SERVING CHRIST AND CONNECTING CATHOLICS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA September 2, 2022 catholicnewsherald.com charlottediocese.org FUNDED BY PARISHIONERSTHEOF THE DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE THANK YOU! 50 ACTS OF CHARITY ‘Painting with Love’ to help men in need 12 Come at‘CatholiccelebrateNight’theballgame 13 Ven al juego de pelota 21 Let there be light Stained-glass windows dedicated at Hickory’s St. Aloysius Church 5 After priest’s arrest in Nicaragua, Charlotteans pray for peace 4 Tras arresto de sacerdote en porCharlottehabitantesNicaragua,deoranlapaz 16Celebrating Our Lady of Czestochowa and Polish heritage 6 Getting closer to God Two Scouts tell of their memorable St. George Trek 14-15
WEBINAR
SEE WHAT’S COOKING AT ST. AL’S St. Aloysius Church in Hickory will host Father Leo Patalinghug – author, EWTN host and chef extraordinaire – for a unique parish mission from 7 to 8:30 p.m. each evening Saturday-Monday, Sept. 17-19, including a cooking demonstration on Friday, Sept. 17. (Tickets for the cooking demonstration are available at www.platinggrace.com.) His talk Sept. 18 will focus on “How to Become a Saint”; and on Sept. 19 his talk will be on “Mary and Spiritual Combat.” Both talks are free and open to the public. The church is located at 921 Second St. N.E., Hickory. For info, check out the parish’s website at www.staloysiushickory.org SueAnn Howell 1 5
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DON’T MISS ‘CATHOLIC NIGHT’ AT THE BALLPARK
1123 S. CHURCH ST. CHARLOTTE, N.C. catholicnews@charlottediocese.org28203-4003
EXPLORE GREEK CULTURE AT YIASOU FESTIVAL
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HOLY APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST LUKE MISSION (UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH): Divine Liturgy (Mass) is offered Sundays at 3 p.m. at St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden. All welcome. For info: ucmcanton@gmail.com.
‘LIFE IN AMERICA AFTER ROE’: 1-6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, Haid Ballroom at Belmont Abbey College. A series of panel discussions by pro-life leaders about the opportunities and challenges facing policy makers and people in their work to protect unborn children, empower mothers and strengthen families. Followed by light refreshments and mingling with the speakers. For tickets and info: edu/2022/08/life-in-america-after-roe.www.belmontabbeycollege.
things you need to know this week
RETREAT Women can spend a weekend in silent communion with the Lord through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius at the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory Sept. 9-11. Open to all women, this retreat offers quiet time for personal prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, daily Mass, confession, spiritual direction and reflections led by Father Stephen Ellis, LC. Visit www.rcnorthcarolina.org/retreats for details.
TALKS
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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.
‘LONG-TERM CARE MEDICAID’: 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8. Guest speaker Zahra Coleman with Mecklenburg County Department Social Services will discuss Long-Term Care Medicaid eligibility requirements, coverage, countable and noncountable assets, penalties and lookback periods, and more. For details, contact Sandra Breakfield, Elder Ministry program director, 704-370-3220 or email sandrab@ccdoc.org.
HISPANIC MEDIA MANAGER: Cesar Hurtado, 704-370-3375, rchurtado@charlottediocese.org
SUBSCRIPTIONS: $15 per year for all registered parishioners of the Diocese of Charlotte and $23 per year for all others
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EDITORIAL TEAM: SueAnn Howell 704-370-3354, sahowell@charlottediocese.orgKimberlyBender 704-808-7341, kdbender@charlottediocese.org
If you’re in Charlotte, be sure to experience all things Greek at the annual Greek Yiasou Festival Sept. 9-11. Tour Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, then feast on gyros and baklava. And you won’t want to miss the live music, folk dancing and displays on Greek culture. Hours are Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday noon-6 p.m. Find more information at www.yiasoufestival.org.
SEPT. 4 – 9 A.M. Mass for Anniversary of Dedication of Cathedral St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte SEPT. 7 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Lexington SEPT. 8 – 12 P.M. Foundation Board Meeting Diocesan Pastoral Center, Charlotte SEPT. 9 – 7 P.M. Catholic Night with Charlotte Knights Baseball Knights’ Truist Field, Charlotte SEPT. 13 – 11 A.M. Presbyteral Council DiocesanMeeting Pastoral Center, Charlotte SEPT. 15 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation Our Lady of Consolation Church, Charlotte September 2, 2022 Volume 31 • NUMBER 24
CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD catholicnewsherald.com | September 2, 20222 At a glance
SALISBURY: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, Sacred Heart School, 385 Lumen Christi Lane SHELBY: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, St. Mary Church, 818 McGowan Road (en Español)
THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte 26 times a year.
RETREATS
‘THAT TWO BECOME ONE FLESH’ MARRIED COUPLES RETREAT: Friday-Saturday, Sept. 9-11, Living Waters Retreat Center, Maggie Valley. Ever wonder about the meaning of the spirituality of matrimony? Come journey as married couples in prayer and discussion to deepen and enrich your married life. For details: www.catholicretreat.org or 828-926-3933.
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.
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Join Bishop Peter Jugis and hundreds of Catholic families from across the diocese at “Catholic Night” Friday, Sept. 9, at the Charlotte Knights’ Truist Field. Stay for fireworks after the game. Tickets for the 7:04 p.m. game are available at charlotte-knights/ticketswww.milb.com/ . See pages 13 and 21 for details.
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher 704-370-3331, tpfaragher@charlottediocese.org
COMMUNICATIONS
GET HELP FOR YOUR MARRIAGE Retrouvaille is a program for married couples experiencing difficulties in their marriage. For confidential information or to register for the program beginning with a weekend on Sept. 9-11, call 434-793-0242, or email retrouvaillenc@msn.com. Learn more at www.helpourmarriage.orgMAKEASILENTWOMEN’S
Diocesan calendar of events PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS
INDEX Arts
PUBLISHER: The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte STAFF EDITOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org
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: CANDLER: 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Sept. 14, St. Joan of Arc Church, 768 Asbury Road FRANKLIN: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 10, St. Francis of Assisi Church, 299 Maple St. (en Español)
704-370-3333
Entertainment 10 Contact us 2 Español 16-21 Our Diocese 4-9 Our Faith 3 Scripture 3, 20 U.S. news 22-23 Viewpoints 26-27 World news 24-25
Upcoming events for Bishop Peter J. Jugis:
SEPT. 18-24 Sunday: Amos 8:4-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-8, Luke 16:1-13; Monday (St. Januarius ): Proverbs 3:27-34, Luke 8:16-18; Tuesday (Sts. Andrew Kim Tae-gon and Paul Chong Ha-sang and Companions): Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13, Luke 8:19-21; Wednesday (St. Matthew): Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13, Matthew 9:9-13; Thursday: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11, Luke 9:7-9; Friday (St. Pius of Pietrelcina): Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, Luke 9:18-22; Saturday: Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8, Luke 9:43b-45
September 2, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD I 3
Our faith
The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which we commemorate on Sept. 14, celebrates two historical events: the discovery of the True Cross by St. Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, in 320 under a pagan temple in Jerusalem, and the dedication in 335 of the basilica and shrine built on Calvary by Constantine, which mark the site of Jesus’ crucifixion.Earlyinthe fourth century St. Helena went to Jerusalem in search of the holy places of Christ’s life. She razed the Temple of Aphrodite, which tradition held was built over the Savior’s tomb, and her son built the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre on theDuringsite. the excavation, workers found three crosses. Legend has it that the one on which Jesus died was identified when its touch healed a dying woman. The cross immediately became an object of veneration. At a Good Friday celebration in Jerusalem toward the end of the fourth century, according to an eyewitness, the wood was taken out of its silver container and placed on a table together with the inscription Pilate ordered placed above Jesus’ head: Then “all the people pass through one by one; all of them bow down, touching the cross and the inscription, first with their foreheads, then with their eyes; and, after kissing the cross, they move on.” The basilica, named the Martyrium, and the shrine, named the Calvarium, were destroyed by the Persians in 614. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre that now stands on the site was built by the crusaders in 1149. To this day, the Catholic and Orthodox Churches celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on the September anniversary of the original basilica’s dedication. The feast entered the Western calendar in the seventh century after Emperor Heraclius recovered the cross from the Persians, who had carried it off in 614. According to the story, the emperor intended to carry the cross back into Jerusalem himself, but was unable to move forward until he took off his imperial garb and became a barefoot pilgrim. The cross has become the universal image of Christian belief, but that was not always the case. Although believers spoke of the cross as the instrument of salvation, it seldom appeared in Christian art unless disguised as an anchor or the Chi-Rho until after Constantine’s edict of toleration. Countless generations of artists have turned it into a thing of beauty to be carried in procession or worn as jewelry. Yet to the eyes of the first Christians, it had no beauty. It stood outside too many city walls, decorated only with decaying corpses, as a threat to anyone who defied Rome’s authority – including Christians who refused sacrifice to Roman gods. More than anything else, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a celebration and commemoration of God’s greatest work: His salvific death on the Cross and His Resurrection, through which death was defeated and the doors to heaven opened. The entrance antiphon for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is: “We should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, for He is our salvation, our life and our resurrection: through Him we are saved and made free.” — CNA/EWTN and AmericanCatholic.org
Exaltation of the Holy Cross Novena Jesus, Who because of Your burning love for us willed to be crucified and to shed Your Most Precious Blood for the redemption and salvation of our souls, look down upon us and grant the petition we ask for ... (mention here). We trust completely in Your Mercy. Cleanse us from sin by Your grace, sanctify our work, give us and all those who are dear to us our daily bread, lighten the burden of our sufferings, bless our families, and grant to the nations, so sorely afflicted, Your peace, which is the only true peace, so that by obeying Your commandments we may come at last to the glory of heaven. Amen.
Daily Scripture readings Pope Francis Exaltation of the Holy Cross
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God is always there to help guide people in making the right choice, and this requires discernment, that is, a special “reflection of the mind, of the heart, that we have to do before making a decision,” the pope said. The topic of discernment is essential, he said, because everyone is faced with having to make decisions in life.
SEPT. 11-17 Sunday: Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-32; Monday (The Most Holy Name of Mary): 1 Corinthians 11:1726, 33, Luke 7:1-10; Tuesday (St. John Chrysostom): 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31a, Luke 7:11-17; Wednesday (The Exaltation of the Holy Cross): Numbers 21:4b-9, Philippians 2:6-11, John 3:13-17; Thursday (Our Lady of Sorrows): 1 Corinthians 15:111, John 19:25-27; Friday (Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian): 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 8:1-3; Saturday (St. Robert Bellarmine): 1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-49, Luke 8:4-15
People must choose: Help grow garden of life or desert of death
God created every human being to be free to choose how to live in this world, Pope Francis said. And those choices “will have a consequence, for you, for others and for the world; you can make the earth a magnificent garden or you can make it a desert of death,” he said.
“According to the Bible, we do not find, set before us pre-packaged, the life we are to live. No! We have to decide it all the time,” according to whatever situation comes one’s way, he said. “God invites us to evaluate and choose; He created us free and wants us to exercise our freedom,” he said. God is always by one’s side and “He is always willing to advise us, to encourage us, to welcome us.” But God never imposes His will, the pope said. “Why? Because He wants to be loved and not feared. And also, God wants children, not slaves: free children. And love can only be lived in freedom.” Pope Francis said God gives humanity this precise instruction: “If you want to live, if you want to enjoy life, remember that you are a creature, that you are not the criterion of good and evil, and that the choices you make will have a consequence.”“TheLordgives the mission, you have to do this and that; and every person, the step he or she takes, must discern which decision to make,” he added. “Discernment is demanding but indispensable for living. It requires that I know myself, that I know what is good for me here and now. Above all, it requires a filial relationship with God” who will guide people, he said. It takes intelligence, skill and the will to make a good choice, he said. Sometimes sacrifice is required for this discernment to become effective. When discernment points to a decision that is “good” and “correct, there is an encounter between God’s will and our will,” he said, and this gives rise to “a very special joy.” ”It is the joy of those who have found the Lord,” he said.
SEPT. 4-10 Sunday: Wisdom 9:13-18b, Philemon 9-10, 12-17, Luke 14:25-33; Monday: 1 Corinthians 5:1-8, Luke 6:6-11; Tuesday: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11, Luke 6:12-19; Wednesday: 1 Corinthians 7:25-31, Luke 6:20-26; Thursday (The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary): Micah 5:1-4a, Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23; Friday (St. Peter Claver): 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22b-27, Luke 6:39-42; Saturday: 1 Corinthians 10:1422, Luke 6:43-49
After priest’s arrest in Nicaragua, Charlotteans pray for peace
PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org
Father Gondek passes away ELKTON, Md. — Father Albert J. Gondek died Aug. 16, 2022, in his 65th year of religious life as an Oblate of Saint Francis de Sales. A funeral Mass was celebrated Aug. 25, 2022, at Our Lady of Light Chapel in Elkton, Md., followed by burial at the Oblate Cemetery in Elkton. Father Gondek, a priest with the WilmingtonPhiladelphia Province of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, served as pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Lexington for 17 years. In 2015, he was placed on administrative leave by his order following an allegation of child sexual abuse. An investigation by the order was inconclusive, and Father Gondek remained out of ministry living in an Oblate community in Maryland.
CHARLOTTE — St. Matthew parishioners are embracing Mayra Tijerino and her family with prayers following the sudden arrest of her brother, a priest, in Nicaragua. Nearly 2,000 miles away, Father Ramiro Tijerino sits in a prison cell, a political prisoner of the Nicaraguan government. For weeks, the family has heard nothing from him.AMass Aug. 24 at the Charlotte church was offered to comfort the family and pray for peace in the Central American country.
WORRIED FAMILY Mayra and her family, members of St. Matthew Church, know exactly what Father Ramiro and the others are going through. Her son Manuel was in the same prison in 2018. After eight months he was released from El Chipote, and the family fled to safety in America. Manuel recalls his 12-by-12 prison cell had “no ventilation, no power, no water, no bathroom. We would see daylight for 10 minutes every other week.”
Applications open for CRS Rice Bowl Mini-Grants
The announcement came on the heels of Bishop Álvarez vociferously objecting to regulators ordering the closure of Catholic radio stations in the Matagalpa diocese. Parishioners had tried to impede police confiscating equipment.CardinalLeopoldo Brenes of Managua visited Bishop Álvarez Aug. 19 and described him as “physically deteriorated, but spiritually strong,” according to the Nicaraguan bishops’ conference. The bishop’s statement was subdued – a reflection of the risks of speaking out in Nicaragua. Brief
Does your parish help run a food pantry or have an emergency services program? Perhaps your parish or ministry provides food assistance for children during summer months, offers meals for those who are homeless, or sponsors a community garden that provides fresh produce to those in need. If so, consider applying for a Catholic Charities CRS Rice Bowl Mini-Grant for up to $1,000 in grant funds. Catholic Charities is now accepting applications for CRS Rice Bowl Mini-Grants. For every $3 of CRS Rice Bowl funds sent to CRS for overseas projects, $1 remains in the Diocese of Charlotte to help fund a local grant program that supports poverty and hunger fighting projects of diocesan Catholic entities. Projects must target hunger and poverty in communities in the Diocese of Charlotte. Only one grant can be submitted per Catholic entity and grant applications must be reviewed and signed by the pastor of the parish, principal of the school, or director of the diocesan office applying for the grant. Completed and signed applications are due, in scanned PDF, by the email deadline of Monday, Oct. 17. Applications, including guidelines and eligibility criteria, are available at www.ccdoc.org/cchdcrs.
— Joseph Purello
In
PATRICIA
— Catholic News Herald
CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD catholicnewsherald.com | September 2, 20224 Our diocese
The 50-year-old Father Ramiro suffers from ill health, and Mayra and her family are worried about the lack of food and medicine for him in El Chipote. Yet the family knows his faith is strong. “They said they were all willing to die for Nicaragua’s freedom,” Mayra said.
L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD ARREST, SEE PAGE 28
For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com Mayra Tijerino, her JaimehusbandMeza and their family pray during a special Mass for peace that St. Matthew Church hosted Aug. 24 after learning of her houseplacedtheirlaypeople,seminariansotherAug.family)providedbelow,TijerinoFatherinimprisonmentbrother’sNicaragua.Ramiro(picturedinaphotobythewasjailed19alongwithpriests,andandbishopwasunderarrest.
Focus on care of creation
ARRESTED IN RAID Father Ramiro was arrested Aug. 19 when federal police raided the diocesan offices of the Catholic bishop in Matagalpa, in northern Nicaragua. Bishop Rolando Álvarez was put under house arrest. Others arrested in the predawn raid were Fathers José Luis Diaz, Sadiel Eugarrios and Raúl González; seminarians Darvin Leyva and Melquín Sequeira; and cameraman Sergio Cárdenas, all from the Diocese of Matagalpa.
Father Ramiro serves as rector of John Paul II University in Managua. He and his brother priests, led by Bishop Álvarez, are ardent advocates for groups,organizeforinvestigationÁlvarezpoliceshealwaysareMayralocalministeringruralsayingparishioners,low-incomeworksmarginalized.poorNicaragua’sandFatherRamirowithMassinchapelsandtotheresidents,said.“Thepeopleveryhumble,praying,”said.NicaraguansaidBishopisunder“tryingtoviolentincitingthem to execute acts of hate against the population, provoking an environment of chaos and disorder, disturbing the peace and harmony in the community with the objective of destabilizing the Nicaraguan state and attacking the constitutional authorities.”
Pope Francis asks Catholics to focus on praying for our common home from Sept. 1 to Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi – a “Season of Creation” during which we thank God for the amazing wonder and gift of creation, and we focus our efforts to protect our planet for ourselves and future generations. The theme for the 2022 Season of Creation is “Listen to the Voice of Creation.” This Season of Creation, consider reading the pope’s 2015 encyclical “Laudato Si’, On Care for Our Common Home.” Resources, prayers and information about Catholic teaching on the environment can be found online at www. laudatosimovement.org and www.usccb. org/environment. In addition, the website of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, www. laudatosiactionplatform.org, promoted by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, has guidance and resources so that we all might build a better future together.
Father Ramiro and the others are among over 100 political prisoners now languishing in Managua’s notorious El Chipote prison – swept up in an escalating crackdown of the Church by President Daniel Ortega. Their imprisonment and the arrest of Bishop Álvarez – one of Ortega’s most prominent critics not already in jail – have prompted renewed calls for peace.
— Joseph Purello
September 2, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD I 5
BARBARA CASE SPEERS
catholicnews@charlottediocese.org
— SueAnn Howell and Connie Reis
Priests’ convocation held in Statesville
“The Blessed Mother is clearly visible from the street, and she speaks to all those who pass by: ‘Do whatever He tells you,’” she said, quoting what Mary said during the wedding at Cana in the Gospel of John.
Let there be lightStained-glass windows dedicated at Hickory’s St. Aloysius Church
Maxson and Sweeney organized a tag sale to raise money, enlisting the help of their students to earn community service hours.Father Lomonaco recommended they contact the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine, Fla., who have an architectural stained-glass studio. Maxson knew they were on the right track when she read the slogan on the sisters’ truck: “Spreading God’s Light Around the World.” The parish settled on a Marian theme for the windows, in honor of the chapel’s patronage under the Immaculate Heart of AlthoughMary. the price tag of $30,000 seemed insurmountable, parishioners didn’t lose heart. The parish sale brought in a little over $1,000. Maxson continued to make bulletin announcements and posters promoting the project, and she talked to parishioners. Barbara Hancock, the parish’s accounting coordinator, kept everyone updated. By December 2021, the last penny was received and the order for the windows was placed. In June, the windows were installed. Maxson sees the new windows as a witness to the community.
HICKORY — The persistent faith of a parishioner has brought new light to the chapel at St. Aloysius Church. On Aug. 15, the church dedicated stained-glass windows that replaced bay windows covered in heavy curtains at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Perpetual Adoration Chapel. Eighty-five parishioners gathered as the pastor, Father Larry LoMonaco, blessed the new windows on the feast of the Assumption. The ceremony included recitation of the joyful mysteries of the rosary, and songs in honor of Mary performed by the Children’s Jubilee Choir, directed by James Maxson. The idea to install stained-glass windows came from parishioner Gia Maxson, who has prayed and meditated in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel for more than 10 years. In April 2021, after praying the rosary, she pulled back the heavy curtains that secured peace and privacy for adorers and thought: Wouldn’t stained-glass bring in more sunlight? Maxson and another parishioner, Char Sweeney, also serve as catechists for the parish’s seventh-grade faith formation class. They asked their students about putting in stained-glass windows, and the kids thought it was a great idea. So did Father Lomonaco, and soon the effort took off.
STATESVILLE — Bishop Peter Jugis celebrated Mass with more than 40 priests of the Diocese of Charlotte Aug. 30 at St. Philip the Apostle Church during the annual Priests’ Convocation. The convocation, held Aug. 29-31, featured keynote speaker Richard Winslow, Ph.D., a retired corporate Six Sigma trainer. Winslow has worked with many Fortune 500 companies to diagnose issues that impact customer service and productivity. He presented a course to equip priests with leadership tools and team building strategies to assist them in their priestly ministries. After the Mass, the bishop greeted St. Philip parishioners and blessed religious items.
CHARLOTTE — Mark your calendars to attend a day of talks and fellowship focused on marriage, family and pro-life work, hosted by the Diocese of Charlotte’s new Office of Family Life. The inaugural Family Life Conference will take place Sept. 10 at the St. Gabriel Parish Family Life Center, located at 3016 Providence Road in Charlotte. Attendees will hear from dynamic speakers and panel discussions, as well as enjoy fellowship with other families and leaders of diocesan marriage, family and pro-life ministries.
Monsignor Patrick Winslow, the diocese’s vicar general and chancellor, in St. Gabriel Church adjacent to the Family Life Center. The Sept. 10 conference will begin with registration and a light breakfast at 9:45 a.m. The program will run from 10:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets cost $25 per person, and $15 for students aged 16-22. For more information and to register, please visit the Office of Family Life webpage at office-of-family-life/.www.charlottediocese.org/
The Diocese of Charlotte’s Office of Family Life is funded by the annual Diocesan Support Appeal. Learn more about the DSA and how to donate online at www.charlottediocese.org/dsa
Family Life Conference coming Sept. 10
PHOTOS BY ANINA PUCCIO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Father Nycz, who was born in Poland, has been traveling from his parish in New York to Charlotte for over a decade to offer the Mass, hear confessions in Polish, and give people the opportunity to venerate relics of the famed Polish saints John Paul II, Maria Faustina Kowalska and Father Michael Sopocko – all commemorated as “apostles of Divine Mercy.”
Speakers include: Chelsy Gomez, program assistant with the U.S. Bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities; John Grabowski, Ph.D., The Catholic University of America; and Father Peter Ascik, director of the diocesan Office of Family Life.Panel discussions will be led by representatives of Retrouvaille International, Domestic Church, and other marriage ministries, Dr. Bill Pincus (N.C. Right to Life) and Sebastian King (N.C. Values Coalition). Mass will be offered at 9 a.m. by
CzestochowaOurCelebratingLadyofandPolishheritage
CHARLOTTE — Catholics from across the Carolinas celebrated their Polish heritage Aug. 28 with a special Mass in honor of Our Lady of Czestochowa, one of the titles of Mary based on a unique Polish icon. The icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, housed at the Jasna Góra Monastery in Czestochowa, has been a beloved symbol for the Polish people for more than 600 years. Legend traces the icon’s origin to St. Luke the Evangelist, who painted it on a cedar table top from the Holy Family’shouse.
— SueAnn Howell
More than 400 people attended the Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, offered in English and Polish by Father Matt Nycz, assisted by Deacon James Witulski. Each year Deacon Witulski and his wife Mary Witulski organize the Polish Mass as a way for the Diocese of Charlotte to commemorate the feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa. The Witulskis, both of Polish ancestry, came to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish from a Polish parish in Rochester, N.Y., and they find it important to keep the Polish traditions alive for others here in the Charlotte diocese.
CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD catholicnewsherald.com | September 2, 20226
HENDERSONVILLE — In 1996, Immaculate Conception parishioners Antonius “Tony” and Anne Lefeber set up a special trust to benefit Immaculata School that is now having an impact on future generations.
The FFHL tuition assistance endowment is administered by a committee consisting of the diocese’s schools superintendent, chief financial officer and members of the diocesan school board. Available income from the endowment is distributed to qualifying diocesan schools that apply each year for student financial aid.
“I first met both Tony and Ann in the early ’90s at a parish function,” recalled Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development. “They were both quiet and humble people who obviously loved the Church.” Kelley remembers the couple being active at Immaculate Conception Church, where Anne served as an usher and Tony was a sacristan and daily communicant who also founded the sick and homebound ministry at the parish in 1977. Tony passed away in 2017, and Anne passed away in 2019. Immaculate Conception’s pastor, Father Christian Cook, describes the impact a gift like theirs can have. “When the faithful make a financial gift to Immaculata by creating an endowment, we see a gift that helps fund Catholic education at our school for decades into the future and, in theory, indefinitely.”
September 2, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD I 7
To qualify for the tuition assistance money, the school must receive local parish support of at least $500 per participating Catholic student and must have awarded all of its tuition assistance funds it already has for that school year. Schools that do not receive $500 per student in parish support may be considered if there are extenuating financial circumstances that preclude this level of support. Qualifying schools may request funds from the FFHL endowment for participating Catholic students with a financial need (determined to be 75 percent or more of the family’s full tuition and fees, as determined by a third-party company).
Immaculata School’s Principal Margaret Beale also appreciates the tuition assistance her students receive from the endowment. “It gives families an opportunity to attend our school who might not otherwise be able to,” she said.
Establish a legacy that responds to the many gifts God has given behowJourney…Youryou.Life’swillyouremembered?
Interested in setting up an endowment or adding to an existing endowment at your parish or Catholic school? Establish an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will; a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan; a gift of real estate; a gift of life insurance, cash or securities sufficient to set up an endowment; or a life income arrangement, such as a trust or annuity. For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704370-3364 or gmrhodes@rcdoc.org.
Kelley observes that more people are leaving gifts of real estate to the Church, either during their life or in their estate plans. “Setting up a charitable remainder unitrust or annuity trust are two ways to do that effectively,” he said.
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 of Planned Giving at 704-370-3364 / gmrhodes@rcdoc.org of Diocese Charlotte
Father Cook notes that a simple cash gift is eventually spent, but when the same amount is structured in an endowment, the principal gift is never spent and continues to make a financial impact at Immaculata year after year.
of
— SueAnn Howell Fund an endowment
the
An endowment is a permanent fund, the principal of which is never touched, but the income from which can be used according to the wishes of the donor organization or person. Endowments provide a way to generate income and help sustain the longterm strength and viability of the recipient parish, school or ministry. To date, a total of $730,230 has been awarded to the diocese’s schools. In its first year in 2017, FFHL tuition assistance totaling $49,372 was given out to four diocesan schools. In 2021, $173,400 was awarded to eight schools. “The tuition assistance endowment is one of seven endowments funded through the FFHL campaign. The FFHL campaign continues to have a significant impact on the work being done in parishes and in ministries across the diocese that provide services to parishioners. It is significant that over $730,000 has been given out in tuition assistance that helps students receive an education that will literally change their lives,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development.
FFHL funds provide 130K in tuition assistance at seven schools
. Foundation
The tuition assistance endowment is one of seven endowments funded through the FFHL campaign.
SUEANN HOWELL sahowell@charlottediocese.org
CHARLOTTE — Seven Catholic schools are receiving a total $130,000 to use for tuition assistance this fall, thanks to the Diocese of Charlotte’s “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign. The $65 million FFHL campaign is funding capital projects, endowments and other needs across the growing diocese. Included in the campaign is a tuition assistance endowment available to 20 schools in the diocese. The endowment has more than $3.9 million in assets. The $130,000 will go to seven diocesan schools that applied for the 2022-’23 school year. The funds are expected to help dozens of participating Catholic families who have the greatest financial need. Tuition assistance funds were awarded to: Asheville Catholic School, $47,339; Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville, $30,947; Immaculata School in Hendersonville, $28,269; Immaculate Heart of Mary School in High Point, $41,718; Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro, $32,622; Sacred Heart School in Salisbury, $77,935; and St. Michael School in Gastonia, $23,057. “We are so grateful to FFHL for the opportunity it provides our families,” said Erin Brinkley, principal of Sacred Heart School in Salisbury, where 20 students are receiving tuition assistance from these funds. “FFHL helps fulfill the mission that Catholic education can be possible for anyone.”
“In this way, the Lefeber Endowment, and others like it, will support the witness of Catholic education in Hendersonville forever. Imagine the hundreds of children who will be educated in the Catholic Tradition from a donation like the Lefeber Endowment,” he said.
Immaculate Conception parishioners leave lasting gift to parish school
704.843.1446 | www.ncestateplanninginfo.com Estate Planning | Probate St. Matthew’s Parishioner WAITING COULD DEVASTATE YOUR FAMILY 6406 Carmel Road, Suite 301 | Charlotte, North Carolina 28226 “Get your ducks in a row!”
The special trust funds the Lefeber Endowment Fund, which, after land held by the trust was sold, provided $65,000 in a direct funds to the school and $65,000 to establish the endowment in 2020.
SUEANN HOWELL sahowell@charlottediocese.org
CNH: When did you first hear the call to a vocation to the priesthood? Ilagor: I was a senior in high school. I did not attend Mass regularly as a high school student, but I attended Mass because of my mother. As my attendance at Sunday Masses grew, I started questioning my career and my future lifestyle. I began attending Mass for my sake rather than my mother’s. However, after graduation, I still had not grasped my future vocation and decided to attend college. Finally, after running away from the call to a vocation for about five years, I decided that my calling had been on hold for too long, and I entered seminary at the age of 22.
“Unraveling Gender and Understanding Sexual Difference” John Grabowski, PhD, Catholic University of America
SEMINARIAN SPOTLIGHT: Bryan Ilagor
CNH: How did you end up in Charlotte, at St. Joseph College Seminary? Ilagor: It was at the Eucharistic Congress that things got started. I stopped by the Diocese of Charlotte vocations booth. It was when Father Alfonso Gámez (who now serves at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Winston-Salem) was a seminarian. I stopped to talk to him. He told me his parents were from the same state in Mexico where my parents are from. I could relate to him. We kept in touch, and he helped guide me through the process of applying to seminary for the diocese.
Dr. Bill Pincus (NC Right to Life) and Sebastian King (NC Values Coalition)
Ilagor
— SueAnn Howell
Favorite saint: St. John Paul II Interests (outside of faith): Loves to play frisbee and soccer CHARLOTTE — A job as a personal care assistant at a nursing home really opened Bryan Ilagor’s eyes to the dignity and sanctity of all human life. Ilagor, 26, has always had an affinity for the elderly, and years before applying to St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly he felt called to assist them. “You learn a lot from them – a lot of life lessons,” he says. “You learn what life is all about. By feeding them, changing them, you learn about the dignity of life. You knew some of them for a few months and then they were gone. You learned to appreciate the value of life.” Ilagor says taking the time to slow down and listen to the elderly taught him virtues that have stood him well during his time in the seminary, where he’s discerning a calling as a priest. “Patience was one of the biggest things I learned at seminary. I had learned this with the elderly, but being one of the oldest in the college seminary and never having brothers, it was a big change,” he recalls.
“Healing the Church and Society: The Good News of Marriage and Family” Father Peter Ascik, Office of Family Life of the Diocese of Charlotte
CHARLOTTE — The men from St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly join the public at St. Ann Church nearly every Sunday during the academic year for Solemn Vespers. Vespers, also called Evening Prayer, is part of the Liturgy of the Hours. In the Liturgy of the Hours, also called the “Divine Office,” the Church fulfills Jesus’ command to “pray always” (Lk 18:1; see also 1 Thess 5:17). Through the Divine Office, the people of God sanctify the day by continually praising God and praying intercessions for the needs of the world. Observed worldwide by religious communities, priests and the laity, the Divine Office is prayed at least five times a day. The next Solemn Vespers service will be Saturday, Sept. 10, when Benedictine monks from Norcia, Italy, will join the seminarians after the 4:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass. All are welcome to attend. St. Ann Church is located at 3635 Park Road in Charlotte. For more info about the college seminary’s public activities, go online to www.stjcs.org/calendar. Learn more about Solemn Vespers at www. stjcs.org/solemn-vespers
CNH: When you envision your life as a priest of the Charlotte diocese, what do you see? Ilagor: I see bringing the light of Christ to people, being able to be that vessel of Christ to fulfill what He plans for me to do with His people. I envision myself as a servant. Being able to do what God wills and do it to the best of my ability. To fulfill what He has planned for me.
OPENING HOLY MASS Very Rev. Patrick J. Winslow, Celebrant & Homilist
From: Pinehurst, N.C. Age: 26 Home parish: Our Lady of the Americas, Biscoe Status: Started Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Cincinnati, in August 2022 Favorite verse or teaching: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jer 1:5)
“WalkingKEYNOTESWith Moms in Need: A Pro-Life Mission for the Church” Chelsy Gomez, USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities
“WorkingDISCUSSIONSforPro-LifeLegislation
CNH: What advice do you have for a young man discerning a call to the priesthood? Ilagor: If you feel a calling to the priesthood, do not dismiss the chance to visit St. Joseph College Seminary for a day and communicate your discernment to a priest.
“Beyond the Wedding Day: Marriage Ministries for Support and Healing” Bill and Lyn Folsom (Retrouvaille International), Patrick and Jessica Kelty (Domestic Church) and Jim and Mary Ann Kirchner (Teams of Our Lady) Register at https://charlottediocese.org/office-of-family-life/oremailFamilyLife@rcdoc.org
CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD catholicnewsherald.com | September 2, 20228
Having “brothers” – other young men like him discerning the priesthood in the seminary – took some getting used to, he says.He and nine of his brother seminarians graduated from St. Joseph College Seminary last August and now attend Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati – among 49 men currently in formation to serve as priests in the Diocese of Charlotte.
CNH: How did your family react when you told them you wanted to become a priest? Ilagor: They were in shock, I guess. My mom not so much, because moms know their children. With all my assisting at our parish, she probably knew about my vocation. My dad was more like, “Are you sure?” I am the only son, and I have only one sister. So, my dad was more reluctant at first. But in the end, both of my parents supported me. They have always supported me in anything I do.
PHOTOS BY ANINA PUCCIO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Praying always
Please pray for the following priests who died during the month of September: Rev. Msgr. Thomas Burke – 2001 Rev. Msgr. Arthur Duncan – 2002 Rev. Gregory Eichenlaub, OSB – 1975 Rev. James King – 1978 Rev. John J. Murray – 1997 Rev. Edward F. O’Doherty – 1998 Rev. Bernard Rosswog, OSB - 1999
Family | Life | Marriage Family Life Conference Office of Family Life of the Diocese of Charlotte Saturday, September 10, 2022 9 am – 4 pm St. Gabriel Catholic Church, Charlotte, NC $25 per adult / $15 per student (16-22). Admission includes lunch.
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.
After Dobbs”
PANEL
September 2, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD I 9
BELMONT — Newly ordained diocesan priests Father Darren Balkey and Father Aaron Huber are the latest alumni of Belmont Abbey College to receive chalices once owned by Benedictine monks of Belmont Abbey as ordination gifts. In their characteristic spirit of fraternity and hospitality, the community of 15 monks gave the chalices, once used by monk-priests, to the two diocesan priests for their June ordination in order to continue to help build up the Church in North Carolina. The chalices will hold the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, consecrated by the priests during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. “This ordination was especially meaningful to me, not just because of the chalices, but also because both men are alumni of the college, and I have had the privilege of observing them since they were college students,” says Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari, chancellor of Belmont Abbey College.
Father Charles’ chalice, which Father Balkey received, is a neo-Gothic vessel cast from sterling silver, with a gold-plated bowl on its interior. He also received a paten with a St. Benedict Cross on the underside.“Mysacred vessels reflect how Belmont Abbey Monastery nourished my priestly vocation,” Father Balkey explains, noting that when he was a student at Belmont Abbey College, the monks introduced him to the Liturgy of the“HavingHours.
Solari
Monks pass chalices to new priests, both Belmont Abbey College alumni
Father Charles’ chalice is a fantastic reminder of Christ’s eternal priesthood. By using a sacred vessel which existed before me and will endure after I die, I realize that I am taking my place in a long line of priests down through the ages,” Father Balkey shares. “I hope to express my gratitude for these precious gifts each time I offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.”
PHOTO BY JAMES SARKIS Two chalices donated by the Benedictine monks of Belmont Abbey to newly ordained diocesan priests, Father Darren Balkey and Father Aaron Huber, are shown after they were blessed by Bishop Peter Jugis June 17 at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.
Father Robert’s chalice, which Father Huber received, was made in 1924. It is a parcel gilt with three different precious metals: gold, silver and rose gold. The base has a cross on one panel and lilies on the Fatherothers.Huber’s mother generously offered her wedding ring to be incorporated into the chalice, and that now constitutes most of the cross. “I am grateful for the generosity of my mother and the monks of Belmont Abbey, and I am excited to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with this chalice for the glory of God and the sanctification of His people,” Father Huber says. “We are happy that the chalices which our monks used during their work can be used again by priests of the Charlotte diocese in their work of caring for North Carolina Catholics,” adds Abbot Placid. “It is especially meaningful that these two alumni of our college have these chalices.”
SUEANN HOWELL sahowell@charlottediocese.org
Father Balkey received Benedictine Father Charles Kastner’s chalice, and Father Huber received Benedictine Father Robert Brennan’s chalice. The two monk-priests lived in the early- to mid-1900s.
“The monastery is aware of the work the two monks did, especially during the days of the Vicariate Apostolic and the Abbey ‘Nullius’ to provide pastoral care for the relatively few Catholics, especially in western North Carolina,” Abbot Placid notes.Father Charles was ordained in June 1923. According to monastery records, he was known for his pastoral zeal, his care for the young, and also for his service to the community as rector of the Abbey Cathedral. He died in 1959.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BELMONT ABBEY In this photo from Father Charles Kastner’s solemn profession of vows as a Benedictine monk in 1921 are (from left) Father Norbert McGowan, Father Kastner and Father Robert Brennan, who lived at Belmont Abbey in the early to mid-1900s.
Father Robert was ordained in June 1924. He was primarily a teacher in preparatory schools, leading classes in geography, history, civics, religion, economics, mathematics, English and Latin. He also held leadership roles in the schools and in the community. He died in 1964.
‘A reminder of Christ’s eternal priesthood’
Strafaci offers a presentation – “Can You Drink the Cup?” –for those interested. It is based on both a book he read with the same title by Father Henri Nouwen and on Matthew 20:20-23.
Strafaci says that for smaller groups he begins his presentation by inviting participants to select one chalice to take back to their seat to hold during the presentation for contemplation. Reactions to the exhibit over the years have been very positive.
Host the exhibit
“The cup that Jesus speaks about is neither a symbol of victory nor a symbol of death,” Strafaci explains. “It is a symbol of life, filled with sorrows and joys that we can hold, lift and drink as a blessing and a way to salvation.”Strafacisays the chalices took about 10 months to create. He threw the stems and cups separately, in batches of 12 or 13 at a time. “They were created with very little mishap,” he recalls. “I sensed the Lord blessed this work, as I have been working with pottery for over 50 years.”
He estimates it took at least 40 minutes to create each chalice on the potter’s wheel and additional time to glaze each one before firing it in the kiln.
In this Scripture passage, Jesus questions the sons of Zebedee: “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?”
Strafaci admits he did have one providential mishap when he was transporting the exhibit in 2016 that has reaped unforeseen spiritual benefits for his audience.
— SueAnn Howell
Now that parishes are resuming normal activities in the wake of the pandemic, Strafaci hopes to share the exhibit with more people across the diocese. “I’m not there to sell my pottery,” he emphasizes. “I just want to share the exhibit and encourage them with my talk if requested.”
“It dawned on me to take the four broken chalices and make them still part of the 100. This represents the brokenness in each of us,” he explains. “I’ve kept those four chalices to use them to illustrate this point.”
CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD catholicnewsherald.com | September 2, 202210 Arts &
‘CanEntertainmentyoudrinkthe cup?’
Artist has message of hope to share along with his 100 chalices
If your parish, group or ministry would like to host the “One Hundred Chalices Exhibit” (with or without the presentation), contact Peter Strafaci at ppstrafaci@ yahoo.com or 336-402-8639. Visit www. peterstrafaci.blogspot.com to learn more about his work.
Mary Martha Douglas, Women’s Bible study coordinator of St. Leo Church in Winston-Salem, helped bring the exhibit to the parish last February.“Ifound your talk to be thought provoking, reflective, healing, comforting, inspiring and grounded in Scripture,” she wrote to Strafaci after his presentation. “Ultimately, you left us with a message of hope and peace for which we are most grateful.”
A box of chalices was damaged, and four of the chalices used in the exhibit were broken.
PHOTO PROVIDED Artist Peter Strafaci throws some pottery at his studio in this undated photo.
KERNERSVILLE — A love of clay and his Catholic faith served as inspiration for local artist Peter Strafaci to create 100 unique, handthrown pottery chalices. His 2016 collection, the “One Hundred Chalices Exhibit,” has been displayed at parishes, Christian churches and faith-based conferences. The chalices feature variations of colored glazes, and no two are the same. Chalices hold a special place in Christian worship, as Jesus offered the chalice to His disciples in the upper room during the Last Supper, just hours before His crucifixion.
O Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine , Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request.)
An undated photo of a prisoners’ orchestra during a Sunday concert for the SS guards at Auschwitz. The orchestra was probably conducted by the inmate Franciszek Nierychlo.
CHRISTINA L. REITZ catholicnews@charlottediocese.org
September 2, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD I 11
There are none that can withstand your powe r. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times.) Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (3 times.) 3 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, 3 Glory Be Published in gratitude for prayers answered. Thank you, A.M.S.
Music amid death Saints likely heard orchestral ensembles at Auschwitz
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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.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF MUSIC AND THE HOLOCAUST
Music composed during World War II encompasses an extraordinary amount of works spanning the globe, from the Seventh Symphony (the “Leningrad”) of Dmitri Shostakovich to Olivier Messiaen’s “Quartet for the End of Time,” but music played by concentration camp orchestras may be the most poignant and heartbreaking.Severalprominent Jewish composers and musicians persecuted by the Nazi regime fled Europe, but many were imprisoned and/or murdered in the concentration camps. A small few were able to survive by playing in musical ensembles. This month, the Church celebrates the feast of two saints who perished in Auschwitz: St. Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941) and St. Edith Stein, also known as St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (1891-1942). It is nearly certain both heard the orchestral ensembles there before their executions. (Worth noting also is the recently canonized St. Titus Brandsma (1881-1942), a priest murdered in Dachau, whose feast day is July 27.) Auschwitz housed two separate “Lagerkapellen” (camp orchestras) – one each for men and women. Unlike the men’s orchestra, which was comprised primarily of professional musicians, the “Mädchenorchester” was mainly amateurs. The women were not assigned to a work detail because their time was dedicated to rehearsing under their primary conductor, fellow inmate and acclaimed violinist Alma Rosé, the niece of Gustav Mahler. Cellist Anita Lasker-Wallfisch has spoken extensively of her time in the orchestra. In numerous interviews, she explains that the ensemble’s location was Block 12, near a crematorium. The music was clearly audible by the new arrivals as well as those directed towards the gas chambers – likely the music St. Teresa Benedicta heard in her final hours. One of Lasker-Wallfish’s most well-known stories is a personal request by Dr. Josef Mengele, the “Angel of Death,” for “Träumerie” from Robert Schumann’s “Kinderszenen.”Themen’sorchestra played light German marches while the other male prisoners were marched out to work details. Because they were professional musicians, they did not have extensive rehearsal time and following the morning procession, they, too, were sent on work details. Undoubtedly during St. Maximilian Kolbe’s short time in Auschwitz, he heard this ensemble in this capacity each morning and evening. Less likely to be heard were the weekly Sunday concerts, which were reserved for guards and high-ranking inmates. Szymon Laks, a composer and violinist, published his experiences in the “Auschwitz Orchestra in Music of Another World.” Laks was eventually saved from work detail when he became a “Notenschrieber” (music copyist). Later, he became the conductor of the orchestra. In his writing, he explains the difficulty in arranging music for an ensemble that was consistently changing due to severe illness, gassing or suicide. Another challenge, according to Laks, was communication between musicians since the personnel spoke numerous languages. Oftentimes, it is assumed that music brought great comfort and brief respites from the horror of camp life. While this may have been somewhat true for the musicians, the players of both ensembles state this was not the case for the other inmates. In “Children of the Flames,” Judith Yagudah, a Hungarian twin experimented on by Mengele, recalled “Mengele took us to a concert once. I still remember it – because it was so awful. It was held just outside our compound. The orchestra was made up entirely of women prisoners. Listening to them play was heartbreaking. It reminded us so much of normal life ... the life we’d had before ... the life that other people still led.” Yagudah survived the Holocaust but for other countless souls, these orchestral pieces were the last music they would hear on earth. While reflecting on the lives of Sts. Maximilian and Teresa Benedicta, the latter’s words remain timeless: “Each finite creature can reflect only a fraction of the divine nature; thus, in the diversity of His creatures, God’s infinity, unity and oneness appear to be broken into an effulgence of manifold rays.” She reminds the faithful to truly love our neighbor – not in spite of our diversity, but because of it. Learn more At www.holocaustmusic.ort.org : Learn more about music during the Holocaust, including original works, talented composers and artists, and the memory of concentration camp orchestras Listen online At www.catholicnewsherald.com : Listen to a piano performance of “Träumerie” from Robert Schumann’s “Kinderszenen”
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ST. BARNABAS CATHOLIC CHURCH
Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 8-11 102 Andrews Pl., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778
Monday-Thursday, Sept. 19-22 42 Newfound St., Canton, N.C. 28716
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Marian Pilgrimage
CHARLOTTE — More than 100 volunteers from the Diocese of Charlotte turned out in August to repaint a transitional housing complex for men in treatment provided by Roof Above, Charlotte’s homeless services agency. On two days, Aug. 22 and 24, staff members from every department at the diocesan Pastoral Center picked up brushes and rollers to repaint 85 bedrooms at Centre Terrace Apartments on Central Avenue. The apartments, owned by Roof Above, house men who are working to improve their lives.
The residents worked alongside 108 volunteers, forming bonds that will endure. “The diocese has really lifted our self-esteem and gave the (residents) purpose,” said program director Ronica Foster. “Now they know they are being seen, and we’re so grateful.”
ST. EUGENE CATHOLIC CHURCH
CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD catholicnewsherald.com | September 2, 202212
Until Monday, Sept. 1-5 768 Asbury Road, Candler, N.C. 28715
For more information about these pilgrimage stops, go to the Diocese of Charlotte’s 50th anniversary website, www.faithmorepreciousthangold.com (704) 442-6306 john.granzow@wfa.com www.thearmillarygroup.com
Monday-Thursday, Sept. 5-8 72 Culvern St., Asheville, N.C. 28804
‘Painting with Love’ to help men in need
Thursday-Monday, Sept. 15-19 97 Haywood St., Asheville, N.C. 28801
BASILICA OF ST. LAWRENCE, DEACON AND MARTYR
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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: ST. JOAN OF ARC CATHOLIC CHURCH
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The “Painting with Love” Act of Charity was part of the diocese’s quest during its 50th anniversary this year for parishes and schools to perform 50 Acts of Charity in communities across western North Carolina.
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Sunday-Thursday, Sept. 11-15 109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden, N.C. 28704
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CHARLOTTE — Join Bishop Peter Jugis and hundreds of Catholic families from across western North Carolina for “Catholic Night” Friday, Sept. 9, at the Charlotte Knights’ Truist Field. It promises to be an unforgettable night of baseball and is the final diocese-wide social event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Charlotte.Theevening will feature a special first pitch thrown out by Sister Lucia Torres of the Daughters of the Virgin Mother of Gastonia. Sister Lucia bested one of the diocese’s seminarians who played baseball for Belmont Abbey College in a recent “pitching” contest at the 18th annual Eucharistic Congress in August.
September prayer intention
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!
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Tom Savoy, choir master of St. Joseph College Seminary, will provide musical entertainment featuring a barbershop quartet singing everyone’s favorite baseball jingle, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”Therewill also be a special video message from Bishop Jugis during the game. Plan to stay after the Knights take on the Nashville Sounds to watch a spectacular fireworks display to end the evening. Tickets for the 7:04 p.m. game are available directly on the Charlotte Knights’ website at uptown.forballpark.ischarlotte-knights/tickets.www.milb.com/FoodavailableforpurchaseintheParkingisavailableafeeinparkinglotsaroundTruistFieldislocated at 324 S. Mint St. in Charlotte.
September 2, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD I 13
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50th anniversary event a night of faith, family and fireworks
Come celebrate ‘Catholic Night’ at the ballgame
For caregivers. May God grant all who care for the sick, needy, elderly, and imprisoned an outpouring of His love and mercy, that they may be strengthened in their apostolate and remain steadfast in living the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy.
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The 50th anniversary year will bear great spiritual fruit if we ask God for the graces we hope to receive. Please offer the 50th anniversary prayer daily for many graces to be poured on our diocese during this jubilee anniversary: Heavenly Father, accept our humble prayer of praise and gratitude as we joyfully celebrate 50 years as the Diocese of Charlotte. Throughout our history the faithful of western North Carolina, under the watchful care of esteemed bishops and abbots, have been nurtured by Your providential hand. Confident that You invite Your children to implore Your constant blessings, we pray that You continue to pour forth Your heavenly grace upon us. With filial affection and devotion, we further ask that You look kindly upon the prayers we seek through the intercession of our venerable patroness, the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, who with motherly attention tends to the needs and concerns of the Church. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
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Prayer for the 50th anniversary
Saint of the Month St. Paul Chong Hasang Feast date: Sept. 20
— SueAnn Howell (704) 442-6306 john.granzow@wfa.com www.thearmillarygroup.com
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Two Scouts tell of their memorable St. George Trek
Caleb Laney greets the sunrise before Mass atop the Tooth of Time on the St. George Trek through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico.
The St. George Trek ‘was more than what I thought it would be.’ Joseph Wood
STEPHEN GUILFOYLE catholicnews@charlottediocese.org
The St. George Trek – named for the patron saint of Scouting – is a Philmont adventure designed for older Catholic Scouts who want to deepen their faith while taking on physical challenges. Held every two years, the trek layers on daily Mass, prayer, reflections and deep conversation about life’s purpose to all that Philmont offers.
Two Boy Scouts from the Diocese of Charlotte took a long hike this summer through “God’s country.” Caleb Laney and Joseph Wood were among 70 Catholic Scouts from across the U.S. who tackled the St. George Trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in July. A 140,000-acre ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico, Philmont is home to the Boy Scouts of America’s premier high adventure camp. Each year, thousands of Scouts venture there for two-week hikes – backpacking 5 to 12 miles a day through isolated wilderness in New Mexico’s Sangre de Cristo Range of the Rocky Mountains at elevations of 6,500 to 12,500 feet, well into the range where altitude sickness kicks in.
Getting closer to God
“The primary goal of the St. George Trek,” Father Mike Santangelo tells folks as trek director, “is to provide participants with an opportunity to consider where God may be calling them.” At the end of the 11-day challenge, Scouts commit to further discerning their life’s vocation and staying involved in the Church.
Caleb and Joseph were selected to represent the Diocese of Charlotte on the St. George Trek by the Charlotte Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting. On July 6, the two Scouts flew 1,500 miles from Charlotte to Albuquerque. They were assigned to different crews when they arrived: Caleb to Crew 1 and Joseph to Crew 3. The 12- to 13-member crews spent the next day getting to know each other, planning and packing, and beginning their reflections and attendance at daily Mass. On July 8, they boarded buses for the Philmont ranch. Caleb and Joseph’s crews were supposed to hike different paths, meet on Day 6 for a retreat, then hike a few more days back to pick-up points. But not everything went according to plan.
CALEB’S TREK Like many Boy Scouts, Caleb Laney, 17, wanted to test himself against the rigors of Philmont, but he also wanted more. Caleb lives in Peachland, population 380, where the closest Boy Scout troop is 589, chartered by Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church in the even smaller town of McFarlan. Both towns are in rural Anson County, 40 miles east of Charlotte. He and his family attend Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe. Caleb and his sister are the only Catholic students in their high school, he said. Going on the St. George Trek, Caleb hoped to be around “more Catholics and be around more people my age.” He was happy to join a dozen Catholic Scouts in Crew 1 – just what he’d hoped for. On Day 1, Caleb’s crew embarked on the trail to Lovers Leap, then went on to hike around Crater Lake to Miners Park for rock climbing. On Day 3, it was up Black Mountain for black powder rifle shooting, then a Day 4 stop at Cypher’s Mine, where gold had once been PROVIDED
iiiSeptember 2, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com FROM THE14 PHOTO
On July 15,
The longest Joseph had hiked before Philmont was a “shakedown” trek he and Caleb did together on Crowders Mountain in Gaston County, a 10-mile overnight dress rehearsal with full pack and gear to prepare for the St. George Trek. “At Philmont, it was 50, 60, 70 miles” over the course of 12 days, he recalled.
Scouts: Explore your faith
Troop 8 goes on Philmont treks every two years, but Joseph recognized the St. George Trek, with its Catholic component, offered something different.
JOSEPH’S TREK At 15, Joseph Wood’s journey began not in a tiny town but in Troop 8 – the largest Catholic troop in one of the largest Catholic parishes in the nation: St. Matthew.
Two adults – one a priest – hiked with each crew. Daily Mass “was new to me,” Caleb said. “It was nice, though. A nice quiet part of the day.” Mass wasn’t at a set time, he said. “It depended on what we wanted to do. If we wanted to go to a peak – say, ‘Let’s have Mass on the peak,’ we’d do that. Or if we wanted to have it around lunch, we’d do that.”
Facebook posts also tracked Joseph’s journey.
Crew 3 reached Cimarroncito. There Joseph and his crewmates attended Mass with Bishop R. Daniel Conlon, the U.S. bishops’ liaison to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting.
PHOTOS PROVIDED (Above) Joseph Wood found the trek offered time and space for him to think about his relationship with God. (Right) The Tooth of Time; Caleb with his pastor, Father Benjamin Roberts of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe; and Scouts gathered at the chapel at the Cimarroncito campsite.
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Joseph’s crew also embraced daily Mass during their trek, participating in the sacrament of penance, talks and reflections.
“It definitely made me more confident to be around other people my age who are Catholic,” he said. “I absolutely loved being able to have a spiritual journey and have a journey through God’s country.”
On July 13, photos show Crew 3 reaching Hunting Lodge Camp, a clearing in the woods with an historic log cabin. The Scouts are wearing jackets and look considerably grimier than in the fresh-faced photos from their arrival.
Talks from seminarians, conversion stories, and discussions about the lives of saints made the daylong retreat a reflective time, Joseph said. The break wasn’t all reflection, however. Crews 2 and 3 also undertook a service project while at Cimarroncito, helping clean up a small part of the nearby “burn scar,” where 27,000 acres had been damaged in a 2018 wildfire.
The Charlotte Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting selects two Scouts for the St. George Trek, which happens every two years at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. The registrationcoverscommitteethe fee of $925 per person, and propertravelcoverfamiliescosts hiking gear. Committee chairman Mike Nielsen encourages more Scouts to apply: “It is a unique opportunity for Scouts to spend nearly two weeks in the backcountry of Philmont Scout Ranch with priests, deacons and seminarians – not only enjoying the beauty and majesty of nature but also exploring their faith, values, morality, spirituality and vocations as young Catholic men and women with fellow Scouts from all over the U.S.” For more info, go to www.nccs-bsa.org
discovered and ghosts were said to remain. Beyond the physical challenges of Philmont, the crews had Mass every day, with opportunities for penance and reconciliation.
Caleb Laney Age: HomeHome:17PeachlandChurch:Our Lady of Lourdes, Monroe Troop: Chartered589by: Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, McFarlan Scout Rank: Eagle Scouting positions of note: Chaplain’s Aide, Senior Patrol Leader Catholic Scouting awards: Parvuli Dei (Cub Scouts)
Joseph Wood Age: HomeHome:15CharlotteChurch:St.
WoodLaney
Vincent de Paul, Charlotte Troop: Chartered8 by: St. Matthew Scout Rank: Life Scouting positions of note: Chaplain’s Aide, Patrol Leader Catholic Scouting Awards: Parvuli Dei (Cub Scouts); Ad Altare Dei (Boy Scouts)
As the Scouts set out for the hike, the day began with clear skies. A crewmate caught a photo of Caleb greeting the morning sun with outstretched arms. The crew decided to have their final Sunday Mass atop the Tooth of Time. Caleb appreciated that the St. George Trek didn’t prioritize the religious aspect over the Philmont part, or vice versa. To him, both were important.
He knows that because his crew leader’s fitness tracker helped chart their distance, recording 14 miles one day, until it ran out of power and the boys had to switch to rough estimates using maps.
SKIES OPEN UP On the fifth day, Caleb’s crew began Mass atop Black Mountain, a dominant feature on the Philmont landscape. Then it started to hail. A hailstorm was no problem for the Scouts, though – they used their ponchos to shield the priest and makeshift altar. “After the Mass, we got under some trees. Lightning moved in for about 40 minutes,” he said. “After that we had to boogie down the mountain.” The crew then pressed on for Cimarroncito, a camp area that also features a little covered chapel and outdoor benches, for a mid-trek retreat. But on Day 6, COVID-19 struck. Someone tested positive and Caleb’s crew was dispatched to Philmont’s quarantine camp. “We were ‘unclean,’” Caleb joked. The commissary brought his crew meals each day. The Scouts could venture out for day hikes but had to return to “Quarantine Camp” each night. Their first day there, it hailed again. They ended up spending the day in their tents. Yet the Scouts soon made the best of the unexpected situation – setting their sights on climbing the Tooth of Time. The intimidating rock outcrop along the Santa Fe Trail juts upward 9,003 feet. With a sheer rock face, it has become Philmont’s most recognizable symbol, named for its tooth-like shape and its signal to traders heading west in the 1800s that Santa Fe was only seven days away.
MIND, BODY AND SOUL Joseph appreciated the break in the middle from the exhausting trek. Hiking at a high elevation on the third day, he recalled, “I was having a hard time. My pack was heavy.”Buton Day 6, at retreat, the Scouts rested “mind, body and soul,” Joseph said. After that, “I was ready to do the next half, feeling nice and refreshed.” The St. George Trek “was more than what I thought it would be,” he said. “I didn’t realize there would be talks; I didn’t know there would be Mass, not every day. I didn’t know how into the faith it was going to be. I was pleasantly surprised by that.” Doing the trek and absorbing the seminarians’ vocation stories, Joseph began to think about what his own vocation might be. “They asked, ‘What are you called to do? What do you think God is calling you to?’” Joseph said he prayed a rosary one night while thinking about those questions. “While you are out in the backcountry, hiking, you have a lot of time to yourself, thinking …” he said. “I need to pray about it more and ask God what He wants me to do.” “Philmont, it’s a great experience,” he added. “It’s hard…You learn about yourself. And if you do the St. George Trek, you learn even more about yourself.”
Tras arresto de sacerdote en Nicaragua, habitantes de Charlotte oran por la paz
PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org
EL PADRE JULIO DOMÍNGUEZ es Vicario Episcopal del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte.
Padre Julio Domínguez
FOTO ARCHIVO CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
ARRESTO, PASA A LA PÁGINA 19
La familia Meza Tijerino ora durante una Misa especial por la paz ofrecida en la Iglesia San Mateo. El Padre Ramiro Tijerino (en la imagen abajo) fue encarcelado el 19 de agosto junto con otros sacerdotes, seminaristas y laicos, mientras que su obispo fue puesto bajo arresto domiciliario.
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El Padre Ramiro Tijerino fue arrestado el 19 de agosto, cuando la policía federal allanó las oficinas diocesanas del obispo de Matagalpa, al norte de Nicaragua. El Obispo Rolando Álvarez fue puesto bajo arresto domiciliario. Otros detenidos en el allanamiento realizado en horas del amanecer fueron los Padres José Luis Díaz, Sadiel Eugarrios y Raúl González; los seminaristas Darvin Leyva y Melquín Sequeira; y el camarógrafo Sergio Cárdenas, todos de la Diócesis de Matagalpa. El Padre Ramiro y otros detenidos se encuentran entre los más de 100 presos políticos que ahora languidecen en la famosa prisión ‘El Chipote’ de Managua, después de una creciente represión a la Iglesia generada por el presidente Daniel Ortega. El encarcelamiento y arresto del Obispo Álvarez, uno de los críticos más prominentes de Ortega que aún no está en la cárcel, ha provocado renovados llamados a la paz en el país centroamericano.
Llegará a Charlotte en noviembre CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org
FAMILIA PREOCUPADA Mayra y su familia, feligreses de la Iglesia San Mateo, saben exactamente
UNIDOS, PASA A LA PÁGINA 19
Proceso de Avivamiento Nacional Q
ueridos hermanos en Cristo, he querido escribir estas líneas para comunicarles algo hermoso que esta pasando a nivel nacional, y que tengo fe en Dios que será la inspiración para que en muchas otras naciones pase lo mismo. La Conferencia Episcopal de los Estados Unidos llegó a la conclusión de que era necesario iniciar un proceso de avivamiento en la fe y adoración a la Santa Eucaristía. Ante realidades tristes como resultados de encuestas llevadas a cabo, en donde mucha gente no sabía lo que era la Eucaristía, otros totalmente indiferentes a ella y una gran parte creyendo que solamente es un símbolo pero no presencia real, se decidió iniciar este proceso con gran fe y esperanza en que al final de este, miles de católicos vuelvan a celebrar este Misterio de Salvación como lo quiso nuestro Señor al instituirlo.Elproceso tendrá varias etapas en las cuales se invita a toda la Iglesia a participar: El primer año (Junio 2022-2023) se invita a un año de avivamiento a nivel diocesano, en el cual se animará a los obispos, párrocos y encargados de la evangelización y formación a renovarse y tomar conciencia de la importancia que tiene la Eucaristía en la vida de la Iglesia, como centro y culmen de toda la actividad de esta. El segundo año de este proceso se llevará a cabo a nivel parroquial (2023-2024), invitando a todos los fieles a participar. El avivamiento tiene que ir acompañado con una renovación del entusiasmo comunitario por conocer más el misterio de la Sagrada Eucaristía, revivir el deseo de acompañar a nuestro Señor en la adoración Eucarística y sobre todo la participación orante y ferviente en la Santa Misa.Eltercer año, culminaremos con el Congreso Eucarístico Nacional que se llevará a cabo en Cincinnati, Ohio, y del cual esperamos que los obispos saquen muchas conclusiones y decisiones para poder vivir el siguiente año que sería propiamente el de misión personal. Este proceso requiere la colaboración de todos los miembros de la Iglesia y será muy satisfactorio ver que la verdadera Adoración a Jesús Sacramentado tome lugar en nuestra diócesis y en todas las diócesis de nuestra nación. Tu ayuda es indispensable en este proceso, únete al esfuerzo de los obispos para que esto se convierta en una realidad. En el Congreso Eucarístico que realizamos el pasado 6 de agosto proporcioné una explicación más detallada sobre lo que es este proceso. Esperamos que todos nos acompañen a vivirlo. El video de la conferencia lo puedes encontrar en dioceseofcharlotte.https://www.youtube.com/
La Antorcha Guadalupana visitará nuevamente varias parroquias de la Diócesis de Charlotte en camino hacia Nueva York, donde arribará el 12 de diciembre. Se espera que reciba el homenajes de miles de fieles a su paso.
ARRESTADO EN ALLANAMIENTO
CHARLOTTE — Cumpliendo 20 años como símbolo de esperanza para la comunidad latina migrante que reside en Estados Unidos, este año la Antorcha Guadalupana volverá a visitar las parroquias de la Diócesis de Charlotte llevando su mensaje de unión entre dos pueblos divididos por una frontera común.Lacarrera es organizada por la Asociación Tepeyac, una organización sin fines de lucro fundada en septiembre de 1997 y con sede en Nueva York, que reúne a más de cuarenta asociaciones comunitarias con la misión de promover el desarrollo social y los derechos humanos de los migrantes latinos en Estados Unidos. La Antorcha, llevada en relevos por más de siete mil corredores de nueve estados mexicanos y catorce de la Unión Americana, parte el 4 de septiembre a las siete de la mañana de la Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe de la Ciudad de México.Laúltima semana de octubre debe estar cruzando la frontera entre México y Estados Unidos por el Puente de las Américas, entre Nuevo Laredo y Laredo. En 2021, durante su paso por territorio americano en California, fue llevada por miembros de la Patrulla Fronteriza e hijos de inmigrantes hasta el cementerio donde están sepultados migrantes sin identificar fallecidos en el desierto.
PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
catholicnewsherald.com | September 2, 202216 ESPAÑOLNEWSCATHOLICFACEBOOK.COM/HERALD
CHARLOTTE — Mayra Tijerino y su familia están siendo abrazados con oraciones tras el repentino arresto de su hermano, un sacerdote en Nicaragua. A casi 2.000 millas de distancia, su hermano está detenido en una celda como preso político del gobierno nicaragüense. Durante semanas su familia no ha tenido noticias de él. Una Misa ofrecida en la Iglesia San Mateo el 24 de agosto congregó a varios cientos de personas para orar por la familia Tijerino y la paz en Nicaragua.
CNH: ¿Cómo llegó a Estados Unidos? Padre Díaz: Me tocó caminar en el desierto. Me tocó vivir esa aventura. Me tardé 21 días en llegar. Vine con un grupo, la mayoría de ellos salvadoreños. No todos logramos pasar. Llegué a Estados Unidos en 2006, justo para enfrentar la recesión de esa época. En toda esa experiencia yo no hacía sino leer el papel que me entregó mi madre con el Salmo 120. Esa fue una de las vivencias de fe que más fuerte experimenté. Mi hermana me esperaba en Nueva York. Apenas llegar me dijo: ‘hermano, en esta casa los sábados vamos a la Iglesia’. La celebración de la Misa fue muy bonita. La estaba dando, de casualidad, Monseñor Alfonso Cabezas, quien más tarde me ordenó sacerdote.Mihermana era miembro activo de la Renovación Carismática de la parroquia San Mateo, en Dix Hills, Long Island, Nueva York. Ella tomó la responsabilidad de ser una madre para mí. Pasó el tiempo y ya no iba a la Eucaristía porque mi hermana me lo recomendaba, sino que empecé a sentir gusto. Le contaba estas cosas a mi mamá y ella empezó a entender los designios de Dios para mí.Mientras aprendía inglés trabajé en una compañía farmacéutica, donde llegué a tener una buena posición. Llegó entonces el momento en que debía tomar una determinación. Cuando salí de El Salvador tenía un objetivo bien claro: quería tener una familia, una casa y dinero. Ahora, ni casa, ni esposa ni dinero. La cosa cambió. El Señor me dio más, me dio una parroquia, una familia grandísima y una riqueza diferente que es el servir a las demás personas. No me quitó lo que yo le pedía, sino que lo multiplicó.Tuveque decirle a mi novia que pensaba que el Señor me estaba llamando a algo más. Lo que hizo considerar en mi corazón la vocación fueron dos cosas, dejando de lado el ejemplo de mi mamá que marcó mi vida, ver el ejemplo de Monseñor Cabezas y el de nuestro Obispo salvadoreño Oscar Arnulfo Romero.
o
CNH: Padre Walner, por favor, cuéntenos de dónde es originario. Padre Díaz: Soy originario de San Simón, departamento de Morazán, El Salvador. Vengo de una familia un tanto numerosa, ocho hijos. Soy el último de ellos. En mi familia siempre hubo una fe muy sólida. Desde que tengo uso de razón recuerdo a mi madre rezando el Rosario todos los días. Así empezó a formarse en mí lo que era la fe. Mis padres fueron imagen de unidad. Se tenían un respeto tan grande hasta el punto de tratarse de usted el uno al otro. Me atraía mucho como mi mamá practicaba la fe. Como todo niño, fui llevado a la iglesia. Recibí el bautismo, la confirmación.
llame al teléfono 704-808-4507.
Padre Díaz: Cuando tenía 18 años, de repente de la nada salió en mí el deseo de venir a los Estados Unidos. Había terminado la secundaria y me inscribí para estudiar ciencias jurídicas en la universidad. Estaba en mi mente ser abogado. La gente de mi edad migraba. No había muchas oportunidades en El Salvador. Algunos amigos del barrio se venían para Estados Unidos y otros se iban a la ciudad buscando un trabajito para poder subsistir.Aestaedad ya no frecuentaba mucho la iglesia. A los 17 o 16 años como que cuesta más ir. Mi mamá terminó aceptando mi decisión. Al despedirme, me dijo que me daba la bendición para que vaya a tener esa experiencia, ‘pero una cosa te voy a pedir, nunca te olvides del Señor’. Y cuando me daba su consejo, me entregó en la mano un papel que el que había escrito a mano el Salmo 120: “Levantaré mis ojos a los montes; ¿De dónde vendrá mi ayuda? Mi ayuda viene del Señor, que hizo los cielos y la tierra”.
CHARLOTTE — Conversamos con el Padre Walner Díaz, sacerdote vicentino que desde junio de este año ha sido asignado por su orden a la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, donde se desempeña como vicario parroquial:
CHARLOTTE — Marque su calendario y prepárese para asistir a un día de charlas y compañerismo centrado en el matrimonio, la familia y el trabajo pro-vida, organizado por la nueva Oficina de Vida Familiar de la Diócesis de Charlotte.LaConferencia inaugural de Vida Familiar se llevará a cabo el 10 de septiembre en el Parish Family Life Center de la parroquia San Gabriel, ubicada en 3016 Providence Road en Charlotte.Losasistentes escucharán a oradores dinámicos y paneles de discusión, y disfrutarán del compañerismo con otras familias y líderes de ministerios diocesanos de matrimonio, familia y pro-vida.
Los oradores incluyen a Chelsy Gomez, asistente de programa de la Secretaría de actividades provida de los Obispos de Estados Unidos; John Grabowski, Ph.D., de la Universidad Católica de América; y el Padre Peter Ascik, director de la Oficina Diocesana de Vida Familiar. Los paneles de discusión serán dirigidos por representantes de Retrouvaille International, Domestic Church y otros ministerios matrimoniales, el Dr. Bill Pincus (N.C. Right to Life) y Sebastian King (N.C. Values Coalition). Una Misa será ofrecida a las 9 a.m. por Monseñor Patrick Winslow, vicario general y canciller de la diócesis, en la Iglesia San Gabriel, ubicada cerca del Family Life Center de la misma parroquia. La conferencia del 10 de septiembre comenzará con el registro de participantes y un desayuno ligero a las 9:45 de la mañana. El programa se desarrollará de 10:15 a.m. a 4 p.m. El ingreso tiene un costo de $25 por persona y $15 para estudiantes de 16 a 22Regístreseaños. en línea en electrónicoadicionales,life-conference.charlottediocese.org/2022-family-www.Sitieneconsultasenvíeuncorreoafamilylife@rcdoc.org
Conferencia sobre la Vida Familiar se celebrará en septiembre
— SueAnn Howell
El Padre Walner Díaz, guíamadre,fotografíaenCharlotte,deNuestraparroquialvicariodeSeñoraGuadalupeensostienesusmanosladesuquienfueeinspiración en el florecimiento de su fe católica y sacerdotal.vocación CÉSAR HURTADO | NEWS HERALD
CNH: ¿Entonces decidió ser sacerdote? Padre Díaz: Pedí a Monseñor Cabezas conocer la vida sacerdotal y fuí admitido para pasar un tiempo en una casa de discernimiento. Luego decidí que era muy joven, tenía cerca de 20 años, y no sabía realmente si eso era para mí. El tiempo fue pasando, me envolví aún más, trabajé con jóvenes por cuatro años y entonces algo seguía resonando en mi corazón. Resolví volver hablar con Monseñor y se me permitió ingresar al seminario. Después de cuatro años decidí hacer los buenos propósitos: pobreza, obediencia, castidad y estabilidad, para ingresar al Seminario Mayor San Carlos Borromeo en Philadelphia. En el primer año de Teología sentí con seguridad que esto era para mí. El tercer año fue clave cuando decidí hacer los votos perpetuos. Al profesarlos sentí una gracia especial, un sentido de compromiso, dejando finalmente sueños, casa, hijos y familia para ingresar a la familia vicentina, para servir a los pobres en el amor de Jesucristo.
CNH: ¿Y era bueno con el balón? Padre Díaz: No me considero bueno, pero lo disfruté mucho. El campo quedaba frente a la iglesia. Poníamos dos piedras y esas eran nuestras porterías. A veces nos emocionábamos tanto que la pelota se iba a la puerta de la iglesia y salía el padre y nos regañaba. Y así, cuando el padre regresaba, volvíamos a estrellar la pelota en la puerta de la iglesia. Y volvía a salir el padre.
CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org
September 2, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD I 17
Sus contribuciones al DSA en marcha La Oficina de Vida Familiar de la Diócesis de Charlotte es financiada por la Campaña Anual de Apoyo Diocesano (DSA). Obtenga más información sobre el DSA y cómo donar online en www.charlottediocese.org/dsa
CATHOLIC
Conociendo al Padre Walner Díaz
CNH: Pero, ¿a usted le gustaba ir o era un poco travieso? Padre Díaz: Como cualquier otro niño. A veces me resistía un poquito a ir, pero iba por obediencia. Cuando yo ya había crecido, tenía 10 o 12 años, trataba de conseguir beneficios de mi mamá. Le decía: voy a Misa, pero después me das permiso para ir a jugar pelota con mis amiguitos. Era algo a cambio, y las recompensas crecieron con mi edad. Mi mamá fue consintiendo todos esos pequeños regalos para que pudiera empezar a aprender sobre la fe. La verdad me gustaba mucho jugar, echar cuentos, andar con amiguitos. Jugábamos al trompo, canicas, y obviamente al fútbol en el barrio.
CNH: ¿Qué lo animó a trasladarse a Estados Unidos?
CNH: Luego vino el diaconado y la ordenación. Padre Díaz: Me ordenaron diácono el 29 de mayo de 2021 en el Santuario de la Medalla Milagrosa en Filadelfia, junto con un compañero, Erick Sánchez, que se ordenaba de sacerdote y sirve hoy como vicario parroquial en Santa María en Greensboro. Me acompañaba un dolor muy grande. Mi mamá había fallecido durante la pandemia, el 27 de julio de 2020. Fue una crisis muy grande. No pude ir a verla, estábamos en lo peor de la pandemia. Ella, a lo largo de mi vocación, había sido mi mejor compañera, mi más grande confidente. En ese año tenía que tomar una decisión, pero estaba sufriendo por la muerte de mi mamá. Me sumergí más en la oración. Luego entendí que las crisis nos fortalecen, nos vuelven más receptivos a la bondad de Dios. Supe que Dios quería tener más cerca a mi mamá para que desde allí me acompañe todo el tiempo en mi caminar y para que ore por mí. Mucha gente de Charlotte viajó para acompañarme en mi ordenación sacerdotal en 2022. Eso me impresionó. Parte de mí ya estaba con ellos. Llegué un 21 de junio de 2022 a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe y me hicieron una Misa el 22. Esa Iglesia estaba llena, tanta gente que no nos alcanzó el Cuerpo de Cristo. Esa experiencia me dijo mucho, me aclaró que mi tarea va a ser mucho mayor de lo que pensaba. Voy a servir a gente con fe sólida que tiene sed de Dios, sed de servicio, sed de acompañamiento. Y he sido ordenado para eso, para poder dar y servir. Los colegas, Padre Leo y Padre Hugo están siendo mis mentores. Toda el área administrativa me ha recibido muy bien. El sentir esa compañía, ese apoyo, me impulsa a dar más aún.
La Asociación Colombiana, según informa Molina, no recibe ingresos por ninguna de las actividades que realiza, incluyendo el programa ‘Póngale vida a sus años’. Para fechas especiales, como el Día del Padre, de la Madre o Navidad, reciben asistencia económica de donantes a quienes llaman ‘padrinos’, que asumen el costo de atención de los adultos mayores. Si desea participar, inscribir a un familiar, ser voluntario o dar un donativo, visite la página de facebook Programa Recreacional Póngale Vida a sus Años, allí podrá también informarse sobre las próximas invitaciones.
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CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org
CHARLOTTE — Decenas de adultos mayores se reunieron el tercer sábado de agosto en Freedom Park para participar en una jornada más del programa ‘Póngale vida a sus años’ que lleva adelante la Asociación Colombiana de Charlotte desde 2016. Liliana Molina, directora de la asociación y coordinadora del programa recreacional, dijo que desde la creación de la organización colombiana decidieron poner en marcha actividades dirigidas especialmente para los adultos mayores residentes en la Ciudad Reina. Conocedora que en el condado se ofrecen programas para adultos mayores, Molina pudo notar la diferencia de necesidades entre la población latina y anglo. “No solo es el lenguaje, que por supuesto es una razón grande”, dice, pero además señala que culturalmente estamos acostumbrados a cuidar de nuestros padres cuando ellos alcanzan una edad en la que requieren de ayuda.“Nosotros les decimos, ‘Ah bueno papi, mami, véngase para acá, para la casa, con nosotros. Que aquí lo van a pasar rico y van a estar con nosotros hasta cuando quieran’”, explicó. Por ello, hicieron el esfuerzo y diseñaron un espacio donde los adultos mayores, los ‘abuelitos’, como ella los llama, puedan disfrutar de diversas actividades, confraternizar, ganar amistades y divertirse.
En www.bit.ly/3RhEsgx : Infórmese sobre las próximas actividades del programa recreativo
CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
La más reciente reunión del programa ‘Póngale vida a sus años’ se realizó en Freedom Park. Decenas de adultos mayores, algunos de ellos acompañados de sus hijos e hijas, disfrutaron de un variado desayuno, charlas informativas, clase de zumba y otras actividades. La Asociación Colombiana de Charlotte desarrolla este programa desde el año 2016.
Sixta Villalona, dominicana que participa en el programa desde hace medio año, dijo que le gusta estar con la gente “para darle ánimo a otros y a mí misma”, y, aunque tiene movilidad limitada, hace lo que puede. “Estar aquí me hace sentir viva”, añadió.
Programa gratuito para el adulto mayor
“Iniciamos con 10 abuelitos y hoy, a la fecha, contamos con unos 120 a 130 participantes registrados”, precisa la organizadora, resaltando el crecimiento en asistencia.
Durante las cuatro horas de recreación e información que se ofrecen a los participantes cada tercer sábado del mes, los adultos mayores reciben charlas con contenido de cuidado y prevención en temas de salud, nutrición, riesgos informáticos, seguridad en el hogar y otros. Reciben la visita de artistas plásticos que los orientan en la realización de artesanías y manualidades. En otras ocasiones, intérpretes musicales les entregan un variado repertorio de canciones de acuerdo a la época. Además, fomentando un mejor estado de salud, se dan clases de zumba y ejercicios de estiramiento ligeros, en los que participan de acuerdo a sus posibilidades de movilidad. Todos los asistentes reciben un magnífico desayuno y, en ocasiones especiales, se complementa con almuerzo. Sin embargo, lo que al parecer más alegra a los participantes es poder confraternizar con personas de su edad, con la que comparten gustos musicales, temas de preocupación, o con quienes pueden mantener una charla amigable.
CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD catholicnewsherald.com | September 2, 202218
‘Póngale vida a sus años’
por lo que el Padre Ramiro y los demás están pasando. Su hijo Manuel estuvo en la misma prisión en 2018. Después de ocho meses fue liberado de ‘El Chipote’, y la familia huyó a un lugar seguro en Estados Unidos.Manuel recuerda que su pequeña celda no tenía “ventilación, ni electricidad, ni agua, ni baño. Veíamos la luz del día durante 10 minutos cada dos semanas”. El Padre Ramiro, de 50 años, sufre de mala salud, y Mayra y su familia están preocupados por la falta de alimentos y medicinas para él en ‘El Chipote’. Sin embargo, la familia sabe que su fe es fuerte.“Dijeron que estaban dispuestos a morir por la libertad de Nicaragua”, señaló Mayra. El Padre Ramiro se desempeña como rector de la Universidad Juan Pablo II en Managua. Él y sus hermanos sacerdotes, encabezados por el Obispo Álvarez, son ardientes defensores de los pobres y marginados de Nicaragua. El Padre Ramiro trabaja con feligreses de bajos ingresos, ofreciendo Misa en capillas rurales y ministrando a los residentes locales, dijo Mayra. “La gente es muy humilde, siempre está rezando”, añadió. La policía nicaragüense dijo que el Obispo Álvarez está siendo investigado por “tratar de organizar grupos violentos, incitarlos a ejecutar actos de odio contra la población, provocar un ambiente de caos y desorden, perturbar la paz y armonía en la comunidad con el objetivo de desestabilizar al Estado nicaragüense y atacar a las autoridades constitucionales”. El anuncio se produjo inmediatamente después que el Obispo Álvarez se opusiera tajantemente a que se ordenara el cierre de las estaciones de radio católicas en la Diócesis de Matagalpa. Los feligreses habían tratado de impedir que la policía confiscara los equipos. El Cardenal Leopoldo Brenes de Managua visitó al Obispo Álvarez el 19 de agosto y lo describió como “físicamente deteriorado, pero espiritualmente fuerte”, según informó la conferencia episcopal nicaragüense. La declaración de los obispos fue moderada, una muestra de los riesgos de hablar en Nicaragua.
WINSTON-SALEM — El pasado sábado 20 de agosto, la parroquia San Benito el Moro, en coordinación con la oficina del Ministerio Hispano de la Vicaría de Winston-Salem, organizó un retiro para adolescentes que posteriormente celebraron el sacramento de confirmación el miércoles 24.
Ortega, quien ha estado en el poder durante 15 años, ha sido abiertamente hostil a la Iglesia. El presidente nicaragüense ha llamado a los obispos “terroristas” y “demonios con sotanas”. Alegó que fueron parte de un intento de golpe de Estado para expulsarlo de su cargo en 2018 porque apoyaron manifestaciones antigubernamentales que su régimen reprimió brutalmente. Desde que Ortega fue reelegido en 2018, en una votación ampliamente denunciada como amañada, los ataques contra la Iglesia se han intensificado. Se han prohibido los proyectos de caridad de la Iglesia, se ha arrestado o impedido que los sacerdotes celebren Misa y las Misioneras de la Caridad han sido expulsadas. Los obispos nicaragüenses mediaron en un diálogo nacional en 2018 después de que estallaron las protestas. Sin embargo, las conversaciones se rompieron, ya que los obispos dijeron que veían poca buena voluntad del lado del gobierno. El Obispo Álvarez participó en las conversaciones. En una entrevista con Catholic News Service realizada en 2021, defendió los diálogos, que dijo se llevaron a cabo en una “Nicaragua que estaba literalmente sangrando hasta la muerte, y era necesario que todas las partes directamente involucradas se sentaran y hablaran para hacer un esfuerzo por encontrar una solución”. Sobre la Iglesia en Nicaragua desde 2018, dijo: “Hemos experimentado de primera mano lo que significa ser una Iglesia en éxodo, una Iglesia que deja sus parroquias, una Iglesia en la periferia que acompaña a los más vulnerables, a los más pobres, a los más sencillos, una Iglesia... que no solo hemos vivido conceptualmente, sino que la experimentamos”.
El destino final de la Antorcha es Central Park, en la ciudad de Nueva York, a donde llegará el 12 de diciembre, fecha central de las celebraciones de la devoción de la Morenita del Tepeyac.
IGLESIA PERSEGUIDA
El Padre John Allen, pastor de la Iglesia San Mateo, dijo que la Misa era una importante expresión de solidaridad con la Iglesia que sufre en Nicaragua. “En tiempos de violencia, en tiempos de opresión y en tiempos de tristeza”, dijo el Padre Allen, “sacamos fuerzas del sacrificio Eucarístico de Nuestro Señor y de las oraciones de la gloriosa Virgen María bajo el título de ‘Purísima’ (‘María Purísima’), el título con el que es venerada con gran devoción en Nicaragua”. La congregación pidió que, a través del Espíritu Santo y la intercesión de María, Ortega “libere inmediatamente a todos aquellos que están injustamente en cautiverio, y que un tiempo de paz, libertad religiosa y florecimiento humano para todos los hijos de Dios pronto regrese a ese hermoso país”. Después de la Misa, la familia Tijerino expresó su gratitud por el apoyo recibido durante lo que ha sido un “momento difícil y desafiante”.“Nosgustaría pedirles que mantengan a Nicaragua en sus oraciones”, dijo el esposo de Mayra, Jaime Meza, y pidió que oren especialmente por el Padre Ramiro, el Obispo Álvarez y todos los presos políticos del país.
— Contribuyeron Catholic News Service y ACI Prensa ANTORCHA VIENE DE LA PÁGINA 16 ARRESTO VIENE DE LA PÁGINA 16
Jóvenes responden al llamado de evangelización en San Benito El Moro
El retiro juvenil fue producto de un trabajo conjunto de los catequistas de confirmación de la parroquia San Benito y los jóvenes líderes de la pastoral juvenil de la Iglesia Divino Redentor, los que coordinan el grupo juvenil Adiodato en su parroquia. El lema de misión del grupo de líderes es ‘Jóvenes evangelizando jóvenes’, un proyecto que inició en 2014 y ha sido de gran ayuda al momento de convocar a los jóvenes, tanto de la parroquia como de la vicaría.
LLAMADOS POR LA PAZ Mientras tanto, el Papa Francisco sigue realizando llamados al diálogo. Durante su discurso del Ángelus del 21 de agosto, el Papa no mencionó específicamente el arresto del Obispo Álvarez, pero oró por la paz en Nicaragua a través de la intercesión de María. “Me gustaría expresar mi convicción y esperanza que, a través de un diálogo abierto y sincero, todavía se puedan encontrar las bases para una coexistencia respetuosa y pacífica”, dijo. “Pidamos al Señor, por intercesión de la ‘Purísima’, para que inspire los corazones de todos con este deseo concreto”.
Si desea contar con un retiro similar al ofrecido en San Benito El Moro, contacte al coordinador de la Vicaría de Winston-Salem, Sergio López, al selopezgutierrez@charlottediocese.org.correo
El itinerario inicial contempla que la Antorcha visite las parroquias San José en Newton, San Francisco de Asís en Mocksville, Santa María en Greensboro y Nuestra Señora de los Caminos en Thomasville, desde donde partirá hacia la parroquia Inmaculada Concepción en Durham, territorio de la Diócesis de Raleigh.Alejandro Altamirano, representante de la Asociación Tepeyac en Carolina del Norte y coordinador regional, dijo que aún se están aceptando solicitudes de otras parroquias en Carolina del Norte que desean recibir la Antorcha Guadalupana en sus iglesias. Altamirano destacó que en los peores momentos de la pandemia de COVID-19, las parroquias de la Diócesis de Charlotte, aplicando restricciones sanitarias y de participación, nunca dejaron de recibir a la Antorcha Guadalupana. “Es una alegría muy grande volver a reencontrarnos todos para recibir la luz que nos trae nuestra madre, recordándonos siempre nuestras raíces. No olvidemos que la antorcha es portada por inmigrantes y que, siempre a pesar de los momentos difíciles que nos toca pasar, hay que encontrar un momento para agradecerle a Santa María de Guadalupe por los favores recibidos”, señaló. La inscripción de corredores ya se encuentra abierta. Si la Antorcha no pasa por su parroquia, igualmente puede registrar su participación y se le considerará para que la porte en el trayecto más cercano a su domicilio. Las parroquias que deseen alojar a la Antorcha también pueden comunicarse por texto con Altamirano al 704-965-1290.
MISA OFRECIDA El Padre Miguel Sánchez, quien ministra a la familia en la parroquia San Mateo, habló en su homilía de cómo fueron tratados los discípulos de Jesús. “Seguirlo fue un desafío”, dijo el Padre Sánchez, y fueron llamados a su propio sacrificio. Sin embargo, los discípulos permanecieron incólumes, actuando con fe, esperanza y el deseo de difundir la Buena Nueva. “La invitación de Nuestro Señor a seguirlo implica emprender un viaje que es difícil, que requiere que llevemos una vida siempre esforzándonos por hacer la voluntad de Dios”, dijo. “Incluso si esto implica luchar por nuestros derechos a profesar nuestra fe”. Pidió para que la Misa y las oraciones continuas de todos lleven paz a todos los afectados por la injusticia, en Nicaragua y en todo el “Elevamosmundo.nuestras voces por todos aquellos que han sido privados de su libertad debido al Evangelio de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Pedimos a todos los gobiernos que respeten la libertad religiosa y la expresión de la fe de todos los cristianos del mundo”. “Señor, te pedimos, trae paz a nuestros países, a nuestra gente, a nuestra comunidad y nuestras familias ¡Viva Cristo Rey!”, dijo.
SERGIO LÓPEZ selopezgutierrez@charlottediocese.org
El objetivo de esta experiencia es que los jóvenes que van a recibir su confirmación tengan un motivo para quedarse en la Iglesia y así mantenerse creciendo en la fe, compartiendo, pero sobre todo alimentando su fe mediante el encuentro con otros jóvenes como ellos. El retiro comenzó con lo que comúnmente se conoce como dinámicas para romper el hielo. Los jóvenes se presentaron y dieron un poco de información sobre sus raíces. Después compartieron varias reflexiones, tomando un momento para preguntas y dudas sobre la práctica de la fe católica. Algunas madres de familia aportaron generosamente la comida, ofreciendo deliciosas tostadas y tacos. Al término del retiro, la mayoría de jóvenes expresaron el deseo de contar también con un grupo juvenil en San Benito. El reto fue lanzado ese mismo día durante una visita espontánea de su párroco, Padre Henry Tutuwan, quien hizo una invitación a formar un grupo de jóvenes, a convertirse en guerreros de su fe y a continuar en el trabajo de evangelización. “Esto no es una graduación, esto es el comienzo de algo. Sean guerreros de la fe”, dijo el Padre Tutuwan.Elretiro fue considerado un éxito total, ya que muchos jóvenes preguntaron si podrían tener un programa similar en su parroquia. Ojalá que los catequistas, padres y líderes de San Benito puedan tomar en cuenta esta sugerencia y apoyar el proyecto. La oficina del Ministerio Hispano diocesano de la vicaría de Winston-Salem, se comprometió a brindar su apoyo para que este proyecto de grupo juvenil aflore y tenga frutos. También manifestaron su profundo agradecimiento a los líderes de la Pastoral Juvenil de Divino Redentor, a sus coordinadores Brenda y Nazario, al equipo de catequistas de San Benito, al Padre Henry Amid Tutuwan, a los padres, padrinos, líderes de la comunidad y al párroco de los jóvenes de Divino Redentor, Padre Jean Pierre Swamunu, quien siempre está atento a esta misión y reto.
Se espera que la delegación que porta la antorcha y las imágenes de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe y San Juan Diego, arribe a la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte durante la primera semana de noviembre, en fecha exacta aún por Regularmenteconfirmar.loscorredores de Carolina del Norte reciben el relevo en la localidad de Grover, autopista 29, cerca a la salida 106 de la I-85 Norte en Carolina del Sur, donde se encuentran con la delegación de la parroquia Santa María Magdalena de Simpsonville en Carolina del Sur, uniendo fuerzas hasta la llegada a la primera parroquia de nuestra diócesis.
September 2, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD I 19
— Condensado de ACI Prensa
FOTO ARCHIVO CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
Lecturas Diarias
SEPTIEMBRE 18-24 Domingo: Amós 8:4-7, 1 Timoteo 2:1-8, Lucas 16:1-13; Lunes: Proverbios 3:27-34, Lucas 8:16-18; Martes (Santos Andrés Kim Taegon, presbítero, Pablo Chong Hasang y compañeros, mártires): Proverbios 21:1-6, 10-13, Lucas 8:19-21; Miércoles (Fiesta de san Mateo, Apóstol y evangelista): Efesios 4:1-7, 11-13, Mateo 9:9-13; Jueves: Eclesiastés 1:2-11, Lucas 9:7-9; Viernes (San Pío de Pietrelcina): Eclesiastés 3:1-1, Lucas 9:1822; Sábado: Eclesiastés 11:9-12, Lucas 9:43-45
“De sangre soy albanesa. De ciudadanía, India. En lo referente a la fe, soy una monja Católica. Por mi vocación, pertenezco al mundo. En lo que se refiere a mi corazón, pertenezco totalmente al Corazón de Jesús”. De pequeña estatura, firme como una roca en su fe, a Madre Teresa de Calcuta le fue confiada la misión de proclamar la sed de amor de Dios por la humanidad, especialmente por los más pobres entre los pobres. “Dios ama todavía al mundo y nos envía a ti y a mi para que seamos su amor y su compasión por los pobres”.Nació el 26 de agosto de 1910 en Skopje, una ciudad de los Balcanes. Era la menor de los hijos de Nikola y Drane Bojaxhiu, recibió en el bautismo el nombre de Gonxha Agnes, hizo su Primera Comunión a la edad de cinco años y medio y un año después recibió la Confirmación. Cuando tenía dieciocho años, animada por el deseo de hacerse misionera, Gonxha dejó su casa para ingresar en el Instituto de la Bienaventurada Virgen María, conocido como Hermanas de Loreto, en Irlanda. Allí recibió el nombre de Hermana María Teresa. Llegó a Calcuta en 6 enero de 1929. Después de profesar sus primeros votos en mayo de 1931, la Hermana Teresa fue destinada a la comunidad de Loreto Entally en Calcuta, enseñando en la Escuela para chicas St. Mary, donde llegó a ser directora. El 24 de mayo de 1937, la Hermana Teresa hizo su profesión perpétua convirtiéndose entonces, como ella misma dijo, en “esposa de Jesús” para “toda la eternidad”. Desde ese momento se la llamó Madre Teresa. En septiembre de 1946, durante un viaje de Calcuta a Darjeeling para realizar su retiro anual, Madre Teresa recibió su “inspiración,” su “llamada dentro de la llamada”.Durante las sucesivas semanas y meses, mediante locuciones interiores y visiones, Jesús le reveló el deseo de su corazón de encontrar “víctimas de amor” que “irradiasen a las almas su amor”.“Ven y sé mi luz”, Jesús le suplicó. “No puedo ir solo”. Le reveló su dolor por el olvido de los pobres, su pena por la ignorancia que tenían de Él y el deseo de ser amado por ellos. Le pidió a Madre Teresa que fundase una congregación religiosa, Misioneras de la Caridad, dedicadas al servicio de los más pobres entre los pobres. En octubre de 1950 fue establecida oficialmente en la Arquidiócesis de Calcuta la nueva congregación de las Misioneras de la Caridad. Al inicio de los años sesenta, Madre Teresa comenzó a enviar a sus Hermanas a otras partes de India. El Decreto de Alabanza, concedido por el Papa Pablo VI a la Congregación en febrero de 1965, animó a Madre Teresa a abrir una casa en Venezuela. Ésta fue seguida rápidamente por las fundaciones de Roma, Tanzania y, sucesivamente, en todos los continentes. Comenzando en 1980 y continuando durante la década de los años noventa, Madre Teresa abrió casas en casi todos los países comunistas, incluyendo la antigua Unión Soviética, Albania y Cuba. Para mejor responder a las necesidades físicas y espirituales de los pobres, Madre Teresa fundó los Hermanos Misioneros de la Caridad en 1963, en 1976 la rama contemplativa de las Hermanas, en 1979 los Hermanos Contemplativos y en 1984 los Padres Misioneros de la Caridad. En respuesta a las peticiones de muchos sacerdotes, Madre Teresa inició también en 1981 el Movimiento Sacerdotal Corpus Christi como un“pequeño camino de santidad” para aquellos sacerdotes que deseasen compartir su carisma y espíritu. Durante estos años de rápido desarrollo, el mundo comenzó a fijarse en Madre Teresa y en la obra que ella había iniciado. Numerosos premios, comenzando por el Premio Indio Padmashri en 1962 y de modo mucho más notorio el Premio Nobel de la Paz en 1979, hicieron honra a su obra. Toda la vida y el trabajo de Madre Teresa fue un testimonio de la alegría de amar, de la grandeza y de la dignidad de cada persona humana, del valor de las cosas pequeñas hechas con fidelidad y amor, y del valor incomparable de la amistad con Dios. Pero, existía otro lado heroico de esta mujer que salió a la luz solo después de su muerte. Oculta a todas las miradas, oculta incluso a los más cercanos a ella, su vida interior estuvo marcada por la experiencia de un profundo, doloroso y constante sentimiento de separación de Dios, incluso de sentirse rechazada por Él, unido a un deseo cada vez mayor de su amor. Ella misma llamó“oscuridad” a su experiencia interior. La “dolorosa noche” de su alma, que comenzó más o menos cuando dio inicio a su trabajo con los pobres y continuó hasta el final de su vida, condujo a Madre Teresa a una siempre más profunda unión con Dios. Durante los últimos años de su vida, a pesar de los cada vez más graves problemas de salud, Madre Teresa continuó dirigiendo su instituto y respondiendo a las necesidades de los pobres y de la Iglesia. En 1997 las Hermanas de Madre Teresa contaban casi con 4.000 miembros y se habían establecido en 610 fundaciones en 123 países del mundo. El 5 de septiembre, la vida terrena de Madre Teresa llegó a su fin. Menos de dos años después de su muerte, a causa de lo extendido de la fama de santidad de Madre Teresa y de los favores que se le atribuían, el Papa Juan Pablo II permitió la apertura de su Causa de Canonización. El 20 de diciembre del 2002 el mismo Papa aprobó los decretos sobre la heroicidad de las virtudes y sobre el milagro obtenido por intercesión de Madre Teresa.Fuebeatificada por San Juan Pablo II en 2003 y canonizada 13 años después por el Papa Francisco en la Plaza de San Pedro, dentro de la celebración del Jubileo de los voluntarios y operarios de la misericordia.
Santa Teresa de Calcuta
SEPTIEMBRE 11-17 Domingo: Éxodo 32:7-11, 13-14, 1 Timoteo 1:12-17, Lucas 15:1-32; Lunes: 1 Corintios 11:17-26, Lucas 7:1-10; Martes (San Juan Crisóstomo): 1 Corintios 12:12-14, 27-31, Lucas 7:11-17; Miércoles (Fiesta de la Exaltación de la santa Cruz): Números 21:4-9, Filipenses 2:6-11, Juan 3:13-17; Jueves (Nuestra Señora de los Dolores): 1 Corintios 15:1-11, Juan 19:25-27; Viernes (Santos Cornelio, Papa, y Cipriano, obispo): 1 Corintios 15:1220, Lucas 8:1-3; Sábado: 1 Corintios 15:35-37, 42-49, Lucas 8:4-15
CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD catholicnewsherald.com | September 2, 202220
SEPTIEMBRE 4-10 Domingo: Sabiduría 9:13-19, Filemón 9:10, 12-17, Lucas 14:25-33; Lunes: 1 Corintios 5:1-8, Lucas 6:6-11; Martes: 1 Corintios 6:1-11, Lucas 6:12-19; Miércoles: 1 Corintios 7:2531, Lucas 6:20-26; Jueves (Fiesta de Natividad de la Santísima Virgen María): Miqueas 5, 1-48, Mateo 1:1-16, 18-23; Viernes (San Pedro Claver): 1 Corintios 9:1619, 22-27, Lucas 6:39-42; Sábado: 1 Corintios 10:14-22, Lucas 6:43-49
La Madre Teresa de Calcuta conversa con el dijo.acorazón.losLoplata“NonuestrapreciadoofrecióCharlotte,entoncescongregadasdiezfrenteElReinasuCharlotte,tercerWilliamObispoCurlin,obispodedurantevisitaalaCiudaden1995.13dejunio,amásdemilpersonasenelColiseodelasantasumásregaloacomunidad.tengooroniparadarles.quetengo,sedoydetodoLesdoymishermanas”,
IGLESIA CATÓLICA SANTA MARGARET MARY Del jueves 8 al domingo 11 de septiembre 102 Andrews Pl., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778
Del jueves 22 al domingo 25 de septiembre 180 Laurel Ave., Tryon, N.C. 28782 Para obtener más información sobre estas paradas de peregrinación, visite el website del 50 aniversario de la Diócesis de Charlotte, faithmorepreciousthangold.comwww.
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.
IGLESIA CATÓLICA SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
Una estatua especialmente encargada de María, madre de Dios, está visitando más de 100 lugares en toda la Diócesis de Charlotte durante el año del aniversario. Las próximas visitas incluyen:
BASÍLICA SAN LORENZO Del jueves 15 al lunes 19 de septiembre 97 Haywood St., Asheville, N.C. 28801
MISIÓN CATÓLICA INMACULADA CONCEPCIÓN Del lunes 19 al jueves 22 de septiembre 42 Newfound St., Canton, N.C. 28716
IGLESIA CATÓLICA SAN BERNABÉ Del domingo 11 al jueves 15 de septiembre 109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden, N.C. 28704
la 20fiesta:de septiembre Oración Para el 50 Aniversario
September 2, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD I 21
Oraciones devocionesy
‘Divertido evento de Noche Católica por 50 aniversario para toda la familia
Tom Savoy, maestro de coro del Seminario Universitario San José, brindará entretenimiento musical con un cuarteto de voces cantando la canción de béisbol más conocida por todos, “Take Me Out to theTambiénBallgame”.habrá un mensaje especial grabado en video del Obispo Jugis durante el juego. Quédese después del partido de los Knights vs. Nashville Sounds para disfrutar de una espectacular exhibición de fuegos artificiales cerrando la noche. Las entradas para el partido de las 7:04 p.m. se encuentran disponibles en el website de los Charlotte Knights, www.milb.com/charlotte-knights/ tickets. Habrá comida disponible a la venta. El estacionamiento de pago está disponible en playas de estacionamiento en los alrededores del campo deportivo. El Truist Field está ubicado en 324 S. Mint St. en Charlotte. — SueAnn Howell Website del 50 Aniversario está disponible en español La totalidad del website del 50 Aniversario de la Diócesis de Charlotte ha sido traducida al español y se encuentra disponible en el sitio www. faithmorepreciousthangold.com. Para ingresar al contenido en nuestro idioma, ingrese a la página y haga clic en la pestaña ‘Español’ que aparece en lo alto del lado izquierdo de la pantalla. Desde el menú principal podrá acceder a información sobre la diócesis; la peregrinación de la imagen de María, Madre de Dios; lugares valiosos sugeridos para visitar; eventos programados, así como oraciones y devociones. Más abajo encontrará el video histórico de la Diócesis de Charlotte, el estado del programa de asistencia de 50 Actos de caridad que promueve la diócesis, además de más noticias sobre el 50 aniversario. Revísalo constantemente.
Santo del mes San FechaHasangChongPaulde
IGLESIA CATÓLICA SANTA JUANA DE ARCO Del jueves 1 al lunes 5 de septiembre 768 Asbury Road, Candler, N.C. 28715
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 septiembre Por los cuidadores. Que Dios conceda a todos los que atienden a los enfermos, necesitados, ancianos y encarcelados una efusión de su amor y misericordia, para que se fortalezcan en su apostolado y se mantengan firmes en la vivencia de las obras de misericordia espirituales y corporales.
MarianaPeregrinación
CHARLOTTE — Únase al Obispo Peter Jugis y a cientos de familias católicas de todo el oeste de Carolina del Norte para celebrar una “Noche católica” el viernes 9 de septiembre: una jornada inolvidable de béisbol en el campo Truist de los Charlotte Knights y el último evento social celebrando el 50 aniversario de la Diócesis de Charlotte.Lavelada contará con un lanzamiento de honor que será realizado por la Hermana Lucía Torres de las Hijas de la Virgen Madre en Gastonia. Sor Lucía “superó” a uno de los seminaristas de la diócesis que jugó béisbol para Belmont Abbey College en un reciente concurso de lanzamiento en el 18 Congreso Eucarístico anual realizado a principios de agosto.
Ven al juego de pelota
IGLESIA CATÓLICA SAN EUGENIO Del lunes 5 al jueves 8 de septiembre 72 Culvern St., Asheville, N.C. 28804
The Chicago-based nonprofit announced Aug. 15 it has awarded 30 full scholarships to survivors who want to attend to Sacred Heart Catholic School, Many families are seeking immediate psychological relief by transferring their children from Robb Elementary to the Catholic school. In a new release, Catholic Extension said the scholarships are part of the organization’s “ongoing efforts to support the well-being of the children and their families of Uvalde.” To date, about 80 families are looking to transfer to Sacred Heart, so Catholic Extension responded by immediately establishing the scholarship fund. The release said the papal mission society is seeking help to meet the demand through outside donations. Contributions can be made online at www. catholicextension.org/uvalde.“CatholicExtensioniscommitted to the ongoing care and support for the children and families of Uvalde,” Father Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension, said in a statement. “It is our belief that awarding scholarships to Sacred Heart Catholic School will provide a safe and loving educational environment to children who are suffering from the physical and emotional wounds of violence.”
Survivors of Uvalde mass shooting get tuition aid to attend Catholic school
UVALDE, Texas — Thanks to tuition help from Catholic Extension, children who were wounded in the Robb Elementary School mass shooting in Uvalde can transfer to a local Catholic school.
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“The tuition assistance means everything to my son and our family,” said Oscar Orona, the father of a shooting survivor. “My son has gone through a lot, and still has a long road to recovery ahead. At the very least, he deserves to go to a school where he feels safe. Thankfully with the support of Catholic Extension, he will now have that reality.” In addition to providing financial assistance to the students, Catholic Extension said it is supporting six religious sisters who will provide onsite emotional assistance during the first week of school to both the students and teachers of Sacred Heart Catholic school. “The sisters’ service aims to provide spiritual comfort and a presence of peace and solidarity as the new school year begins,” the news release said. Over the next 18 months, with Catholic Extension’s support, ultimately 100 sisters total will serve the Uvalde and Catholic community in various capacities. “Returning to school is undoubtedly a scary and trying time right now for the kids of Uvalde, however they are filled with hope,” said Sister Esther M. Guerrero, a member of the Missionary Catechists of Divine Providence religious order. For the first week of school the sisters’ focus will be “solely on showing the students, parents and teachers love and support through simply being by their side.”“We are here to serve this grieving community, no matter how big or small,” sheInsaid.late July Catholic Extension launched the first of the many initiatives it has planned over the next 18 months to support Uvalde. It sponsored Camp I-CAN July 2528 at the St. Henry de Osso Project Center in Uvalde to provide third, fourth and fifth graders a safe space to heal, have fun, and gently reintegrate the children into a school-like setting around their peers. I-CAN stands for inner strength, commitment, awareness and networking. The majority of the children who attended the camp are survivors of the May 24 shooting, although all Uvalde children of age were invited to participate. Led by Teresian Sister Dolores Aviles and 13 other religious sisters, the camp offered faith-based activities; arts and crafts; 30-minute intervals of physical activity; a game room for playtime, music and entertainment led by the sisters; and a family supper for the children and family members.Uvaldewas one of the first communities Catholic Extension supported after its founding in 1905. It helped build Sacred Heart Church in 1906 and Sacred Heart Catholic School in 1912. In its 117-year history, Catholic Extension’s mission has been to build up Catholic faith communities in underserved regions by raising funds to help these communities. It helps construct churches in U.S. mission dioceses helps provide pastoral resources. Many of these dioceses are rural, cover a large geographic area and have limited personnel. COURTESY CATHOLIC EXTENSION
Students are seen in Uvalde, Texas, Aug. 15. Catholic Extension, a Chicago-based papal mission society, announced that same day it has awarded 30 full scholarships to survivors of the Robb Elementary School mass shooting who want to transfer to local Catholic school in Uvalde, Texas. Catholic Extension raises funds to help build up faith communities and construct churches in U.S. mission dioceses.
USCCB’s Labor Day statement touts bills to help children, women, families
September 2, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD I 23
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — This year’s annual Labor Day statement from the U.S. bishops touts two bills awaiting action in Congress as being helpful to children, women and families: the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and an expansion of the federal child tax credit. “Even before current economic uncertainties, women – especially women of African descent and Latina women – earned less than their male counterparts, including when doing the same work with the same qualifications,” said Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, in the statement. “They filled the majority of direct care jobs, experiencing increased risk of injury, high stress, and exposure to illness while earning low wages. They were the majority of caretakers for their loved ones, yet many lacked adequate family and medical leave policies,” Archbishop Coakley said in the Sept. 5 statement, “Building a Just Economy for Women and Families.” Noting this was the first Labor Day since the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, Archbishop Coakley said: “This unique moment necessitates a society and an economy that supports marriages, families and women; it demands that all of us reach across political aisles and work diligently to reframe social policies in ways that are pro-woman, pro-family, pro-worker and, thus, authentically pro-life.”
NCEA, others fight efforts to broaden scope of Title IX
Josh Hammer Newsweek Catherine Pakaluk University of America Gladden Pappin University of Dallas
Catholic
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A number of Catholic and other faith-based associations and groups, including dioceses, have joined in supporting an amicus brief filed in a court case on how the Biden administration’s proposal to broaden the interpretation of Title IX provisions could affect nonprofit organizations, including private schools. “Although Title IX has received the most attention for its impact on athletics, especially regarding women at the college level, it applies to a variety of K-12 educational programs and has been adapted by most other federal agencies to govern workplace policies,” the National Catholic Educational Association said Aug. 23. “New interpretations of these laws and regulations have raised questions and concerns about the applicability of such to Catholic schools that received equitable services, not funds,” it said. The NCEA has joined the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Council of American Private Education, Association of Independent Schools, Christian Schools International, National Association of Episcopal Schools and National Council of Islamic Schools, as well as various dioceses, international associations and nonprofit organizations in a letter of support for a friend-of-the-court brief filed by the National Association of Independent Schools.
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Expulsions at the U.S.-Mexico border on target to break record WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection is set to break a record for border captures when the fiscal year ends at the end of September, as the total number of apprehensions inched closer to the 2 million mark at the end of July. “The large number of expulsions during the pandemic has contributed to a higher-thanusual number of migrants making multiple border crossing attempts, which means that total encounters somewhat overstate the number of unique individuals arriving at the border, “ said CBP in an Aug. 15 news release. By the end of July, the border agency reported that its agents had prevented migrants from entering on more than 1.8 million occasions. But they said the number is high because one person can make several attempts to cross. Catholic organizations, including communities of women religious, supporting migrants have protested both policies.
Youngest living U.S. cardinal: San Diego Cardinaldesignate Robert W. McElroy, 68. n Oldest living cardinal: Angolan Cardinal Alexandre do Nascimento, 97, retired archbishop of Luanda, created a cardinal by St. John Paul in 1983.
n Italians are still a large representation. For centuries the College of Cardinals was largely made up of Italian clergy, and just a century ago, made up more than half the membership. There were 28 cardinal electors from Italy at the 2013 conclave, that is, 24% of all voting members. Today, 16% of all electors are from Italy.
“The work in language groups and exchanges in the hall provided an opportunity for free discussion on many aspects related to the document and the life of the Church,” the Vatican said in an Aug. 30 statement.
The final session of the pope’s meeting with the cardinals, the statement said, was dedicated to the Jubilee Year in 2025. In his homily at the Mass, the pope reflected on the first reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, in which the apostle praises God for revealing “the mystery of His purpose” and His “hidden plan” for humanity.St.Paul’s hymn of praise, the pope said, is “born of wonder, a praise that will never become force of habit, as long as it remains rooted in wonder and nourished by that fundamental attitude of the heart and spirit.”
Nevertheless, he continued, the mystery “of our being blessed in Christ and of going forth with Christ into the world” should awaken in Christians the “wonder of being in the Church.”
n Oldest living U.S. cardinal: Cardinal Adam J. Maida, 92, retired archbishop of Detroit.
Pope Francis greets new cardinals after presiding at a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Aug. 30. Pictured from left are new U.S. Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of San Diego, Italian Cardinal Oscar Cantoni of Como and New Brazilian Cardinal Paulo Cezar Costa of Brasília.
n Europe is still the regional powerhouse, even though the regional balance is slowly shifting. At the 2005 conclave, nearly 50% of electors were from Europe. After the Aug. 27 consistory, 52 of the electors – just under 40% – represent Europe; 18% represent Latin America; and 22 electors, almost 17%, represent Asia. Cardinal electors representing Asia have doubled from 2005 when 11 electors, slightly more than 9%, represented Asia. Among today’s cardinal electors, almost 13% represent Africa, 10% the U.S. and Canada, and just over 2% Oceania.
n The college has a strong U.S. contingent. With 17 cardinals, 10 of whom can vote in a conclave, the United States is a distant, but solid, second in the College of Cardinals behind Italy n The mark of papal predecessors. Of the 132 cardinal electors, 83 members – almost 63% – have been created cardinals by Pope Francis; 11 of the remaining voters were made cardinals by St. John Paul II and 38 by retired Pope Benedict XVI.
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Celebrating Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica Aug. 30 with the College of Cardinals, the pope said this sense of wonder “sets us free from the temptation of thinking that we can ‘manage things.’”
“Today the Church is big, it is solid, and we occupy eminent positions in its hierarchy. They call us ‘eminence,’” he told the cardinals and the estimated 4,500 people present. “There is some truth in this, but there is also much deception, whereby the father of lies seeks to make Christ’s followers first worldly, then innocuous.”“Thiscalling is under the temptation of worldliness and, step-by-step, it takes away your strength, it takes away your hope, it takes you away from seeing the gaze of Jesus, who calls us by name and sends us. This is the cancer, the woodworm of spiritual worldliness,” the pope added, departing from his prepared remarks.
Addressing the 20 new cardinals, elevated in a consistory Aug. 27, the pope said the wonder of being chosen to spread the Gospel “does not diminish with the passing of the years,” nor does it “weaken with our increasing responsibilities in the Church.”
n Fun fact: There is only one person still alive who had been made a cardinal by St. Paul VI: retired Pope Benedict XVI, who was elevated to the college in 1977 when he was 50 years old.
Even though nine electors are under the age of 60 and one is 48 years old, nearly three-quarters of the electors are 70 and older. Almost 41% of the entire college is over the age of 80. n The college is international. Today there are more than 90 countries represented in the entire college and 71 countries among the electors. That’s a notable increase from 2005, when all 117 eligible cardinal electors came from 53 countries.
“This was the case with the apostle St. Paul, as we see from his letters. His apostolic zeal and the concern for the community was always accompanied, and indeed preceded, by words of blessing filled with wonder and gratitude,” the pope said.
Citing St. Paul’s VI’s encyclical letter on the Church, “Ecclesiam Suam,” Pope Francis expressed gratitude to his predecessor, “who passed on to us this love for the Church” and gratefulness for the “gift of our being not only members of the Church, but involved in her life, sharing in and, indeed, jointly responsible for her.” Christians who are ministers of the Church, Pope Francis said, are those who love the Church and are ready to be at “the service of her mission wherever and however the Holy Spirit may choose.”
CAROL GLATZ Catholic News Service
CNS | PAUL HARING
New duties do not diminish call to evangelize, pope tells cardinals
VATICAN CITY — Jesus’ call to spread the Gospel should fill all Christians, especially those within the Church hierarchy, with a sense of wonder and gratitude, Pope Francis said.
JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES Catholic News Service
“We continue to marvel at the unfathomable divine decision to evangelize the whole world, starting with that ragtag group of disciples, some of whom – as the evangelist tells us – still doubted,” the pope said.
Recalling the Gospel reading from St. Matthew, in which Jesus sends His followers “to make disciples of all the nations,” Pope Francis said Christians cannot only marvel “at the plan of salvation itself, but at the even more amazing fact that God calls us to share in thisChrist’splan.”promise that “I will be with you always to the end of time,” he said, “still has the power, even after 2,000 years, to thrill our hearts.”
“No, thanks be to God; it grows stronger and deeper. I am certain that this is also the case with you, dear brothers, who have now become members of the College of Cardinals,” he said.
CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD catholicnewsherald.com | September 2, 202224 Our world BY THE NUMBERS
The votive Mass, offered “for the Church,” was celebrated after the pope met with cardinals from around the world Aug. 29-30 to reflect on the apostolic constitution “Praedicate evangelium” (“Preach the Gospel”) on the reform of the Roman Curia.
“May it also be the case with us. May it be the case with each of you, dear brother cardinals,” he said.
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VATICAN CITY — Inducting the appointees into the College of Cardinals at an ordinary public consistory Aug. 27, Pope Francis gave each new cardinal: a scarlet biretta – the “red hat” – whose color signifies a cardinal’s willingness to shed his blood for the faith; a gold ring, a sign of their special bond with the Church of Rome; and a scroll testifying to his new office and containing the name of his titular Church in Rome. Today, cardinals, who now come from all over the world, influence Church policy in a major way through their membership in Vatican dicasteries and other curial agencies. The pope names them to serve as top members of these offices that help manage the life of the universal Church. While some live and work in Rome, the majority serve in their home country or designated diocese, nunciature or apostolic prefecture and typically come through Rome several times a year for meetings, conferences and one-on-one audiences with theHowever,pontiff. the cardinals’ most visible role is in their solemn and important task of entering a conclave to elect a new pope, a responsibility currently reserved to cardinals under the age of With80. 20 new members inducted into the College of Cardinals Aug. 27, Pope Francis raised up to 132 the number of cardinal electors, and the college as a whole has 226 members. Some of the significant characteristics of the college after the Aug. 27 consistory can be seen in numbers: n The college is elderly. The average age of cardinals today is 78, and the average age among the cardinal electors is 72.
Youngest living cardinal: Italian Cardinal-designate Giorgio Marengo, 48, apostolic prefect of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Consistory keeps expanding variety in College of Cardinals
Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops, said organizers are seeing “a Church that is alive, in need of authenticity, healing and that increasingly yearns to be a community that celebrates and proclaims the joy of the Gospel, learning to walk and discern together.” He and others spoke to reporters at a Vatican news conference Aug. 26, updating the results of the concluded first phase of the synodal process.
Panel: Feedback during synod shows Church is ‘alive’
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg, relator general of the synod, said that reading the syntheses from the episcopal conferences and other major organizations representing the Church “has produced in me, as a disciple of Christ and as a bishop, a great spiritual consolation that opens up to a great hope. This hope must now be transformed into missionary dynamism.” The Synod of Bishops’ office has received the summaries from more than 100 of the world’s 114 bishops’ conferences, “and they are still arriving. This incredible figure tells us that yes, the Church is in synod!” he said.
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VATICAN CITY — The input and feedback coming from those taking part in the synodal journey underway around the world have inspired feelings of gratitude, hope and deeper faith for the many people involved with the process, said a panel of officials and organizers for the Synod of Bishops.
HYDERABAD, Pakistan — Bishop Samson Shukardin has called for help for thousands affected by floods that have devastated his diocese and many other areas of Pakistan. “I am receiving a lot of phone calls for help from my priests and people in various parishes of the diocese,” said the bishop. “Ninety percent of the territory of my diocese is flooded due to heavy rain. Many Churches, parish houses and schools have been damaged by the deluge. During Masses all over Pakistan Aug. 28, special prayers were offered for people affected by the floods, and Catholics were called on to contribute to the suffering, ucanews.com reported.
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September 2, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD I 25
Death penalty encourages revenge, not justice, pope says
Bishop: Help needed for Pakistanis left homeless, hungry by floods
VATICAN CITY — The death penalty is an affront to human dignity that offers no solace to victims and denies the possibility for conversion of those who commit serious crimes, Pope Francis said. The growing calls around the world for an end to capital punishment are “a sign of hope” for the Church, the pope said in a video message released by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network Aug. 31. “Capital punishment offers no justice to victims, but rather encourages revenge. And it prevents any possibility of undoing a possible miscarriage of justice,” he said. “From a legal point of view, it is not necessary,” he added. For the month of September, the pope dedicated his prayer intention for the abolition of the death penalty. In his video message, the pope said the death penalty was unnecessary because society “can effectively repress crime” without denying those who offend “the possibility of redeeming themselves.”
CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD catholicnewsherald.com | September 2, 202226 ViewPoints
Kathryn Evans Heim Jesuit Father John Michalowski
Jesus knew the worth of 12 ordinary men
The fourth stage of prayer is simply being with God. It is being with the One we love and Who loves us. Words are not necessary. Here, the first part of the Our Father is so significant. The word translated as “Father” is “Abba,” an Aramaic word. It is a word so precious, coming from the mouth of Jesus, that it was not translated into the Greek of the New Testament. “Abba” does not reflect the patriarchal father, the head of a household. Rather, “Abba” is a child’s name for his or her father. It is the equivalent of “Daddy” or “Papa.” It is the child in his or her father’s arms – safe, loved and content. This work brings to my mind an image captured in a picture my oldest nephew sent me. About a year and a half ago, he had a third child. Because of COVID-19, Peter has been working from home, and so he has had more time to be with Timmy. In the picture, Peter is asleep in his chair and Timmy is asleep on Peter’s chest – safe, loved and content. This is the picture of our God, our Abba, in whose eyes each of us is precious. May each of us grow in prayer until we find ourselves in the arms of our Abba – safe, loved and content.
As the narrator’s heavenly guide explains, “… fame in this country and fame on Earth are two quite different things.” It’s a reminder that there could be living saints all around us, but their humility and modesty are part of their very sanctity. The Apostles began in obscurity, and their association with the Son of God did not give them earthly celebrity and prestige during their lives. True to the words of their Savior, they suffered great persecution and, tradition holds, all but St. John died as martyrs. If ever we feel unduly attacked and
JESUIT FATHER JOHN MICHALOWSKI is the parochial vicar of St. Peter Church in Charlotte.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen said, “He bade rather insignificant men to take an almost cosmic view of their mission, for on them would He build His kingdom.” It is not the Apostles themselves that are significant; it is the Word of God that they were given which is essential. God uses the humblest of creatures to achieve His work. One need only look at a figure like St. Catherine of Siena, who began life as an illiterate young girl in 14th-century Italy and is now remembered as a canonized saint and Doctor of the Church, who counseled even the pope in her brief 33 years of life. Like the Apostles, St. Catherine was raised out of the humblest of origins in order to better show what magnificence the grace and power of God could work.
before you.” (Mt 5:11-12) Fame and comfort on this earth are not the goals of the race. I have a great personal devotion to St. Peter, and his very human faults, enthusiasm and devotion to Our Lord are what attract me to him. His actions and responses in relation to Jesus fascinate me. As with all the saints, the Apostles are worthy of our veneration not for themselves but for how they draw us closer to Christ. We are not given the facts about their families of origin, where they were educated or how much they earned for a living. Instead, they are meant to lead us by the example of how much they loved Jesus and how they willingly gave their lives to spread the Good News. In reality, those are things that each one of us can do, as God calls us in our own way and specific circumstances. What more do we need to know than that?Jesus did not call the Apostles because they were great specialists in preaching, were experienced in social justice or had great wealth to use in their ministry. He called them for His own reasons and to His own purpose, and because their hearts must have already been turned toward Him. He calls each of us in the same way; exactly how He made us, exactly where He put us, asking only that our hearts be given to Him completely.
The list could go on and on. Just as a musician learns to distinguish one note or key from another and the artist learns the rich depths revealed as one color is placed upon another, so the ears of our hearts become attuned to the whispering words of God.
Resting in the arms of our Abba In both Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospels, Jesus teaches the disciples and us to pray the Our Father. It is a model of prayer and one of the first prayers that we learn as children. Too often, though, we can miss the richness of the second word, “Father.” Jesuit Father Mark Thibodeau, who was the long-time novice master in the New Orleans Province, talks about four stages of prayer in his book “Armchair Mystic” (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2001). The first stage of prayer is talking at God. We say ready-made prayers. They are an act of devotion and obedience. They also link me to a community who also prays in this way. Committed to memory, they bring comfort when we are too exhausted or sick to pray in any other way. The second stage of prayer is talking to God. Here we speak to God from our hearts and from our lives, sharing with God our joys and sorrows, fears and anxieties, elations and even silliness (God loves a good laugh!). The psalms speak so often of sharing our lives and all our feelings with God. The third stage of prayer is listening to God. God is always near and always speaking, but we need to learn how to hear. God speaks to us through Scripture and the sacraments, through prayer and teachings, through the words and actions of others, through nature, through music and art, through experiences and memory, through science and history.
prophetsmengreatforRejoicefalselyofandandwhen“Blessedthatalwaysouragainstdiscriminatedbecauseoffaith,wemustrememberJesussaid,areyoumenrevileyoupersecuteyouutterallkindsevilagainstyouonmyaccount.andbeglad,yourrewardisinheaven,forsopersecutedthewhowere
KATHRYN EVANS HEIM is an author and wife living outside Salisbury, where she gardens, raises chickens, experiments with cooking and reads too many books. Find her work at www.evanswriting.com.
In his classic “The Great Divorce,” C.S. Lewis depicts a variety of “bright Spirits” who are the souls of those who have already reached heaven and been glorified. One of these Spirits in particular is worth noting. Before being told who she is, the narrator describes this woman as having such beauty and splendor that he first suspects she might be the Blessed Virgin Mary. It’s then explained that she was simply Sarah Smith from Golders Green. She was one who led a humble and unknown life on earth, but her spiritual motherhood extended to all whom she met and thus she received her reward in heaven.
The Catholic writer G.K. Chesterton was a great advocate for the virtues of the everyday man and woman. In his essay on the British jury system, he commented, “When it (civilization) wishes anything done which is really serious, it collects twelve of the most ordinary men standing round. The same thing was done, if I remember right, by the Founder of Christianity.”Whowerethe twelve men known as the Apostles of Jesus Christ? Perhaps one can list all of their names, hopefully keeping track of the different ways they are referred to in the different Gospels. After all, Matthew is also called Levi, Thaddaeus is actually another Judas (literally, not metaphorically), and Bartholomew is the same as Nathanael in the Gospel of John. We know that several of them were fishermen by trade, and that Matthew was a tax collector. We know that Simon Peter, at least, was married and had a mother-in-law whom Our Lord healed. We are given traditions about where each of these men traveled after the descent of the Holy Spirit upon them at Pentecost, with legends of how they died and what became of their bodies, but after 2,000 years much must be taken on faith and our pious belief in these stories.Inreading about the lives of the Apostles, it’s also clear that we have more details about some than about others. It’s not difficult to bring St. Peter or St. Paul alive in our imaginations, but have you have ever tried to clearly picture what James the son of Alphaeus or Simon the Zealot were like as men? But then we must ask ourselves, “How much does it matter?” In our modern culture of social media and tabloid news, it can be easy to get caught up in the details of other people’s lives, especially strangers whom we’ve never met. However, when contemplating the lives of the Apostles or other saints, I find it important to remember the significance of what we don’t know as much as what we do. After all, the Holy Spirit could have seen to it that we were left full biographies and genealogies of each and every one of the Twelve. But it’s not their own lives that are important; it’s Christ’s life in them that we are meant toAsremember.Venerable
“The Sacrament of Ordination (Christ presenting the Keys to Saint Peter)” from the first of the “Seven Sacraments” series of paintings by Nicolas Poussin (1630s)
Dr. Christopher Kaczor Most-read stories on the web
Letter to the Editor
Friendship is inherently valuable, indeed one of the most valuable things in life. For this reason, Aristotle said, “No one would choose to live a friendless existence, even on the condition of having all other good things.” If we better understand what friendship is, then we might better understand how to build new and better friendships.
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Christian belief and practice facilitates making, keeping and developing the best kind of friendship. Many people don’t have the kinds of friends that they wish they had – or that they need – because they devote excessive time to acquiring more money, fame, power and pleasure. Greed for these things is the opposite of virtue and thwarts the cultivation of deep friendship, if only by squandering time that could have been spent cultivating friendship. By warning us about the dangers of greed, Christianity facilitates friendships.Finally,Christianity opens the door to friendship with anyone by urging us to love everyone, even our enemies. St. John Henry Newman said, “We should ever conduct ourselves towards our enemy as if he were one day to be our friend.” Princeton Professor Robert George suggests, “Engage those who do not share your views and be open to their questions and challenges.
‘The Risen One lives in God’s world, where there is a place for everyone, where a new earth is being formed, and the heavenly city, man’s final dwelling place, is being built.’
“Why do so many men have no real friends?” asked a recent essay in the U.K. Times. The essay begins with the experience of 34-year-old Max Dickens, who said, “I didn’t realize I was lonely. ... But then in 2019 I wanted to propose to my girlfriend and found I had nobody I could ask to be my best man.” Having looked through various co-workers and acquaintances, he realized he had no close friends. He thought, “How did thisUnfortunately,happen?” this happens to many people. According to the American Enterprise Institute’s Survey Center on American Life, American men are suffering a friendship recession: “The percentage of men with at least six close friends fell by half since 1990, from 55 percent to 27 percent. The study also found the percentage of men without any close friends jumped from 3 percent to 15 percent, a fivefold increase. Single men fare the worst. One in five American men who are unmarried and not in a romantic relationship report not having any close Althoughfriends.”women, on average, fare better than men in terms of friendship, women too can find themselves without the quantity and quality of friendships that they desire.
If we want friends, we need to spend time in activities cultivating potential friends and reinforcing the friendships that we have.
n Secondly, there are friends of utility, where the relationship is based on mutual exchange. I’ll provide the car, and you provide the gas money. What you love in friendship of utility is not so much the person but what the person gives to you. A friendship of utility is something like a business deal. These friendships also tend not to be long lasting because what is useful now (help in my physics class) is not useful later (when the semester is over). n Finally, there is a complete friendship, a friendship of virtue. Friends of virtue are enjoyable to be with (like friends of pleasure), but this is grounded in something deep and lasting (good character), rather than trivial and ephemeral (pleasure). Friends of virtue are also useful because they are eager to help you and reliable when they promise to help. But in a friendship of virtue, what you love is the person, not just the fun times you have together or useful things they do for you.
Pope Francis From online story: “Wisdom of old age is a beacon for future generations, pope says” Through press time on Aug. 31, 24,325 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of 38,737 pages. The top 10 headlines in August have been: n ‘Lord, it is good that we are here’ 1022 n View the current print edition of the Catholic News Herald 837 n Record number of seminarians enrolled this fall ....................................................................... 819 n ‘Man of the Shroud’ exhibit coming Aug. 14-21 735 n Eucharistic Congress ends with Mass offered by Bishop Jugis 659 n Local priest and Navy chaplain candidate appeals for help 517 n Catholic funeral guide 487 n Seminarian Spotlight: Maximilian “Max” Frei 470 n Deacons renew ordination promises at annual Mass 451 n Sights of the Eucharistic Congress: Eucharistic Procession 359
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Why is it whenever someone asks “Where is God?” they almost never ask, “Where is the evil one?” This isn’t an argument of semantics, but one of whether we recognize there are two sides in life’s battle. Evil can be present in Ukraine, in Russia, in China, and in the United States, because everyone has a chance to choose between good and evil. In science, the proof of something is not always in the positive. For example, one can seek proof that the world is flat, and yet, the proof is that the world is not flat. Or one may wish to prove that light travels at a certain speed and is not just “on” or “off.” By watching light stream to us from the stars, we learn we are seeing the past because light must have time to travel to us, and what is happening on the star right now is not yet visible to us. In Jesus’ life, we learn in Matthew’s Gospel, 4:8-9, “The devil then took Him up a very high mountain and displayed before him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, promising ‘All these will I bestow on you if you prostrate yourself in homage before me.’” Jesus chose not to, but how can we be so sure that others on Earth have not given themselves to the evil one? For the love of money, power and control? In Ukraine, in Russia, in China, and in the U.S.? We have a beautiful example of the graces provided to those who do not give up when they see evil in the world and choose to act and pray. St. Monica, learning of her son Augustine’s sinful ways, prayed and prayed for his return to the faith. In the end, St. Augustine’s conversion and then his autobiography, “Confessions,” would become one of the greatest philosophical and spiritual treasures of the Church and humanity. When we hear of bad news in the world, are we only looking for God? Or do we acknowledge the work of the evil one and reconfirm our part to promote peace and love? In our homes, is there someone we need to forgive, or perhaps someone we need to ask for forgiveness? Or at work, is there someone who needs our help? Or someone we have taken advantage of? In the world, is there evil we have yet to pray for its end? Have we acted to help others to pray? Do we even know that prayers matter? Especially in prayerful repetition, such as when praying the rosary? It is not enough to ask where God is. We must recognize that He expects us to help. And He grants free will to everyone, so it is not as simple as just any one of us changing our minds. We must act to help others change their minds, and to help one another. And strangely, in prayerful actions in faith, we will find God is present – in Ukraine, in Russia, in China, and in the U.S. Even when we cannot see Him. All the time.
Aristotle provides us with some resources for thinking about friendship. Indeed, when I was a freshman in college, it was Aristotle’s teaching on friendship that first awoke in me an interest in philosophy. Aristotle thought friendship involved mutual good will, shared activity together and a shared emotional life. In a real friendship, both parties choose what is good for the other for their sake. Unlike a farmer who feeds the pig to get a higher price at market, a real friend cares about you for your own sake, not to get anything from you. Aristotle taught that friends spend time together in a shared activity. That shared activity could be doing jiu-jitsu, talking about what’s happening in the family, working on producing a play or trying to catch fish. Real friendship involves a real time commitment. In an essay in “The Atlantic,” Julie Beck notes, “One study estimates that it takes spending 40 to 60 hours together within the first six weeks of meeting to turn an acquaintance into a casual friend, and about 80 to 100 hours to become more than that. So friendships unsurprisingly tend to form in places where people spend a lot of their time anyway: work, school, church, extracurricular activities.”
DR. CHRISTOPHER KACZOR is chair of the philosophy department at Loyola Marymount University and the St. Thomas Aquinas Fellow for the Renewal of Catholic Intellectual Life at the Word on Fire Institute. He has written several books, and his research on issues of ethics, philosophy and religion has been featured on many print, broadcast and online news outlets.
Curing the crisis of a friendship recession
Respect others and do not let disagreement destroy friendships or prevent them from being formed.” If we respect and even love our enemies, we may bring about a profound change. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.”
Aristotle also taught that real friends share the ups and downs of life, the triumphs and the tragedies, the victories and defeats. A true friend knows the worst of you but thinks the best of you. And this requires courage. Unless you are honest with your friend about the realities of your life (even those realities that don’t put you in the best light), an acquaintance may never develop into a true friend.Oneof the most important insights of Aristotle is that there are three kinds of friends: n Friends of pleasure are “party people” that you can share laughs with and fun, but not much more. These friendships tend to be shallow and short lived, because what we take pleasure in tends to shift over time.
@CatholicNewsCLT charlottecnhPinterest.com/ Catholicnewscltnewsheraldcatholicfacebook.com/ Diocese Charlotteof In Ukraine, Russia, China and the U.S., ‘where is the evil one?’
JON GAUTHIER is a member of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte and the author of “Embracing Goodness: How Life Works.”
September 2, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD I 27
No art experience is needed for this guided and exploratory retreat. All materials to create your own Peace Pole with solar light cap and stake for “planting,” a private room/bath (for those wishing overnight accommodations), breakfast and lunch on Saturday are included.
m $150 - Commuter - Friday 6:30-8:30pm, Saturday: 9am-4pm (lunch Saturday)
In 2022, the four seasonal Art Wanders retreats correspond with the four cardinal directions. The final retreat of the year, Westward Ho! will present a unique perspective on westward expansion, pushing boundaries, freedom, adventure and opportunity while also remembering this was not the case for all. Fences were built to keep in and to keep out certain peoples. With a thoughtful and creative approach, we will metaphorically disassemble a fence and create a Peace Pole out of a wooden post. Peace Poles were first created in the early 1950’s, in response to the nuclear bombings during WWII, with the inscription, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” They are “planted” in revered places as tangible ways to remind all of us to do our part in spreading peace throughout the land.
The Nicaraguan bishops mediated a national dialogue in 2018 after protests erupted. Talks broke down, however, as the bishops said they saw little goodwill on the government side. Bishop Álvarez took part in the talks.
My check for $ _______________ is enclosed and made payable to: The Oratory Center for Spirituality, PO Box 11586, Rock Hill, SC 29731 OR I’ll register via phone to: (803) 327-2097 OR via email to: oratorycenter@gmail.com Registration Deadline: September 26, 2022
CHURCH PERSECUTED Ortega, who has been in power for 15 years, has been openly hostile to the Church.TheNicaraguan president has called the bishops “terrorists” and “devils in cassocks.” He alleged they were part of an attempted coup to drive him from office in 2018 because they supported anti-government demonstrations that his regime brutally suppressed.
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“Our Lord’s invitation to follow Him involves setting out on a journey that is a difficult journey, that requires us to lead a life always striving to do God’s will,” he said. “Even if it this will involve fighting for our rights to profess our faith.” He prayed that the Mass and everyone’s continued prayers would bring peace to all those affected by injustice – in Nicaragua and“Weelsewhere.liftourvoices for all those who have been deprived of their liberty because of the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We ask all governments to respect the religious liberty and the expression of faith of all Christians around the world.
Bringalittlemorepeacetothenorth,south,eastandwest!
Explore the direction West while creating a Peace Pole with Claudia Fulshaw at The Oratory Center for Spirituality Friday & Saturday, September 30 - October 1
Claudia Fulshaw lives in Durham, NC, is an artist, long-time wanderer and leader of retreats that combine Art, Spirit, Nature & Rest. Through fun and inspiring art projects, Claudia reminds us of how the arts afford us insights into our spiritual lives. Her personality fosters a warm, personal connection that will leave you energized and fed claudia@artwanders.com • www.artwanders.com
“Following Him was challenging,” Father Sanchez said, and the apostles were called to self-sacrifice. Yet they remained undeterred – acting with faith, hope and the desire to spread the Good News.
Westward Ho!
CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD catholicnewsherald.com | September 2, 202228
“Thank you all for attending this Mass,” said Mayra’s husband, Jaime Meza. “We would like to ask you to have Nicaragua in your prayers,” he said, and to pray especially for Father Ramiro, Bishop Álvarez and all political prisoners in the country.“Weare hopeful with your prayers, and God’s help, this will end very soon.”
“Lord, we ask: Bring peace to our countries, bring peace to our people, bring peace to our communities, and bring peace to our “Longfamilies.”liveChrist the King… Viva Cristo Rey!” he said.
MASS OFFERED The bilingual Mass at St. Matthew Church Aug. 24 drew several hundred people to pray for the Tijerino family and for peace in Nicaragua. Father Miguel Sanchez, who ministers to the family, spoke in his homily of how Jesus’ disciples were treated.
Since Ortega was reelected in 2018 – widely denounced as a rigged ballot – attacks against the Church have escalated: Church charitable projects have been prohibited, priests arrested or stopped from celebrating Mass, and the Missionaries of Charity expelled.
TownsendJanetArtist: Westward Ho! Registration Name: Phone:Address:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Email:___________________________________ m $175 - Overnight Stay - Friday 6:30pm – Saturday 4pm (Saturday breakfast & lunch)
In a 2021 interview with Catholic News Service, he defended the dialogues, which he said were held as “Nicaragua was literally bleeding to death, and it was necessary for all the parties directly involved to sit down and talk to make an effort to find a solution.” Of the Church in Nicaragua since 2018, he said, “We have experienced firsthand what it means to be a Church in exodus, a Church that leaves its parishes, a Church on the periphery accompanying the most vulnerable, the poorest, the simplest, a Church ... that we have not only lived conceptually, but experientially.”
CALLS FOR PEACE Meanwhile, Pope Francis continues to call for dialogue. During his Aug. 21 Angelus address, the pope did not specifically mention Bishop Álvarez’s arrest, but he prayed for peace in Nicaragua through Mary’s intercession. “I would like to express my conviction and my hope that, through an open and sincere dialogue, the basis for a respectful and peaceful co-existence might still be found,” he said. “Let us ask the Lord, through the intercession of the ‘Purísima,’ to inspire everyone’s heart with this concrete will.” — Catholic News Service and ACI Prensa contributed creative retreats that invite your spirit to roam awanders rt presents creative retreats that invite your spirit to roam
Father John Allen, pastor of St. Matthew Church, said the Mass was an important expression of solidarity with the suffering Church in Nicaragua. “In times of violence, in times of oppression, and in times of sadness,” Father Allen said, “we draw strength from the Eucharistic sacrifice of Our Lord and from the prayers of the glorious Virgin Mary under the title of ‘Purísima’ (‘Mary Most Pure’), the title with which she is venerated with great devotion in Nicaragua.”Thecongregation prayed that through the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Mary, Ortega would “release immediately all those who are so unjustly held in captivity, and that a time of peace, religious freedom, and human flourishing for all God’s children will soon prevail in that beautiful country.” After the Mass, the Tijerino family expressed their gratitude for everyone’s support during what has been a “difficult, challenging time.”
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