Aug. 5, 2022

August 5, 2022

catholicnewsherald.com charlottediocese.org S E RV I N G C H R I ST A N D C O N N EC T I N G C AT H O L I C S I N W E ST E R N N O R T H C A R O L I N A

Lending a hand Kentucky churches, communities work together to meet flood victims’ needs MARIAN ART SERIES CONTINUES

18

‘The Annunciation and Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden’

11

‘La Anunciación y Expulsión de Adán y Eva del Paraíso’ 17

FUNDED BY THE PARISHIONERS OF THE DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE THANK YOU!

Holy Infant Church celebrates 60th anniversary 6

Pro-life work in diocese intensifies after Supreme Court ruling 4

Charlas, ayuda médica y demostraciones en Feria de Salud 14

At a glance 2

catholicnewsherald.com | August 5, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

August 5, 2022 Volume 31 • NUMBER 22

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

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

INDEX

Contact us.....................................2 Español....................................... 12-17 Our Faith........................................3 Our diocese.............................. 4-8 Scripture readings................. 3, 16 Arts & Entertainment...................9 U.S. news.................................18-19 Viewpoints.............................22-23 World news............................ 20-21

CELEBRATE THE EUCHARIST: After going virtual for two years, the Eucharistic Congress will bring Catholics together at the Charlotte Convention Center Aug. 5-6.

5

things you need to know this week

1

Get the full schedule and list of speakers for this free event, including a newlyannounced speaker for Friday night – Vinny Flynn – at www.goeucharist.com.

COME BACK CHANGED: The Transfiguration of Jesus is commemorated Aug. 6. Find 10 things you need to know about this event in Jesus’ ministry at www. catholicnewsherald.com/ourfaith.

2

Subscribe today! Call:

704-370-3333

STAFF EDITOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org ADVERTISING MANAGER: Kevin Eagan 704-370-3332, keeagan@charlottediocese.org SENIOR REPORTER: SueAnn Howell 704-370-3354, sahowell@charlottediocese.org ONLINE REPORTER: Kimberly Bender 704-808-7341, kdbender@charlottediocese.org HISPANIC COMMUNICATIONS REPORTER: Cesar Hurtado, 704-370-3375, rchurtado@charlottediocese.org GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher 704-370-3331, tpfaragher@charlottediocese.org COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Erika Robinson, 704-370-3333, catholicnews@ charlottediocese.org THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte 26 times a year.

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

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

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

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

GO TO MASS TO HONOR MARY: On Aug. 15, Catholics celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This significant feast day recalls the spiritual and physical departure of the mother of Jesus Christ from the earth, when both her soul and her body were taken into the presence of God. This year,

3

it is not a holy day of obligation, but it’s still a wonderful opportunity to honor our Mother. Read more on page 3.

SPEND TIME IN PRAYER: There are special prayer intentions each month during the 50th anniversary year of the Diocese of Charlotte. This month, pray for the sick and suffering: May God give comfort to the afflicted and suffering souls of the diocese and to those who are needy, that they may find in the generosity of faithful souls a remedy for their ailments. Find more at www. faithmorepreciousthangold.com.

4

DONATE TO THE FOOD PANTRY: Catholic Charities’ food pantry shelves are emptying as fast as they are stocked, and agency leaders are urgently calling for help. See what items are needed and where to drop off at www.catholicnewsherald.com or donate money securely online at www.ccdoc.org (click on “Donate”).

— Kimberly Bender, online reporter

5

Diocesan calendar of events PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS ANOINTING OF THE SICK: 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, St. Luke Church, 13700 Lawyers Road, Mint Hill. Sponsored by the HOPE Committee. Anointing is typically presented to those who need healing from physical, mental illness, or someone who will be undergoing surgery. Refreshments will be served after Mass. For details, call Mary Adams at 704-545-1224.

ST. PEREGRINE HEALING PRAYER SERVICE: 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 25, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. St. Peregrine is the patron saint of cancer and grave diseases. The service is offered for all those suffering with cancer or other diseases. For details, call the church office at 704-543-7677.

POLISH LANGUAGE MASS AND VENERATION OF RELICS: 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte. Polish priest Father Matt Nycz will be celebrant and Deacon James Witulski will assist. The Mass, offered in the Polish language with the homily given in both English and Polish, will be in honor of Our Lady of Czestochowa, St. John Paul II, St. Maria Faustina Kowalska and Blessed Father Michael Sopocko. A Polish choir will provide liturgical music.

This Mass will fulfill your Sunday obligation. Confessions in English and Polish will be available at 1 p.m. After the Mass, the faithful will have the opportunity to venerate first-class relics of St. John Paul II, St. Faustina and Blessed Sopocko. A reception will follow the Mass. Donations of appetizers, finger food or dessert would be greatly appreciated and can be dropped off before the Mass at Aquinas Hall.

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 OF THE UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH: Divine Liturgy (Mass) is offered Sundays at 3 p.m. at St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden. All are welcome. For info, email ucmcanton@gmail.com.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING PROTECTING CHILDREN: Protecting God’s Children (Protegiendo a los Niños de Dios) 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: CLEMMONS: Noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, Holy Family Church, 4820 Kinnamon Road HUNTERSVILLE: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, St. Mark Church, 14740 Stumptown Road, in Room 200 at the Parish Center SUPPORT GROUPS 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 910-585-2460 or jrgrabowski@rcdoc.org, or Lorena Haynes at 828-585-0483.

Upcoming events for Bishop Peter J. Jugis: AUG. 5-6 Eucharistic Congress Charlotte Convention Center AUG. 10 – 10 A.M. Fine Arts Center Dedication Charlotte Catholic High School, Charlotte AUG. 13- 10 A.M. Mass for Affirmation of Promises for Deacons St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte AUG. 16 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. Francis of Assisi Church, Mocksville AUG. 18 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation St. James Church, Hamlet

Our faith

August 5, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

3

What is the Feast of the Assumption?

On Aug. 15, Catholics and many other Christians celebrate the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This significant feast day recalls the spiritual and physical departure of the mother of Jesus Christ from the earth, when both her soul and her body were taken into the presence of God. Pope (now St.) Pius XII confirmed this belief about the Virgin Mary as the perennial teaching of the Church when he defined it formally as a dogma of Catholic faith in 1950, invoking papal infallibility to proclaim, “that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”

His Apostolic Constitution “Munificentissimus Deus” (“Most Bountiful God”), which defined the dogma, contained the pontiff’s accounts of many longstanding traditions by which the Church has celebrated the Assumption throughout its history.

The constitution also cited testimonies from the early Church fathers on the subject, and described the history of theological reflection on many Biblical passages which are seen as indicating that Mary was assumed into heaven following her death.

Although the bodily assumption of Mary is not explicitly recorded in Scripture, Catholic tradition identifies her with the “woman clothed with the sun” who is described in the 12th chapter of the Book of Revelation.

The passage calls that woman’s appearance “a great sign” which “appeared in heaven,” indicating that she is the mother of the Jewish Messiah and has “the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”

Accordingly, Catholic iconography of the Western tradition often depicts the Virgin Mary’s assumption into heaven in this manner.

Eastern Christians have also traditionally held Mary’s assumption into heaven as an essential component of their faith. Pius XII cited several early Byzantine liturgical texts, as well as the eighth-century Arab Christian theologian St. John of Damascus, in his own authoritative definition of her assumption.

“It was fitting,” St. John of Damascus wrote in a sermon on the assumption, “that she, who had kept her virginity intact in childbirth, should keep her own body free from all corruption even after death,” and “that she, who had carried the creator as a child at her breast, should dwell in the divine tabernacles.”

In Eastern Christian tradition, the same feast is celebrated on the same date, although typically it is known as the “Dormition” (“falling asleep”) of Mary.

Eastern Catholics’ celebration of the Dormition is preceded by a two-week period of fasting that is similar to Lent. Pius XII, in “Munificentissimus Deus,” mentioned this same fasting period as belonging to the traditional patrimony of Western Christians as well.

— Catholic News Agency

The Feast of the Assumption recalls when Jesus’ mother was taken up, body and soul, into heaven.

JULY 24-30

Reflecting on a ‘penitential pilgrimage’ to Canada

R

“Assumption of Mary” by Nikolaos Doxaras (1750) on display in the National Gallery of Athens

Daily Scripture readings Sunday: Genesis 18:20-32, Colossians 2:12-14, Luke 11:1-13; Monday (St. James, Apostle): 2 Corinthians 4:7-15, Matthew 20:20-28; Tuesday (Sts. Joachim, Anne): Jeremiah 14:17-22, Matthew 13:36-43; Wednesday: Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21, Matthew 13:44-46; Thursday: Jeremiah 18:1-6, Matthew 3:47-53; Friday (Sts. Martha, Mary & Lazarus): Jeremiah 26:1-9, John 11:19-27; Saturday: Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24, Matthew 14:1-12

Pope Francis

JULY 31-AUG. 6

Sunday: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23, Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11, Luke 12:13-21; Monday (St. Alphonsus Liguori): Jeremiah 28:1-17, Matthew 14:13-21; Tuesday (St. Eusebius of Vercelli, St. Peter Julian Eymard): Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22, Matthew 14:2236; Wednesday: Jeremiah 31:1-7, Jeremiah 31:10-13, Matthew 15:21-28; Thursday (St. John Vianney): Jeremiah 31:31-34, Matthew 16:13-23; Friday (The dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major): Nahum 2:1, 3, 3:1-3, 6-7, Deuteronomy 32:35-36, 39, 41, Matthew 16:24-28; Saturday (The Transfiguration of the Lord): Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, 2 Peter 1:16-19, Luke 9:28b-36

AUG. 7-13

Sunday: Wisdom 18:6-9, Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19, Luke 12:32-48; Monday (St. Dominic): Ezekiel 1:2-5, 24-28c, Matthew 17:22-27; Tuesday (St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross): Ezekiel 2:8-3:4, Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14; Wednesday (St. Lawrence): 2 Corinthians 9:6-10, John 12:24-26; Thursday (St. Clare): Ezekiel 12:1-12, Matthew 18:2119:1; Friday (St. Jane Frances de Chantal): Ezekiel 16:1-15, 60, 63, Isaiah 12:2-6, Matthew 19:3-12;Saturday (Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus): Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13b, 30-32, Matthew 19:13-15

emembrance, reconciliation and healing from the Catholic Church’s past sins committed against Indigenous populations is a reminder that Christians can find hope amid their sins and failures, Pope Francis said.

Returning for the first general audience Aug. 3 following a month-long summer break, the pope reflected on his recent visit to Canada, which he said was “unlike the other journeys” he has made.

The main reason for his visit, he said, “was to meet the Indigenous peoples to express to them my closeness and my sorrow, and to ask for forgiveness for the harm done to them by those Christians, including many Catholics, who in the past collaborated in the forced assimilation and deracination policies of the governments of the time.”

Recalling the motto of the July 24-29 visit, “Walking Together,” the pope said it signified the “path of reconciliation and healing, which presupposes historical knowledge, listening to the survivors, awareness and above all conversion, a change of mentality” in the Church. His visit “was therefore a penitential pilgrimage. There were many joyful moments, but the overall meaning and tone was one of reflection, repentance and reconciliation.”

His meeting in Edmonton with the First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples was not only a remembrance of “the good memory of the 1,000-year history of these peoples in harmony with their lands,” but also “the painful memory of the abuse they suffered, also in the residential schools, as a result of cultural assimilation policies.”

The pope affirmed the Catholic Church’s commitment in promoting “appropriate spiritual paths” while respecting the customs and languages of Indigenous peoples. However, he warned of the “colonizing mentality” that exists in today’s world in “various forms of ideological colonization” that threaten “the traditions, history and religious bonds of peoples, erasing differences, focusing only on the present and often neglecting duties toward the weakest and most fragile.

“It is therefore a matter of recovering a healthy balance, a harmony between modernity and ancestral cultures, between secularization and spiritual values,” the pope said.

More inside PAGE 20: “Courage, resilience: Trip shows tenacity of Canada’s Indigenous and pope“ – Read more from Pope Francis’ visit to Canada

Our diocese 4

catholicnewsherald.com | August 5, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Help choose our patron saint CHARLOTTE — When the Diocese of Charlotte was founded in 1972, Bishop Michael Begley entrusted the diocese to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Subsequent bishops also embraced Mary as the diocese’s patroness, though none ever officially confirmed this with the Holy See. Now, on the occasion of the diocese’s 50th anniversary, Bishop Peter Jugis wants the Church to formally decree a patron saint for the diocese – and he is asking for input from the faithful. Take the survey online at www. surveymonkey.com/r/CLTPatron. The deadline to participate is Monday, Aug. 15.

Married couples: Check out this mountain retreat opportunity MAGGIE VALLEY — Married couples across the Diocese of Charlotte are invited to “come away” this fall to Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center, nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, for a special weekend retreat and opportunity for spiritual renewal.

The Sept. 9-11 retreat, entitled “That Two Become One Flesh,” will be led by Derrick and Khira Rotty. Married for 16 years and blessed with five children at home, the Rottys have mentored engaged coupled and developed marriage formation and enrichment events.

Derrick Rotty has a master’s degree from The Augustinian Institute and has served in parishes for nearly two decades. Khira Rotty is a longtime theology teacher and campus minister who is currently pursuing certification from the Theology of the Body Institute.

In the Gospels, Jesus invites His disciples to “come away to a quiet place” to be refreshed and renewed. When was the last time as a husband and wife have you done this for each other? If couples are to live out the primary mission of a husband and wife (which is to bring each other to heaven), what are the tools and spiritual gifts you are offering to each other as a couple to attain and fulfill this mission?

During this retreat, couples will have the opportunity to deepen their faith and enrich their relationship through educational talks, prayer, worship and fellowship with others.

For details, call 1-828-926-3833 or go online to www.catholicretreat.org.

— Deacon William Shaw

Jefferson Knights win awards JEFFERSON ­— District Deputy Michael Furst recently presented Knights of Columbus Council 16839 with the following awards: 2021 Operation L.A.M.B. Award of Excellence for reaching 102% of the 2021 Goal, Membership Award 125%-149% of Quota, and Recognition Award for Charity Council - Division 1.

— Patrick Hession, correspondent

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DIANE HOEFLING

St. Vincent de Paul in Charlotte is among the Catholic parishes across western North Carolina educating parishioners and encouraging them to get involved with pro-life work, especially the “Walking With Moms in Need” program. This “Love Them Both” banner, designed by the Diocese of Charlotte Office of Family Life, was recently displayed along Park Road in front of the church, and educational materials were

made available for parishioners to distribute and use. Diane Hoefling, who serves on the parish’s Respect Life committee, said the campaign is meant to inspire Catholics to “be prayerfully and politically active in assuring North Carolina protects its most vulnerable citizens, innocent human life in the womb,” and to “provide help and encouragement to mothers in a crisis pregnancy.”

Pro-life work in diocese intensifies after Supreme Court ruling KIMBERLY BENDER AND SUEANN HOWELL CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CHARLOTTE — In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, efforts are ramping up across the Diocese of Charlotte to increase support for pregnant women and to advocate for new laws that will protect life in North Carolina.

More than 30,000 lives were lost to abortion in North Carolina in 2020, according to state health figures – over a third of them in the Charlotte region.

And with abortion remaining a legal option, the state is already becoming a destination for women from surrounding states seeking to terminate the life of their unborn child.

“The Diocese of Charlotte is profoundly thankful for the Supreme Court ruling… but even with this step forward, our work to protect the dignity of all human life continues,” Bishop Peter Jugis said in a letter to the diocese’s 92 parishes in anticipation of the Supreme Court ruling. “To that end, we must redouble our efforts to assist women in choosing life for their unborn children.”

The diocese’s pro-life ministries and Office of Family Life are seeing increasing interest from people and

organizations who want to help women choose life for their unborn child.

Pregnancy resource centers, and parishbased programs such as “Walking with Moms in Need,” created by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, are

Charlotte’s MiraVia, which has served more than 10,000 women and parents – providing classes, supplies and a residential program for pregnant women and new mothers.

“When I heard the news from the

‘We must redouble our efforts to assist women in choosing life for their unborn children.’ — Bishop Peter Jugis stepping up outreach and efforts to assist women and parents.

“There is great excitement about the possibilities for new pro-life legislation in North Carolina and across the country,” said Father Ascik, director of the diocesan Family Life office and pastor of St. Mary, Help of Christians Parish in Shelby. “At the same time, there is a sense that we need to stay focused and that we need to expand our efforts to ensure we are supporting pregnant women and parents.”

Debbie Capen predicts pro-life ministries will be busier than ever and worries about new opportunities for conflict in the emotional debate.

She serves as executive director of

Supreme Court, I immediately went before Our Lord and gave heartfelt thanks and praise – but I knew that there was no time to celebrate,” Capen said. “We have been humbled by the outpouring of support from the community.”

At Charlotte’s St. Matthew Church, one of the largest parishes in the country with some 30,000 parishioners, the Walking with Moms in Need program has been particularly busy since the ruling.

“I have been in many meetings at the parish about ways to expand our outreach to moms in need,” said Melissa Scanlon, who coordinates the parish’s PRO-LIFE, SEE PAGE 24

August 5, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

5

Highlands mission embarks on capital campaign to build church that suits present, future worship needs HIGHLANDS — Our Lady of the Mountains Mission has launched a capital campaign – its first in more than 30 years – to build a new church that can provide more space for the active congregation’s needs.

The campaign theme – “Building a Beacon of Catholic Faith” – is rooted in the congregation’s vision statement: “To become a beacon of Catholic faith on the plateau by giving due glory to God and greater love to our neighbors.”

Founded in 1875, Highlands is a popular summer resort destination that sits atop a plateau in the western North Carolina mountains at an elevation of 4,118 feet.

Our Lady of the Mountains Mission, established in the 1930s, is located on one of Highlands’ main thoroughfares.

The present church, built in the 1950s and expanded in the late 1980s, presents challenges to the growing congregation of 275 families, said Father Jason Barone, pastor, and Greg Thompson, campaign co-chairman.

“The OLM family is a vibrant combination of full-time residents and seasonal families who are with us about half of the year,” Father Barone said.

“God has blessed OLM with wonderfully generous people, a beautiful setting, and love for God and one another that is a joy to witness. They deserve a worship space that optimizes all that those blessings provide.”

The campaign aims to fund construction

of a 9,000-square-foot church that can accommodate up to 300 people. The new building would include several amenities the current church lacks, including a choir loft and dedicated spaces for a confessional, baptismal font and sacristies. In addition, the new church would have a narthex where parishioners could gather for fellowship before and after Mass – space the present church does not have.

The new church would be constructed on OLM’s 2.5-acre site, adjacent to the existing church. Based on preliminary discussions, it is possible the current facility could be used for Mass while the new church is being built.

The campaign seeks to raise at least $7.5 million, the minimum amount deemed necessary in today’s construction economy.

Campaign leaders acknowledge that the cost could be higher as plans for the new church are finalized. “Ultimately, the generosity of our OLM family will determine what we are able to build,” Father Barone said.

The goal is to build “a new church that would reflect God’s glory and the spiritual commitment of our community,” Thompson said.

Initial architectural plans for a Baroque-style church have been drawn up by Washington, D.C.-based McCrery Architects.

“Baroque-style churches are growing in popularity due to their traditional appeal and historical significance,” Father Barone said. “We believe that everyone who worships with us will experience a deeper reverence for the Mass and the sacraments in the church we hope to build. And the OLM family will develop a deeper sense of shared faith and fellowship as we work together to achieve this goal.”

Father Barone, Thompson, Campaign Co-chair David Goodrow and a team of parishioners have been hard at work for several months to prepare for the campaign’s launch.

“We have done our due diligence in exploring the parish’s readiness to embark on such a campaign,” Goodrow said. “A consultant was enlisted to help determine the level of parishioners’ interest through personal interviews, an online survey, and a parish-wide focus group. Father Barone also spoke from the pulpit at several Masses about the idea of building a new church.

“What we learned from the feasibility study and informal feedback was that the members of Our Lady of the Mountains not only have the interest in trying to build a new church, but they also have the financial capacity to make this dream a reality. We feel confident the OLM family is supportive and the time is right to pursue

this campaign.”

Goodrow also noted that the mission has no existing debt, owns its 2.5-acre property in downtown Highlands, and has seen growth in its offertory collections, even during the pandemic.

Father Barone and Thompson said they are grateful for the assistance and advice provided by Bishop Peter Jugis and staff of the Diocese of Charlotte, including Jim Kelley, development director.

“It is transformational when a community builds a new church, particularly when the last church was built almost 70 years ago,” Kelley said. “OLM’s capital campaign is very effectively led

by Father Barone, David, Greg and the rest of the committee. The diocese is fully supportive of their efforts and is working with them side by side.”

Father Barone and campaign leaders said they are optimistic that parishioners will be inspired to invest in a beautiful new church where they and future generations of Catholics in Highlands can worship.

“We are asking our fellow parishioners to prayerfully consider how they will support this effort,” Father Barone said.

“Throughout the campaign our motto will be: ‘Holy Spirit, what do You want to do through me in ‘Building a Beacon of Catholic Faith on the plateau?’”

— Catholic News Herald

Deacons to affirm ordination promises during special Mass Aug. 13

Divine Child Jesus reminds us to have child-like faith in God HUNTERSVILLE — Catholics who have a devotion to the Divine Child Jesus (Divino Niño Jesús in Spanish) gathered for a special bilingual Mass offered July 20 by Father Aaron Huber at St. Mark Church. The Divino Niño Jesús devotion, popular especially in Colombia, is traced to a mystical vision a Salesian priest, Father Giovanni Rizzo, had in 1914 while he and other Salesians were building a church in a poor area of Bogota. In his vision, Father Rizzo saw the child Jesus standing and holding out his arms, saying, “Take me with you, I want to accompany you.” The Divine Child Jesus devotion became popularized in the United States by Mother Angelica, foundress of EWTN and the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Ala. During his homily, Father Huber explained the significance of the Divine Child Jesus to us today: “Our Lord says in Scripture that unless you become like a child, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Why? Think about that.

If you’re an adult, you’re thinking ‘OK, I spent most of my life learning how to not be a child anymore.’ I would argue that the reason why He said that is because children are simple. Their lives are not complicated. And most importantly, they have an undivided heart. They love entirely or they don’t love at all. The Divine Child Jesus loved entirely with an infant’s heart. It was the same heart that would eventually be pierced open so that we can see the life of grace pouring out into the sacraments of the Church. Brothers and sisters, it’s not complicated. Don’t try to divide your heart, because a divided heart doesn’t really know how to love. Let’s learn how to love from the Divine Child, and He will show us everything we need to know.”

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY AMY BURGER

CHARLOTTE — Deacons from across western North Carolina will affirm their love of the Lord and their commitment to the Church during a special Mass next Saturday.

The Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Peter Jugis at St. Patrick Cathedral starting at 10 a.m. Aug. 13.

Everyone is welcome to attend the annual celebration, when deacons will gather in Charlotte with the bishop to renew their ordination promises. Deacons’ wives also affirm their support of their husband’s ministry.

There are currently 133 deacons serving the Diocese of Charlotte. They are involved in a wide range of ministries but usually are assigned to a parish where they proclaim the Gospel and assist the priest at Mass, oversee or support parish ministries and charitable activities, administer baptisms, officiate at wedding ceremonies and distribute Holy Communion to the sick and homebound.

They also work in vital ministries within the local Church, such as prison ministry, faith formation and ministry to children and college students, instruction for aspiring Catholics in the RCIA program, and more.

Deacons are ordained through the sacrament of holy orders, just like bishops and priests.

The word “deacon” comes from the Greek “diakonos,” meaning “servant.” Holy orders configures the deacon to Christ, who made Himself the “deacon,” or servant, of all.

Deacons are called to identify the diverse needs within their parish and local community and find ways to meet them. They are usually married, most have children, and they work in professions outside the Church or are retired.

— Catholic News Herald

6

catholicnewsherald.com | August 5, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Holy Infant Church celebrates 60th anniversary REIDSVILLE — Parishioners of Holy Infant Church gathered June 26 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the dedication of their church. The anniversary Mass, held outdoors to accommodate the large crowd, was followed by a cookout on the parish grounds. The diocesan pilgrim statue of Mary, Mother of God was also present for the parish’s historic celebration. “It was a great parish-building event,” said Father Frank Seabo, pastor. Holy Infant Church (pictured below) was dedicated on June 26, 1962, by Raleigh Bishop Vincent Waters. It is probably the most unusual looking church in the diocese. Its architect was Richard Burke Schnedl of Reidsville, a North Carolina native who was in the first graduating class at N.C. State University’s School (now College) of Design. Schnedl was a devotee of Frank Lloyd Wright, and his design for the church featured bold white stucco walls accented by piercing angular windows and high skylights, an outwardangled front door and a curved roof line. Inside, the white walls and geometric accents highlight the crucifix mounted behind the altar.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Read more about the history of Holy Infant Church in Reidsville, its unique church architecture, and its growth over the years in Reidsville

Director of Evangelization and Faith Formation This is a full-time position responsible for developing and implementing programs for the faith formation of parish youth and adults.

Major responsibilities include: Coordinating the K-12 Sunday school program and youth events (summer Bible school and other events for families and youth).

Developing/implementing an evangelization program for inactive parishioners.

Coordinating adult faith formation sessions: Bible studies, book studies, discussion groups. Developing ways to use parish communications to educate parishioners.

Coordinating parish retreats and missions. Coordinating the RCIA program.

• Must be a practicing Roman Catholic living a life in conformity with the teachings of the Church.

• 2-5 years of experience in pastoral ministry.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree, preferably with a concentration in Theology.

Please send resume with a cover letter to Msgr. Brovey: rector@charlestoncathedral.com

August 5, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

SEMINARIAN SPOTLIGHT: Maximilian “Max” Frei From: Braeunlingen, Germany Status: Starts Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Cincinnati, in August 2022 Summer assignment: St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte Favorite verse or teaching: “I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called on God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.” (Wisdom, Chapter 7) Favorite saint: “Mary is definitely No. 1. Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Sorrows – those are my favorites.”

Interests (outside of faith): Reading, weightlifting, tennis, chess CHARLOTTE — At 25, Max Frei had money, a Mercedes, girlfriends and a highrise apartment.

After graduating from the University of South Florida in 2017, he excelled in sales and was on path to financial wealth – until one day in 2019 when he felt the Lord calling him.

“Leave everything behind and follow me,” Max heard the Lord say that day in his 21st-floor apartment in Orlando, Fla., where he was working a two-year stint for a solar power company in preparation for joining his family’s business, an international coatings and paint company based in Germany.

“Suddenly the Holy Spirit filled me,” Max describes. “I was so filled with love, it was like nothing I had ever experienced.

By hearing His voice deep inside my soul, everything just seemed lighter and brighter. I didn’t want to live my old life anymore – all I wanted was to be connected with our Lord.”

He stayed on the corporate ladder another year, joining the family business and traveling the world, all the while wrestling with the feeling that he was supposed to be on a different path.

Three years later, Max has completed the Diocese of Charlotte’s program at St. Joseph College Seminary. This fall, he will enter Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati – one of 50 seminarians in formation to serve as priests of the diocese.

CNH: You describe experiencing an abrupt calling. Do you think the seeds were planted as a child?

Frei: I had multiple encounters with our Lord as a kid, but the big one in Orlando I remember most vividly. I was born and raised in the Black Forest region of Germany, the oldest of three boys. We were Catholic and we went to church every Sunday, but I never wanted to be an altar server or anything – which reminds me, God tells the funniest jokes: Look what I’m doing now, altar serving!

CNH: How’d you get into the fast life?

Frei: It started as a teen. I just wanted to fit in. Nobody else I knew went to church, so I didn’t want to stand out. After high school, I wanted to go to the U.S. I had dual citizenship because my mom was an American, so I went to visit a cousin in Florida, and I was mesmerized by the palm trees and good weather. I got into USF at Tampa and I partied a lot and began living a non-religious college life.

When I got out into the business world, it was all about how much money you could make. I believed if you worked hard enough, you would achieve success – which I did. Later, I came to understand that whatever status you might achieve, there’s no reward if that status is away from God. CNH: Tell us more about the day you experienced the call.

Frei: I seemed to have it all, so I didn’t understand why I was not happy, not

satisfied, or why I was here on this earth.

The grace of our Lord triggered these sincere questions, and through His infinite love and mercy gave me this experience.

I was not working that day, and I was home alone in my apartment when the Holy Spirit filled me. It was something totally outside of myself, and it went on for a while. I was in a back-and-forth conversation, having a dialogue with God. “Leave everything behind and follow me,” He said.

“What about a family,” I asked. “I want to get married. What about the business and all I have achieved?”

No matter what I asked, I just had this overwhelming urge to detach myself from the worldly life – and go back to church and follow the Lord. And I remember to this day His promise: “No matter what you decide, Max, I will still love you.”

7

This fall, the Diocese of Charlotte expects to have a record number of 50 men enrolled in various stages of study and formation for the priesthood.

CNH: How did your family react when you told them you wanted to become a priest?

Frei: My mom was very happy but my dad found it hard to understand. Once he saw I was serious, he came to accept this.

CNH: How did you end up in Charlotte, at St. Joseph College Seminary?

Frei: My mother moved to Fort Mill, S.C., to take care of her parents, so I moved in with her to figure out my next steps. I reached out to several seminary programs but I was most impressed with St. Joseph because they were very organized, responsive, and it was easy to get key people on the phone. I spoke to Father Barone and Father Gober. At first, the seminary was skeptical about my application because I was not from this diocese and they really didn’t know me. But I was able to get references from people they knew, so they let me in – and St. Joseph was the greatest gift I could ever imagine. It really helped me figure things out, deepen my faith, and commit my life to the Lord.

Max Frei just graduated from St. Joseph College Seminary and will be entering major seminary this fall.

He and other 2022 graduates are featured in a series of video interviews on St. Joseph College Seminary’s YouTube channel.

PHOTO BY JAMES SARKIS

CNH: What advice do you have for young people who might be discerning a call to religious life?

Frei: Always seek God in prayer and ask Him with all sincerity and love what He wants you to do. No riches in this world will make you as happy as the love of God. “For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul?” (Mk 8:36) CNH: What sort of ministry do you hope to practice?

Frei: I want to do whatever the Lord wants me to do, but I am drawn to helping souls. In my calling, I have recognized how precious a soul is. It has such a beauty and it comes directly from God. I would like to make sure people understand how much He loves them and how much He deserves to be honored and loved and followed by us.

I would like to help souls get to heaven.

— Liz Chandler

Your DSA contributions at work Seminarian education is funded in part by the annual Diocesan Support Appeal. Learn more about the DSA and how to donate online at www.charlottediocese.org/dsa.

Don’t wait on the mail.

Get the Catholic News Herald delivered to your email inbox!

You’ll be able to read your newspaper earlier, and you’ll help save some trees.

It’s totally free, too – so why wait?

Contact us at catholicnews@charlottediocese.org or 704-370-3333 to sign up today!

8

catholicnewsherald.com | August 5, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Fund gives nearly $99,000 in tuition aid to students at 9 schools CHARLOTTE — Students in nine Catholic schools across the diocese will receive a total of $98,826 in financial aid from the C. Philip Johnston-Aline W. Kaneer Scholarship Fund, paying all their tuition for the 2022-’23 academic year.

The fund was created by Johnston with $4 million from his estate at his death in 2017.

Johnston was born in Charlotte but lived all over the country before retiring in the Southeast. He attended Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md., and earned a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1958. He worked in the entertainment industry, but when acting work became scarce, he took a “temporary job” working for Conrad Hilton in a new credit card venture called Carte Blanche. He rose to success in the emerging industry and, after reaching the position of senior vice president at a large regional bank in St. Louis, he left to lead a nonprofit organization specializing in consumer credit counseling.

Students from all 20 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte are eligible for scholarship awards from the fund.

The Johnston Scholarship follows students throughout their time in schools in the Charlotte diocese.

The schools that students will attend this year are: Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville; Charlotte Catholic High School; Christ the King High School in Huntersville; Immaculate Heart of Mary School in High Point; Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro; Our Lady of Mercy and St. Leo schools in WinstonSalem; Sacred Heart School in Salisbury; and St. Michael School in Gastonia.

The scholarship awarded to each student ranges from $1,800 to $15,000 depending on the tuition cost and need. Each student can continue receiving assistance through the scholarship fund every year for the length of their academic career as long as they remain eligible.

“I first met with Mr. Johnston back in 1989. He made his decision to put this (scholarship) gift in his estate back then,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development. “He never wavered from that commitment, even though he moved away from the diocese in his later years.”

Kelley noted, “More and more people across the diocese like Philip Johnston are recognizing a range of needs in the Church here in western North Carolina – including our Catholic schools, parishes, seminarian education, Catholic Charities and St. Joseph College Seminary – and remembering these ministries in their wills and estates.”

Since 1986, diocesan entities including parishes, schools and ministries have received 37 gifts of $1 million or more from individuals like Johnston. They typically help fund capital projects and endowments.

— Catholic News Herald

Learn more Interested in establishing an endowment to benefit the Church in western North Carolina? Set up an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a gift of real estate or life insurance, cash or securities sufficient to set up an endowment, or a life income arrangement such as a trust or annuity. For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or email gmrhodes@rcdoc.org.

Sisters of Mercy Foundation announces $1M in grants BELMONT — Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation has announced grant awards totaling $1,183,875 to 26 nonprofit organizations. Of the 26 grants, five are in the area of education, totaling $190,000; seven support health care, for a total of $335,000; and 14 are for social services, totaling $658,875.

The organizations received grants for services in the following 13 counties: Allegheny, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Caldwell, Graham, Henderson, Jackson, Mecklenburg, Transylvania, Union and Watauga in North Carolina, and York in South Carolina.

The following organizations received awards:

EDUCATION

n Boys & Girls Club of Transylvania County Inc. of Brevard was awarded $25,000 to provide operating support – specifically, program specialist salaries. n Freedom School Partners of Charlotte was awarded $50,000 for operating support for key personnel and program needs, particularly the salary and benefits of the senior program director. n S.T.A.R.S. Math & English Academy in Charlotte was awarded $25,000 for salaries of staff and teachers. n United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County Inc. was awarded $55,000 to support its Community Schools Initiative – specifically, a portion of the salaries for community school coordinators. n Western Youth Network Inc. in Boone was awarded $35,000 to support its WYN Mentoring Program.

SOCIAL SERVICES n Center For Community Transitions in Charlotte was awarded $55,000 for the salary and benefits of a job developer. n Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy in Charlotte was awarded $65,000 to provide operating support. n Council for Children’s Rights in Charlotte was awarded $60,000 for the salaries of mental health attorneys and a social worker. n Five Point Center in Robbinsville was awarded $15,875 to support the part-time salary of a program coordinator position. n Hope Haven Inc. of Charlotte received $48,000 for the salary and benefits of its Children’s Program coordinator. n Keystone Substance Abuse Services in Rock Hill received $35,000 for the salary of a peer support specialist. n Mental Health America of Central Carolinas Inc. in Charlotte was awarded $25,000 in salary and benefits for one FTE Family Partner. n Pisgah Legal Services in Asheville was awarded $75,000 to provide operating support. n Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte Inc. was awarded $35,000 for the salaries of construction staff. n Roof Above in Charlotte was awarded $65,000 to provide operating support for Housing Navigation.

HEALTH CARE

n ABCCM Doctors Medical Clinic Inc. of Asheville was awarded $50,000 to provide salary support for medical providers.

n Safelight in Hendersonville received $25,000 to support the purchase of audio/visual recording equipment for two play therapy rooms in its Counseling Center.

n Camino Community Development Corp. of Charlotte was awarded $50,000 for salary and benefits of a bilingual therapist.

n Turning Point Inc. of Monroe was awarded $50,000 for the salaries of a case manager and a bilingual counselor, as well as telephone costs.

n Care Ring of Charlotte was awarded $60,000 in salary support for staff in Care Ring’s Low Cost Clinic.

n Union County Community Shelter in Monroe was awarded $45,000 for the salary of a case manager.

n Helping Hands Clinic Inc. of Lenoir was awarded $40,000 to provide operating support – specifically, medical provider staffing costs.

n WestBridge Vocational Inc. in Sylva was awarded $60,000 to contribute salary support for a new job skills trainer position.

n Hunger and Health Coalition Inc. in Boone was awarded $40,000 to support its free pharmacy program – specifically, the salaries of pharmacy staff and medication purchases.

Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation awards grants on behalf of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. Mercy’s ministries are inspired by the legacy and commitment of its founder, Catherine McAuley, to serve those who are poor, sick and uneducated.

Since 1996, the foundation has awarded 2,196 grants totaling more than $98 million to organizations assisting unserved or underserved populations in the areas of education, healthcare and social services.

— Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation

n Palmetto Community Health Care in Rock Hill, S.C., was awarded $45,000 for the salary and benefits of a nurse practitioner. n York County First Steps in Rock Hill was awarded $50,000 for the salary, benefits and operating expenses of a nurse home visitor.

“Get your ducks in a row!”

Estate Planning | Probate WAITING COULD DEVASTATE YOUR FAMILY St. Matthew’s Parishioner

704.843.1446 | www.ncestateplanninginfo.com

6406 Carmel Road, Suite 301 | Charlotte, North Carolina 28226

Arts & Entertainment

August 5, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

In theaters

Seek the face of Jesus

On TV

‘Man of the Shroud’ exhibit coming Aug. 14-21 SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

‘Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank’ Bathroom humor reaches new depths in this animated martial-arts spoof loosely based on the 1974 comedy “Blazing Saddles” and directed by Rob Minkoff, Mark Koetsier, and Chris Bailey. A warmongering cat (voice of Ricky Gervais) plots to destroy a neighboring feline village by installing a hapless dog (voice of Michael Cera) as its protector. But a washed-up samurai (voice of Samuel L. Jackson) agrees to train the canine in the sacred arts to fend off an invading army. Intense cartoonish violence, rude scatological humor. n CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG

‘Nope’ Menacing sci-fi horror film from writer-director Jordon Peele has a brother-and-sister team of Hollywood animal wranglers (Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer) interacting uneasily with unseen but distinctly hostile aliens. In an effort to document the existence of the extraterrestrials, they enlist the help of an electronics store clerk with a knowledge of surveillance cameras and a hard-bitten but crossdressing cinematographer. Peele turns the siblings’ quest to reap fame and fortune from the dangerous situation in which they find themselves into a parable about the yearning for a fresh start as well as the grasping greed that lay beneath the apparently heroic surface of the Old West as portrayed in innumerable cowboy-themed movies and TV shows. But though ambitious and striking, his narrative ultimately feels unfocused. Numerous gruesome and gory images, a couple of milder oaths, constant rough and crude language. n CNS: L (limited adult audience); MPAA: R

9

ELKIN — If you’ve ever wanted to view the Shroud of Turin – a burial cloth featuring the emblazoned image of a crucified man that many believe to be Jesus Christ – the “Man of the Shroud” exhibit coming to the Yadkin Valley Heritage & Trails Visitor Center Aug. 14-21 is a must-see.

Free and open to the public, the “Man of the Shroud” exhibit presents the results of a comprehensive scientific, historical and forensic study of the famed shroud, the most scientifically studied and debated religious icon in history.

The Catholic Church does not formally endorse or reject the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin, but Pope Francis has called it an “icon of a man scourged and crucified.”

The “Man of the Shroud” exhibit coming to Elkin is the work of scientists and others who have spent decades investigating the Shroud of Turin, including Monsignor Giulio Ricci, one of the world’s leading experts in “sindonology” (study of the shroud, from “sindone,” the Italian word for “shroud”).

The exhibit’s centerpiece is a full-length replica of a photographic image of the Printing (right) and a negative (left) of the Shroud burial cloth – measuring 14 feet long by 3 of Turin. A full-length replica of the shroud and inches wide – made by Eastman Kodak Co. an exhibit featuring the scientific, historical and It shows the front and back of the burial forensic research on the shroud are coming to Elkin cloth, the original of which is enshrined Aug. 14-21. in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy. In addition, the exhibit includes a large, crucified corpus with the wounds of Christ corresponding to the Passion narrative in the Gospels and the wounds shown on the Shroud of Turin.

In total, the exhibit contains 66 panels detailing the history and science of the shroud.

The “Man of the Shroud” exhibit is on loan from the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe at Marytown, a Chicago-area pilgrimage site run by the Conventual Franciscan Friars. Its exhibit in Elkin is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 11605, St. Stephen Mission in Elkin, and Ebenezer and Maple Springs United Methodist churches.

The Yadkin Valley Heritage & Trails Visitor Center is located at 257 Standard St. in downtown Elkin.

— www.kolbeshrine.org contributed.

Plan your visit The “Man of the Shroud” exhibit is free, but visitors are encouraged to register to see the exhibit at www.shroudinelkinnc.org to prevent excessive wait times.

n Friday, Aug. 5, 5 a.m.

(EWTN) “Father Joe Walijewski: A Pencil in Our Lord’s Hand.” The life and mission of Father Joseph Walijewski, a priest from Wisconsin who tirelessly served the poor in South America, and his cause for canonization.

n Friday, Aug. 5, 5 p.m.

(EWTN) “Blessed Miriam Teresa Demjanovich.”

The short, impactful life of Teresa Demjanovich.

Michael O’Neill presents the case for canonization for this Sister of Charity, which includes the only known cure of bilateral macular degeneration. n Sunday, Aug. 7, 6 a.m.

(EWTN) “Angelus with Pope Francis.” Pope Francis leads the world in the recitation of the Angelus live from Rome. n Saturday, Aug. 13, 2 p.m.

(EWTN) “Saint Bridget of Sweden.” A two-part EWTN original docu-drama on the life and works of St. Bridget of Sweden. n Wednesday, Aug. 17, 9:30 a.m. (EWTN) “Story of Knock.” A dramatic account of how Knock has evolved into one of the major Marian shrines in the world, attracting pilgrims who seek God’s tender mercy by offering up their hopes and tears.

Please pray for the following priests who died during the month of August: Rev. Henry J. Becker – 1992 Rev. William M. Evans – 2012 Rev. Frank R. Gardner – 1991 Rev. Nicholas F. Gibilisco, OSB - 1994 Rev. Martin W. Hayes, OSB - 1992 Rev. Msgr. Felix R. Kelaher – 1998 Rev. Richard T. McCue – 2013 Rev. John F. Parsons - 1993 Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus www.kofcnc.org

10

catholicnewsherald.com | August 5, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Family fun and joyful witness at Carowinds

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:

DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS Friday-Saturday, Aug. 5-6 Charlotte Convention Center

CHARLOTTE — More than 700 Catholics from across the Diocese of Charlotte turned out for Catholic Family Day at Carowinds July 24 as part of a year-long celebration of the diocese’s 50th anniversary. The day began with Mass at Harmony Hall offered by Bishop Peter Jugis, who also mingled with parishioners and seminarians before attendees headed to the park to enjoy the rides, water slides and games. As a teen in the 1970s, Bishop Jugis worked for two summers as a groundskeeper at Carowinds. During his homily at the Mass, Bishop Jugis commended attendees for coming to Mass to worship and give thanks to God, then going out to publicly witness to their Catholic faith while also having a great time together.

See more photos online at www.catholicnewsherald.com.

ST. MARY, MOTHER OF GOD CATHOLIC CHURCH Sunday-Wednesday, Aug. 7-10 22 Bartlett St., Sylva, N.C. 28779

ST. LUCIEN AND ST. BERNADETTE CATHOLIC CHURCHES Wednesday-Monday, Aug. 10-15 St. Lucien: 695 Summit Ave., Spruce Pine, N.C. 28777 St. Bernadette: 2085 N.C.-105, Linville, N.C. 28646

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JAMES SARKIS, LIZ CHANDLER AND OTHERS

Monday-Thursday, Aug. 15-18 234 Church St., Waynesville, N.C. 28786

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 18-21 316 Main St., Bryson City, N.C. 28713

HOLY REDEEMER CATHOLIC CHURCH AND PRINCE OF PEACE MISSION Sunday-Thursday, Aug. 21-25 214 Aquone Road, Andrews, N.C. 28901 For more information about these pilgrimage stops, go to the Diocese of Charlotte’s 50th anniversary website, www.faithmorepreciousthangold.com.

At the Core of Our Approach: Your Best Interest With a consultative, comprehensive approach to wealth management, we help you create a clear plan to achieve your highest priority goals. We proudly work with individuals and families, businesses and organizations, foundations and endowments, and dental professionals.

Chart your course toward financial freedom

(704) 442-6306

john.granzow@wfa.com

Investment and Insurance Products are: • Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency • Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate • Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. CAR-0322-01889

www.thearmillarygroup.com

August 5, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

MARIAN ART SERIES CONTINUES

11

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:

‘The Annunciation and Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden’ Fra Angelico (c. 1435) TRICIA KENT SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

When discussing Marian art, images of the Annunciation seem definitive. In these pieces we see captured the very moment when Mary freely gave her “fiat” and God’s promise of Genesis was fulfilled – when the Word became flesh and the redemptive life of Christ entered the world. In studying depictions of the Annunciation, the art of Giovanni da Fiesole seems ubiquitous.

Fra Angelico (“Angelic brother”), as history knows him, painted three major altar pieces with this theme during the Florentine art explosion of the first half of the 15th century. Of the three, the Prado Annunciation is perhaps most replete with color and symbolism.

Originally painted in tempera on a wood panel, the piece was commissioned for a side altar for the Convent of San Domenico when Fra Angelico was a friar there. Intended for prayerful meditation, the painting remained in the convent until 1611, when it was sold to the king of Spain and taken to Madrid. The colors, with his use of gold and lapis blue, point to donated money being offered for its original

execution. Fra Angelico was able to give his best to this offering.

A viewer of this work needs to pause and go beyond the initial familiar image to see the preaching of a true Dominican.

Giovanni da Fiesole is in fact sharing the fruits of his own scriptural contemplations with the viewer – a Lectio Divina writ in crushed pigment, egg binder and gilded leaf.

The Virgin is protected and presented under one arch, while the angel Gabriel in the other arch is vested in a deacon’s dalmatic with knee bent as if approaching the foot of the altar. The vanishing point of the work is shown through an open door between them. Mary is seated, enthroned – Virgin, Consort, Queen and Mother. The Trinitarian presence of the One God is iterated in symbol with the Hand of God in the burst of light shown upper left, the dove of the Holy Spirit on a beam of light visually dissipating as it reaches the Virgin, who now bears in her womb the Son of God. Christ’s eternal existence is reinforced by the image

carved in the stone above the center of the room.

One third of the painting shows a garden, a reminder of the perpetual virginity of Mary as well as the Garden of Eden where God cast out our first parents as a result of sin. Here we have the juxtaposition of Eve, Mother of the Living, with Mary the New Eve, the mother of the New Adam who would redeem fallen humanity. Now the beam of light bisecting the work becomes the path through time of our salvation and the fulfillment of the promise made so long ago.

For those who could read the symbolism of flowers, the garden is replete with accurate depictions including crushed roses at the feet of Adam and Eve. These roses, like the little goldfinch in the rod of the arch, point to death and the blood of sacrifice that will become the culminating redemptive act of the Holy Child just conceived.

We believe in a consultative approach to investing – one that provides a clear strategic vision and a dedicated focus on clients’ goals with an emphasis on objectivity.

(704) 442-6306

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!

August prayer intention For the sick and suffering. May God give comfort to the afflicted and suffering souls of the diocese and to those who are needy, that they may find in the generosity of faithful souls a remedy for their ailments.

Saint of the Month Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin Feast date: July 12 (her date of death is Aug. 28)

TRICIA KENT is a parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte.

Comprehensive Private Wealth Management

Chart your course toward financial freedom

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.

Investment and Insurance Products are: • Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency • Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate • Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. CAR-0322-01892

john.granzow@wfa.com

www.thearmillarygroup.com

FACEBOOK.COM/ CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD ESPAÑOL

catholicnewsherald.com | August 5, 2022 12

Padre Julio Domínguez

Al encuentro de la Eucaristía

C

ontinuamos con la tercera parte de la reflexión del Evangelio de San Lucas 24:1335. Después de salir al encuentro de sus discípulos, darles una explicación de todos los textos de la Escritura que se referían a Él, los discípulos lo reconocen en la fracción del Pan. Las Sagradas Escrituras, de por sí, no les abren los ojos. Apenas les hacen arder el corazón. Lo que abre sus ojos y los hace ver es la fracción del pan, el gesto comunitario del compartir, rezar juntos, la celebración de la Cena.

En el momento en que los dos reconocen a Jesús, ellos renacen y Jesús desaparece. Jesús no se adueña de la caminata de los amigos. No es paternalista. Resucitados, los discípulos son capaces de caminar con sus propios pies.

Nosotros debemos saber crear un ambiente de fe y de fraternidad, de celebración y de compartir, donde pueda actuar el Espíritu Santo. Es Él quien nos hace descubrir y experimentar la Palabra de Dios en la vida y nos lleva a entender el sentido de las palabras de Jesús ¡Qué maravilloso momento para los discípulos el sentir la necesidad real de esa persona que los acompañaba y que había encendido en ellos el fuego de su amor! Ahora que han entendido a través de las Escrituras todo lo que se refería al Mesías, les daba sentido su fe.

Esta fe los llevó a la invitación que le hicieron en ese momento, y esa es la fe que te invito hermano a que te mueva a decirle al Señor en este momento tan hermoso: “Quédate con nosotros Señor”.

El Señor está esperando esta invitación de parte de nosotros para poder quedarse con nosotros en la fe y en su presencia real en la Eucaristía. El evangelista nos lo pone de una manera hermosa al decirnos que entró, convivió y comió con ellos en su casa. Jesús es el buen amigo que sabe estar y platicar con nosotros. Él disfruta de nuestra compañía y se alegra cuando lo hacemos parte de nuestra vida diaria.

Esto es algo que el cristiano a veces no logra entender porque no lo medita profundamente o se siente indigno de esta presencia divina en su vida.

Lo más hermoso de este momento es cuando, ya estando en la mesa, Jesús toma el pan, dirige la acción de gracias y, al partirlo, la venda de los ojos cae de los discípulos y reconocen al Rey de Reyes, al Señor de Señores, a Dios en medio de ellos.

El evangelista es explícito en decir que fue en este gesto del partir del pan en que los discípulos lo reconocen. Es este mismo signo que a través de la Iglesia sigue repitiendo hora a hora, minuto a minuto en todos los altares del mundo en los que se celebra la Santa Misa y en donde el Señor en las personas de sus ministros vuelve a partir el pan para nosotros.

EL PADRE JULIO DOMÍNGUEZ es Vicario Episcopal del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

Diócesis de Charlotte envió reporte final del Sínodo CHARLOTTE — Con el compromiso de siete mil personas, 76 parroquias, 400 sesiones de escucha, además de muchos ministerios y grupos involucrados, la Diócesis de Charlotte elaboró un informe sobre los sentimientos compartidos y recopilados durante su sínodo local, que comenzó el otoño pasado tras la invitación mundial realizada por el Papa Francisco. .

El pasado 30 de junio, la diócesis presentó su informe del sínodo a la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos, que ahora sintetizará los informes de todas las

deseo de crecer en su fe, de participar más plenamente en la vida de la Iglesia y de encomendar a su comunidad y la Iglesia en general sus alegrías y preocupaciones”.

El Dr. Rovati resaltó los siguientes aspectos que surgieron: n El sínodo fue una ocasión para ver con claridad las muchas formas en que el Señor permanece presente y fiel a su pueblo. n Los participantes lamentaron que a menudo se distraen y no permiten que la conciencia de la presencia de Cristo sea la fuerza principal en sus vidas. n Subrayaron elementos de la sociedad contemporánea que son especialmente desafiantes. n Existe la necesidad de superar las barreras del idioma, raza y cultura para profundizar el sentido de comunión. n Los temas que parecen causar conflictos en las comunidades involucran el testimonio público de la Iglesia sobre el aborto, la homosexualidad y las cuestiones de género, el papel de la mujer en la Iglesia y el legado del Vaticano II en asuntos de liturgia y en la vida de la Iglesia. n Hay divisiones causadas por la polarización y la desunión dentro de la Iglesia sobre algunas de sus enseñanzas y cómo incorporarlas en la sociedad. Mientras nos aferramos a las “verdades tradicionales de la doctrina cristiana”, como las describió el Papa, los desacuerdos internos CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD son una invitación a examinar Dentro de las reuniones de escucha del proceso sinodal diocesano, el Dr. nuestra conciencia, crecer en nuestra Alessandro Rovati se reunió con los directores espirituales de los diversos comprensión sobre a qué nos llama el movimientos apostólicos del ministerio hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

Señor y encarnar más plenamente los Esta reunión no solo sirvió para recibir las inquietudes de los sacerdotes mandamientos de Cristo. y diáconos asistentes, sino también para promover la realización de otras El sínodo de la diócesis se desarrolló sesiones dentro de los diferentes movimientos y ministerios. desde el pasado octubre de 2021 hasta junio de 2022 e incluyó feligreses, diócesis del país y compartirá sus hallazgos con el Vaticano. ministerios, escuelas, asociaciones y grupos laicos, órdenes Católicos de todo el oeste de Carolina del Norte participaron religiosas y otros. El Dr. Rovati enfatizó que, si bien aún en el sínodo de la Diócesis de Charlotte, para escuchar queda trabajo para encarnar en última instancia la visión en oración al Espíritu Santo y unos a otros a través de del sínodo, “el viaje sinodal diocesano fue profundamente conversaciones sobre el tema ‘Por una iglesia sinodal: conmovedor y hermoso”. comunión, participación y misión’. El objetivo del Sínodo Fue particularmente conmovedor, dijo, “ver cuán fructífero mundial es escuchar y consultar con el Pueblo de Dios sobre es escuchar los testimonios de las formas en las que el la visión del futuro de la Iglesia.

Señor está obrando en nuestras vidas y las de nuestras El Obispo Peter Jugis dijo durante la sesión de clausura comunidades, y las preguntas y desafíos que enfrentan las realizada en junio que estudiará, asimilará y meditará sobre personas. El Señor nos está llamando a través de todas estas los pensamientos y sentimientos que surgieron durante el cosas, pidiéndonos que demos un paso adelante en nuestra sínodo, para agregar a su comprensión “otra dimensión de mi vocación cristiana”. conciencia de las necesidades de la diócesis” y proporcionar “un buen aporte para mi ministerio”.

— Catholic News Herald El Dr. Alessandro Rovati, profesor de la Universidad Belmont Abbey, quien facilitó el sínodo local y escribió el Más online informe final de la diócesis, llamó al sínodo un comienzo, no En www.charlottediocese.org/synod2023: Lea más y vea el discurso un final. del Dr. Alessandro Rovati durante la sesión de cierre del Sínodo “Es notable que siete mil personas se comprometieran en diocesano el proceso”, dijo, “porque es un signo de que muchos tienen el

Ayúdenos a elegir a nuestro santo patrón CHARLOTTE — Cuando la Diócesis de Charlotte fue fundada en 1972, el Obispo Michael Begley confió la diócesis a la protección de la Santísima Virgen María. Los obispos que lo siguieron también abrazaron a María como la patrona de la diócesis, pese a que ninguno lo confirmó oficialmente con la Santa Sede. Hoy, con ocasión del 50 aniversario de la diócesis, el Obispo Peter Jugis desea que la Iglesia decrete formalmente un santo patrón para la diócesis, y está solicitando la opinión de la feligresía. Un patrón diocesano es un santo especial que está conectado con nuestra área, conoce nuestra necesidades y las presenta ante Dios.

Por favor, complete la encuesta online en www.surveymonkey.com/r/CLTPatron.

August 5, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Veneraron a la patrona y reina de Colombia GASTONIA — Con procesión y Misa celebrada el domingo 31 de julio en la parroquia San Miguel en Gastonia, fieles latinoamericanos veneraron la milagrosa imagen de la Virgen de Chiquinquirá, desde 1919 llamada patrona y reina de Colombia.

El Padre José Antonio Juya, vicario parroquial y coordinador del ministerio hispano del Vicariato de Gastonia, dirigió la procesión y celebró la Misa. Cientos de fieles portando banderas colombianas y de otros países acompañaron el paso de la imagen y, durante la Misa, escucharon atentos la homilía que explicó el origen e importancia de la devoción. Luego el padre Juya, frente a la imagen, pronunció una sentida oración a la Santísima Virgen.

Esta advocación también es venerada en la Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Chiquinquirá en Maracaibo, Venezuela, a donde acuden miles de peregrinos, no solo el día de su fiesta patronal en noviembre, sino cada domingo, cuando se celebra Misa, seguida de procesión.

FOTO POR REINA GRANADINO

Con Misa recordaron fiesta del Divino Niño HUNTERSVILLE — Con una Misa bilingüe, la Iglesia San Marcos celebró la fiesta del Divino Niño el pasado miércoles 20 de julio por la tarde. El padre Aaron Huber fue el celebrante de esta hermosa devoción de origen colombiano. En su homilía resaltó las palabras del Evangelio en las que Jesús asegura que si deseamos ingresar al reino celestial debemos ser como niños. La razón, explicó, es “porque los niños son simples. Sus vidas no son complicadas. Y lo más importante, tienen un corazón indiviso.Aman completamente o no aman en absoluto. El Divino Niño Jesús amó enteramente con un corazón de infante. Era el mismo corazón que eventualmente sería traspasado para que podamos ver la vida de la gracia derramándose en los sacramentos de la Iglesia”. Luego añadió que ser como niño no es complicado, “no trates de dividir tu corazón porque un corazón dividido realmente no sabe amar. Aprendamos a amar del Divino Niño y Él nos mostrará todo lo que necesitamos saber”.

FOTOS POR AMY BURGER

Iglesia Santo Niño celebró su 60 aniversario REIDSVILLE — Parroquianos de la Iglesia Santo Niño se reunieron el 26 de junio para celebrar el 60 aniversario de la consagración de su iglesia. La Misa de aniversario, realizada en exteriores para permitir una mayor asistencia, fue seguida por una barbacoa en los terrenos de la parroquia. La estatua diocesana peregrina de María, Madre de Dios también estuvo presente. “Fue un gran evento de edificación parroquial”, dijo el Padre Frank Seabo, párroco. La Iglesia Santo Niño fue consagrada el 26 de junio de 1962 por el obispo de Raleigh, Vincent Waters. Es probablemente la iglesia de aspecto más inusual de la diócesis. Su arquitecto fue Richard Burke Schnedl de Reidsville, un nativo de Carolina del Norte, miembro de la primera promoción de graduados en la Escuela Universitaria de Diseño de Carolina del Norte (ahora Universidad). Schnedl admiraba a Frank Lloyd Wright, famoso arquitecto norteamericano, y su diseño para la iglesia presenta audaces paredes de estuco blanco acentuadas por ventanas angulares y altos tragaluces, una puerta de entrada en ángulo hacia afuera y un techo curvo. En el interior, las paredes blancas y los acentos geométricos resaltan el crucifijo montado detrás del altar.

FOTO PROPORCIONADAS POR LA IGLESIA SANTO NIÑO

13

Diáconos reafirmarán sus promesas de ordenación en Misa especial CHARLOTTE — Los diáconos del oeste de Carolina del Norte reafirmarán su amor por el Señor y compromiso a la Iglesia durante una Misa especial que se realizará el próximo sábado.

La Misa será celebrada por el Obispo Peter Jugis en la Catedral San Patricio, iniciando a las 10 de la mañana del 13 de agosto.

Todos están invitados a atender la celebración anual, cuando los diáconos se reunirán en Charlotte con el obispo para renovar sus promesas de ordenación. Las esposas de los diáconos también reafirmarán su apoyo al ministerio de sus cónyuges.

Actualmente hay 133 diáconos en servicio en la Diócesis de Charlotte.

Comprometidos en un amplio rango de ministerios, usualmente están asignados a una parroquia donde proclaman el Evangelio, asisten a los sacerdotes durante la Misa, supervisan o apoyan los ministerios parroquiales y actividades de caridad, además de administrar bautismos, oficiar bodas y distribuir la Sagrada Comunión a los enfermos.

También trabajan en ministerios vitales con la Iglesia local, como los ministerios de prisiones, formación en la fe, ministerio de niños y estudiantes universitarios, instrucción de aspirantes a católicos del programa RICA, y más.

Los diáconos son ordenados a través del sacramento del Orden Sagrado, al igual que los obispos y sacerdotes.

La palabra ‘diácono’ proviene del vocablo griego ‘diakonos’, que significa ‘servidor’. El orden sagrado configura al diácono a Cristo, quien se hizo a sí mismo ‘diácono’ o servidor de todos.

Los diáconos están llamados a identificar las diversas necesidades existentes en su parroquia y comunidad local para encontrar formas de satisfacerlas. Usualmente están casados, la mayoria tienen hijos y trabajan en profesiones fuera de la Iglesia o están ya retirados.

— Catholic News Herald

14

catholicnewsherald.com | August 5, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Padre Fabio Marín

Familia, Iglesia doméstica en San Pablo

L

as primeras comunidades cristianas se dejaban guiar por las enseñanzas escritas y prácticas de Pablo.

En sus cartas no encontramos un método ni un tratado riguroso sobre la oración, pero sí nos revela el perfil de un hombre orante, que con su ejemplo y permanente invitación anima a la oración constante.

El comienzo de cada una de sus cartas demuestra su vida de relación frecuente con el Padre y con Jesucristo.

Expresan una invocación filial a Dios, un agradecimiento a nombre de la comunidad o la persona a la cual le escribe y una referencia a Cristo que lo ha llamado a ese ministerio.

Entre otros podemos leer este texto: “A todos los amados de Dios que están en Roma, santos por vocación, a ustedes gracia y paz, de parte de Dios nuestro Padre y del Señor Jesucristo. Ante todo, doy gracias a mi Dios por medio de Jesucristo, por todos ustedes, pues su fe es alabada en todo el mundo.”(Rom 1:7b-8. Cfr. 1Co 1:3-4; 2 Co 1:2-3; Ga 1:3-4; Ef 1:2-3) En las enseñanzas espirituales se presenta como padre, llamando “hijos” a sus discípulos más cercanos como, entre tantos casos, lo expresa en la primera carta a Timoteo: “Pablo, apóstol de Cristo Jesús, por mandato de Dios nuestro Salvador y de Cristo Jesús nuestra esperanza, a Timoteo, verdadero hijo mío en la fe. Gracia, misericordia y paz de parte de Dios Padre y de Cristo Jesús, Señor nuestro.” (1Tm 1:2. Cfr. 1Co 4:17; Tt 1:4). La paternidad espiritual se extiende a toda la comunidad reunida en las diversas casas donde meditan sus escritos y siguen su dotrina.

Pablo da gran importancia al concepto de casa y de familia en la constitución de la primera comunidad cristiana.

La comunidad de los primeros cristianos fue organizada en familias, en grupos familiares emparentados y en “casas”: la casa era, contemporáneamente, núcleo comunitario y lugar de encuentro.

Sus cartas revelan la importancia, que, para él, tiene la casa como lugar de encuentro. El término “Iglesia doméstica” brota de las cartas de san Pablo, ligado a un método apostólico, que hoy aparece con viva actualidad.

Podemos confrontar algunos momentos en los que Pablo se dirige a las diversas Iglesias reunidas en pequeñas familias: “Saluden también a la Iglesia que se reúne en su casa” (Rom 16:5); “Las Iglesias de Asia los saluda. Les envía también muchos saludos Aquila y Prisca en el Señor, junto con la Iglesia que se reúne en su casa” (1 Co 16:19); “A Filemón y… a la Iglesia que se reúne en su casa” (Flm 1:1-2).

Para Pablo la familia es “transparencia divina” porque goza de la redención de Cristo. Exhorta a los cristianos a seguir viviendo en coherencia la nueva vida en Cristo, y pone la vida familiar como lugar privilegiado de esta vivencia cristiana, porque es signo concreto de la “novedad” traída por Cristo.

En la carta a los Efesios 6:1-4, Pablo se preocupa por hacer una doble invitación: de un lado pide a los hijos respetar a sus padres como deber justo en cuanto que son dadores de vida, y de otro lado invita a los padres a no exasperar a los hijos e insiste en la necesidad de educar en la virtud desde pequeños, en particular mediante la enseñanza de las Escrituras de tal manera que puedan establecer una comunicación fecunda entre Palabra de Dios y realidad presente.

Y en la primera carta a Timoteo 2:15 presenta el papel de la madre generadora de hijos y salvación en cuanto que persevera con modestia en la fe, en la caridad y en la santidad.

EL PADRE FABIO MARÍN, sacerdote redentorista, es párroco de la Iglesia San José en Kannapolis.

Gracias a la colaboración de aliados estratégicos como Novant Health, Camino Health Center y Healthy Blue NC, el Ministerio de Salud y Provida San Rafael y Santa Gianna de la parroquia San Marcos en Huntersville pudo realizar una feria de salud donde se ofrecieron servicios médicos, charlas y demostraciones de danza y elaboración de comidas saludables.

FOTOS POR AMY BURGER

Charlas, ayuda médica y demostraciones en Feria de Salud Más de 130 personas se registraron para recibir asistencia CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

HUNTERSVILLE — Treinta personas fueron atendidas con exámenes de salud durante la primera feria de salud organizada por el Ministerio de Salud y Provida de la parroquia San Marcos el pasado sábado 30 de julio.

Maggie McGown, coordinadora ese ministerio, promotora de salud de la Coalición de Fe y Salud asociada a Atrium y Novant Health, dijo que para esta primera actividad contaron con la asistencia de Novant Health y Camino Health Center.

“Novant nos ha asistido con la realización de las consultas médicas, proporcionando la toma de muestras para exámenes de colesterol, triglicéridos, A1C (diabetes), registro de peso, riesgo de obesidad y otros. Además, contamos con la presencia de una de sus trabajadoras sociales para asistir con otros servicios como salud mental, acceso a ayuda alimentaria y vivienda”, precisó McGown.

Por su parte, Camino Health Center colaboró con la presentación de una charla sobre prevención de diabetes, así como una demostración de comida saludable, además de conducir varios ejercicios de baile.

Un representante de Healthy Blue NC estuvo presente a los largo de la jornada para asistir con las consultas de los asistentes sobre seguros médicos.

McGown, quien es enfermera graduada en su país natal México, dijo que aproximadamente 130 personas se registraron para recibir atención, pero que lamentablemente la limitada capacidad impidió que

todos pudieran recibirla. “Tenemos la lista de espera y estamos trabajando para programar una nueva fecha de atención, la que esperamos sea muy pronto”.

El Ministerio de Salud y Provida, llamado San Rafael y Santa Gianna, fue creado hace aproximadamente 18 meses, después que algunos fieles hispanos tomaran la iniciativa de actuar frente a las necesidades de salud de la comunidad hispana en servicios dentales, mamografías, comida sana, prevencion de diabetes y más.

“Cuando nuestros hermanos migrantes llegan a Estados Unidos no están familiarizados con el sistema de salud, creen que todo los servicios hay que pagarlos y desconocen que existen ayudas disponibles”, dijo McGown, añadiendo que es fundamental trabajar en planes preventivos de educación con la comunidad.

“Tenemos que prevenir y no ir al médico cuando ya es demasiado tarde”.

Finalmente, McGown hizo una invitación para que más personas se unan como voluntarios al ministerio de Salud y Provida. “Los interesados en servir, especialmente aquellos que ya tienen formación médica en sus países de origen y desean ser voluntarios, pueden comunicarse conmigo para colaborar en este servicio que hacemos con mucho amor para la comunidad”, puntualizó.

Más online En www.stmarknc.org/hispano: Podrá encontar más información sobre los diferentes ministerios en español que se ofrecen en la parroquia San Marcos

August 5, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

15

FOTO PROPORCIONADA POR CARMELO AMBRIZ FOTO PROPORCIONADA POR RICARDO GARCÍA

Coros de María Auxiliadora unen sus voces SHELBY — Los coros en inglés y español de la parroquia María Auxiliadora en Shelby asistieron a una capacitación en canto gregoriano ofrecida por la Sra. Bridget Scott, directora de música litúrgica en la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de las Montañas en Jasper, Georgia, e instructora de canto en el Monasterio del Espíritu Santo en Conyers, también en Georgia. Ambos coros, unificando las comunidades anglo e hispanoparlantes, fusionarán sus voces en Misas especiales y bilingües. Adicionalmente, el coro hispano ‘Ángeles de Dios’, espera pronto incluir música litúrgica en Latín durante la celebración de la Misa en español.

FOTO PROPORCIONADA POR SERGIO LÓPEZ

Catequistas se actualizan YADKINVILLE — Catequistas de las parroquias Divino Redentor en Boonville, San Benito en Winston-Salem y Nuestra Señora del Rosario en Lexington, se reunieron el pasado sábado 9 de julio en una jornada de presentación del programa de estandarización de contenidos del programa de catequesis en español para niños. Según informó Sergio López, coordinador del ministerio hispano del Vicariato de Winston-Salem, trabaja en este proyecto en conjunto con la parroquia Divino Redentor, por lo que decidió extenderlo a las parroquias de todo el vicariato. “Lo que sucede es que muchas veces por falta de información, los catequistas siguen utilizando material antiguo para la formación de los niños, lo que anteriormente estaba enfocado en una formación básica. La nueva forma está más estructurada y especializada en niños”, precisó López. El proceso de capacitación se extenderá durante todo el año y se aplicará durante el periodo formativo que, en algunas parroquias, ya dio inicio o está por iniciar en este mes de agosto. Si es catequista y está interesado en capacitarse y certificarse, contacte al coordinador del ministerio hispano de su parroquia.

Seminario de Vida en el Espíritu reunió a 200 personas HICKORY — El Seminario de Vida en el Espíritu organizado por la Renovación Carismática de la Diócesis de Charlotte reunió a 200 participantes, 119 mujeres y 81 varones, por tres días consecutivos en el Centro de Conferencias Católico en Hickory. El evento contó con la presencia del Diácono Miguel Sebastián, quien sirve en la parroquia San Carlos Borromeo en Morganton, y el Dr. Carlos Barillas, orador y psicólogo con más de 50 años de servicio a la Renovación Católica, quien viajó desde Nueva York para asistir al retiro. La Misa fue celebrada por el Padre Enrique González.

16

catholicnewsherald.com | August 5, 2022 FROM THE COVER

San Lorenzo, Diácono y Mártir Lorenzo, cuyo nombre significa “coronado de laurel”, era uno de los siete diáconos de Roma, o sea uno de los siete hombres de confianza del Sumo Pontífice. Su oficio era de gran responsabilidad, pues estaba encargado de distribuir las ayudas a los pobres.

En el año 257, el emperador Valeriano publicó un decreto de persecución en el cual ordenaba que todo el que se declarara cristiano sería condenado a muerte. El 6 de agosto, el Papa San Sixto estaba celebrando la santa Misa en un cementerio de Roma cuando fue asesinado junto con cuatro de sus diáconos por la policía del emperador. Cuatro días después fue martirizado su diácono San Lorenzo.

La antigua tradición dice que cuando Lorenzo vio que al Sumo Pontífice lo iban a matar le dijo: “Padre mío, ¿te vas sin llevarte a tu diácono?” y San Sixto le respondió: “Hijo mío, dentro de pocos días me seguirás”. Lorenzo se alegró mucho al saber que pronto iría a gozar de la gloria de Dios.

Entonces Lorenzo, viendo que el peligro llegaba, recogió todo el dinero y demás bienes que la Iglesia tenía en Roma y los repartió entre los pobres. Y vendió los cálices de oro, copones y candelabros valiosos, y el dinero lo dio a las personas más necesitadas.

El alcalde de Roma, que era un pagano muy amigo de conseguir dinero, llamó a Lorenzo y le dijo: “Me han dicho que los cristianos emplean cálices y patenas de oro en sus sacrificios, y que en sus celebraciones tienen candelabros muy valiosos. Vaya, recoja todos los tesoros de la Iglesia y me los trae, porque el emperador necesita dinero para costear una guerra que va a empezar”.

Lorenzo le pidió que le diera tres días de plazo para reunir todos los tesoros de la Iglesia, y en esos días fue invitando a todos los pobres, lisiados, mendigos, huérfanos, viudas, ancianos, mutilados, ciegos y leprosos que él ayudaba con sus limosnas. Y al tercer día los hizo formar en filas, y mandó llamar al alcalde diciéndole: “Ya tengo reunidos todos los tesoros de la Iglesia.

Le aseguro que son más valiosos que los que posee el emperador”.

Llegó el alcalde muy contento pensando llenarse de oro y plata y al ver semejante colección de pobreza y enfermedad se disgustó enormemente, pero Lorenzo le dijo: “¿por qué se disgusta? ¡Estos son los tesoros más apreciados de la Iglesia de Cristo!”

El alcalde lleno de rabia le dijo: “Pues ahora lo mando matar, pero no crea que va a morir instantáneamente. Lo haré morir poco a poco para que padezca todo lo que nunca se había imaginado. Ya que tiene tantos deseos de ser mártir, lo martirizaré horriblemente”.

Y encendieron una parrilla de hierro y ahí acostaron al diácono Lorenzo.

San Agustín dice que el gran deseo que el mártir tenía de ir junto a Cristo le hacía no darle importancia a los dolores de esa tortura.

Los cristianos vieron el rostro del mártir rodeado de un esplendor hermosísismo y sintieron un aroma muy agradable mientras lo quemaban.

Los paganos ni veían ni sentían nada de eso.

Después de un rato de estarse quemando en la parrilla, ardiendo el mártir dijo al juez: “Ya estoy asado por un lado. Ahora que me vuelvan hacia el otro lado para quedar asado por completo”. El verdugo mandó que lo voltearan y así se quemó por completo. Cuando sintió que ya estaba completamente asado exclamó: “La carne ya está lista, pueden comer”. Y con una tranquilidad que nadie había imaginado rezó por la conversión de Roma y la difusión de la religión de Cristo en todo el mundo, y exhaló su último suspiro. Era el 10 de agosto del año 258. Quizás por esta razón es el santo patrón de los cocineros y el tercero de la ciudad de Roma, después de San Pedro y San Pablo. Cada 10 de agosto, en la Ciudad del Vaticano, se expone un relicario que contiene una cabeza quemada, que se supone es de San Lorenzo, para recibir veneración.

El Santo Padre mandó construirle una hermosa Basílica en Roma, siendo la Basílica de San Lorenzo la quinta en importancia en la Ciudad Eterna.

— Condensado de ACIPRENSA

Experiencing difficulties in your marriage?

A Lifeline for Marriage SEPTEMBER 9-11, 2022 in Raleigh The Retrouvaille Program consists of a weekend experience combined with a series of 6 post-weekend sessions. It provides the tools to help put your marriage in order again. The main emphasis of the program is on communication in marriage between husband and wife. It will give you the opportunity to rediscover each other and examine your lives together in a new and positive way.

Registration Deadline is September 1 www.helpourmarriage.org

FOTO CORTESÍA MUSEO DEL PRADO

‘El Martirio de San Lorenzo’, óleo sobre tabla, de Juan Correa de Vivar, Toledo, 1510-1566.

Lecturas Diarias AGOSTO 7-13

Domingo: Sabiduría 18:6-9, Hebreos 11:1-2, 8-19, Lucas 12:32-48; Lunes (Santo Domingo de Guzmán): Ezequiel 1:2-5, 24-28, Mateo 17:22-27; Martes: Ezequiel 2:8-3, 4, Mateo 18:1-5, 10, 1214; Miércoles (San Lorenzo diácono): 2 Corintios 9:6-10, Juan 12:24-26; Jueves (Santa Clara): Ezequiel 12:1-12, Mateo 18:21-19:1; Viernes: Ezequiel 16:1-15, 60, 63, Mateo 19:3-12; Sábado: Ezequiel 18:1-10, 13, 30-32, Mateo 19:13-15

AGOSTO 14-20

Domingo: Jeremías 38:4-6, 8-10, Hebreos 12:1-4, Lucas 12:49-53; Lunes (Asunción de la Virgen María): Apocalipsis 11:19, 12:1-6, 1 Corintios 15:20-27, Lucas 1:39-56; Martes: Ezequiel 28:1-10, Mateo 19:23-30; Miércoles: Ezequiel 34:1-11, Mateo 20:1-16; Jueves: Ezequiel 36:23-28, Mateo 22:1-14; Viernes: Ezequiel 36:23-28, Mateo 22:34-40; Sábado (San Bernardo): Ezequiel 43:1-7, Mateo 23:1-12

AGOSTO 21-27

Domingo: Isaías 66:18-21, Hebreos 12:5-7, 11-13, Lucas 13:22-30; Lunes (Nuestra Señora María Reina): 2 Tesalonicenses 1:1-5, 11-12, Mateo 23:13-22; Martes: 2 Tesalonicenses 2:1-3, 14-17, Mateo 23:23-26; Miércoles (San Bartolomé Apóstol): Apocalipsis 21:9-14, Juan 1:45-51; Jueves: 1 Corintios 1:1-9, Mateo 24:42-51; Viernes: 1 Corintios 1:17-25, Mateo 25:1-13; Sábado (Santa Mónica): 1 Corintios 1:26-31, Mateo 25:14-30

August 5, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

Diversión en Carowinds

Más de 700 católicos de toda la Diócesis de Charlotte asistieron al Día de la Familia Católica en Carowinds el domingo 24 de julio, como parte de la celebración del 50 aniversario de la diócesis. El día comenzó con una misa en Harmony Hall ofrecida por el obispo Peter Jugis, quien conversó con feligreses y seminaristas antes que los asistentes se dirigieran al parque para disfrutar de las atracciones. Cuando era adolescente en la década de 1970, el Obispo Jugis trabajó durante dos veranos en Carowinds. Vea más fotos en www.catholicnewsherald.com.

Peregrinaje Mariano Una estatua de María, Madre de Dios, especialmente encargada para esta ocasión, está visitando más de cien locaciones en toda la Diócesis de Charlotte durante el año de aniversario. Las próximas visitas incluyen:

CONGRESO EUCARÍSTICO DE LA DIÓCESIS DE CHARLOTTE Viernes 5 y sábado 6 de agosto Centro de Convenciones de Charlotte

IGLESIA SANTA MARÍA, MADRE DE DIOS Del domingo 7 al miércoles 10 de agosto 22 Bartlett St., Sylva, N.C. 28779

IGLESIAS SAN LUCIANO Y SANTA BERNARDITA Del miércoles 10 al lunes 15 de agosto San Luciano 695 Summit Ave., Spruce Pine, N.C. 28777 Santa Bernardita: 2085 N.C.-105, Linville, N.C. 28646

IGLESIA SAN JUAN EVANGELISTA Del lunes 15 al jueves 18 de agosto 234 Church St., Waynesville, N.C. 28786

IGLESIA SAN JOSÉ Del jueves 18 al domingo 21 de agosto 316 Main St., Bryson City, N.C. 28713

IGLESIA SANTO REDENTOR Y MISIÓN PRÍNCIPE DE PAZ Del domingo 21 al jueves 25 de agosto 214 Aquone Road, Andrews, N.C. 28901 Para mayor información sobre las paradas de esta peregrinación, visite el website del 50 Aniversario de la Diócesis de Charlotte, www. faithmorepreciousthangold.com.

FOTOS POR JAMES SARKIS Y LIZ CHANDLER

SERIE ARTE MARIANO

‘La Anunciación y Expulsión de Adán y Eva del Paraíso’: Fray Angélico (c. 1435) TRICIA KENT ESPECIAL PARA THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Cuando se habla de arte mariano, las imágenes de la Anunciación parecen ser determinantes. En estas obras vemos capturado el momento mismo en que María da libremente su “fiat” y se cumple la promesa de Dios del Génesis: cuando el Verbo se hace carne y la vida redentora de Cristo entra en el mundo. Al estudiar las representaciones de la Anunciación, el arte de Giovanni da Fiesole parece omnipresente.

Fray Angélico (“el hermano angelical”) como lo conoce la historia, pintó tres retablos mayores con este tema durante la explosión del arte florentino de la primera mitad del siglo XV. De los tres, la Anunciación del Prado es quizás la más repleta de color y simbolismo.

Originalmente pintado al temple sobre un panel de madera, la obra fue encargada para un altar lateral del Convento de Santo Domingo cuando Fray Angélico era un fraile allí. Destinado a la meditación orante, el cuadro permaneció en el convento hasta 1611 cuando fue vendido al rey de España y llevado a Madrid. Los colores, con oro y azul lapislázuli, apuntan a que se ofreció dinero donado para su ejecución original. Fray Angélico supo dar lo mejor de sí en esta ofrenda.

El espectador de esta obra necesita detenerse e ir más allá de la imagen familiar inicial para ver la predicación de un verdadero dominico. De hecho, Giovanni da Fiesole está compartiendo los frutos

de sus propias contemplaciones bíblicas con el espectador: una Lectio Divina escrita en pigmento triturado, aglutinante de huevo y pan de oro. La Virgen está protegida y presentada bajo un arco, mientras que el ángel Gabriel en el otro arco está revestido de una dalmática diaconal con la rodilla doblada como acercándose al pie del altar. El punto de fuga de la obra se muestra a través de una puerta abierta entre ellos.

María está sentada, entronizada – Virgen, Consorte, Reina y Madre. La presencia trinitaria del Dios Único se repite en símbolo con la Mano de Dios en el estallido de luz que se muestra arriba a la izquierda, la paloma del Espíritu Santo en un haz de luz que se disipa visualmente cuando llega a la Virgen, que ahora lleva en su Vientre al hijo de Dios. La existencia eterna de Cristo es reforzada por la imagen tallada en la piedra sobre el centro de la sala.

Un tercio de la pintura muestra un jardín, recordatorio de la virginidad perpetua de María, así como del Jardín del Edén de donde Dios expulsó a nuestros primeros padres como resultado del pecado.

Aquí tenemos la yuxtaposición de Eva, Madre de los Vivos, con María la Nueva Eva, la madre del Nuevo Adán que redimiría a la humanidad caída. Ahora el rayo de luz que divide la obra se convierte en el camino de nuestra salvación a través del tiempo y el cumplimiento de la promesa hecha hace mucho tiempo.

Para aquellos que pudieron ver el simbolismo de las flores, el jardín está repleto de representaciones precisas que incluyen rosas aplastadas a los pies de Adán y Eva. Estas rosas, como el pequeño jilguero en la vara del arco, apuntan a la muerte y sangre del sacrificio que se convertirá en el acto redentor culminante del Santo Niño recién concebido.

TRICIA KENT es feligresa de la Iglesia Santo Tomás de Aquino en Charlotte.

17

Oración Para el 50 Aniversario Padre Celestial, acepta nuestra humilde oración de alabanza y gratitud mientras celebramos con alegría los cincuenta años de la Diócesis de Charlotte. A lo largo de nuestra historia, los fieles del oeste de Carolina del Norte, bajo el cuidado de estimados obispos y abades, han sido alimentados por tu mano providencial. Confiamos en que invitas a tus hijos a implorar tus constantes bendiciones, te pedimos que sigas derramando tu gracia celestial sobre nosotros. Con afecto y devoción filial, te pedimos además que veas con buenos ojos las oraciones que pedimos por la intercesión de nuestra venerable patrona, la Santísima Virgen María, que con atención maternal atiende las necesidades y preocupaciones de la Iglesia.

Te lo pedimos por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo, que vive y reina contigo en la unidad del Espíritu Santo, Dios por los siglos de los siglos.

Amén.

Oraciones y devociones El tema del 50 Aniversario, “La fe es más preciosa que el oro” (1 Pedro 1:7), alienta el uso de las oraciones, devociones y sacramentales probados y verdaderos de la Iglesia, que durante siglos han acercado a las personas a Dios. Pidamos con confianza las gracias que esperamos recibir de Dios al celebrar la fundación de la Diócesis de Charlotte. Santa María, Madre de Dios, ruega por nosotros.

Intención de oración de agosto Por los enfermos y los que sufren. Que Dios dé consuelo a las almas afligidas y sufrientes de la diócesis y a los necesitados, para que encuentren en la generosidad de las almas fieles el remedio a sus dolencias.

Santos del mes Santos Louis y Zelie Martin Fecha de la fiesta: 12 de julio (su fecha de muerte es el 28 de agosto)

Our nation 18

catholicnewsherald.com | August 5, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Kentucky churches, communities work together to meet flood victims’ needs MARNIE MCALLISTER CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lori Helfrich, the parish life director at Mother of Good Counsel Church in Hazard County, Ky., had just come from volunteering at the food pantry that her parish helps support.

They were cutting up melons to distribute to people hit hard by the torrential rain and flooding that has followed in the southeastern region of the state.

“Northfork Local Foods (the food pantry Hazard’s parish is part of) has a lot of melon and is distributing it so people have some fresh food,” Helfrich said in a midafternoon conference call July 29 arranged by the Diocese of Lexington, Ky. “A lot of people don’t have water and electric. As community partners and churches, that’s what we’re working on – trying to connect people where we can,” she said.

The rains began late July 27 and went into the next day, causing massive flooding that destroyed hundreds of homes and wiped out entire communities, according to news reports.

Search and rescue teams, with the help of the National Guard, began searching for missing people July 29. As of Aug. 1, 660 air rescues and hundreds of boat rescues had been conducted.

By mid-morning Aug. 2, the death toll had reached at least 37 people, with more than a hundred still missing.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called it “one of the worst, most devastating flooding events” in state history. He said President Joe Biden had approved his initial request for federal aid to assist with recovery efforts in 13 eastern Kentucky counties.

On NBC’s “Meet the Press” July 31, he said he believed recovery crews will be “finding bodies for weeks.”

The chances that more storms would hit the region were diminishing, but residents and rescuers were facing extreme temperatures instead.

On the conference call, Helfrich said that besides Hazard County, which has a population of about 5,000, she has the most contact with Letcher, Knott, Perry, Owsley and Breathitt counties. Of the 65 Catholic families in Hazard, at least one family has lost everything, she said.

“Today the concentrated effort is on those who are still missing,” she said. A lot of the flooding came at night while people were sleeping. You compound the flooding with high poverty rates and you end up with the perfect storm.”

She said that debris in the flood water and the numbers of roads washed away are making it hard for first responders to reach people. And communication is spotty.

“To be able to get to people is hard. The roads – 25 to 30 feet of road – are just gone,” Helfrich said.

Afraid the Panbowl Dam in Jackson may break, officials closed a major road, blocking access to nearby communities.

Gauging the devastation based on how it has impacted Catholic families isn’t a good measure because they make up less than 1% of the population in Eastern Kentucky, according to Helfrich.

But the Catholic Church works closely

CNS | WOLFE COUNTY SEARCH & RESCUE TEAM VIA REUTERS

A rescue team member evacuates residents from their homes by boat through flooded Breathitt County streets in Kentucky July 28.

How to help flood victims in eastern Kentucky The needs of victims of the record flooding in eastern Kentucky are great, both for the short term and in the long term, according to Meg Campos, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky. The best way to help is to donate money so Catholic Charities and other agencies assisting flood victims can purchase needed items at any given time. Those who wish to donate should go to www.catholiccharitieslexington.org, hit the tab “Donate Now” and designate contributions for disasters.

— Catholic News Service with community partners and is an important part of the community.

“In some cases, like Campton, the Catholic Church has the only food pantry and they feed 300 people a month,” she said. “In Hazard, we have an emergency food pantry.

We work with the housing development alliance. We work with community partners – that’s how it runs. Parishes work with partners to provide outreach.”

“People are very happy that we are checking in on people and they’ll get back to you when they can. Phone reception is very spotty,” she said. “(Of) the people FLOOD, SEE PAGE 24

CNS | MATT STONE/USA TODAY NETWORK VIA REUTERS

Reggie Ritchie comforts his wife Della as they pause while clearing out their manufactured home destroyed by the flooding from Troublesome Creek behind them in Fisty, Ky., July 29.

August 5, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

“Our justice system has consistently ruled that the government cannot intrude on a religious organization’s choice of who will pass on the faith to the next generation.”

Nashville Diocese marks 185th year; Mass recalls all ‘who have gone before’

In Brief Court: Catholic school has right to hire staff who uphold Church doctrine CHICAGO — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in Chicago said July 28 that a Catholic high school in Indianapolis and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis have a constitutional right to hire staff who will uphold their core religious teachings. The case, Starkey v. Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis, involves Lynn Starkey, a former guidance counselor at Roncalli High School in Indianapolis, who sued the school and the archdiocese in 2019, after her contract was not renewed due to her same-sex marriage. School officials said her marriage was a violation of her contract and Church teaching. Starkey argued she had been discriminated against based on her sexual orientation. She appealed her case to the 7th Circuit after a federal District Court threw out her lawsuit last year.

In dismissing the case, the judge said the school employee’s case did not stand up to the principle of ministerial exception that protects a religious school’s hiring and firing practices from government intrusion. The 7th Circuit ruled the lawsuit must be dismissed for the same reason.

“Religious groups have a constitutional right to hire individuals who believe in their faith’s ideals and are committed to their religious mission,” Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel at Becket., said in a statement.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — “I have arrived in Nashville. I have no place to live, I have no priests and no money, but here I begin.” Words similar to these were written in the diary of the late Bishop Richard Pius Miles, a Dominican, his first night as the first bishop of the Diocese of Nashville in 1838, following the establishment of the diocese by Pope Gregory XVI in 1837. At that time, the diocese covered the entire state of Tennessee. But it was Bishop Miles’ words that officially brought the Diocese of Nashville to where it is today and its 185th anniversary was celebrated by Bishop J. Mark Spalding, joined by dozens of priests and deacons of the diocese, with a special Mass at the Cathedral of the Incarnation July 28. At the start of his homily, Bishop Spalding listed the names of the bishops throughout the history of the diocese before quoting those paraphrased words written

by Bishop Miles. “From that moment to this, people have gathered in word and in sacrament and celebrated the presence of Christ and shared that presence with others,” he said. “ As we gather here ... we’re symbolic of the whole diocese this night.”

Bishops: HHS proposal violates religious freedom, ‘is bad medicine’ WASHINGTON, D.C. — The chairmen of four U.S. bishops committees said July 27 that proposed regulations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on abortion,

transgender services and other procedures threaten the Church’s ability “to carry out our healing ministries” and others’ ability “to practice medicine.” They called the proposed regulations – a 308-page document released July 25 by HHS – “a violation of religious freedom and bad medicine.”

“Assurances that HHS will honor religious freedom laws offer little comfort when HHS is actively fighting court rulings that declared HHS violated religious freedom laws the last time they tried to impose such a mandate,” they said, adding: “The proposed regulations announce that HHS is also considering whether to force health care workers to perform abortions against their will or lose their jobs. We call on HHS to explicitly disavow any such intent.”

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released the joint statement from Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman, Committee on Pro-Life Activities; Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman, Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development; Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco, chairman, Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth; and Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chairman, Committee for Religious Liberty.

report is filed. It also makes exceptions to allow abortions when a fetus has serious medical issues. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr filed notice June 24 in the 11th Circuit requesting the reversal of the lower court. His filing followed the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide in 1973.

“We are grateful for the ruling from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholding Georgia’s so-called heartbeat law,” Atlanta Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer said in a July 20 statement. “As I have said before, we are called to put our prayer and action into helping women and their babies.” He thanked “everyone who works in pro-life ministries here in the Archdiocese of Atlanta,” saying, “Your work is love in action. You are helping to build stronger communities and supporting the most vulnerable among us.”

— Catholic News Service

Ga.’s ‘heartbeat law’ takes effect after appeals court lifts injunction ATLANTA — Georgia’s “heartbeat law” is now in effect after a July 20 ruling by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that reversed a lower court decision and said the law should be permitted to take effect immediately. The law bans abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, about six weeks into a pregnancy. It makes exceptions to save the life of the mother and in the case of rape and incest, if a police

DISCOVER THE CATHOLIC DIFFERENCE

Got stock?

Unlock your potential to make a difference.

Giving appreciated stock to your parish, Catholic school, agency, the diocese or the Foundation creates a gift that will benefit your desired beneficiary and provide you tax benefits.

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

Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte

19

Rely on the Knights of Columbus to protect your family’s future.

Bob Gordon Field Agent

516-551-7838 robert.gordon@kofc.org

Knights of Columbus One Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510

LIFE INSURANCE • DISABILITY INCOME INSURANCE LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE • RETIREMENT ANNUITIES

Our world 20

catholicnewsherald.com | August 5, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Wearing a traditional Indigenous headdress, Pope Francis kisses the hand of an Indigenous leader during a meeting with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities at Maskwacis, Alberta, July 25.

CNS | VATICAN MEDIA

Courage, resilience: Trip shows tenacity of Canada’s Indigenous and pope CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

IQALUIT, Nunavut — At the end of his six-day visit to Canada, Pope Francis, sitting in a wheelchair, said goodbye to Chief Wilton Littlechild, also sitting in a wheelchair.

Littlechild, a 78-year-old lawyer, survivor of abuse in a residential school and former grand chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, had spent decades advocating for the rights of First Nation, Métis and Inuit people and had lobbied hard for Pope Francis to come to Canada to apologize in person for the Catholic Church’s complicity in abusing children, breaking up families and suppressing Indigenous language and culture.

The chief had welcomed Pope Francis to his home – Maskwacis – July 25, the first full day of the trip, and created some controversy by giving the pope his late grandfather’s headdress. He told Canada’s Native News Online that the Ermineskin Cree Nation had decided as a community that the headdress was an appropriate way to thank the pope for visiting their town and making his first apology on Canadian soil there.

“I am sorry,” the pope said at the Muskwa, or Bear Park, Powwow Grounds.

“I ask forgiveness, in particular, for the ways in which many members of the Church and of religious communities cooperated, not least through their indifference, in projects of cultural

destruction and forced assimilation promoted by the governments of that time, which culminated in the system of residential schools,” the pope said.

The Canadian government has estimated that at least 150,000 First Nation, Inuit and Métis children were taken from their families and communities and forced to attend the schools between the 1870 and 1997. At least 4,120 children died at the schools, and several thousand others vanished without a trace.

The survivors tell stories of enduring hunger, brutality and emotional, physical and sexual abuse at the schools, about 60% of which were run by Catholic religious orders and other Catholic institutions.

An almost constant drumbeat accompanied Pope Francis on his trip – to Edmonton, Maskwacis and Lac Ste. Anne in Alberta, to Quebec City and nearby Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré and, finally, to Iqaluit in the Canadian Arctic.

The traditional drummers echoed heartbeats and heartache, a relentless reminder of how the trauma students experienced at the residential schools was passed down generation to generation in a lack of love and support and a lack of respect for individual dignity and community rights.

Archbishop Donald Bolen of Regina, Saskatchewan, a member of the Canadian bishops’ working group on Indigenous relations, was present at every stop Pope Francis made. And, at most events,

including in Iqaluit, he traveled with residential school survivors from his province.

As the visit was ending July 29 on a graveled parking lot outside Nakasuk Elementary School, Archbishop Bolen said he was moved by “the absolute determination, courage and resilience, on the one hand, of survivors embodied in a certain way by Chief Wilton Littlechild, and the courage and determination to be engaged in healing work by the pope – two old men who can barely stand up, who need help in all kinds of ways, but carry a common desire to bring healing and to take good steps forward.”

The apology was a crucial first step.

And it was something survivors wanted and needed to hear in person. Pope Francis knew that.

“The overall effects of the policies linked to the residential schools were catastrophic,” he said at Maskwacis. “What our Christian faith tells us is that this was a disastrous error, incompatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

At a prayer service July 26 with Indigenous representatives in Lac-SteAnne, on the shores of a lake known for his healing power, Pope Francis said: “All of us, as Church, now need healing: healing from the temptation of closing in on ourselves, of defending the institution rather than seeking the truth, of preferring worldly power to serving the Gospel.”

At a meeting in Quebec with government

officials and Indigenous leaders July 27, he said: “I express my deep shame and sorrow, and, together with the bishops of this country, I renew my request for forgiveness for the wrong done by so many Christians to the Indigenous peoples.”

At Mass July 28 at the National Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Pope Francis spoke of “the scandal of evil and the Body of Christ wounded in the flesh of our Indigenous brothers and sisters.”

Praying vespers with Canadian bishops that evening, he said: “Thinking about the process of healing and reconciliation with our Indigenous brothers and sisters, never again can the Christian community allow itself to be infected by the idea that one culture is superior to others, or that it is legitimate to employ ways of coercing others.”

He listened to survivors in Quebec the last morning of his visit and to other survivors in Iqaluit not long before flying back to Rome.

Pope Francis thanked the survivors “for having had the courage to tell your stories and to share your great suffering, which I could not have imagined.”

“This only renewed in me the indignation and shame that I have felt for months,” since delegations of First Nation, Métis and Inuit survivors visited the Vatican in March and April. Again, he said, in Iqaluit, “I want to tell you how very sorry I am and to ask for forgiveness for the evil perpetrated by not a few Catholics.”

August 5, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Catholic radio stations ordered closed, parish raided in Nicaragua MEXICO CITY — Nicaraguan authorities have ordered the closure of Catholic media outlets and raided a parish in the Diocese of Matagalpa, the latest attack on the Church by the Sandinista regime. Police entered the Infant of Prague chapel in the community of Sébaco Aug. 1 to seize radio equipment, prompting parishioners to protest outside. Police rebuffed the protests and fired gunshots in the air as church bells rang, according to video posted to social media by the parish. The parish also posted a video showing police taking away “young people from our Catholic groups. We call on the national police to abandon our installations, which belong to the Catholic people,” the parish said in a Facebook message.

Father Uriel Vallejos, pastor, posted photos of the police entering the chapel – breaking locks to do so. He also posted a letter from the authorities saying Radio Católica de Sébaco was operating without a valid license and “therefore operating illegally.” In an Aug. 1 statement, the Diocese of Matagalpa said communications regulator TELCOR had ordered the closure of its Catholic radio station for similar reasons, saying it had operated without a valid license since 2003. The diocese disputed that claim, saying Bishop Rolando José Álvarez of Matagalpa “personally submitted documentation” to TELCOR in June 2016.

Pope: Small businesses invest in common good in communities VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis asked people to pray for those running small- and mediumsized businesses since they contribute so much to the good of the local community and are still hard-hit by so many crises. “As a consequence of the pandemic and the wars, the world is facing a grave socio-economic crisis. We still don’t realize it! And among those most affected are small- and medium-sized businesses,” the pope said. In a video message released by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network Aug. 2, the pope offered his prayer intention for the month of August, which he dedicated to the owners of small- and medium-sized businesses. At the start of each month, the network posts a short video of the pope offering his specific prayer intention. The pope highlighted the importance of small businesses, whether they be “stores, workshops, cleaning businesses, transportation businesses” and others. These kinds of businesses are the ones “that don’t appear on the world’s richest and most powerful lists and, despite the difficulties, they create jobs, fulfilling their social responsibility,” he said.

Stop the war in Ukraine and negotiate, Pope Francis says VATICAN CITY — The only reasonable way to address the suffering of Ukrainians is to stop fighting and negotiate, Pope Francis said. Even during his busy six-day journey to Canada, “I did not cease praying for the suffering and battered Ukrainian people, asking God to free them from the scourge of war,” the pope said July 31. “If one looked at what is happening objectively, considering the harm that war brings every day to those people, and even to the entire world, the only reasonable thing to

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

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

For more information on how to leave a legacy gift to your parish, Catholic school, Catholic agency, the Diocese of Charlotte or the diocese foundation, please contact Gina Rhodes, Director Foundation of the of Planned Giving at 704-370-3364 / Diocese of Charlotte gmrhodes@rcdoc.org .

do would be to stop and negotiate. May wisdom inspire concrete steps toward peace,” he said.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine will negotiate with Russia when its nation’s forces have succeeded in fighting the Russian army back to where it was positioned Feb. 24, the day Russia launched its invasion.

Philippine diocese appeals for aid after magnitude 7 quake MANILA, Philippines — A diocese in the northern Philippines appealed for aid July 27 after a magnitude 7 earthquake killed at least four and injured dozens. The Archdiocese of Tuguegarao in northeastern Luzon said churches and historical sites sustained cracks, but it also needed help to repair damaged hospital infrastructure and equipment. Patients were evacuated from a local hospital during the earthquake due to fear the building would collapse. The archdiocese said its churches were not only places of worship but symbolized the history and tradition of their people. “They are a testament to our faith and culture. Though damaged by natural calamities like this recent earthquake, we will rebuild them, just as we

21

rebuilt our lives after catastrophes in love and faith in Christ,” the archdiocese said.

Pope’s video campaign highlights dialogue with migrants, refugees VATICAN CITY — As the Church prepares to commemorate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees in September, Pope Francis launched a video campaign meant to highlight the spiritual and cultural contributions that migrants bring to people’s lives. “Migrants and refugees offer us a great opportunity for the cultural and spiritual growth of all of us. For this reason, it is essential to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue and to build the future on common values,” the pope said in a video message released July 28. The pope concluded his remarks by asking, “How do you think we can foster more enriching encounters with migrants and refugees?” The video message launched a communications campaign that highlights the theme of the Sept. 25 world day celebration: “Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees.”

— Catholic News Service

ViewPoints 22

catholicnewsherald.com | August 5, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Deacon Matthew Newsome

Happiness and suffering

M

y son had just finished a word game on his phone, the aim of which was to solve a puzzle to decipher a phrase.

“What do you think of this, Dad?” he asked as he slid the phone across the table to me.

The solution to the puzzle had revealed a quote by French-Algerian philosopher Albert Camus: “For who would dare to assert that eternal happiness can compensate for a single moment’s human suffering?” I told my son I didn’t think the author really understood the concepts of eternal happiness or suffering.

Albert Camus was a Nobel Prize-winning writer and philosopher who was certainly familiar with suffering. He lived through the Nazi invasion of France and was twice divorced. But, as an atheist and consummate pessimist, he was perhaps less familiar with happiness. Camus is often labeled as an existentialist philosopher, a label he, himself, rejected. His writings contributed to the rise of absurdism, the philosophical school of thought that would deny life any meaning. To the absurdist, both happiness and suffering are meaningless in the end, but happiness at least affords us pleasure in the here and now.

The above quote comes from Camus’ 1947 novel “The Plague,” in which a narrator chronicles an illness sweeping through a French-Algerian city. We should read it, therefore, as a sentiment expressed by a fictional character witnessing great suffering, and not necessarily reflective of Camus’ philosophy as a whole. Nevertheless, it provides us with an interesting opportunity to explore the relationship between happiness and suffering.

We might assume happiness and suffering to be diametrically opposed, but that assumption deserves to be questioned.

The Latin word “suffere,” from which the word “suffer” is derived, literally means to endure. We endure things we perceive as burdensome, but this is not always a bad thing. Just as wax suffers the pressure of the seal or clay suffers the hands of the potter, any formative process involves endurance and therefore suffering.

Whether that suffering be for good or ill depends on what we are being formed into.

We willingly accept suffering to achieve a goal, though we may not think of it as such. Students suffer to have their minds molded by study. Athletes suffer to have their bodies molded by exercise. In truth, we are all being unwittingly molded every day by the experiences we have, the films we watch, the music we listen to, the books we read and the company we keep. This, too, is a form of suffering. We are all in the process of being formed, becoming something that we were not before. We all suffer because that’s what it means to grow. Whether our suffering has value or not depends on what we grow into.

This is where happiness comes into

“Saint Francis Embracing Christ on the Cross” by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1668-1669)

‘The happiest people you will ever meet are those who have learned to suffer well. This is what made the witness of the early martyrs so attractive.’ play. Happiness is one of those terms we think we understand better than we do. The word comes from the Old Norse “happ,” which means “luck” (hence the word “happenstance”). But the word has evolved to take on a deeper meaning, one evoked by the framers of the Declaration of Independence when they wrote of the “pursuit of happiness.” They were not

speaking of the pursuit of luck, but of a sense of self-worth and dignity that comes from a life of meaning.

This deeper sense of the word “happiness” is tied to the idea of purpose.

The athlete is happy when he wins the race because he knows the suffering of his training has been worth it. The musician is happy playing the piano as she enjoys

the fruits of her long hours of rehearsal.

The teacher is happy when he is teaching, and happier still when his students do well. Parents are happy knowing they have raised good children. These vocations, like all vocations, require sacrifice and suffering as we give ourselves to a greater purpose. The happiness we experience knowing our lives have meaning goes well beyond physical pleasure. The word we give to this elevated and enduring happiness is “blessed.”

This helps explain the seeming paradox of the beatitudes (see, for example, Mt 5:3-12) and Jesus’ assertion that whoever would save his life must lose it (see Mt 16:25). The happiest people you will ever meet are those who have learned to suffer well. This is what made the witness of the early martyrs so attractive. Pagan Roman observers were astonished not just that these Christians were willing to give their lives for Christ, but that they did so with songs of praise on their lips and joy in their hearts. By contrast, selfish people are invariably unhappy. Counterintuitively, their unwillingness to suffer makes them miserable.

I offer the above vocational examples to illustrate the principle that achieving happiness requires a willingness to endure suffering, but we should not think of the purpose of our lives in strictly utilitarian terms. The most meaningful things in life are not task-oriented but relationshiporiented; time spent with God, family, friends and neighbors. God did not place us on this earth to check items off a to-do list, but to know, love and serve Him, as manifested in our love of God (prayer and worship) and love of neighbor (works of mercy).

Love involves suffering because love means giving yourself away. Poets and songwriters know that the best way to demonstrate love is not to say how much I desire you but to show how much I’m willing to suffer for you. We may wonder, if love is the source of such great suffering, why would anyone choose it? Because love is also the source of our greatest joy. It’s what we were made for, and we cannot be happy without it.

What lovers know intuitively, God declares definitively from the cross. What looks like death from this side of the veil is revealed as the gateway to glory and eternal life. As we are being pressed and molded by the Potter’s hand into the very image of love, we will experience suffering.

So if love is real, then Camus is wrong, and eternal happiness not only compensates for temporary suffering, but is quite unobtainable without it.

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

August 5, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

23

Father Billy Swan

Discerning a vocation begins in the family

“

Family Love: a vocation and a path to holiness” was the theme of the 10th World Meeting of Families that took place in Rome June 22-26. I would like to reflect on one aspect of this theme: Each family has a vocation but is also the place where its individual members both live out their vocation and discern their vocation for the future.

In Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation “The Joy of Love,” chapter 3 is dedicated in its entirety to “The Vocation of the

‘This sacred task of parents is not just important but an urgent necessity for the future of the Church.’

Family.” It sets out the role of the family in God’s plan for the salvation of all people.

It begins with Jesus’ own birth into a human family where he “grew in stature and wisdom” (Luke 2:52). Throughout his ministry, Jesus affirmed on many occasions the institution of marriage and the importance of family life (see, for example, Mt 19:3-8).

The pope then repeats what the Church has long taught – that the wellbeing of society is directly linked to the health of the family unit: “The family lives its spirituality precisely by being at one and the same time a domestic Church and a vital cell for transforming the world.” For Francis, each family unit is not meant to be closed in on itself but to possess a missionary momentum outward that connects with the wider parish community.

This is why he famously described each parish as a “family of families.” Francis’ dream for the Church to be a missionary community that “goes forth” depends on the involvement and contribution of every family that constitutes the parish community.

This is the vocation of the family “ad extra,” or “to the world.” Yet it is also true that the family has a vocation “ad intra.” In other words, the family unit is meant to be a community where each member receives the guidance to live and discover their own vocation.

First, a word about the role of parents in a family. In my ministry as a priest, I am increasingly conscious of marriage as a vocation. For both parties, the desire to get married is not so much a decision between themselves as it is a response by both of them to a call from God. It is their “yes” to God’s call, which comes first. In the words of Pope Francis: “I like to think that two Christians who marry have recognized the call of the Lord in their own love story, the vocation to form one flesh and one life from

two, male and female. The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony envelops this love in the grace of God; it roots it in God Himself.”

If marriage is a vocation, catechesis on the vocational nature of marriage is vitally important so parents can awaken to the concept of a vocation in their children. The more aware that both spouses are of living out their own vocation of marriage within the family, the more convincing they will be in reminding their children that they too have a vocation. Parents will be at the fore in reminding their children that in this complex world, it isn’t just about deciding what we want but about following the path on which the Lord leads us and ultimately discerning our mission in life.

In one of his homilies during the World Meeting of Families in June, Pope Francis said: “For educators, the best way to help others to follow their vocation is to embrace our own vocation with faithful love.” This message echoes what the Pope taught earlier in “The Joy of Love,” where he described parents as evangelizers of their own families: “Family catechesis is of great assistance as an effective method in training young parents to be aware of their mission as the evangelizers of their own family.”

This is all the more important when young people today are immersed in a culture of self-invention that prizes absolute freedom as the highest good and tells them that “you can be who you want to be.” This slogan seems attractive at first but fails to deliver the happiness it promises, leading to disappointment and sadness. Therefore, being reminded by their parents that the God who created them has a bigger plan for their lives is a refreshing message of hope and meaning.

This is particularly true when young people are preparing to leave school or college and discern the next step.

This sacred task of parents is not just important but an urgent necessity for the future of the Church. We are all painfully aware of the declining numbers of priests and religious in our time. People talk of a “vocations crisis” when referring to this problem, but the problem is wider and deeper. While there is indeed a lack of vocations to the priesthood and religious life, there also appears a lack of vocations to marriage.

In my diocese, one of my posts of responsibility is director of vocations. In carrying out this role fruitfully, I believe the people with real influence in this area are Catholic parents. They are the ones who have unique access to their children and can explore with them what God might call them to be and the gifts he has given them to that end.

And so, a courageous conversation between a parent and young adult might begin like this: “My child, I have noticed how God has blessed you with many gifts.

You are caring, kind, just, good at art, sports, school, crafts, etc. (whatever talents the child exhibits). How do you think God SWAN, SEE PAGE 24

Most-read stories on the web

‘With courage, with effort, with sacrifice, they invest in life, creating well-being, opportunities and work, he said.’

Pope Francis

From online story: “Small businesses invest in common good in local communities, pope says” Through press time on Aug. 3, 24,556 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of 37,641 pages over the last month. The top 10 headlines in July and August so far have been: n 2022 priest assignments announced.............................................................................................4,067 n Sisters transfer sponsorship of Pennybyrn to diocese to keep faith-based culture...........1,957 n View the current print edition of the Catholic News Herald.........................................................957 n 18th annual Eucharistic Congress to be held Aug. 5-6..................................................................507 n Catholic Family Day at Carowinds.......................................................................................................444 n One of the first priests of the Charlotte diocese reflects..............................................................415 n A momentous day for St. Jude Parish................................................................................................397 n Synod reveals call to examine conscience, grow.............................................................................372 n The joyful witness of Dominican Sister Zeny Mofada.....................................................................362 n Perfect economic storm whips up increased demand for food pantry services................... 348

Join the conversation online

facebook.com/ catholic newsherald

@CatholicNewsCLT

Diocese of Charlotte

Pinterest.com/ charlottecnh

Catholicnewsclt

Letters policy The Catholic News Herald welcomes letters from readers. We ask that letters be originals of 250 words or fewer, pertain to recent newspaper content or Catholic issues, and be written from a perspective of Christian charity.

To be considered for publication, each letter must include the name, address and daytime phone number of the writer for purpose of verification. Letters may be condensed due to space limitations and edited for clarity, style and factual accuracy.

The Catholic News Herald does not publish poetry, form letters or petitions. Items submitted to The Catholic News Herald become the property of the newspaper and are subject to reuse, in whole or in part, in print, electronic formats and archives.

E-mail: catholicnews@charlottediocese.org Mail: Letters to the Editor

Catholic News Herald 1123 S. Church St. Charlotte, N.C. 28203

24

catholicnewsherald.com | August 5, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

SWAN

FLOOD

FROM PAGE 23

FROM PAGE 18

might like you to use these gifts in the future? What would you like to be when you grow up? Let’s pray that together we say ‘yes’ to what God created us for and say ‘yes’ to His special plan for our lives.”

If this kind of conversation occurs in families, once the idea of a vocation comes up on “Vocations Sunday” (The Fourth Sunday of Easter) for example, young people will recognize it from previous conversations in their own families. Consistent with the missionary spirit of the Gospel, Pope Francis encourages parents to embrace their vocations without fear and to encourage their children to do the same. This should include a prayerful consideration of the possibility of a call to the priesthood or religious life.

FATHER BILLY SWAN is a priest of the Diocese of Ferns, Ireland. He served for four years as the director of seminary formation at the Pontifical Irish College in Rome. He is currently serving in County Wexford, Ireland. This commentary originally appeared on the Word on Fire blog, at www.wordonfire.org.

PRO-LIFE FROM PAGE 4

program. “Our priests and administration have always done great work to support mothers and families and are strongly supporting increasing those efforts. Volunteers are ready to get into action. I am excited to see where God is leading us in this time.”

Scanlon heard similar enthusiasm at a recent meeting of pro-life leaders from around the diocese.

“There was a general sentiment that we need to show up for the mothers in our community with love now more than ever,” she said.

“Despite what you may read about Catholics not wanting to ‘do the work,’ I have seen quite the opposite response and am encouraged about us leading the way forward.”

Father Ascik encourages pro-life advocates to remain steadfast in their work, despite some incidents of damage and confrontation at churches and pregnancy resource centers elsewhere.

“Opposition to pro-life legislation seems to come from fear – fear of what it will mean for our society to welcome the unborn child,” he said. “Fear of what we might have to give, or what we might have to sacrifice for the sake of life.

“Some of these fears are understandable, but we must not let fear drive a wedge between mother and child. The unborn child is not the enemy of her mother. We do not have to choose between mother and child – we can welcome, love and protect them both. This is what prolife work is all about.”

Need or want to provide help?

The Diocese of Charlotte operates more than 50 ministries and programs, providing over $7 million in social services annually to children and families.

The diocesan Office of Family Life encourages any pregnant or parenting mother in need, or anyone who is interested in helping moms in need, to contact walkingwithmoms@rcdoc.org.

aren’t needed. There’s no place to store items, either.

Those who wish to donate should go to catholiccharitieslexington.org, hit the tab “Donate Now” and designate contributions for disasters.

Helfrich said: “We’ll address whatever the next thing is we can do – whether that’s cut melon or text someone ... and let them know they’re not alone.”

“It’s really hard,” she added. “Friends of ours lost their aunt and uncle, they couldn’t get out. One of our parishioners, her mom needed to be evacuated and lost her whole business. It’s very difficult for people.”

“So many people couldn’t get in touch with

I’ve talked to from the parish, one lady has been devastated, she has faced a lot of tough situations in her life and this is the worst. It’s kind of overwhelming in a sense.

“Our parish here in Hazard covers three counties – about 1,000 square miles: Leslie, Perry and Knott,” she said. “Many come from Letcher, too. Their whole town of Whitesburg was under water as of this morning. People are doing what they can; people are reaching out to each other. But people are in shock. They’re just in shock.”

Meg Campos, executive director of Catholic Charities of Lexington, who also was on the conference call, said: “People know they can turn to the Catholic Church.”

She said that “because of the magnitude of the disaster,” Catholic Charities USA has “reached out to me to see how we can collaborate.”

They offered to “bring on additional manpower from people who have disaster experience” and help identify Catholic parishes that can help with distribution, Campos said.

Next steps to be taken include identifying a parish or parishes that are accessible and able to distribute materials, such as water, she said.

A day earlier Campos was on a conference CNS | EDWARD BAUER, DIOCESE OF LEXINGTON call with 38 to 40 representatives of other Floodwaters are seen in Jackson, Ky., July 28. Torrential rains fell faith-based agencies and a number of late July 27 and into the next day in southeastern Kentucky, causing massive flooding that destroyed hundreds of homes and wiped out entire social service groups to begin sorting out communities. Search and rescue teams, with the help of the National the response that will be needed – short term and long term – to help the people of Guard, began searching for missing people July 29. southeastern Kentucky.

“Right now we’re at that first stage, the information gathering phase” to identify the impact people in Perry County,” she said. “It’s hard when on counties and their communities and learn what communication isn’t available to find out they’re OK.” parish life directors are “seeing on the ground,” Emergency shelters have been set up at schools and she said in a July 28 phone interview with Catholic as far as church services on Sunday, Helfrich said News Service.

Hazard will likely have a Communion service, “but The floods are worse than last year’s, “which were whether or not we will have Mass is up in the air.” intense,” Campos added.

Right now the pastor can’t reach Mother of She said these conference calls with other agencies Good Counsel Church in Hazard, but the Catholic “will go on daily for the near future until the initial churches in Jackson and Campton churches are crisis subsides,” Campos said. “That’s always the accessible. short term – the cleanup, assessing the damage ...

“There’s a lot of hardship” in the region with its getting everyone fed and temporarily housed. The high unemployment rate and few job opportunities, long term, it turns into a recovery phase.”

Campos told CNS, “but there’s also this strength of “Long-term needs can go on for a year or so” and the people that is so inspiring.”

Catholic Charities will be there, she added.

“When I went and visited in last year’s floods and On the July 29 conference call, Campos said for those you would go to someone’s house and they’d say, who want to donate to relief efforts, “cash is best.”

‘I’m sure someone else is worse off than me so don’t “Monetary donations are always the best way to help me if others are worse off,’” she recalled. help. We can purchase the needed items at any given One man who felt that way, she said, “sent us time,” she explained, adding that some assistance away with food from his garden. ... That was the “can be a burden” when items are donated that best watermelon I ever had.”