6, 1946, in Danville, Pa., and was baptized and nourished in the faith at Our Mother of Consolation Church in Mt. Carmel, Pa. He professed his vows as a member of the Congregation of the Holy Vilkauskas Spirit on Aug. 22, 1965, at the Holy Ghost Novitiate in Ridgefield, Conn., and was ordained to the priesthood June 2, 1973, at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. After ordination, Father Vilkauskas was first appointed to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Pittsburgh as assistant pastor. In 1975, he went to Catholic University to complete a master’s degree in liturgical studies. In 1976, he was assigned to be the Director of Vocations and Liturgical Animation of the Eastern Province of the Congregation. He later was appointed as Director of Collegiate Seminarians at Duquesne University. In 1982, he became Director of Theologians at CTU in Chicago and then pursued additional studies at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend. He took a position as a lecturer in liturgy at the Mission Institute of London in 1985. He was then appointed in 1988 as Director of Evangelization for the Diocese of Charlotte as well as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Monroe, where he served until 2000. In 2001, he was assigned as temporary administrator of St. Mary Magdalene in Chicago. He was appointed pastor of Old St. Mary’s in Detroit in 2002. At Old St. Mary’s, he worked hard to bring the Spiritan charism to the area and established a program to feed the poor and homeless people every first Monday of the month. In 2013, after a sabbatical, he took a position as chaplain for the Sisters of Christian Charity at the Holy Family Convent in Danville, Pa., until 2018 when they closed the convent. He then retired at Libermann Hall in Bethel Park. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Wanda Gardocki Vilkauskas. He is survived by his brother, Vince Vilkauskas (wife Carol) of Whitehall, Pa.; and two nieces and nephew: Cheryl and Chris Dorschutz and children Wyatt and Sierra of Coplay, Pa., Denise and Jeffrey Vilkauskas and son Zachery of Northampton, Pa., and Cynthia Vilkauskas of Northampton. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, funeral arrangements were limited to close family. The Mass of Christian Burial was offered Jan. 13, 2021, and live-streamed on the U.S. Spiritans’ Facebook page (www.facebook. com/spiritans). Another Mass will be offered at Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, at Holy Ghost Prep, 2429 Bristol Pike in Bensalem, Pa., followed by burial in the community cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Congregation of the Holy Spirit designated for retirement or for the education of future Holy Spirit Fathers and Brothers, 6230 Brush Run Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102. — Catholic News Herald
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catholicnewsherald.com | January 15, 2021 OUR PARISHES
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In Brief Deacon appointed in Charlotte CHARLOTTE — Deacon Lon Phillips has received faculties and been assigned as a permanent deacon at St. Matthew Parish, effective Jan. 6, Bishop Peter Jugis has announced. Now retired, Deacon Phillips and his wife Janis recently relocated to Charlotte to be closer to their children. A Milwaukee native, Deacon Phillips said “God called me home to His Church” when he was 40. Phillips As a Catholic convert, he became involved in liturgical ministry and found himself in awe of the Mass and a possible vocation. One Palm Sunday, about 15 years after he became Catholic, a friend asked, “Have you ever considered the diaconate?” Deacon Phillips shared with this friend his inner thoughts and discernment of the diaconate. He entered diaconate formation in 2004 and was ordained on Sept. 6, 2008, for the Diocese of Palm Beach, Fla., by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito. He was first assigned to his home parish, Ascension Parish in Boca Raton, Fla., where he was also employed as director of parish operations. His ministerial responsibilities at the parish focused on serving at the altar, conducting preparation classes for baptisms and weddings, facilitating and assisting with RCIA classes, and training liturgical ministers. Also, at the diocesan level, Deacon Phillips formed a team and taught faith formation and training at the School of Christian Formation and conducted workshops for liturgical ministers.
Rice Bowl shipment or order additional items can call the CRS toll-free number at 1-800-2220025. Parishes and schools that wish to participate for the first time can also call CRS toll-free at 1-800-222-0025 or go to www.crsricebowl.org or www.crsplatodearroz.org to place an order for the number of Rice Bowl items desired. First-time or additional CRS Rice Bowl materials ordered by Jan. 25 should arrive in parishes and schools in time for distribution prior to the start of CRS Rice Bowl on Ash Wednesday. Participating parishes and schools will provide direction on regarding how Rice Bowl boxes are being distributed. — Joseph Purello
Holy Hour of Reparation offered for sins of abortion HUNTERSVILLE — Approximately 50 people attended a special Holy Hour of Reparation for the sins of abortion at St. Mark Church on Dec. 28. The event, led by St. Mark’s parochial vicar Father Alfonso Gamez, was organized to offer reparation for abortion and to also commemorate the Feast of the Holy Innocents, imploring their intercession against the deaths of today’s innocent victims – the unborn killed by abortion. The event was sponsored by the parish’s Respect Life Ministry.
Child in December. The collection was organized by the parish’s elementary faith formation coordinator, Maryanne Pape. The boxes were donated by the Knights of Columbus and available for parishioners to pick up, fill and return. This was the second year the faith formation department has organized a shoebox collection. The boxes were delivered to the Charlotte processing center Dec. 14, bound for needy children in Honduras and Tanzania. — Amy Burger
Celebrating Epiphany BLOWING ROCK — Father Brendan Buckler, pastor, celebrated a Missa Cantata, a sung Solemn Mass in the Extraordinary Form, on the Feast of Epiphany at the Church of the Epiphany, a mission of St. Elizabeth Church in Boone. — Amber Mellon, correspondent
New Year’s retreat held at Hickory conference center HICKORY — A special New Year’s retreat, entitled “Behold, I make all things new!”, was recently held at the Catholic Conference
Center. The retreat was led by Franciscan Friar Peter Tremblay, who began his talks with some hard-hitting preaching about the “dark clouds” in the world today versus the Kingdom Jesus promised. The weather the first two days of the retreat matched the message: drizzly and raining. Friar Tremblay, however, promised to finish with the hopeful vision portrayed in scripture: “Behold!”. And his message was clear despite the foggy weather: The Kingdom is coming, but the revelation will be gradual. Even though we may have limited visibility, Christian hope says (and Annie agrees) that “the sun will come out tomorrow.” Looking to “make something new” of yourself during this new year? Check out some of the upcoming workshops and retreats at the Catholic Conference Center, online at www. catholicconference.org. — Deacon Scott Gilfillan
— Mike FitzGerald and Amy Burger
— Deacon John Martino
2021 Rice Bowl campaign starts in February CHARLOTTE — The 2021 CRS Rice Bowl Program begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17. CRS Rice Bowl provides Catholics across the United States with the opportunity to assist the global human family through daily prayer, weekly fasting and almsgiving. Participating parishes and schools should receive CRS Rice Bowl items this month. CRS will automatically send parishes and schools the amount of materials sent last year if the parish or school did not respond to a CRS notice to update their order information. A parish or school that wants to confirm its upcoming CRS
Little St. Mark parishioners help with Operation Christmas Child HUNTERSVILLE — Parishioners from St. Mark Church filled 291 boxes for Operation Christmas
Please pray for the following priests who died during the month of January: Rev. Anselm Biggs, OSB – 2001 Rev. Maurus Buchheit, OSB – 1975 Rev. Francis T. Connolly – 2008 Rev. Vincent Erb – 2005 Rev. Msgr. Eugene H. Livelsberger – 1987 Rev. Paul Milde, OSB – 1979 Rev. Msgr. Lawrence Newman – 1981 Rev. Arthur J. Racette – 1975 Rev. Tom Stott – 2005 Rev. Edward J. Vilkauskas, C.S.Sp. – 2021
PHOTO PROVIDED BY GINA RHODES
Catholic Heritage Society Mass held Dec. 15 HENDERSONVILLE — Members of the Catholic Heritage Society were special guests at a Mass offered in their honor Dec. 15 at Immaculate Conception Church. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the diocesan Mass normally celebrated by Bishop Peter Jugis was canceled. Father Christian Cook, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, celebrated the Mass for the parish’s own Catholic Heritage Society members. The Catholic Heritage Society is comprised of people who make planned gifts to benefit the diocese or any of its parishes, schools, ministries or agencies, or have established an endowment with the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation. The group is comprised of more than 1,300 people across western North Carolina, some of whom are leaving gifts to the foundation in their wills. Since 1994, the foundation has distributed more than $11.5 million to nearly 150 recipient parishes, schools and ministries. For information about how to become a Catholic Heritage Society member, or to create a planned giving committee at your parish, contact Gina Rhodes, diocesan director of planned giving, at 704-370-3364 or gmrhodes@charlottediocese.org.
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January 15, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com
Padre Julio Domínguez
El Tiempo Ordinario
Q
ueridos hermanos, hemos terminado el hermoso tiempo de Navidad y ahora, después de la fiesta del Bautismo del Señor, la Iglesia nos invita a vivir el maravilloso tiempo ordinario. Cuando se dice que es tiempo ordinario, no se quiere decir que sea tiempo de poca importancia, sino que se denomina así para diferenciarlo de los tiempos fuertes como lo sería el tiempo pascual y el tiempo de Navidad, Adviento y Cuaresma. El tiempo ordinario es el tiempo más antiguo en la organización del año litúrgico y además ocupa el tiempo más largo dentro del ciclo litúrgico, tomando 33 o 34 de las 52 que tenemos. En el tiempo ordinario, generalmente vemos a Jesús crecer en sabiduría y gracia delante de Dios y de los hombres. Vemos a ese Señor que va a su misión de proclamar el Reino de los Cielos, de pedir que todos lleguen a la conversión y sobre todo lo vemos actuante en su lucha contra el mal y la perversidad del enemigo. Una de las grandes características que podemos encontrar en el Tiempo Ordinario, es ese deseo de Jesús de ir uniendo a los hombres con su Padre, pero Él sabe que la verdadera unión viene precisamente de realizar la voluntad del Padre y por eso, en cada momento de su vivir, Jesús va presentando a los hombres su gran secreto: Yo he venido a cumplir la voluntad de mi Padre. Así también nosotros en el Tiempo Ordinario debemos buscar crecer y madurar nuestra fe, nuestra esperanza y nuestro amor, y sobre todo cumplir con gozo la Voluntad Santísima de Dios. Esta es la gracia que debemos buscar e implorar de Dios durante estas 33 semanas del Tiempo Ordinario. El tiempo ordinario se trata de crecer. Crecer. Crecer. El que no crece se estanca, se enferma y muere. Debemos crecer en nuestras tareas ordinarias: matrimonio, en la vida espiritual, en la vida profesional, en el trabajo, en el estudio, en las relaciones humanas. Debemos crecer también en medio de nuestros sufrimientos, éxitos, fracasos. ¡Cuántas virtudes podemos ejercitar en todo esto! El Tiempo Ordinario se convierte así en un gimnasio auténtico para encontrar a Dios en los acontecimientos diarios, ejercitarnos en virtudes, crecer en santidad. Y todo se convierte en tiempo de salvación, en tiempo de gracia de Dios. ¡Todo es gracia para quien está atento y tiene fe y amor! Eso es lo que domingo a domingo, a través de las lecturas y del Evangelio, Jesús nos va proclamando y nos va formando, si es que así lo recibimos. El espíritu del Tiempo Ordinario queda bien descrito en el prefacio VI dominical de la misa: “En ti vivimos, nos movemos y existimos; y todavía peregrinos en este mundo, no sólo experimentamos las pruebas cotidianas de tu amor, sino que poseemos ya en prenda la vida futura, pues esperamos gozar de la Pascua eterna, porque tenemos las primicias del DOMINGUEZ, PASA A LA PÁGINA 20
Luto en la comunidad latina de Charlotte CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO
CHARLOTTE — Las últimas semanas de 2020 fueron particularmente tristes para la comunidad hispana residente en Charlotte. Tres personalidades, tres hombres muy representativos, líderes e imagen de la comunidad latina, fallecieron en la paz del Señor, dejándonos la tristeza de su partida pero también el consuelo que se encuentran gozando de la presencia de Dios.
PEDRO ALEX ELGUERA, 1931-2020
Pedro Elguera, de 89 años, falleció la tarde del viernes 27 de noviembre de 2020 en su casa de Pineville en compañía de su amada familia. Elguera, peruano de nacimiento, se instaló en Charlotte a inicios de los años ‘80, estableciendo luego un negocio de traducción e interpretación. Por aquella época, nos recuerda Aura María Gavilán Posse, pionera radial de la Elguera ciudad reina, solo había un abogado de migración y Elguera, primer notario público hispanoparlante que conoció la periodista en Charlotte, asistía, sin brindar consejo legal, a las personas que buscaban su ayuda para llenar documentos de trámites migratorios. Personalmente tuve la oportunidad de realizar una entrevista a Pedro Elguera cuando trabajaba para el periódico ‘El Progreso Hispano’, decano de la prensa en la región que dirige José Herrera. Pocas personas sabían que, gracias a su robusto físico se convertiría en un reconocido luchador profesional que viajó por muchos países de América del Sur, Centroamérica, México y Estados Unidos. Según refieren sus familiares le gustaba viajar. Fue un padre y abuelo devoto que asistió a todas las actividades escolares y extracurriculares, animando a la familia en cada evento. Era una persona amable y positiva, llena de alegría que hacía amigos con facilidad y gozaba recibiendo invitados en su casa. “Dando una buena impresión, siendo colaborador, un ejemplo de honestidad y como hombre de familia, don Pedro realmente abrió puertas a la comunidad que llegó después que él. Dentro de su labor profesional ayudó a muchísima gente. Era muy amable, muy buena persona”, dijo Gavilán Posse al referirse a Pedro Elguera. Le sobrevive su esposa de 49 años de casados, Viviana Emperatriz Elguera; sus dos hijas Vivian Mary y Maura Emperatriz. Sus hijos mayores Fátima
Mercedes Elguera Alarcón, Pedro Martín Elguera Alarcón, María del Pilar Elguera Manríquez y Walter Alejandro Elguera Manríquez. Sus nietos, Alejandra Sarahi, Amando Josué, Julieta Esperanza, Lucien Concepción, Karla Geraldine, Guissella Paola, Rolando Miguel, Juana Rosa, Pedro Miguel y César Augusto. Así como numerosos bisnietos, tataranietos, sobrinos, sobrinas, ahijados y primos. Sus hijos Pedro Antonio Elguera Manríquez y José Rolando Elguera Manríquez junto con sus cinco hermanas Paula, Isabel, Rita Elena, Maruja y Felicita, le precedieron en la muerte. Don Pedro Elguera, descanse en paz.
Campaña DSA 2020 supera meta a pesar de año turbulento SUEANN HOWELL REPORTERA SENIOR
Daniel Hernández, detective retirado del Departamento de Policía de Charlotte Mecklenburg, falleció el 16 de diciembre en la casa hospicio Southminister en Charlotte, cuando contaba con 68 años de edad. Hernández nació en 1952 en San Antonio, Texas, y sirvió en las fuerzas especiales del ejército norteamericano, retirándose después de 32 años de servicio. Su afán por continuar dando lo mejor de sí por la Hernández comunidad lo llevó a enrolarse en el Departamento de Policía de Charlotte Mecklenburg, donde en los últimos años sirvió, además de sus labores de detective, como enlace con la comunidad hispana. Hernández, quien en múltiples ocasiones me prestó su desinteresada colaboración en investigaciones periodísticas cuando laboraba en HOLA News, fue un aliado incondicional de la comunidad latina a través del programa ‘La Voz Latina’ de Latina 102.3 FM, que conduce Jorge Medina, personalidad radial de las estaciones de Norsan Media en Charlotte. “Lo conozco desde 2002, desde que inició en Radio Líder. Nos hicimos amigos y más adelante tuve la oportunidad de compartir más con él en Latina”, dijo Medina. En esa radio, los oyentes pudieron darse cuenta que la formación militar estricta del Oficial Hernández contrastaba con las opiniones más liberales de Medina. “Teníamos criterios diferentes”, explica Medina, pero “a pesar de las diferencias compartimos muchas actividades”. “La comunidad latina agarró confianza con él y le contaba sus casos y problemas. Él asistía resolviendo
CHARLOTTE — Incluso durante la pandemia, los feligreses de la Diócesis de Charlotte continuaron apoyando a los ministerios y la misión de la Iglesia en el oeste de Carolina del Norte. La Campaña de Apoyo Diocesano 2020 “Nuestra Fe en Acción” contó con el apoyo de 15.104 donantes que aportaron $ 6.43 millones, superando la meta de $ 6.2 millones en un 4%. En general, el 23% de los feligreses registrados donaron un promedio de $ 408, frente a los $ 382 en la campaña de 2019. El 52% de las parroquias y misiones de la diócesis alcanzaron o superaron su meta. Los feligreses de las 92 parroquias y misiones de la Diócesis de Charlotte financian la DSA, que apoya a más de 50 ministerios y programas que sirven a miles de personas. Particularmente, la DSA es una fuente de financiación importante para los programas de consejería, despensas de alimentos, apoyo del embarazo, reasentamiento de refugiados, ministerio de ancianos, Respeto a la Vida y otros programas de Caridades Católicas, así como los programas y ministerios del Vicariato de Educación. Las parroquias que exceden su objetivo reciben los fondos adicionales que recaudan, mientras que las parroquias que no lo alcanzan compensan el déficit con sus presupuestos operativos. Algunas de las 47 parroquias que recibirán reembolsos incluyen a la Iglesia San Luis Gonzaga en Hickory, que recibirá $ 4.195, y la Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario en Lexington, que recibirá $ 15.385. “Me gustaría agradecer a nuestros generosos feligreses por dar un paso adelante, en medio de esta pandemia, para ayudar a las personas necesitadas dentro de nuestra diócesis”, dijo el Padre Larry LoMonaco, pastor de la Iglesia San Luis Gonzaga. “Ahora, más que nunca, es esencial para nosotros ser faros de luz en medio de la oscuridad de nuestro mundo y maravillosos testigos de nuestra fe. Dedicar nuestros dones dados por Dios para ayudar al pueblo de Dios acumulará tesoros en el cielo, donde esperamos residir por la eternidad”. El Padre LoMonaco señaló que el reembolso de DSA se utilizará para apoyar la formación de la fe y los programas de pastoral juvenil “porque son la generación futura de nuestra Iglesia Católica”. El párroco de la Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario, Padre Ambrose Akinwande, afirmó que durante
LUTO, PASA A LA PÁGINA 10
DSA, PASA A LA PÁGINA 10
DANIEL STEVEN HERNÁNDEZ, 1952-2020
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catholicnewsherald.com | January 15, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
La violencia en la sociedad muestra que poca gente conoce a Jesús, dijo el Obispo Jugis PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITORA
CHARLOTTE — El asesinato, la violencia y la destrucción en el mundo de hoy son signos de que “muchas personas están lejos de Dios”, por lo que los cristianos deben vivir y actuar siguiendo el ejemplo de Jesús si queremos efectivamente difundir el Evangelio. Ese fue el mensaje del Obispo Peter Jugis durante la Misa en la catedral San Patricio el 10 de enero, fiesta del Bautismo de Nuestro Señor. El día de la fiesta, que concluye
formalmente la temporada navideña, conmemora el bautismo de Jesús en el río Jordán por San Juan Bautista. El evangelio del día de San Marcos relata: “E inmediatamente, al salir del agua, vio que los cielos se abrían, y que el Espíritu como paloma descendía sobre Él; y vino una voz de los cielos, que decía: Tú eres mi Hijo amado, en ti me he complacido” (Mc 1, 7-11). No mucha gente sabía entonces que Jesús era el Salvador que vino a redimir al mundo por Su muerte y resurrección, y no hay suficientes personas que hoy lo conozcan como Salvador, dijo el Obispo
Jugis en su homilía. “Mucha gente ignora el hecho de quién es Cristo y lo que nos ofrece”, señaló. Eso significa que los cristianos “tienen mucho trabajo importante que hacer”. “Todo lo que tenemos que hacer es considerar los disturbios y el vandalismo y el saqueo, y la destrucción de la propiedad (y) los asesinatos el verano pasado, el otoño y este invierno (que) muestran que muchas personas están lejos de Dios; muchas personas no conocen a Dios y no han aceptado a Cristo en sus corazones”, dijo. “Así pues, cada uno de nosotros tiene el
deber de hacer esta cultura más cristiana, imbuida con valores y virtudes cristianas”, dijo. Por nuestro propio bautismo seguimos los pasos de Jesús, dijo el Obispo Jugis, y señaló que “vivimos en este mundo, pero somos ciudadanos de otro Reino”. “Seamos fieles siempre en la práctica de nuestra fe, este don precioso que Dios nos ha dado, que no debe de ser solo para nosotros, sino vivido y compartido con los demás. Para que demos buen ejemplo y buen testimonio de la presencia de Cristo en nuestras vidas”.
Brindarán ayuda con ‘Familia Adelante’ CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO
CHARLOTTE — Con el propósito de asistir a las familias latinas en sus diferentes necesidades en la relación con sus hijos, Alianza, el sistema escolar de Charlotte Mecklenburg (CMS), la organización Familia Adelante y el Centro de Servicios de Prevención iniciarán en febrero próximo el programa ‘Familia Adelante’. Así lo informó Ricardo Torres, ex director de Alianza y actual miembro de la junta directiva de esa organización. Alianza es una coalición que agrupa organizaciones que trabajan en salud mental y la prevención del abuso y consumo de sustancias en el condado Mecklenburg. ‘Familia Adelante’, refirió Torres, es un programa de comprobado éxito que se enfoca en asistir a padres de familia con hijos jóvenes entre 10 y 14 años que buscan reducir los niveles de estrés familiar en esta pandemia, mejorar la habilidad de manejar los problemas del día a día, mejorar el rendimiento académico de los jóvenes, así como conocer y aumentar los hábitos saludables. “Este es un programa orientado a la familia. Cada familia tiene necesidades diferentes. Algunas por estrés académico, por la pandemia, por consumo de alcohol o drogas, por sexo, por el cambio cultural, por depresión, por identidad y más. Y especialmente los padres, nadie tiene un libro que le indique cómo ser un buen padre”, dijo Torres, resaltando que ‘Familia Adelante’ “es para cualquier padre o madre de familia que quiere mejorar su hogar, apoyar a su hijo e hija, entenderlo mejor”.
PROGRAMA CON RESULTADOS
Según informa la página web de ‘Familia Adelante’, el programa fue desarrollado por el Dr. Richard Cervantes, Director de Investigación de la Evaluación del Comportamiento, Inc., para abordar las barreras culturales y el estrés relacionado con el desarrollo familiar y juvenil. La misma fuente asegura que estudios realizados en 150 familias que participaron en el programa determinaron un incremento significativo en la percepción del daño del uso de sustancias y riesgo del comportamiento sexual, al mismo tiempo que disminuyó fuertemente el uso de marihuana y otras drogas ilícitas. Torres refiere que gracias a NNED, (Red Nacional por la eliminación de las diferencias en la salud del comportamiento, por sus siglas en inglés) y SAHMSA (Administración del Servicio de Abuso de Sustancias y Salud Mental, por sus siglas en inglés) fue que cinco representantes de Alianza pudieron asistir en marzo de 2020 a una capacitación del programa que se realizó en
FE
FAMILIA
FOTO CORTESÍA HOLA NEWS
Ricardo Torres, miembro de la directiva de Alianza, explica que el programa ‘Familia Adelante’ ha podido ser adaptado para realizarse de manera virtual, por lo que han programado la primera serie de reuniones para el próximo mes de febrero. Nuevo México. “Lamentablemente no pudimos hacer nada a nuestro regreso porque el país se paralizó debido a la pandemia de COVID-19”, dijo Torres, pues el programa determinaba reuniones presenciales con familias. Tras una evaluación, pidieron convertir el programa a virtual recortando el número de sesiones, lo que finalmente fue aprobado.
GRATUITO
El programa, que debe dar inicio en febrero, contempla 9 sesiones virtuales bilingües, separando las sesiones en días para padres y otras jornadas dedicadas a los jóvenes.
FRATERNIDAD
Caballeros de Colón
Considere unirse a los más de 2 millones de miembros de la organización fraternal católica más grande del mundo y registrándose en línea hoy en: www.kofc.org/es
Por tiempo limitado - Membresía en línea GRATIS Use el código de promoción (MCGIVNEY2020)
El servicio es gratuito e inicialmente la primera serie de sesiones están orientadas para servir a los residentes del condado Mecklenburg, aunque no se descarta que próximamente se extienda a otros condados cercanos como Cabarrus, Union o Gaston. “Tenemos el material, todo está listo. Tenemos fondos para incentivos, pero la motivación es de los participantes de querer aprender algo nuevo que les va a servir”, señaló Torres. Para mayores informes e inscripciones llame al teléfono 980-269-0019 o contacte a Nicholas Ríos a rios@ preventionservices.org.
January 15, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
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Conoce tu iglesia Holy Trinity, Taylorsville CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO
Convencidos del dicho popular que afirma “no se quiere lo que no se conoce”, iniciamos esta serie de informes ‘Conoce tu iglesia’, en la que mes a mes llevaremos a nuestros lectores por un viaje virtual a través del territorio de la Diócesis de Charlotte, dando a conocer la información básica de nuestras iglesias, una breve reseña y perfil de sus pastores.
IGLESIA HOLY TRINITY, TAYLORSVILLE
Taylorsville, una ciudad de poco más de 2.000 habitantes, se ubica en el condado Alexander, al centro del cuadrante que demarcan las ciudades de Hickory, Statesville, Wilkesboro y Lenoir, a unas 60 millas al norte de Charlotte. Al oeste del poblado, en 1041 de la carretera NC-90, se localiza la Iglesia Holy Trinity, misión de la Diócesis de Charlotte, que fue consagrada el 22 de marzo de 1992 por el Obispo John F. Donoghue, aunque la primera Misa se celebró el domingo de pascua de resurrección de 1984 en una de las pequeñas habitaciones de lo que hoy es la casa parroquial, a la que los feligreses llaman “la casa antigua”, ubicada frente al templo. La compra de la propiedad la realizó la parroquia San Luis Gonzaga de Hickory, con el objetivo de extender su misión. Como nos relata su actual pastor, el Padre José Camilo Cárdenas, Holy Trinity, “es una comunidad pequeña que ha luchado por 29 años, desde su fundación, para mantenerse presente en este condado”. Ha sido Misión de la Parroquia de Hickory, luego pasó a ser de la Parroquia de Lenoir, posteriormente de Statesville y ahora depende directamente de la Diócesis de Charlotte. El Padre Joseph Waters fue el primer sacerdote que residió en la casa parroquial, luego de dejar su parroquia en Statesville. El padre, más conocido en la comunidad hispana como el ‘Padre José’, trabajó en conjunto con la comunidad parroquial para construir la iglesia. El Padre José, pionero del ministerio hispano en la Diócesis de Charlotte, falleció en 2015 tras su retiro. Si bien en sus inicios la comunidad anglosajona era la que esperaba ser atendida espiritualmente, hoy en día es la comunidad hispana la más numerosa y la que, según el Padre Camilo, “pone la nueva generación para la educación y formación en la fe”. “La misión tiene aproximadamente unas 20 familias anglosajonas registradas y como 50 familias hispanas, más otro número sin registrar”, nos informa. El edificio donde se aloja el templo es pequeño, con capacidad limitada, por lo que antes de la pandemia se realizaron trabajos para remodelar el sótano, eliminar la humedad reinante y habilitarlo como sala donde los fieles podían seguir las incidencias de la Santa Misa. Antes de la pandemia, eran alrededor de 160 personas las que participaban cada domingo en las Misas. “Hoy en día llegan unas 90 personas entre ambas comunidades”, dice el Padre Camilo. Como reconoce el pastor, fue la pandemia la que obligó a su administración a mejorar su website e implementar la transmisión de Misas dominicales a través de Facebook y YouTube. Gracias a un equipo de colaboradores y la mejora del servicio de internet, tras una serie de ensayos se logró conseguir una buena calidad en sus
FOTO CORTESÍA PADRE JOSÉ C. CÁRDENAS
El Padre José Cárdenas acompañado de varios fieles durante la celebración del Día de todos los Santos. A la izquierda la representación de San Juan Pablo II, Santa Elizabeth Seaton. A la derecha una niña representa al Angel Gabriel. transmisiones. “Lo que no hemos podido mantener es la recaudación de los aportes que semanalmente nos entregaban los fieles”, dice el Padre Camilo, “pero nos mantenemos y estamos superando los problemas con voluntad”. “Seguimos con el buen espíritu y la confianza en Dios que pronto podremos superar los desafíos del COVID-19, estar congregados todos y activos en formación de fe, retiros, en conectarnos más a la comunidad local mediante las obras de caridad con los más necesitados, estudios bíblicos y proyectos para mantener nuestras instalaciones”, asegura el Padre Cárdenas. Un proyecto que se espera realizar a la brevedad posible es la expansión del estacionamiento vehicular. “Lo necesitamos mucho, el actual estacionamiento es pequeño y cuando llueve los vehículos no pueden parquearse. Si lo hacen sobre el césped se llenan de lodo”, explica. Nacido en Páez, Boyacá, Colombia, con estudios en México y Argentina, después de haber apreciado un buen corte de carne de res, hoy el Padre Cárdenas cuida su alimentación para combatir el colesterol, por lo que se siente muy apenado cuando los miembros de la comunidad le invitan alimentos que no debe consumir. “Yo llevo dos años y medio aquí como administrador parroquial, contento con la comunidad y creo que ellos conmigo! ¡Al menos no me han dejado saber lo contrario!”,
dijo el Padre Cárdenas sonriendo. “Con la ayuda de nuestro Creador seguiremos adelante con fe y alegría”, finalizó.
Iglesia Holy Trinity 1039 N.C. Hwy. 90 West Taylorsville, N.C. 28681 Teléfono: 828-632-8009 www.holytrinitycatholicnc.org Pastor: José Camilo Cárdenas. Misas: Martes, 12 p.m. en Inglés Jueves, 6:30 p.m. en español Domingo: Inglés a las 8:30 a.m., español a las 10 a.m. Exposición del Santísimo: Jueves, 2 a 6:30 p.m.
Declaración de la misión parroquial: Nosotros, las personas de la Misión Católica Holy Trinity, guiados por el Padre, el Hijo y el Espíritu Santo, nos dedicamos al crecimiento de nuestro ser espiritual, nos esforzamos por construir una base sólida en el catolicismo a través de la educación religiosa, una vida familiar estable y la participación en ministerios sensibles a los desafíos y necesidades de nuestra comunidad
Lecturas Diarias ENERO. 17-23
Domingo: 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19, 1 Corintios 6:13c-15a, 17-20, Juan 1:35-42; Lunes: Hebreos 5:1-10, Marcos 2:18-22; Martes: Hebreos 6:10-20, Marcos 2:23-28; Miércoles (Santos Fabián y Sebastián): Hebreos 7:1-3, 15-17, Marcos 3:1-6; Jueves (Santa Inés de Roma): Hebreos 7:25-8:6, Marcos 3:7-12; Viernes (Día de Oración por la Protección Legal de los Niños No Nacidos): Hebreos 8:6-13, Marcos 3:13-19; Sábado (San Vincente, Santa Mariana Cope): Hebreos 9:2-3, 11-14, Marcos 3:20-21
ENERO. 24-30 Domingo: Jonás 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corintios 7:29-31, Marcos 1:14-20; Lunes (La Conversión de San Pablo): Hechos 22:3-16, Marcos 16:15-18; Martes (Santos Timoteo y Tito): 2 Timoteo 1:1-8, Marcos 3:31-35; Miércoles (Santa Ángela de Mérici): Hebreos 10:11-18, Marcos 4:1-20; Jueves (Santo Tomás de Aquino): Hebreos 10:19-25, Marcos 4:21-25; Viernes: Hebreos 10:32-39, Marcos 4:26-34; Sábado: Hebreos 11:1-2, 8-19, Lucas 1:69-75, Marcos 4:35-41
ENERO. 31-FEBRERO 6 Domingo: Deuteronomio 18:15-20, 1 Corintios 7:32-35, Marcos 1:21-28; Lunes: Hebreos 11:32-40, Marcos 5:1-20; Martes (La Presentación del Señor): Malaquías 3:1-4, Hebreos 2:14-18, Lucas 2:22-40; Miércoles (St. Blaise, St. Ansgar): Hebreos 12:4-7, 11-15, Marcos 6:1-6; Jueves: Hebreos 12:18-19, 21-24, Marcos 6:7-13; Viernes (Santa Águeda de Catania): Hebreos 13:1-8, Marcos 6:14-29; Sábado (San Pablo Miki y Compañeros): Hebreos 13:15-17, 20-21, Marcos 6:30-34
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catholicnewsherald.com | January 15, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
DSA VIENE DE LA PÁGINA 7
los últimos cinco años que ha estado en la parroquia, “la gente ha sido tremendamente generosa y solidaria con la Iglesia. Su compromiso con la gente de la diócesis es invalorable”. En cuanto al reembolso de la DSA, dijo: “No hemos decidido realmente en qué se utilizará el dinero, pero estoy seguro que una parte se destinará a una nueva puerta de entrada a la iglesia y tal
vez algunas reparaciones en el centro parroquial”. Barb De Mase, directora asociada de desarrollo de la diócesis, expresó su profunda gratitud a todos los que apoyaron la DSA durante un año de desafíos. “El año pasado no ha tenido precedentes y ha sido muy duro para muchos. Es maravilloso ver cuánta gente se ha unido para apoyar a otros a través de los programas y servicios de la DSA. ¡Gracias!” dijo. La campaña 2020 continuó la tendencia de los fieles de la diócesis de alcanzar la meta anual cada año desde 2015.
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casos, siempre en defensa de la comunidad hispana si así lo ameritaba. La noticia de su muerte me afectó mucho, lo sentí como si se me hubiera ido un familiar”, señaló el locutor. Por mi parte, puedo dar fe que el detective Hernández disfrutaba de su trabajo tanto como de ver un juego de fútbol americano con su equipo: Dallas Cowboys. También de su compromiso con la Iglesia Católica, especialmente con la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, a donde llevó a las autoridades policiales, acercándolas a la comunidad y brindando actividades de orientación y participación como los programas Cadete y Kids and Cops. Alguna vez, en compañía de mi esposa y amigos fuimos honrados de ser recibidos en su casa, donde disfrutamos de una parrillada preparada por él mismo. Le sobreviven su esposa Maritza Centeno Hernández; su hija, Johanna C. Hernández; sus hijos Erik y Daniel Joseph; sus hermanas Christina Tavera, Sylvia Molina, Itsy Andrew y Vicki Woodruff; sus hermanos David y José Hernández; nueve nietos y un bisnieto. Oficial Hernández, descanse en paz.
LUIS ALFREDO WOLF, 1929-2020
A los 91 años, Luis Wolf falleció el 28 de diciembre de 2020 debido a complicaciones después de contraer COVID-19. Don Luis nació en La Habana, Cuba, donde en 1960 se casó con Sara Hevia. En 1961 ambos arribaron a Estados Unidos en búsqueda de asilo político. Después de residir brevemente en Miami,
la pareja se trasladó a Raleigh, donde Luis Wolf había aceptado un trabajo como ingeniero civil. En 1968, cuando las familias hispanas residentes en Charlotte podían contarse con los dedos de la mano, la familia se mudó a la Wolf ciudad reina, donde a Luis Wolf se le había ofrecido un trabajo como ingeniero en Duke Energy. La familia Wolf tomó entonces parte activa de la naciente comunidad hispana y católica local. En 1995, Luis Wolf asumió la dirección de ‘Comuniquémonos’, el suplemento en español de nuestra publicación, Catholic News Herald. El cargo lo mantuvo hasta que en 1999 se decidió su cierre por consideraciones económicas. “Para mi Luis fue un gran ser humano, junto con su esposa Sara que le sobrevive”, dijo Cristóbal Morel, propietario del restaurante ‘Punta Cana’ en Charlotte. “Fue una de las primeras personas que tuve el honor de conocer cuando vine a este nuevo sitio hace trece años y, de verdad, me causaron mucha atención porque siempre estaban envueltos en actividades de la comunidad y la iglesia. Nos dió mucha tristeza saber de su fallecimiento. Personas como ellos son apreciadas por toda la comunidad”, añadió el empresario. Luis Wolf deja a su esposa Sara, su hija Sara Stevens, a su nieta Jennifer Isrel y sus hijas Payton y Zoey de Phoenix. También le sobrevive su hermano Jorge E. Wolf y sobrinos. Don Luis Wolf, descanse en paz.
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Reflections on ‘Fratelli Tutti’
he senior students of Bishop McGuinness High School were recently tasked with reading Pope Francis’ third encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti.” They were to summarize each of the eight chapters into two paragraphs each, discuss why it was promulgated on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, and
‘Fratelli Tutti’ Every person has the right to human dignity. There should be no exclusion or prejudice due to your culture or race. Getting rid of exclusion will lead to a stronger government and prevent corrupt public services. Hazel Healy from the “New Internationalist” wrote the “10 Steps to World Peace.” Healy’s steps are probably the closest to the pope’s ideas and suggestions: sharing wealth fairly, bringing equality between men and women, protecting political space, policy change, climate change, immigration, building an integral peace movement, looking within, control arms sales, and getting rid of exclusion are her 10 steps. The last step, looking within, relates to the change that starts with you first. Also, the media today is spreading so much hate that all those small victories are being overlooked. Healy says, “Media and others that promote ‘them-and-us’ thinking must be challenged to stop spreading hate.” It is essential to see the good and all the evil and to be that light in times of darkness. According to the Global Peace Index, “the world is less peaceful today than at any time in the last decade.” The conflicts that have arisen in past years were from unresolved situations. Some of the largest contributors to these unsolved issues were in armed conflicts that surfaced in the Middle East. Europe, on the other hand, is one of the most peaceful regions, or one should say, was one of the most peaceful regions. It has also started to deteriorate due to political tensions and worsening relationships between other countries. Immigration has also become a front runner for political issues. The pope does address that there is an immigration issue and that it does need to be resolved, but he does rebut this statement by saying that every person deserves the right to have a better life. To reach world peace, one must better themselves and those surrounding them. This idea will create a ripple effect, spreading kindness and harmony throughout communities. On a global scale, the United Nations will need to come together and collaborate to find out the best ways to end conflicts. — Olivia Martin
Significance of St. Francis of Assisi to the encyclical Pope Francis, who chose his papal name following St. Francis of Assisi, wrote this encyclical drawing heavily from the ideas of his namesake. This encyclical was promulgated in the city of Assisi, on the feast day of St. Francis, because of how much the writing was inspired by him. While obviously all the saints are very special, St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most good, most famous, and most important saints in the history of the Catholic Church. Francis was initially very wealthy, being born to a cloth merchant in the early 1180s, but after a series of events (including seeing a vision of Jesus telling him to repair His home and getting disowned by his father for daring to take money from the store to help a local chapel) he embarked on the journey to sainthood. He became a beggar and a penitent, going around helping the poor and repairing old chapels, eventually founding his own order to further spread his work. One of the most noteworthy things he did was meet with the Sultan of Egypt, al-Malik al-Kamil, in an attempt to get him to convert, right after one of the Crusades. While the Crusades are largely an unpleasant period in Church history, people like Francis kept the faith pure and true, and while he was unable to
lastly take one issue discussed by the pope and apply it to the things they see in today’s world. They relied on articles from the realms of science, law, politics, and popular culture to support their reflections.
convert the sultan, he was one of the few to try to bridge the gap towards peace. That is why this encyclical is so connected to him. He understood that people were all children of God, and he tried to treat everyone kindly, regardless of belief or status. From lepers to Muslims to prostitutes to priests, he went out of his way to help everyone he could, in whatever way he could. This encyclical asks us to be the same way. One issue that the pope focuses on is the right of religious freedom and peace among the various religions of the world. I especially think that his point regarding the nature of terrorism, and how it is not the fault of religion, but a violent misinterpretation of texts, was very well made. While historically there have been rocky relations between Catholics and non-Christian religions, events such as the Second Vatican Council have served to better things. In “Nostra Aetate,” the Church states, “In her tasks of promoting unity and love among men, indeed among nations, (the Church) considers above all what people have in common and what draws them to fellowship,” meaning that the Church respects the others and wants to ensure peace. In the encyclical, the pontiff restates this to a large extent, and while he offers specific methods and examples of respect, such as his conversation with the imam, he is in line with what the Church has thought since long before he was made pope. That being said, some religions, even certain branches of Christianity, have members guilty of misinterpreting their teachings. Things like terrorism are a result of such misinterpretations, but are not the fault of the religions themselves. “Nostra Aetate” again states, “The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men.” This basically says that the Church agrees with certain parts of any religion, not rejecting anything objectively true, though they recognize that certain truths might be interpreted differently. The interesting thing about “Nostra Aetate” is that it has specific sections for a variety of different religions, in which the Church details what it respects about some of the others, such as the Jewish people or the Muslim people. At the end of the day, even if we might differ somewhat in our beliefs, we are all children of God, and we cannot treat one person as better or worse simply because of what they believe. Another example of the issue of religious freedom comes in the 1961 case of Torcaso v. Watkins. The pope writes that people should be free to subscribe to whatever religious beliefs they choose, and that people must respect it, just as other people should respect Christians for being Christians. Regardless of religious affiliation, everyone deserves respect and to be treated with love. In Torcaso v. Watkins, a Maryland law was judged to have violated the First Amendment by forcing political candidates to declare they believed in God in order to run for any position. Whether or not voters prefer a Christian candidate is one thing, but by requiring Christianity as a prerequisite for political office is hugely disrespectful to people of other religions. A Hindu man could have been the most qualified candidate in the world for the position, but because he didn’t believe in God, he wouldn’t even have been allowed to run, until 1961 when the court did away with the law. The court judged that it was giving a preference to one specific type of people, ruling out several other demographics. The pope doesn’t particularly get into the state restricting religious freedom, but he does explain that it is the responsibility of the political systems to preserve the fundamental human right of freedom.
— Dr. Danita Ostasiewski
Another document from Vatican II is “Dignitatis Humanae,” which gives a rundown of human rights. The title itself is Latin for “Human Dignity,” and that is truly the point of having rights, to preserve our dignity and freedom. The document explains the Church’s position on the idea of religious freedom, and while there are several points being made, the basic main idea of the document is: “Religious freedom, in turn, which men demand as necessary to fulfill their duty to worship God, has to do with immunity from coercion in civil society. Therefore it leaves untouched traditional Catholic doctrine on the moral duty of men and societies toward the true religion and toward the one Church of Christ.” While religious freedom does not mean you can pick and choose what parts of your particular religion you want to believe, it does mean you have the right to believe what you do without persecution. The pope writes at length about this, as he understands that too many people believe too many different things to truly unite everyone under one banner. Instead of uniting under one religion, he attempts to get us to unite through peace and mutual respect. — Cesar Sosa
‘Fratelli Tutti’ – encyclical response No issue is more pressing and requires more international commitment than climate change – so dire is it that we cannot afford to wait even until the pandemic has subsided to press on with ever more aggressive emissions targets than those set in the Paris Agreement. Indeed, since the WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic last March, the world has been hit with “more than 100 disasters” related to climate change, says the Red Cross’s “World Disasters Report 2020: Come Heat or High Water.” Climate change is our world’s first truly global issue, but in some ways the paradigm is even worse than simply “global problem, global solution.” Those who will suffer the most are the least able to make a difference – a truth on multiple levels. On a community scale, Pope Francis reminds us in his previous encyclical, “Laudato Si,” that “many of the poor live in areas particularly affected by phenomena related to warming, and their means of subsistence are largely dependent on natural reserves and ecosystemic services such as agriculture, fishing and forestry. They have no other financial activities or resources which can enable them to adapt to climate change or to face natural disasters, and their access to social services and protection is very limited” (“Laudato Si,” 25). On an international scale, the problem becomes both much more intimidating and more applicable for the spiritual transformation Pope Francis is urging. According to UNICEF’s 2017 water report, one in four children under the age of 18 by 2040 – about 600 million kids – will live in “areas of extremely high water stress.” And yet a very small fraction of countries release an overwhelming majority of global carbon emissions while tiny island countries are fighting for their very land’s survival against ever-rising sea levels. Tuvalu may not offer the United States any economic benefits or even be known by many Americans, but our actions will soon drown their country forever, even though their culture has just as much a right to exist as ours. The time is nigh for Francis’ fraternal love – for us to be merciful, just as the Beatitudes tell us. — Joey Clampett
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catholicnewsherald.com | January 15, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
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In theaters
Pope Francis rides in a hydrogenpowered Toyota vehicle as he greets the crowd before celebrating Mass at the baseball stadium in Nagasaki, Japan, Nov. 24, 2019.
‘Greenland’
CNS | PAUL HARING
With the fragments of a huge comet on a collision course with Earth and threatening to wipe out most of humanity, an Atlantabased structural engineer (Gerard Butler), his estranged wife (Morena Baccarin) and their young son (Roger Dale Floyd) are among those selected by the federal government for evacuation to a network of underground bunkers on the island of the title. But their exodus is hampered by the swift breakdown of the social order and by other factors, leaving them to fend for themselves. The highs and lows of human nature are revealed by the crisis and screenwriter Chris Sparling keeps the proceedings grounded both in the ordeals through which the trio passes and in the spouses’ effort to reconcile. Implicitly pro-life, director Ric Roman Waugh’s engaging action drama also showcases positive values via the courageous concern Butler’s character displays toward those in peril. But the mayhem the celestial fireballs unleash is too unsettling for kids while the vocabulary of the endangered will lead most parents to conclude that this quest for survival is not a journey for teens either. Several instances each of profanity and of milder swearing, about a dozen crude terms. CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13
‘Herself’ Irish drama chronicles the struggles and aspirations of a single mother (Clare Dunne) living in Dublin. Having escaped her abusive husband (Ian Lloyd Anderson), she’s dissatisfied with life in the cramped government subsidized hotel room assigned to her and her two young daughters but the prospect of obtaining better housing seems remote. So, through the generosity of the doctor (Harriet Walter) for whom she works as a housekeeper, she sets out to construct her own modest home. Profanity, mild oaths, crude and crass language. CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: R
FAITH
Vatican City State is pesticide-free, imports green energy CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
VATICAN CITY — Reaching “zero emissions” for Vatican City State is an achievable goal and is another green initiative it has been pursuing, said the head of its department of infrastructure and services. The Vatican’s reforestation program has seen 300 trees of various species planted over the past three years, and “an important milestone” is the tiny nation “has achieved its goal of being pesticidefree,” Father Rafael Garcia de la Serrana Villalobos, told Vatican News in midDecember. He also said the electricity the Vatican imports is produced entirely from renewable sources. The walled-in area of Vatican City State covers about 109 acres, including extensive gardens, and the papal property at Castel Gandolfo extends over 135 acres, including about 17 acres of formal gardens, residences and a working farm. Father de la Serrana said their new watering system for the Vatican Gardens has saved about 60 percent of water resources. “We are promoting green economy policies, that is, circular economy policies, such as the transformation of organic waste and bio-waste into quality compost, and a waste management policy based on the concept of considering it not as waste but as a resource,” he said. The Vatican no longer sells single-use plastic products and about 65 percent of regular waste is being successfully
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CNS | PAUL HARING
Solar panels are seen on the roof of the Paul VI audience hall at the Vatican in this Dec. 1, 2010, file photo. separated for recycling, he said; the goal for 2023 is to reach 75 percent. About 99 percent of its hazardous waste is properly collected, “allowing 90 percent of waste to be sent for recovery, thus giving value to the policy of treating waste as a resource and no longer as waste,” he said. Used cooking oils are collected to produce fuel, and the Vatican is studying other ways to further recover urban waste so it can be “transformed into a resource, both thermal and electrical, as well as the transformation of hospital waste into fuel, thus avoiding its management as hazardous waste,” he said. “There will be a gradual replacement of the car fleet with electric or hybridpowered vehicles,” he said. These and other projects are part of the Vatican’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Pope Francis pledged the city state would reach this goal before 2050. Pope Francis was one of dozens of leaders contributing to the Climate
Ambition Summit, held online Dec. 12, in which they renewed or strengthened investment pledges and commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality. The pope was one of about two dozen leaders who announced a commitment for net-zero emissions, which would be achieving a balance between greenhouse gas emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions taken out of the atmosphere, for example by switching to “green” energy and sustainable agriculture, increasing energy efficiency and reforestation. Father de la Serrana told Vatican News that “climate neutrality can be achieved by Vatican City State primarily through the use of natural sinks, such as soil and forests, and by offsetting emissions produced in one area by reducing them in another. Of course, this is done by investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency or other clean technologies such as electric mobility.”
January 15, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
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On TV n Friday, Jan. 15, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Voices in the Desert.” A compelling documentary shows how St. Paul VI’s encyclical, “Humanae Vitae,” was instrumental in the development of morally and medically superior treatments for infertility. n Saturday, Jan. 16, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Maria Goretti.” A beautiful Italian film about the life of St. Maria Goretti. Despite growing up in poverty, Maria devoted herself to Christ, becoming one of the Church’s youngest martyrs. n Sunday, Jan. 17, 6 a.m. (EWTN) “Angelus with Pope Francis.” Pope Francis leads the world in the recitation of the Angelus, live from Rome. n Monday, Jan. 18, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Left to Tell.” A survivor of the Rwandan genocide, Immaculée Ilibagiza explains how she was able to forgive the people who murdered her family. n Wednesday, Jan. 20, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Napro.” A revealing documentary showcases the revolutionary work of Dr. Thomas Hilgers, who developed a new fertility-based technology replacing hormonal contraceptives with a safe, natural alternative. n Friday, Jan. 22, 5:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Saint Gianna Beretta Molla: A Modern Day Hero of Divine Love.” St. Gianna Molla was a physician, wife and mother who refused an abortion despite knowing that the pregnancy could result in her death.
CNS | ED WILKINSON, THE TABLET
New York ‘Angels Unawares’ sculpture NEW YORK — Construction workers in New York City prepare “Angels Unawares” for its departure from Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza Jan. 4, 2021. The life-size sculpture, which depicts a group of migrants and refugees crowded on a boat, is a replica of the original one Pope Francis unveiled in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican during the 2019 World Day of Migrants and Refugees. It is being displayed on the campus of Holy Spirit Preparatory School in Atlanta until Feb. 3.
n Saturday, Jan. 23, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Saint Martin de Porres.” Born out of wedlock to a mixed-race couple, St. Martin de Porres overcame prejudice and gained acceptance throughout his entire life simply by using love and humility. An EWTN original film.
Catholic Book Pick ‘A Catholic Woman’s Guide to Relationships’ by Rose Sweet Calling all Catholic women! Are some of your relationships stressing you out? Have you been deeply let down by someone you dearly love? Are you tired of recycled criticism or constant arguing? Hope is here. In this her latest in “The Catholic Woman’s Guide” series — all about relationships !— noted author Rose Sweet shares some of her “golden nuggets” that expose the roots of relationship troubles and how to finally be free of them. “The Catholic Woman’s Guide” series integrates Catholic theology (Theology of the Body and teachings on contemplative prayer) with Sweet’s unique brand of story and humor and will help you to find authentic love and freedom in all your relationships. In this third volume, “The Catholic Women’s Guide to Relationships,” Sweet takes
you through the doorway of Scripture to see how Jesus handled those troublesome people! At www.tanbooks.com: Order your copy of “A Catholic Woman’s Guide to Relationships.” Catholic News Herald readers enjoy 20 percent off their order – use the exclusive coupon code “CNH20.”
Employment Opportunities
Saint Michael Catholic School Gastonia, NC
Pre-K Teacher Assistant
Start Date: January 25, 2021 Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am – 1pm
7TH Grade Teacher
Start Date: January 4, 2021 Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am – 3:30pm
Substitute Teachers Contact: Principal Michelle Vollman at 704-865-4382 or at MDVollman@stmichaelsgastonia.org
Familiarity with classical education is preferred, but not required.
Our nation 14
catholicnewsherald.com | January 15, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Supporters of President Donald Trump gather in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Jan. 6. CNS | STEPHANIE KEITH, REUTERS
‘MAY THE PRINCE OF PEACE PUT AN END TO THIS STRIFE’
In wake of Capitol violence, religious leaders appeal for people to seek peace, turn back to God CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE AND CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The breach of the U.S. Capitol has drawn strong reactions and calls for peace from religious leaders across the country and the world. In a failed attempt to overturn President Donald Trump’s defeat in the 2020 election, pro-Trump rally attendees broke into the Capitol Jan. 6 in a protest that turned violent. Earlier that day, Trump PAGE 3: addressed a rally of Bishop Jugis: hundreds of thousands Violence in of supporters on the society shows National Mall, as members that not of Congress and Vice enough people President Mike Pence met know Jesus in a joint session to certify the presidential election results from states. Trump encouraged participants to march to the Capitol in protest. Some rally members then made their way toward the Capitol, confronting Capitol Police, sweeping past security barriers and forcing their way inside. As House and Senate members and staff took
Also inside
shelter, protesters occupied and vandalized parts of the Capitol. The building was eventually evacuated by security forces, and Congress reconvened later that night to finish certifying the election results. Five people died during the incursion or shortly afterward, including four protesters and a Capitol Police officer, and dozens more police were injured. As of press time Wednesday, more than 70 people face federal charges, and House Democrats are pursuing a historic second article of impeachment against the president. Among other fallout, social media have banned Trump and some of his supporters from their platforms.
‘TURN TO GOD’
In response, religious leaders across the country called for an end to the divisiveness and a renewed focus on sacred values. Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said, “This is not who we are as Americans. ... The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of this great nation. In this troubling moment, we must recommit ourselves to the values and principles of our democracy and come together as one nation under God. I entrust all of us to the heart of the Blessed Virgin
Mary. May she guide us in the ways of peace, and obtain for us wisdom and the grace of a true patriotism and love of country.” Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory added that the Capitol is “a place where people over the past centuries have rightly demonstrated, representing a wide variety of opinions. We should feel violated when the legacy of freedom enshrined in that building is disrespected and desecrated.” San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone said, “To the deaths from a pandemic, and destruction wreaked on people’s livelihoods, we do not need to add an attempted civil war. I called for an end to violence in the streets when it happened this summer. I call on every American of good will to denounce this violence against our nation’s capital now. May the Prince of Peace put an end to this strife, and bring healing and constructive criticism in the place of mob rule. And may God bless America.” Atlanta Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv., said, “Catholic social teaching helps us focus our efforts on building a just society. In it, we are urged to recognize, respect and nurture the inherent dignity of each and every person. Violence has no place in this work. The divisive rhetoric we have witnessed during these last few
months is corrosive and dangerous. I call on our Catholic community to commit to words and acts of peace and justice.” Bishop Frank Caggiano of Bridgeport, Conn., tweeted, “As Americans, we should be deeply disturbed to see an important symbol of freedom and liberty in our nation violated in such a way. Our nation is better than that. We must recommit ourselves to the values we hold dear as Americans: democracy, freedom, and peace.” Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, declared, “It is a sad day for our nation but God is with us. We have to turn to God and really remember that we claim to be a nation under God.” During a Jan. 10 homily, Arlington Bishop Michael Burbidge recalled Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words from the Birmingham Jail “telling us that this nation will have to repent not only for hateful words and action, but most especially for appalling silence.” He asked the congregation to examine their conscience: “Do I play any part in bringing harsh rhetoric or hateful actions to my community or workplace? Have I been silent when I should have intervened?” PROTEST, SEE PAGE 20
January 15, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
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Analysis: Pro-lifers will have to fight hidden abortion funding battles in the Senate MATT HADRO CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. — With Democrats’ takeover of the U.S. Senate last week, the political landscape for pro-lifers is now clear – they will be defending on multiple fronts against an emboldened abortion lobby. With Democrats holding 50 Senate seats plus Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ tiebreaking vote, they will have the slimmest of majorities in the Senate. While 60 votes are normally needed to pass legislation with the filibuster intact, a simple Senate majority can approve judicial nominees and pass certain budget bills. As Democrats already hold the House and White House, it is at this Senate bottleneck where pro-lifers still have the best hope of fending off pro-abortion policies. They will need Democrats to work with, and one new power broker – the moderate Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) – will be their best option. Representing a conservative state, Manchin will be a “swing” vote on controversial pieces of legislation and will face immense pressure from both Democratic and Republican leadership to vote with his caucus or break with them. Manchin is either a pro-life stalwart or an unreliable vote – depending on whom you talk to. “He doesn’t give in to pressure,” said Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats for Life of America, of Manchin. “The pro-life community needs to stand with him.” Other pro-life advocates are hesitant about Manchin’s pro-life credentials. He has supported pro-life policies such as a 20-week abortion ban, a mandate of care for babies surviving abortions, and a ban on taxpayer funding of elective abortions. He has also flip-flopped on public funding of Planned Parenthood, and opposed a 2018
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In Brief
pro-life constitutional amendment in West Virginia – which voters enacted into law. Manchin “hasn’t always been consistent,” Mallory Quigley, vice president of communications at the Susan B. Anthony List, said. He will “do whatever he can” to not be the “controversial” deciding vote in the Senate, warned Tom McClusky, president of March for Life Action. “Anybody on our side who is expecting Joe Manchin to be the 51st vote in our favor doesn’t know Joe Manchin,” McClusky said. “He will be the 52nd vote, but he’s very rarely the 51st vote.” One top priority of the abortion lobby is increasing taxpayer funding of abortion. The Hyde Amendment, which bars federal funding of elective abortions in Medicaid, has become a target of House Democrats and even President-elect Biden in recent years. They have attacked the policy as discriminatory against low-income women who are more likely to use Medicaid. It is no insignificant policy, as one pro-life group has estimated that it’s resulted in more than 2.4 million fewer abortions since it was enacted in 1976. While an outright repeal of the Hyde Amendment would trigger backlash by pro-life groups and could ultimately hurt Democrats’ chances of keeping the House in 2022, that doesn’t mean that public funding of abortion could not be increased through a number of other procedural strategies – without an outright repeal of Hyde. The next spending bill to include prolife provisions – or not – might involve COVID-19 relief. An example of this battle played out last year, when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi promoted the HEROES Act as a massive and urgently-needed stimulus package. Pro-life members voted against the bill because of various provisions that subtly FDA regulations initially required patients to receive the drug in person after signing a form acknowledging risks associated with it. Church leaders have been vocal in opposition to this drug since it was given FDA approval in 2000 and in 2016 when the FDA relaxed rules for its use, saying it could be administered with fewer visits to a doctor.
National Prayer Vigil for Life will be virtual this year
Federal court blocks Trump order on refugee resettlement
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Each year on the night before the annual March for Life, at least 10,000 people have filled the Great Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington for the National Prayer Vigil for Life, marking the 48th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 legalization of abortion. This year, due to the pandemic, the prayer vigil will be virtual, beginning with a live broadcast at 8 p.m. EST Thursday, Jan. 28. It can be viewed on EWTN or livestreams from the basilica or from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal circuit court of appeals said a Trump administration executive order that would allow state and local government officials to reject refugees in their jurisdiction violated long-standing resettlement practices. The ruling Jan. 8 from the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals upholds a preliminary injunction granted by a federal judge in Maryland a year ago who determined that the executive order could be seen as unlawful because it grants states and localities veto power that “flies in the face of clear congressional intent” established in the 1980 Refugee Act. The 28-page ruling came in a case filed by three faith-based resettlement agencies – HIAS, a Jewish organization; Church World Service; and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service – that said their work would be directly impacted and harmed by the executive order. It means resettlement agencies no longer must approach each individual government jurisdiction in which they help refugees put down roots. Overall, 42 governors and more than 100 local authorities had agreed to continue refugee resettlement. Refugee resettlement agencies welcomed the ruling.
Supreme Court: Abortion drugs must be obtained in person WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court Jan. 12 reinstated a federal requirement that women who are seeking abortion-inducing drugs must do so in person, not by mail, as a federal judge had allowed last year due to the pandemic and the high court had let stand. In its 6-3 order, the justices said women must follow previous Food and Drug Administration requirements that they had to visit a doctor’s office, hospital or clinic in person to obtain Mifeprex, the brand name for mifepristone, also called RU-486, which is used to end pregnancies during the first 10 weeks.
— Catholic News Service
increased abortion funding. These provisions included nearly $1 trillion in relief to state and local governments, $100 billion to “health care providers,” and funding of health plans that cover abortions – all without the necessary language that prohibits such funding from paying for abortions or abortion coverage. Now, pro-life members may be forced again to vote against a stimulus bill during a pandemic because it funds abortions, abortion providers and abortion coverage. “I don’t see how, with the next round of COVID relief, that the pro-life groups don’t oppose (it),” McClusky noted. And more abortion funding fights will arise later next year when Congress considers appropriations bills for various government agencies in fiscal year 2022. Manchin occupies an influential position on the Senate Appropriations Committee, which reviews and approves bills before they reach the Senate Floor. With Democrats only having a slim majority on the committee, he could thus could have a key role in ensuring that spending bills have pro-life protections intact. However, Manchin is joined on the committee by Republican moderates Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), who both have an “F” rating from the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List. Although both have previously opposed legislation to codify the Hyde Amendment – the No Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Act – they have in the past supported spending bills with Hyde provisions as part of the status quo. The “status quo,” however, is fast changing on Capitol Hill, and both senators could
accede to Democratic clamors to pass spending bills without pro-life protections. Both pro-life and pro-abortion groups will be working hard to bring Murkowski and Collins to their side of the abortion funding debate. Other pro-life rules could be permanently at risk in the new Senate Appropriations Committee. The Mexico City Policy, for instance, bars taxpayer funding of foreign NGOs that provide or promote abortions. The Trump administration’s “Protect Life Rule” curbed funding of abortion providers through the Title X program, which provides grants for family planning clinics for low-income clients. Both policies – which are enacted or repealed by presidential administrations – could be permanently repealed by Congress. Senate Democrats have sought to do exactly this in recent years by attaching amendments to must-pass spending bills. While these “poison pill” amendments ultimately failed in the Senate Appropriations Committee, Democrats will now have control of the committee, and may find two sympathetic Republicans in Murkowski and Collins. Health care legislation could also be an opportunity for new taxpayer funding of abortion coverage in public health plans. When Democrats bring up health care proposals – whether they include an expansion of the Affordable Care Act, or a “public option” – many subsidized health plans could fund abortion-on-demand. Ultimately, pro-lifers will be on the defensive in 2021 while preparing for a possible House majority in 2022. How altered the political landscape will be, however, remains to be seen.
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Our world 16
catholicnewsherald.com | January 15, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Week of prayer focuses on reconciliation among Christians JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
VATICAN CITY — The 2021 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity should help Christians see that the closer they draw to Christ, the closer they will be to one another, said materials for the week published by the Vatican. “Divisions among Christians – moving away from one another – are a scandal because it is also moving further away from God,” the material said. “Christ’s prayer for unity is an invitation to turn back to Him and so come closer to one another, rejoicing in the richness of our diversity.” The resource material for the Jan. 18-25 octave of prayer, published on the website of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, was prepared by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp, an ecumenical religious community of women based in Switzerland. “The theme that was chosen, ‘Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit,’ is based on John 15:1-17 and expresses the Grandchamp Community’s vocation to prayer, reconciliation and unity in the church and the human family,” the pontifical council said. The community’s reflections were adopted by the World Council of Church’s Faith and Order Commission and the pontifical council and are proposed to Christians worldwide for the week of prayer. According to its website, the Monastic Community of Grandchamp is comprised of 50 religious sisters who dedicate themselves “to the work of reconciliation between Christians, within the human family and with respect to all creation.” The Faith and Order Commission and the pontifical council alternate identifying communities to choose the Week of Prayer theme, draft a worship service, come up with sub-themes and Bible readings for each day of the octave and describe the ecumenical situation in their local community. Representatives of the pontifical council and the commission met in Switzerland in September 2019 to work on drafting the reflections prepared by the Grandchamp community. With input from international representatives and then approval from the World Council of Churches and the Vatican, the material was sent around the world. Jesus’ call to “abide” in His love is an “inner attitude that takes root in us over time,” the community wrote. “It demands space to grow. It can be overtaken by the struggle for the necessities of life and it is threatened by the distractions, noise, activity and the challenges of life.” Each day of the octave will reflect on a different aspect of Jesus’ words in John 15 and will be modeled after the monastic community’s life of prayer. “In this tradition, three of the monastic prayer services – sometimes called ‘vigils’ or ‘nocturns’ in the Benedictine tradition – traditionally said during the night are combined into one evening service. In the same way, our service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is shaped by three sections, called ‘vigils,’ which follow a pattern used by the community of Grandchamp,” the resource material states. The reflections drafted by the community, it said, “allowed the sisters to share the experience and wisdom of their contemplative life abiding in the love of God, and to speak about the fruit of this prayer: closer communion with one’s brothers and sisters in Christ and greater solidarity with the whole of creation.”
Go online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Find resources in English to celebrate the 2021 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
CNS | LOUISA GOULIAMAKI, POOL VIA REUTERS CNS SCREEN GRAB
Pope Francis speaks to a reporter from Italy’s Canale 5 in a screen grab from clips of the interview broadcast Jan. 9, 2020, on the channel’s sister station, TGCOM24.
A nurse prepares a coronavirus vaccine for an elderly person at a nursing home in Athens, Greece, Jan. 4.
Pope urges people to take COVID-19 vaccine CINDY WOODEN AND CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
VATICAN CITY — In a wide-ranging interview Jan. 10 with Italy’s Canale 5 television station, Pope Francis urged people to take the COVID-19 vaccine. From an ethical point of view, he said, “I think everyone must take the vaccine; it’s the ethical option because you are playing with your health, life, but you also are playing with the lives of others.” This week the Vatican began vaccinating residents and employees who have asked to be vaccinated, Pope Francis said, “and I signed up; it must be done.” According to the German Catholic news agency KNA, the 93-year-old Pope Benedict, who lives in a converted monastery in the Vatican Gardens, wanted to be vaccinated as soon as the vaccine was available in Vatican City State. The retired pope’s secretary, Archbishop Georg Ganswein, told KNA Jan. 11 that the entire household in the “Mater Ecclesiae” monastery also wanted to be vaccinated. Priority is being given to the Vatican’s health care workers, security personnel, employees who deal with the public and older residents, employees and retirees. In a statement, the Vatican’s health services department said it purchased an “ultra-low temperature refrigerator” for storing the vaccines and said it expected to receive enough doses to cover “the needs of the Holy See and Vatican City State.” The voluntary vaccination program is being held in the large atrium of the Paul VI audience hall.
The Vatican reported its first known case of infection in early March, and since then there have been another 25 reported cases – including 11 Swiss guards in October. During his television interview, Pope Francis recalled that when he was a child, polio was a real threat, “and many children were left paralyzed and people were desperate for a vaccine. When the vaccine came out, they gave it to you with a bit of sugar.” “I don’t know why some people say, ‘No, the vaccine is dangerous,’ but if physicians present it to you as something that will do good, that doesn’t carry particular dangers, why not take it?” he said. Pope Francis said he could not explain “suicidal denialism,” but “people must take the vaccine.” The pope was also asked how his daily routine changed once COVID-19 restrictions prevented public events at the Vatican. He said the coronavirus lockdown made him feel imprisoned but ultimately led him to find different ways to carry out his ministry. “First of all, I have to tell you I was caged up,” he said. “But then, I calmed myself and I took life as it came. One prays more, one talks more, one uses the telephone more, one has meetings to resolve problems.” He also said that while the pandemic has affected his life, “I am happy.” He recalled his mini-pilgrimage March 15 to pray before an ancient wooden crucifix known as the “Miraculous Crucifix,” first carried in procession by the faithful in Rome in 1522 during the great plague.
January 15, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
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In Brief In message for World Sick Day, pope calls for health care for all VATICAN CITY — Praising those who help the sick and praying for those who are sick, Pope Francis called on Christians to practice what they preach, including by guaranteeing equal access to health care for all people. “The current pandemic has exacerbated inequalities in our health care systems and exposed inefficiencies in the care of the sick,” the pope wrote in his message for the 2021 World Day of the Sick, which the Catholic Church marks Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it obvious to everyone that “elderly, weak and vulnerable people are not always granted access to care,” at least not in an equitable way, he said. “This is the result of political decisions, resource management and a greater or lesser commitment on the part of those holding positions of responsibility. Investing resources in the care and assistance of the sick is a priority linked to the fundamental principle that health is a primary common good,” Pope Francis wrote in his message, released by the Vatican Jan. 12.
Bishops say U.K. should eliminate nuclear arsenal, use money for poor MANCHESTER, England — The U.K. should “forsake” its nuclear arsenal and spend the
money it saves on helping the poorest people of society, Catholic bishops said. In a Jan. 11 statement, Scottish and English bishops said the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons offered an opportunity to build peace through dialogue rather than the threat of mutual destruction. They said that the treaty, which was signed by 122 countries in 2017 and will come into legal force Jan. 22, was a “historic milestone on the path to nuclear disarmament.” The treaty creates a legally binding instrument for the prohibition of nuclear weapons with a view to their total eradication. Britain has not signed the treaty. Other countries with nuclear arsenals – Russia, the U.S., China, France, Israel, India, North Korea and Pakistan – also have not signed. The bishops said in their joint statement that the treaty could serve to help countries “refocus on genuine peacebuilding rooted in dialogue, justice, respect for human dignity, and care for our planet.”
Pope amends Church law so women can be installed as lectors, acolytes VATICAN CITY — Recognizing “the gifts of each baptized person” – women and men – Pope Francis ordered a change to Church law and liturgical norms so that women could be formally installed as lectors and acolytes. “A consolidated practice in the Latin Church has confirmed, in fact, that such lay ministries, being based on the sacrament of baptism, can be entrusted to all the faithful who are suitable, whether male or female,” the pope wrote in his order changing Church law. The document, issued “motu proprio” (“on his own accord”), was published by the Vatican Jan. 11. It changes the wording of Canon 230, paragraph 1. In most dioceses around the world – and at the Vatican – women and girls have been lectors at Mass and have served at the altar for decades. That service was possible, not
as a formally instituted ministry, but under the terms of Canon 230, paragraph 2, which allowed for women or men to carry out the functions “by temporary designation.” In a letter published with the document, Pope Francis repeated St. John Paul II’s teaching that the Church “in no way has the faculty to confer priestly ordination on women” since Jesus chose only men as His apostles. But with “nonordained ministries it is possible, and today it seems opportune, to overcome this reservation” of allowing only men to be formally and permanently instituted as lectors and acolytes.
Pope’s doctor dies of COVID-19 complications VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’ personal doctor died Jan. 9 of complications caused by COVID-19. Fabrizio Soccorsi, 78, had been admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital Dec. 26 because of cancer, according to the Italian Catholic agency SIR, Jan. 9. However, he died because of “pulmonary complications” caused by COVID-19, the agency said, without providing further details. Soccorsi had been the pope’s personal physician since 2015. He had also served as an adviser for the Vatican’s health services department and a consultant-physician to the Vatican Congregation for Saints’ Causes.
Cardinal: Family ministry begins with listening, recognizing grace VATICAN CITY — Through baptism and the sacrament of marriage, Catholic families have a special grace and are a gift to the Church even if, too often, that grace and gift have not been recognized, said Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life. Writing in the Vatican newspaper, the cardinal welcomed Pope Francis’ announcement Dec. 27 that in March the Church would begin a special
year dedicated to the family and to deeper reflection on “Amoris Laetitia,” the pope’s 2016 apostolic exhortation on family life. During the COVID-19 pandemic with its “very serious social, health, relational and spiritual difficulties,” he said, “the family has shown itself to be the fundamental and original ‘glue’ that each of us needs and that must be taken care of with love, with solicitude and determination.” At the same time, in many places, the pandemic shined a light on “the weaknesses and the most urgent needs of families” and on situations that are “pastoral emergencies” calling for a response by the Church, he said. They include crises in marriages, violence in relationships, confusion about how to educate children at home, “a sense of loneliness, fear of entering marriage, poor understanding of the salvific meaning of the sacraments and, above all, an unperceived radical fracture between faith and practical life.”
Former doctrinal chief: False narrative of papal division ‘harmful’ VATICAN CITY — The constant comparison as well as false reports of division between Pope Francis and retired Pope Benedict XVI by both secular and Catholic media outlets threaten the dignity of the papacy and the faith of many, a former top Vatican official said. In an op-ed piece published Jan. 10 in the Italian daily La Bussola Quotidiana, Cardinal Gerhard Muller, former prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said that with the “visual image of ‘two popes’ side by side, the subtle problem of comparing the pontificates of two living people has arisen.” He also said that in today’s age of “secularized thinking and mass media, political and ideological viewpoints end up contaminating theological judgment” to the point that, for some people, “the tenets of Catholic theology are suspected of ‘conservative’ or ‘liberal’ ideology, depending on their point of view.” — Catholic News Service
Your Life’s Journey… how will you be remembered?
IȲǞƮƊɯ ةhƊȁɐƊȲɯ ׂɈǘ׀׃ب ۊ ׁׂ׀ׂ ةƊǿ ׀׀بׂ ۋȯǿ
Establish a legacy that responds to the many gifts God has given you.
RȌɩ ɈȌ ǏǏȌȲƮ !ƊɈǘȌǶǞƧ ²ƧǘȌȌǶȺي IȲǞƮƊɯ ةIƵƦȲɐƊȲɯ ׂ׆Ɉǘ׀׃ب ۊ ׁׂ׀ׂ ةƊǿ ׀׀بׂ ۋȯǿ IƊǞɈǘ mǞǏƵ Ǟȁ ɐȲ !ƊɈǘȌǶǞƧ ²ƧǘȌȌǶȺ IȲǞƮƊɯ ةwƊȲƧǘ ׁɈǘ׀׃ب ۊ ׁׂ׀ׂ ةƊǿ ׀׀بׂ ۋȯǿ àǘƊɈ ǞȺ ɈǘƵ !ƊɈǘȌǶǞƧ mǞƦƵȲƊǶ ȲɈȺ !ɐȲȲǞƧɐǶɐǿي
Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte
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For more information on how to leave a legacy for your parish, please contact Gina Rhodes, Director of Planned Giving at 704/370-3364 or gmrhodes@charlottediocese.org.
ViewPoints 18
catholicnewsherald.com | January 15, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Bishop Robert Barron
‘An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law.’ — St. Thomas Aquinas
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the religious motivation for social change
A
principal reason why the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s was so successful both morally and practically was that it was led largely by people with a strong religious sensibility. The most notable of these leaders was, of course, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. To appreciate the subtle play between King’s religious commitment and his practical work, I would draw your attention to two texts – namely, his “Letter from the Birmingham City Jail” and his “I Have a Dream” speech, both from 1963. While imprisoned in Birmingham for leading a nonviolent protest, King responded to certain of his fellow Christian ministers who had criticized him for going too fast, expecting social change to happen overnight. The Baptist minister answered his critics in a perhaps surprising manner, invoking the aid of a medieval Catholic theologian. King drew their attention to the reflections of St. Thomas Aquinas on law, specifically Thomas’ theory that positive law finds its justification in relation to the natural law, which finds its justification in relation to the eternal law. Aquinas means that what makes a practical, everyday law righteous is that it somehow gives expression to the principles of the moral law, which in turn are reflective of God’s own mind. Therefore, King concluded, unjust positive laws, such as the Jim Crow regulations that he was contesting, are not just bad laws; they are immoral and finally offensive to God.
Holy Cross Father Theodore Hesburgh (second from left) joins hands with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the Rev. Edgar Chandler and Monsignor Robert J. Hagarty of Chicago, far right, in 1964 at the Illinois Rally for Civil Rights in Chicago’s Soldier Field. King once said, “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” CNS | COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
Here is King’s own language: “One may well ask: ‘How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others?’ The answer lies in the fact that there are two types of laws: just and unjust. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws.” But then King contrasts this with obedience to an unjust law: “Conversely, one
Protecting God’s Children We proclaim Christ to the world around us by our efforts to provide a safe environment for all people, especially the young and the vulnerable. The Catholic Church is absolutely committed to the safety of children. Together we can make a Promise to Protect and a Pledge to Heal. Suspect sexual abuse or misconduct? If you have information about possible sexual abuse or misconduct by any clergy, employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Charlotte, report concerns safely, securely and anonymously 24/7 over the phone using the diocese’s new hotline, 1-888-630-5929, or online: www.RedFlagReporting.com/RCDOC Please note: If you suspect a child is in danger, please contact 9-1-1 or your local law enforcement agency. Safe Environment training Every Church worker must go through abuse prevention and education training. Find more information about the Diocese of Charlotte’s Safe Environment program, sign up for Protecting God’s Children training and more: Go to www.charlottediocese.org and click on “Safe Environment” For more information or questions, please contact the diocese’s Human Resources Office: www.charlottediocese.org/human-resources or 704-370-6299.
has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that ‘an unjust law is no law at all.’” And in clarifying the difference, he turns to Aquinas: “Now, what is the difference between the two? How does one determine whether a law is just or unjust? A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law.” This is not pious boilerplate; rather, it reveals what gave King’s movement its justification and purpose. The very same dynamic was on display six months later, when King addressed the throng who had gathered at the Lincoln Memorial for the March on Washington. He was not giving a sermon. He was making a political speech, advocating in the public place for social change. But attend to some of the language that he used: “I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; ‘and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.’” He was directly relating the social revolution he was advocating to the mystical vision of the prophet Isaiah. And listen to the magnificent conclusion of the address in which he artfully blends the lyrics of an American patriotic song to the lyrics of a song he and his family sang in church: “And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics,
will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!” Once again, on King’s reading, the political nests within the moral, which nests within the sacred. King derived from his religious heritage not only the metaphysics that informed his social activism, but also the nonviolent method that he employed. What Jesus reveals in the rhetoric of the Sermon on the Mount (“Love your enemies”; “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who maltreat you”; “If someone one strikes you on the right cheek, turn and give him the other”; etc.) and even more strikingly in His word of forgiveness from the cross is that God’s way is the way of peace, nonviolence and compassion. As a Christian, King knew in his bones that reacting to oppression with violence would only exacerbate the tensions within society. He sums up this principle in one of his best-known sermons: “Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Within the confines of this brief article, I cannot begin adequately to address the social upheaval occurring in our culture today. But I will say simply this: it is indisputably clear that there are severe moral deficits in our society that must be addressed, but the best way to do so is from within a moral and, finally, religious framework. May Dr. Martin Luther King’s model of leadership in this regard be a lodestar. BISHOP ROBERT BARRON is an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, online at www.wordonfire.org.
January 15, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
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Deacon Matthew Newsome
Making Christ known: the mission of every Christian
W
hen does Christmas end? For many in the secular world, Christmas ends on Dec. 26. But in the Church the celebration is just beginning. We have the Octave of Christmas culminating with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Then there are the Twelve Days of Christmas leading up to Epiphany. Liturgically, the last day of the Christmas season is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, after which begins Ordinary Time, although some parts of the world continue to observe Christmas right up until the Feast of the Presentation on Feb. 2. It seems fitting to me that the line between Christmas and the rest of the year is a little fuzzy, because what we celebrate on Christmas is not only the Lord’s Nativity but everything that flows from it. This deeper meaning of Christmas is summed up by the word “epiphany.” We give this name to the feast on which we celebrate the Adoration of the Magi, but the word itself means a revelation or manifestation. The ancient tradition of the Church celebrates not only the Adoration of the Magi with this name, but also the Baptism of the Lord and the Miracle at Cana. Ponder the Gospel Antiphon from Vespers on the evening of Epiphany, prayed in the Liturgy of the Hours: “Three mysteries mark this holy day: today the star leads the magi to the infant Christ; today water is changed into wine for the wedding feast; today Christ wills to be baptized by John in the river Jordan to bring us salvation.” We see these three events linked together in the cycle of readings for the Mass. On the Feast of Epiphany we hear the gospel of the magi following the light of a star to adore the infant King. On the following Sunday we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord with the gospel telling of Christ’s baptism in the Jordan by John, bringing us into Ordinary Time. And on the Sunday after that, every three years in Cycle C, we read from John’s gospel of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. Prior to the liturgical reforms after the Second Vatican Council, this gospel would have been heard every year on the Sunday after the Baptism of the Lord. These three Sundays, then, form a kind of Epiphany Triptych. What ties these seemingly unrelated events together? They are all an epiphany, or manifestation, of Emmanuel. They are all signs that God is with us in Christ. The ever-expanding revelation of God to man is the story of salvation history. God made us in His image (Gen 1:27) with a rational intellect and free will, so that we might know and love Him. But as a result of the Fall, we lost knowledge of God. This is reflected in the way Adam and Eve hid themselves from God in the garden (Gen 3:8). We distance ourselves from God by our sins. But God never ceases to seek us out
and make Himself known to us. We see God’s revelation unfolding throughout the Old Testament. He gives us the Law so that we might know His mind. He sends prophets to call us back to His friendship. But we ignore the law. We persecute the prophets. But God still doesn’t give up on us. In the fullness of time, He sends His only begotten Son into the world, born of a woman so that we might become adopted children of God (Gal 4:4). What a mystery! What love the Father must have for us! Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, is the ultimate self-revelation of God. “No one has ever seen God. The only Son… has revealed Him” (Jn 1:18). We celebrate the Incarnation with special joy at Christmas, but it began nine months earlier, at the Annunciation. The Word of God came to Mary by the message of an angel, who conceived God’s Son in her womb. This revelation was for a time a “family secret,” but it didn’t stay a secret for long. At Christ’s birth it was made known to the shepherds by an angel. It was made known to the magi by a star. It was made known at His baptism by the Father’s own voice declaring, “This is My beloved Son” (Mt 3:17). It was made known by Christ Himself when He demonstrated His authority over creation by changing water into wine. God took on human flesh so that by His death and resurrection we might be redeemed. But salvation means more than that. It means knowing and loving God; the very reason God made us in His image. “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (Jn 17:3). And so Christ did more than die on a cross. He established a Church and left her with sacraments so that He might always be Emmanuel, God-with-us. And He gave the Church the mission to make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19) – that is, to make Him known to the ends of the earth. This is why when we come together as the Church to celebrate the sacrament of Christ’s continuing presence among us, the Eucharist, we are also sent on a mission. “Go,” the deacon instructs us, “and announce the Gospel of the Lord.” Like the wise men of old, we have followed the light to Christ and now we must go into the world and be light for others. We must make Him known. The three mysteries of the Epiphany – the Adoration of the Magi, the Miracle at Cana, and the Baptism of the Lord – both end the Christmas season and begin Ordinary Time because the Lord’s Epiphany is more than a feast day. It is an ongoing reality, the mission of the Church and the task of every Christian. DEACON MATTHEW NEWSOME is the Catholic campus minister at Western Carolina University and the regional faith formation coordinator for the Smoky Mountain Vicariate.
Letter to the editor
Getting vaccinated is an act of charity As a Church we have been praying for months for deliverance from the medical, social and economic ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, through the wisdom and grace of God acting through scientists, a vaccine is becoming available to us. While this should be joyous news, some are expressing concerns and reservations about receiving it. Where does the Church stand on the COVID-19 vaccines? Recent statements from Rome and the U.S. clearly show approval, support and encouragement for vaccination. If you want good company, Pope Francis says he will get a vaccination. In a Jan. 10 interview with Italian television, the pope said he has already scheduled his vaccination. He called opposition to the vaccine “suicidal denial” and he urged vaccination for all. “It is the moral choice because it is about your life but also the lives of others.” Earlier, in his Christmas
message, Pope Francis urged “vaccines for all, especially for the most vulnerable and needy of all regions of the planet.” A December statement from the Vatican’s doctrinal office, approved by the pope, also noted “it is morally acceptable to receive COVID-19 vaccines.” U.S. bishops are also supporting vaccination against COVID-19. In a Dec. 14th statement, the chairmen of the bishop’s doctrine and pro-life committees said that not only was it morally acceptable to receive the vaccine, “being vaccinated safely against COVID-19 should be considered an act of love of our neighbor and part of our moral responsibility for the common good.” Our Church leaders support and urge vaccination “as an act of charity toward the other members of our community.” Let us follow their messages and their lead as an act of Christian charity – for ourselves, our families, our country and the world. JOHN P. LANGLOIS, MD, is a member of St. Eugene Parish in Asheville.
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catholicnewsherald.com | January 15, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
FRESH-AIR FROM PAGE 3
run. It’s relatively low cost, too,” he said. “The units themselves go for $500. When you’re talking about installing just an HVAC unit in your home, you’re talking about $8,000 to $12,000 per unit. Sometimes those have UV purification on the filter, a passive filtration, and that would be another increase. REME HALO units are half of that.” Installing and operating the units are simple. A hole is cut in the side of the ducting, the units ionize the air, and carry that out into the church (or other space). “The ionized air is what purifies everything,” Father Coleman explained. “In fiber optics, it’s what we would call ‘plug and play’.” This active filtration is one of the key features that sets these units apart. It eliminates the chance that virus particles will travel through HVAC or air purification systems because the air is already clean.
THE SCIENCE AND TESTING
In explaining how the technology works, Father Coleman gave a short chemistry lesson by saying that atoms like to release an electron or receive one, oftentimes forming new compounds. That’s what the REME HALO units encourage. “These smaller airborne pathogens or allergens that are in the air are either positively or negatively charged, then bond with these positive or negative ionized air particles – creating larger particles that can’t stay airborne, so they precipitate out,” he said. “In that bonding process, they get neutralized.” Test data, he said, shows “it actually neutralizes and kills
the airborne or surface virus through that process.” In an Oct. 26, 2020, video, Dr. James Marsden, whose doctorate is in food science and microbiology, explains his background and how RGF came to develop this technology. After working in food safety in Washington, D.C., Marsden taught food science and microbiology at Kansas State University for 21 years. He retired from that position in 2015 and went to work in food safety for three years until joining RGF as a scientific advisor. In March, the company became so focused on SARS-CoV-2 that he joined RGF full time as executive director for science and technology. They sought to determine whether an active air system would be effective in reducing the spread of the coronavirus. There were several requirements: the test chamber had to represent real-world conditions, it had to be able to use the actual virus in the testing, and tests had to study the virus on surfaces and in aerosolized form (to simulate sneezes, for instance). Innovative Bioanalysis Laboratories met all the requirements. Here’s what they found: “We started killing the virus on contact immediately. Because the chamber was so large it took a little bit of time, minutes I’m saying, to reach equilibrium in that chamber. By the time we reached equilibrium, it was hard to find any remaining virus whatsoever,” Marsden said. In this first in a series of tests, the lab results found that the virus was eliminated at a rate of 99.9 percent on surfaces and 99.5 in the air. To shore up trust in the data, Father Coleman explained independent lab accreditation: “When I was working with Corning and we needed a particular lab, we had to wait if it was undergoing accreditation.
PROTEST
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
People at the Greensboro churches have noticed the improvements, and it has been described as “indoor fresh air.” “You’re breathing clean, fresh air, so the air quality, from what people have told me and what I have noticed, has a qualitative difference. It just feels fresh, so when I breathe in, I can actually breathe deeper, like you do when you’re outside in the fresh air,” Father Coleman said. Father Mack also noted that parishioners who have allergies have reported that they cough and sneeze less after the NPBI units were installed in his church. “Outside there is naturally-occurring ionized air. Inside we have stale, stagnant air, we don’t have ionized air, so (pathogens are) able to live and persist longer indoors. That’s why (public health officials) are telling us to open up the doors and windows and breathe the fresh air,” Father Coleman said. “By installing these, you’re creating that indoors. It’s actively purifying and causing the air to be more easily filtered, too.” Despite some initial skepticism about the increased protection offered by these air purification systems, Father Coleman hopes the technology – in combination with other COVID-19 health measures – will put parishioners at ease. “My goal would be to get more people in the pews, even if we’re still wearing masks,” he said. “If they’re asking us to believe the science on other things, then we should believe it with this, too. This should give us greater confidence in our ability to come together and worship in a safe way.”
scandal of a man on a cross. Not a man with a gun,” he said. The story of Jesus “challenges me to re-imagine what power looks like when colored by love and mercy rather than entitlement and fear.”
FROM PAGE 14
‘NOTHING IS GAINED BY VIOLENCE’
Pope Francis and other religious leaders around the world also reacted with shock to the violence in America’s capital. After reciting the Angelus Jan. 10, the pope offered prayers for Americans, including the five people who died. He urged government leaders “and the entire population to maintain a high sense of responsibility in order to soothe tempers, promote national reconciliation and protect the democratic values rooted in American society.” “Violence is always self-destructive. Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost,” he said. In the face of political discord and selfinterest, we have an obligation to promote unity, peace, and the common good in society and in the Church, he said. He prayed that “Mary Immaculate, patroness of the United States of America,” would “help keep alive the culture of encounter, the culture of caring, as the way to build together the common good; and may she do so with all who live in that land.” Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane, president of the Australian bishops’ conference, tweeted: “I didn’t realize just how much the integrity of and respect for the democratic institutions of the U.S. matter to the rest of the world until this pandemonium erupted in D.C. From the other side of the world, I find myself shaken and disbelieving.” At the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Romanian Orthodox Father Ioan Sauca, interim general secretary, said, “The divisive populist politics of recent years have unleashed forces that threaten
I put a lot of stock in the data that comes out of that, just having that experience with testing labs, and the strenuous accreditation they have to go through.”
‘SPIRIT OF TRUTH’
CNS | SHANNON STAPLETON, REUTERS
Protestors break into the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6 after a rally for President Donald Trump contesting the certification of the 2020 presidential election. the foundations of democracy in the United States and – to the extent that it represents an example to other countries – in the wider world.” Anglican Bishop Nicholas Baines of Leeds, England, said Jan. 7, “The ancient wisdom of the Hebrew Scriptures dig deeply into the cry for justice, generosity, peace and the common good. The prophets weep over how easily people can be seduced by words of strength or power or security that in the end undermine that very security itself.” Bishop Baines also remarked on how many of the protesters were seen carrying signs proclaiming their faith in Jesus. In Christianity, “strength and power have been powerfully reinterpreted in the
Back in Washington, like many across the country, pastors of two Catholic churches near Capitol Hill watched in disbelief as people stormed and ransacked the Capitol. Father Gurnee leads St. Joseph’s Parish on the northeast side of Capitol Hill and Father Studniewski serves St. Peter’s Parish on the southeast side. Members of Congress and Capitol Hill staff members attend Mass at the two churches, as do Capitol Hill police officers and those who live and work in the neighborhood. In a Jan. 10 interview, Father Gurnee said that during the attack, he received texts from parishioners who worked there and were being sheltered in safety while protesters were inside the building. “When I saw people walking brazenly on the floor of the Senate, I was sickened,” he said. At Mass that Sunday, his homily emphasized the need to stay focused on what really matters: eternal salvation. When people take an earthly view over a spiritual outlook, he said, “the results are always ruinous.” He quoted the words of Russian dissident Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, who in reflecting on the aftermath of the Russian Revolution which led to the deaths of millions over the following decades, said, “Men have forgotten God; that’s why all this has happened.” The priest said he believed leaders inside and outside the government “cynically manipulated people for their own selfish reasons,” and as a result, many people who came to Washington “thought they were engaging in an historic event to secure
DOMINGUEZ VIENE DE LA PÁGINA 7
Espíritu por el que resucitaste a Jesús de entre los muertos”. El tiempo ordinario viene a tocar todos los momentos de nuestra vida. Este Tiempo Ordinario se divide como en dos “tandas”. Una primera, desde después de la Epifanía y el bautismo del Señor hasta el comienzo de la Cuaresma; y la segunda, desde después de Pentecostés hasta el Adviento. Les invito a aprovechar este Tiempo Ordinario con gran fervor, con esperanza, creciendo en las virtudes teologales. Es tiempo de gracia y salvación. Encontraremos a Dios en cada rincón de nuestro día. Basta tener ojos de fe para descubrirlo, no vivir miopes y encerrados en nuestro egoísmo y problemas. Dios va a pasar por nuestro camino. Y durante este tiempo miremos a ese Cristo apóstol, que desde temprano ora a su Padre, y después durante el día, se desvive llevando la salvación a todos, terminando el día rendido a los pies de su Padre, que le consuela y le llena de su infinito amor, de ese amor que al día siguiente nos comunicará a raudales. Si no nos entusiasmamos con el Cristo apóstol, lleno de fuerza, de amor y vigor, ¿con quién nos entusiasmaremos? Que el tiempo ordinario haga mella en nuestras vidas y que desde el principio de este tiempo escuchemos ese hermoso llamado del Señor que nos dice: conviértanse, porque el Reino de Dios ha llegado. EL PADRE JULIO DOMÍNGUEZ es director del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte.
freedom and fairness for this country.” Father Gurnee said participants at the rally “were told that they should fight, that they should enter into combat and prevent the theft of something given to them by God.” They were “incited into a mob, and they were fueled with a rage that told them they were being denied their rights,” he said. “Instead, they stole the rights of others. Five people died and countless others were trampled or injured.” He urged people to recommit themselves to a spiritual outlook on life, “one which calls us to love our enemies, to forgive those who harm us and to work respectfully and firmly to proclaim the truth, in season and out.” On Jan. 7, Father Studniewski described how he had opened his church to provide shelter and water to local residents impacted by the security lockdown in the area. As he watched on television the events unfolding nearby, Father Studniewski said it was “very disturbing, very disheartening.” Before entering the seminary, Father Studniewski was a captain in the U.S. Army. After his ordination in 1995, he served as an Army chaplain for many years and achieved the rank of colonel. The priest said he hoped the Jan. 6 events lead to “a turning point where people – red (states), blue (states), with faith or no faith, people of all stripes and backgrounds – could say, ‘Let’s make sure this doesn’t happen again. The spirit we saw yesterday can never take us forward.’” He also said he hoped the nation’s people and its leaders could be guided by a spirit like that which Jesus witnessed to, a spirit of “truth, justice, harmony, charity and peace,” to pursue change nonviolently as Rev. King did. “Any change that’s going to be lasting and meaningful,” he said, “is going to be grounded in that spirit of God.”
