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catholicnewsherald.com | August 5, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
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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
