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2 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

catholicnewsherald.com | July 2, 2021

Pope Francis

God’s grace transforms sinners into apostles

Even the lowliest of sinners can become the greatest of apostles by answering God’s call and allowing His grace to work in their heart and mind, Pope Francis said.

The life of St. Paul, who went “from being a persecutor of Christians for not observing the traditions and the law” to being one of the great apostles, highlights the power of God’s grace, the pope said June 30 during his weekly general audience.

“How often, in the face of the Lord’s great works, does the question arise: How is it possible that God uses a sinner, a frail and weak person, to do his will? And yet, none of this happens by chance, because everything has been prepared in God’s plan. He weaves our history and, if we correspond with trust to His plan of salvation, we realize it,” he said.

In his main audience talk, the pope continued his new series of talks on the Letter to the Galatians, reflecting on the theme, “Paul, true apostle.”

St. Paul shows “a father’s concern” for the Christian community, he said, and in reading his Letter to the Galatians, “we immediately discover that Paul has a profound knowledge of the mystery of Christ.”

When problems arise, such as the dispute over whether Gentiles must be circumcised, St. Paul did not follow “the shallow arguments used by his detractors” but instead “chose to go deeper, because what was at stake was the truth of the Gospel and the freedom of Christians.”

“He does not stop at the surface of the problems, as we are often tempted to do in order to find an immediate solution that deludes us into thinking that we can all agree with a compromise,” the pope said. “This is not how the Gospel works, and the apostle chose to take the more challenging route.”

One of the ways St. Paul explains his reasoning is by reminding the Galatians of his history of violent persecution against Christians and “that he is a true apostle not by his own merit, but by God’s calling.”

“On the one hand, he insists on underlining that he had fiercely persecuted the Church and that he had been a ‘blasphemer, a persecutor and a man of violence,’ the pope said. “On the other hand, he highlights God’s mercy toward him, which led him to experience a radical transformation, well known to all.”

Pope Francis said St. Paul’s “wonder and gratitude” despite his past showed that, through the grace of God, even one who fought the disciples of Christ “could become a herald among the Gentiles.”

St. Bonaventure: ‘The Seraphic Doctor’

Feast day: July 15

July 15 marks the feast day of St. Bonaventure, called “The Seraphic Doctor” of the Church. St. Bonaventure is known for his leadership of the Franciscans and his great intellectual contributions to theology and philosophy.

St. Bonaventure was born in Bagnorea in Tuscany, Italy. He is widely believed to have been born in the year 1221, although some accounts say 1217.

Sources recount that in his youth, St. Bonaventure was cured of a dangerous illness by the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi. He went on to join the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor in 1243.

After making his vows, he was sent to complete his studies in Paris. He was taught first by Alexander of Hales, an English doctor and Franciscan, and later by John of Rochelle. While in Paris, he became good friends with St. Thomas Aquinas, with whom he received the degree of Doctor. He also developed a friendship with St. Louis, king of France.

In 1257, St. Bonaventure was chosen to serve as the superior of the Friars Minor. In this position, which he filled for 17 years, he brought peace and order. His impact was so great that today he is sometimes referred to as the second founder of the Franciscans.

Taking on the position after a period of extraordinary expansion for the order, St. Bonaventure worked to preserve a spirit of unity. He calmed the threat of internal dissension that arose over differences in interpreting the message of St. Francis of Assisi. Central to this work was his understanding that the study of philosophy and theology did not oppose the call to poverty that was so central to Franciscan spirituality.

St. Bonaventure proposed a unified and collected text regulating the daily life of the Friars Minor. The text was accepted and ratified in 1260 by the General Chapter of the Order in Narbonne.

Wishing to present an authentic image of the life and teaching of their founder, he zealously collected documents about St. Francis of Assisi and heard testimonies of those who had actually known him. From this information, he compiled a biography of the saint that was adopted as his official biography by the General Chapter of the Friars Minor in 1263. St. Bonaventure also wrote numerous mystical and ascetical treatises, most famously, “The Soul’s Journey into God.” In 1273, he was appointed by Pope Gregory X as Cardinal and Bishop of Albano. The pope also asked him to help prepare the Second Ecumenical Council of Lyons, an ecclesial event aimed at reestablishing communion between the Latin and Greek Churches. St. Bonaventure worked to prepare the Ecumenical Council, but never saw its completion. He died on July 15, 1274, while the council was still in session. He was canonized in 1482 by Pope Sixtus IV. In his general audience on March 3, 2010, then-Pope Benedict XVI spoke about the life of St. Bonaventure. He called to mind the great works of literature, art, philosophy and theology that were inspired by the Christian faith during the time period in which the saint lived. “Among the great Christian figures who contributed to the composition of this harmony between faith and culture Bonaventure stands out, a man of action and contemplation, of profound piety and prudent government,” he said. He called on people to note “the central role that Christ always played in Bonaventure’s life and teaching,” and to imitate the way in which “the whole of his thinking was profoundly Christocentric.” — Catholic News Agency Also online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Read about other saints whose feast days are in July, including: St. Otto, July 2; St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions, July 9; St. Kateri Tekakwitha, July 14; St. Lawrence of Brindisi, July 21; St. Bridget of Sweden, July 23; St. Charbel Makhluf, July 24; and Sts. Joachim and Anne, St. Bonaventure, as painted by Claude François, c. 1650-1660 July 26.

‘Meditation on Christ in His humanity is corporeal in deed, in fact, but spiritual in mind. By adopting this habit, you will steady your mind, be trained to virtues, and receive strength of soul. Let meditation of Christ’s life be your one and only aim, your rest, your food, your desire, your study.’

— St. Bonaventure

Daily Scripture readings

JULY 4-10

Sunday: Ezekiel 2:2-5, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Mark 6:1-6a; Monday (St. Anthony Zaccaria, St. Elizabeth of Portugal): Genesis 28:10-22a, Matthew 9:18-26; Tuesday (St. Maria Goretti): Genesis 32:2333, Matthew 9:32-38; Wednesday: Genesis 41:55-57, 42:5-7a, 17-24a, Matthew 10:1-7; Thursday: Genesis 44:18-21, 23-29, 45:1-5, Matthew 10:7-15; Friday (St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions): Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30, Matthew 10:16-23; Saturday: Genesis 49:29-32, 50:15-26a, Matthew 10:24-33 JULY 11-17

Sunday: Amos 7:12-15, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:7-13; Monday: Exodus 1:8-14, Matthew 10:34-11:1; Tuesday (St. Henry): Exodus 2:1-15a, Matthew 11:20-24; Wednesday (St. Kateri Tekakwitha): Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12, Matthew 11:25-27; Thursday (St. Bonaventure): Exodus 3:13-20, Matthew 11:28-30; Friday (Our Lady of Mount Carmel): Exodus 11:10-12:14, Matthew 12:1-8; Saturday: Exodus 12:37-42, Matthew 12:14-21 JULY 18-24

Sunday: Jeremiah 23:1-6, Ephesians 2:1318, Mark 6:30-34; Monday: Exodus 14:5-18, Exodus 15:1-6, Matthew 12:38-42; Tuesday (St. Apollinaris): Exodus 14:21-15:1, Exodus 15:8-10, 12,17, Matthew 12:46-50; Wednesday (St. Lawrence of Brindisi): Exodus 16:15, 9-15, Matthew 13:1-9; Thursday (St. Mary Magdalene): Song of Songs 3:1-4b, 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, John 20:1-2, 11-18; Friday (St. Bridget): Exodus 20:1-17, Matthew 13:1823; Saturday (St. Sharbel Makhluf): Exodus 24:3-8, Matthew 13:24-30

July 2, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com Our parishes CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI 3

Summer vocations camps offer youth a time to explore God’s will for their lives

SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

BELMONT — After a one-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Diocese of Charlotte’s summer vocations camps for young men and women resumed in June. Participation was kept limited, and both were quickly filled to capacity with about 150 participants all eager to deepen their relationship with Christ.

Approximately 67 young men participated in Quo Vadis Days June 14-18, held at Belmont Abbey College.

The goal of Quo Vadis Days is to challenge young men to ask the fundamental question, “quo vadis,” or “where are you going?” while equipping them with the tools and opportunity to discern God’s will for their life.

Priests and seminarians of the diocese interacted with the young men during the week-long camp, which featured talks by clergy, seminarians and others about vocations to the priesthood, marriage and fatherhood.

The young men visited St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly, not far from Belmont Abbey College. They also traveled to St. Mark Church in Huntersville to attend a Solemn High Mass and enjoyed a cookout sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

“Quo Vadis Days gives the young men of our diocese the chance to take a break from their ordinary routines in order to ask Our Lord that very important question: ‘What do you want me to do with my life?’” said Father Brian Becker, diocesan vocations promoter.

Besides spending plenty of time at Mass and in prayer and discussions, participants also had fun with a Quo Vadis Cup soccer tournament.

“Vocations to religious life and to the priesthood involve fraternity and fun as well,” Father Becker said. “This is why we want the men to have a great experience – not only of the goodness of prayer and the Church’s liturgy, but also of forming bonds with their brothers and having fun together.”

Coordinated by the Daughters of the Virgin Mother, the Duc In Altum vocations camp held June 21-25 filled up this year with 60 participants. Twenty more were given the option to participate in the talks virtually through video conferencing.

Duc In Altum, Latin for “put out into the deep,” is designed to encourage young women to explore God’s will for their

CAMPS, SEE PAGE 21

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE SEMINARY AND THE DAUGHTERS OF THE VIRGIN MOTHER COMMUNITY

The Quo Vadis Days and Duc In Altum summer vocations camps were held on the campus of Belmont Abbey College over two weeks in June. Approximately 150 young men and women aged 15-19 attended the week-long retreats. Clergy and religious visited with the youth and shared information and insights with them about their vocations in the Church.

Triad area Knights pitch in to buy new ultrasound system for local pregnancy center

LARRY HILL SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

GREENSBORO — A new ultrasound system funded by local Knights of Columbus helped save the life of an unborn child the first week it was in operation.

St. Paul the Apostle Knights of Columbus Council 13236 recently led a fundraising effort to purchase the state-of-the-art ultrasound system for The Pregnancy Network, Inc., a nondenominational Christian organization based in Winston-Salem that offers help to women facing unplanned pregnancies.

The ultrasound system enables the staff to provide same-day ultrasounds in its new Winston-Salem facility. Seeing ultrasound images of their unborn child often helps expectant moms choose against abortion, and this new system saved the life of one unborn child within a week of being installed, staff reported.

Council 13236 kicked off the fundraising effort for the system last October, committing to provide funds and help The Pregnancy Network acquire the equipment. The North Carolina Knights State Council donated half of the $35,000 equipment cost, and council members raised additional money and received donations from other Knights councils in the region to secure the remaining amount.

Several Knights councils generously donated funds to make the purchase possible: Our Lady of Grace Council 939, Holy Cross Council 8508, Holy Family Council 9499, Our Lady of Mercy Council 10504, St. Pius X Council 11101, Good Shepherd Council 11267, St. Francis of Assisi Council 12610, Abbot Vincent G. Taylor 4th Degree Assembly 779, and The Knights Club of Greensboro.

A check for $17,500 from the Knights was presented to Judy Roderick, executive director of The Pregnancy Network, and her staff at their new Winston-Salem facility.

Attending the presentation were Greensboro District Deputy John Joyce, Winston-Salem District Deputy Stephen Grimaldi, and St. Paul Council 13236 members Manny Comas (Grand Knight), Peter Ashby (Deputy Grand Knight), Gary Chapman (Financial Secretary), Ken Waldron (Culture of Life Director), Denis Murray (Trustee), and Larry Hill (Chancellor) not pictured.