Dec. 9, 2022

At a glance

PUBLISHER

SEE THE LIGHTS

Attend an evening Vigil Mass followed by a visit to nearby places known for their spectacular Christmas lights. In Greensboro, the Sunset Hills neighborhood around Our Lady of Grace Church is famous for its lighted balls suspended from towering trees. A majestic sight evoking the wonder of the season, the annual tradition also includes a fun-filled 5K event Dec. 10. In Clemmons, Holy Family Church is just a 10-minute drive from the ever-popular and impressive Tanglewood Festival of Lights through Jan. 1, with a race at midnight Dec. 31. For more: www. sunsethillsneighborhood.org/ christmasballs and www.forsyth. cc/Parks/Tanglewood/fol.

SEEK THE INTERCESSION OF ST. JUAN DIEGO

things you need to know this week

Leading up to the Dec. 12 feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is another important feast day associated with the Marian apparitions in Mexico in 1531: the Dec. 9 feast of St. Juan Diego, to whom the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared on the hill of Tepeyac (pictured here). Canonized in 2002 by Pope (now St.) John Paul II, this humble man played an integral role in the conversion of 9 million people in 1530s Mexico and countless others around the world since. Learn more about him at www.catholicnewsherald.com.

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SAY A BIRTHDAY PRAYER FOR POPE FRANCIS

On Dec. 17, Pope Francis turns 86. Born in Buenos Aires as Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936, he was ordained a priest on Dec. 13, 1969, and is the first Jesuit and first citizen of the Americas to serve as pope. Besides praying for the pontiff, you can also pray for his monthly intention. This month it’s for non-profit organizations: We pray that volunteer non-profit organizations committed to human development find people dedicated to the common good and ceaselessly seek out

Diocesan calendar of events

ENTERTAINMENT

PIANO RECITAL – MUSIC OF CHOPIN & LISZT: 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, Bishop Begley Parish Center, St. Leo the Great Church, 335 Springdale Ave., WinstonSalem, Come for a special 50-minute program of Chopin and Liszt, free of charge, presented by world renowned pianist Bair Shagdaron.

‘O ANTIPHONS’ LESSONS & CAROLS: 9:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. between Masses at St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden As you prepare your hearts for the Lord this Advent, consider attending a beautiful Advent concert presented by Canongate Catholic High School. An original creation of Director Jennifer Murrey.

PRAYER SERVICES

NATIONAL NIGHT OF PRAYER FOR LIFE: 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Thursday-Friday, Dec. 8-9, St. Margaret Mary Church 102 Andrews Pl., Swannanoa Bilingual prayer, hymns and Eucharistic Adoration uniting the feast of the Immaculate Conception with the feast of St. Juan Diego with the intention of ending abortion across the world and

restoring God’s blessing to our nation. Hour of Unity from midnight to 1 a.m. with the entire nation being united in prayer.

POLISH MASS: 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. Confessions in the Polish language from 1:45 to 3 p.m. Mass will be celebrated by Father Michal Szwarc. All are welcome to attend. For details, contact Barbara Banas at 704847-2419 or bbanas153@aol.com.

PRO-LIFE ROSARY: After the 9 a.m. Mass every third Sunday at the Mother Teresa Pro-Life Memorial, St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte.

HOLY APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST LUKE MISSION (UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH) : Divine Liturgy (Mass) is offered Sundays at 3 p.m. at St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden. For details, email ucmcanton@gmail.com.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING

PROTECTING CHILDREN: Protecting God’s Children (Protegiendo a los Niños de Dios)

new paths to international cooperation.

BUILD YOUR CHILD’S FAITH IN A FUN-FILLED WAY

Looking for a meaningful gift for the children in your life? The Catholic homeschooling family that created “The Catechism of the Seven Sacraments” is back with a new book in their “Building Blocks of Faith” series: “The Holy Mass: On Earth As It Is in Heaven.” Join friends Fulton and Cynthia on an exploration of God’s plan of salvation and how the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is at the very heart of our faith. To order, visit www.uponthisblock.com And don’t forget to invite your children to do a good deed for the baby Jesus, by softening His bed in the manger. Go to www. faithmorepreciousthangold.com for details about this diocesan 50th anniversary craft project.

HAPPY ‘DIES NATALIS’ OF VENERABLE FULTON J. SHEEN

Dec. 9 is the “dies natalis,” or birthday in heaven, of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. This holy man of God is currently being considered for beatification, the next step in the process of canonization. A world-famous preacher, professor and author, Sheen spread the Gospel through radio and television, giving away the money he made to help those less fortunate in the United States and throughout the world. Learn more about him at www.celebratesheen.com.

workshops educate parish volunteers to recognize and prevent child sexual abuse. For details, contact your parish office. To register for online training, go to www. virtus.org. Upcoming workshops:

CANDLER: 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, St. Joan of Arc Church, 768 Asbury Road KERNERSVILLE: 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, Holy Cross Church, 616 South Cherry St. (1 p.m. Sección en español)

SUPPORT GROUPS

RETROUVAILLE WEEKEND FOR MARRIED COUPLES Jan. 13-15, for married couples who are looking to reconnect and develop communication and healing. To register, visit www. helpourmarriage.com.

RACHEL’S VINEYARD: Are you or a loved one seeking healing from the effects of a past abortion? Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreats are offered by Catholic Charities for men and women in the diocese. For details, contact Jessica Grabowski at 910-5852460 or jrgrabowski@rcdoc.org, or Lorena Haynes at 828-585-0483.

Upcoming events for Bishop Peter J. Jugis:

DEC. 12 – 12:30 P.M.

Advent Luncheon with Seminarians Bishop’s Residence, Charlotte

DEC. 14 – 12 P.M.

Pastoral Center Employee Christmas Luncheon

Pastoral Center, Charlotte

DEC. 25 – MIDNIGHT

Mass for the Feast of The Nativity of the Lord St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

JAN. 1, 2023 – 11 A.M.

Mass for the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

— Annie Ferguson

What is the feast of the Immaculate Conception?

Dec. 8 marks the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when she was conceived without sin in St. Ann’s womb. A common misconception is that this feast honors the Incarnation of Jesus in the Virgin Mary’s womb. Though related, the Immaculate Conception is all about Mary.

In 1854, Pope Pius IX’s solemn declaration, “Ineffabilis Deus” (“Ineffable God”), clarified with finality the long-held belief of the Church that Mary was conceived free from original sin. Mary was granted this extraordinary privilege because of her unique role in history as the Mother of God. That is, she received the gift of salvation in Christ from the very moment of her conception.

The pope wrote, “The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.”

Even though Mary is unique in all humanity for being born without sin, she is held up by the Church as a model of holiness, purity and willingness to accept God’s plan.

Every person is called to recognize and respond to God’s call to carry out His plan for their life and fulfill the mission prepared for them since before the beginning of time. Mary’s “Let it be done to me according to Thy Word,” in response to the Angel Gabriel, is the response desired of all Christians to God’s plan.

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a time to celebrate the great joy of God’s gift to humanity in Mary, and to recognize with greater clarity the truth that every human being has been created by God to fulfill a particular mission.

As the prophet Jeremiah wrote: “The word of the Lord came to me thus: ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you’” (Jer 1:5-6).

Daily Scripture readings

DEC. 11-17

Sunday (Third Sunday of Advent): Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11; Monday (Our Lady of Guadalupe): Zechariah 2:14-17, Judith 13:18-19, Luke 1:26-38; Tuesday (St. Lucy): Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13, Matthew 21:28-32; Wednesday (St. John of the Cross): Isaiah 45:6c-8, 18, 21c-25, Luke 7:18b-23; Thursday: Isaiah 54:1-10, Luke 7:2430; Friday: Isaiah 56:1-3a, 6-8, John 5:33-36; Saturday: Genesis 49:2, 8-10, Matthew 1:1-17

DEC. 18-24

Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Advent): Isaiah 7:10-14, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-24; Monday: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a, Luke 1:525; Tuesday: Isaiah 7:10-14, Luke 1:26-38; Wednesday (St. Peter Canisius): Song of Songs 2:8-14, Luke 1:39-45; Thursday: 1 Samuel 1:24-28, 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8, Luke 1:4656; Friday (St. John of Kanty): Malachi 3:14, 23-24, Luke 1:57-66; Saturday: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16, Luke 1:67-79

DEC. 25-31

Sunday (The Nativity of the Lord –Christmas): Isaiah 62:11-12, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:15-30; Monday (St. Stephen): Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59, Matthew 10:17-22; Tuesday (St. John): 1 John 1:1-4, John 20:1a, 2-8; Wednesday (The Holy Innocents): 1 John 1:5-2:2, Matthew 2:13-18; Thursday (St. Thomas Becket): 1 John 2:3-11, Luke 2:22-35; Friday (The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph): Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14, Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23; Saturday (St. Sylvester I): 1 John 2:18-21, John 1:1-18

True love leads to freedom, not possessiveness

True love of God or love of another person should lead to a sense of freedom, not to a need to possess or control, Pope Francis said.

“Possessiveness is the enemy of goodness and kills affection – pay attention to this,” the pope told people at his weekly general audience Dec. 7.

Cases of domestic violence, which occur too often, he said, “almost always arise from the claim to possess the affection of the other, from the search for absolute security that kills freedom and stifles life, making it hell.”

Continuing his series of audience talks about spiritual discernment, Pope Francis said that what one feels and notices after making a decision also is part of the process.

And a “good sign” that a decision was right, he said, “is the fact of remaining free with regard to what has been decided, being willing to question it, even to give it up in the face of possible contradictions” and asking what the Lord was trying to teach through the experience.

God does not want to deprive people of something they want or hold dear, the pope said, but he does want people to live “with freedom, without attachment. Only God knows what is truly good for us.”

“We can only love in freedom, which is why the Lord created us free, free even to say no to him,” Pope Francis said.

“Offering him what we hold most dear is in our best interest, enabling us to live it in the best possible way and in truth, as a gift he has given us, as a sign of his gratuitous goodness, knowing that our lives, as well as the whole of history, are in his benevolent hands.”

Explaining that when one makes good choices it benefits every area of one’s life with a greater sense of peace and harmony, the pope said the spiritual life is “circular.”

He used the example of deciding to pray an extra half hour a day. The goodness of that decision will be seen in how other parts of one’s day improve, bringing more serenity, less anxiety and “even relations with some difficult people become smoother.”

— Catholic News Service

Pope Francis

— Catholic News Agency “The Immaculate Conception” by Francisco Rizi (1614-1685)

Our diocese

Join Bishop Jugis for Christmas, New Year Masses

CHARLOTTE — All are welcome to join Bishop Peter Jugis as he celebrates two liturgies at St. Patrick Cathedral for upcoming holy days.

The bishop will offer Midnight Mass on Christmas, as well as an 11 a.m. Mass Sunday, Jan. 1, to mark the New Year and the feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – patroness of the Diocese of Charlotte.

Each Mass is open to the public and will be livestreamed on the parish’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/ stpatrickcathedral.

The Cathedral Choir will sing Christmas carols 30 minutes prior to the Midnight Mass on Dec. 25.

After the New Year’s Day Mass, a reception in honor of the patroness of the diocese will be held in St. Patrick’s Family Life Center.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is located at 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. For more information, visit www. stpatricks.org.

— Catholic News Herald

Faithful around diocese to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — In the wake of the Guadalupan Torch passing through western North Carolina, people across the Diocese of Charlotte are renewing their devotion to Mary and remembering her appearance nearly 500 years ago to St. Juan Diego on Mount Tepeyac in Mexico, on Dec. 12, 1531.

The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the most beloved and celebrated feast days on the Church calendar.

During his general audience for Dec. 11, 2013,

Pope Francis remembered the patroness of the Americas, saying that “the appearance of the image of the Virgin on the cloak of Juan Diego was a prophetic sign of an embrace, the embrace of Mary to all the inhabitants of the vast American lands, to those who were already there and those who would arrive later. This embrace of Mary marked the path that often characterizes America: to be a land where people with different backgrounds can live together, a land capable of respecting human life in all its phases, from the mother’s womb to old age, capable of welcoming migrants, as well as peoples and the poor and marginalized of all times.”

Our Lady’s promise to accompany us was given to St. Juan Diego with these beautiful words: “Listen, put it into your heart, my youngest and dearest son, that the thing that frightens you, the thing that afflicts you, is nothing: do not let it disturb you. Am I not here, I who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need something more? Let nothing else worry you or disturb you.”

Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations planned in the Charlotte diocese

St. Lawrence Basilica, Asheville 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, rosary following Mass

at 7 p.m.

Good Shepherd Mission, King 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mañanitas and fellowship following Mass at 7 p.m.

Divine Redeemer Church, Boonville 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, performances of the apparitions after Mass at 10:30 p.m.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, High Point 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mañanitas followed by Mass and Mariachi at 7 p.m.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Charlotte 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, rosary, dances, representation of the apparitions of the Virgin, songs and parade of flags. 9 p.m. Mass, followed by Mañanitas, dances, songs.

At midnight, Mañanitas until 3 a.m. 4-6 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mariachi Guadalupano followed by Mass. Procession at 11:40 a.m., prior to Mass at noon

Our Lady of Grace Church, Greensboro 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, procession followed by 7 p.m. Mass.

Our Lady of Mercy Church, Winston-Salem 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mass followed by fellowship.

Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Monroe 7 p.m. Novenas, Dec. 3-11, in the chapel. 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mañanitas followed by 8 p.m. Mass.

Our Lady of the Americas Church, Biscoe 7 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, Mañanitas followed by performances and dances at 4 p.m. with Mass at 11 p.m. 5-7 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mañanitas.

Our Lady of the Angels Church, Marion 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, Mass and procession. 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mass.

Our Lady of the Highways Church, Thomasville 11 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, Mañanitas. 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mass.

Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Lexington 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, rosary, followed by Mass and fellowship at 7 p.m.

Holy Family Church, Clemmons 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, Mass and fellowship.

Sacred Heart Church, Brevard 6 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mañanitas followed by Mass at 6 p.m.

Sacred Heart Church, Burnsville 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mass.

St. Benedict the Moor Church, Winston-Salem 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, procession followed by Mass, and fellowship at noon.

St. Barnabas the Apostle Church, Arden 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mass.

St. Charles Borromeo Church, Morganton 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mass followed by Mariachi and dinner.

St. Eugene Church, Asheville

11:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, Mass followed by feast. St. Francis of Assisi Church, Franklin

8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, presentations of the apparitions with celebration with Mañanitas at midnight.

6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, procession followed by 7 p.m. Mass and fellowship.

St. Francis of Assisi Church, Jefferson

7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12 rosary followed by Mass 8 p.m.

St. John Neumann Church, Charlotte

6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12 rosary, followed by 7:30 p.m. Mass and reception.

St. Joseph Church, Kannapolis

9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, procession and fellowship, followed by Mass and Mañanitas at midnight.

St. Joseph Church, Newton

Noon Sunday, Dec. 12, Mass followed by Mañanitas. St. John Baptist de La Salle Church, North Wilkesboro

11 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, Mass.

St. Jude Church, Sapphire

6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, procession and family gathering.

7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mass.

St. Aloysius Church, Hickory

6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mass followed by reception.

St. Mark Church, Huntersville

7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, bilingual Mass followed by a celebration in the parish hall.

St. Matthew Church, Charlotte

6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, discussion of the celebration of the Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe and historical details about the Marian apparitions. Please bring a dish to share.

St. Michael Church, Gastonia

5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mañanitas followed by 5 p.m. procession, Mass and blessing of religious articles and great Guadalupan party in the school gymnasium with representation of the apparitions, dances and dinner.

St. James the Greater Church, Concord 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, procession beginning with dances and presentations, followed by 11 p.m. Mass and Mañanitas.

St. Vincent de Paul Church, Charlotte 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, rosary and procession around the church, followed by Mass.

Holy Cross Church, Kernersville 11 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, Mañanitas.

5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, procession and rosary followed by Mass at 7 p.m.

St. Elizabeth Church, Boone 6 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mass.

St. Frances of Rome Church, Sparta 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mass.

Miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, on display at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘Hand-Up Days’ provide essential supplies, fellowship for Charlotte area moms in need

SUEANN HOWELL sahowell@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — It sounds simple, but sometimes what mothers need most are the basics, such as diapers, baby wipes and another mom’s listening ear. “Hand-Up Days,” a new initiative of the Walking with Moms in Need ministry at St. Matthew Parish, is providing such essentials.

Walking with Moms in Need is a parish-based outreach program launched nationwide in 2020 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to accompany women through all stages of pregnancy and in the initial years of parenthood.

St. Matthew Parish welcomed 14 mothers to its first “Hand-Up Days” Nov. 6, for women who primarily heard about the program by word of mouth, the parish bulletin and social service agency referrals. Twenty-five women stopped by Dec. 4.

“When moms come to us, we listen to them and ask what other help they need,” says Melissa Scanlon, the parish ministry’s coordinator. “We have a lot of donated goods that flow through our church, so we have connected with our donated goods ministry, food pantry and with families in the parish. We also offer clothes, car seats, pack ’n plays, strollers and baby items that moms can pick up.”

Mothers and their children can come as often as they need throughout the year. Items are given out for free, with no questions asked.

“We’ve been walking with moms in need, one at a time,” Scanlon says. “This summer when Roe v. Wade was overturned, we started talking about how we could help more moms now that North Carolina is becoming an abortion destination.”

Advocates say they believe women seeking abortion will be traveling here from surrounding states that have stricter

abortion laws than North Carolina – such as South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. North Carolina allows abortion in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy and after 20 weeks in cases of a health emergency.

Last spring, Bishop Peter Jugis urged parishes to redouble their pro-life advocacy at the state level and to do more to help mothers in need.

Scanlon recalls that after the Supreme Court’s overturning of federal abortion protections, the parish realized there are not many places where women can go to get diapers and essentials without filling out a lot of paperwork. “Which can be a huge process for moms,” she says. “Very few places will give you diapers with no questions asked.”

Father Peter Ascik, director of the Diocese of Charlotte Office of Family Life, is helping to bring the Walking with Moms in Need program to western North Carolina. “Hand-Up Days are a wonderful, creative fruit of the Walking with Moms in Need program at St. Matthew. It is a great example of how parishioners there have embraced the call to ‘walk in the shoes’ of pregnant and parenting moms,” he says.

Scanlon says the consensus at the parish was that “Hand-Up Days” is a simple thing they could get started to connect with mothers and give them things like diapers, which are not covered by government assistance programs. “Their limited funds won’t go to diapers, which are getting expensive. We wanted moms to have more money for utilities and rent,” she explains.

Mothers with young children who are struggling financially are invited to pick up donated essentials during St. Matthew’s “Hand-Up Days” held at the Parish Center nursery, from 2 to 4 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month. Women of the parish are there to share light refreshments and conversation with the

Senior Accountant

The Diocese of Charlotte is seeking a full time Senior Accountant. This position will supervise a staff of at least one employee. Areas of responsibilities include monthly close, financial statement preparation, general ledger maintenance and reconciliations, journal entries, accounts payable, cash receipts, payroll, budgeting, fund accounting and year-end audit work.

Requirements include:

• Bachelors Degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance or related field.

• At least four years experience in accounting preferably with a not-for-profit organization.

• Excellent computer skills - specifically with Excel.

• Experience with Blackbaud software - a plus.

• Supervisory experience preferred. Please send resume and salary/history requirements to Sue Sigler, Controller, Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28203-4003 or email to sasigler@rcdoc.org.

The Diocese of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

mothers who stop by.

“We wanted a place where moms can come any time they need diapers, or whatever they need. We listen to them and try to connect them with the resources they need. We want to walk with them,” Scanlon adds.

Father Ascik hopes this effort inspires many more parishes to begin the Walking with Moms in Need journey. “It is easy to get started,” he says, “and I am confident that the Holy Spirit will make every effort fruitful.”

Want to donate?

St. Matthew Parish’s Walking with Moms in Need accepts donations of diapers in all sizes, baby wipes, baby clothes (new and gently used) and baby items. Contact Melissa Scanlon at 770-313-4084 or email walkingwithmoms@ rcdoc.org to donate, find out how to volunteer, or start a Walking with Moms in Need program at your parish. Learn more at www. walkingwithmomsinneed.com.

at 704/370-3364. Foundation

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ST. MATTHEW CHURCH

Women of St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte are hosting “Hand-Up Days” for mothers in need every first Sunday of the month as part of the Walking with Moms in Need ministry. Pictured above, volunteers welcome moms at the Parish Center nursery, providing free diapers, wipes, baby equipment and clothing – no questions asked.

Our Lady of Grace’s Deacon Timothy Rohan dies aged 87

GREENSBORO — Deacon Timothy F. Rohan, 87, of Greensboro, passed away peacefully at his home Nov. 22, 2022, surrounded by his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, at Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro, followed by burial.

Timothy Rohan was born on May 12, 1935, in Brooklyn, N.Y., into a large Irish family. He met his wife of 64 years, Eileen, in elementary school and they were lifelong best friends. He began working for Western Electric as a teenager, later graduating from St. John’s University and becoming a systems engineering manager, responsible for the connectivity of the nation’s telephone networks. The family moved to North Carolina in 1975 when his job was relocated.

He was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 18, 1988. Several years later he retired from Western Electric to focus on his many ministerial duties at his home parish, Our Lady of Grace. He also served as business manager of the parish for many years.

Over his 30 years of service, “Deacon Tim” touched the lives of many before his retirement in 2018. He always shared his smile, wisdom and faith in everything he did, whether it was bringing food for Urban Ministries, officiating at weddings and performing baptisms,

or delivering homilies that gave parishioners the lift they needed.

Deacon Tim was also instrumental in starting Perpetual Adoration at Maryfield retirement community in High Point, and over the years his favorite ministry was visiting and bringing Holy Communion to the homebound. He was truly the embodiment of the hands of God at work on earth.

He cherished his family life, had a tremendous sense of humor, had a fondness for Irish music and was an avid Tarheels fan. He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas Rohan and Honoria Moriarity; and his siblings Thomas, Eileen, Patrick and John.

Those left to treasure his memory include his wife Eileen; and children Eileen, Tim, Sue, Simril (Mitch), Roberta and Tom. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Rohan. He adored his six grandchildren: Patty Snider (Aaron), Elizabeth, Timothy, Catherine, Sam and Kayla. In his later years, his three greatgrandchildren, Paisley, Oliver and Nora Snider, also brought him great joy. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the “Grace Fund” at Our Lady of Grace Church, 2203 W Market St., Greensboro, N.C. 27403. Please write “In Memory of Deacon Tim Rohan” on the check memo line. To donate online, go to the parish website at www.olgchurch. org and click on the donation button on the right of the page.

Forbis & Dick Funeral Service –North Elm Chapel of Greensboro was in charge of the arrangements.

— Catholic News Herald

Celebrating Advent in a big way

MORGANTON — Advent and Christmas are a big deal for parishioners at St. Charles Borromeo Church – a really, really big deal. At the start of each Advent season, a team of volunteers comes together to build what must be the largest Advent wreath in the diocese, if not the state. This year’s wreath is made from the branches of seven Christmas trees and measures about 11 feet in diameter. The enormous evergreen creation is suspended from the ceiling, effectively crowning the nave. More than a decoration, the king-sized wreath has come to symbolize the spirit of the Morganton parish, which is comprised of a diverse number of Anglo, Latino and Hmong families. The wreath requires many hands to complete, says Deacon John Martino, just as a parish community needs everyone’s participation to thrive. Read more about St. Charles Borromeo Church’s wreath online at www.catholicnewsherald.com. — Patricia L. Guilfoyle. Annie Ferguson contributed.

Please pray for the following priests who died during the month of December:

Bishop William G. Curlin – 2017

Abbot Jude Cleary, OSB – 2005

Abbot Walter Coggin, OSB – 1999

Rev. Cuthbert Allen, OSB – 1977

Rev. Boniface Bauer, OSB – 1974

Rev. Jerome Dollard, OSB – 1985

Rev. Michael J. Hoban – 1995

Rev. George Kloster – 2019

Rev. Matthew Leonard – 2019

Rev. Thomas McAvoy – 1978

Rev. Joseph McCarthy – 2001

Rev. Francis Scheurich – 1975

Rev. Msgr. Francis M. Smith – 1983

Rev. Vincent M. Stokes – 1979

Rev. John Joseph Tuller – 2013

Rev. Philip Tierney, OSB – 1971

Rev. Aloysius Wachter, OSB – 1977

Rev. Msgr. Thomas R. Walsh - 2016

Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus

Rohan

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com OLG

In Brief

MiraVia announces new outreach center

CHARLOTTE — MiraVia’s Outreach Center has moved to a new, bigger location on Tyvola Road in Charlotte. With the much-needed extra space to store donations, this new location can now serve 25% more pregnant women in the community than before.

In 1994, MiraVia opened a modest home on Weona Avenue to provide free residential services to pregnant women and their children. In 2006, this home was converted into an Outreach Center. During those 28 years, MiraVia has served more than 11,000 mothers and children.

In addition, their college residence, located on Belmont Abbey College campus, continues to be a safe haven and source of hope to pregnant college students. Opened in 2012, this innovative program empowers women to choose life for their children and enables them to thrive as mothers while they achieve their educational and professional goals.

The new MiraVia Outreach Center’s address is 810 Tyvola Road, Suite 100, Charlotte, N.C. 28217.

For more information about how to donate or volunteer with MiraVia, go to the organization’s website, www.miravia.org.

— Spencer K.M. Brown

FROM PAGE 4

St. Joan of Arc Church, Candler

6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, rosary followed by Mass at 7 p.m.

St. Mary Catholic Church, Greensboro 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, rosary followed by Mass at 11 p.m.

12 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mañanitas until 1 a.m., followed by Mass at 7 p.m.

Holy Mary, Mother of God Church, Sylva

6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, procession, dances and representation of the apparitions, followed by Mass at 8:30 p.m. and Mañanitas at 10 p.m.

St. Mary Help of Christians Church, Shelby

6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, Novena and dances followed by Mass.

5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mañanitas followed by a light breakfast.

St. Mary Margaret Church, Swannanoa 5-7 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mañanitas, followed by Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Therese Church, Mooresville

5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Novena, Mass and fellowship until 9:30 p.m.

Holy Trinity Mission, Taylorsville 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, rosary followed by Mass at 11 a.m.

Holy Infant Church, Reidsville 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Mañanitas followed by Mass at 7 p.m.

Holy Angels Church, Mount Airy 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, Mass followed by folkloric dances.

Special program in Asheville

Everyone is invited to join a public celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe at 1-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at the WNC Agricultural Center, located at 1301 Fanning Bridge Road in Fletcher.

The day will begin with a procession, followed by Mass, Mañanitas, dances and representations of the Guadalupan apparitions. Food and drinks will be available. A $5 donation is requested.

PAYROLL ASSISTANT

The Diocese of Charlotte is seeking a part-time Payroll Assistant. As part of the payroll team, under the direct supervision of the Diocese Payroll Supervisor, the Payroll Assistant aids in the processing and reviewing of the bi-weekly and monthly payrolls. Areas of responsibilities include entering changes in the payroll system, preparing reports, maintaining files and assisting employees.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Associate or Bachelor degree in Finance, Business or related field

• A one year minimum of working with payroll processes

• At least one year of experience and knowledge with payroll software, Paylocity experience is a plus

Please send resume and salary history/requirements to: Sue Sigler, Controller - Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28203-4003 or by email to: sasigler@rcdoc.org

The Diocese of Charlotte is an equal opportunity employer.

ntroducing the Lillian Congdon Transitional Rehab Center I

COMING SOON!

The Lillian Congdon Transitional Rehab Center is Pennybyrn’s new, soon-to-be-completed, stateof-the-art facility serving all Piedmont Triad residents and surrounding areas. It will offer outpatient rehabilitation services in addition to our existing inpatient offerings. At Pennybyrn, we take a multidisciplinary approach to healing and recovery by incorporating a personalized plan that includes physical, occupational and speech therapy. Therapy services are available seven days a week, and progress is monitored daily.

The Lillian Congdon Transitional Rehab Center will have 24 private, one-bedroom suites. Each will have a bathroom with a walk-in shower. The brand-new facility will feature fine dining, a stateof-the-art gym, Kore Balance for assessments, Never2Late for cognitive training and standing tolerance, outdoor therapeutic space, POCket Pro for exercises at home and more.

One trusted name. Many life-enriching choices. Transitional Rehab

1315 Greensboro Road

• High Point, NC 27260 www. PennybyrnLiving.org

Retirement Living

• Assisted Living • Memory Care Healthcare Households

• Transitional Rehab

Let’s keep talking.

St. Nicholas visits local Catholic schools

Students celebrate feast of famed Bishop of Myra, patron saint of children

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

The anticipation of an impending visit from St. Nicholas builds to a near fever pitch about three weeks before Christmas in many Catholic families and schools.

On the eve of Dec. 6, children around the world observe the saint’s feast day by placing their shoes outside their door, window or hearth in the hopes of receiving something special from the Turkish bishop. Students at schools in the Diocese of Charlotte join in on this fun while learning the story of the true St. Nicholas.

Born in Lycia in Asia Minor around the late third or fourth century, St. Nicholas of Myra is more than just the inspiration for the modern-day Santa. As a young man he is said to have made a pilgrimage to Palestine and Egypt to study in the school of the Desert Fathers. On returning some years later he was almost immediately ordained Bishop of Myra, which is now Demre, on the coast of modern-day Turkey.

One of the most famous stories of the generosity of St. Nicholas says that he threw bags of gold through an open window in the house of a poor man to serve as dowry for the man’s daughters, who otherwise would have been sold into slavery.

The gold is said to have landed in the family’s shoes, which were drying near the fire. This began the tradition of children leaving their shoes out by the door, or hanging their stockings by the fireplace, in the hopes of receiving a gift on the eve of his feast.

Catholic schools across the Charlotte diocese celebrated this ancient tradition in their own special way.

Sacred Heart School in Salisbury had a full day of festivities on Dec. 6. Students in all grades placed their shoes in the hallway and they were filled with treats by St. Nicholas, who also visited with the children. Each class visited the gym, where they played games and made ornaments to take home.

At Our Lady of Grace in Greensboro, an eighth-grader played the role of St. Nicholas on Dec. 6. Children in grades prekindergarten through second grade left one of their shoes outside

their classroom door in the hopes that St. Nicholas would leave them a treat. Eighth-grade students explained the story and significance of the beloved saint to the children of all the classes.

St. Pius X Parish and School in Greensboro hosted a “Little Town of Bethlehem and Living Nativity” event the evening of Dec. 2, where St. Nicholas made a special appearance.

Our Lady of Mercy School in Winston-Salem hosted a “Blessing of Candy Canes” on Dec. 6. A symbol of St. Nicholas, these treats are actually candy croziers. Bishops carry croziers, staffs shaped like a shepherd’s crook, showing they are the shepherds who care for, or tend, their people. At nearby St. Leo School, students created paper bishop’s mitres and Dutch shoes associated with the tradition.

At St. Gabriel School in Charlotte, the day started with a grandfather who dressed up as St. Nicholas and was interviewed on the school’s Jaguar TV at 7:45 a.m. All students placed one shoe in the hallway outside their classroom, and after morning prayers, St. Nicholas left a candy cane and prayer card in each shoe. Once St. Nicholas left the school, St. Gabriel’s Principal Michele Snoke made an announcement, and students retrieved their shoes.

During the school day, many classes learned about the real St. Nicholas and created different items.

St. Michael School in Gastonia also received a visit from St. Nicholas on Dec. 6. Students put their shoes in the hallway, and they were filled with clementines and mandarins, chocolate gold coins, candy canes and prayer cards. Asheville Catholic School also celebrated the sainted bishop by participating in the shoe tradition.

St. Nicholas certainly had a full schedule in western North Carolina. He also paid a visit to St. Mark School in Huntersville. The parish of St. Mark is home to a relic of St. Nicholas, featured each year in the church’s relic veneration on All Saints Day.

“It’s important to teach our children about the very real lives of the saints, and St. Nicholas is very relatable to them,” said Amy Burger, St. Mark Parish’s communications coordinator. “How wonderful that our Catholic children learn about this thirdcentury saint who was the inspiration for Santa Claus, especially his role in serving those in need.”

SHOPPE

St. Nicholas “visited” St. Pius X Parish and School in Greensboro; children created wooden Dutch shoes made of paper at St. Leo School in WinstonSalem; and St. Nicholas filled shoes with small gifts at St. Gabriel School in Charlotte. PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ELENA LEONE, FRANCESCA JEWELL, MICHELE SNOKE AND NATALIE JACKSON

DI OCESE OF CHARLOT TE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Principal Search Announcement

The Catholic Schools Office is excited to share the following opportunities to join our growing school system. Applications are currently being accepted.

Charlotte Catholic High School

Principal Charlotte, North Carolina July 2023

Christ the King Catholic High School

Principal Huntersville, North Carolina July 2023

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School (Pre-K-8th Grade)

Principal High Point, North Carolina July 2023

St. Patrick Catholic School (K-5th Grade)

Principal Charlotte, North Carolina July 2023

The Mission of Our Catholic Schools

In communion with our families and parishes, we form students to be virtuous disciples of Jesus Christ. Rooted in Scripture, Tradition, and the defined teachings of the Catholic Church, our students pursue excellence of intellect, heart, and soul with salvation as the ultimate goal.

Marian Pilgrimage

A specially commissioned statue of Mary, Mother of God is visiting more than 100 locations across the Diocese of Charlotte during the anniversary year. Upcoming visits include:

DIVINE REDEEMER CHURCH

Dec. 7-11

209 Lon Ave., Boonville, N.C. 27011

OUR LADY OF THE HIGHWAYS CATHOLIC CHURCH

Dec. 11-13

943 Ball Park Road, Thomasville, N.C. 27360

DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE PASTORAL CENTER

Dec. 14-16

1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 28203

ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL Dec. 21-Jan. 3

1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte, N.C. 28203

ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE SEMINARY Jan. 7-12

22 Arctus Ave., Mount Holly, N.C. 28120

For more information about these pilgrimage stops, go to the Diocese of Charlotte’s 50th anniversary website, www.faithmorepreciousthangold.com

From prayers to park clean-ups, Christ the King engages in Acts of Charity for 50th anniversary

HUNTERSVILLE — Students and staff at Christ the King Catholic High School have been busy engaging in multiple “50 Acts of Charity” during the Diocese of Charlotte’s 50th anniversary. From community service projects to prayer initiatives, the school community has taken to heart the anniversary theme emphasizing that our faith is a prized gift meant to be shared with others. The Christ the King community has collected donations for the diocese’s seminarians, organized a “3v3” basketball tournament for charity and a kickball tournament to benefit youth sports leagues, and overseen projects such as an Eagle Scout project that added Stations of the Cross to the hiking trail on campus. They have held blood drives, clothing drives, meal packaging events, park clean-ups, and a snack packing event benefiting the Salvation Army. Students have also spent hours in Eucharistic Adoration, prayed schoolwide rosaries, and consecrated themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. “Our students participated in more than 8,600 hours of service during the past school year,” noted Nicole Seeling, the school’s marketing and development coordinator. “We are so proud of our students’ generous hearts. They are truly the light of Christ in the world.”

— Patricia L. Guilfoyle. Photos provided.

‘Loving Neighbors’ team up to help refugees

ASHEVILLE — Parishioners of St. Eugene Church are taking to heart Matthew 25:35: “For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me.” As an act of charity for the diocese’s 50th anniversary, the parish sponsored an event Sept. 24-25 to broaden awareness of the need to assist refugees in the Asheville community. Monica Blankenship and several volunteers from the Loving Neighbors ministry greeted St. Eugene parishioners after all Masses on Sept. 24-25, distributing pamphlets about the refugee assistance efforts by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte and nearby St. Mark Lutheran Church in the area. Volunteers from both churches work together to form a “Circle of Welcome” around refugees resettled locally by the two charities to help them acclimate to life in the United States after arriving from places such as Afghanistan, the Republic of the Congo and Ukraine. St. Eugene parishioners donated $3,700 in cash and gift cards, which was split evenly between the charities. Parishioners also made greeting cards welcoming refugees to the community. Father Pat Cahill, pastor of St. Eugene Parish, says this was an effort everyone could get behind. “The Christian calling is to serve however and whomever God puts in our path. What better way than to welcome someone to our community? The mountains here have a therapeutic history and a reputation to heal. We intend to keep celebrating that as part of our culture at St. Eugene Parish.”

— SueAnn Howell. Photos provided.

FOREST CITY — Sometimes there’s nothing more comforting than a warm blanket or shawl – especially one crafted by hand with love for someone in need. Members of the Prayer Shawl Ministry Team at Immaculate Conception Parish have become experts at providing this comfort to our brothers and sisters in need – particularly the sick, the homebound and other people in vulnerable situations. Over the course of 10 months during the Diocese of Charlotte’s 50th anniversary year, the prayer shawl team has made and delivered 50 prayer shawls to members of the parish community who are homebound, bereaved or in adult-care facilities, hospitals, hospice care and residents at a local pregnancy resource center. On Oct. 17, the ribbon was tied on the last of their 50 prayer shawls, and the shawls were blessed by the church’s pastor, Father Herbert Burke, and Deacon Andy Cilone. During the time they were working on the prayer shawls, the team prayed for each recipient, remembering all those in the parish who were sick or lonely, or who just needed a pick-me-up. This project came together as a suggestion from one of the members of the Ladies Guild at Immaculate Conception Parish, Betsy Jackson. The team is a small one, but the purpose was pure, so the fingers were nimble. Occasionally a parishioner not able to come to meetings would send in a finished product for the team to pass along.

The future of healthcare is here.

Together with CaroMont Health, we’re shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

Forest City parishioners give comfort, receive joy through special ‘50 Prayer Shawls’ effort

— Penny Watkins. Photos provided by Father Herbert Burke.

MARIAN ART SERIES

Maria (Kannon) Japan - 17th and 18th century (Edo period)

TRICIA KENT Special to the Catholic News Herald

When considering how the Virgin Mary has been rendered through two millennia of Christian art, we see how her images have impacted the faithful and the culture in many ways.

Some works of art are of extreme artistic significance, such as the Ghent Altarpiece, while others are miraculous and legendary, such as Our Lady of Czestochowa. Some depictions came at a pivotal moment in history and thus become symbolic and a touchstone for a people, such as the Madonna of the Salus Populi Romani.

Time and again, many of the most important pieces depicting Our Blessed Mother are born of persecution at moments when Christians looked to Our Lady for solace and motherly love during a period of trial. In this context, perhaps no Madonna was born of greater need than those produced and treasured by the Catholics of 17th- and 18th-century Japan.

Catholicism was introduced to the people of Japan by St. Francis Xavier, who arrived in 1549. Estimates suggest that within 30 years there were as many as 130,000 Japanese Christians. Beginning with the Tokugawa shogunate (c. 1615-1867), power shifted, and Christianity was subsequently banned in Japan for over two centuries.

In the Nagasaki region during this time, called the Tokugawa or Edo period, people caught practicing the Catholic faith were often executed or imprisoned and their sacred objects seized and destroyed. All households were required to register with local Buddhist groups.

To remain alive and pass the faith to their children, many “Kakure Kirishtan” (“hidden Christians”) outwardly appeared to be Buddhist while hiding their true Christian beliefs. Sacred objects such as crosses were camouflaged in the trappings of familiar Buddhist art. One of the most widespread and ingenious images was the development of figures often referred to as “Maria Kannon.”

In these images, Mary was represented and disguised within the trappings of the female version of the Buddhist deity Kannon (“Mother of Mercy”). Kannon images at this time were sometimes produced holding or even nursing a child. To Buddhist authorities, these images simply blended in and went unnoticed, but to secret Christians they were a tangible link to our Virgin Mother. Modern art historians imply a dual or fused intent for these images, and their current popularity suggests that they have taken on that meaning. But their original purpose was linked to the survival of Japanese Christianity through 250 years of attempted eradication. These statues permitted Our Lady to hide in plain sight.

When the first missionary priests returned to Japan in 1865, they found statues of what the people called their “Santa Maria.” They also found a Catholic faith that had survived many generations – passed from parent to child without benefit of priest or sacrament, sustained through the intercession of their Holy Mother and aided through veneration of an image of Mary in a different guise.

Prayer for the 50th anniversary

The 50th anniversary year will bear great spiritual fruit if we ask God for the graces we hope to receive. Please offer the 50th anniversary prayer daily for many graces to be poured on our diocese during this jubilee anniversary:

Heavenly Father, accept our humble prayer of praise and gratitude as we joyfully celebrate 50 years as the Diocese of Charlotte. Throughout our history the faithful of western North Carolina, under the watchful care of esteemed bishops and abbots, have been nurtured by Your providential hand. Confident that You invite Your children to implore Your constant blessings, we pray that You continue to pour forth Your heavenly grace upon us. With filial affection and devotion, we further ask that You look kindly upon the prayers we seek through the intercession of our venerable patroness, the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, who with motherly attention tends to the needs and concerns of the Church. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayers & Devotions

The 50th anniversary theme, “Faith More Precious Than Gold” (1 Peter 1:7), encourages use of the Church’s tried-and-true prayers, devotions and sacramentals, which for centuries have brought people closer to God. Let us confidently ask for the graces we hope to receive from God as we celebrate the founding of the Diocese of Charlotte. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

Saint of the Month

TRICIA KENT is a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Charlotte.

Prayers of Advent

The Great “O”Antiphons are brief prayers that are chanted or sung from Dec. 17 to 23. The origin of these prayers is not certain, but it is probable that they were composed in the seventh or eighth centuries when the monks put together texts from the Old Testament. The Church in Rome and the monastic communities throughout Western Europe chanted the “O” Antiphons during Evening Prayer, also known as Vespers.

Each antiphon begins with the acclamation “O” followed by a different title for the Messiah. In the Middle Ages it was traditional to ring the great bells of the church each evening as the “O” Antiphons were sung.

Today, in the Liturgy of the Hours, the “Magnificat” is preceded by one of the “O” Antiphons that links the prayer to the feast of the day or season of the year. In the last seven days of Advent, the antiphons are very special. Each begins with the acclamation “O” and ends with a plea for the Messiah to come. As Christmas approaches, the cry becomes increasingly urgent.

Saying the “O” Antiphons as a family –during grace at meals, in front of the manger scene or the Christmas tree – is a wonderful Advent devotion and a time to read, meditate and reflect on the Scriptural texts which form the basis for the “O” Antiphons.

n Dec. 17 – O Sapientia: “O Wisdom you come forth from the mouth of the Most High. You fill the universe and hold all things together in a strong yet gentle manner. O come to teach us the way of truth.”

n Dec. 18 – O Adonai: “O Adonai and leader of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the burning bush and you gave him the Law on Sinai. O come and save us with your mighty power.”

n Dec. 19 – Radix Jesse: “O Stock of Jesse, you stand as a signal for the nations; kings fall silent before you whom the peoples acclaim. O come to deliver us, and do not delay.”

n Dec. 20 – O Clavis David: “O Key of David and scepter of Israel, what you open no one else can close again; what you close no one can open. O come to lead the captive from prison; free those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.”

n Dec. 21 – O Oriens: “O Rising Sun, you are the splendor of eternal light and the sun of justice. O come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.”

n Dec. 22 – O Rex Gentium: “O King whom all the peoples desire, you are the cornerstone which makes all one. O come and save man whom you made from clay.”

n Dec. 23 – O Emmanuel: “O Emmanuel, you are our king and judge, the One whom the peoples await and their Savior. O come and save us, Lord, our God.”

— The Crossroads Initiative: A Ministry of Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, online at www.crossroadsinitiative.com.

Prepare the way

Advent, the four weeks leading up to the celebration of Our Lord’s birth on

hearts spiritually to receive our Savior. It marks

5 Advent Fun Facts

1. What are we waiting for? Advent is a time of expectation and preparation for the birth of the Lord. The word “Advent” derives from the Latin word “adventus,” which means “coming,” and is associated with the four weeks of preparation for Christmas.

2. Happy Catholic New Year! Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year, also called the church year or Christian year. It starts the cycle of liturgical seasons that determine when feast days and celebrations of saints are to be observed, as well as which portions of Scripture are to be read. Advent represents the time in history when Christ was not yet known to us. The liturgical year ends with the feast of Christ the King, His reign over the universe.

3. Changing dates. Advent has a different start date from year to year, but it always contains four Sundays and ends on Christmas Eve. It begins on the Sunday closest to the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (Nov. 30). It can start as early as Nov. 27 or as late as Dec. 3.

4. Hold on to hope! Hope is a predominant theme of Advent. The Israelites hoped for a Messiah to come, and Christ entered the world. We are hopeful for the arrival of Christ again into the world.

5. Let there be light! Advent focuses on light as opposed to darkness. Christ enters our dark world and casts away the darkness of sin to redeem us. He will come again as the light of the world.

— SueAnn Howell. Catholic Apostolate Center contributed.

What is Gaudete Sunday?

For much of the Church’s history, Third Sunday of Advent has had a special name: Gaudete Sunday. The word “Gaudete” is Latin for “Rejoice.”

The traditions surrounding Gaudete Sunday go back as far as the fourth or fifth century, as does the season of Advent itself, which was originally a 40-day penitential season like Lent. In fact, because it used to begin on Nov. 12 (just after the Memorial of St. Martin of Tours), it was called “St. Martin’s Lent.” Gaudete Sunday marks the mid-point in Advent, much as Laetare Sunday does in the season of Lent.

On Gaudete Sunday, the season of Advent shifts its focus. For the first two weeks of Advent, the focus is “The Lord is coming.” But beginning with Gaudete Sunday, the focus changes to “The Lord is near.”

This shift is marked by a lighter mood and a heightened sense of joyous anticipation. Liturgically, the colors lighten as well. The priest usually wears rosecolored vestments, a hue seen only on Gaudete Sunday and Laetare Sunday. We light the third candle of the Advent wreath, which is also rose-colored or, some may say, pink.

This celebration is a reminder that the God who loves us is still in charge and that we await His coming not with fear, but with tremendous joy. This day’s second reading at Mass, from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, reflects this joy: “Brothers and sisters: Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

Christmas, is a time to prepare our

the beginning of a new liturgical year in the Church and a chance for a fresh start in our prayer life as we renew our commitment to grow closer to Christ. The Advent wreaths in our homes and churches – and the purple- and rose-colored vestments

‘Beloved, now is the acceptable time spoken of by the Spirit, the day of salvation, peace by the patriarchs and prophets, the time that holy Simeon rejoiced to see. This is the always observe it with faith and love, offering praise and thanksgiving to the Father

way of the Lord

worn at Mass – are signs of this penitential yet hope-filled season. Our Scripture readings and hymns tell us to be alert and ready for Our Lord’s coming on Christmas.

In the final days of Advent, we sing the “O” Antiphons, pleading for God’s wisdom and light to deliver us from darkness and sin. God willing, we will rejoice with all the angels and saints of heaven on that glorious Christmas morn. — SueAnn Howell

Saints of Advent

The Church recognizes dozens of saints during the season of Advent. Here is just a sampling of the holy men and women we remember during this season:

n Nov. 30 — St. Andrew the Apostle (early 1st century-mid/late 1st century) Brother of St. Peter, one of the 12 apostles, martyred by crucifixion. He is the patron of fisherman and singers.

n Dec. 3 — St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552) Co-founder of the Society of Jesus, patron of Catholic missions, African missions, China, missionaries and more.

n Dec. 4 — St. Barbara (Born mid-third century) Locked up in a tower by her father, she secretly became a Christian, was tortured and eventually killed by him for her faith. She is patron of armorers, artillerymen, architects, mathematicians and miners.

n Dec. 6 — St. Nicholas (270-343) Bishop of Myra, known for his generosity. In some parts of the world children put out their shoes the night before his feast day to receive little gifts. He is patron of children, sailors, fishermen and unmarried people – just to name a few.

n Dec. 7 — St. Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan, one of four original Doctors of the Church, instructed St. Augustine and fought against Arianism. He is patron of Milan and beekeepers.

n Dec. 9 — St. Juan Diego (1474-1548) A native of Mexico, converted to Catholicism, saw apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He is patron of indigenous people.

n Dec. 12 — Our Lady of Guadalupe (1531) The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego Dec. 9 on Tepeyac Hill in Mexico, asking for a temple to be built. To convince the bishop, she left visible signs – her image on Juan Diego’s tilma filled with fresh roses, which never bloom in December. Millions converted to Catholicism after her apparition. She is patron of the Americas and the unborn.

n Dec. 13 — St. Lucy (283-304) Virgin martyr of Syracuse, Italy, whose eyes were gouged out. She is patron of the blind and those with eye illnesses.

n Dec. 14 — St. John of the Cross (1542-1591) Priest and co-reformer of the Discalced Carmelite Order. He is patron of contemplatives, mystics and Spanish poets.

n Dec. 23 — St. John Cantius (1390-1473) A professor with a doctorate in both philosophy and theology, known for his generosity and care for the poor, especially students. He is patron of Poland and Lithuania.

Visit www.catholic.org/saints to learn about a new saint each day during Advent.

— SueAnn Howell. Catholic Online and Wikipedia contributed.

Blessing of a Christmas Nativity Scene or Manger

The custom of displaying figures depicting the birth of Jesus Christ owes its origin to St. Francis of Assisi, who made the first Christmas crèche or manger for Christmas Eve of 1223.

The blessing of the Christmas manger or nativity scene may take place on Christmas Eve or other suitable time. When the manger is set up in the home, it is appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another family member. Here is a blessing:

All make the sign of the cross.

Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord. Response: Who made heaven and earth.

Leader (or other participant) reads a text of sacred Scripture, for example, Luke 2:1-8 or Isaiah 7:10-15.

Reader: The Gospel of the Lord.

R: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Join hands for prayer.

Leader:

God of every nation and people, from the very beginning of creation You have made manifest Your love.

When our need for a Savior was great, You sent Your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. To our lives He brings joy and peace, justice, mercy, and love.

Lord, bless all who look upon this manger. May it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise our thoughts to Him, Who is God-with-us and Savior of all, and Who lives and reigns forever and ever.

R: Amen.

— USCCB

What is an Advent calendar?

The Advent calendar is believed to have been created by Christians in the early 19th century to mark the days of Advent leading up to Christmas. It counts down the 24 days of Advent beginning on Dec. 1 and ending on Christmas day. The first known Advent calendar was handmade in Germany in 1851.

Many Advent calendars are made of paper or wood and display a colorful nativity scene with little numbered windows or doors that open to reveal a symbol of Advent or Christmas, or a passage from the Bible relevant to the Christmas season. Some special Advent calendars even have chocolates or other treasures hidden behind each flap or door.

Children especially enjoy opening the flap or door of the Advent calendar to see what treat awaits them each day.

peace and reconciliation: the great season of Advent. This is the time eagerly awaited season that the Church has always celebrated with special solemnity. We too should Father for the mercy and love He has shown us in this mystery.’

— St. Charles Borromeo

‘Box of Joy’ Gifts Include Spiritual Message and Practical Blessings to Benefit Children

It is hard to know who enjoys Cross Catholic Outreach’s Box of Joy® ministry more — the children who open the gift boxes filled with toys and treasures, the U.S. families who prepared those Christmas presents or the volunteers who sorted and readied those packages for shipment overseas. It seems they all have an equal share in the joy of this whimsical but meaningful project.

“Having been to Haiti, Guatemala and some of the other developing countries where we distribute Box of Joy gifts, it’s the children receiving these presents who are blessed the most,” insisted Jim Cavnar, president of Cross Catholic Outreach, the respected ministry behind Box of Joy. “Those boys’ and girls’ faces light up like Christmas itself when the boxes arrive, and their smiles and laughter are infectious.”

The Box of Joy ministry, which was launched several years ago, has gained in popularity among U.S. Catholics ever since. This year, Cross Catholic Outreach has been making an allout effort to provide gifts to at least 144,500 children, with families and Catholic leaders in more than 168 U.S. dioceses taking part in some way. (See the related story on the opposite page.)

“Ultimately it’s the compassion of American Catholics that will make this program successful. We rely on parishes, Catholic schools and families in the U.S. to pack or sponsor the

Christmas presents we send overseas, and we also involve a huge network of volunteers to help us collect, sort and prepare those gifts for shipping,” Cavnar said. “It’s a big team effort, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who helps us in this mission of mercy.”

Because both toys and practical items are valued by the children in the developing world, Cross Catholic Outreach encourages donors to include both types of items in the boxes they pack. For example, socks, toothpaste, flip-flops and hats are just as celebrated and cherished by needy boys and girls as gifts that include toy cars and dolls.

“Many of these children live in extreme poverty, so even items as simple as a set of hair barrettes or a pair of children’s sunglasses are considered a real treasure,” Cavnar said.

A list of gift ideas is supplied to participants who take part in the Box of Joy ministry. While some items can’t be shipped overseas — candies that will melt or liquids that might leak in transit, for example — there are plenty of listed options these boys and girls would love to receive.

Cross Catholic Outreach also adds spiritual blessings to each box a child receives. When gifts arrive at the National Screening Center in preparation for shipping, the ministry adds a rosary and a Christmas story about Jesus.

“Ultimately, our goal is to glorify

Some children in developing countries have never received a Christmas present before — their parents are simply too poor to afford a gift. Through Cross Catholic Outreach’s Box of Joy ministry, U.S. Catholics pack or sponsor gifts for those children in need.

God in all we do,” Cavnar said, “so sharing the gospel is always part of our ministry’s outreaches. As we celebrate Advent and Christmas, Jesus is the greatest gift we can offer these children. He’s the source of all true joy.”

Readers interested in supporting Cross Catholic Outreach programs for vulnerable children and other outreaches to the poor can contribute through the ministry brochure

inserted in this issue or send taxdeductible gifts to Cross Catholic Outreach, Dept. AC02217, PO Box 97168, Washington, DC 20090-7168.

The ministry has a special need for partners willing to make gifts on a monthly basis. Use the inserted brochure to become a Mission Partner or write “Monthly Mission Partner” on mailed checks to be contacted about setting up those arrangements.

Unique Christmas Catalog Created to Bless Donors — and the World’s Poor

If you are like most people, your mailbox is chock-full of Christmas catalogs and sales flyers every fall. In fact, their arrival has almost become a sign of the season, like the appearance of house lights and department store decorations.

This Advent and Christmas season, Cross Catholic Outreach intends to offer a catalog too — but theirs is a very different catalog with a very different purpose. It has been designed to bless both givers and receivers by using the holiday gift-giving tradition

to help the world’s poorest families.

Rather than highlighting gizmos, gadgets, neckties and jewelry, the Cross Catholic Outreach Christmas catalog gives Catholics with a concern for the poor an opportunity to share the blessings in their own lives with needy families by sponsoring practical and urgently needed items such as vitamins, milk powder, seeds for farming, access to safe water, and materials to build homes. Of course, it also offers blessings for children, including toys and sports equipment, so individuals can choose to

sponsor both practical items suitable for families and gifts to bring children joy.

“Like most Christmas catalogs, ours offers lots of items so donors can choose to give something specific. That said, they can also make a general gift to address the poor’s greatest needs,” explained Jim Cavnar, president of Cross Catholic Outreach. “When donors choose to give to the Greatest Need category, they provide us and the Catholic missions we serve the freedom to address any urgent need. The priests and religious

sisters we support really appreciate that flexibility. It’s the best way to empower their work among the poor.”

This unique Christmas catalog is easy to access. Readers will find a link for it at the ministry’s website (CrossCatholic.org) or they can reach it directly by entering the web address CrossCatholic.org/Christmas.

“Our hope is that everyone will be blessed by the experience,” Cavnar said. “It’s a wonderful way for us to celebrate the birth of our merciful Lord!”

Cross Catholic Outreach’s ‘Box of Joy’ Program Sends Christmas Gifts to World’s Neediest Children

When you think about Christmas mornings from your past, it’s likely a few nostalgic sights, sounds and smells will come to mind — a beautifully decorated tree, brightly colored presents with secret treasures inside, the chatter of excited children eager to get the gift exchanges underway, and the mouth-watering smells of a special meal being prepared.

This is the Christmas most of us have grown up with and the one we eagerly share with our children, but it is far from the experience most boys and girls in developing countries have ever known. For them, Christmas time is like any other time of the year, and its sights, sounds and smells are rooted in the extreme poverty their families endure.

“On Christmas morning, most poor children from Haiti or Guatemala will wake up in a patchwork home without running water or electricity, and they would likely be expected to take care of their usual daily chores, collecting water from some distant source or doing some other household task. Theirs is a Christmas without a decorated tree, gifts or a lavish meal. In fact, some of those boys and girls have never received a Christmas present in their lives,” explained Jim Cavnar, president of Cross Catholic Outreach, a Vaticanrecognized relief and development ministry serving poor families in the developing world. “That’s why we established our Box of Joy program. It was created to offer a little joy and hope to the thousands of children who have none of the many blessings we enjoy during the Christmas season.”

The concept behind Cross Catholic Outreach’s Box of Joy® ministry is simple but powerful. Compassionate parishes, schools and families in the U.S. take a little time before the Advent season to prepare special Christmas gifts for children in need. There is also an option on the ministry’s website (www.boxofjoy.org) that allows individuals to sponsor those presents and have them packed and sent by volunteers on their behalf. This year, the program is being featured in a special Christmas catalog

The families of children living in poverty in developing countries can rarely afford a special meal at Christmastime, much less the cost of toys or other treats. Cross Catholic Outreach’s Box of Joy ministry enables U.S. Catholics to bless those kids by providing them with both fun and practical presents – as well as a rosary and a special booklet about the wonderful birth of Jesus.

produced by Cross Catholic Outreach to encourage U.S. Catholics to make Christmas gift purchases that will benefit the very poor. Their catalog can be found at CrossCatholic.org/ Christmas.

“We are hoping thousands of additional Christmas gifts will be funded through our website and catalog this year,” Cavnar said. “The website and catalog are great options for people who just don’t have the time to pack a gift box themselves, but they want to ensure needy children are sent a gift in celebration of the season.”

Cavnar added that the impact of this gift-giving ministry actually goes beyond the delivery of the Box of Joy itself. A portion of the funds donors provide to ship the boxes is used to support the overall mission work of the in-country priests, religious sisters and Catholic lay people who help Cross Catholic Outreach deliver the gifts to children in their communities.

“All gift distributions are coordinated through existing Catholic ministries already serving in those developing countries,” he said, “and our intention is to help those ministries achieve their other objectives as well. That means that some of the funds Box of Joy donors contribute to ship the boxes goes into outreaches like feeding centers, house-building initiatives, medical care and educational programs.

How to Help

That’s why it is a great way to help the poor with your season gift. It blesses the children, their families and the ministry work Church leaders are doing in the community as a whole.”

With Advent upon us, many will be nostalgic about past Christmas joys, and Cavnar hopes those reflections will motivate them to remember the poor and give generously to ensure their families are blessed this season too.

To fund Cross Catholic Outreach’s effort to help the poor worldwide, use the postage-paid brochure inserted in this newspaper, or mail your gift to Cross Catholic Outreach, Dept. AC02217, PO Box 97168, Washington, DC 20090-7168. The brochure also includes instructions on becoming a Mission Partner and making a regular monthly donation to this cause.

If you identify an aid project, 100% of the donation will be restricted to be used for that specific project. However, if more is raised for the project than is needed, funds will be redirected to other urgent needs in the ministry.

Padre José Juya

Mi experiencia misionera

El acompañamiento en el trabajo pastoral del área de Gastonia, en el que llevo ya 22 años, es un caminar muy interesante, con mucho sacrificio y entrega. Hoy doy gracias a Dios porque en las parroquias de San Miguel, Inmaculada Concepción, Santa Dorotea y Santa María Auxiliadora existe atención a los hermanos hispanos, se celebra la Santa Misa dominical, se imparten los Santos Sacramentos, y también se ha crecido en formación cristiana.

Cada parroquia tiene sus propios líderes y, de acuerdo con la realidad junto con su párroco, se ha venido avanzando en la formación e inclusión de sus miembros.

Todas las parroquias cuentan con un comité de pastoral que ayuda al párroco a la realización de la ayuda pastoral con la comunidad hispana, que desde luego facilita la integración a la parroquia según las necesidades.

El objetivo es ayudar a que haya más comunicación y acción en las actividades que se dan en la parroquia.

No todos los pastores están en sintonía porque algunos son nuevos y todavía se encuentran ubicando con el ministerio, pero están haciendo el esfuerzo y aprendiendo a ver al ministerio hispano como una nueva realidad a la cual hay que integrar en todo el desarrollo pastoral y que no es extraña a la misión de la Iglesia, sino favorable y necesaria en la misión vocacional a la cual todos estamos llamados.

Me siento muy feliz de poder compartir mi experiencia misionera en esta área que, hoy por hoy, está viendo frutos gracias a la colaboración de muchos líderes comprometidos a lo largo de esta historia misionera, algunos de los cuales han partido a la eternidad.

Estamos llamados a cooperar en la viña del Señor. Para eso me he formado en la vida sacerdotal, para ser instrumento del Señor con humildad y entrega hasta cuando Dios me de licencia.

Tengo presente que nunca hay que improvisar nada porque con las cosas de Dios no se juega. Hay que partir de las ayudas que la Santa Madre Iglesia nos ofrece para desarrollar el camino a seguir.

Mi guía siempre ha sido y será seguir las orientaciones del Plan Pastoral del Ministerio Hispano promulgado por nuestro obispo bajo los principios de liturgia y oración, pastoral de conjunto y formación.

EL PADRE JOSÉ JUYA es vicario parroquial de la Iglesia San Miguel en Gastonia y coordinador del ministerio hispano de ese mismo vicariato.

Fieles festejarán a María de Guadalupe, la Virgen Morena

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — Después del paso de la Antorcha Guadalupana que renovó una vez más la devoción mariana en nuestra diócesis, la comunidad en pleno se apresta a celebrar la fecha central de la fiesta de la Emperatríz de las Américas, la Virgen Morena, quien se apareciera a San Juan Diego en el cerro Tepeyac hace 491 años, el 12 de diciembre de 1531.

El Papa Francisco, en diciembre de 2013, dijo que “la aparición de la imagen de la Virgen en la tilma de Juan Diego fue un signo profético de un abrazo, el abrazo de María a todos los habitantes de las vastas tierras americanas, a los que ya estaban allí y a los que llegarían después. Este abrazo de María señaló el camino que siempre ha caracterizado a América: ser una tierra donde pueden convivir pueblos diferentes... capaz de acoger a los emigrantes, así como a los pueblos y a los pobres y marginados de todas las épocas”.

La promesa de acompañarnos de la Virgen fue entregada a San Juan Diego con estas palabras: “¿No estoy aquí que soy tu madre? ¿No estás bajo mi sombra? ¿no soy yo tu salud? ¿No estás por ventura en mí regazo?”. Santa Madre de Dios, Santa María de Guadalupe, a tí nos encomendamos hoy y siempre.

Celebraciones Guadalupanas en la Diócesis

Basílica San Lorenzo, Asheville

Lunes 12, 6:30 p.m., Rosario. Misa a las 7.

Buen Pastor, King Lunes 12, 6 p.m., Mañanitas, Misa a las 7.

Divino Redentor, Boonville

Domingo 11, 9 p.m., Apariciones y Misa. Lunes 12, 6 p.m. Misa y compartir.

Inmaculado Corazón de María, High Point Lunes 12, 5 a.m., Mañanitas, Misa a las 7 p.m.

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Charlotte Domingo 11, 7 p.m., Rosario, danzas, apariciones, cantos y desfile de banderas. Misa a las 9. A la medianoche Mañanitas hasta las 3:00 a.m. del lunes 12, De 4 a 6 a.m. Mariachi Guadalupano, seguido de Misa. Procesión a las 11:40 a.m., previa a Misa de 12 p.m.

Nuestra Señora de Gracia, Greensboro Lunes 12, 6:30 p.m., procesión. 7 p.m. Misa.

Nuestra Sra. de la Merced, Winston-Salem Lunes 12, 7 p.m., Misa y compartir.

Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, Monroe Lunes 12, 5 a.m., Mañanitas. Misa a las 8 p.m.

Nuestra Señora de las Américas, Biscoe Domingo 11, 5 a 7 a.m., Mañanitas. De 4 p.m. en adelante danzas, representaciones. Misa a las 11 p.m. Lunes 12, 5 a 7 a.m., Mañanitas.

Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, Marion Domingo 11, 1 p.m. Misa y procesión. Lunes 12, 7 p.m., Misa.

Nuestra Señora de los Caminos, Thomasville Mañanitas el 11 por la noche y Misa el lunes 12 a las 7 p.m.

Nuestra Señora del Rosario, Lexington Lunes 12, 6 p.m., Rosario, Misa y compartir.

Sagrada Familia, Clemmons

Sábado 10, 7 p.m., Misa, danzas y compartir. Sagrado Corazón, Brevard Lunes 12, 6 a.m., Mañanitas. Misa seguida de fiesta a las 6 p.m.

Sagrado Corazón, Burnsville Lunes 12, 6:30 p.m., Misa.

San Benito el Moro, Winston-Salem

San Marcos, Huntersville

Lunes 12, 7 p.m., Misa bilingüe seguida de celebración en el salón parroquial.

San Mateo, Charlotte

Lunes 12, de 6:30 a 8:30 p.m., charla para festejar la fiesta y dar a conocer detalles históricos, compartir.

San Miguel, Gastonia

Lunes 12, 5 a.m., Mañanitas. A las 5 p.m. procesión, Misa, bendición de artículos religiosos, y gran fiesta guadalupana en el gimnasio de la escuela con representación de las apariciones, bailables y cena.

San Santiago el Mayor, Concord

Domingo 11, 8:30 p.m., inicia el programa con procesión, danzas, obra de teatro. Misa a las 11 seguida de Mañanitas y compartir.

San Vicente de Paúl, Charlotte

Lunes 12, 6 p.m., Rosario, procesión alrededor de la iglesia y Misa.

Santa Cruz, Kernersville

Domingo 11, 11 p.m., Mañanitas. Lunes 12, 5 p.m., procesión y Rosario. Misa a las 7 y compartir a las 8.

Santa Elizabeth, Boone

Rosario Guadalupano del 3 al 11 de diciembre, 7 p.m. Lunes 12, Misa a las 6 de la mañana.

Santa Francisca de Roma, Sparta

Rosario Guadalupano del 3 al 11 de diciembre, 6 p.m. Lunes 12, Misa a las 6 de la tarde.

Santa Juana de Arco, Candler

Domingo 11, 6 p.m., Rosario y Misa a las 7.

Santa María, Greensboro

Imagen milagrosa de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, en exhibición en la Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en la Ciudad de México.

Sábado 10, 11 a.m., procesión, Misa, bailables, compartir y Mariachi.

San Bernabé Apóstol, Arden Lunes 12, 7 p.m., Misa

San Carlos Borromeo, Morganton Lunes 12, 6:30 p.m., Misa, Mariachi y cena.

San Eugenio, Asheville Domingo 11, 11:30 a.m., Misa seguida de fiesta.

San Francisco de Asís, Franklin Domingo 11, 8 p.m., bailables, cantos, apariciones y Mañanitas a la medianoche. Lunes 12, 6 p.m. procesión, Misa y convivio.

San Francisco de Asís, Jefferson Rosario Guadalupano del 3 al 11 de diciembre, 7 p.m. Lunes 12, Misa a las 8 p.m.

San John Neumann, Charlotte Lunes 12, 6:30 p.m., Rosario. Misa a las 7:30 y recepción al término de la celebración.

San José, Kannapolis

Domingo 11, 9 p.m., procesión, compartir, bailables, cantos y Rosario. Misa a las 11 p.m. y Mañanitas a medianoche.

San José, Newton

Rosario Guadalupanos, Novena a la Virgen y Misa el día de la fiesta a las 12 p.m. con Mañanitas.

San Juan Bautista, North Wilkesboro

Rosario Guadalupano del 3 al 11 de diciembre, 7 p.m. Domingo 11, Misa a las 11 p.m.

San Judas, Sapphire

Novena del 3 al 11 de diciembre, 6 p.m. Domingo 11, 6 p.m., procesión y convivio familiar. Lunes 12, 7 p.m. Misa.

San Luis Gonzaga, Hickory Lunes 12, 6 p.m., Misa seguida de recepción.

Domingo 11, 10 p.m., Rosario y Misa a las 11 p.m. Lunes 12, 12 a.m. Mañanitas hasta la 1 a.m. De 5 a.m. a 5 p.m. Rosarios, luego danzas, representación de las apariciones guadalupanas y Misa a las 7 p.m.

Santa María, Madre de Dios, Sylva

Rosarios guadalupanos del 4 al 11 de diciembre. Lunes 12, 6:30 p.m., procesión, danzas, representación de las apariciones.

Misa a las 8:30 y Mañanitas a las 10.

Santa María Auxiliadora, Shelby

Sábado 10, 6:00 p.m., Novena, danzas, Misa, procesión, cantos y cena. Lunes 12, 5 a.m., Mañanitas y desayuno.

Santa María Margarita, Swannanoa

Lunes 12, 5 a 7 a.m., Mañanitas. Misa a las 6 p.m., con procesión y Rosario.

Santa Teresa, Mooresville

Lunes 12, 5 p.m., Novena, Misa.

Santa Trinidad, Taylorsville

Domingo 11, 9:30 a.m., Rosario, Misa, compartir, danzas y cantos.

Santo Niño, Reidsville

Lunes 12, 5 a.m., Mañanitas. Misa y convivio a las 7 p.m.

Santos Ángeles, Mount Airy

Domingo 11, 12:30 a.m., Misa y compartir con bailables folclóricos.

Vicaría de Asheville

Invita a todas las comunidades parroquiales a participar de un evento unitario el domingo 11 de 1 a 8 p.m. en el WNC Centro de Agricultura, 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd. Fletcher, N.C. 28732. Procesión, Misa, Mañanitas, bailables, representaciones, comida y bebida. Se solicita una donación de $5 para cubrir los costos.

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

Patrona de América Latina y Emperatriz de las Américas

El 12 de diciembre la Iglesia Católica celebra a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, aparecida en el cerro del Tepeyac al indio San Juan Diego en tres ocasiones, entre el 8 y el 12 de diciembre de 1531.

En sus apariciones, Santa María le pidió a San Juan Diego que interceda ante el primer Obispo de México, el franciscano Fray Juan de Zumárraga, para que se construya un templo en el llano al pie del cerro del Tepeyac.

Como prueba de la veracidad de la aparición, la Virgen María le encargó al indígena que lleve las flores de un rosal aparecido milagrosamente en el árido Tepeyac. Cuando San Juan Diego presentó las flores al obispo, su tilma, la tela en la que las llevaba, quedó impregnada con la imagen de la Virgen de Guadalupe.

En su mensaje del 12 de diciembre del año pasado, el Papa Francisco subrayó que “la Virgen de Guadalupe y San Juan Diego nos enseñan siempre a caminar juntos, desde las periferias hasta el centro, en comunión con los sucesores de los Apóstoles, que son los obispos, para así ser Buena Noticia para todos”.

El Santo Padre expresó además su alegría porque “con actos de fe y de testimonio público como el que ustedes han realizado hoy comencemos a preparar el Jubileo Guadalupano del 2031 y el Jubileo de la Redención del 2033 – tenemos que mirar adelante siempre”.

El Papa se refirió así al trabajo que realiza la Iglesia Católica en México, plasmado de forma particular en su Proyecto Global de Pastoral 2031+2033, que apunta a preparar el camino para la celebración de los 500 años de las apariciones de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en el cerro del Tepeyac, al norte de la Ciudad de México.

APARICIONES DE LA MORENITA

Las apariciones de Nuestra Señora a Juan Diego, la milagrosa estampación de su Santa Imagen en el humilde ayate de su vidente y su mensaje de amor por nosotros tienen como fin principal anunciar a su amadísimo Hijo, Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, a los pueblos del Nuevo Mundo.

El 9 de diciembre por la madrugada, Juan Diego oye cantos de pájaros. Le llaman por su nombre; sube a la cumbre del cerro del Tepeyac y ve a la Niña que le ordena ir ante el obispo para pedirle un templo en el llano. “Hijito mío el más amado: yo soy la perfecta siempre Virgen Santa María, Madre del verdaderísimo Dios…, mucho quiero tengan la bondad de construirme mi templecito…Allí estaré siempre dispuesta a escuchar su llanto, su tristeza, para purificar, para curar todas sus diferentes miserias, sus penas, sus dolores”.

Ese mismo día, alrededor de las 5 de la tarde, Juan Diego vuelve a la cumbre y da cuenta de la incredulidad del Obispo Fray Juan de Zumárraga y pide que escoja otro mensajero. Pero la Virgen le confirma en su misión y le ordena insistir al día siguiente. “Hijito mío, el más pequeño, es indispensable que sea totalmente por tu intervención que se lleve a cabo mi deseo. Muchísimo te ruego y con rigor te mando

que mañana vayas otra vez a ver al Obispo. Y hazle oír muy claro mi voluntad, para que haga mi templo que le pido”.

El domingo 10, nuevamente en la cumbre, Juan Diego refiere su segunda entrevista con el obispo. Aún no le cree y le ordena pedir a la Señora alguna señal.

La Virgen ordena a Juan Diego que vuelva al cerro al día siguiente para recibir la señal que le dará. “Así está bien, hijito mío, el más amado. Mañana de nuevo vendrás aquí para que lleves al Gran Sacerdote la prueba, la señal que te pide. Con eso enseguida te creerá, y ya para nada desconfiará de ti”. Juan Diego, no vuelve por la enfermedad de su tío Juan Bernardino.

El martes 12 de diciembre, muy de madrugada, ante la gravedad de su tío, Juan Diego sale a México para buscar un sacerdote. Rodeó el cerro para que la Virgen no lo encontrara. Pero ella sale a su encuentro; lo tranquiliza de la enfermedad de su tío: “Te doy la plena seguridad de que ya sanó” y lo envía a la cumbre por las rosas que serán la señal. A su regreso, la Virgen le dice: “Hijito queridísimo, estas diferentes flores son la prueba, la señal que le llevarás al obispo. De parte mía le dirás que por favor vea en ella mi deseo, y con eso, ejecute mi voluntad”.

Al mismo tiempo que se aparece a Juan Diego, se aparece a Juan Bernardino, tío del vidente, en su casa le cura de sus enfermedades y le manifiesta su nombre y pide que de ahora en adelante, “a su preciosa imagen precisamente se le llame, se le conozca como la siempre Virgen Santa María de Guadalupe”.

Al mediodía, ya en la casa del obispo, Juan Diego muestra las rosas que llevaba en su ayate, señal dada por la Virgen. “Desplegó su tilma, donde llevaba las flores. Y así, al tiempo que se esparcieron las diferentes flores preciosas, en ese mismo instante… apareció de improviso en el humilde ayate la venerada imagen de la siempre Virgen María, Madre de Dios, tal como ahora tenemos la dicha de venerarla en lo que es su hogar predilecto, su templo del Tepeyac”.

— Condensado de ACI Prensa y la página oficial de la Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en la Ciudad de México.

Párroco de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte envió saludo por fiesta patronal

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — Con motivo de la celebración de la festividad de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, el Padre Leo Tiburcio, párroco de la iglesia del mismo nombre en Charlotte, dirigió un mensaje a todos los fieles de la diócesis, e invitó particularmente a las celebraciones que se realizarán en la sede de su parroquia por 23 horas consecutivas, iniciando el sábado 11 a las 7 de la tarde.

“Este es mi segundo año como párroco aquí, y es un honor y un privilegio para mí, como pastor de mi comunidad y como mexicano, celebrar esta fiesta llena de energía en la que rendimos honores a la patrona de México, de Latinoamérica, Emperatriz de las Américas, a nuestra madre, la Virgen de Guadalupe”, dijo el Padre Tiburcio.

También destacó los numerosos festejos que se llevarán a cabo en otras iglesias locales en toda la diócesis. “La Virgen, madre nuestra, llegó a las Américas y nos reunió a todas las nacionalidades bajo una misma lengua, abrazándonos y

llevándonos a su hijo Jesús”, dijo.

Exhortó a todos, a que “abramos el corazón para que ella siga penetrando en nuestras vidas personales y familias”, pues ella, con sus propias palabras, nos recordó con Juan Diego que nos sonríe, nos pide que no nos aflijamos y nos reitera que estamos en su regazo.

Particularmente, explicó que este mensaje es muy especial para la comunidad migrante, que “aunque estemos aquí por mucho tiempo, siempre vamos a anhelar estar con nuestra madre”, en casa, bajo su protección, y “reuniéndonos como hermanos en Cristo, como comunidad de fe”, como Iglesia.

“Vamos a seguir pidiéndole que no nos abandone, que no nos deje, y que ella misma, como mujer de fe, nos siga poniendo en contacto ante Nuestro Señor Jesús”, dijo.

Finalmente, el Padre Tiburcio rogó “que Dios nos siga bendiciendo, no nomás en esta celebración, sino en todos los momentos de nuestra vida”, y concluyó con la arenga; “¡Que viva la Virgen de Guadalupe”.!

Más online

En www.facebook.com/CNHEspañol : Puede encontrar el video con el mensaje del Padre Leo Tiburcio.

FOTO CORTESÍA CATHOPIC, PADRE EDGAR MARTÍNEZ GARCÍA

La imagen original de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, plasmada en la tilma de San Juan Diego en el cerro Tepeyac, se encuentra protegida tras un cristal en el centro del altar de la Basílica de la Emperatriz de las Américas en la Ciudad de México.

Tiburcio

Posadas y Novenas

Tradiciones latinoamericanas de Navidad

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — Del 16 al 24 de diciembre, miles de católicos latinoamericanos celebrarán las tradicionales posadas y novenas en preparación a la llegada de la Navidad. En el caso de los hermanos mexicanos y centroamericanos, la preferencia se inclina por Las Posadas; mientras que en algunos países de Sudamérica se elige organizar novenas.

De una u otra manera, de lo que se trata es de crear comunidad, orar, cantar y levantar el espíritu ante la llegada de Dios hecho hombre en la figura de un niño.

LAS POSADAS

Las Posadas recuerdan, de una manera alegre y festiva, el camino a Belén de José y María. Ellos buscan una “posada”, es decir un lugar de descanso, lo que hoy diríamos alojamiento, porque ya María se encontraba en los últimos días de embarazo.

Según un video publicado por el Sistema Informativo de la Arquidiócesis de México, los primeros evangelizadores misioneros católicos aprovecharon las celebraciones prehispánicas al Sol entre el 20 y 23 de diciembre. Así, compararon al “verdadero Sol” con Jesús y las fiestas nocturnas las tornaron en una compañía a María y José en su peregrinación a Belén.

En 1587, el fraile agustino Diego de Soria, solicitó al Papa Sixto V un novenario previo a la Navidad que ayudara a desterrar algunas prácticas indígenas de tiempos prehispánicos.

“Los recién conversos acogieron con gusto estas misas de aguinaldo, que fueron complementadas con villancicos, piñatas, con su rico simbolismo; representación de autos sacramentales, como La Adoración de los Reyes Magos, que dieron paso a las pastorelas, y en donde prevalecía una sana convivencia familiar y vecinal”, afirma el Padre José de Jesús Aguilar Valdés.

POSADAS LOCALES

La Sra. Blanca Sifuentes es parte de un numeroso grupo de familias de feligreses de la Iglesia Sagrado Corazón de Salisbury que año a año, desde “hace un buen poco de tiempo”, como ella misma dice, organizan Las Posadas en su comunidad parroquial.

Ellos concluyen el novenario el 23 de diciembre, con una Posada que se lleva a cabo en los salones de la parroquia. “Lo concluimos un día antes, porque ya el 24, en la Nochebuena, las personas prefieren pasarlas en familia y recibir a los invitados que llegan a su hogar”, explica.

Cada día, nos relata, una familia es la encargada de ofrecer posada, y los demás invitados son quienes la solicitan.

“Primero vienen los cantos tradicionales de pedida de posada, así como la respuesta de los que la ofrecen. Luego los peregrinos ingresan al hogar, se reza el Rosario y otras oraciones, y finalmente viene la piñata y la comida para los adultos”, detalla la Sra. Sifuentes. Respecto a la comida, la familia a cargo ofrece lo que se encuentra a su alcance. Regularmente lo tradicional son tamales, atole, pan y ponche.

Para la Sra. Sifuentes, celebrar las posadas es importante para mantener la tradición cultural de los

FOTO CORTESÍA SRA. BLANCA SIFUENTES

Feligreses de la parroquia Sagrado Corazón en Salisbury organizan Las Posadas desde hace muchos años. La Sra. Blanca Sifuentes asegura que es una gran manera de evangelizar, celebrar el nacimiento de Jesús, y trasmitir las tradiciones de sus países de origen a las nuevas generaciones.

países de los que provienen como migrantes, además “va mucha gente que no llega a Misa y es una buena ocasión para evangelizar a quienes aún no les ha llegado el mensaje de la Buena Nueva”.

En su esfuerzo por difundir la tradición de Las Posadas, un año la llevaron al Seminario Universitario San José, “donde todos quedaron encantados”. Es necesario mencionar que la Sra. Sifuentes es madre del seminarista Noé Jesús Sifuentes, quien después de haber concluido sus estudios en el seminario de Charlotte, se encuentra en su primer año de Teología en Ohio.

NOVENA DE AGUINALDOS

La Novena de Aguinaldos es un conjunto de oraciones que fue creado en Colombia a mediados del siglo XVIII por el franciscano fray Fernando de Jesús Larrea. La novena ha tenido modificaciones a lo largo del tiempo, pero su esencia sigue siendo la misma.

Cada año, la Conferencia Episcopal de Colombia lanza la tradicional Novena de Navidad, incluso con una versión en audio.

La Novena de Aguinaldos incluye el rezo de una oración para cada uno de los días, a la Santísima Virgen, a San José, al Niño Jesús, y concluye con el canto de los gozos navideños en el que el coro dice: “Dulce Jesús mío, mi niño adorado ¡Ven a nuestras almas! ¡Ven no tardes tanto!”.

En Ecuador, Venezuela y Colombia, donde esta tradición tiene profundo arraigo, la novena de Navidad es casi un evento social donde, teniendo como base la oración, se reúnen las familias, los trabajadores en sus empresas, y los vecinos en parques o centros comerciales.

El evento se acompaña con el canto de alegres villancicos navideños, y el compartir de delicias tradicionales de la temporada navideña de cada región.

Más online

En www.bit.ly/3UM613A y www.colombia.com/navidad/ novena : Manual de posadas y Manual de Novena de Aguinaldos, para organizar una posada o novena de aguinaldos en su comunidad, siga los pasos que se explican en los enlaces a continuación.

En la foto de archivo, el Obispo Michael A. Saltarelli de Wilmington, Delaware, es ayudado por una religiosa que balancea una piñata durante una celebración del ministerio hispano. La piñata es un significativo elemento, infaltable en la celebración de Las Posadas.

¿Sabes cuál es el significado del juego de la piñata?

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

La piñata es una estructura de cartón o alambre cubierta de papel maché multicolor, usualmente con siete picos, que contiene golosinas y otros premios en su interior, y se cuelga de lo alto con una cuerda.

Las niñas y niños esperan turno para tomar un garrote y romperla. Cuando logran el objetivo, la piñata libera su contenido y todos se lanzan sobre él.

La piñata es un juguete infaltable en las posadas. Según nos explicó el Padre Fidel Melo, párroco de la iglesia San Santiago en Hamlet, fue utilizada por los primeros evangelizadores de los pueblos originarios en México, para enseñar la dinámica de la lucha contra el pecado.

“La piñata es la representación del mal, sus siete puntas son los siete pecados capitales, los adornos y colores aluden a las vanidades y engaños del mundo. La persona partiendo la piñata representa al creyente en la lucha contra el mal”, dijo. Explicó que “el creyente, sin ver totalmente pues está con los ojos vendados, nada más creyendo ciegamente en Dios, lucha denodadamente buscando el mal, combatiéndolo en su vida, y, cuando lo logra y sale vencedor, recibe el premio de la gloria a través de las bendiciones que caen del cielo”.

Destacó que la lucha, pese a ser personal, se realiza en comunidad. En la piñata, “la gente está siempre alrededor de él y lo dirige. Con voces le marca si a la derecha, a la izquierda, arriba o abajo”.

El cántico tradicional es también una clara señal de la ayuda comunitaria. Una de sus estrofas dice: “Dale, dale, dale, no pierdas el tino, porque si lo pierdes, pierdes el camino”.

“La piñata es un juego comunitario, y más allá de celebrar nuestras tradiciones, es importante reencontrarnos como Iglesia, en comunión. En la evangelización, celebrar es la clave”, finalizó el Padre Melo.

FOTO DE ARCHIVO CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Cuidado con los incendios de fin de año

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — En esta temporada de fiestas navideñas y de año nuevo, lo que menos esperamos es un accidente en el hogar. La agencia de administración de incendios de Estados Unidos (USFA), advierte que los días con mayor cantidad de incendios en hogares causados por velas son Navidad, Año Nuevo y la víspera de Año Nuevo.

Mario Sinisi, comandante en retiro del Cuerpo de Bomberos de Perú de visita en Charlotte, señaló que en Estados Unidos, debido a su sistema constructivo y costumbres decembrinas, la mayoría de los riesgos de incendio están relacionados al deficiente mantenimiento del arbolito de navidad natural, los bombillos de luz y la preparación de comida en estufas.

ARBOLITO FRESCO

Recomendó que cuando adquiera un árbol de navidad natural, debe tener en cuenta que este se encuentre ‘fresco’, no seco. Para ello debe golpear la base del tronco del árbol contra el piso, y observar que no caigan muchas ramas de él. De ser así, es un primer aviso, pues el árbol podría haber sido cortado hace muchos días y encontrarse muy seco. Al alcanzar este estado, el árbol puede ser pasto fácil del calor que generan los bombillos eléctricos que usualmente los adornan.

Para mantenerlos húmedos debe llenar continuamente el depósito de agua que

incluye la base sobre la que se instala el árbol. “Debido a la calefacción y temperatura del interior del hogar, el agua se consume muy rápidamente, por lo que es recomendable inspeccionar diariamente”, afirma Sinisi, añadiendo que es sorprendente el tiempo en que un arbolito natural se enciende y es consumido totalmente por el fuego cuando está seco.

Igualmente, dijo, es importante no colocar el arbolito bajo el alcance directo de una ventilla de calefacción, chimenea o una fuente de calor cercana.

REVISE LOS BOMBILLOS

Otro punto fundamental es revisar minuciosamente el estado de los juegos de luces que se van a instalar este año. “Si son antiguos, extienda los cables y revíselos en busca de rajaduras o quiebres en los conductores. Si los encuentra defectuosos, deseche el juego pues más vale gastar unos dólares en uno nuevo, que lamentar la pérdida completa de su casa por un incendio”, dijo, añadiendo que no se deben conectar muchas luces a un mismo tomacorriente pues la sobrecarga es peligrosa.

ATENTOS EN LA COCINA

En el caso de los incendios de cocina, Sinisi afirma que “la computadora, la televisión, el teléfono son distracciones que nos pueden alejar de la cocina durante la preparación de los alimentos”.

El aceite de una fritura se convierte en combustible cuando alcanza determinada

Lecturas Diarias

DICIEMBRE 11-17

Domingo (Tercer domingo de Adviento): Isaías 35:1-6a, 10, Santiago 5:7-10, Mateo 11:2-11; Lunes (Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe): Zacarías 2:14-17, Lucas 1:2638; Martes (Santa Lucía): Sofonías 3:1-2, 9-13, Mateo 21:28-32; Miércoles (San Juan de la Cruz): Isaías 45:6-8, 18, 21-25, Lucas 7:19-23; Jueves: Isaías 54:110, Lucas 7:24-30; Viernes: Isaías 56:1-3, 6-8, Juan 5:33-36; Sábado: Génesis 49:2, 8-10, Mateo 1:1-17

DICIEMBRE 18-24

Domingo (Cuarto domingo de Adviento): Isaías 7:10-14, Romanos 1:1-7, Mateo 1:18-24; Jueces 13:2-7, 24-25, Lucas 1:5-25; Martes: Isaías 7:1014, Lucas 1:26-38; Miércoles (San Pedro Canisio): Cantar de los Cantares 2:8-14, Lucas 1:39-45; Jueves: 1 Samuel 1:24-28, Lucas 1:46-56; Viernes (San Juan de Kanty): Malaquías 3:1-4, 2324, Lucas 1:57-66; Sábado: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16, Lucas 1:67-79

DICIEMBRE 25-31

Domingo (La Natividad del Señor): Isaías 52:7-10, Hebreos 1:1-6, Juan 1:1-18; Lunes (San Esteban): Hechos 6:8-10, 7:54-60, Mateo 10:17-22; Martes (San Juan Apóstol): 1 Juan 1:1-4, Juan 20:2-9; Miércoles (Fiesta de los Santos Inocentes): 1 Juan 1:5-2:2, Mateo 2:13-18; Jueves: 1 Juan 2:3-11, Lucas 2:22-35; Viernes (Fiesta de la Sagrada Familia): Eclesiástico 3:3-7, 14-17a, Mateo 2:13-15, 19-23; Sábado (San Silvestre, Papa): 1 Juan 2:18-21, Juan 1:1-18

temperatura, haciendo que lo que está en la sartén se encienda, pudiendo el fuego alcanzar el extractor de aire, gabinetes, el techo de la habitación y otras áreas de la cocina.

En este caso, sugiere llamar al 911 antes de tratar de apagar por sí mismo el fuego. “Las personas en su desesperación tratan de apagar el fuego de sus cocinas con agua y podrían, en vez de controlarlo, extender el incendio”. La recomendación general es dejar el control del fuego en manos de los especialistas.

Además, advierte que dentro de la cocina es necesario eliminar riesgos manteniendo a los niños alejados de la estufa; el piso seco y despejado; secadores y guantes de

Incendios en el arbolito de navidad natural, la iluminación navideña y en la cocina, pueden ser prevenidos siguiendo estos consejos básicos durante las fiestas navideñas y de año nuevo. Más vale prevenir que lamentar.

FOTO CORTESÍA PIXABAY

horno fuera del alcance de las hornillas encendidas; y no utilizando ropa de mangas sueltas que se puedan encender fácilmente. Finalmente, recomendó que mientras se encuentre preparando alimentos en la estufa no abandone la cocina por ningún motivo. “El tiempo pasa muy rápido, una distracción de minutos podría costarle muy caro”, concluyó.

Más online

En www.bit.ly/3W8jvqP : Encontrará mayores recursos para prevenir incendios en su hogar durante la temporada invernal y fiestas decembrinas.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CLERK

The Diocese of Charlotte is seeking a full time Accounts Payable Clerk. This position performs a wide variety of general or specialized accounting functions related to the maintenance/processing of accounts payable records in an effective and accurate manner. Essential functions include: maintaining vendor records in the accounting system; review of payment requests for proper coding, accuracy and authorization; processing weekly accounts payable; posting cash receipts; and other similar duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

• High school diploma, college courses in accounting preferred.

• Minimum of two years’ related experience

• Proficient with Excel and accounting software

• Proficient with ten-key

• Well organized and a self-starter.

• Ability to work both independently and with a team

• Demonstrates a strong work ethic.

Please send resume and salary/history requirements to Sue Sigler, Controller, Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28203-4003 or email to sasigler@rcdoc.org.

Our nation

Supreme Court appears ready to support web designer in free speech case

CAROL ZIMMERMANN Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a case examining the scope of free speech protected by the First Amendment, the Supreme Court Dec. 5 ultimately seemed to favor a broad view of free speech.

And in this case, the speech involved what a graphic designer who creates websites should not have to say. Colorado designer Lorie Smith, who runs a web design company called 303 Creative, has said she should not be required to create wedding websites for same-sex couples based on her Christian beliefs about marriage. Colorado state law forbids businesses from discriminating based on sexual orientation. Smith contends her First Amendment right to free speech exempts her from the law. But she lost

her case in the lower court when the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the state has a compelling interest to protect its citizens “from the harms of discrimination.”

Kristen Waggoner, the Alliance

Defending Freedom attorney representing Smith, before the Supreme Court, specifically argued that companies whose work centers around expression have First Amendment protections from being compelled to say things that go against their personal beliefs. Smith’s case is very similar to a recent lawsuit involving a Colorado baker who refused to make a custom wedding cake for a same-sex couple based on his religious beliefs.

In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that the baker’s refusal to make a wedding cake did not violate Colorado’s anti-discrimination law. In its ruling, the court did not

Construction Project Manager

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte is currently accepting resumes for the position of “Construction Project Manager” to work within the Office of Diocesan Properties. The Construction Project Manager is responsible for providing professional Owner representation and guidance on Diocesan construction projects. The Construction Project Manager will work closely with Pastors and Principals, assisting in all aspects of the planning and execution of Church and School construction projects.

REQUIREMENTS

INCLUDE:

• Bachelor’s degree or greater in associated field preferred.

• 5+ years minimum related experience.

• Strong inter-personal communication skills – both written and verbal.

• Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills.

• Ability to work both independently and with a team.

• Strong knowledge of the principles and practices of proper project management.

• Advanced level of proficiency in Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Microsoft Project, and Adobe Acrobat Pro.

• Strong knowledge of project delivery methods such as Negotiated GMP, Lump-Sum Competitive Bidding, and Design-Build methods.

• Strong knowledge of church and school building construction preferred.

• Ability to read and interpret Architectural / Engineering drawings and submittals.

• Working knowledge of electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems.

• Working knowledge of building codes, construction materials, and means and methods.

• Working knowledge of accounting principles, and the reporting of financial data.

To apply, please email a cover letter, resume and salary history to PropDirector@RCDOC.org. ** The Diocese of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer **

specifically deal with First Amendment protections allowing businesses to refuse clients’ requests based on the owners’ religious convictions. A ruling in favor of the web designer in this case could give broad leeway to business owners to deny services based on their own beliefs and would trump anti-discrimination laws.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, joined by the Colorado Catholic Conference and other religious groups, sided with the designer. In their amicus brief they said this case gives the court the chance to clarify free speech issues it said the court fell short of doing in the previous case, Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. In the current case, Smith, has not denied a service as the baker did in refusing to bake a custom cake for the same-sex couple. Smith is asking the court to weigh in before she even begins designing wedding websites, saying she has been worried that her refusal to design a same-sex wedding website would violate Colorado’s public accommodations law. A majority of the justices seemed willing to carve out narrow exemptions to discrimination laws. Justice Clarence Thomas emphasized that this case was distinct from other public accommodations cases because of the speech aspect, pointing out: “This is not a hotel, this is not a restaurant, this is not a riverboat or

a train.”

The USCCB’s brief said there is a “pressing need for the court to clarify how the compelled speech doctrine applies to wedding-vendor cases and other disputes.” It urged the justices to do what they have done in the past: “Apply the Free Speech Clause to protect religious speech, thereby strengthening liberty not just for the religious but for all society.”

Other groups that filed briefs on behalf of the wedding vendor included Catholicvote.org, the Thomas More Society, the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights and the Becket Fund.

DignityUSA, an unofficial Catholic support group for gay Catholics and their families, and New Ways Ministry, a Catholic pastoral outreach to LGBTQ people and their families, joined a brief filed by 30 religious and civil rights groups opposing the graphic artist’s case.

“Carving out this broad exemption would allow public businesses to legally exclude customers based on their identities,” it said, adding that “instead of safeguarding every citizen’s right to buy goods and services from businesses open to the public,” the proposed exemption “would further hurt the very people these civil rights laws were designed to protect.”

A decision in the case is expected in late June.

contact Gina Rhodes, Director of Planned Giving at 704-370-3364 / gmrhodes@rcdoc.org

Advent is opportunity to get off pedestal of superiority, pope says

CAROL GLATZ Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — The season of Advent is a moment of grace to help believers stop being presumptuous and pretending to be self-sufficient, Pope Francis said.

There is only one way to begin a new life: “the way of humility – to be purified from the sense of superiority, from formalism and hypocrisy,” the pope said Dec. 4, the second Sunday of Advent.

People need to see themselves “as sinners, and to see Jesus as the savior who comes for us, not for the others, for us, just as we are, with our poverty, misery and failings, above all with our need to be raised up, forgiven and saved,” he told visitors and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the recitation of the Angelus prayer.

The day’s Gospel reading described St. John the Baptist’s sharp rebuke of those who were known for their duplicity and presumption, and his urgent appeal to repent.

When St. John the Baptist says, “Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance,” the pope said, “This is a cry

of love, like the cry of a father who sees his son ruining himself and says to him, ‘Don’t throw your life away!’”

If people presume they always are right, they will fail to welcome this loving invitation and miss an opportunity to begin a new life, he said.

“In essence, dear brothers and sisters, hypocrisy is the greatest danger, because it can even ruin the most sacred realities. Hypocrisy is a serious danger. This is why the Baptist – as Jesus would be later – is harsh with hypocrites,” the pope said.

It is important to welcome God with humility, he said, “not bravura: ‘We’re strong; we are great people!’”

“Each of us needs to confess our own sins, our own failings, our own hypocrisy,” the pope said. “It requires getting off the pedestal and being immersed in the water of repentance.”

“Advent is a moment of grace to take off our masks – every one of us has them – and line up with those who are humble, to be liberated from the presumption of the belief of being self-sufficient, to go to confess our sins, the hidden ones, and to welcome God’s pardon, to ask forgiveness from those whom we have offended,” he said. “This is how to begin a new life.”

Lessons and Stories from the Journey –

Reflections from the Life of a Joyful Priest

In the spring of 2022, Fr Mark Lawlor, Pastor of the Parish of St. erese in Mooresville, published a book on Amazon titled, Lessons and Stories from the Journey – Reflections from the Life of a Joyful Priest.

Fr. Mark relates his call to Holy Orders which began during the years while working as a nuclear engineer at a Naval Shipyard. He also includes some ministry stories and reflections on saints, priests, travels, family and teachings. Con sistent in the text is how God has guided and blessed his vocation through the years.

world

CNS | PAUL HARING

The Nativity scene and Christmas tree decorate St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Dec. 5.

ViewPoints

Father Larry Rice

What are the ‘O’ antiphons?

When I’m out shopping in November, and I hear the strains of “Silver Bells” and “The Little Drummer Boy” wafting from hidden store speakers, I just want to cover my ears. The everpresent repetition of Christmas carols often serves to point out that the rest of the world is celebrating Christmas, while we’re still in the season of Advent.

For me, the one exception to this audio barrage is a simple chant for Advent: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” This song, with its longing for the coming of the Savior, genuinely belongs to Advent and not to Christmas. Its melody is based on Gregorian chant, and its verses are all taken from the Church’s “O antiphons.”

These antiphons introduce the “Magnificat,” or “Canticle of Mary,” in the Evening Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours from Dec. 17 through Dec. 23.

Each antiphon begins with a traditional title for Christ. They are: “O Wisdom,” “O Leader of the House of Israel (Adonai),” “O Root of Jesse’s Stem,” “O Key of David,” “O Radiant Dawn,” “O King of all

the nations,” and finally, “O Emmanuel” which means “God with us.”

Each of these traditional titles for the Messiah connects the coming of Christ with the prophetic writings of the Old Testament.

In some Catholic parishes, the Sunday liturgies during Advent feature the tune of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” as the setting for the Sanctus, the Great Amen and other sung parts of the Mass.

While it’s asking a lot for this simple tune to bear so much repetition for four weeks, this setting does anchor us firmly in the longing and anticipation of Advent.

The original hymn, with its pleading for Christ’s coming, serves as a welcome antidote to the onslaught of bad commercial Christmas music that we have to endure every November and December. It also connects us to the Evening Prayer of the whole Church in the final week of Advent.

FATHER LARRY RICE is the chaplain of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.

Protecting God’s Children

We proclaim Christ to the world around us by our efforts to provide a safe environment for all people, especially the young and the vulnerable.

The Catholic Church is absolutely committed to the safety of children. Together we can make a Promise to Protect and a Pledge to Heal.

Suspect sexual abuse or misconduct?

If you have information about possible sexual abuse or misconduct by any clergy, employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Charlotte, report concerns safely, securely and anonymously 24/7 over the phone using the diocese’s new hotline, 1-888-630-5929, or online: www.RedFlagReporting.com/RCDOC

Please note: If you suspect a child is in danger, please contact 9-1-1 or your local law enforcement agency.

Safe Environment training

Every Church worker must go through abuse prevention and education training. Find more information about the Diocese of Charlotte’s Safe Environment program, sign up for Protecting God’s Children training and more: Go to www.charlottediocese.org and click on “Safe Environment”

For more information or questions, please contact the diocese’s Human Resources Office: www.charlottediocese.org/human-resources or 704-370-6299.

Thankful, even for fleas

This is a beautiful time of year when many people, regardless of spiritual or religious beliefs, take time to reflect on what they have to be grateful for. Even those who are suffering through hard times or illness will strive, at least for the holiday season, to list a few blessings in their lives and to give thanks for them.

As Christians, it’s easy to say that we should be thanking God for our blessings all year long, but we don’t always succeed at doing that, and sometimes we don’t even know the blessings that we should be thankful for. God’s ways are not our ways, and the path is rarely smooth.

The past few years especially have been a hardship for many, with fear and uncertainty, the loss of friends and loved ones, and an atmosphere of contention and judgement. It can be difficult to see where God might be working, how He is still caring for us even when we can’t see the direct evidence. Yet, we should still be giving thanks and trusting that He is at work, nonetheless.

A few years ago, I read the book “The Hiding Place” by Corrie ten Boom, and it has since become a favorite of mine and one that I turn to regularly for consolation and wisdom.

Corrie and her family were Christians living in Holland, and during World War II they became leaders in an underground movement to hide Jews and help them escape the country. When they were eventually discovered, Corrie, her father and her sister were arrested and sent to the German work camps. “The Hiding Place” is Corrie’s memoir of this time.

With such a context, one might be shocked to hear that I find the book to be remarkably uplifting. It is though, because it was written with an inspiring perspective of faith, not to mention hope and charity.

There is one instance particularly that always comes back to me, that has lodged in my mind ever since I first read it.

When Corrie and her sister Betsie were moved to a new work camp in the heart of Germany, they discovered that the bunkhouse where they would be living, in addition to being massively overcrowded, was entirely infested with fleas.

It was more than the sisters thought they could handle, but with great faith they asked for God to help them and so began praying. They had been able to smuggle in with them a Bible, and that very morning they had read the passage from 1 Thessalonians: “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Seeing that God had already given them an answer on how to bear this situation, the sisters gave thanks that they were at least together, that they had their Bible, that the packed bunkhouse would allow them to reach that many more women with the Word of God. However, when Betsie gave thanks even for the fleas, it was almost too much for Corrie. But Betsie pointed out that they are told to give thanks in all

circumstances, not just in the pleasant ones. With the aid of their contraband Bible, the sisters began to lead prayer services for the women every day. As Corrie describes, “They were services like no others, these times in Barracks 28. A single meeting night might include a recital of the “Magnificat” in Latin by a group of Roman Catholics, a whispered hymn by some Lutherans, and a sotto-voce chant by Eastern Orthodox women … At last, either Betsie or I would open the Bible.” Corrie goes on to explain that at first they called these meetings very timidly, but they grew bolder as the nights went on and no guards ever approached or interrupted them. They soon began leading services twice a day, and a prayerful peace settled throughout the entire barracks, where before there had been great strife, frustration and misery.

It wasn’t until much later that they learned the reason behind their fortunate lack of supervision: it was because of the fleas. The guards themselves were so disgusted by the infestation of fleas that they never stepped foot inside of the massive barracks, thus allowing the women more freedom than could otherwise have ever been hoped for.

How many eternal souls were saved by those prayer services in Barracks 28? Only the Lord knows, but it can be certain that even in those dark and horrifying times He had not forgotten His daughters.

This is just one example among many, as well as among countless others that we’ll never know, of how God is always with us, always watching over us and providing for us even when we aren’t aware of it. A perceived discomfort might be protecting us from an even greater deprivation.

Children don’t see the countless things that their parents do to protect them and keep them safe, and they might complain at the abject cruelty of being forced to endure a bath, consume vegetables, or keep back from an enticing fire. We are all children of God. We must trust that He is doing what’s best for us even when we don’t understand it.

As we reflect on our lives and on God’s mercy and love this holiday season, let us truly try to give thanks in all our circumstances. Even for the fleas.

KATHRYN EVANS HEIM is an author and wife living outside Salisbury, where she gardens, raises chickens, experiments with cooking and reads too many books. Find her work at www.evanswriting.com.

‘God is always with us, always watching over us and providing for us even when we aren’t aware of it.’

Kathryn Evans Heim

Closer to heaven by Christmas

Moments before midnight on Christmas Day in 2015, a 31-year-old woman passed away from cancer and, amid the grief and loss, a celebration began. Whispers and outright testimonies surfaced that proclaimed this gentle and joyful soul may have been particularly close to God.

Since that time, astounding miracles have happened through her intercession. This year, on All Saints Day, Bishop David Kagan opened the cause of Michelle Christine Duppong for sainthood. In doing so, he also offered our country and the world a beautiful model for what sainthood looks like in the modern world.

I first met Michelle when we both served as newly recruited FOCUS missionaries over a decade ago. Michelle just couldn’t help but acknowledge her gift of being fully present to the person in front of her. Her reverence in daily Mass and daily holy hours was palpable.

She once wrote, “You were made to be a saint. Do you believe that? Do you think you can do it? I want to remind you that there’s no doubt in God’s mind that you can do it! He made you for it.” Her encouragement extended to hundreds of students during her six years of work as a college campus missionary and then as the director of faith formation for the Diocese of Bismarck, N.D. She served as a sensitive and compelling model of the lay vocation.

Monsignor James Shea, president of the University of Mary, knew Michelle during her missionary work there. He said Michelle had an “uncommon promptitude or ease with which she lived the Christian life ... She loved Jesus! ... She didn’t hold back ... And then that whole substrate of her life was tested by her illness.”

What did this look like?

Michelle had an incredible hospitality of spirit. She would invite friends home with her for a “Duppong Haymarsh Experience” on her family farm near the little Haymarsh parish church, St. Clement’s. Picnics, singing, four-wheeling, sledding, exploring the farm, or late-night Adoration at the church gave her guests a respite from the pressures of everyday life. She knew the best gift we can give to one another is our presence and loving attention. She lived frugally but would travel to any state or even across the ocean to attend weddings and religious vows for friends.

In an article she wrote a year before her death, Michelle shared an idea appropriate to the Advent season: “This year, how about rather than purchasing presents to give others, we focus on giving ourselves to the people we love – giving the gift of our presence. Show affection and interest in them. Ask questions that go beyond the surface. Let them pick the activity to do together. Let them know how much they mean to you.”

Michelle also lived life joyfully, without shame, and developed a deep apostolic zeal. At first glance, she was an ordinary, delightfully quirky Catholic girl. She loved “The Lord of the Rings” and the color blue. She sang worship songs with the hospital cleaning lady and told friends animatedly about her hero, Blessed Pier Giorgio. Yet,

an unusual concern for others and their ultimate good was central to her spirit. Michelle saw that too often fear dictates people’s choices in life more than their desire to discern and do God’s will with acceptance and peace. She maintained that everyone was called to sainthood. She encouraged, “Courageously surrender your fears to Christ and boldly move forward in doing the good.” When she learned that her sufferings had brought literally thousands of people into prayer, she wrote, “Nothing means more to me than helping others encounter God through prayer, for having a relationship with Him is the most beautiful gift anyone can have. Thank you for going to Christ!”

As a missionary, she practiced the art of “offering it up.” She would regularly give up small things like condiments for a week for a special intention and invite others to join her in prayer and fasting as well as in joy and play. This chosen schooling in suffering prepared her heart to accept a much heavier cross. She was diagnosed with an aggressive and incredibly painful form of abdominal cancer in December of 2014. Michelle suffered without resentment, and her joy was so attractive that doctors and nurses were drawn to spend hours with her off-duty. When she was told at the cancer treatment center that there was nothing else they could do, she took a moment to reflect, and then she turned to the doctor and asked how his day was going with authentic interest. He was so surprised by her altruism that he needed to step out of the room. Her secret was a trust in God that gave her a perspective beyond the pain.

Advent is often a season of deep, soilwork in our hearts. Sometimes our secret wish list is less about tech gadgets, toys and jewelry and more about peace in our extended family, intimacy in our marriage, understanding with our children, concern over our society or financial worries.

Michelle had insights to help us in moments just like these:

“But through Jesus’ Passion, death and resurrection, suffering has been changed. It has been redeemed, allowing it to carry meaning. No matter what suffering we may be facing, we must know that God is permitting this to happen as an act of love and that He will bring about a greater good from it, for our own good and others. If we choose to unite the pain we are experiencing to Christ, we can share in His work of salvation, meriting graces for others and ourselves.”

Those are hard truths – truths understood best by a new mother far from home, huddled against her kind husband and cuddling her extraordinary child in the corner of a stable. Holiness is for everyone, particularly for those who suffer and long for a Savior. May we each step a little closer to heaven this Christmas.

Michelle Duppong, Servant of God, pray for us!

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

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