Feb. 12, 2021 by Catholic News Herald

February 12, 2021

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Holy Family Parish celebrates new chapel, Catholic cemetery blessing 3

Diocese counters report: Paycheck Protection funds were lifeline 3 INDEX

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‘Astronomical need now’

During pandemic, parishes find new ways to help people who are homeless 10-11

CRS Rice Bowl Benefiting those overseas, at home suffering from hunger, poverty 8

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK Bishop’s livestreamed Mass brings 7,000 students together for the first time 16

V Encuentro ya está en proceso de implementación 13

Our faith 2

catholicnewsherald.com | February 12, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Maronite Catholics in Charlotte Pope Francis

A day that begins with prayer is a good day

rayer makes every day better, even the most difficult days, Pope Francis said. Prayer transforms a person’s day “into grace, or better, it transforms us: it appeases anger, sustains love, multiplies joy, instills the strength to forgive,” the pope said Feb. 10 during his weekly general audience. Prayer is a constant reminder that God is nearby and so, “the problems we face no longer seem to be obstacles to our happiness, but appeals from God, opportunities to encounter Him,” Pope Francis said, continuing his series of audience talks about prayer. “When you start to feel anger, dissatisfaction or something negative, stop and say, ‘Lord, where are you and where am I going?’ The Lord is there,” the pope said. “And He will give you the right word, a piece of advice for moving forward without this bitter, negative taste, because prayer is always – to use a secular word – positive. It moves you forward.” “When we are accompanied by the Lord, we feel more courageous, freer and also happier,” he said. “So, let’s pray always and for everyone, even our enemies. This is what Jesus advised us, ‘Pray for your enemies.’” By placing one in touch with God, the pope said, “prayer inclines us toward an overabundant love.” In addition to praying for one’s family and friends, Pope Francis asked people to “pray above all for people who are sad, for those who weep in solitude and despair that there still might be someone who loves them.” Prayer, he said, helps people love others, “despite their mistakes and sins. The person is always more important than his or her actions, and Jesus did not judge the world, but He saved it.” “Those people who always are judging others have an awful life; they are always condemning, judging,” he said. “It’s a sad, unhappy life. Jesus came to save us. Open your heart, forgive, excuse the others, understand them, be close to them, have compassion and tenderness, like Jesus.” At the end of the audience, Pope Francis led prayers for all who died or were injured Feb. 7 in northern India when part of a glacier broke off, setting off a major flood that smashed two hydroelectric dams that were under construction. More than 200 people were feared dead. He also expressed his best wishes to the millions of people in Asia and around the world who will celebrate Lunar New Year Feb. 12. Pope Francis said he hoped all those celebrating would enjoy a year of “fraternity and solidarity.”

CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte is home to a small Maronite Catholic community – St. Stephen Maronite Catholic Mission – that offers weekly liturgies in English and Aramaic at St. Matthew Church in south Charlotte. St. Stephen’s parishioners, some 40 families, are meeting at St. Matthew’s main church ever since last October, when because of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions they were Wakim unable to use their regular meeting place at St. Matthew’s Waxhaw location. Father Rodolph Wakim has served as the mission’s pastor since last October, after moving down from Pittsburgh, where he served for 13 years as pastor of Our Lady of Victory Maronite Catholic Church. He has a devotion to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and says he is grateful to Bishop Peter Jugis for providing him with a home featuring a small chapel in a converted garage. He offers daily Mass from the chapel,

sharing the liturgy on Facebook for his flock. “On Thursday, after daily Mass, I have Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel, which is a blessing,” Father Wakim says. He travels from his home near St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte to St. Matthew’s main church on Saturday evenings to offer Mass at 7 p.m. All Catholics of any rite are welcome to attend the Mass, which is said in English and Aramaic. The Charlotte mission is part of the Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn, N.Y., which encompasses 16 states including North Carolina. — SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

Learn more

Who are the Maronite Catholics? The Maronite Catholic Church, one of 23 rites in the universal Church, was founded by disciples of St. Maron, an ascetic hermit who lived between the fourth and the fifth centuries A.D. near Antioch. It was in Antioch that the followers of Jesus were first called “Christians” (Acts 11:26). St. Peter fled to Antioch when a persecution broke out in Jerusalem, and according to tradition, St. Peter founded the Church at Antioch and became its first St. Maron bishop. St. Maron was a contemporary and friend of St. John Chrysostom, a Father and Doctor of the Church. Leaving Antioch to live as a hermit, he attracted many followers because of his holiness. After he died in 410 A.D., his disciples built a monastery in his memory, and his feast day is celebrated on Feb. 9. Maronites soon came under threat from the

At www.ststephenclt.org: Learn more about St. Stephen Maronite Catholic Mission of Charlotte At www.facebook.com/StStephenNc: Follow the mission on Facebook to watch daily Mass and keep up with parish news Questions? Contact Father Wakim at 704-412-1016 or email saintstephenmaronitechurch@gmail.com

FILE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Hundreds of people turned out to venerate a relic of St. Sharbel, a 19th century Lebanese monk, at St. Stephen Maronite Mission in 2016. Along with St. Maron, St. Sharbel is one of the most celebrated saints in the Maronite Church.

rise of Islam and the power of the Byzantine Empire throughout the region now known as Lebanon and Syria. Amid the political, social and religious chaos, the Maronites elected their first patriarch, St. John Maron, in 687 A.D., setting themselves up as a distinct rite within the Church that recognized the authority of the pope. When Muslim invaders stormed through, they fled to safety in the mountains of Lebanon. There they remained – at first living and worshiping in caves and grottos and later in small churches and monasteries – cut off from the rest of the Christian world for about 400 years. During the Crusades, Christians from the West reconnected with the Maronites. Rome, previously unaware that the Maronites still existed, reached out to help them, and in turn the Maronites provided aid to the crusaders. After the Ottoman Empire rose from the remnants of the Byzantine Empire in the mid1400s, its Muslim rulers set up an alliance with the Maronites to govern together in Lebanon – forming the basis of the modern Lebanese republic, in which Christians and Muslims share the top positions in government. Maronite Catholics profess the same apostolic faith and celebrate the same

sacraments as Roman Catholics, but retain a distinct liturgy, hierarchy and code of canon law. In the Maronite Church, the celebration of the Eucharist is also called Qurbono (Syriac), Quddas (Arabic) and Divine Liturgy. The liturgical language is Syriac, a dialect of Aramaic – the language of Jesus. Aramaic is still used in the Divine Liturgy, notably during the Consecration. Many of the prayers are also derived from the Liturgy of St. James and the writings of ancient Eastern Fathers, especially St. Ephrem, a Doctor of the Church. The Maronite Catholic Church is led worldwide by Patriarch Bechara Boutros alRahi. The See is in Bkerke, Lebanon. The Maronite population is estimated at more than 3.5 million, including more than 1 million in Lebanon and more than 79,000 in the United States. — Sources: Wikipedia, www.stmaron.org, www. bkerki.org

The Eucharistic Prayer in Aramaic On YouTube: Listen to the Consecration chanted in ancient Aramaic during a Maronite Catholic Mass, at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=1mn6Ltcv978

Daily Scripture readings FEB. 14-20

Sunday: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46, 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1, Mark 1:40-45; Monday: Genesis 4:1-15, 25, Mark 8:11-13; Tuesday: Genesis 6:5-8, 7:1-5, 10, Mark 8:14-21; Wednesday (Ash Wednesday): Joel 2:12-18, 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18; Thursday: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Luke 9:2225; Friday: Isaiah 58:1-9a, Matthew 9:14-15; Saturday: Isaiah 58:9b-14, Luke 5:27-32

FEB. 21-27

Sunday (First Sunday of Lent): Genesis 9:8-15, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:12-15; Monday (The Chair of St. Peter): 1 Peter 5:1-4, Matthew 16:13-19; Tuesday (St. Polycarp): Isaiah 55:10-11, Matthew 6:7-15; Wednesday: Jonah 3:1-10, Luke 11:29-32; Thursday: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25, Matthew 7:7-12; Friday: Ezekiel 18:21-28, Matthew 5:20-26; Saturday: Deuteronomy 26:16-19, Matthew 5:43-48

FEB. 28-MARCH 6

Sunday (Second Sunday of Lent): Genesis 22:1-2, 9a-13, 15-18, Romans 8:31b-34, Mark 9:2-10; Monday: Daniel 9:4b-10, Luke 6:3638; Tuesday: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20, Matthew 23:1-12; Wednesday (St. Katharine Drexel): Jeremiah 18:18-20, Matthew 20:17-28; Thursday (St. Casimir): Jeremiah 17:510, Luke 16:19-31; Friday: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a, Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46; Saturday: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Our parishes

February 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Funds helped Church remain ‘beacon of hope’ in dark period Diocese counters report: Paycheck Protection funds were lifeline PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR

More online

Harrison assisted. At the conclusion of Mass, Bishop Peter Jugis performed the official Rite of Installation of a Pastor for Father Stuhrenberg, who was assigned as pastor of the parish last July following Father Buttner’s retirement. Deacon Harrison served as project leader for the Curlin Center renovation. He noted, “The new chapel will be a great addition for our parish. It will provide a quiet and more intimate space for prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, small funerals and weddings, weekday Masses and more.”

CHARLOTTE — Dioceses across the country, including the Diocese of Charlotte, are refuting an Associated Press report they say erroneously asserts that dioceses had millions of dollars “available” when the pandemic hit and did not need help from the federal Paycheck Protection Program. Created by Congress last spring to keep people employed during the pandemic, the Paycheck Protection Program offered forgivable loans to businesses, nonprofits and churches with fewer than 500 employees that needed help covering the cost of salaries as the economy shut down. The Diocese of Charlotte is comprised of more than 100 separate Catholic entities – all separate employers with separate finances and administrations – including parishes, schools and other ministries across western North Carolina. About half of those entities qualified, applied and were approved for Paycheck Protection loans in 2020 – which helped keep more than 1,000 workers, teachers and counselors fully employed and insured after the lockdown last March. Overall, 56 entities across the diocese received Paycheck Protection funding totaling about $8 million, which had to be spent on payroll, mortgage or rent, and utility costs. Loan amounts were prescribed by the Paycheck Protection Program, overseen by the Small Business Administration. On average, parishes received $72,180, and several ultimately were able to return some of the funding as parishioners and donors responded to help the Church weather the downturn. “When the pandemic hit and churches were forced to close, offertory and other income fell dramatically, as it did for businesses and organizations nationwide,” said William G. Weldon, the diocese’s chief financial officer. “Without this assistance, our parishes, schools and ministries would have had to consider layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts – the very impacts the Paycheck Protection Program was designed to help employers avoid.” Instead, the various Church entities found new ways to provide comfort throughout the pandemic – through livestreamed, outdoor and other safe religious services, and essential programs such as in-person education, emergency food and utility assistance, mental health counseling and spiritual guidance, and the provision of

CHAPEL, SEE PAGE 24

HOPE, SEE PAGE 9

PHOTOS BY SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos from the dedication of Holy Family Parish’s new chapel and Catholic section of Westlawn Gardens of Memory in Clemmons

(Above) Bishop Peter Jugis delivers the homily at a dedication Mass Jan. 27 in the new Holy Family Chapel. (Below) Bishop Jugis was assisted at the altar by Deacon John Harrison. After Mass, Bishop Peter Jugis blessed a section of the columbarium and gravesites at Westlawn Garden of Memory cemetery nearby.

Marvelously transformed Holy Family Parish celebrates new chapel, Catholic cemetery blessing SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CLEMMONS — Parishioners at Holy Family Church celebrated a long-awaited milestone Jan. 27, with the blessing of their new chapel and cemetery. Bishop Peter Jugis led the ceremonies at the parish to open the 130-seat chapel and bless a new Catholic burial section and columbarium at Westlawn Gardens of Memory cemetery in Clemmons. The new 2,040-square-foot chapel is what parishioners consider the “crowning jewel” in a series of improvements at the parish’s Bishop William G. Curlin Center, adjacent to the main church. During the Mass, Bishop Jugis blessed the chapel, its sanctuary and new altar with holy water and consecrated the altar with sacred chrism. He then lit incense in a bowl placed upon the altar during the sacred rite of consecration. Two parishioners then prepared the altar with white linen cloths for the celebration of the Mass. In his homily, Bishop Jugis commended parishioners’ efforts and remarked how the space had been “marvelously transformed into a thing of beauty to give honor and glory to Almighty God, so as to worship God in this holy space.” He noted that the newly consecrated altar exists to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, just as Jesus Christ commanded to be perpetuated as a living memorial

until He comes again. “A sacrifice needs an altar,” he explained. “When we come to Mass, we are offering the sacrifice of Christ for the salvation of the world – and for our own salvation, and for the intentions that we bring to Mass.” At the conclusion of Holy Communion, the Blessed Sacrament was placed in the chapel’s original tabernacle and the adjacent sanctuary lamp was lit – signifying that Christ was now present. Concelebrating at the Mass were Father James Stuhrenberg, pastor; Father Peter Nouck, parochial vicar; and former pastor Father Michael Buttner. Deacon John

Online Masses 4

catholicnewsherald.com | February 12, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

February 12, 2021

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

VOLUME 30 • NUMBER 10

LIVESTREAMED MASSES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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. LUKE CHURCH, MINT HILL: 11 a.m. Monday and Thursday, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. Friday, 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday in English; 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday Spanish

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

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. 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

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. 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 a.m., 10 a.m. and Noon Sunday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Spanish 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

February 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com

The flame of Christian witness

SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

ANNIE FERGUSON CORRESPONDENT

THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE

A pivotal moment in salvation history found in Luke 2:22-38, the events of this liturgical feast day are rich in meaning. The Holy Family travels to Jerusalem to present Jesus in the temple, according to the Law of the Lord. It’s here where the holy and aged Simeon takes the infant Jesus in his arms and proclaims Christ to the world as the Savior of all people, a turning point for a fallen humanity. This brief passage is loaded with salvific elements: haunting prophecy, heroic virtue, piercing sorrow and ineffable joy. Neither Christ nor Mary needed the dedication or purification rite, as Christ is fully God and Mary is perpetually pure, conceived without sin. However, they fulfilled the Law of the Lord out of obedience – an act of love and an example to follow. As the fulfillment of the Holy Spirit’s promise to Simeon that he would not die until he met God’s anointed one, this event brought peace to the devout man’s soul. The Spirit inspires Simeon to go into the temple when the Holy Family arrived with their offering of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” (Luke 2:24). Upon seeing Jesus, he takes the Child into his arms and sings a hymn of praise, the Song of Simeon known as the Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:29-32). At Holy Cross, the visiting Latin Schola Choir chanted this during the Blessing of the Candles. Mary and Joseph marveled as Simeon blessed them and, in his song, praised God and announced who Jesus is and what He came to do. Simeon said the Lord had prepared Jesus to be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to thy people Israel” (Luke 2:32), but he also proclaimed that the Christ would be a sign of contradiction, revealing the hearts of many, and that a sword of sorrow would pierce Mary’s soul (Luke 2:34-35). This prophecy is the first of the Seven

Diocese sees record year-end giving

Triad faithful celebrate Candlemas in Kernersville KERNERSVILLE — Hundreds gathered for a candlelight procession and Mass at Holy Cross Parish Feb. 2. The feast was Candlemas – the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple and the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commemorated 40 days after the birth of Jesus. “We follow in the footsteps of the Holy Family, so we imitate, as the early Church did, the living out of the family life,” said the pastor of Holy Cross, Father Noah Carter, who also noted that in many cultures parents still present their children 40 days after birth and the new mother comes for a thanksgiving blessing in a custom known as the “Churching of Women.” “It’s important to unite ourselves around what it means to hand on a living faith,” he said, “not just come on Sunday and hear a homily, but to these special celebrations that allow us to reenact and make present the same graces that were available to Christ in the temple, Mary during her blessing and purification, and St. Joseph who was there to witness. We have access to the same graces.”

OUR PARISHESI

PHOTOS BY ANNIE FERGUSON

A Mass in the Extraordinary Form was offered Feb. 2 for the Feast of the Presentation, also known as Candlemas, at Holy Cross Parish in Kernersville. Sorrows of Mary, the “mater dolorosa” or “Sorrowful Mother.” The prophetess Anna also worshiped and praised God at that time with fasting a prayer and “spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). “What we see in the temple in the Presentation of Our Lord is that the time was fulfilled,” Father Carter said. “It was the perfect time for Our Lord to come for His mission: the whole world being at peace, as they say at Christmastime during the Christmas proclamation.”

CANDLEMAS AT HOLY CROSS

Faithful from the parish and throughout the area arrived at Holy Cross to celebrate this special feast. Assisting Father Carter at the blessing, procession and Mass were Deacon Mark Mejias, who serves at Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro; Father Britt Taylor, parochial vicar of St. Leo the Great Parish in Winston-Salem; nine altar servers; and Our Lady of Grace’s Latin Schola Choir directed by Andrew O’Connor. The congregation processed with candles through the church and briefly outside in the brisk winter air. “With the Christ being proclaimed by Simeon, it’s a reminder to proclaim Christ to the world, so that’s why we go outside of the church with lighted candles to show that we carry that light of Christ into the world. And everyone loves processions,” Father Carter said with a smile. “It’s one of the cool things about Catholicism.” Prior to the procession, attendees brought candles to be blessed and remained for Mass in the Extraordinary Form. Deacon Mejias delivered the homily in English and Spanish, sharing some history of the feast. He said that the first historical description of this celebration is given in the diary of Aetheria around 390 A.D. In it, she says that the services in Jerusalem began with a solemn morning procession, a sermon on the Gospel text of the day, and finally Mass was offered. At that time, the feast was observed Feb. 14 because the birth of Christ was celebrated Jan. 6, the Feast of the Epiphany. Then it was simply

called “the 40th day after Epiphany.” Deacon Mejias asked, “Have you ever waited so long and so hard for something that you almost missed it when it finally arrived?” He went on to explain that it was with great joy that Simeon took the infant Jesus into his arms, knowing Him to be the one for whom he had been waiting so faithfully. “It is, I think, a mark of true wisdom and discipline to not allow either your fantasies or your boredom to distract you from what God is actually doing,” Deacon Mejias said in his homily. “I wonder how many of God’s promises we don’t see fulfilled simply because we aren’t paying attention or because we don’t have eyes and hearts like Simeon’s, prepared to see God at work in unexpected places. Or maybe we don’t see it because we are more comfortable in the waiting than in uncertainty of what comes after.” In comments after Mass, Father Carter said, “Each of us has to recognize that Christ, by calling us, is calling us to whatever location we’re in. He’s made it the acceptable time for each of us to reflect the mission of Christ, to reflect the virtues and model of holiness, especially in a world that, more than ever, is in darkness, especially in our own country with what we see in the culture and in politics and in policy. All of that it is completely opposed to the worship of God and the values of a Christian society. I would even say a decent society – so now, more than ever, we have to boldly take up the same light we received at our baptism in order to live the Gospel message in our daily life.” Father Carter also stressed the importance of celebrating liturgical feasts like Candlemas, which has grown in popularity in recent years. “There’s a greater emphasis on the celebration of the liturgy. That is our heritage, something we all share,” he said. “Even tonight, to have over 400 people and to have Spanish speakers and English speakers, you can see a shared heritage, where maybe they don’t share the same cuisine, maybe they don’t share the same language, but we all share the same faith.”

CHARLOTTE — Generosity marked the end of 2020 in the Diocese of Charlotte, with parishioners making a difference in a variety of ways – from large donations to regular offertory contributions. Diocesan development staff report receiving a record number of 12 sixfigure gifts at the end of the year to benefit several parishes, St. Joseph College Seminary, Catholic Charities and Christ the King High School. Of the 12 year-end gifts that were made to entities in the diocese: n A gift in the amount of $101,000 was given to St. Ann Church for purposes to be determined by the parish. n Three endowments to the foundation were established in the amounts of $100,000, $130,000 and $128,000 – to benefit Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville, St. Benedict Church in Greensboro, and St. John Baptist de la Salle Church in North Wilkesboro, respectively. n Four major gifts were made to the St. Joseph College Seminary capital campaign: three gifts in the amount of $100,000, and one in the amount of $125,000. The capital campaign now stands at $18.4 million, just $1.6 million shy of its goal. n Two gifts of $100,000 and $210,000 were made to Christ the King High School in Huntersville for its ongoing capital campaign n Two gifts of $100,000 each were made to Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, to be used to strengthen families, build communities and reduce poverty particularly at this time when the needs are so great. “We are finding that more and more people who have the means are giving six-figure gifts,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development. “These individuals and couples have a strong commitment to the Church. They want to have an impact and they know their gifts are changing lives every day.” In addition, unrestricted and restricted gifts overall to Catholic Charities were up 60 percent from July 2020 to December 2020 compared to the previous year. And despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there is more good news. Parish offertories for the fourth quarter of 2020 were on average 89 percent of what they were at the same time last year, diocesan finance officials report. However, smaller and more rural parishes continue to be hit hard by the economic decline caused by the pandemic. At year end, almost onethird of the diocese’s 92 parishes and missions reported their fourth-quarter offertory income remained down 30 percent or more. “While we are grateful that our parishioners have continued their giving at an 89 percent level of where we were pre-COVID,” Kelley noted, “we encourage those who are not currently giving to resume their giving to their parish and consider online giving.”

catholicnewsherald.com | February 12, 2021 OUR PARISHES

‘A gentle giant’

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

Devoted Knight of Columbus leaves lasting legacy

In Brief Catholic Men’s Conference scheduled for March 20 CHARLOTTE — Men of the Diocese of Charlotte are invited to attend the 11th annual Catholic Men’s Conference coming up Saturday, March 20, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte. The one-day conference, which will also be streamed live online this year, will include Mass with Bishop Peter Jugis, as well as talks by dynamic speakers and time for prayer and fellowship. Men’s conference speakers include: Bear Woznick, surf champion and author; Dr. William Thierfelder, Olympian athlete and president of Belmont Abbey College; and John Eades, author and motivational speaker. Dr. John Aquaviva, author and professor at Winthrop University, will serve as master of ceremonies. Conference registration costs $40 for general admission, $35 for seniors and students, and $25 to attend online. For more information and to register, go online to www.catholicmenofthecarolinas.org. Questions? Contact Jason Murphy at 704-8903907.

SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE PONTIFICAL NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE

Charlotte seminarians instituted to ministry of lector ROME — Diocese of Charlotte seminarians Christian Goduti and Matthew Harrison II were among 32 men at the Pontifical North American College receiving the ministry of lector during a Jan. 17 Mass celebrated by Cardinal George Pell, prefect emeritus of the Secretariat for the Economy. In his homily, Cardinal Pell exhorted the men to study the Scriptures. “Every lector, especially those destined to be priests, must know the Scriptures,” he said. In a special way, the New Testament carries “the words and deeds of God Himself, of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Gospels.” He reminded them that each of us “stands under the Word of God.” “None of us is master of the Word of God,” he said, noting that “some scriptural teachings are controversial,” but “we need to tackle these problems from within the living Tradition of the whole Church, recognizing the comprehensive unity of the Scriptures.”

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

Belmont Abbey, Gaston colleges sign agreement on admissions BELMONT — Belmont Abbey College and Gaston College are joining forces to help local students achieve their goal of a bachelor’s degree. On Feb. 9, the presidents of both colleges signed a joint memorandum of understanding so that Gaston College graduates can have direct-entry admission to Belmont Abbey College to pursue their bachelor’s degree. Named “Belmont Abbey College Connect,” the new agreement provides qualified students an easier pathway to their next degree. For details about the program, go online to www.belmontabbeycollege.edu/connect. — Rolando Rivas

Teens organize candlelight procession at St. Mark Parish HUNTERSVILLE — St. Mark Parish’s Life Teen High School Ministry arranged a Candlelight Rosary and Procession for Life Jan. 29 in lieu of its annual trip to Washington, D.C., for the National March for Life. Father Alfonso Gámez, parochial vicar, guided the evening prayer with a special Sorrowful Mystery reflection written specifically to reflect the love and dignity of human life and the tragedy of abortion. Each decade was then led by different teens from Life Teen. More than 150 people came out on the cold night to pray for the conversion of leaders and individuals who partake in the culture of abortion and pray that peace would come to our nation. After the rosary, teens led a candlelight procession around the church property and along Stumptown Road. The evening ended with Father Gámez telling participants, “We encourage you to continue to fast, to pray, to do almsgiving, to worship our Lord and allow your love to bear witness to the dignity of the human person at all stages of life. We particularly ask you to defend and pray for the silent unborn and to pray for the mothers who are in such a situation.“ — Amy Burger

Father Kessinger passes away peacefully BELMONT — Benedictine Father David Kessinger, the senior professed monk of Belmont Abbey, died peacefully in the Lord Feb. 7, 2021, strengthened by the sacraments. A private Funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 10, 2021, the Feast of St. Scholastica, at Mary Help of Christians Kessinger Basilica. Robert Kessinger was born Aug. 5, 1932, in Clifton Forge, Va., the son of Samuel K. and Ethel Shughrue Kessinger. He first came to Belmont Abbey in the fall semester 1949 as a student in the junior college. He subsequently earned a Bachelor of Science in history and economics at Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Md., and later pursued graduate studies in library science at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Upon entering Belmont Abbey, he was given the name David and was sent for his novitiate formation to St. Bernard Abbey, where he made his first profession of vows on July 2, 1954. Following seminary studies at Belmont Abbey, he was ordained a priest on May 31, 1958. Father David initially taught geometry in the prep school at Belmont Abbey. He also served as librarian for the college for 13 years, and he filled various offices in the monastic community. Father David was a diligent and faithful priest who had a special compassion and dedication to ministry to the sick and homebound, and a kindness which made him a much sought-after

confessor. He loved his service as chaplain at Sacred Heart Convent, and his affection was generously returned by the Sisters of Mercy. Through declining health in recent years, he remained faithful to community prayer and life in the monastery. He was a gentle soul and the kindest of men. He himself never grew weary of offering assistance to others, and always willingly accepted any and all tasks he was asked to undertake. From his mother, a piano teacher, Father David received a love for classical music. He had an extensive knowledge of composers and their works and loved to listen to music, especially in live performances. He had a quick wit, made all the more effective by his own quiet and self-effacing personality. He could produce an endless supply of jokes with puns as a specialty. His training as a librarian made him an indefatigable researcher; an avocation which reached new heights with the advent of the photocopy machine and the internet. He shared a continual stream of articles, jokes, pictures and other materials with his confreres and friends, archiving copies of everything in his room over the years. He was devoted to his confreres, Abbot Walter Coggin and Father Kieran Neilson, with whom he made several pilgrimages to the Blessed Mother’s Shrine at Fatima. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his older sisters, Phyllis Kessinger and Sister Dolores Kessinger, C.S.C. He is survived by the monks of Belmont Abbey. McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont was in charge of the arrangements. — Belmont Abbey College

SWANNANOA — Richard J. Isele, a retiree who moved to Black Mountain from Florida in 2016, joined St. Margaret Mary Parish in Swannanoa and immediately made his generous presence known. Richard, better known as “Dick,” joined several ministries and, as a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, he became active in the Knights council at the parish. Isele was drawn to pastoral care ministries and often visited the sick at home and in nursing homes. Although he was in the parish for less than three years, Isele Isele’s service is a beautiful example of generosity of spirit and stewardship both in life and in death, people recall. He died in November 2018. Knowing his illness was terminal, prior to his passing, Isele contacted the parish to share his plans to remember St. Margaret Mary Parish in his final wishes. Once his request arrived at the parish, the pastor and parish finance council established the Richard J. Isele Endowment Fund to benefit St. Margaret Mary Church through the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation. Half of the original $30,000 estate gift was used to establish the endowment and the other half to support the general needs of the parish. An additional $76,900 gift from Isele’s estate was shared equally between the Richard J. Isele Endowment Fund and St. Margaret Mary Parish this past January. Grand Knight Jessie Boeckermann, a member of St. Margaret Mary Parish, considered Isele a friend and mentor. “We were blessed with Dick’s presence at St. Margaret Mary’s and the Knights of Columbus Council 13016,” Boeckermann said. “Dick was a gentle giant, a man with an amazing voice, calming presence and positive spirit. He added significance, value and warmth into most of the rooms and conversations he entered. He spoke with clarity, calm and wisdom. He was always caring and attentive to the needs of those around him. He also had a great sense of humor, laugh and smile.” Boeckermann recalled Isele was always giving of his time, experience and knowledge. “He died at 78, and I wish he could have stayed around for many more years. He was a strong Catholic who cared deeply about the Church and the work of helping people in need,” Boeckermann said. “More and more parishioners are remembering our churches in their estate plans even if they have not lived in this diocese for very long,” noted Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development. “Richard felt so connected to St. Margaret Mary’s that he left his estate gift to them even though he had lived in this diocese only since 2016.” — Claudia Graham contributed

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

February 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

Arden deacon passes away at 84 HENDERSONVILLE — Deacon Rudolph “Rudy” Joseph Triana passed away Jan. 23, 2021, at his home. He was 84. A Funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, at St. Barnabas Church in Arden. He was born Sept. 11, 1936, in Miami, Fla., to the late Carlos M. Triana and Celia Ruiz Triana. He was married for 57 years to his “best friend” and love of his life, Mary Bornoty Triana Triana, who passed away in May 2018. He was grateful for his wonderful life, family and church. In 1976, Deacon Triana and his wife Mary moved from Miami to Maggie Valley to raise their three sons in a slower-paced, family-friendly environment. There Deacon Triana began a career in real estate and construction, and he served many years as a high school football referee. Deacon Triana always wanted to serve God. He started as an altar server in the third grade and, after moving to Maggie Valley, he served at Holy Mass at St. Margaret of Scotland Church assisting Father Michael Murphy. In January 1980, when Bishop Michael J. Begley announced the formation of a permanent diaconate program, Father Murphy went to him – the humble altar server – and told him he should apply. Three years later, on May 29, 1983,

PHOTOS BY AMY BURGER

Celebrating the feast of St. Blaise with throat blessings HUNTERSVILLE — Like other churches across the Diocese of Charlotte, St. Mark Church continued the tradition of giving throat blessings on the feast of St. Blaise, Feb. 3. Father John Putnam, pastor, and Deacon Tom McGahey blessed people’s throats after Mass. During his homily Father Putnam said, “Throughout the history of the Church, from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry all the way up to the present, there have been those who see the power of God, those who see how He works in the world and how He works in the lives of others. Nevertheless, there are still those who oppose the message, those who fail to open their hearts to His grace. We are reminded of the importance of always really asking ourselves, ‘How open I am to the work of God’s grace in my life?’ And so, on the Feast of St. Blaise as we ask for his intercession to keep us free from illness, I think that we also ask for the strength and the fortitude to follow his example. That we stand up for Christ and to be prepared to suffer for His name if that is what we end up being asked to do.” St. Blaise was a physician and bishop who was martyred by being beaten, attacked with iron combs, and beheaded. Little is known about him prior to his mention in a court physician’s medical journal. The physician, Aëtius Amidenus, spoke of St. Blaise’s aid in treating objects caught in the throat.

Deacon Triana was one of 19 men ordained in the first class of permanent deacons for the Diocese of Charlotte. He began his diaconate ministry at his home parish in Maggie Valley, where he served for 13 years. Later he served at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Candler and for a short time at Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville. In 2009 he began serving at St. Barnabas Parish. Deacon Triana served his community and parish by performing baptisms, witnessing weddings, visiting the sick and elderly and working closely with the Spanish community. His wife Mary was an important part of his life and his ministry. He once said, “There is no better life for me than to be a deacon. My wife Mary supports me in everything, even coming to three Masses on Sunday if I am serving three Masses. We are always together in ministry.” Deacon Triana will be greatly missed at St. Barnabas and within the Church of western North Carolina that he so greatly loved. He is survived by his children: Dr. Rudy J. Triana Jr. (Victoria), Michael J. Triana (Shawna), and Andrew J. Triana (Alisha); grandchildren: Enrique, Antonio and Anabella; his brothers, Henry Triana (Juanita) and Gilbert Triana (Sylvia) and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Flowers and memorials may be sent to St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden, N.C. 28704. Groce Funeral Home of Asheville was in charge of the arrangements. — Catholic News Herald

Your Life’s Journey… how will you be remembered? Establish a legacy that responds to the many gifts God has given you.

St. Gabriel Church launches mental health podcast CHARLOTTE — St. Gabriel Church has started a podcast aimed at improving mental health during these trying times. The podcast, “Helping You Cope: Anxiety in Times of Uncertainty,” features conversations with Christine Simpson, a parishioner and therapist in private practice, and Father Mike Mitchell, parochial vicar, facilitated by Darby McClatchy, the parish’s communications director. The parish’s Mental Health and Wellness Ministry is offering the podcast series on anxiety. The episodes, each 15 minutes long, explore how anxiety manifests itself. They also offer ways to cope with stress and discuss how our faith can help relieve anxiety. The first two episodes of the podcast are available at www.stgabrielchurch.org/podcast-anxiety. Additional posts are scheduled for Feb. 16 and 23. — Catholic News Herald

Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte

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

catholicnewsherald.com | February 12, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Benefiting those overseas, at home suffering from hunger, poverty As the world continues to grapple with the effects of COVID-19, including an increased number of those going hungry, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is asking Catholics to remember Matthew 25:40 as CRS Rice Bowl begins. As the gospel tells us, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” This verse calls on Catholics to reach out and help those most in need. “During the Lenten season so many Catholics around the world choose to make a sacrifice,” said Beth Martin, CRS’ director of campaign action and content. “Using CRS’ Rice Bowl materials, Catholics here in the United States have the ability to turn that sacrifice into a gift. By giving something up, like that daily cup of coffee, and putting that money into the Rice Bowl donation box, Catholics can go a step above and beyond and look out for the least of our sisters and brothers.”

CRS Rice Bowl, the Lenten program that began in 1975, will begin on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17. Each year, families from more than 14,000 communities across the country use nearly 4 million rice bowls for almsgiving, which they turn in at the end of Lent. These donations make a difference overseas and here in the United States, with 75 percent going to CRS programming in targeted countries and the remaining 25 percent staying in the Diocese of Charlotte. AS COVID-19 increases unemployment and hunger worldwide, those donations are lifesaving for communities overseas and here at home. In response to the increase of world hunger caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, CRS is working with partners to provide emergency food rations in more than 30 countries as well promoting COVID-19 prevention and awareness. “The donations from CRS Rice Bowl allow families everywhere to overcome the hurdles placed in front of

them,” Martin said. “And in the past year, there have been a lot. COVID-19 is increasing global hunger and malnutrition, and several natural disasters have left thousands without a home or without crops to feed their families and communities. Everyone everywhere has struggled.” Each year, CRS Rice Bowl highlights communities from different countries around the world. This year, Rice Bowl participants are introduced to the people of Madagascar, El Salvador and Timor-Leste and how they are working hard to overcome the factors that can lead to hunger, including drought and flooding. “The people of Madagascar, El Salvador and Timor-Leste are resourceful,” said Martin. “They use all of the tools available to them to fight against hunger and provide for themselves and their families. The donations from CRS Rice Bowl add to that toolbox. What Catholics give up for Lent can change lives.”

PHOTO BY ANNY DJAHOVA | CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES

Paulino da Costa Ximenes, 53, pictured in Libagua village, Timor-Leste, with his wife Eliza da Costa Martins and their seven children: Leila da Costa Magno, 12, Sandra Salleta da Costa Magno, 7, Celcio da Costa Magno, 5, Celcia da Costa Magno, 3, Laurenfina da Costa Magno, 2, Luciano da Costa Magno, 2, and Cidalria da Costa Magno, 1. Eliza has been part of the CRS TOMAK nutrition project for over two years. Timor-Leste has the highest rate of child malnutrition in Asia with almost half of children under 5 stunted. Widespread poor growth is attributed to limited availability of nutritional foods and high child illness. In Timor-Leste, subsistence agriculture is the main livelihood strategy for most of the rural population. The country is food insecure, so household nutritional security is difficult to achieve.

PHOTO BY JIM STIPE | CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES

During a during a community presentation on health and nutrition in the village of Miary Ankoronga in Miary commune, Toliara district in southern Madagascar, a CRS staff person uses a puppet to ask Labaladezy Rasoanandrasana, 53, a question about nutrition. In some rural communities in Madagascar where the numbers of malnourished children are among the highest, households do not understand the gravity of poor nutrition. CRS has designed and introduced an innovative approach called Community-Led Total Nutrition as part of its Fararano Project so that entire communities – fathers, mothers, traditional authorities and youth – can contribute to improved nutrition. The project encourages participants to develop habits of cooking nutritious meals and creating vegetable gardens, and it is funded by USAID Food for Peace.

Timor-Leste: Squash, Bean and Corn Stew (Batar Da’An)

Madagascar: Greens with Rice (Vary Amin’Anana)

1 large onion, diced 5 cloves garlic, minced 3 tbsp. fair trade olive oil 3 cups water 1 butternut squash, cut into small pieces

2 tbsp. fair trade olive oil 1 small onion, diced 1 medium tomato, diced 1 clove garlic 1 tsp. fresh ginger, minced

1 10-oz. bag frozen corn 1 15-oz. can red kidney beans, drained Salt and pepper to taste 2 cups cooked rice

3 cups packed collard greens or kale 1 cups rice 2 cups water Salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in medium-sized pot. Add onion, tomato, garlic and ginger, and sauté until just tender. Add collard greens or kale, and stir 1 minute. Add rice, water, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook on medium heat for 25 minutes or until water is absorbed. Makes 4-5 servings.

Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until tender. Add water and squash, and increase heat until water is simmering. Add corn and kidney beans, reduce to medium heat, and cook stirring occasionally for 15-20 minutes until squash is tender. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with rice. Makes 4 servings.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Find more meatless recipes and the stories behind their cultures online at www.crsricebowl.org.

Resources available online

PRAY

FAST

GIVE

LEARN

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

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

February 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

HOPE FROM PAGE 3

sacraments such as baptisms and last rites. A Feb. 4 Associated Press article questioned whether dioceses really needed the Paycheck Protection funding. The story, Weldon said, erroneously claimed the Charlotte diocese “had roughly $100 million available” last spring – a number the AP cobbled together by adding the diocese’s liquid assets with funds that are donor restricted, designated for specific purposes, and owned by the 100-plus Catholic entities in separate savings accounts. “The AP story mischaracterizes the financial picture of the Diocese of Charlotte,” said Weldon. “It vastly overstates our available assets, ignores current financial liabilities and erroneously suggests that restricted donations and funds designated for specific purposes could have been diverted to cover payroll, rent and utilities. The story also conflates assets owned and controlled by more than 100 separate entities within the diocese, suggesting these separate funds make up one large account for anybody to use. This is simply not true.” Citing the diocese’s independently audited June 30, 2020 financial statements, Weldon noted that, excluding parishes which report separately to their parishioners, the diocese actually had financial assets available for general expenditures (after subtracting current liabilities) of about $9 million – which equates to only six weeks of operations. Parishes and schools had access only to their own savings, which varied widely.

Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville cut expenses substantially and leaned on its savings when the pandemic hit, as income dropped 40 percent in May 2020 compared to the prior year. Despite slashing non-essential expenses, projections showed the parish could not sustain its payroll expenses as revenue continued to diminish. As recommended by the parish’s finance council, Immaculate Conception’s pastor Father Christian Cook applied for a forgivable Paycheck Protection loan and received $284,000 in funding, which helped meet salary expenses and kept staff working through the summer. Yet as the pandemic dragged on and income failed to recover, it became clear staffing could not be sustained at its pre-pandemic level. “We kept hoping we might come out of it, and that things might start getting back to normal,” Father Cook said. “While the PPP loan was a blessing, and we were able to maintain full staffing to serve our parish for quite some time despite reduced income, we reached a point where we could no longer sustain the expenses associated with full staffing levels. It was a heartbreaking decision to have to eliminate positions here at Immaculate Conception, but we were left with no other choice.” Weldon said it would have been unethical to divert money from designated purposes such as employees’ health insurance, pensions or school programs to cover salaries, as suggested in the AP report. “This would be like shifting money parents pay in fees for school construction to cover salaries at the central office of the diocese, or taking a parish’s hard-earned savings that are set aside for a new parish hall or youth program to pay for another ministry’s rent and utilities,” Weldon said. “Our donors and parishioners rightfully

‘As trusted stewards of the funds generously given to us, we take very seriously our responsibility to ensure that ... all funds received from donors and other constituents are used in accordance with their intentions.’ William G. Weldon

Diocese of Charlotte CFO expect that we will honor the purpose for which funds are given to our parishes, schools and ministries. “As trusted stewards of the funds generously given to us, we take very seriously our responsibility to ensure that internal controls are in place to safeguard assets, ensure all financial activity is accounted for properly, and that all funds received from donors and other constituents are used in accordance with their intentions.” Many parishes’ savings are modest or donor-restricted, he said, so the Paycheck Protection funds provided a crucial lifeline when offertory collections – parishes’ primary source of income – fell off an average of 21 percent with the sudden shutdown. Many smaller and rural parishes saw much steeper declines, and at year end, almost one-third of parishes reported their fourth-quarter offertory remained down 30 percent or more. As separate employers, each of the 92 parishes and missions, 19 schools and other ministries in the diocese had to evaluate – in consultation with their finance councils – whether they met the criteria to qualify for Paycheck Protection and then decide whether to apply. Overall, 45 parishes received assistance

ranging from $8,025 to $334,784. Nine schools got loans totaling $2,885,734 to pay teachers and staff: Asheville Catholic, Bishop McGuinness, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Our Lady of Grace, Our Lady of Mercy, Sacred Heart, St. Leo, St. Michael and St. Pius X. Catholic Charities received $629,109 in funding to keep staff employed. They were able to continue providing vital support with food pantries, counseling services, legal immigration services, family enrichment and more. The diocese’s central office received $1,550,103 to pay salaries of administrative support staff that serve all of the parishes, schools and agencies across the diocese – including accounting, planning, development, technology, tribunal, legal and human resources staffs. “Nearly a year later, while funding remains tight, most of our parishes, schools and ministries are on the road to recovery financially from the worst effects of last spring’s economic shutdown,” Weldon said. “Thanks to the generosity of parishioners and donors, the Church has been able to weather the immediate worst effects of the pandemic and remain a beacon of hope throughout this dark and uncertain period.”

“A Century of Love, A Century of Service, We Thank You” Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart

St. Marguerite d’Youville, Mother of Universal Charity

n this year of the 100th anniversary of our founding, we, the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, want to thank the people of the Diocese of Charlotte for inviting us into your lives. As Campus Minister, educators and Parish Ministers, we received your support and love which allowed us to fulfill our mission as women religious, daughters of St. Marguerite d’Youville (foundress of the first Grey Nuns in Montreal, Canada). At this time of our lives most of us are unable to serve in active ministry. From our retirement homes, we continue a ministry of prayer for many, including yourselves, and advocacy efforts for social justice. We are humbled and grateful to be able to continue ministry in this way when we, like so many, need and experience the gracious love of God.Thank you and God bless you!

Save the Date

Thursday, March 11, 2021

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For the safety of our guests and benefactors, this will be a virtual event.

Join us at ccpartnersinhope.org

catholicnewsherald.com | February 12, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘The need is just astronomical right now’ During pandemic, parishes find new ways to help people who are homeless SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

ith rising numbers of people experiencing homelessness due to the pandemic, Charlotte-area parishes are getting creative and ramping up efforts to respond at a time when traditional methods of outreach are on hold. Taking a page from Pope Francis himself, who has advocated for the Church to “leave her four walls” and “go to the margins” to help people in need, local parishes are preparing and delivering food, personal items, bedding and other assistance as public health restrictions have stymied hands-on efforts to help those who are homeless. Charlotte’s Room in the Inn program, a network of churches and other sites offering overnight shelter during winter months, was suspended last fall. An encampment has since developed north of uptown with more than 100 people living in tents and make-shift

shelters with little access to food, health care or counseling. “The need is just astronomical right now,” said St. Mark volunteer Mary Kowalchuk, who delivers sandwiches for those who are homeless. “It’s just heart-wrenching to me... When I go by ‘tent city,’ it is just getting bigger and bigger. It’s very sad. It opens your eyes to say, ‘How lucky am I?’ It has also opened my eyes to how generous people are.” Parishes continue to partner with relief agencies including Roof Above, Charlotte’s frontline nonprofit dedicated to fighting homelessness and sponsor for Room in the Inn. “We are grateful for the hard work and contributions of our area Catholic churches and so many religious organizations across this community,” said Liz Clasen-Kelly, CEO of Roof Above, which was created through the merger of Urban Ministry and Men’s Shelter of Charlotte. “People of faith are addressing the most basic human needs of people who find themselves without homes – from providing nourishing meals and warm winter items, to helping those in need secure housing, to furnishing items that make a house a home.” From providing food and supplies to making financial donations, parishes such as St. Gabriel, St. Mark, St. Matthew, St. Patrick and St. Peter are doing everything they can to keep going to the margins, even during this pandemic, to lend a hand to those most in need.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ST. GABRIEL CHURCH

ST. GABRIEL DONATES BEDS, SUPPLIES

A longtime participant in the Room in the Inn program, St. Gabriel Church has hosted men, women, and even children who are homeless overnight in its large school cafeteria – weekly during the winter until the program’s suspension. “Our parish supplies have been provided to many organizations who are serving the homeless this winter – helping to alleviate current needs,” said parish ministry and volunteer coordinator Karen Brown. “Although our volunteers have not been able to assist, we have continued to provide provisions to Roof Above for a monthly dinner during this time and look forward to the time when our parishioners will be able to prepare and serve our neighbors in person.” Early on, St. Gabriel donated its supplies on hand to meet the immediate needs of those who are homeless. Beds used as part of Room in the Inn were delivered to a variety of charities including the Missionaries of Charity, Center for Community Transitions, Salvation Army Center of Hope, and Our Lady of Consolation Church. Clothing, toiletries and other supplies went to Roof Above, Catholic Charities, Center for Community Transitions, Charlotte Rescue Mission, Cochrane Collegiate Families, Dove’s Nest, Mira Via, Our Lady of Consolation, The Relatives Youth Crisis Center, the Salvation Army and Thompson Child & Family Resources. Through the Christmas Giving Tree efforts, gift cards were provided to families who are transitioning out of homelessness through the Salvation Army Center of Hope. Parishioners are also making sandwiches for Roof Above’s daily lunch program, and contributing to food drives to keep the Catholic Charities food pantry well stocked. In addition, St. Gabriel’s Homemakers of Mercy ministry, dedicated to helping people move beyond homelessness (see story at right), also continues to collect furniture and household items for agencies helping those who are homeless to move into permanent housing.

PHOTO BY AMY BURGER

ST. MARK FEEDS AND WARMS

Sandwiches have become a love language for parishioners of St. Mark Church who want to show their concern for people struggling with homelessness. Through the pandemic, parishioners have made thousands of sandwiches for Roof Above’s daily lunch program to feed people in need. Kowalchuk and her husband John spearhead the weekly sandwich collection, devoting hours each Wednesday to gather more than 160 donated bagged lunches, load their vehicle and transport the food to Roof Above’s satellite location on Nations Ford Road. “When the pandemic hit, (Roof Above’s) Men’s Shelter reached out to the church requesting help,” Kowalchuk said. “We use Signup Genius and we even

have people from outside the parish donating lunches on Wednesdays. Families have found it to be a good family activity and a way to help people in need.” Kowalchuk said the sandwich ministry is meaningful for people in many ways. She loves hearing parishioners’ stories of what serving others means to them as they drop off sandwiches. St. Mark’s prayer shawl ministry also has been assisting, knitting scarves for people in need which Kowalchuk delivers along with the sandwiches. “As a parish and as individual followers of Christ, we have an obligation to put faith into practice,” said Father John Putnam, pastor. “The best way to do this is by engaging in the corporal works of mercy and recognizing Christ in those we serve.”

February 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

‘The way of the Church is precisely to leave her four walls behind and to go out in search of those who are distant, those on the outskirts of life.’ Pope Francis

ST. MATTHEW ‘HELPS FROM HOME’

As part of the parish’s Feeding the Hungry ministry, St. Matthew parishioners are helping from home during the pandemic – making muffins and sandwiches for delivery to homeless shelters and programs. The parish also continues its collection drives for toiletry and personal items for people living at the tent encampment, and donates shower shoes and locks for distribution through Roof Above. “Our outreach ministries serving our brothers and sisters in need continue to operate, but not within our campus walls,” said Antoinette Usher, St. Matthew’s chief operating officer. “Our parishioners are committed to doing more at a time when we all know so much more is needed.” Mel’s Diner, the parish’s food truck ministry

that serves area homeless and refugee communities, continues to provide food on Saturday mornings, taking donations to people who are serving uptown neighborhoods. Parishioners and volunteers prepare food in advance such as casseroles to serve on location each week. They also help distribute food received from local restaurants and a nearby grocery store. “I have a heart of gratitude that we are still able to continue to serve people in need,” said volunteer Marianne Raispis. “Knowing there are so many people in need… COVID can’t stop us from reaching out to those in need. We just have to find a safe way to do it.” “COVID has presented many challenges for us as well as other parishes,” echoed Usher, “but with an open mind and an open heart, we can continue to do God’s work.”

ST. PETER ALSO ASSISTS FAMILIES

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JAMES SARKIS

ST. PATRICK DIGS DEEP

With health restrictions hampering traditional outreach, St. Patrick parishioners are generously donating food and money to purchase food for those who are homeless. A drive to collect items and gift cards to aid the homeless was also a specific effort of parishioners’ Christmas Giving Tree, in addition to the Christmas Day meals they traditionally distribute to local people in need. “While we usually volunteer to cook and serve at the (Roof Above) Men’s Shelter of Charlotte every other month, the pandemic has prevented us from doing so,” said James Sarkis, parish communications coordinator. “Instead, we have been collecting financial contributions for the shelter every other month.”

In a typical year, parishioner Glen McGlaughlin would be coordinating St. Peter volunteers to assist with housing 12 homeless men overnight in Biss Hall, one night each week during the winter. The church on Tryon Street is one of 100 host sites that offered a hot meal and warm bed in addition to fellowship on cold nights. For now, the parish has switched from on-site hosting to providing lunches. Teams of volunteers representing various ministries at the parish prepare bagged lunches for delivery. Roof Above coordinators “can also go online and click on needed items to donate, which are directly delivered to the Roof Above shelter,” McGlaughlin said. Parishioners also donated more than 800 items for people who are homeless during their Christmas Giving Tree collection. And volunteers continue to work at Roof Above’s service center on College Street, helping to serve lunch once a week to those in need. The parish also has embraced Druid Hills Academy families during the pandemic, as part of a decade-long partnership with the local public preK-8 school. “Our mission is to support the students, teachers and staff, and families of Druid Hills Academy,” says Suzanne Wittebort, chair of the St. Peter Church/Druid Hills Academy Partnership steering committee. “The economic crisis has hit this community very hard. Recently I was told that at least 20 of our families with multiple children are homeless, many living in hotels.” The parish has supplied food directly to the school for

PHOTO SHARED VIA MEL’S DINER FACEBOOK PAGE

distribution to families. Through the Christmas Angel Tree, parishioners donated Walmart and Target gift cards for families. Recently, the St. Peter Sages seniors group donated nearly 100 Walmart and Food Lion gift cards for Druid Hills families and staff. The fight against homelessness is personal for many parishioners: Some have come forward individually to prevent evictions, and provided funds for temporary housing for at least one large family that was evicted. “We are so grateful to our parishioners and friends for stepping up to so generously support our Druid Hills families, Wittebort said. “We are happy that we can connect those who can help with those who need help in this stressful time.”

PHOTO PROVIDED BY SUZANNE WITTEBORT

Homemakers of Mercy continue serving through pandemic

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ST. GABRIEL CHURCH

CHARLOTTE — Undaunted by the pandemic, Homemakers of Mercy continues its ministry to help individuals and families ease the transition as they settle into apartment homes across the Charlotte region. Founded in 2009, Homemakers of Mercy is a collaborative effort between St. Gabriel Church and St. Matthew Church, which collects furniture and household items to help people in need settle into apartments. The ministry was inspired by Sisters of Mercy Therese Galligan and the late Jeanne Marie Kienast, who served

at the two churches and joined with church volunteers to begin the settlement assistance program. Homemakers of Mercy had to curtail its hands-on efforts to move families into homes to protect the health and safety of its volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic. But that hasn’t stopped volunteers from continuing to collect furniture and household good from generous parishioners to pass along to other agencies that are moving people into permanent housing. Homemakers of Mercy volunteers collect

donations one Saturday each month. Furniture such as sofas, kitchen tables, dressers, end tables and nightstands are accepted. Household necessities including dishes, silverware, housewares, cleaning supplies and new bedding can usually be accepted. To find out more about the Homemakers of Mercy ministry and its monthly furniture collections, go online to stgabrielchurch.org/ hom. If you have questions, email homfurniture. donate@gmail.com. — SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

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Antonio García

Dios ha pasado por la Diócesis de Charlotte

unto con el gran trabajo de nuestro Obispo Peter Jugis, sacerdotes y diáconos que se esmeran en la recepción de los sacramentos, el aporte que el equipo diocesano de coordinadores de pastoral hispana lleva a cabo se ha hecho ver y sentir en nuestra Diócesis de Charlotte. Los resultados de este lindo trabajo se ven en la cantidad de gente que se siente parte de nuestra Iglesia porque se ven acompañados a través de más de algún programa que impacta positivamente su vida, desde un retiro de evangelización hasta un curso de enriquecimiento matrimonial, una charla para padres e hijos o un taller de preparación matrimonial. Esta tarea sería imposible de realizar sin la colaboración de tantos hombres y mujeres que dentro de la pastoral hispana dan lo mejor de sí: su tiempo, talento y tesoro sin recibir recompensa alguna. Junto a ellos, el equipo de coordinadores ha podido conformar un grupo con nuestros sacerdotes, ayudando a entrelazar una relación entre ellos y las comunidades hispanas fomentando y cultivando la religiosidad popular que tanto caracteriza a nuestra comunidad. Juntos hemos sido agentes de promoción humana al ayudar en la apertura de nuevas puertas para la evangelización. Juntos hemos colaborado con nuestros directores de programas catequéticos en la formación de catequistas, impulsando al pueblo hispano en una constante participación en sus parroquias como líderes en los comités de pastoral hispana o consejos pastorales. La pastoral juvenil es una prioridad primordial en nuestro equipo y diócesis. Hoy contamos con una coordinadora a tiempo completo para estos programas a nivel diocesano, lo que nos ha dado la posibilidad de mantener una presencia juvenil activa en el sureste de Estados Unidos. Seguimos en el camino buscando maneras de desarrollar estrategias pastorales para llegar a las familias hispanas al fomentar la participación con institutos de formación laical dentro de la diócesis como SEPI, Fe y Vida, Camino y otros. Porque Dios ha caminado con nosotros, como agentes de pastoral, estamos llamados a caminar con Él y el pueblo hispano. Acompañados y guiados por el equipo de coordinadores diocesanos, los resultados del arduo trabajo que realizaron catequistas, líderes parroquiales, movimientos apostólicos, sacerdotes, diáconos, comunidades eclesiales de base, niños, jóvenes y adultos en su preparación para vivir el V Encuentro de Pastoral Hispana en Texas en 2018, serán una rica fuente de estrategias pastorales para que, a través del clero y laicos, Dios continúe pasando por la Diócesis de Charlotte. En medio de todo lo lindo que se vive en la pastoral hispana, los coordinadores -unidos a muchísimos agentes de pastoralhemos sabido valorar los momentos de dolor dando una palabra de esperanza en momentos difíciles. Colaborar con otras organizaciones y hermanos que dan el todo por el todo por la fe y el pueblo hispano ha sido un reto necesario de aceptar. Debido al COVID-19, abruptamente hemos puesto tiempo de espera programas y ministerios que constantemente han dado vida a nuestra forma de evangelizar a la comunidad hispana. Esta breve pausa nos ha dado el tiempo para analizar detenidamente el gran aporte que en nuestra diócesis la Iglesia entrega a la comunidad hispana y viceversa. En tiempos de pandemia, como equipo y agentes de pastoral, hemos sido llamados a fortalecer nuestro entorno familiar, nutrirnos a través de la oración, el sacramento de la Reconciliación y la Eucaristía y, en medio de todo, pedir el discernimiento para continuar humildemente sirviendo al pueblo de Dios con renovada intención. ANTONIO GARCÍA es coordinador del Ministerio Hispano en el Vicariato de Asheville.

FOTO SUPERIOR SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD; ABAJO VÍA FACEBOOK

(Arriba) El Obispo Peter Jugis saluda, a la salida de la Misa celebrada por la Semana de las Escuelas Católicas, a los pocos alumnos que asisteron presencialmente por las restricciones sanitarias. (Abajo) Los estudiantes de la Escuela Inmaculado Corazón de María en High Point celebraron a la nación durante la Semana de las Escuelas Católicas colocando banderas en los exteriores de la escuela para honrar al país. Los estudiantes de primaria hicieron cadenetas de papel y los de escuela media prepararon bolsas con dulces para los veteranos.

Transmisión ‘en vivo’ reúne a 7,000 estudiantes para atender Misa por la Semana de las Escuelas Católicas SUEANN HOWELL REPORTERA SENIOR

CHARLOTTE — Miles de estudiantes católicos en toda la Diócesis de Charlotte se conectaron desde sus aulas para asistir a una Misa especial con el Obispo Peter Jugis, transmitida ‘en vivo’ desde la Catedral San Patricio en Charlotte, dando inicio a la Semana de las Escuelas Católicas. La transmisión ‘en vivo’ para todo el sistema escolar fue una novedad en la diócesis. Los alumnos de quinto grado de la escuela San Patricio, ubicada al lado de la catedral, estuvieron entre los pocos que asistieron a la Misa en persona. Utilizando protección facial y sentados socialmente distanciados en las bancas, representaron a sus 7.000 compañeros de las 19 escuelas de la diócesis que veían la transmisión desde sus aulas por el canal YouTube de la diócesis. Esto fue posible gracias a la tecnología que todas las escuelas han implementado para ofrecer sin problemas, tanto en persona como de manera remota, el aprendizaje durante la pandemia de COVID-19. “Ustedes son parte de un hecho histórico. Esta es la primera vez que sucede en la historia de nuestra diócesis”, dijo el Obispo Jugis a los estudiantes. “Nos estamos uniendo como una gran familia de las Escuelas Católicas en la Diócesis de Charlotte, todos unidos como uno en esta Misa”. En su homilía, el obispo comentó sobre la importancia de la Misa transmitida en vivo, diciéndoles que se trata de algo más que tecnología sofisticada. “En esta Misa estamos logrando algo asombroso: reunir a todas las escuelas católicas de la diócesis,

virtualmente por supuesto, para el Santo Sacrificio de la Misa. La Misa nos mantiene unidos como uno, aunque estemos físicamente a muchas millas de distancia”. Cada año, la Semana Nacional de las Escuelas Católicas celebra la importancia de la educación católica, señaló. “La gran misión de la educación escolar católica, mis queridos jóvenes, es llevarlos a conocer a Jesucristo, el Salvador, y desarrollar una relación duradera con Jesús a lo largo de sus años de educación escolar católica”, dijo. “Porque nuestra fe no es algo del pasado, muerta y desaparecida. Nuestra fe es una amistad con el Señor que se vive hoy. Sabemos que podemos encontrarnos y conocer al Salvador hoy y tener una relación viva con Él”. “¿Cómo haces eso? Tomando en serio tu vida de oración, ya sea cuando estás solo o en grupo, y especialmente en la Misa o incluso rezando el Santo Rosario. Sé serio acerca de la oración, viniendo a la presencia de Jesús”, explicó. También recordó a la comunidad escolar católica la importancia del crucifijo, donde Jesús sacrificó su vida por nosotros. “En cada iglesia (católica) ves un crucifijo. La cruz donde Jesús ofreció su vida por amor a ti, por tu salvación”, dijo. “Ahora, estando en Escuelas Católicas, estoy seguro que ven un crucifijo colgado en las paredes en algún lugar de su escuela, y tal vez incluso ahora mismo en su salón de clases”. “Me pregunto cuántos de ustedes también tienen ESTUDIANTES, PASA A LA PÁGINA 24

February 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

V Encuentro ya está en proceso de implementación El Subcomité de Asuntos Hispanos se reunió virtualmente el pasado mes de noviembre para evaluar la implementación exitosa del proceso de cuatro años del V Encuentro y sus frutos a nivel nacional. Ya en octubre de 2020, más de 100 diócesis completaron el proceso en un Taller Virtual del V Encuentro. Setenta obispos, junto con más de 3,500 delegados participaron en el taller. A partir de la primera semana de 2021, los videos del evento virtual se habían visto un total de 5,778 veces. La evaluación positiva de los participantes es un buen indicador de que los eventos virtuales serán una buena práctica para los próximos años. Durante la reunión, y en conversaciones posteriores con miembros del Comité de Diversidad Cultural en la Iglesia, los miembros expresaron que el V Encuentro ha pasado a su fase de implementación, que continuará durante los próximos dos años.

AREAS MINISTERIALES

Un aspecto importante de la fase de implementación del V Encuentro será reunir de nuevo a los equipos que trabajaron en las 28 Áreas Ministeriales presentadas durante el V Encuentro Nacional en septiembre de 2018. Cada equipo será responsable de desarrollar y ofrecer una parte de la Serie de Áreas durante 2021. La Serie brindará oportunidades virtuales de desarrollo profesional en un formato bilingüe a través de Zoom que inspirarán, conectarán y ofrecerán oportunidades para escuchar las mejores prácticas, así como presentar nuevas iniciativas y respuestas pastorales que surgieron del proceso del V Encuentro.

NUEVO PLAN PASTORAL NACIONAL

Durante la reunión de noviembre, los miembros del Subcomité de Asuntos

Hispanos también aprobaron el esquema para un nuevo plan para la pastoral hispana como respuesta nacional a las prioridades, recomendaciones y acciones pastorales generadas por el proceso del V Encuentro. En este sentido, los obispos decidieron extender las funciones de la estructura de Regiones Episcopales del V Encuentro hasta diciembre de 2022, ya que el V Encuentro entra en su fase de implementación. Las estructuras regionales y sus equipos continuarán ayudando a las diócesis a discernir e implementar sus propias respuestas pastorales. Convocados por los Obispos Acompañantes del V Encuentro, los equipos también participarán en el proceso de discernimiento para articular la visión, lineamientos pastorales y respuestas estratégicas del nuevo Plan Pastoral, que se desarrollará durante los próximos dos años. Los obispos solicitaron que el nuevo Plan Pastoral sea un recurso práctico, que se centre en los mejores procedimientos y pueda apreciarse visualmente.

PROYECTO VEYAHLI

Esta primera importante iniciativa generada por el V Encuentro continúa desarrollándose con el fuerte apoyo del Subcomité de Asuntos Hispanos, el Comité de Diversidad Cultural en la Iglesia, cuatro secretariados de la USCCB (Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos, por sus siglas en inglés) y más de 20 organizaciones nacionales enfocadas en la formación y el desarrollo del liderazgo, incluidas algunas universidades. VEYAHLI (Iniciativa de liderazgo de jóvenes adultos hispanos del V Encuentro, por sus siglas en inglés) se ha comprometido a desarrollar tres componentes dedicados al desarrollo y formación de liderazgo de miles de jóvenes adultos hispanos durante los próximos diez años: a) un programa nacional de

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

En esta foto de archivo se aprecia a la Hermana Joan Pearson, coordinadora del vicariato de Salisbury, conduciendo una de las reuniones de planeamiento con los delegados de la Diócesis de Charlotte para el V Encuentro que se realizó en Grapevine, Texas, en septiembre de 2018. certificación de desarrollo de liderazgo bilingüe; b) un proceso de acompañamiento por mentores; y c) un centro de recursos en línea con medios y programas ofrecidos por institutos, organizaciones y diócesis que ofrecen desarrollo de liderazgo y formación para la pastoral. Hasta la fecha, se ha completado la mayor parte del marco para el programa de certificación. Las organizaciones colaboradoras se reunirán durante los primeros seis meses de 2021 para completar el plan de estudios y seleccionar los temas para desarrollar.

Es importante señalar que este programa será administrado por una alianza de organizaciones colaboradoras. En marzo de este año se llevará a cabo una consulta con los miembros del Subcomité de Asuntos Hispanos y con los Obispos Acompañantes de las Regiones Episcopales del V Encuentro sobre cómo maximizar los beneficios de VEYAHLI para las diócesis de todo el país. — Información condensada del boletín de noticias del V Encuentro, Febrero 2021

Febrero, mes de la historia y herencia Afroamericana El Mes de la Historia Afroamericana es una celebración anual que se originó en Estados Unidos. Ha recibido el reconocimiento oficial de los gobiernos de los Estados Unidos y Canadá, y más recientemente se ha observado de manera no oficial en Irlanda, los Países Bajos y el Reino Unido. Comenzó como una forma de recordar a personajes y eventos importantes en la historia de la diáspora africana. Se celebra en febrero en los Estados Unidos y Canadá, mientras que en Irlanda, los Países Bajos y el Reino Unido se festeja en octubre. Los antecedentes del Mes de la Historia Afroamericana se remontan a 1926, cuando el historiador Carter G. Woodson y la Asociación para el Estudio de la Vida e Historia Negra anunciaron que la segunda semana de febrero sería la “Semana de la Historia Negra” en Estados Unidos. Se eligió esta semana porque coincidía con el cumpleaños de Abraham Lincoln, el 12 de febrero, y de Frederick Douglass, el 14 de febrero, fechas que las comunidades afroamericanas habían celebrado desde

FAMILIA

finales del siglo XIX. Desde la fase inicial del evento, se hizo hincapié en fomentar la enseñanza coordinada de la historia de los afroamericanos en las escuelas públicas de la nación. La primera Semana de la Historia Negra recibió una respuesta tibia, ganando la cooperación de los Departamentos de Educación de los estados de Carolina del Norte, Delaware y Virginia Occidental, así como de las administraciones escolares de la ciudad de Baltimore y Washington, D.C. A pesar de ello, lejos de ser una celebración generalizada, Woodson consideró el evento como “uno de los pasos más acertados jamás tomados por la Asociación”, y continuaron con los planes para repetir el evento anualmente. Al momento del lanzamiento de la Semana de la Historia Negra, Woodson defendió que la enseñanza de la historia negra era esencial para asegurar la supervivencia física e intelectual de la raza dentro de la sociedad en general: “Si una raza no tiene historia, no tiene una tradición que

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)

valga la pena, se convierte en un factor insignificante en el pensamiento del mundo y corre el peligro de ser exterminada.” Por 1929, el “Journal of Negro History” pudo señalar que, con solo dos excepciones, los funcionarios de los Departamentos de Educación del Estado de “todos los estados con una población negra considerable habían dado a conocer el evento a los maestros de ese estado y distribuido literatura oficial”. Durante este tiempo, las iglesias también jugaron un papel significativo en la distribución de literatura sobre la Semana de la Historia Negra, con la prensa colaborando en el esfuerzo publicitario. A lo largo de la década de 1930, la Semana de la Historia Negra contrarrestó el creciente mito de la “causa perdida” del Sur, como se reflejó en la novela y película “Lo que el viento se llevó”. Ese mito argumentó que los esclavos AFROAMERICANA, PASA A LA PÁGINA 24

catholicnewsherald.com | February 12, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Fieles monitorearon su presión arterial CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE — Decenas de personas lograron ser atendidas por voluntarias de la Pastoral de la Salud del Vicariato de Charlotte para monitorear su presión arterial, durante la primera jornada del programa ‘Blood Pressure Loaner’ lanzado por la Asociación Americana del Corazón el pasado 6 y 7 de febrero. Hasta el momento, dos parroquias de la Diócesis de Charlotte, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte y Santiago el Mayor en Concord, se han acogido a este programa de salud. La iglesia de Concord atendió a sus fieles el sábado 6 por la tarde y Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe el domingo 7 por la mañana. Héctor Salgado, director de impacto comunitario de la Asociación Americana del Corazón, coordinó con la Pastoral de Salud del vicariato para asegurar que el mensaje de promoción de salud coronaria llegue a los fieles de las parroquias. “Para celebrar el día de ‘Go Red for women’, estamos haciendo este programa para que las iglesias tengan los recursos para que la gente pueda tomarse la presión. Al salir de la iglesia, las personas pueden venir y, si les sale la presión alta, les vamos a prestar una máquina para que sigan tomándose la presión, mejorarla con las recomendaciones que les damos y referirles por ayuda médica en caso de ser necesario”, dijo Salgado. El director advirtió que en esta época de pandemia “mucha gente no está yendo al doctor”, y respecto al COVID, señaló que la presión alta es considerado un factor de riesgo para las personas que se contagian del virus.

ENFERMEDAD ‘INVISIBLE’

Fravelin Cuesta, coordinadora de la Pastoral de Salud del Vicariato de Charlotte resaltó que “la presión arterial alta no da síntomas, uno puede tener la presión elevada y no darse cuenta. Por eso estamos facilitando a las personas el chequeo de su presión, para que sepan en qué nivel está y si necesitan ayuda para controlarla”. Según cifras de la Asociación Americana del Corazón, entre 2013 y 2016, 47.4% de hombres y 40.8% de mujeres hispanas en Estados Unidos sufren de presión arterial alta. En el caso de los mexicoamericanos las cifras son más altas para las mujeres: 66.2% y menos del 30% de ellas la han controlado.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Izquierda) Una de las voluntarias de la Pastoral de la Salud del Vicariato de Charlotte mide la presión arterial de uno de los fieles que asistieron a la jornada de control de hipertensión realizada en Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. (Derecha) El primer grupo de voluntarias posa junto con Héctor Salgado, director de impacto comunitario de la Asociación Americana del Corazón. Solo en 2016, la hipertensión causó la muerte de 3.063 varones y 2.856 mujeres hispanas en el país. Emiliano Romero, una de las personas que llegaron a controlar su presión arterial después de asistir a Misa de 10 de la mañana en Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, dijo sentirse contento de haber comprobado que su salud se encuentra bien. Romero se mostró agradecido con el programa, “que es una buena idea para toda la comunidad, para que las personas sepan de su salud”. Los programas de la Asociación Americana del Corazón y la Pastoral de Salud del Vicariato de Charlotte involucran a más de 50 miembros de la Iglesia, coordinadores y voluntarias que participan en

programas de preparación de alimentos saludables, nutrición, diabetes, corazón y revisión periódica de la salud arterial. “Sabemos que no se estaba poniendo mucha atención en la salud de las comunidades minoritarias. Este es un paso en la dirección en la que nos queremos seguir moviendo para beneficiar a la comunidad latina”, puntualizó Salgado.

Más online En www.heart.org: Encontará respuestas a sus preguntas sobre la salud del corazón y las consecuencias de la presión arterial alta en su organismo.

Que tus propósitos de Año Nuevo no se queden en buenos deseos Ya estamos en febrero y, aunque ha pasado poco tiempo desde Año Nuevo, muchos hemos olvidado esos propósitos que hicimos con tanta ilusión para el flamante 2021. El P. José Luis Gonzáles Santoscoy, sacerdote de la Arquidiócesis mexicana de Guadalajara, propone cuatro consejos para que los propósitos del Año Nuevo no se queden solo en buenos deseos. El P. Gonzáles afirma que, “cuando se acerca el fin del año, comenzamos a pensar en algunos propósitos para el siguiente. Esto está muy bien, ya que cada año es una nueva oportunidad para recomenzar, trazar nuevas metas y trabajar por nuevos sueños”. Muchas veces hemos hecho ciertos propósitos que muy pronto los abandonamos: dejaré de fumar, haré más deporte, bajaré de peso, correré una maratón, seré más feliz, etc”, agrega. Ante esta realidad, el sacerdote sugiere cuatro consejos a seguir para que los buenos propósitos sí lleguen a hacerse concretos:

año, en automático pensamos que es muchísimo, por ello hay que vivir un día a la vez. Hoy tienes la oportunidad de cambiar hábitos negativos, hoy me decido a ser más cariñoso”. “No excedas tus propias limitaciones y vive un día a la vez, esto te ayuda a ir obteniendo resultados visibles y reales, lo cual te motivará bastante porque irás aumentando en confianza al ver resultados”, exhorta el sacerdote.

1. Menos es más “No trates de abarcar mucho porque abandonarás todo. En ocasiones nos ponemos una lista grande de cosas por cambiar, porque queremos ser perfectos de la noche a la mañana y esto termina siendo una carga pesada que nos mata en lugar de motivarnos”, asegura el sacerdote.

Si aún no los has planteado, el Arzobispo José Gómez de Los Ángeles, sugiere tres resoluciones:

2. Fíjate un objetivo concreto “Sé específico en lo que quieres para que logres obtener resultados”, sugiere. “A veces decimos, seré el mejor papá, eso no ayuda, más bien ¿Qué me llevará a ser mejor papá? Sé específico y busca propósitos concretos”. 3. Un día a la vez “Si piensas que tu objetivo lo vas a trabajar los 365 días del

Mons. Gómez sugiere aplicar lo que el pasaje dijo a cada uno durante el día. “De este modo, empezamos a ver nuestras vidas como Él las ve desde su perspectiva”.

¿NO TIENES NINGÚN PROPÓSITO?

2. Mejorar la vida de los demás La segunda resolución es tener la disposición y la intención diario para servir, “de mejorar la vida de alguien”. El Arzobispo de Los Ángeles indicó que el amor “empieza con aquellos que nos exigen más cosas, con los que representan un reto para nuestro egoísmo”. Con aquellos que están más cerca. Por ello, sugiere tener más paciencia, ser más comprensivos, no juzgar inmediatamente sino dar el beneficio de la duda; aceptar a las personas tal cómo son. También dejar de criticar y hacer que las conversaciones sean positivas. “Hemos de tratarnos unos a otros con ternura y amor. Algunas veces podemos cambiar todo el curso del día de las personas tan solo sonriéndoles, tan solo con escuchar lo que ellas tienen qué decir”, manifestó.

1. Colocar a Jesús en el centro de nuestras vidas El Prelado indicó que la mejor forma de acercarse a Jesús es leyendo el Evangelio diariamente. Cada día durante unos minutos lea un pasaje, puede ser de la lectura diaria de la Misa. Después “pídanle a Jesús que abra su Palabra para ustedes. No se pregunten lo que el pasaje del Evangelio dice “en general”, o lo que podría significar para otras personas. Pregúntenle personalmente a Jesús: “Señor, ¿qué me estás diciendo a mí? ¿Qué quieres que yo haga? “¿Qué debo cambiar en mi vida si quiero seguirte más de cerca?”.

3. Perdonar a los demás como Dios nos perdona a nosotros Tenemos que abrir nuestros corazones y abrir nuestras vidas, y mostrarle a la gente el amor de Cristo que nosotros conocemos. Eso es lo que significa compartir nuestra fe. Significa amar a la gente, cuidar de ella, mostrarle misericordia y, sobre todo, perdón. Nuestro Santo Padre Francisco ha dicho: “Jesús nos llama a todos a seguir este camino: ‘Sean misericordiosos, como su Padre celestial es misericordioso’… En silencio, pensemos… en alguna persona con la que estemos molestos, con los que estemos enojados, en alguien que no nos guste. Pensemos en esa persona y… oremos por esta persona y volvámonos misericordiosos con esta persona”. — Condensado de ACIPRENSA

4. Busca una red de apoyo El P. González anima a conversar con la familia y los amigos sobre estos propósitos para que ellos también “te ayuden y motiven’’. En ocasiones podemos flaquear y necesitamos de alguien que nos ayude a retomar el camino”. “Vivir una vida sin propósitos que nos ayuden a cambiar nos lleva a vivir una vida sin esperanza. Por eso, no le tengas miedo al cambio, es importante luchar y siempre avanzar”, asegura. “Recuerda que en la medida en que estemos cerca del Señor, Él nos ayudará a perseverar, nunca te des por vencido”, concluye.

February 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

¿Quién fue verdaderamente San Valentín? Cada 14 de febrero se recuerda a San Valentín, patrono de los enamorados. Pero el santo, a quien se le representa en imágenes con pájaros y rosas, es también patrón de los apicultores, la epilepsia, los desmayos, del amor, las parejas, los prometidos, los novios, los matrimonios felices, las plagas, los viajeros y también de los jóvenes. Aunque no se sabe mucho de la vida de San Valentín, se cree que fue martirizado y enterrado en la Vía Flaminia, al norte de Roma. En antiguos martirologios se menciona en la fecha del 14 de febrero al menos a tres santos de nombre Valentín, todos ellos mártires. A uno se le describe como un sacerdote de Roma que solía socorrer a los presos que serían martirizados durante la persecución del emperador Claudio II. El otro San Valentín, y el más conocido, es el obispo de Terni, en Italia, famoso por su evangelización, milagros y curaciones. Acerca del tercer San Valentín no se conoce mucho, fuera de que fue martirizado en África junto con un cierto número de sus compañeros. Una historia común sobre San Valentín es que en un momento de su vida, como ex obispo de Terni, Narnia y Amelia, estuvo en arresto domiciliario con el juez Asterius. Mientras discutía de religión y fe con el juez, Valentín le aseguró la existencia de Jesús. El juez puso entonces inmediatamente a prueba la fe del santo. A San Valentín se le presentó a la hija ciega del juez y se le dijo que le devolviera la vista. Si tenía éxito, el juez prometió hacer cualquier cosa por él. Valentín impuso sus manos sobre los ojos de la muchacha y le

devolvió la visión. El juez obedeció las peticiones de Valentín. Asterio rompió todos los ídolos de su casa, ayunó durante tres días, se bautizó junto con su familia y toda la casa de 44 miembros y liberó a todos los presos cristianos.

La historia cuenta que San Valentín fue encarcelado por casar parejas cristianas y ayudar a los cristianos perseguidos por Claudio en Roma. La relación entre el santo y el emperador comenzó a crecer, hasta que Valentín intentó convertir a Claudio al cristianismo. El emperador se enfureció y ordenó a Valentín a renunciar a su fe o,

Lecturas Diarias

caso contrario, sería golpeado con palos y decapitado. San Valentín se negó y fue ejecutado el 14 de febrero de 269. Una variación de la leyenda de San Valentín dice que se negó a sacrificar a dioses paganos, fue encarcelado y mientras estaba encarcelado curó a la hija ciega del carcelero. El día de su ejecución, le dejó a la niña una nota firmada, “Tu Valentín”. La naturaleza romántica del Día de San Valentín puede haber surgido durante la Edad Media, cuando se creía que los pájaros formaban parejas a mediados de febrero. En Estados Unidos se adoptó la costumbre a principios del siglo XVIII. Como quiera que fuera, Valentín realmente existió. Los arqueólogos han desenterrado una catacumba romana y una antigua iglesia dedicada a San Valentín. En 496 D.C., el Papa Gelasio marcó el 14 de febrero como una celebración en honor a su martirio. Las reliquias de San Valentín se pueden encontrar en todo el mundo. Una calavera coronada de flores de San Valentín está en la Basílica de Santa María en Cosmedin, Roma. El Padre John Spratt, sacerdote muy recordado en Irlanda por su trabajo entre los pobres y desamparados, recibió una ‘vasija teñida’ con la sangre de San Valentín como regalo del Papa Gregorio XVI en 1836. Otras supuestas reliquias se encontraron en la Iglesia San Pedro y San Pablo en Vysehrad, Praga; en la iglesia parroquial de la Asunción de Santa María en Chelmno Polonia; en el relicario de Roquemaure en Francia; en Stephansdom en Viena; en Balzan en Malta y también en la iglesia Beato John Duns Scotus en el área de Gorbals en Glasgow, Escocia. — Información extraída de Catholic.org y Aciprensa

FEBRERO 14-20

Domingo: Levítico 13:1-2, 4446, 1 Corintios 10:31-11:1, Marcos 1:40-45; Lunes: Génesis 4:1-15, 25, Marcos 8:11-13; Martes: Génesis 6:5-8, 7:1-5, 10, Marcos 8:14-21; Miércoles (Miércoles de Ceniza): Joel 2:12-18, 2 Corintios 5:20-6:2, Mateo 6:1-6, 16-18; Jueves: Deuteronomio 30:15-20, Lucas 9:22-25; Viernes: Isaías 58:1-9a, Mateo 9:14-15; Sábado: Isaías 58:9b-14, Lucas 5:27-32

FEBRERO 21-27

Domingo: Génesis 9:8-15, 1 Pedro 3:18-22, Marcos 1:12-15; Lunes (Fiesta de la Cátedra de San Pedro): 1 Pedro 5:1-4, Mateo 16:13-19; Martes: Isaías 55:10-11, Mateo 6:7-15; Miércoles: Jonás 3:1-10, Lucas 11:29-32; Jueves: Ester 4:17n. p-r. aa-bb. gg-hh, Mateo 7:7-12; Viernes: Ezequiel 18:21-28, Mt 5:20-26; Sábado: Deuteronomio 26:16-19, Mateo 5:43-48

FEBRERO 28-MARZO 6

Domingo: Génesis 22:1-2. 9-13. 15-18, Romanos 8: 31b-34, Marcos 9:2-10; Lunes: Daniel 9, 4b-10, Lucas 6:36-38; Martes: Isaías 1:10. 16-20, Mateo 23:1-12; Miércoles: Jeremías 18:1820, Mateo 20:17-28; Jueves: Jeremías 17:5-10, Lucas 16:19-31; Viernes: Génesis 37:3-4. 12-13. 17-28, Mateo 21:33-43. 45-46; Sábado: Miqueas 7:14-15. 18-20, Lucas 15: 1-3. 11-32

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catholicnewsherald.com | February 12, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

After celebrating Mass Feb. 1 for Catholic Schools Week, Bishop Peter Jugis visited classrooms at St. Patrick School with Father Christopher Roux, pastor. They also helped kindergarten and fifth-grade students with their community service project.

PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

Students at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in High Point celebrated the nation during Catholic Schools Week. Students sang “God Bless America” during morning announcements and placed flags outside to honor the country. Lower school students made paper chains celebrating our freedom and middle school students packed bags of sweet treats for veterans.

PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

As part of the Catholic Schools Week celebration, Our Lady of Grace School students in Greensboro honored the local community by bringing flowers and thank you notes and organizing a “drive-by” parade for the Guilford County Health Department. PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

Students at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Charlotte watched Bishop Peter Jugis celebrate Mass Feb. 1 during a livestream for Catholic Schools Week.

PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

Charlotte Catholic High School students celebrated with a team spirit dressdown day. Greetings from a favorite mascot made morning arrival a great opportunity for pictures.

PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

Students at Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville kicked off Catholic Schools Week by reading to kindergarten friends at Our Lady of Grace and Sacred Heart schools via Zoom.

Bishop’s livestream Mass brings 7,000 students together for the first time for Catholic Schools Week SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Thousands of Catholic students across the Diocese of Charlotte tuned in from their classrooms to attend a special Mass with Bishop Peter Jugis, streamed live from St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte, to kick off Catholic Schools Week. The school systemwide livestream was a first for the diocese. Fifth-graders from St. Patrick School next door to the cathedral were among the few attending the Mass in person. Wearing face

coverings and sitting socially distanced in the pews, they represented their 7,000 peers at the diocese’s 19 schools watching on the diocese’s YouTube channel from their classrooms – made possible thanks to technology all of the schools have employed to seamlessly offer both inperson and remote learning throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. “You are part of an historic event. This is the first time this has ever happened in the history of our diocese,” Bishop Jugis told students. “We are coming together as one huge Catholic Schools family in the Diocese of Charlotte, all

united as one in this Mass.” In his homily, the bishop remarked on the significance of the livestreamed Mass – telling them that it’s about more than just fancy technology. “At this Mass we are accomplishing something amazing: to bring together all of the Catholic schools of the diocese, virtually of course, for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Mass keeps us united as one – even though we may be physically many miles apart.” CSW, SEE PAGE 24

Mix

February 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Pope establishes World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

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elderly as “a priority that can no longer be postponed by any Christian community.” “In the encyclical, ‘Fratelli Tutti,’ the Holy Father reminds us that no one is saved alone. With this in mind, we must treasure the spiritual and human wealth that has been handed down from

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has announced the establishment of a World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly as a reminder of the important role they play as a link between generations. During his Sunday Angelus address Jan. 31, the pope said the day will be celebrated every year on the fourth Sunday of July to coincide with the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, Jesus’ grandparents. The first celebration of this day will be July 25. “It is important for grandparents to meet their grandchildren and for grandchildren to meet their grandparents because – as the prophet Joel says – grandparents, before their grandchildren, will dream and have great desires, and young people – taking strength from CNS | PAUL HARING their grandparents – will go Pope Francis greets people during an encounter with the elderly in St. forward and prophesy,” he Peter’s Square at the Vatican in this Sept. 28, 2014, file photo. During said. his Jan. 31 Sunday Angelus, the pope announced the establishment of a Highlighting the Feb. 2 World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the pope said the recognition of Christ as the Messiah by generation to generation,” he said. the elderly Simeon and Anna is a reminder Cardinal Farrell added that “today, more that “the Holy Spirit still stirs up thoughts than ever, we are committed to making and words of wisdom in the elderly today.” every effort to dismantle the throwaway “Their voice is precious because it sings culture and to enhance the charisms of the praises of God and safeguards the roots grandparents and the elderly.” of peoples,” he said. “They remind us that The dicastery said Pope Francis will old age is a gift and that grandparents mark the first World Day of Grandparents are the link between generations, passing and the Elderly July 25 with an evening on the experience of life and faith to the Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. However, young.” the Mass will be “subject to sanitary “Grandparents are often forgotten and regulations in place at the time.” we forget this wealth of preserving roots “Closer to the world day, the Dicastery and passing on,” he added. for Laity, the Family and Life will In a statement published shortly after announce any further initiatives that will the pope’s announcement, Cardinal Kevin mark the event,” the statement said. “As of J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for now, the dicastery is inviting parishes and Laity, the Family and Life, said the yearly dioceses around the world to celebrate this event was “a gift to the whole Church” world day at the local level in ways that are that emphasizes the pastoral care of the suited to their pastoral context.”

approached, moved in with the couple and helped to care for their two daughters. The film’s celebration of love expressed in small gestures and its message that an individual’s worth is not to be measured by professional success alone help to compensate for the complete, though unspoken, absence of faith in an afterlife among the characters. Many milder oaths and rough terms, considerable crude and crass language. CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: R

‘The White Tiger’

‘Our Friend’ Screen version of a 2015 Esquire magazine article by Matthew Teague (Casey Affleck) recounting the unwavering and selfless support the journalist and his terminally ill wife (Dakota Johnson) received from their best friend (Jason Segel) who, as her death

Based on the novel by Aravind Adiga, this gritty and ethically unmoored study of ambition and deceit, set in modern-day India, exposes the seamy underbelly of the world’s largest democracy, where corruption is rife and an antiquated caste system offers little hope for advancement to the poor underclass. Skewed values, onscreen and implied violence, sexual situations and banter, pervasive crude language. CNS: L (limited adult audience); MPAA: R

On TV n Saturday, Feb. 13, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Bakhita 2” The dramatic life of St. Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese-born slave who converted to the Catholic faith and became a sister in the Canossian Daughters of Charity. She was canonized by St. John Paul II. n Saturday, Feb. 13, 10 p.m. (EWTN) “The Island of Monks.” A group of monks faces immense challenges as they return to the island in Holland that bears their name. These men of prayer confront inner turmoil, doubts and fears while searching for ways to expand their numbers.

n Sunday, Feb. 14, 6 a.m. (EWTN) “Angelus with Pope Francis.” Pope Francis leads the world in the recitation of the Angelus, live from Rome. n Tuesday, Feb. 16, 9-11 p.m. (PBS) “The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song.” First half of a two-part miniseries exploring the 400-year-old history of the Black church in America. Those interviewed include Oprah Winfrey, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson and Cornel West. n Wednesday, Feb. 17, 10:30 a.m. (EWTN) “Holy Mass with the Blessing and Imposition of Ashes.” In Rome, Pope Francis leads the penitential procession from the Church of St. Anselm to the Basilica of Santa Sabina, followed by Holy Mass and the blessing and imposition of ashes. n Wednesday, Feb. 17, 4 p.m. (EWTN) “John Paul II: Be Not Afraid.” An animated biography on the early life of St. John Paul II up to his election as pope.

Please pray for the following priests who died during the month of February. Bishop Michael J. Begley – 2002 Rev. Edward Beatty – 1990 Rev. Kenneth Geyer, OSB – 2012 Rev. Lawrence Hill – 1985 Rev. Msgr. Anthony Kovacic – 2015 Rev. Kieran Neilson, OSB – 2019 Rev. Arthur Pendleton, OSB – 2020 Rev. Joseph J. Waters - 2015

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Our nation 18

catholicnewsherald.com | February 12, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Rev. Msgr. Patrick J. Winslow

Pro-life advocates aim to remind government its role is to protect the innocent

March for Life participants make their way to the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington Jan. 29, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

e have the privileged position this morning to represent thousands across North Carolina, and more broadly across the nation, who would otherwise be here at the 2021 March for Life. We also have the honored distinction this morning of being the one group who didn’t cancel coming to Washington, D.C., to celebrate Mass at the basilica, our national shrine. We certainly understand the difficult situation COVID-19 presents. Nonetheless, we thought it was important to have some representation here this year. Years ago, back in the early 1990s, some priests you see here in the sanctuary and I were students across the street at the seminary. I remember the first time I ever attended a March for Life. It was January 1994. I was amazed to discover so many people came to Washington on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. As seminarians we walked together down Constitution Avenue to the U.S. Supreme Court. As I am sure you know from your past experience, the mingling and converging crowds make it difficult to stay with your group. Before I knew it, I found myself walking with a young family. We introduced ourselves and continued to talk. Over the course of the march, the family and I began to form a friendship that would develop and grow even stronger over the course of many years. Eventually they shared with me that their presence at the march was personally motivated. That is to say, the issue of abortion had a direct impact on their family. In time, I came to discover that many people who come to this march are motivated not by some remote connection to the issue. Rather, they have felt the effects of abortion and feel compelled to let people know what they realized – specifically, abortion is a lie. It is a very seductive deception to think that one can undo an unhoped-for pregnancy. When couples and women find themselves facing an unhoped-for pregnancy, there is a strong desire to believe there is a way to undo what has been done, that it’s not too late. The simple truth is, no one can roll back the hands of time, no matter how much we may want to. Their message, born of experience, is also the message of the Church: once life has begun, that fact cannot be ignored. Each year at the March for Life, among those giving witness to this message are throngs of Catholic faithful. As the voice of Christ proclaiming the gospel to the contemporary world, the Church speaks with clarity, mercy, hope and, for those who have fallen prey to the lie, she offers an opportunity to begin again. We are here to expose the halftruth that abortion truly is. Yes. Abortion will make the pregnancy go away. That part is true. But, no. Abortion cannot un-impregnate. It cannot undo what has been done. Rather, it extinguishes a life. As we fulfill our mission of proclaiming the truth, so often referred to as the Gospel of Life, our message is a counterpoint to the hidden message of PROTECT, SEE PAGE 24

CNS | TYLER ORSBURN

Keep fighting, pro-life advocates told in virtual March for Life CAROL ZIMMERMAN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Although the 2021 March for Life was far different from the previous 47 annual marches to protest the Supreme Court’s decision legalizing abortion, organizers and rally speakers stressed that the smaller, and primarily virtual crowd, delivered the very same message. It was simply “more somber and prayerful,” said Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life Defense and Education Fund, in the livestreamed broadcast of a group of pro-life leaders making their way to the Supreme Court after the virtual rally. “We are symbolically marching,” she said of the group representing those who would have marched in normal circumstances, adding that this was a “unique moment to build a culture of life.” The usual in-person march that typically draws crowds by the busloads was already going to be scaled back as many groups canceled their plans to come to Washington during the pandemic. On Jan. 15, organizers officially announced the event would primarily be virtual, saying that increased security pressures for law enforcement officers around the U.S. Capitol – since the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol and threats of subsequent violence by domestic terrorist groups – made it impossible to ensure security for march participants. The message for participants was a resounding cry to continue the fight for the unborn and to advocate for antiabortion legislation. The rally began and ended with song and prayer with songs performed by Matthew West, a Christian recording artist and songwriter. The opening prayer was said by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kan., chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and the closing prayer was said by Cissie Graham Lynch, granddaughter of the well-known Southern Baptist minister, the Rev. Billy Graham. The archbishop prayed for God’s blessing on the “pro-life movement in this nation,” and noted that even though its members were separated by distance, they were united by their use of their talents in building a culture of life. He also prayed for pregnant women and for those who have been “wounded by abortion,” stressing the need to “walk with them in their time of need.” The rally did not have the usual array of dozens of speakers from Congress but did include a handful of them addressing

participants in pretaped messages. Two Democrats were among these speakers: Rep. Angie Hatton of Kentucky, who is the House minority whip, and state Sen. Mike Gabbard of Hawaii. Hatton said there needs to be a bipartisan effort to end abortion, not just by outlawing the practice but eliminating the need for women to seek abortions by providing better health care, child care, adoption and social services. She said she is asking pro-life Republicans to also work for “pro-babies and moms’ legislation.” Gabbard urged virtual rallygoers to recognize they are “on a mission together” and to do their best to preserve life “with love and compassion.” Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., a regular on the stage during March for Life rallies, pointed out that over the years there have been “significant pro-life setbacks – but pro-lifers absolutely refused to quit or go away.” He said that same spirit continues today as the movement faces “enormous challenges.” Smith directed his comments to President Joe Biden and stressed that the unborn need the president of the United States “to be their friend and advocate, not another powerful adversary.” Referring to Biden’s remarks at his inauguration that “the dream of justice for all will be deferred no longer,” Smith said those words can only have true meaning if the lives of unborn children are “must be included, and their precious lives must be protected. Each year many people at the March for Life say they are impressed by the overwhelming youth presence at the march and rally. This year, Elizabeth Eller, student body president at Christendom College, a Catholic college in Front Royal, Va., directly addressed younger viewers, urging them to do everything they can for the pro-life movement. “We can be the generation that sees an end to abortion,” she said. Tim Tebow, a former professional football quarterback, told his story about how his mother, when she was pregnant with him, had been advised to have an abortion to save her life but she chose not to. He urged virtual marchers to be willing to “suffer for and with the unborn.” “We’ve got to do a better job of being all pro-life all the time,” he said. With a pep talk of sorts to the crowd, he added: “This is a hard fight and it might get even harder but stay in it.”

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In Brief Naumann: Biden action on Title X makes abortion part of family planning program WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden’s decision to rescind a regulation governing the Title X family planning program that was enforced by the Trump administration “will force abortion” to be part of the program and “may be unlawful,” said the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life committee. Started in 1970, the Title X Family Planning Program is a federal grant program for low-income patients to receive family planning and reproductive health services, such as contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and breast and cervical cancer screenings. In February 2019, the Trump administration implemented the “Protect Life Rule” that enforces the Title X rule banning taxpayer funds from being used to promote or provide abortion as family planning. On Feb. 24, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the rule, which is what Biden is revoking.

Bishops, other pro-life leaders decry end to ‘Mexico City policy’ WASHINGTON, D.C. — The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life and international policy committees said President Joe Biden’s memo rescinding the so-called “Mexico City policy” Jan. 28 is a “grievous” action that “actively promotes the destruction of human lives in developing

nations.” “(It) is antithetical to reason, violates human dignity, and is incompatible with Catholic teaching. We and our brother bishops strongly oppose this action. We urge the president to use his office for good, prioritizing the most vulnerable, including unborn children,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kan., chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, Ill., chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace. The policy, first announced by President Ronald Reagan during an international conference on population in Mexico City in 1984, blocked U.S. funding for nongovernmental organizations that perform or actively promote abortion as a form of family planning in other nations. Republican presidents since then have upheld the policy and Democratic presidents have overturned it.

Biden raises refugee cap WASHINGTON, D.C. — In November, incoming U.S. President Joe Biden said at a Jesuit Refugee Service event that he would be heading in a dramatically different direction than the previous administration on refugee admissions. On Feb. 4, Biden delivered on those remarks, signing an executive order to raise the refugee cap to 125,000 for fiscal year 2021. “It’s going to take time to rebuild what is so badly damaged, but that’s precisely what we’re going to do,” he said, referencing the near dismantling of the program under the Trump administration, which dropped the cap late last year to a historically low figure of 15,000. As more than 80 million displaced people look for refuge around the world, the U.S. can return to what it once was, he said in an address at the U.S. Department of State: “We offered safe haven for those fleeing violence or persecution and our example pushed other nations to open wide their doors, as well.” “So, today, I’m approving executive orders to begin the hard work of

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restoring our refugee admissions program to help meet the unprecedented global need.”

Archbishop welcomes Biden orders on environmental action WASHINGTON, D.C. — Presidential executive orders related to environmental protection and climate change have gained the support of Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. President Joe Biden’s actions “resonate deeply with an integral ecology that listens to the ‘least of these,’” as expressed in Pope Francis’ encyclical, “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home,” the archbishop said Feb. 3. Biden’s steps to restore regulations governing automobile emission standards, hazardous air pollutants and the integrity of the Environmental Policy Act, all of which the USCCB previously supported, “speak of a commitment to restoring public health and the common home,” he said. While recognizing that Biden’s orders recommit

the nation to “robust and integrated climate mitigation policies,” Archbishop Coakley also urged the president to emphasize environmental justice, climate adaptation and resilience, the need for clean air, clean water and the conservation of land, ecosystems and agriculture, and a just transition and revitalization of communities reliant on the energy industry.

Kelly named CEO of Knights NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Patrick Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy captain, is the new leader of the Knights of Columbus, succeeding Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson, who has headed the international fraternal organization as its CEO for over decades. Deputy Supreme Knight since 2017, Kelly was elected to the top post by the Knights’ board of directors Feb. 5. He begins his term as 14th Supreme Knight March 1. Anderson will retire Feb. 28. — Catholic News Service

Chief Fiscal Officer The Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, N.C., a rapidly growing region, is seeking a seasoned financial executive to fill the ecclesiastical position of diocesan fiscal officer. This role serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of the Diocese. The position is responsible for managing the finances and financial planning process for the diocese, analyzing key business issues/challenges, and developing and implementing strategies to advance the financial health of the diocese. The position is responsible for financial reporting, tax compliance, cash management, debt financing and investments; and oversees Accounting, Internal Audit, Real Estate, Risk Management, IT, Planning and the diocesan retreat centers. CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS: • Be a practicing Catholic in good standing; • Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; • Hold a CPA or MBA; • Have a minimum of ten years’ experience with multiple responsibilities in financial leadership positions, have administrative leadership experience in a complex organization, and extensive supervisory responsibilities; • Must have advanced knowledge of budgeting principles and practices, accounting principles, not-for-profit tax issues, internal control systems, treasury management, investments, and financial reporting methodologies; as well as working knowledge in the following: real estate, risk management, employee benefits, computer systems and fundraising. Additionally, the candidate must have excellent written, verbal and public speaking skills adept to varied audiences, excellent strategic planning and organizational skills with a proven track record of successful program/process implementation and must be able to quickly and effectively adapt and respond to changing circumstances. For more information about the Diocese of Charlotte and this position, please visit: https://bit.ly/360ixoP. Interested candidates are invited to send a letter of interest with resume and salary history to: Ms. Gretchen Filz, 1123 South Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28203, or to gmfilz@charlottediocese.org. The letter of interest should elaborate on why the candidate is interested in this position with the Catholic Church and explain (with examples) why they are uniquely qualified for the position. Applications accepted through February 25, 2021

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Naming undersecretaries for synod, pope gives a woman a vote CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — Xaviere Missionary Sister Nathalie Becquart will not be the first woman undersecretary of a major Vatican office, but she will be the first woman with a right to vote at a meeting of the Synod of Bishops. Pope Francis named the French sister one of two undersecretaries of the Synod of Bishops Feb. 6. The other undersecretary is Augustinian Father Luis Marin de San Martin, whom Pope Francis also named a bishop Feb. 6. Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops, was asked by Vatican News if Sister Becquart having the right to vote at the synod would open the possibility to other women as well. Although the issue has been raised increasingly in the synod hall, until now only bishops and a few priests and brothers belonging to religious orders have had a vote. Pope Francis, Cardinal Grech responded, has “highlighted several times the importance that women be more involved in the processes of discernment and decision-making in the Church,” and in recent synods, the number of women participating as nonvoting experts or observers has increased. “With the appointment of Sister Nathalie Becquart and the opportunity that she will participate with the right to vote, a door has been opened,” Cardinal Grech said. “We will then see what other steps could be taken in the future.” Sister Becquart, who was an observer at the 2018 Synod of Bishops on young people, was named a consultant to the Synod of Bishops in 2019. She told Catholic News Service at the time that the appointment was “a symbolic and effective step toward appointing more women at the Curia, and it reflects Pope Francis’ desire to give more places to women at all levels of the Church.” Sister Becquart, the former director of youth evangelization and vocations for the French bishops’ conference, also said in the interview she was convinced more progress would come. “Changes will come with the new generation as more and more young people – not only young women but also young men – ask for women’s equality,” she said. Added hope comes from meeting “more and more priests and bishops now that are speaking out for women. I have seen an evolution; at the beginning, the question of women in the Church was a question from women, and now it is also an important topic for many men, priests and bishops – and even the pope!” But one will not be able to say there is true collaboration between men and women at all levels of the Church until there are “more women in leadership positions and decision-making processes,” she said. Obviously, the pope should continue appointing women to councils and dicasteries, she said. But she also had another idea: “Another symbolic step could be, for instance, that he ask a woman to lead the spiritual retreat for the Curia one year.”

Pope to diplomats: Pandemic can spark needed change toward better world JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — The COVID-19 pandemic can either be a catalyst for change for the better or it will weaken a world already burdened by global crises, Pope Francis said. The pandemic not only had a “significant effect” on people’s way of living, it also “shed light on the risks and consequences inherent in a way of life dominated by selfishness and a culture of waste,” the pope said Feb. 8 during his annual meeting with diplomats accredited to the Holy See. The COVID-19 pandemic, he said, “set before us a choice: either to continue on the road we have followed until now, or to set out on a new path.” In a nearly hourlong speech to members of the diplomatic corps, the pope listed a series of crises “that were provoked or brought to light by the pandemic” as a way to reflect on the opportunities the global community has to build “a more humane, just, supportive and peaceful world.” The health crisis sparked by COVID-19, he said, forced the world to confront two “unavoidable dimensions of human existence” – suffering and death – which serve as a reminder of the value of life “from conception in the womb until its natural end.” However, the pope said it was painful that “a growing number of legal systems in our world seem to be moving away from their inalienable duty to protect human life at every one of its phases.” Pope Francis emphasized that the human right to dignity extends to all, especially the most vulnerable, and renewed his appeal to government leaders to “ensure universal access to basic health care.” “Concern for profit should not be guiding a field as sensitive as that of health care,” the pope said. The pandemic, he continued, also shed a light on the current environmental crisis and has shown “that the earth itself is fragile and in need of care.” Direct and indirect consequences of climate change, including droughts, floods, malnutrition and respiratory diseases, he added, are the product of “prolonged inaction.” “Overcoming these crises demands international cooperation in caring for our common home. It is thus my hope that the next United Nations Climate Change Conference to take place in Glasgow (Scotland) next November, will lead to effective agreement in addressing the consequences of climate change,” he said. The economic difficulties that followed pandemic restrictions and caused many businesses to close “highlighted another illness of our time: that of an economy based on the exploitation and waste of both people and natural resources,” the pope said. Calling for a “new Copernican revolution,” Pope Francis told the diplomatic corps that the world needs a new kind of economy that is “at the service of men and women, and not vice versa.”

CNS | VATICAN MEDIA

Pope Francis walks near diplomats accredited to the Holy See during an audience in the Hall of Blessings at the Vatican Feb. 8. In his annual address to the diplomatic corps, the pope said that the COVID-19 pandemic can either be a catalyst toward achieving a better world or a cause to further weaken a world burdened by global crises. He also said that economic stability must be ensured to “avoid the scourge of exploitation,” especially among the poor and unemployed, many of whom are driven by desperation and end up trapped in “forced labor, prostitution and various criminal activities, including human trafficking.” “The increased amount of time spent at home has also led to greater isolation as people pass longer hours before computers and other media, with serious consequences for the more vulnerable, particularly the poor and the unemployed,” he added. “They become easier prey for cybercrime in its most dehumanizing aspects, including fraud, trafficking in persons, the exploitation of prostitution, including child prostitution and child pornography.” Pope Francis also highlighted the political crises that have arisen in the world, many of which directly threatened democracy “in countries with a long democratic tradition.” “The development of a democratic consciousness demands that emphasis on individual personalities be overcome and that respect for the rule of law prevail,” he said. “Indeed, law is the indispensable prerequisite for the exercise of all power and must be guaranteed by the responsible governing bodies, regardless of dominant political interests.” Urging respect for democratic principles, the pope expressed his solidarity with the people of Myanmar, where the country’s military staged a coup Feb. 1 and detained top political leaders. “The path to democracy undertaken in recent years was brusquely interrupted by last week’s coup d’état. This has led to the imprisonment of different political leaders, who I hope will be promptly released as a sign of encouragement for a sincere dialogue aimed at the good of the

country,” he said. Governments also must make greater efforts in disarmament, the pope said, emphasizing that violence around world, especially in Syria, has increased “at every level with the proliferation of weapons.” “How I wish that 2021 may be the year when the conflict in Syria, begun 10 years ago, can finally end!” the pope said. “For this to happen, renewed interest is needed also on the part of the international community to address the causes of the conflict with honesty and courage and to seek solutions whereby all, regardless of ethnic and religious affiliation, can contribute as citizens to the future of the country.” The pope also called for peace in the Holy Land, Lebanon and Libya and highlighted increasing political and social tensions, especially in the Central African Republic and Latin America. Lastly, Pope Francis focused on “the crisis of human relationships,” which he said was “the most serious of all.” Months of isolation and loneliness, he said, have “brought out the need of every individual for human relationships” especially for students unable to attend school. The pandemic has also had implications in the increase in domestic violence and restrictions on public worship. Nevertheless, to overcome the crisis in human relationships, the pope called on the international community to “safeguard the transcendent dignity of each human person, created in the image and likeness of God.” “2021 is a time that must not be wasted,” Pope Francis said. “I am convinced that fraternity is the true cure for the pandemic and the many evils that have affected us. Along with vaccines, fraternity and hope are, as it were, the medicine we need in today’s world.”

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In Brief Pope: Markets need regulation to promote justice VATICAN CITY — For economic policies and systems to promote an end to human trafficking, they must care about people, their dignity and working conditions, and they must be regulated in ways that promote social justice, not special interests, Pope Francis said. An economy without human trafficking will require “the courage of patient construction, of planning that does not look always and only at the very short-term gains, but at the medium- and long-term fruits and, above all, at people,” he said in a video message marking the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. The international day, established by Pope Francis, is celebrated annually Feb. 8, the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who had been sold into slavery as a child. This year’s day of prayer sought to raise awareness about the economic systems and pressures leading to and fostering human trafficking. In his message, Pope Francis said the day was an important way to remember this ongoing global tragedy and to inspire action leading to people’s reintegration into society.

Caritas: Access to vaccine not as equitable as it should be VATICAN CITY — Caritas Internationalis called on world leaders to set aside national and political agendas that seek returns on

their investments in the COVID-19 vaccine and instead focus on its equitable distribution, especially in poor countries. In a statement released Feb. 5, the umbrella organization of official national Catholic charities around the world said that while the availability of the vaccine has brought much hope, it has also revealed “a wider gap in inequality. It is believed that the ‘miracle’ of the vaccines would reignite the global machinery,” the statement said. “This has led to a kind of focus on the North, shown in nationalism and protectionism. The global South, where the majority of the poor live, is left out.” The statement was signed by: Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, president of Caritas Internationalis and prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples; Aloysius John, secretary-general of Caritas Internationalis; and Cardinal Peter Turkson, head of the Vatican’s COVID-19 commission.

Pope adds Mary and Lazarus to universal calendar VATICAN CITY — Recognizing their welcome of and witness to Christ, Pope Francis has approved changing the liturgical feast of St. Martha to include her sister and brother, Mary and Lazarus, on the Church’s universal calendar of feast days. The names of Mary and Lazarus will be added to the July 29 feast on the General Roman Calendar, the universal schedule of holy days and feast days for the Latin rite of the Church. The Vatican Feb. 2 published the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments’ decree ordering the change in calendars. The decree said Pope Francis approved the memorial for Martha, Mary and Lazarus after “considering the important evangelical witness they offered in welcoming the Lord Jesus into their home, in listening to Him attentively, (and) in believing that He is the resurrection and the life.” — Catholic News Service

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PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN O Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request.) There are none that can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times.) Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (3 times.) 3 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, 3 Glory Be Published in gratitude for prayers answered. Thank you, J. A.P.

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Deacon Matthew Newsome

Why ashes? A

merican Catholics will begin Lent a little repenting in ashes communally. differently this year by having blessed ashes It is clear that ashes have a long association with sprinkled over our heads rather than placed on penance. But we still haven’t answered the question: our foreheads in the form of a cross. The sprinkling of Why? ashes on the crown of the head is a very old tradition First, we must have a correct understanding of still followed in Rome, though rarely in the United penance. Penance is not punishment for our sins. States. An instruction from the Vatican on how to Penance is meant to be medicinal. The words penance safely celebrate Ash and repentance are related. Wednesday in the To repent is to turn away midst of the pandemic from sin and toward God. has introduced many Penance is anything that Catholics to this practice helps us to do that. Some for the first time. penances involve selfBut why do we put denial, such as fasting. But ashes on our heads time spent in prayer or at all? To those of us performing works of mercy used to having ashes can also be penitential. visibly imposed on Think of the three pillars our foreheads, the of Lent: prayer, fasting and practice may even seem almsgiving. These are all incongruous with Jesus’ forms of penance because instruction to “anoint they each help us reorient your head and wash our lives away from sin and your face” when fasting back to God. (Mt 6:16). How did this So how do ashes help us practice begin? turn toward God? They Ashes have been used do so in a couple of ways. in the Church to mark As the blessed ashes the beginning of Lent are imposed upon our from an early date. In heads, the minister says, the late 10th century, “Remember you are dust the Anglo-Saxon Abbot and to dust you will return.” Aelfric observed that at CNS | CRISTIAN GENNARI Ashes are a reminder of the beginning of Lent Pope Francis receives ashes from Cardinal Jozef Tomko as he our own mortality. There is we “strew ashes upon celebrates Ash Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in nothing quite as sobering as our heads to signify that Rome in this Feb. 26, 2020, file photo. reflecting upon one’s own we ought to repent of death. Death comes to us all. our sins.” To encourage None of us is guaranteed the practice, he even recounts the tale of a man who tomorrow. Are we prepared to stand before our Judge neglected to receive ashes in church on Ash Wednesday and give an account of our lives? There is no time like and was subsequently killed during a boar hunt (a fate today for making a good confession and getting right somewhat less likely today). As early as the 8th century, with the Lord. the Church’s liturgical books called the first day of Lent Ashes remind us of our end, but they also remind “dies cinerum” (“day of ashes”). us of our origin. “The Lord God formed man out of But the association of ashes with penance is even the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the older. In the oldest book of the Bible, the book of Job, breath of life, and so man became a living being” (Gen we read of Job repenting “in dust and ashes” (Job 2:7). In Hebrew, “adam” means “man” and “adama” 42:6). In the book of Esther, the prophet Mordecai means “clay.” This bit of Biblical word-play reminds us “put on sackcloth and ashes” when he learned of King just how close we are to the dirt from which we were Ahasuerus’ decree to kill all the Jewish people in the made. The only reason we are living human beings Persian Empire. A generation later, the prophet Daniel and not lumps of clay is because God breathes His life turned to God in prayer “with fasting, sackcloth, and into us. As the psalmist prays, “When you take away ashes” (Dan 9:3). When Jonah called for Nineveh their breath, they perish and return to the dust from to repent, the king of the city “covered himself in which they came. When you send forth your breath, sackcloth and sat in ashes” (Jon 3:6). Throughout the they are created, and you renew the face of the earth” Old Testament we find ashes being used by the Jewish (Ps 104:29b-30). Ashes serve as a reminder of our utter people in conjunction with acts of severe or public dependence upon God. They remind us to be humble penance. (from the Latin word “humus,” which means “ground” In the New Testament, Jesus also makes reference to or “dirt”). repenting in sackcloth and ashes (Mt 11:21), so it’s no Even if you are not able to receive ashes at all this surprise that this tradition continued into the Christian year due to COVID-19 concerns, it’s good to know that era. Early Christian writers such as Tertullian (2nd the important thing is the invitation the ashes convey to century) and Eusebius (4th century) mention penitents make an inward turn toward God. That’s an invitation putting on “sackcloth and ashes” in association with we can always accept. Just maybe avoid boar hunts for sacramental confession. In the days of public penance, a while. ashes served as a visible sign that one was repenting from their sins. Since Lent is a season of penance DEACON MATTHEW NEWSOME is the Catholic campus minister at Western for the entire Church, it makes sense that the entire Carolina University and the regional faith formation coordinator for the Church would be encouraged to begin the season by Smoky Mountain Vicariate.

Bobby Speers

Stormy weather

ent is a season of fasting and abstinence, but Lent is more than about substituting bacon for salmon. For a Lenten meditation, let’s take a look at the Book of Jonah – it’s a 20-minute read of four chapters, but a life-changer for Jonah and for us! In this thrilling story from the Old Testament, the Lord came to Jonah and told him to go to the great city of Nineveh and preach repentance. If the people did not turn from their wickedness, God would destroy their city, He said. Unlike Samuel who proclaimed, “Lord, your servant is listening,” Jonah turned a deaf ear. Instead of doing as God instructed and heading east to Nineveh, Jonah sailed west to a land called Tarshish, considered the last stop before falling off the face of the earth. While at sea, the wind blew up and the tempest surged. The pagan sailors lightened the boat by throwing cargo overboard, then started praying to their gods. But the storm raged on. Meanwhile, Jonah was snoring away inside the boat. The captain woke him and the sailors found out he was a Hebrew who worshiped the Lord, the creator of land and sea. So they asked Jonah to pray to his God, but still nothing happened. Finally, the sailors cast lots to see who was the unlucky person responsible for the storm besieging them. Lo and behold, the mayhem fell on Jonah. Jonah confessed that he was running away from God, and told the men to throw him into the sea. The pagans hesitated, but the storm kept pushing their boat away from the land. Seeing no other alternative, “then they cried to the Lord: “Please, O Lord, do not let us perish for taking this man’s life; do not charge us with shedding innocent blood, for you, Lord, have accomplished what you desired.” The men threw Jonah into the sea, and the storm immediately stopped. Of course, we then read that Jonah was swallowed by a whale and taken back to Ninevah to do as God commanded him, and he proved successful in his mission. The people of Nineveh repented and the city was saved. When will we realize that there is no escaping from God, God’s will, God’s plan for our lives, and God’s judgment? As the Psalmist David said in Psalm 139, “Where can I go from your spirit? From your presence, where can I flee? If I ascend to the heavens, you are there; if I lie down in Sheol, there you are.” Stormy weather is also a familiar narrative in the New Testament, when Jesus calms the wind and the sea. And Jonah’s experience of being in the belly of a whale for three days is considered a foreshadowing of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Just like Jonah, sometimes God has to constrain us by trials and tribulations to make us realize that we are His children. We have a calling and a duty as His children, so we must be obedient when He speaks. In the belly of that whale, Jonah, thinking he was dead, fervently prayed a prayer that you and I should pray especially considering we are swallowed up by the culture of death, which is drowning us in fear. The secular world wants us to neglect living the mission of our Catholic faith as sons and daughters of the Living God and instead give in to their evil dominion. I emphasize this part of Jonah’s plea, desiring to bring us to repentance, rekindling our commitment and devotion to God: “When I became faint, I remembered the Lord; My prayer came to you in your holy temple. Those who worship worthless idols abandon their hope for mercy. But I, with thankful voice, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will pay: deliverance is from the Lord.” This Lenten season, may the Lord purge us of our sins of disobedience, as we renew our baptismal promises renouncing Satan and his works and we promise to serve God in the holy Catholic Church. BOBBY SPEERS is an author who lives in Hickory.

February 12, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Letters to the Editor as a train passes by filled with screaming and crying Jews. Thirty-seven years ago, the film “Silent Scream” likewise revealed the agony of a baby being aborted. People continue to turn their eyes away – even as today’s advanced science now proves even more the torment these babies endure. As cars rush by our crosses every January, are we any different?

Jesuit Father John Michalowski

Jesus – ‘perfect through suffering’

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For it was fitting that (God), for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation (Jesus) perfect through suffering.” (Hebrews 2:10). To become “perfect through suffering” sounds crazy at first. Who wants to suffer? No one does. Yet suffering is part of human life and it can be a prime teacher of wisdom. Over the past year, suffering seems to surround us, not just with the pandemic but with the violence of racial inequalities and discrimination, the demonization of others and political violence. Suffering can either destroy a person or it can be the foundation of great virtue and wisdom – especially of faith, perseverance and compassion. As the saying goes, if you want to understand another person, walk in their shoes for a while. One of the themes of the Letter to the Hebrews is that we can be sure God understands us because Jesus walked in our shoes. Through the Incarnation, Jesus walks in humanity for a lifetime, embracing the human condition from conception to death. Jesus knows both the joys and the sufferings of the human condition and brings this into the Trinity. We can be sure that God understands us and has compassion for us, because God became one of us in Jesus. But how can suffering make one perfect? For God, perfection is about love. Love is what makes us like God, or as the First Letter of John puts it: “Love is of God: everyone who loves is begotten of God and knows God, for God is love” (4:7-8). How often do we see movements against breast cancer, or substance abuse, or lead in drinking water, or hunger in a poor country or neighborhood, which is spearheaded by a person who has either suffered from the disease or situation, or who walked with a family member who suffered in that way, or who lived with those who suffered? Suffering can teach us compassion – the love that feels with the other and works for healing. So often in the Gospels, we see Jesus moved with compassion to heal the sick, feed the hungry or forgive the sinner. Those who give a year or two of service through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps after college half-joke that they have been “ruined for life.” Having worked with the poor, the mentally handicapped, the forgotten on reservations, the children in inner-city schools, abused women and others, they can no longer live in a carefree, selfish way. The people they worked with have become part of their lives, part of their prayer, part of their small community sharing, and part of their reflection on retreat. These experiences then helped to form their future lives. Many have become teachers, doctors, nurses, social workers, lawyers and politicians – using their skills with compassion for those on the margins of society. While serving in ministry in another

state, I had the privilege of being the spiritual director for a woman whose great practical compassion came from what she had suffered. I am able to share her story because she had a weekly show about faith and justice that aired on the town’s local cable channel in which she talked frankly about her past. In the days before abortion became legal, her mother tried to abort her through chemical means. The abortion failed and she was born some months later, but she continues to suffer from the physical consequences of the chemical. As she grew up, she married and had a few children. Unfortunately, her husband was abusive and when she became pregnant with their fourth child he pressured her to have an abortion. The marriage ended in divorce and she struggled with poverty. At this point she turned to the Church. Her faith grew, and she knew not only God’s forgiveness but began to experience His healing. Through her healing process, she started a food pantry in her town and then launched her faith-based show on the town’s cable network. The trauma of her sad life experiences have allowed her to speak to those who come to the food pantry due to their own struggles with poverty, and sometimes even abuse and abortion. She learned compassion and wisdom from what she suffered, and her counsel and sharing of her own faith has helped others. Clearly, God does not want suffering. But we live in a fallen world, and it is into that fallen world that Jesus entered. He came to be a light in the darkness and a path to eternal life. With the help of His grace, even suffering can be turned to good – if it leads us to grow in compassion and persevering in faith. Will we listen with open ears and a compassionate heart as our black and brown brothers and sisters share the sufferings they encounter in American society? Will we put aside the selfish individualism that refuses to follow the CDC guidelines on controlling the spread of COVID-19? Will we listen to the grievances of those who distrust our government and work to overcome the demonization of others, and support those who work for a nation where all are equal, and some are not more equal than others? St. Paul encourages us in Romans: “What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? ... No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that … (nothing) will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (8:35, 37, 39). Will we allow the present suffering to be the source of our conversion as Christians and as a nation to the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord? JESUIT FATHER JOHN MICHALOWSKI is the parochial vicar of St. Peter Church in Charlotte.

DIANE HOEFLING is a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Charlotte, where she serves on the parish’s Respect Life Committee.

We must not promote the evil of abortion

Reaching someone, why not all? Over the years, my parish’s Respect Life Committee has witnessed varied reactions to our Cemetery of Innocents. Cars have passed by with thumbs up or middle finger out; callers to the office have anxiously asked for help or angrily left a profane message. We’ve always hoped the message persuades, but we have known that it also disturbs. That was the point. Yet in all these years we’ve never seen someone leave a doll by one of the crosses. This time, it was our turn to react. Was it from a regretful post-abortive mother or from a like-minded neighbor equating one cross so strongly with a dead child that a baby-like figure was left for all to ponder? We’ll likely never know, but our little crosses moved someone. We have been displaying a Cemetery of Innocents every January for more than 30 years now, with the hope of educating passersby, reaching abortion-minded mothers and commemorating the children so violently killed by legal abortion. This year, 63 crosses for every million babies murdered since 1973 covered the lawn. This sad little graveyard has been subjected to countless acts of vandalism, yet its existence has encouraged other Catholic and nonCatholic churches to share their own similar message. Unfortunately, even with cemeteries like this across our nation, our country still doesn’t want to acknowledge the absolute evil we are allowing every minute of every day to the most innocent and most vulnerable. Alarmingly, with the help of many Catholic votes, we now have two disturbingly pro-abortion extremists in the White House spreading this wickedness worldwide and funded by us. They have no limits to killing these children, even should they survive an abortion. If tiny graveyards don’t provoke images of this evil, if ultrasounds of babies in utero don’t touch hearts, if photos of aborted babies don’t disturb, if people don’t comprehend that killing 63 MILLION children is causing our nation to lose its soul, then our Cemetery of Innocents will sadly go on for many, many more years. There’s a story told of Germans in church during World War II just singing louder

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President Joe Biden has fundamentally attacked the core values that all Catholics should fight to uphold. By attacking life on his first day in office and again on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, he is promoting and proliferating the evil of abortion. Naming folks to high government posts may mean worldly power is increased for those supporters of worldly values, but I am disheartened by the Catholic News Herald’s focus. How can we “Love Thy Neighbor” (the cover headline of the Jan. 29 edition) when we can’t even call out evil when it is being promoted right in front of our eyes? I am praying for a conversion of hearts. JOSEPH OTRANTO lives in Asheboro.

Telling it like it is Kudos to Father Peter Ascik for telling it like it is in his Jan. 29 commentary “An example of Catholic integrity in public life.” One cannot profess they are a practicing Catholic and then not only sanction, but promote, abortion. The political divide over abortion is becoming a divide in our Church. Kudos also to Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, the current president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, who issued a statement condemning President Joe Biden’s stance on abortion. Secular columnist Cal Thomas recently questioned Biden’s faithfulness to Church teaching in his Jan. 31 commentary “Biden: A liberal wolf in moderate sheep’s clothing,” writing: “Biden has reverted to an old and meaningless excuse when he says he doesn’t want to ‘impose’ his faith on others. The question then becomes why have a faith at all, if he won’t apply what his church teaches as truth? How is Biden different from a person who is about to witness a murder but doesn’t try to stop it, or call the police, because he doesn’t want to impose his moral views about the value of life on a man about to commit an illegal and immoral act?” A second article in the Jan. 29 Catholic News Herald was about nine Catholics nominated to cabinet-level jobs in the Biden Administration. If they are all “Catholics” like Biden, I am not impressed. In fact, I am downright concerned about several of the appointees, whose track records speak volumes about their level of adherence to Catholic values and teachings. ROSEMARY HAGEROTT lives in Hendersonville.

Diocese of Charlotte

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catholicnewsherald.com | February 12, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

AFROAMERICANA

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habían sido bien tratados, que la Guerra Civil fue una guerra de “agresión del Norte” y que los negros habían estado mejor bajo la esclavitud. El Mes de la Historia Afroamericana fue propuesto por primera vez por los maestros afroamericanos y los Estudiantes Afroamericanos Unidos en la Universidad Estatal Kent en febrero de 1969. La primera celebración del Mes de la Historia Afroamericana tuvo lugar en Kent State un año después, del 2 de enero al 28 de febrero de 1970. Seis años después, se estaba celebrando el Mes de la Historia Afroamericana en todo el país, en instituciones educativas, centros de cultura negra y centros comunitarios. El presidente Gerald Ford reconoció el Mes de la Historia Afroamericana durante la celebración del Bicentenario de Estados Unidos. Instó a los estadounidenses a “aprovechar la oportunidad para honrar los logros, a menudo olvidados, de los afroamericanos en todas las áreas de actividad a lo largo de nuestra historia”. — Texto traducido del boletín del Ministerio de Asuntos AfroAmericanos de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

Each year National Catholic Schools Week celebrates the importance of a Catholic education, he noted. “The great mission of a Catholic school education, my dear young people, is to lead you to meet Jesus Christ, the Savior, and to develop a lasting relationship with Jesus throughout your years of Catholic school education,” he said. “Because our faith is not something of the past, dead and gone. Our faith is a friendship with the Lord that is lived today. We know that we can meet and know the Savior today and have a living relationship with Him.” “How do we do that? By being serious about your prayer (life), either when you are alone or in a group with others, and especially at Mass or even praying the holy rosary. Be serious about prayer, coming

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death. Contemporary culture has woven together truth and lies; personal freedom and the moral power to choose is woven together with the unjust taking of a life as if one legitimates other. We understand that it is the Church’s responsibility to speak up. To be clear, our political efforts are not an attempt to use the power of civil governance to compel citizens to live according to Catholic doctrine. We don’t seek to change the laws in order to coerce people to do what we think is right. What we are attempting to say in the political sphere is that there are certain issues that belong to the

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un crucifijo colgado en la pared de su casa o tal vez incluso en la pared de su dormitorio, o un crucifijo de pie en su escritorio o tocador, para recordarles cuánto los ama Jesús, para recordarles cuánto los ama Jesús al ofrecer su vida por ustedes? El obispo enfatizó que es importante tomar en serio esta relación y amistad con Jesús.

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When the present church was built and dedicated in 2005, Holy Family’s first church was converted into a multipurpose facility and renamed in honor of Charlotte’s third bishop. “However, for many years it was just a big windowless room with chairs,” Deacon Harrison explained. “We used it for some faith formation activities, meetings and office space, but, due to the lack of separation walls, the 4,600-square-foot room was quite noisy and not an efficient use of the space. Therefore, it was very much underutilized.”

into Jesus’ presence,” he explained. He also reminded the Catholic school community of the importance of the crucifix, where Jesus sacrificed His life for us. “In every (Catholic) church you see a crucifix. The cross where Jesus offered His life for love of you, for your salvation,” he said. “Now, being Catholic schools, I am sure you see a crucifix hanging on the walls somewhere in your school – and maybe even right now in your classroom. “I wonder how many of you also have a crucifix hanging on the wall in your home or maybe even on the wall in your bedroom, or a stand-up crucifix on your desk or dresser, to remind you just how much Jesus loves you, to remind you just how much Jesus loves you in offering His life for you?” The bishop emphasized that it is important to take this relationship and friendship with Jesus seriously. “Friends of Jesus, the living Savior. Your best friend” – that’s how we should think

of Jesus in our own lives, Bishop Jugis told students, adding, “The crucifix reminds us to love just as Jesus has loved us.” “What a tremendous force for good you all are in your local communities by faithfully living and practicing your faith,” he said. “I am proud of every one of you. May you always stay close to the Lord.” Concelebrating the Feb. 1 Mass for National Catholic Schools Week were school chaplains Father John Putnam of St. Mark School and Christ the King High School in Huntersville; Father Joseph Matlak of Holy Trinity Middle School in Charlotte; and Father Noah Carter of Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville. Catholic Schools Superintendent Dr. Greg Monroe and other school system officials also attended the Mass.

responsibility of any just state. Preeminent among them is to physically protect the innocent and the vulnerable. This is a minimum responsibility of state and society. We are not asking government and elected officials to do our job of preaching the gospel. Rather, we are asking them to do theirs. For this reason, the pro-life movement brings together people from all different creeds that come here on the anniversary of the ill-considered and narrowly-passed Supreme Court decision. We are saying to the electorate and their representatives: Do your job. Fulfill the minimum responsibility of the state. As for the Church, we will continue to fulfill ours. We will preach the truth with love, mercy and hope while invoking the power of grace and conversion regardless of the political whims of the day, in season and out of season.

Back in the early years of seminary, I remember an occasion when Mother Teresa visited this basilica. She sat right here. I would like to recall her words today. She would say to her sisters, “Ours is not to be successful, our responsibility is to be faithful.” This wise counsel applies to all of us. We must never lose sight that in the end, God wins. In His way, all wrongs will be made right. But in the meantime, how everything will play out is not for us to know. We surrender our efforts into His hands. Whether it’s the pro-life effort or any other right and good cause, our role is fidelity.

“Amigos de Jesús, el Salvador viviente. Tu mejor amigo”, así es como debemos pensar en Jesús en nuestras propias vidas, dijo el Obispo Jugis a los estudiantes, y agregó: “El crucifijo nos recuerda que debemos amar como Jesús nos amó”. “Qué tremenda fuerza para el bien son todos ustedes en sus comunidades locales al vivir fielmente y practicar su fe”, dijo. “Estoy orgulloso de cada uno de ustedes. Que estén siempre cerca del Señor”. Concelebrando la Misa del 1 de febrero por la Semana Nacional de las Escuelas Católicas estuvieron los capellanes de las escuelas, el Padre John Putnam de la

escuela St. Mark y la escuela secundaria Christ the King en Huntersville; el Padre Joseph Matlak de Holy Trinity Middle School en Charlotte; y el Padre Noah Carter de la escuela secundaria Bishop McGuinness en Kernersville. El superintendente de las escuelas católicas, Dr. Greg Monroe, y otros funcionarios del sistema escolar también asistieron a la Misa.

The parish developed a plan to renovate the Curlin Center using its portion of the Diocese of Charlotte’s “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign funding. Parishioners wanted to renovate the underused space into a chapel, two classrooms and a library/meeting room, three faith formation/ministry offices, a faith formation workroom and a storage space. “This space provides a beautiful chapel for prayer, much-needed meeting rooms, and offices,” Father Stuhrenberg said. “The staff seems really happy with their new offices. I appreciate everyone who donated to this project, especially given the challenges posed by COVID-19.” To fund the $723,00 renovation, the parish used $300,000 from its FFHL campaign proceeds and conducted a parish capital campaign from 2019 to 2020 to raise the

remaining $423,000 for the project. The renovation work began in July 2020 and was completed in January. To cap off the events of Jan. 27, Bishop Jugis, Father Stuhrenberg, Father Nouck and Deacon Harrison traveled to nearby Westlawn Gardens of Memory to bless a new Catholic cemetery area with 336 plots and a columbarium with 160 niches. “This project was started and planned under the leadership of Father Buttner as pastor, and I am glad to inherit the fruit of the work. The team did a really great job,” Father Stuhrenberg said. “It was so wonderful to have our bishop come and dedicate the altar. Bishop Jugis mentioned how this small chapel here, which seats 130 people, is bigger than many of the churches in the diocese. How blessed we are!” he added.

Watch the Mass At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Watch Bishop Peter Jugis’ homily for 2021 Catholic Schools Week

MONSIGNOR PATRICK J. WINSLOW is vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte. This is adapted from his homily for a Jan. 29 Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., during the 2021 March for Life.

Vea la Misa En www.catholicnewsherald.com: Vea la homilía del Obispo Peter Jugis por la Semana de las Escuelas Católicas 2021

Feb. 12, 2021

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