Sept. 30, 2022

At a glance

September

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

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PUBLISHER: The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte

INDEX

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

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‘CALL YOUR MOTHER’

5things you need to know this week

October is the month the Church dedicates to the holy rosary, making now the perfect time to pray to the Blessed Mother. Oct. 7 is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, also known as the feast of Our Lady of Victory. What was the victory? Go online to learn more: www.catholicnewsherald.com.

CELEBRATE THESE POWERHOUSE SAINTS

The first week of October is filled with feast days celebrating powerful saintly intercessors! St. Therese of Lisieux (Oct. 1), St. Francis of Assisi (Oct. 4) and St. Faustina Kowalska (Oct. 5) are beloved for promoting God’s love, peace and mercy. Read more: www. catholicnewsherald. com/ourfaith

CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD catholicnewsherald.com | September 30, 20222 5

1 2 3 4

DID YOU KNOW?

Pope Paul VI became the first pope to visit the U.S. and the first to address the United Nations – 55 years ago this week – on Oct. 4, 1965. Paul VI was canonized a saint by Pope Francis in 2018.

GO SEE ‘NO GREATER LOVE’

The Knights of Columbus are releasing a new documentary about the life of St. Teresa of Calcutta, coming to theaters Oct. 3-4. Visit www.motherteresamovie.com to learn more and find a theater near you.

Diocesan calendar of events

PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS

VIGIL OF TWO HEARTS Oct. 7-8 FridaySaturday, St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. Join us on each First Friday of the month in an overnight vigil to honor the Hearts of Jesus & Mary, to pray for our families, to offer penance for our sins, and to pray for the conversion of our nation. Celebrant Father Joshua Voitus. All families and parishes invited to attend. For details, contact info@ prolifecharlotte.org. Sponsored by C-PLAN of Charlotte www.prolifecharlotte.org/ two-hearts.

DIVINE MERCY DAY OF HEALING 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. To register, go to www. stmatthewcatholic.org.

PRO-LIFE ROSARY: After the 9 a.m. Mass, every third Sunday at the Mother Teresa ProLife Memorial, St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke Mission (Ukrainian Catholic Church): Divine Liturgy (Mass) is offered Sundays at 3 p.m. at St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden. All welcome. For info: ucmcanton@gmail.com.

ENTERTAINMENT

LOOK HEAVENWARD

Spend some time stargazing this month, contemplating all that God has created in the heavens. Meteor showers are abundant in October, when the Draconid and Orionid meteor showers are visible in the Northern Hemisphere. Learn more from the Vatican Observatory, a great resource for all things astronomical: www. vaticanobservatory.org.

FESTIVAL OF LEBANON : Saturday, Oct. 1, at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. Lebanese food, music, culture, kids’ activities and more. Everyone welcome. Hosted by St. Stephen Maronite Church.

WORLD FEST: Saturday, Oct. 15, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte. Ethnic food, games, entertainment and cultural devotions. Everyone welcome. For details, call the parish office at 704-549-1607.

OCTOBER FAMILY FEST: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, Immaculata Catholic School and Immaculate Conception Church, 711 Buncombe St., Hendersonville. Live music, dance performances, inflatables, games, bingo, and beer for sale. All proceeds benefit the school. For details, visit www. immaculateconceptionchurch.com.

RETREATS

RETROUVAILLE OF WESTERN CAROLINA : Retrouvaille weekend in Charlotte Oct. 14-16. Designed for married couples facing difficult challenges in their

relationship; couples who are struggling or not communicating well; and those who are considering separation or divorce. Call 727-343-6701 or visit www. helpourmarriage.org for details.

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:

CHARLOTTE: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, and 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road

TALKS

CONFERENCE & HOLY HOUR ON ‘BEAUTY, THE LANGUAGE OF THE SOUL’: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, in Aquinas Hall at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte. Hosted by Deacon Matthew Newsome. For details, contact the parish office at 704-549-1607.

Upcoming events for Bishop Peter J. Jugis:

OCT. 2-7

Diocese of Charlotte Priests’ Retreat Living Waters Reflection Center, Maggie Valley

OCT. 11 – 6 P.M. Fundraising Dinner for the Seminarian Education Program

St. Patrick Cathedral Family Life Center, Charlotte

OCT. 13 – 6 P.M. Sacrament of Confirmation

Sacred Heart Church, Brevard

— SueAnn Howell

St. Jerome’s way with words

Saint translated and compiled the books of the Bible

St. Jerome, the priest, monk and Doctor of the Church renowned for his extraordinary depth of learning and translations of the Bible into Latin known as the Vulgate, is celebrated by the Church with his memorial on Sept. 30.

Besides his contributions as a Father of the Church and patronage of subsequent Catholic scholarship, Jerome is also regarded as a patron of people with difficult personalities – owing to the sometimes extreme approach that he took in articulating his scholarly opinions and the teaching of the Church. He is also notable for his devotion to the ascetic life and for his insistence on the importance of Hebrew scholarship for Christians.

Born around 340 as Eusebius Hieronymous Sophronius in present-day Croatia, Jerome received Christian instruction from his father, who sent him to Rome to learn rhetoric and classical literature. His youth was dominated by a struggle between worldly pursuits – which brought him into many types of temptation – and the inclination to a life of faith, a feeling evoked by regular trips to the Roman catacombs with his friends in the city.

Baptized in 360 by Pope Liberius, Jerome traveled widely among the monastic and intellectual centers of the newly Christian empire. Upon returning to the city of his birth, following the end of a local crisis caused by the Arian heresy, he studied theology in the famous schools of Trier and worked closely with two other future saints, Chromatius and Heliodorus, who were outstanding teachers of orthodox theology.

Seeking a life more akin to the first generation of “desert fathers,” Jerome left the Adriatic and traveled east to Syria, visiting several Greek cities of civil and ecclesiastical importance on the way to his real destination: “a wild and stony desert ... to which, through fear of hell, I had voluntarily condemned myself, with no other company but scorpions and wild beasts.”

Jerome’s letters vividly chronicle the temptations and trials he endured during several years as a desert hermit. Nevertheless, after his ordination by the bishop of Antioch, followed by periods of study in Constantinople and service at Rome to Pope Damasus I, Jerome opted permanently for a solitary and ascetic life in Bethlehem from the mid-380s.

Jerome remained engaged both as an arbitrator and disputant of controversies in the Church, and served as a spiritual father to a group of nuns who had become his disciples in Rome. Monks and pilgrims from a wide array of nations and cultures also found their way to his monastery, where he commented that “as many different choirs chant the psalms as there are nations.”

Rejecting pagan literature as a distraction, Jerome undertook to learn Hebrew from a Christian monk who had converted from Judaism. Somewhat unusually for a fourth-century Christian priest, he also studied with Jewish rabbis, striving to maintain the connection between Hebrew language and culture, and the emerging world of Greek and Latin-speaking Christianity. He became a secretary of Pope Damasus, who commissioned the Vulgate from him. Prepared by these ventures, Jerome spent 15 years translating most of the Hebrew Bible into its authoritative Latin version. His harsh temperament and biting criticisms of his intellectual opponents made him many enemies in the Church and in Rome, and he was forced to leave the city.

Daily Scripture readings

OCT. 2-8

Sunday: Habakkuk 1:2-3, 2:2-4, 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14, Luke 17:5-10; Monday: Galatians 1:6-12, Luke 10:25-37; Tuesday (St. Francis of Assisi): Galatians 1:13-24, Luke 10:3842; Wednesday: Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14, Luke 11:1-4; Thursday: Galatians 3:1-5, Luke 11:5-13;

Friday (Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary): Galatians 3:7-14, Luke 11:15-26; Saturday: Galatians 3:21-29, Luke 11:27-28

faith

Jerome went to Bethlehem, established a monastery, and lived the rest of his years in study, prayer and ascetcism.

St. Jerome once said, “I interpret as I should, following the command of Christ: ‘Search the Scriptures,’ and ‘Seek and you shall find.’ For if, as Paul says, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, and if the man who does not know Scripture does not know the power and wisdom of God, then ignorance of Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”

After living through barbarian invasions of the Roman empire and a resurgence of riots sparked by doctrinal disputes in the Church, Jerome died in his Bethlehem monastery in 420.

More online

— Catholic News Agency

At www.catholicnewsherald.com : Learn what a Doctor of the Church is and read more about the Fathers of the Church

Pope Francis

Jesus is the most faithful friend a person can have

Jesus never abandons, coerces or blackmails anyone when they stray, rather, He patiently waits and is “our greatest and most faithful friend,” Pope Francis said Sept. 28 at his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square.

“He remains at the door of the heart. We say, ‘No, I do not want to know anything about You.’ And He remains silent, He remains there within reach, within heart’s reach because He is always faithful,” the pope said. “It is a grace we must ask for one another: to see Jesus as our greatest and most faithful friend, who does not blackmail, above all who never abandons us, even when we turn away from Him,” the pope said.

The pope said it is an important process for trying to understand “what is happening inside of us, our feelings and ideas, and we have to discern where (these things) come from, where they are taking me and what decision” needs to be made, he said. An indispensable part of this process is prayer, which requires being somewhere that fosters a prayerful, reflective moment and developing a close, simple and loving familiarity with Jesus, he said. Prayer allows people to speak to God “as one would speak to a friend,” going beyond the words and entering into “intimacy with the Lord, with an affectionate spontaneity,” the pope said.

An ever-growing “familiarity and confidence with God” makes it easier, he said, to recognize what is pleasing to God and helps people overcome any “fear or doubt that His will is not for our good, a temptation that sometimes runs through our thoughts and makes the heart restless and uncertain and even bitter.” Since the beginning of time, he said, Satan has been suggesting that God does not want people to be happy.

“Many people, even Christians, think the same thing, that Jesus may well be the Son of God, but they doubt that He wants our happiness; indeed, some fear that taking His proposal seriously means ruining our lives, mortifying our desires, our strongest aspirations,” he said.

OCT. 9-15

Sunday: 2 Kings 5:14-17, 2 Timothy 2:8-13, Luke 17:11-19; Monday: Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1, Luke 11:29-32; Tuesday (St. John XXIII): Galatians 5:1-6, Luke 11:37-41; Wednesday: Galatians 5:18-25, Luke 11:42-46;

Thursday: Ephesians 1:1-10, Luke 11:47-54; Friday (St. Callistus I): Ephesians 1:11-14, Luke 12:1-7; Saturday (St. Teresa of Jesus): Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 12:8-12

OCT. 16-22

Sunday: Exodus 17:8-13, 2 Timothy 3:144:2, Luke 18:1-8; Monday (St. Ignatius of Antioch): Ephesians 2:1-10, Luke 12:13-21; Tuesday (St. Luke): 2 Timothy 4:10-17b, Luke 10:1-9; Wednesday (Sts. John de Brebeuf and Isaac Jogues and Companions): Ephesians 3:2-12, Isaiah 12:2-6, Luke 12:3948; Thursday (St. Paul of the Cross): Ephesians 3:14-21, Luke 12:49-53; Friday: Ephesians 4:1-6, Luke 12:54-59; Saturday (St. John Paul II): Ephesians 4:7-16, Luke 13:1-9

However, the pope said, the sign of encountering Jesus is joy. “Sadness, or fear, on the other hand, are signs of distance from Him.” Jesus never forces anyone to follow Him, the pope said. He lets people know His will and lets them be free to decide. Prayer is not “parroting” words, but is opening one’s heart to Jesus, moving closer to Him and letting Him “enter my heart and feeling His presence.” Pope Francis said he hoped people would develop a life of prayer that is simple, friendly and affectionate, and that has “few words” but is accompanied by good deeds and works.

September 30, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD I 3 Our “The penitent Saint Jerome in his study” by Matthias Stom (1635), on display at the Fine Arts Museum of Nantes, France.

Our diocese

‘Blessing of the Animals’ to honor St. Francis, bring people together

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

Pet parents and their furry, feathery and scaly friends have the chance to receive a blessing from parish clergy the first and second weekends in October.

Tuesday, Oct. 4, marks the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and environmental stewardship. To honor this great saint and the special place pets have in our lives, parishes throughout the Diocese of Charlotte are hosting a “Blessing of the Animals.”

Celebrating its patronal feast, St. Francis of Assisi Church in Mocksville has special events planned on Oct. 1 and 2, including veneration of a first-class relic of the saint and a pet blessing.

“The Blessing of the Animals, which has become associated with our parish patron, St. Francis of Assisi, is one of those beautiful examples of the universality of our faith and of God’s universal call to holiness for all people,” said Father Eric Kowalski, pastor.

Father Kowalski also noted the annual event’s ecumenical nature.

“It is wonderful to see the intersectionality with our Christian brothers and sisters who gather, sometimes at their churches, and even occasionally here in Mocksville for the Blessing of the Animals,” he said. “At a time when so many people seem to be emphasizing all the things that divide us, it’s wonderful to see something as simple as a blessing of animals brings people together.”

Blessing of the Animals and parish feast in Mocksville

Saturday, Oct. 1: St. Francis of Assisi Church, 862 Yadkinville Road, Mocksville, 1 p.m., pet blessing, parish grounds; 5 p.m. Vigil Mass, followed by recitation of the Litany of St. Francis of Assisi and individual veneration of and blessing with first-class relic of St. Francis of Assisi.

Sunday, Oct. 2: 9 a.m. Mass followed by outdoor procession

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and individual veneration of and blessing with the first-class relic; 10:30 a.m. Mass followed by parish fiesta with food for sale and children’s games.

Around the diocese: More animal blessings

ASHEVILLE AREA

n St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Dr., Arden, Oct. 1, 1 p.m., parish grounds.

CHARLOTTE AREA

n St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte, Oct. 1, 10 a.m., outdoor Marian Grotto behind the church.

n St. Matthew Church, Charlotte, Oct. 8, noon, Pet Memorial Garden at the corner of Rea Road and Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.

n St. Mark Church, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville, Oct. 1, 9:30-11 a.m., church fountain.

n St. Peter Church, 507 South Tryon St., Charlotte, Oct. 1, 10-11 a.m., St. Peter Garden behind the church.

n St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte, Oct. 1, 9:30 a.m., parish grounds.

MOORESVILLE

n St. Therese Church, 217 Brawley School Road, Mooresville, Oct. 8, 10 a.m., courtyard between buildings B (Admin) and C (Parish Life Center).

SALISBURY

n Sacred Heart Church, 375 Lumen Christie Ln., Salisbury, Sept. 30, 8 a.m., school/parish grounds.

STATESVILLE

n St. Philip the Apostle Church, 525 Camden Dr., Statesville, Oct. 1, 9:30 a.m., in front of the church, behind the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue.

TRIAD AREA

n St. Leo the Great Church, 335 Springdale Ave., Winston-Salem, Oct. 1, 9 a.m., Ave Maria Courtyard.

n St. Pius X Church, 2200 North Elm St., Greensboro, Oct. 1, 9 a.m., cloister.

n Our Lady of Mercy Church, 1730 Link Road, Winston-Salem, Oct. 1, 11 a.m., in front of the school near the breezeway.

n Holy Family Church, 4820 Kinnamon Road, Clemmons, Oct. 2, 4:30 p.m., in front of the St. Teresa statue.

n Holy Cross Church, 616 S. Cherry St., Kernersville, Oct. 8, noon, Mary Garden.

St. Philip’s pastor hopeful as parish presses ahead with activity center building project

In Brief

Campus Minister appointed

CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis announces the appointment of Father Moses Nikume Njoh as Campus Minister at UNCGreensboro, Greensboro College and Guilford College effective Sept. 1. Father Njoh had been serving as Campus Minister at High Point University for the past four years.

— Catholic Campus Ministry

St. Patrick Cathedral undergoing renovations

CHARLOTTE — Repair work is under way on the roof and walls of St. Patrick Cathedral to address extensive water damage to the 83-year-old church. Work includes fixing a leaky roof, waterproofing the building’s western façade and repairing the interior plaster walls.

Masses have been moved temporarily to the cathedral’s Family Life Center, and Mass schedules could be affected as the work progresses, Father Christopher Roux, rector, announced Sept. 24.

Renovation work will stop just before Christmas so Masses can be held in the cathedral, and will restart after Jan. 1, with hopes to complete this phase of repair work by Easter 2023, he said.

Renovations are being funded by proceeds from the 2015 “Forward in Faith, Hope and Love” campaign.

— SueAnn Howell

SUEANN HOWELL sahowell@charlottediocese.org

STATESVILLE — Overcoming obstacles brought on by the pandemic and the economy, St. Philip the Apostle Parish is moving forward with plans to build a new Activity and Education Center, with hopes of beginning the project in spring of 2023.

On Saturday, Oct. 8, the parish will host a gala and auction in the social hall to help the church meet rising construction costs after parishioners and donors initially pledged $2.5 million in 2019, when the project was paused due to COVID-19.

Schematic plans and financial projections are going through final reviews, but the church is working with the diocese to consider a campaign to raise roughly $1 million more.

“With God all things are possible,” said Father Thomas Kessler, pastor. “We need to raise more funds. We will build what we need and can afford. The new center must be done soon, because the old facility lacks proper heat and air conditioning, and the roof is in very bad condition.”

Plans call for an 8,250-square-foot

building with classrooms for meetings and faith formation, parish offices and a large gathering space for events and fellowship. Also planned is an outdoor plaza linking the church’s social hall, completed in 2019, with the new Activity and Education Center. The total investment in the two buildings is expected to be about $6 million.

St. Philip’s location in Statesville, just south of Interstate 40 and visible from Interstate 77, makes it a convenient destination for gatherings and events.

“The diocese has reached out to us to hold events here for things such as Protecting God’s Children trainings and Tribunal meetings,” Father Kessler said. “We also hope to be able to host more meetings for the larger Church community in the new facility.”

Parishioners will get an opportunity to review schematic designs and offer feedback in coming weeks, once the parish’s Building and Planning Committee completes its review and preliminary cost estimates.

“The people and leadership of St. Philip are going to complete this project despite headwinds that might deter other churches and organizations,” said Jim Kelley, the diocese’s director of development.

“It’s a real testament to their commitment and extraordinary generosity in helping their parish family learn and live out their faith.”

Father Kessler encourages parishioners to “pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the success of this endeavor.”

How to give

n Mail: Checks can be made out to St. Philip the Apostle Church. Please put ‘Forward With Christ’ in the memo line. Mail to the church at 525 Camden Dr., Statesville, N.C. 28677

n Online: Go to www.faithdirect.net, click ‘Give Now,” and use church code: NC1000

FILE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio blesses a pet during the parish’s 2021 celebration of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

Holy Trinity Mission celebrated its 30th anniversary with a festival. Father Camilo Cárdenas, pastor, said, “Today they live with joy Bishop John Donahue’s words when he inaugurated the Church: ‘You have Christ present in the tabernacle, as it will be in the future in all the Masses and sacraments.’”

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Holy Trinity Mission marks 30 years of service to Hispanic community

Parish celebrates history of seeing faith prosper

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

TAYLORSVILLE — “The Anglo and Hispanic communities have made a great effort working together in our parish, and this is why we celebrate today,” said Father Camilo Cárdenas, administrator of Holy Trinity Mission, during the end of celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the church’s consecration.

During the Sept. 17 festivities, the parish formally inaugurated a new space: a picnic pavilion to provide space for the parish’s many activities, retreats and celebrations.

“This new construction offers a warm outside atmosphere for the human and spiritual good of the community,” Father Cárdenas said.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., parishioners and visitors enjoyed delicious tamales, pambazos, birria, tacos, corn, gorditas, as well as Mexican candies and popsicles.

The Chosen Ones of Christ musical group enlivened the day. Two young parishioners, accompanied by courts of honor, had the opportunity to celebrate being 15 years old with a surprise dance, as they did at their quinceañera party.

Sporting events pitted the local soccer team against teams from nearby parishes, in a spirit of friendly competition.

HISTORY

Holy Trinity’s church was consecrated on March 22, 1992, by Bishop John F. Donoghue, though the first Mass was celebrated on Easter Sunday 1984 in one of the small rooms of what is now the rectory.

Over the years, Holy Trinity has been a mission of the nearby parishes in Hickory, Lenoir and Statesville.

Father José Waters, a pioneer of Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte, was the first priest to live in the rectory and, with the help of the community, built the church.

Father Cárdenas noted, “Since then, the efforts to bring Christ to the faithful have not ceased. Today we live with joy the invitation that Bishop Donoghue left that day: ‘You have Christ present in the tabernacle, as it will be in the future in all the Masses and sacraments.’”

Father Cárdenas came to Holy Trinity Mission in July 2018 from St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Jefferson, where he served as resident priest and Hispanic

Ministry coordinator for the Boone Vicariate.

A Colombian-born priest who also studied in Mexico and Argentina, Father Cárdenas half-joked with parishioners that “he did not even know where the church was” and found a community excited to welcome him “with life and goodwill.”

“Today the community is active – eager to take care of its church and to live the mission that Jesus left us. I thank God for this community of Holy Trinity Church,” he said.

CHALLENGES

Since 2018, numerous improvements have been made to the church property. The basement was repaired, work was done to reinforce the foundation and to eliminate humidity, the parking lot and rectory were improved, and finally the picnic pavilion was constructed.

Like other parishes, the COVID-19 pandemic was a great challenge for the small faith community, forcing parish leaders to connect with the faithful online through the use of social networks. The Sept. 17 celebration was a reminder that in-person worship, fellowship and camaraderie is essential to people nurturing their faith.

Parishioner Paula Matheson said she wants to celebrate “that we are here, full of memories, seeing our faith prosper. Together it’s easier.”

Fellow parishioner Fidel Bazaldua said he has witnessed the growth of the Hispanic community in Taylorsville. “Since Father Cárdenas arrived, we have seen our church flourish.”

He said he and his wife Ana, who both volunteer to serve the parish, were happy to “celebrate together with other brothers and sisters.”

“Those of us who are still here working with faith and hope, we do it so that this work continues to pour out blessings and touch hearts,” he said.

Holy Trinity, added parishioners Raquel and Alan Fox, “has been a blessing for us because it has given us a place to be closer to God and a community that makes us feel like family.”

Go for a visit

If you want to visit Holy Trinity Mission, it is located at 1039 N.C. Hwy. 90 West, Taylorsville, N.C. 28681. Sunday Masses are at 8:30 a.m. (English) and 10 a.m. (Spanish).

Join hands and pray for life Oct. 2

Faithful across the Diocese of Charlotte are encouraged to gather on Sunday, Oct. 2, to kick off Respect Life Month and form Life Chains as a public witness for the dignity of all human life, from conception to natural death.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade “is, without question, an answer to prayer,” but in a post-Roe world, “Catholics must now work together for another, even deeper paradigm shift,” said the U.S. bishops’ pro-life chairman.

“We must move beyond a paradigm shift in the law in order to help the people of our nation better see who we can be as a nation by truly understanding what we owe to one another as members of the same human family,” said Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-life Activities.

“To build a world in which all are welcome,” he said, Catholics “must heed” the words of St. Teresa of Kolkata “and remember ‘that we belong to one another.’”

Life Chains are being organized in the communities listed below. For details about these and other Life Chain events, go online to www.lifechain.org

BREVARD

Corner of Broad and Main streets, 2-3 p.m.; Janice Castevens, 828273-0275

BRYSON CITY

Intersection of Main and Everett streets, 2-3 p.m.; Elizabeth Kelly, 828-488-5461

CHARLOTTE

Corner of Sharon Lane and Providence Road, 2-3 p.m.; James Lashua, 704-366-4362

Corners of East Blvd., and Scott Ave., 2-3 p.m. 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pwky., 2-3 p.m.

CHARLOTTE/MINT HILL

13700 Lawyers Road at I-485, 12:15-1:15 p.m.; Bob Hayes, 384-478-9137

CONCORD

South Union Street in front of Food Lion, 2-3 p.m.; Joe Andruzzi, 704796-0075

DENVER

537 North Hwy. 16, 12:30-1:30 p.m.; Cindee Brewer, 703-217-7561

FRANKLIN

299 Maple St. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 3-4 p.m.; Julie Tastinger, 828-421-2473

GASTONIA

Ozark Avenue at Flint Groves Baptist Church, 2-3 p.m.; Rev. Danny Reece, 704-648-2842

GREENSBORO

Battleground Avenue, 2:30-3:30 p.m.; Mark, 336-312-4810

HUNTERSVILLE

The sidewalk in front of St. Mark Church, Stumptown Road, 2-3 p.m.; Mike FitzGerald, 704-313-8414

MOCKSVILLE

Hwy. 601/Valley Road at Yadkinville Road, 2-3 p.m.; David Taylor, 336406-1089

MOORESVILLE

Hwy. 150 at Williamson Road, 2-3:30 p.m.; Angela Harrigan, 704-9751239

SPARTA

Main Street, 2:15-3:30 p.m., Mary Sue Boyette, 336-657-1230

WAYNESVILLE/HAYWOOD COUNTY

Walnut Street at Russ Avenue, 2-3 p.m.; Chris Ryan, 828-400-2922

WINSTON-SALEM

Hanes Mall Boulevard west of Stratford Road, 2:30-3:30 p.m.; Sandy Herman, 336-399-6434

Catholic schools now hiring support staff

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Charlotte are looking to fill 25 support staff positions to help accommodate growing enrollment across the school system.

With most teaching positions filled, the diocese’s 20 Catholic schools are not experiencing the challenge of staffing classrooms that other school districts are facing, said Crystal Koury, assistant superintendent of diocesan schools. But Catholic schools need substitute teachers, teaching assistants, maintenance personnel, bus drivers and many other support staff members –both full- and part-time – primarily in the Triad, Charlotte and Asheville.

Official student counts are taken in October, but projected enrollment systemwide is up 15% from the 2019-’20 school year, when the pandemic began, according to the Catholic Schools Office.

Yet during much of the pandemic, support staff and volunteers were not allowed in the schools, creating a shortage of help in growing schools.

“We are fortunate in that we’re not looking to recover from the pandemic,” Koury said. “We’re looking to further our mission, strategically plan and take our schools to the next level. We need those extra hands to give time back to the other individuals who have been taking on additional roles and responsibilities.”

At Our Lady of the Assumption School in Charlotte, faculty and staff have been covering gaps while substitute teacher

and volunteer roles remain open.

Even the school’s Principal Tyler Kulp has been pressed into action, serving as a substitute teacher in multiple grade levels on occasion.

“Substitute teachers are very important to fill in, be a positive presence for our students and help in a time of need,” Kulp said. “Often, teachers are having to cover classes during their planning time, and some days they do not have a break in the day to take a 30-minute lunch or go to the restroom.”

Despite the need for more support, Koury and Kulp agree it is gratifying to see steady enrollment growth and that families are finding value in Catholic schools.

They’re also great places to work, Koury said. “All of our schools are Christ-centered and places of joy,” she said. “The beauty is that school staff members get to be Gospel witnesses to these students every day, and many of the positions are flexible to fit your family’s schedule.”

Kulp added, “Teaching in our schools is priceless. Watching students grow academically, spiritually, socially, emotionally and physically is powerful.”

Get details and apply

For more information and to apply for positions at any of the diocese’s Catholic schools, go online to www.charlottediocese. org/schools-office/employmentopportunities

Room At The Inn

2022 Annual Benefit Banquet

Our theme is “LIFE WINS!”

Thursday, October 20, 2022 from 6:00 8:30 p.m.

Sheraton Greensboro (or join us LIVE online)

Melissa is the survivor of a failed saline infusion abortion in 1977. Despite the initial concerns regarding Melissa’s future after surviving the attempt to end her life at approximately seven months gestation, she has not only survived but thrived. Melissa’s story, and her life, is so much more than one of survival. It’s evidence of the intergenerational impact of abortion on all of our lives. More importantly, it’s a testament to the beauty of God’s grace in our lives.

Fulfilling the purpose that she beli eves God set out for her when He saved her from the certain death of the abortion attempt, Melissa is truly a voice for the voiceless. Don’t miss this chance to hear her story!

You’ll also get to hear the story of one of our mothers, Taylor , and find out how YOU can walk with single moms in need!

To sponsor the event or host a table, Please contact Marianne at 336.391.6299 or mdonadio@roominn.org For more information, please visit roominn.org/events

Vote for OLA students’ painting project

CHARLOTTE — Six Our Lady of the Assumption School fifth-grade students participated in the inaugural “Paint the Turtle” contest at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The contest refers to a moment in 2018, when NASCAR on NBC analyst and driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. claimed the sausage curbs that helped create the course looked like “turtles.” The name stuck, and since then the art contest has drawn young people from across the region to express their creativity. Leading into the fifth running of the Bank of America ROVAL 400 Oct. 9, six fifth-grade classes will be selected to participate and show off their creativity as they decorate a “turtle” with a literary theme. The painted “turtles” will be placed along the course and featured throughout the race weekend. The winning class will be announced at the STEAM Expo earlier on Oct. 7 and will receive a special grand prize. Vote for OLA’s contest entry themed after the book “Dog Man” by Dav Pilkey online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/paintthe-roval-turtles.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

SEMINARIAN SPOTLIGHT: Bradley Loftin

From: Huntersville, N.C.

Age: 23

Home parish: St. Mark, Huntersville

Status: Started Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Cincinnati, August 2022

Favorite verse or teaching: The explanation of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, as affirmed by Pope Pius IX in his 1854 encyclical “Ineffabilis Deus” (“Ineffable God”)

Favorite saints: St. Joseph and St. Thomas Aquinas

CHARLOTTE — Instead of throwing Hail Marys on the football field, seminarian Bradley Loftin opted for another path in life – offering prayers instead of passes – when he entered St. Joseph College Seminary in 2018.

Loftin, 23, attended St. Mark School and Christ the King High School in Huntersville, where he enjoyed playing both basketball and football.

“I really wanted to go play college football, but instead of pursuing that, I decided to pursue the priesthood,” Loftin says. He credits his high school chaplain at the time, Father Paul McNulty, and his pastor, Father John Putnam, for fostering his vocation.

“Without speaking to Father Putnam about my vocation, I can say I wouldn’t have pursued it,” Loftin says. “He told me that I would have many difficulties and that I would never make the right choice without prayer. I signed up for a weekly Holy Hour. I asked three of my friends to join me. Now, four years later, three of us four are in seminary.”

Loftin and eight of his brother seminarians graduated from St. Joseph College Seminary in August and now attend Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati – among 49 men currently in some stage of formation to serve as priests in the Diocese of Charlotte.

He reflects on his journey in a conversation with the Catholic News Herald:

CNH: When did you first hear the call to a vocation to the priesthood?

Loftin: I first heard the call when I was a junior at Christ the King High School. I realized that the life I was living wouldn’t fulfill me. I wanted to sacrifice my life for something noble, and I knew I wasn’t living a life that would make me happy. When I

saw the priests around me, I saw men who gave their lives to save souls. I knew I had to make a change. While I was afraid of making it public, I knew I had to pursue what God wanted from me in discerning a call to the priesthood.

CNH: What have you been doing to help deepen your discernment during your time in seminary?

Loftin: Since entering the seminary I’ve really enjoyed teaching and giving instruction about the faith. When St. Joseph College Seminary was still near St. Ann School, I would go there in my free time. During breaks now, I enjoy going to St. Mark School and teaching about the faith there and at home-school groups. There is no greater sight than to witness someone learning about God and then beginning to grow deeper in their love for Him.

CNH: Can you share an example of how your interactions with students are making an impact?

Loftin: One of my favorite moments was when I visited St. Mark School and was able to answer the questions of the students. One student asked me what my favorite part of seminary was. When I replied that I loved the connection of prayer and fraternity at the seminary, the young man’s face lit up with excitement. I think back to this interaction as a motivation to keep spreading the joy that comes with the life that God provides for seminarians and priests.

CNH: Have you acquired some new skills since you entered seminary?

Loftin: Something I have learned is maintenance work. In my summers, I work at St. Mark as part of the maintenance staff. This has required me to learn new skills, from plumbing and electrical to maintaining landscaping. I think these skills will be a great help to me in the priesthood, as maintaining the church and grounds is a critical part of parish life. The skills I’ve learned will be able to assist me in that.

CNH: What advice do you have for a young man discerning a call to the priesthood?

Loftin: My advice is to listen to the angel in the first chapter of Matthew’s Gospel: “Do not be afraid.” While you may have fears about discerning the priesthood, realize that God will give you the grace to be His priest. God will strengthen you to follow Him, and He will lead you. Trust in the Lord so that you may discern.

— SueAnn Howell

Annual priest retreat conferences to aid missionaries in Nicaragua

SUEANN HOWELL sahowell@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis and priests of the Diocese of Charlotte will attend their annual Priests’ Retreat Oct. 2-7 at the diocese’s Living Waters Reflection Center in Maggie Valley.

All the conferences from this year’s retreat will be recorded to share with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, missionary priests in Nicaragua. The government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has long persecuted the Catholic Church, recently arresting more than 100 people, including some priests who are being held in Managua’s notorious El Chipote prison. Bishop Rolando Álvarez is among those imprisoned, after an Aug. 19 raid on his offices.

“We want the missionaries of Nicaragua to benefit from our conferences for their canonical retreat,” says Father Cahill, pastor of St. Eugene Church in Asheville and retreat coordinator. “Because the Church there is being persecuted, we want to partner with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal to help bring about spiritual renewal and hope.”

Conferences will be centered around the topic “The Priest in a Time of Eucharistic Revival: Blessed, Broken and Given.”

Your DSA contributions at work

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

Deacon Ritchey of Kernersville passes away, aged 75

KERNERSVILLE — Deacon Ronald

Timothy “Deacon Tim” Ritchey, 75, of Walkertown, N.C., passed away peacefully Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Sept. 15, 2022, at Holy Cross Church in Kernersville with Father Noah Carter, pastor, officiating. Inurnment and a committal service with military honors was held Sept. 16, 2022, at the Holy Cross Columbarium.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Deacon Ritchey was born Sept. 17, 1946, the son of William Earl Ritchey and Regina Paulina McGoldrick Ritchey, both

deceased. He was the husband of 55 years to Rory Ann Gould Ritchey.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and he was a volunteer firefighter and a chaplain for the Colorado State Patrol, Thornton Police Department and Northglenn Ambulance Service.

Deacon Ritchey was ordained in 1989 for the Archdiocese of Denver, where he served until moving to the Diocese of Charlotte in 2004. He had the great honor of assisting at the World Youth Day Mass in Colorado with former Pope St. John Paul II.

He served at Holy Cross Church from October 2007 to present. Over the years, he served the Church and Holy Cross Parish in numerous ways – baptismal preparation, RCIA, marriage preparation, nursing home and hospital visits, funeral services – as well as serving in prison ministry and as a

police chaplain, and in ministry to the deaf.

He passed peacefully at Holy Cross Church and was surrounded by the people he loved.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Fredrick Randy Ritchey.

Survivors include his wife, Rory Ann; two sons, William James Ritchey and wife, Julie, and Shawn Michael Ritchey and wife, Harlee; grandchildren Dalene Ritchey, Michael Ritchey and wife, Casey, Savannah Ritchey, and Piper Ritchey; great grandchildren Alexandria, Kylie, Maddy and Ramey-Lynne; and two sisters, Pamela Ritchey, and Francine Honeycutt.

Pierce-Jefferson Funeral & Cremation Services was in charge of the arrangements.

This year’s retreat master is Monsignor Thomas Caserta from the Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y. Monsignor Caserta has served as an associate pastor, youth retreat director and, for 22 years, as director of spiritual formation at his diocese’s seminary college.

Monsignor Caserta also served for 10 years as director of Priestly Life and Ministry for the Brooklyn diocese and is the coordinator of the Courage International apostolate, a Catholic ministry that offers support for those who experience same-sex attraction, as well as their families.

Besides daily Mass, talks by Monsignor Caserta and time for reflection, the priests will take time on their retreat “to praise God for this blessed golden anniversary of the diocese and honor the anniversary as a prayer intention when we pray a rosary together,” Father Cahill said.

Make a retreat

Living Waters Catholic Retreat Center is tucked away in the picturesque Smoky Mountains and offers private, group and diocesan youth-sponsored retreats, as well as preached, directed and nature retreats. There are also many opportunities for hiking and meditative walks. To learn more about this retreat center, sponsored by the Diocesan Support Appeal, go to www. catholicretreat.org

PHOTO BY AMY BURGER

Charlotte seminarians Christian Goduti, Matthew Harrison II and Bradley Loftin are shown at a Christ the King High School football game in Huntersville in 2018. Loftin credits their friendship for helping him discern his vocation. All three men are now studying at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio. Caseta

Loftin

Local artist creates Marian shrines for Our Lady of Grace Church

GREENSBORO — Paul Nixon, former auto mechanic turned artist, just finished his sixth portable shrine for his parish, Our Lady of Grace. The shrines were commissioned by his pastor, Father Casey Coleman. Nixon took six statues of Our Lady of Fatima, which Father Coleman brought back from Portugal, and placed them in unique wooden cases he built and painted using different design inspirations in shades of red, gold, brown and blue. Each Marian shrine is approximately 28 inches tall and 10 inches deep. One shrine is now in the church, another is in a local nursing home, and the others are circulated among parishioners’ homes at their request to encourage prayer. Over 22 years, Nixon has designed croziers for bishops, created bronze sculptures for communities in his native Ireland, and carved a wooden San Damiano crucifix for a church in Louisiana. As he selected reclaimed wood and painted each Marian shine, he says, “Each one became more beautiful than the next. It was wonderful to watch the reactions of the staff, parishioners and Father Coleman as I finished them.”

Learn more about Nixon’s art at www.paulnixonart.com.

‘Healed and Restored’

St. Mark parishioner pens book to help others who have experienced trauma

SUEANN HOWELL sahowell@charlottediocese.org

HUNTERSVILLE — Elza Spaedy, local author and sexual abuse survivor, released her latest book about healing after trauma at a special launch event Sept. 16 at St. Mark Church.

Spaedy’s second book, “Healed and Restored: A Journey Through Trauma, Resilience and Transformative Healing,” aims to help men and women who are trying to recover from a variety of deep emotional wounds.

This is “one trauma survivor’s way of trying to assist other hurting souls,” Spaedy says. “This book is definitely one that I wish I had come across when I was in my early 20s, when I realized what I had been through at eight years old.”

Spaedy says she was abused by someone posing as a family friend. She hopes other abuse survivors or those struggling under the weight of trauma will gain understanding from her book and in pondering reflective questions in each chapter. She believes readers will also come to see how traumatic events may have a substantial impact in many areas of their lives.

“The things that I discuss in the book

helped me heal and I hope help someone else,” she explains. “I talk about carrying shame and dealing with mental illness. Because I walked that walk, I can talk that talk.”

Spaedy also hopes the book will help people who may not have experienced trauma but would like insight “so that they can walk with others who have.”

Proceeds from the book benefit Spaedy’s nonprofit Healed and Restored ministry, a free, residential, faith-based program that provides counseling and therapy to help women recover from physical and sexual abuse, including sex trafficking.

“By the grace of God, the ministry has been growing,” Spaedy says. “We’re now able to pay for women to receive professional counseling from Catholic mental health professionals in the area.”

One goal of the ministry is to build a 10-bed facility for women. Spaedy and the ministry board of directors are looking for a donor to provide land so that fundraising can begin for a future permanent home for the ministry.

“As adults,” Spaedy says, “many of us are awakening to our traumas and, consequently, to the need to find healing and restoration. Healing happens not only internally, but also in communal sharing. That means when we share our stories, they have the power to inspire and give others hope.”

For more info

Get more information about Elza Spaedy’s ministry, Healed and Restored, or order her new book online at www.healedandrestored. org. Questions? Contact Spaedy directly at elzaspaedy@gmail.com.

Spaedy

PHOTO PROVIDED; ANNIE FERGUSON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

— SueAnn Howell

Haiti,

go

Endowment fund benefits

Charlotte Catholic Alumni Association

SUEANN HOWELL sahowell@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — Lee F. McGuiness could command a room. A graduate of Charlotte Catholic High School and Belmont Abbey College, he became a successful businessman, known as a consummate salesman whose very presence made a statement.

When he died in 2020, McGuiness, 85, made a different kind of statement: He left behind instructions and a gift to establish an endowment through the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation to further the work of Charlotte Catholic’s Alumni Association, demonstrating his love for his alma mater.

“He always remembered his high school,” said Janie McGuiness, his wife of 25 years. “The endowment was all set up in his will. He was a highly organized person.”

McGuiness graduated from Charlotte Catholic in 1953 and played saxophone and tuba in the high school band.

A native New Yorker, he moved with his family to Charlotte as a young boy. He got his start in sales as a teen delivering newspapers and selling subscriptions. Over the course of his career, he sold paper and plastics and eventually formed a packaging consulting company which he ran until his passing.

“He was a true salesperson,” Janie said. “He was bigger than life. He always made a statement when he walked into a room.”

McGuiness was also a devoted family man. His first wife, Nancy, whom he married his senior year at Belmont Abbey College, died from cancer after 37 years of marriage. They had four children together.

“His family was his priority,” Janie said. “He loved spending time with his children, my three children, our 17 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Our kids and grandkids always sought his advice as they got older.”

Jim Kelley, development director for the diocese, said Charlotte Catholic set McGuiness on a path to success – so it was important for him to give back, so that others might benefit from a similar experience.

“Charlotte Catholic really impacted him, and he remembered that almost 70 years later,” Kelley said. “It set him on course to appreciate and live his Catholic faith. It was a grounding point from which so many things became possible.”

The Lee McGuiness Endowment Fund was created in June 2021 with a $22,872 annuity. The money will remain invested so it can grow over time and will also generate income annually for the Charlotte Catholic High School Alumni Association.

The association encourages alumni involvement in the school to support its educational mission and provide alumni with social activities and opportunities for spiritual enrichment.

“There are so many different ways for people who are putting together estate plans to create something that will become part of their legacy – and help the Church for years to come,” Kelley said. “Setting aside an annuity is a great option because it will provide retirement income while you’re alive and then become a gift that will continue to grow for the benefit of parishioners who follow.”

Fund an endowment

Interested in setting up – or adding to – an endowment to benefit your parish or Catholic school? You can establish an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a trust or annuity, or a gift of real estate, life insurance, cash or securities. For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or gmrhodes@rcdoc.org.

Planned Giving Officer

The Diocesan Office of Development has an opening for a full-time Planned Giving Officer who reports to the Director of Planned Giving. The successful candidate must have an undergraduate degree and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in fundraising; experience in carrying out gift planning programs preferred; extensive fundraising experience may be substituted for a completed undergraduate degree.

Responsibilities include assisting parishioners throughout the diocese to develop and implement long range financial plans for their benefit, the benefit of their family, their parish, diocesan entities and/or the diocese itself. Additional responsibilities include working directly with parishes to develop planned giving committees.

Please submit resume by October 31, 2022 to:

Gina Rhodes – Director of Planned Giving gmrhodes@rcdoc.org or by mail to

1123 South Church Street – Charlotte, NC 28203

e Diocese of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Marian Pilgrimage

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

Upcoming visits include:

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH

Through Monday, Oct. 3 150 Brian Berg Dr., Brevard, N.C. 28712

ST. MARGARET OF SCOTLAND CATHOLIC CHURCH

Monday-Sunday, Oct. 3-9 102 Andrews Pl., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

OUR LADY OF THE MOUNTAINS & ST. JUDE CATHOLIC CHURCHES

Oct. 9-16

315 N. 5th St., Highlands, N.C. 28741 3011 Hwy. 64 East, Sapphire, N.C. 28774

OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC CHURCH

Oct. 19-24

725 Deese St., Monroe, N.C. 28112

OUR LADY OF THE AMERICAS CATHOLIC CHURCH

Oct. 24-27

298 Farmers Market Road, Biscoe, N.C. 27209

ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH

Oct. 27-30

1018 W. Hamlet Ave., Hamlet, N.C. 28345

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

Rain clears just before Marian procession through Black Mountain

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St. Mark Church lights up the night to celebrate milestone anniversaries

HUNTERSVILLE — A spectacular laser light show was the highlight of Septemberfest, a celebration at St. Mark Church Sept. 23. The parish marked its 25th anniversary as well as the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Charlotte with Mass, games, food and music. Hundreds of St. Mark parishioners joined their pastor, Father John Putnam, to gaze upon the bell tower and facade of the church after sunset to see the unique 3-D laser projection produced by Highland Media-works of Asheville.

The augmented reality, 3-D projection mapping is a digital art form using video projectors to cast customized images onto a target sculpture. During the laser light show, the diocese’s 50th anniversary logo, time lapse photos of St. Mark’s construction in 2009, and several of its stained-glass windows that grace the nave were projected on the bell tower.

Prayer for the 50th anniversary

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

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

Amen.

Prayers & Devotions

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

September prayer intention

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.

Saint of the Month

St. Paul Chong Hasang Feast date: Sept. 20

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— SueAnn Howell. Photo by Amy Burger.

Celebrating 70 years of Grace

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

GREENSBORO — Joy filled the faithful of Our Lady of Grace Church Sept. 14 as the parish celebrated its 70th anniversary on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

“For 70 years, our church has been a font of grace overflowing into our community, the Church and the world,” said Father Casey Coleman, pastor, his voice catching with emotion as he welcomed the congregation to Mass.

He went on to reflect upon the nature of grace throughout the Mass and in a celebratory toast afterward – a poignant moment in the week’s anniversary festivities.

Renowned for its French Gothic architecture, exquisite Belgian stained-glass and ornate Italian marble sanctuary, the church is a memorial to Ethel Clay Price, the wife of wealthy insurance magnate Julian Price, who set out to build the church for his beloved after she died in 1943.

Its history also includes other remarkable moments: During his pastorate of Our Lady of Grace, Monsignor Michael Begley was elevated to become the first bishop of the newly formed Diocese of Charlotte in 1972. Four years later, Archbishop (now Venerable) Fulton Sheen offered Mass at the church, delivering one of his famous prophetic homilies and blessing a new activity center and school.

Today a diverse and vibrant parish, Our Lady of Grace offers a variety of liturgies, choral music, Eucharistic Adoration and ample opportunities to receive the grace of the sacraments – faithfully living out the title of its patroness.

TOAST TO GRACE

In his anniversary homily, Father Coleman said a mother brings her children to the font of love. “A mother provides always for the cares of her children, so does Our Lady of Grace, especially from that fruit from this great font of the Mass and the gift of the Eucharist, which is the source of all grace,” he said. “That is why we exist as a parish: to show forth this love of God to all of Mary’s children.”

In a champagne toast following Mass, he continued, “Our Lady of Grace is the first title given to Mary, and the one given by an angel, ‘Hail, full of grace!’ This salutation became the namesake of our parish and has embodied her spirit since her founding. It was the grace of benefactors which built this beautiful building, the grace of generations of Catholics which has kept her doors open, and the grace of Our Lady which preserves and protects her through trial and adversity.”

Parishioner Troy Smrecek and his family recently moved to the area from Milwaukee, Wis., and have been members of Our Lady of Grace for four months.

“The people have been very welcoming, and we love the sacred music,” he said. “The thing that really piqued my interest in what Father Coleman said today was around Our Lady being full of grace and the pouring out of grace that is received from the Church. We see it here, too!”

MUSIC AMID REUNION

Celebrations throughout the week of Sept. 12 included Vespers, special parish and school Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, a choral concert, parish dinner and trivia contest. The events also included the return of Donut Sunday.

GRACE, SEE PAGE 13

Pastors of Our Lady of Grace Church

1952-1962 Monsignor Arthur Freeman 1962-1966 Monsignor Peter McNerney 1966-1968 Monsignor (later Bishop)

Charles B. McLaughlin 1968-1971 Monsignor Michael J. Carey 1971-1972 Monsignor (later Bishop)

Michael J. Begley 1972-1979 Monsignor Francis M. Smith 1979-1986 Monsignor William N. Pharr

1986-1988 Father Thomas P. Clements

1988-1993 Father Walter M. Dziordz, M.I.C.

1993-2001 Father Mark Lamprich, M.I.C.

2001-2005 Father Francis J. O’Rourke

2005-2012 Father Fidel Melo

2012-2017 Father Eric Kowalski

2017-2020 Father Paul Buchanan

2020- Father Casey Coleman

PAUL CAMPBELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Amid Our Lady of Grace’s beautiful marble sanctuary, Father Casey Coleman offers Mass Sept. 17 in honor of the 70th anniversary of the dedication of the church.

GRACE

To open the week’s festivities, the Vespers Choir sang Vespers I of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, featuring Eric Mellenbruch of Austin, Texas, playing a special historical form of Organ Vespers. Father Joseph Wasswa, parochial vicar, officiated.

On Sept. 16, a blend of Our Lady of Grace adult and children’s choirs participated in a choral concert organized by Maggie Lovin, assistant choir director. Hymns were sung in Spanish, Latin and English. On the organ were A.J. Lyon, Oscar Hernandez and Matthew Sprinkle, the parish’s sacred music director.

Father Coleman rededicated the Kathleen Price Bryan Banquet Hall before the parish dinner on Sept. 17. After sustaining water damage, the hall underwent repairs, which had recently been completed, restoring this integral place for parish fellowship.

“A lot of our community has been really yearning for an opportunity to have a reason to come together, and this is a way that we can really enjoy the gift of that blessing,” Father Coleman said at the event.

Patty Jennings, coordinator of the anniversary events, agreed. “Folks were happy to be back together,” she said. “I think the celebrations offered a little of everything – worship and thanksgiving, fellowship, and some great food!”

FAITHFUL CLERGY

The church’s anniversary has a unique connection to this year’s 50th diocesan jubilee. Monsignor Michael J. Begley was serving as pastor of Our Lady of Grace in late 1971 when he got a call from Raleigh Bishop Vincent Waters, whose diocese covered all of North Carolina at the time. The bishop wanted to meet with Monsignor Begley in Greensboro, under the guise of looking for property for future parish use. As the two men drove together, Bishop Waters stopped his car and said, “Rome has decided to have a second diocese in Charlotte with you as the first bishop. Will you accept?” In the spirit of Our Lady’s fiat, his answer was yes – and the Charlotte diocese was born about six weeks later, covering the western half of North Carolina.

Other clergy attending the celebrations included Fathers Robert Ferris, James Stuhrenberg, Louis Canino, OFM (retired), and Deacons Jack Yarbrough, Tim Rohan (retired) and Mark Mejias.

“We’re blessed to have such a beautiful church to worship in and to have such wonderful, holy priests who are dedicated to us,” said Rebekah Zomberg, a parishioner of 13 years.

“We got married here, our children were baptized here, and Lord willing, we’ll die here,” added John Zomberg. “13 years down, 70 to go!”

LOOKING BACK AND AHEAD

Father Stuhrenberg, now pastor of Holy Family Church in Clemmons, concelebrated the 6 p.m. anniversary Mass on Sept. 14 with Father Coleman and Father Wasswa. He served at Our Lady of Grace as a parochial vicar from 2007 to 2010.

“It was my last time being parochial vicar before becoming a pastor, and I did a lot of learning here…” he said. “I enjoyed the people, the school, the faith formation and, of course, it’s the ‘wedding church.’ I remember having a wedding every weekend through the summer!”

Moments of Grace

1943

After the death of Ethel Clay Price in 1943, Julian Price approaches Raleigh Bishop Vincent Waters about building a church as a living memorial to his beloved and donates $400,000.

1950

After years of planning and challenges – including the rising cost of material during World War II and the sudden death of Julian Price in 1946 – the Price children donate another $300,000 and construction finally begins on Our Lady of Grace.

July 13, 1952

The parish holds its first Mass with 10 people in attendance.

Sept. 14, 1952

With 600 people on hand, Our Lady of Grace is formally dedicated by Archbishop Amleto Cicognani, the Vatican’s apostolic delegate to the United States.

1953

Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters from Scranton, Pa., arrive to lead Our Lady of Grace School.

Thanksgiving 1971

In a clandestine meeting, Bishop

Nov. 14, 1976

1977

The parish celebrates its 25th anniversary and its rare, 2,226-pipe organ and gallery are installed and dedicated to mark its silver anniversary and the golden anniversary of Kathleen Price Bryan and Joseph M. Bryan, the primary benefactors of the additions.

2013

The parish breaks ground on a new school building, andwork begins renovating the original school into a Parish Life Center.

Oct. 23, 2015

Sept. 14, 2022

Vincent Waters asks Our Lady of Grace pastor Monsignor Michael Begley to be the first bishop of the soon-to-be-formed Diocese of Charlotte.

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen offers Mass at the church, complete with inspiring homily, and blesses new facilities.

Thousands visit Our Lady of Grace to venerate the major relics of St. Maria Goretti.

The parish celebrates its 70th anniversary with a special Mass and champagne toast afterward – a highlight of a week full of anniversary festivities.

Begley

ANNIE FERGUSON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Members of the OLG Parish Choir and OLG Latin Schola prepare to sing in a choral concert on Sept. 16. Go to www. catholicnewsherald.com to see a video clip of their performance and the entire Vespers service held on Sept. 13.

PHOTOS BY PAUL CAMPBELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Clockwise) Longtime parishioners Betty Tarantelli and Ed Alton share their stories; the Pastel Tres Leches cake was a hit at the parish dinner; parishioners worship during the Sept. 17 Mass; the front entrance of the church.

(Below) The construction of Our Lady of Grace Church began in 1950.

Bask in the beauty of

ake time to get away to see North Carolina’s kaleidoscope of color this fall and consider visiting our scenic churches as you take in the natural beauty of our diocese. From our newest parish, St. Jude near Gorges State Park in Sapphire, to St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville, the Diocese of Charlotte includes more than a dozen churches along leaf viewing routes throughout western North Carolina. Many offer historical and architectural significance, as well as a range of Mass times, within close proximity of natural treasures such as Grandfather Mountain, Linville Gorge and Sliding Rock. A few are highlighted here, and a broader list is available at www.catholicnewsherald.com. Peak color is expected from early October through early November, depending on elevation. God’s beauty awaits!

— SueAnn Howell

See even more parishes online

(From left) Grandfather Mountain; a viaduct along the Blue Ridge Parkway; Church in Maggie Valley.

God’s creation

1 St. Lawrence Basilica

• Sparta

Boone

Mountain

Dedicated in 1909 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, St. Lawrence Basilica is capped by a spectacular tiled dome – one of the largest freestanding elliptical domes in North America.

97 Haywood St., Asheville, N.C. 28801 www.saintlawrencebasilica.org

2 Immaculate Conception Church

This church features a beautiful hand-carved white oak crucifix suspended above the altar and set against a backdrop of stacked stone.

208 Seventh Ave., Hendersonville, N.C. 28791 www.immaculateconceptionchurch.com

3 Sacred Heart Church

Conveniently located near Pisgah National Forest in Brevard, a walkable town noted as a tourism, retirement and cultural destination.

150 Brian Berg Lane, Brevard, N.C. 28712 www.sacredheartbrevard.org

4 St. Andrew the Apostle Church

Just 20 minutes north of Asheville, Mars Hill is a small college town near a host of outdoor activities.

149 Brook St., Mars Hill, N.C. 28754 www.standrew-sacredheart.org

5 St. Bernadette Church

Enjoy panoramic views of Grandfather Mountain.

An outdoor St. Anthony of Padua Chapel and a Lourdes grotto are open for prayer.

2085 N.C. Hwy. 105, Linville, N.C. 28646 www.stlucienbernadette.org

6 St. Elizabeth Church

Boone is located near hiking trails, zipline courses, ski resort chairlifts and waterfall trails that provide perfect leaf viewing opportunities.

259 Pilgrim’s Way, Boone, N.C. 28607

www.saintecc.org

7 St. Frances of Rome Church

Sparta is situated in the heart of the Blue Ridge Parkway not far from the second oldest river in the world, the New River.

29 Highland Dr., Sparta, N.C. 28675

www.stfrancesofrome-sparta.org

8 St. Francis of Assisi Church

Located hillside in a town within the Nantahala National Forest, visitors can pray at an outdoor St. Joseph Shrine.

299 Maple St., Franklin, N.C. 28734 www.stfrancisassisifranklin.org

9 St. Francis of Assisi Church

Come see the 33 beautiful windows designed by Statesville Stained Glass Co. and venerate a first-class relic of St. Francis in the nave of this “mountain Gothic” style church.

167 St. Francis Pl., Jefferson, N.C. 28640 www.stfrancisofassisi-jefferson.org

10 St. Joseph Church

Nestled between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Nantahala National Forest, this area is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream.

316 Main St., Bryson City, N.C. 28713 www.stjosephbryson.org

11 St. Margaret of Scotland Church

Perched above Maggie Valley, this is the perfect spot for leaf looking near the Blue Ridge Parkway.

37 Murphy Dr., Maggie Valley, N.C. 28751 www.stmargaretofscotlandmv.org

12 St. Mary, Mother of God Church

Filmmakers have captured the beauty of this small town located near the Cherokee Indian Reservation and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

22 Bartlett St., Sylva, N.C. 28779

www.stmarymotherofgod.com

13 St. Jude Church

Formerly a mission of Sacred Heart Parish in Brevard, this picturesque octagonal church was elevated to a parish in July, making it the newest church in the Diocese of Charlotte.

3011 Hwy. 64 East, Sapphire Valley, N.C. 28774

www,stjudeofsapphirevalley.org

PHOTOS BY SUEANN HOWELL AND GRANDFATHER.COM

Parkway; the cross outside St. Margaret of Scotland

P. Gabriel Carvajal-Salazar

Los valores de la fe

Estimados hermanos y hermanas en Cristo, permítanme compartir con ustedes algunos pensamientos que cada vez se hacen más reincidentes, a tal punto que se los tengo que decir. Corríjanme si estoy equivocado.

Desde la antigüedad el ser humano ha sido nómada (inmigrante), y poco a poco se fue volviendo sedentario (estableciéndose en lugares fijos) hasta formar comunidades, grandes ciudades y civilizaciones. Y sin darnos cuenta la historia continúa con nosotros.

En algunos casos, en nuestros mismos lugares de origen hemos emigrado de un lugar a otro. Por ejemplo, mis primeros hermanos, papás, abuelos, bisabuelos originarios del centro de México tuvimos que emigrar en la década de los sesenta al sur del país. Y en los noventa, dejando atrás nuestros difuntos, emigramos a los Estados Unidos, donde nos encontramos hasta el presente. Y aún el espíritu inmigrante no nos abandona.

“When in Rome, do what the Romans do”. Me encantan los dichos, de ahí que algunos de mis allegados me llamen “el padre dichoso”. Sin embargo, hay algunos dichos que no hay que tomarlos al pie de la letra, como el antes mencionado, el que para nosotros sería: “A la tierra donde fueres hazle como vieres”.

¡Cuidado, mucho cuidado! Esto se refiere al aspecto positivo, a todo lo bueno que se encuentra en la cultura del lugar donde se llega. Dígase por ejemplo, la celebración de “Thanksgiving”. Pero, cuidado con lo negativo y malas costumbres que atentan contra la dignidad de la persona y la célula de la sociedad que es la familia.

Especialmente para el cristiano, el que debe ser la buena levadura metida en la masa, la sal que preserva y da sabor, la luz que ilumina y disipa las tinieblas (Mt 5, 13-14).

Pero, ¿qué está pasando?

Parece que al llegar a este país con el afán de una vida mejor y con las ansias de poseer, se van olvidando los valores, los buenos modales y con ello el tesoro de la fe. Consecuentemente, la mayoría de los papás se sienten menos capaces de transmitir la fe a sus hijos, ya que en algunos casos ellos mismos se han desconectado de la fuente sacramental donde se recibe esa fuerza, que es Jesús nuestro Señor, quien dice: “Sin mi no pueden hacer nada” (Jn 15, 5).

Recordemos hermanos que inmigrantes somos en la tierra, la patria verdadera es la celestial. (Fil 3,20). Les invito a que se acerquen a sus parroquias y les deseo una vida sacramental saludable.

EL PADRE GABRIEL CARVAJAL-SALAZAR es párroco de la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de los Caminos en Thomasville.

(Arriba) La celebración se amenizó con temas musicales y los bailes sorpresa de dos quinceñeras. (Izquierda) Decenas de fieles disfrutaron, bajo el nuevo espacio de picnic, de las deliciosas viandas que se ofrecieron a la Venta.

FOTOS POR CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Misión Holy Trinity concluyó festejos de aniversario

Treinta años viendo prosperar la fe

CÉSAR HURTADO

rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

TAYLORSVILLE — “Las comunidades anglo e hispana han realizado un gran esfuerzo en conjunto en nuestra parroquia y por ello hoy lo celebramos”, dijo el Padre Camilo Cárdenas, pastor de la Misión Católica Holy Trinity, durante el cierre de los festejos por el 30 Aniversario de la consagración de esa parroquia el pasado sábado 17 de septiembre.

Durante el festival organizado con ese propósito, se inauguró formalmente un nuevo espacio, un pabellón de picnic, que acoge las actividades de la comunidad parroquial, así como amigos y visitantes en kermeses, retiros y celebraciones mayores.

“Esta nueva construcción ofrece un ambiente cálido y campestre para el bien humano y espiritual de la comunidad”, dijo el Padre Cárdenas.

Desde las 10 de la mañana hasta las 3 de la tarde se ofrecieron a la venta deliciosos tamales, pambazos, birria, tacos, maíz, gorditas, así como dulces y paletas mexicanas.

El grupo musical ‘Los elegidos de Cristo’ amenizó la jornada y dos jovencitas que celebraron sus quince años durante 2022, acompañadas de su corte de chambelanes, danzaron los ‘baile sorpresa’ que ejecutaron en sus fiestas quinceañeras.

También se realizaron encuentros deportivos que enfrentaron, siempre en un clima de camaradería, al equipo de fútbol local con los de otras parroquias cercanas.

HISTORIA

La Iglesia Santa Trinidad fué consagrada el 22 de marzo de 1992 por el Obispo John F. Donoghue, aunque la primera Misa se celebró el domingo de pascua de resurrección de 1984 en una de las pequeñas habitaciones de lo que hoy es la casa parroquial.

Sucesivamente ha sido misión de las parroquias de Hickory, Lenoir y Statesville.

El Padre José Waters, pionero del ministerio hispano en la Diócesis de Charlotte, fue el primer sacerdote que residió en la casa parroquial y, con ayuda de la comunidad, levantó la iglesia.

El Padre Cárdenas dijo que, “desde ese entonces no han cesado los esfuerzos por llevar Cristo a los fieles. Hoy se vive con alegría la invitación que dejó aquel día el Obispo Donoghue: ‘Ustedes tienen a Cristo presente en el Tabernáculo, como lo será en el futuro en todas las Misas y Sacramentos’”.

El Padre Cárdenas llegó a esta comunidad en julio de 2018, proveniente de la Iglesia San Francisco de Asís en Jefferson, donde se desempeñó como sacerdote residente y coordinador del ministerio hispano del vicariato de Boone.

Nacido en Páez, Boyacá, Colombia, con estudios en México y Argentina, el Padre Cárdenas asegura que a su llegada, “no conocía ni donde estaba la Iglesia”, y encontró una comunidad un poco afligida por numerosas dificultades, “pero con vida y buena voluntad”.

“Hoy la comunidad está activa, deseosa de cuidar su Iglesia y de vivir la misión que nos dejó Jesús. Doy gracias a Dios por esta comunidad de la Iglesia Santa Trinidad”, añadió el sacerdote.

RETOS

Desde 2018 se han implementado numerosas mejoras en la iglesia. Se ha reparado el sótano, realizado obras de refuerzo de cimientos, eliminación de humedad, mejora del estacionamiento vehicular, de la casa parroquial y finalmente la construcción del pabellón de picnic.

La pandemia presentó un gran reto para la modesta iglesia que

Grupos y movimientos apostólicos florecen en Thomasville

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

THOMASVILLE — La pequeña Iglesia Nuestra Señora de los Caminos, de estilo misión española, ubicada en las cercanías de la antigua autopista 85 que comunica Lexington y High Point, ya no parece estar abandonada. Su exterior ha sido embellecido y una gran cruz con un hermoso Cristo crucificado llama la atención de los viajeros que transitan por esa ruta.

De la misma manera que el edificio y los exteriores lucen renovados, las actividades de los diversos grupos y movimientos apostólicos dirigidos por su pastor, el Padre Gabriel Carvajal-Salazar, florecen y dan frutos.

Una muestra de ello fueron los festejos realizados el domingo 25 de septiembre, con ocasión de los 69 años de la colocación de la primera piedra de la actual iglesia, cuando la comunidad anglo e hispana, unidas como una sola, organizaron un festival en el que no faltó ningún ingrediente.

En la actualidad, la parroquia acoge los movimientos apostólicos Emaús, Alianza de los dos Corazones, Apóstoles de la Palabra, el movimiento catecumenal El Camino y el Cáliz Vocacional.

“También estamos muy contentos porque ya cumplimos siete meses de haber iniciado la Adoración Eucarística Nocturna que nos ha traído muchísimas bendiciones”, dijo el Padre Carvajal.

La Adoración Eucarística se realiza cada tercer sábado de mes y se inicia con una reunión a las 9 de la noche. “En esta reunión se ordena el programa de participantes, se acuerdan las intenciones y luego, a las 10 de la noche, se expone el Santísimo”, explicó el párroco.

La adoración concluye a las 5 de la mañana, cuando se retira el Sagrado Sacramento y se celebra Misa.

El pasado domingo 25, debido a la gran concurrencia de feligreses e invitados, la Misa se celebró en exteriores, a las once de la mañana, con la asistencia del Diácono Martin Sheehan. El ex párroco, Padre James Turner, quien se encuentra retirado, estuvo presente en primera fila.

Durante su homilía, el Padre Carvajal dijo que este era el momento preciso para “mirar hacia atrás y ver el amor y trabajo de todos los párrocos y miembros de esta comunidad ubicada en la mitad de Carolina del Norte”.

“Recuerdo muy bien mi llegada a esta parroquia en 2020, cuando el Padre Jim (James) me recibió y dio la bienvenida en el estacionamiento”, dijo. Hoy, añadió, “conozco mejor las grandes virtudes de las personas de diferentes culturas que componen esta comunidad y la energía y fe que nos inyectan”.

Luego destacó la necesidad de hacer comunidad a través de la convivencia católica después de asistir a Misa. “En este día de fiesta, que nuestra patrona, Nuestra Señora de los Caminos, ruegue por cada uno de nosotros”, concluyó.

Al término de la Misa iniciaron los festejos que incluyeron el obsequio de diferentes platillos, dulces y bebidas de diversas regiones de México, tales como Durango, Guanajuato y Puebla. También se ofrecieron pupusas salvadoreñas y hamburguesas norteamericanas.

Un grupo de danza indígena mexicana realizó un baile en honor a la Virgen de

Guadalupe. Además, se contó con la presencia de un grupo musical que hizo bailar a los presentes.

Fidencio Martínez, parroquiano originario de San Luis Potosí que lleva 10 años en la parroquia, dijo sentirse “muy bendecido’’ por ser parte de la parroquia. Casado, con una familia de seis integrantes, participa de la adoración Eucarística Nocturna que “me trae mucha paz”.

Una feligresa, que recién ha llegado a la parroquia con su familia de cinco integrantes hace pocos meses, dijo estar contenta de haber encontrado la iglesia. “Siempre nos dan la bienvenida con una sonrisa, las homilías son buenas y el Padre es de México. Como somos de Guanajuato nos sentimos como en casa”, anotó.

Más online

En www.facebook.com/CNHEspañol Vea más fotos de esta celebración

Bendecirán mascotas en honor a San Francisco

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

Los padres de mascotas y sus amigos peludos, emplumados y escamosos tendrán la oportunidad de recibir una bendición de su clérigo parroquial el primer y segundo fin de semana de octubre.

El martes 4 de octubre se celebra la fiesta de San Francisco de Asís, santo patrón de los animales y de la protección del medio ambiente. Para honrar a este gran santo y el lugar especial que tienen las mascotas en nuestras vidas, las parroquias de la Diócesis de Charlotte están organizando una “Bendición de los animales”.

Celebrando su fiesta patronal, la Iglesia San Francisco de Asís en Mocksville tiene

eventos especiales planificados para el 1 y 2 de octubre, incluida la veneración de una reliquia de primera clase del santo y una bendición de mascotas.

“La Bendición de los Animales, que se ha asociado con nuestro patrón parroquial, San Francisco de Asís, es uno de esos hermosos ejemplos de la universalidad de nuestra fe y del llamado universal de Dios a la santidad para todas las personas”, dijo el Padre Eric Kowalski, párroco.

El Padre Kowalski también destacó la naturaleza ecuménica del evento anual.

“Es maravilloso ver la interseccionalidad con nuestros hermanos y hermanas cristianos que se reúnen, a veces en sus iglesias, e incluso ocasionalmente aquí en Mocksville para la Bendición de los

Animales”, dijo. “En un momento en que tanta gente parece estar enfatizando todas las cosas que nos dividen, es maravilloso ver que algo tan simple como la bendición de los animales une a las personas”.

Bendición de los Animales y fiesta parroquial en Mocksville

Sábado 1 de octubre: Iglesia San Francisco de Asís, 862 Yadkinville Road, Mocksville, 1 p.m., bendición de mascotas en los terrenos de la parroquia; 5 p.m. Misa de Vigilia, seguida de la Letanía de San Francisco de Asís y veneración individual y bendición con una reliquia de

Unamos nuestras manos y pororemos la vida

Se invita a los fieles de la Diócesis de Charlotte a que se congreguen el domingo 2 de octubre para dar inicio al Mes del Respeto por la vida y formar “Cadenas de Vida”, siendo testigos de la dignidad de la vida humana, desde el momento de la concepción hasta la muerte.

Diferentes cadenas están siendo organizados por las comunidades indicadas abajo. Si desea mayor información, visit www.lifechain.org.

BREVARD

Esquina de Broad y Maint Streets, 2-3 p.m.; Janice Castevens, 828-273-0275

BRYSON CITY

Cruce de Main y Everett Street. 2-3 p.m.; Elizabeth Kelly, 828-488-5461

CHARLOTTE

Esquina de Sharon Lane y Providence Road, 2-3 p.m. James Lashua 704-366-4362

CHARLOTTE/MINT HILL

13700 Lawyers Road con I-485, 12:15-1:15 p.m.; Bob Hayes 384-478-9137

CONCORD

South Union Street, frente a Food Lion, 2-3 p.m.; Joe Andruzzi 704-796-0075

DENVER 537 North Hwy. 16, 12:30-1:30 p.m.; Cindee Brewer 703-217-7561

FRANKLIN

299 Maple St. en la Iglesia San Francisco de Asís, 3-4 p.m.; Julie Tastinger 828-4212473

GASTONIA

Ozark Avenue, en la Iglesia Bautista Flint Groves, 2-3 p.m.; Rev. Danny Reece 704648-2842

GREENSBORO

Battleground Avenue, 2:30-3:30 p.m.; Mark 336-312-4810

HUNTERSVILLE, A lo largo de la vereda del frente de la Iglesia San Marcos, Stumptown Road, 2-3 p.m.; Mike FitzGerald 704-313-8414

MOCKSVILLE

Hwy. 601/Valley Road y Yadkinville Road, 2-3 p.m.; David Taylor, 336-406-1089

MOORESVILLE

Hwy. 150 y Williamson Road, 2-3:30 p.m.; Angela Harrigan 704-975-1239

SPARTA Main Street, 2:15-3:30 p.m., Mary Sue Boyette 336-657-1230

WAYNESVILLE/HAYWOOD COUNTY

Walnut Street y Russ Avenue, 2-3 p.m.; Chris Ryan 828-400-2922

WINSTON-SALEM

Hanes Mall Boulevard, al oeste de Stratford Road, 2:30-3:30 p.m.; Sandy Herman 336399-6434

FOTOS POR CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD Una multitudinaria Misa celebró el Padre Gabriel Carvajal-Salazar el pasado domingo 25 de septiembre en la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de los Caminos en Thomasville, cuando se festejó un aniversario más de la colocación de la primera piedra del actual templo ocurrida en 1953. La Iglesia fue fundada en 1951 y operó inicialmente en una casa rentada en ubicada en College Street, Thomasville. La primera Misa se fue celebrada por el Padre Robert MacMillan el viernes 6 de junio del mismo año.

Ofrecen curso para facilitadores del programa ‘Protegiendo a los Niños de Dios’

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

STATESVILLE — El próximo sábado 15 de octubre, los voluntarios que se encuentren activamente prestando servicio en las diferentes parroquias de la Diócesis de Charlotte podrán capacitarse para realizar la tarea de facilitadores de la clase ‘Protegiendo a los Niños de Dios’.

El evento tendrá lugar en la Iglesia San Felipe Apóstol en Statesville, de 9:30 de la mañana hasta las 5:00 de la tarde.

Para asistir se requiere que los interesados tengan una cuenta actualizada y activa en la plataforma virtual Virtus, presentar una verificación de antecedentes actualizada, haber asistido a una clase del programa ‘Protegiendo a los Niños de Dios’, contar con buena capacidad de comunicación y completar la solicitud de registro.

Virtus, que inició sus operaciones en 1988, es una plataforma online desarrollada por National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Inc. para crear programas de prevención del abuso infantil.

Los programas Virtus empoderan a las organizaciones y personas para controlar mejor el riesgo y mejorar la vida de todos aquellos que interactúan con la Iglesia.

Todas las personas que asisten en labores de voluntariado en las organizaciones de la Iglesia Católica deben obligatoriamente pasar por una verificación de antecedentes y recibir capacitación sobre la prevención, concientización y respuesta al abuso infantil.

En nuestra diócesis, hasta 2021, más de 59.000 adultos han recibido capacitación en el programa ‘Protegiendo a los niños de Dios’, desde que inició en 2002.

Este programa de concientización ayuda a los adultos en su aprendizaje de reconocimiento de las señales de advertencia del abuso y las muchas formas en que el abuso sexual daña a las víctimas, familias, parroquias y comunidades. El programa los educa en formas apropiadas de respuesta hacia comportamientos sospechosos y cómo pueden ayudar a prevenir el abuso. El programa se actualizó recientemente con nuevos videos y temas de discusión.

Más información

Para inscripciones, envíe un correo a Amy Ankenbruck a asankenbruck@rcdoc.org quien no habla español. Si tiene preguntas adicionales, escriba a Ibis Centeno, coordinadora del ministerio hispano del Vicariato de Salisbury, a icenteno@rcdoc.org.

Renovaron votos matrimoniales

WINSTON-SALEM — El 10 de septiembre, la parroquia Sagrada Familia en Clemmons celebró un retiro para matrimonios. El Diácono Darío García, coordinador del Vicariato de Hickory, junto a 3 parejas, ofreció el retiro. A través de los temas discutidos, las parejas pudieron escuchar, meditar y aprender sobre el sacramento del matrimonio. Hubo una sección de preguntas y respuestas muy educativa sobre el matrimonio católico. El retiro terminó con la renovación de los votos matrimoniales.

Hora Santa por Nicaragua

CHARLOTTE — El pasado lunes 19 de septiembre se congregaron decenas de fieles en la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe para orar por la paz en Nicaragua. Los participantes de la vigilia, que condujo el Padre Walner Díaz, vicario parroquial, pidieron a Dios y Nuestra Madre, María de Guadalupe, que cuide de los pastores de la Iglesia Católica nicaragüense que sufren de persecución y violencia por parte de las autoridades de gobierno de ese país.

Albert Renaurt 9/24/2002

Charles Knight 9/13/2017

Tim Ritchey 9/11/2022

FOTO CEDIDA POR EL DIÁCONO EDUARDO BERNAL

Emaúses de San Gabriel trabajan por encuentro regional

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — Un encuentro regional, “en el que participen los hermanos Emaúses de toda la Diócesis de Charlotte”, es el se encuentran planeando un grupo de miembros participantes de ese ministerio de la Iglesia San Gabriel en Charlotte.

Augusto Frattini, uno de los fundadores del movimiento Emaús en Charlotte, lanzó la iniciativa justo poco antes del inicio de la pandemia de COVID-19. “Lamentablemente las restricciones sanitarias paralizaron nuestra iniciativa, pero el proyecto siguió rondando nuestras mentes”, dijo.

Durante la reunión semanal del movimiento en esa parroquia, Frattini, quien es parte activa de la pastoral hispana del vicariato de Charlotte, se presentó ante los miembros de más reciente incorporación para invitarlos a continuar su crecimiento en la fe católica, incorporarse a RICA o, en caso de haber recibido los sacramentos de iniciación, formar parte activa de los ministerios en funciones en la Iglesia.

En esa ocasión, al término de la reunión formal, junto con Domingo Monrobert, Jaime Morey y Carlos Almeida, acordaron plantear una reunión diocesana que sirva para reunir a líderes y miembros del movimiento Emaús que se encuentra en actividad en numerosas parroquias a lo largo de toda la diócesis.

CONVERSATORIO

Como la base del movimiento Emaús es la parábola del hijo pródigo, los líderes de la parroquia San Gabriel plantean realizar un conversatorio que tenga como base ese tema. “En todos los aspectos de la vida se puede aplicar esta parábola, en la vida de Iglesia, en la vida matrimonial, en la relación familiar, en la amistad, en la pareja”, añadió Frattini.

Reconociendo la limitación de tiempo, la ocupada agenda de los sacerdotes y oradores que desean invitar, los organizadores planifican llevarla a cabo en 2023.

Idealmente dijo Frattini, “nos gustaría contar con un sacerdote colombiano que es Emaús, es un sacerdote claretiano que se llama Omar Velásquez que se encuentra

en la ciudad de Cali; con nuestro sacerdote guía local que es el Padre Julio Domínguez, director del Ministerio Hispano diocesano; además de otros sacerdotes como el Padre Gabriel Carvajal-Salazar, párroco de la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de los Caminos en Thomasville; el Padre Miguel Sánchez, vicario de la Iglesia San Mateo en Charlotte; y el Padre Eulogio Álvarez de Honduras”.

“Este evento, que se plantea dentro del plan de avivamiento Eucarístico promovido por la Conferencia de Obispos de Estados Unidos, servirá para mostrar a la gente que el movimiento Emaús nos acerca a ese Cristo que muchas veces desconocemos y está listo y presente para escuchar nuestras angustias, necesidades y dolores. Eso lo hemos vivido todos los que hemos caminado en un encuentro

Llamado a la Santidad

SALISBURY — Un llamado a la santidad recibieron 77 jóvenes entre los 13 y 17 años del Vicariato de Salisbury durante el retiro ‘Jóvenes valientes para Cristo’. Ofrecido por Daniel e Ingrid Moreno, Vicente Flores y el Sr. Guadalupe Barriga, asesor adulto certificado por SEPI, el retiro concedió tiempo a los jóvenes para que estuvieran junto al Santísimo Sacramento, oraran, reflexionaran y disfrutaran de muchas dinámicas, culminando con la Santa Misa, en la que estuvieron acompañados de sus padres.

El grupo Emaús de la parroquia San Gabriel fue el primero que acogió este ministerio en la Diócesis de Charlotte, contando para ello con la ayuda de miembros provenientes de Miami, Florida, donde nació este movimiento apostólico. Desde esta parroquia se expandió a otros territorios, incluyendo Carolina del Sur. Paralelamente, el movimiento Familia Emaús ha echado raíces en Hickory y otras zonas adyacentes. Hoy, los pioneros de San Gabriel buscan realizar un encuentro regional que fortalezca ese apostolado.

FOTO CORTESÍA CARLOS ALMEIDA

Emaús y quisiéramos que todos tengan la posibilidad de vivir esta experiencia”, subrayó Frattini.

Más información

Para ponerse en contacto con los organizadores, por favor escriba un correo a sgheventosgrp2022@googlegroups.com.

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

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.)

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, T J B.

¿Conoces estos hechos en la vida de San Francisco de Asís?

Cada 4 de octubre se celebra la fiesta de San Francisco de Asís, uno de los santos más conocidos y queridos de la Iglesia, cuyo nombre fue tomado por el Papa Francisco en su honor. A continuación, te presentamos algunos hechos sobre su vida.

SE LE LLAMÓ FRANCISCO POR EL PUEBLO DE FRANCIA

Su padre, Pedro Bernardone, fue un comerciante que trabajaba en Francia. Como se encontraba en dicho país cuando nació su hijo, la gente le apodó “Francesco” (el francés), por más que en el bautismo recibió el nombre de Juan.

FUE PRISIONERO DE GUERRA

Cuando tenía cerca de 19 años, antes de su conversión, se unió al ejército y luchó en una guerra que se libró entre las ciudades de Perugia y Asís. Fue hecho prisionero durante un año, pero finalmente fue liberado ileso.

SU VIDA SE INSPIRÓ EN MATEO 10:9

En Mateo 10,9, Jesús dice a sus discípulos: “no lleven oro, plata o monedas en el cinturón” cuando viajen para predicar el Evangelio. El santo se sintió inspirado a hacer lo mismo y comenzó a viajar para predicar el arrepentimiento en pobreza.

EN UN AÑO GANÓ 11 SEGUIDORES

Para el año 1210 había 12 de ellos en total, es decir, igual número que los apóstoles. En ese entonces, San Francisco redactó una regla breve e informal con consejos evangélicos para alcanzar la perfección, principalmente. Luego, viajaron a Roma para presentar el escrito para la aprobación del Papa. El viaje fue a pie, cantando y rezando, llenos de felicidad y viviendo de las limosnas que la gente les daba.

EL PAPA INOCENCIO III APOYÓ A LOS FRANCISCANOS

El Papa Inocencio III se mostró adverso a darle apoyo a San Francisco y su nuevo grupo de seguidores. Entonces, tuvo un sueño en el que vio al santo sosteniendo con su cuerpo la Basílica de San Juan de Letrán, la catedral de la diócesis de Roma, que estaba a punto de derrumbarse.

El Santo Padre interpretó el sueño como una indicación de que San Francisco y su grupo podrían servir de apoyo a la Iglesia y así les dio el reconocimiento oficial como una orden religiosa.

ASISTIÓ AL IV CONCILIO DE LETRÁN

El IV Concilio de Letrán fue el concilio ecuménico número 12 de la Iglesia Católica

Lecturas Diarias

OCTUBRE 2-8

Domingo: Habacuc 1:2-3, 2: 2-4, 2 Timoteo 1:6-8, 13-14, Lucas 17:5-10; Lunes: Gálatas 1:6-12, Lucas 10:2537; Martes (San Francisco de Asís): Gálatas 1:13-24, Lucas 10:38-42; Miércoles: Gálatas 2:1-2, 7-14, Lucas 11:1-4; Jueves: Gálatas 3:1-5, Lucas 11:5-13; Viernes (Bienaventurada Virgen María del Rosario): Gálatas 3:7-14, Lucas 11:15-26; Sábado: Gálatas 3:21-29, Lucas 11:27-28

en el que se ratificó la transubstanciación y la primacía papal, entre otras cosas. Santo Domingo, fundador de la Orden de Predicadores o Dominicos, también estuvo presente.

DESAFIÓ A UN SULTÁN MUSULMÁN

Durante la quinta cruzada, San Francisco y un acompañante viajaron a un territorio musulmán para visitar al sultán de Egipto y Siria, Al-Kamil. El santo predicó ante el sultán y para demostrar su gran fe en la religión cristiana, desafió a los presentes a un “juicio de fuego” que consistía en que él y un musulmán caminen por un sendero en llamas, con la idea de que el seguidor de la religión verdadera debía ser protegido por Dios.

San Francisco se ofreció a ir en primer lugar, pero Al-Kamil rechazó el desafío. No obstante, el sultán quedó tan impresionado por su fe que le dio permiso al santo para predicar en su tierra.

DETUVO MILAGROS

En 1220, San Francisco se retiró del gobierno de la Orden y nombró como su Vicario a Pedro Cattani. Sin embargo, Pedro murió sólo cinco meses después. Los visitantes a su tumba reportaron muchos milagros, lo que llevó a grandes multitudes al lugar. Las muchedumbres causaban problemas en la zona por lo que el santo le rezó a Cattani para que se detuvieran los milagros y estos cesaron.

RECIBIÓ ESTIGMAS

Los estigmas son una condición en la que las heridas de Cristo aparecen sobrenaturalmente en el cuerpo de una persona. Un franciscano que lo acompañó dijo: “De repente vio una visión de un serafín, un ángel de seis alas en una cruz. Este ángel le dio el don de las cinco llagas de Cristo”.

Esto sucedió en 1224 durante un ayuno de 40 días en el Monte Alvernia, cuando se preparaba para la Fiesta de San Miguel Arcángel, el 29 de septiembre.

CANONIZADO A DOS AÑOS DE SU MUERTE

El santo murió el 3 de octubre de 1226. Fue canonizado por el Papa Gregorio IX el 16 de julio de 1228, y al día siguiente, el Santo Padre puso personalmente la primera piedra de la nueva basílica de San Francisco de Asís.

SU TUMBA SE PERDIÓ DURANTE SIGLOS

Su cuerpo fue trasladado a su basílica en 1230, pero pronto fue ocultado por los franciscanos para protegerlo de los invasores sarracenos. La ubicación de su cuerpo quedó en el olvido y no fue redescubierto hasta 1818, casi seis siglos después.

OCTUBRE 9-15

Domingo: 2 Reyes 5:14-17, 2 Timoteo 2:8-13, Lucas 17:1119; Lunes: Gálatas 4:22-24, 26-27, 31–5:1, Lucas 11:2932; Martes: Gálatas 5:1-6, Lucas 11:37-41; Miércoles: Gálatas 5:18-25, Lucas 11:4246; Jueves: Efesios 1:1-10, Lucas 11:47-54; Viernes: Efesios 1:11-14, Lucas 12:1-7; Sábado (Santa Teresa de Jesús): Efesios 1:15-23, Lucas 12:8-12

OCTUBRE 16-22

Domingo: Éxodo 17:8-13, 2 Timoteo 3:14-4:2, Lucas 18:1-8; Lunes (San Ignacio de Antioquía): Efesios 2:110, Lucas 12:13-21; Martes (San Lucas Evangelista): 2 Timoteo 4:9-17, Lucas 10:1-9; Miércoles (Santos Juan de Brébeuf e Isaac Jogues, presbíteros, y compañeros, mártires): Efesios 3:2-12, Lucas 12:39-48; Jueves: Efesios 3:14-21, Lucas 12:4953; Viernes: Efesios 4:1-6, Lucas 12:54-59; Sábado: Efesios 4:7, 11-16, Lucas 13:1-9

— Condensado de ACI Prensa

IMAGEN CORTESÍA DEL MUSEO DEL PRADO, MADRID, ESPAÑA

‘San Francisco de Asís’, siglo XVII, óleo sobre lienzo atribuído a José de Ribera, Valencia 1951-Nápoles 1652.

Peregrinación Mariana

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:

IGLESIA CATÓLICA SAGRADO CORAZÓN

Hasta el lunes 3 de octubre 150 Brian Berg Dr., Brevard, N.C. 28712

IGLESIA CATÓLICA SANTA MARGARITA DE ESCOCIA

Del lunes 3 al domingo 9 de octubre 102 Andrews Pl., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

IGLESIA CATÓLICAS NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LAS MONTAÑAS E IGLESIA CATÓLICA SAN JUDAS

Del domingo 9 al domingo 16 de octubre 315 N. 5th St., Highlands, N.C. 28741 3011 Hwy. 64 Este, Sapphire, N.C. 28774

IGLESIA CATÓLICA NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LOURDES

Del miércoles 19 al lunes 24 de octubre 725 Deese St., Monroe, N.C. 28112

IGLESIA CATÓLICA NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LAS AMÉRICAS

Del lunes 24 al jueves 27 de octubre 298 Farmers Market Road, Biscoe, N.C. 27209

IGLESIA CATÓLICA SAN JAMES

Del jueves 27 al domingo 30 de octubre 1018 W. Hamlet Ave., Hamlet, N.C. 28345

IGLESIA CATÓLICA MARÍA AUXILIADORA Y MISIÓN CATÓLICA CRISTO REY

Del domingo 30 de octubre al jueves 3 de noviembre 818 McGowan Road, Shelby, N.C. 28150 714 Stone St., Kings Mountain, N.C. 28086

Para obtener más información sobre estas paradas de peregrinación, visite el website del 50 aniversario de la Diócesis de Charlotte, www.

SERIE DE ARTE MARIANO

TRICIA KENT Especial para Catholic News Herald

Cuando los católicos hoy escuchan el título “Nuestra Señora de Gracia,” por lo general, imaginan los innumerables grabados y estatuas producidos en masa en azul pastel que han estado omnipresentes en los hogares durante más de un siglo. Conectada con la representación de María en la medalla milagrosa, la disponibilidad de estas imágenes se hizo popular con la declaración papal de los dogmas marianos y el advenimiento del papel, la impresión a color y la producción artística en fábricas italianas. Estas obras marcaron el comienzo de una nueva era para el arte devocional doméstico católico, donde las imágenes populares fueron reemplazadas ampliamente por representaciones al alcance de todos, aunque a veces de baja calidad, de Nuestro Señor, Nuestra Señora, santos y ángeles.

El título francés tradicional de Nuestra Señora de Gracia es, de hecho, mucho más antiguo que esta popularidad reciente y tiene su origen en la antigua tradición cristiana de la Inmaculada Concepción de María. Cuando en la Escritura escuchamos al Arcángel Gabriel dirigirse a Nuestra Señora como “llena de gracia”, está indicando la intención de Dios desde el principio de que ella llevara dentro de sí a Cristo, habiendo sido concebida sin la mancha del Pecado Original que permitía tal acto. El Sí de María se convierte en su aceptación libre y voluntaria de que ella ofrecería su humanidad a esta Unión Hipostática, es decir la unión entre el Verbo de Dios y una naturaleza humana en la única persona del Hijo de Dios.

Las representaciones artísticas de Nuestra Señora de Gracia tienen su origen en el período medieval temprano. La primera obra artística importante que ahora lleva el nombre se atribuye a un ícono italiano/ bizantino que aparece en el registro histórico alrededor de 1300. Se llama ícono de Eleusa (Virgen de la Ternura) debido a la forma en que el niño Jesús descansa tiernamente contra la mejilla de María. Lleva las iniciales latinas MR, DI, IHS y XRS que significan “Madre de Dios y Jesucristo”. Como tantos otros íconos anteriores, se atribuye a San Lucas y, por lo tanto, se protege como reliquia. La imagen está asociada con muchas leyendas y milagros, y una vez se convirtió en motivo principal de una cruzada después de la caída de Constantinopla.

En 1450, el ícono fue llevado a la Catedral de Cambrai, donde fue instalado durante la Fiesta de la Asunción y desde entonces ha sido venerado en la tradición francesa como Nuestra Señora de Gracia. Históricamente, esta pintura es profundamente influyente. Es quizás la mejor representación mariana del puente artístico y teológico entre Oriente y Occidente, Bizancio y Roma. Ha atraído a una corriente de peregrinos famosos que encargaron a generaciones de maestros artísticos, principalmente

del norte, que produjeran copias o obras de arte originales basadas en la obra. Hayne de Bruselas, Roger van der Weyden, Petrus Christus, Dieric Bouts y Gerard David ejecutaron pinturas derivadas de la Virgen de Cambrai.

Entre las muchas leyendas que se cuentan sobre la imagen, se dice que estuvo escondida en Jerusalén durante los primeros siglos de persecución, y luego fue trasladada en secreto a Constantinopla en el siglo

Oración Para

el 50 Aniversario

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

Oraciones y devociones

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

Intención de oración de 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.

Santo del mes

September 30, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD I 21 faithmorepreciousthangold.com

V. Es poco probable que la Madonna de Cambrai sea tan antigua, pero el ícono original en el que se basó bien podría haber tenido tal procedencia. El origen, tanto del arte como del título que ahora lleva, se remonta a los primeros días de la Iglesia y nuestra comprensión del origen divino del papel de María en nuestra salvación.

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

San Paul Chong Hasang. Fecha de la fiesta: 20 de septiembre

‘La Virgen de Cambrai’ (‘Notre-Dame de Grace’/’Nuestra Señora de Gracia’) c. 1340

Our nation

Bill calls for protecting pregnancy care centers, investigating attacks

JULIE ASHER Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. — House sponsors of a new bill to protect pregnancy centers said the measure would require the Biden administration to publicly disclose how it is handling the investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators of violent attacks on pregnancy resource centers around the country, including Asheville and a Catholic Church in Durham, N.C.

“My goal is to foster an environment where no woman feels like their only option is abortion, and I am committed to supporting women and children at every stage of life,” said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., who co-sponsored the bill with Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J. “The violent attacks on pregnancy centers in Washington state and across the country are reprehensible and only endanger and intimidate the women who depend on them for critical medical care, education and other resources,” Rodgers said in a statement Sept. 20, the day she and Smith introduced the bill.

The Protect Pregnancy Care Centers Act of 2022 quickly garnered 28 co-sponsors.

“I believe all extreme and hateful acts of violence should be condemned, which is why I’m helping lead this legislation to hold President (Joe) Biden accountable for his failure to respond to this threat with

the urgency it deserves,” Rodgers said.

Nearly 70 acts of violence against such centers have been recorded since May, when a draft opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case was leaked. The court’s June 24 decision in the Dobbs case ultimately overturned Roe v. Wade, which had legalized abortion nationwide. The ruling allows states to decide their own laws regarding abortion. Many of the centers have been firebombed, vandalized and graffitied. Smith said the “pro-abortion” group “Jane’s Revenge,” whose name has been graffitied on many of the centers that have been attacked, has declared “open season” on these pro-life pregnancy centers, amounting to what he called “horrific acts of terrorism.”

“Now more than ever, we need to ensure the safety and security of the estimated 3,000 pregnancy care centers that provide life-affirming alternatives to abortion –offering critical, quality care for pregnant women facing challenging circumstances and helping to save so many unborn, innocent lives,” said Smith said in a statement.

He said the attacks on these centers are “a coordinated effort to intimidate front-line volunteers and licensed medical professionals providing critical support to mothers in need and their unborn baby boys and girls.” Among its provisions,

the Protect Pregnancy Care Centers Act would require the inspector generals of the departments of Justice and Homeland Security to investigate and disclose to Congress information on the Biden administration’s response “to the surging violence,” including details gathered on groups that have claimed responsibility for the attacks and the number of prosecutions initiated against perpetrators. The measure also would require the Biden administration to report on current funding streams available to pregnancy care centers for needed security measures “to guard against violent threats and provide recommendations for the creation of additional grant programs to protect them given the spike in attacks in recent months.”

A pro-life pregnancy center in Asheville was graffitied in early June, and a Catholic Church in Durham was also vandalized shortly following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, said the legislation “is a step forward in ensuring that pregnancy centers are able to serve the needs of women in their communities without fear of violence.” Other supporters of the measure include the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Heartbeat International, the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, March for Life and the Family Research Council.

In a June 16 story, the Washington Examiner quoted an FBI spokesperson as saying the agency was investigating attacks and threats “targeting pregnancy resource centers and faith-based organizations across the country.”

“The FBI takes all threats seriously and we continue to work closely with our law

enforcement partners and will remain vigilant to protect our communities,” the spokesperson said.

Besides attacks on pregnancy centers, arson, vandalism and other destruction has taken place at about 100 Catholic sites across the United States since May 2020. A number of Catholic and other pro-life leaders, as well as members of Congress, have urged the Biden administration to do more to investigate such attacks.

On Sept. 21, the CEO of a pregnancy care center in Buffalo, New York, that was firebombed over three months ago, told reporters that neither the local police department nor the FBI “is taking the case seriously.” In late August, pro-life leaders denounced a consumer alert issued by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison criticizing the state’s crisis pregnancy centers. His alert stated that “many socalled crisis pregnancy centers may pose as reproductive health care clinics despite not providing comprehensive reproductive health care to consumers.”

In late June, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., called for the state and federal government to “crack down” on crisis pregnancy centers, and a month later demanded the federal government shut them all down because, she said, they “fool people who are looking for pregnancy termination.”

A new study cited by Rodgers, Smith and National Right to Life’s Tobias showed that nearly 3,000 pregnancy centers serve about 2 million clients annually. It said the centers provide such services as limited obstetrical ultrasounds under a local doctor’s oversight; parenting classes; material assistance, such as diapers, cribs and car seats; and referrals to local resources to help pregnant women in need with housing or transportation.

‘Major victory’ after court blocks transgender mandate

NEW ORLEANS — A unanimous ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans blocking the Biden administration’s transgender mandate “is a major victory for conscience rights and compassionate medical care in America,” said the attorney who represented the plaintiffs in the case. “Doctors cannot do their jobs and comply with the Hippocratic oath if the government requires them to perform harmful, irreversible procedures against their conscience and medical expertise,” said Joseph Davis, counsel at Becket, a Washingtonbased religious liberty law firm. Davis made the remarks about the court’s Aug. 26 ruling permanently blocking a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services mandate that would have forced doctors and hospitals to perform gender-transition procedures on their patients even if this violated their conscience and medical judgment. On Aug. 4, the 5th Circuit heard oral arguments in the case, Franciscan Alliance v. Becerra, which was brought by a Catholic health care network and a group of nearly 19,000 health care professionals. “Franciscan Alliance and the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration seek to carry on Jesus Christ’s healing ministry by providing the best possible care to every person who comes through our doors,” said Sister Petra Nielsen, a Sister of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, who is a member of the

Franciscan Alliance’s corporate board. “We are simply asking the courts to let us keep caring for all our patients with joy and compassion – as we’ve done for over 145 years,” she said in a statement released by Becket ahead of the oral arguments.

Indiana abortion ban blocked as court challenge moves forward

INDIANAPOLIS — A judge issued a preliminary injunction Sept. 22 on a new Indiana abortion law that gives legal protection to most unborn babies. The ruling temporarily reinstates access to abortion in Indiana up to 22 weeks gestation as allowed by state law prior to Sept. 15, the date when S.B. 1, as the new law is known, went into effect. It banned abortion in Indiana except in cases of rape, incest, and particular serious medical complications and emergencies. The injunction puts the law on hold while the judge reviews arguments for a suit filed Aug. 30 by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers operating in the state. S.B. 1 was passed by the Indiana General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb Aug. 5. The preliminary injunction on the law will remain in effect until a decision on the case is made. On Sept. 19, Special Judge Kelsey Hanlon of the Owen County Circuit Court heard arguments from lawyers for the plaintiff and defendant – listed as members of the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana, et al. – regarding the lawsuit. The case was filed in Bloomington, Indiana, in Monroe County.

Ariz. judge rules 1864 law banning nearly all abortions can take effect

TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona’s Attorney General Mark Brnovich praised Pima County Superior

Court Judge Kellie Johnson Sept. 23 for ruling that a state law prohibiting nearly all abortions can take effect. “We applaud the court for upholding the will of the Legislature and providing clarity and uniformity on this important issue,” Brnovich said in a tweet. “I have and will continue to protect the most vulnerable Arizonans.” The Republican attorney general filed a motion in July asking the court to allow the law to take effect. Enacted in 1864, before Arizona became a state, the law prohibits all abortions except to save the life of a pregnant woman. The law has been blocked since 1973, the year the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Roe v. Wade legalizing abortion across the country. That year the Arizona Court of Appeals found the state ban to be unconstitutional and it was enjoined in superior court. Following its ruling June 24 of this year that overturned Roe, the Supreme Court returned the issue of abortion to the states. In her ruling, Johnson wrote: “The court finds that because the legal basis for the judgment entered in 1973 has now been overruled, it must vacate the judgment (that blocked the 1864 law) in its entirety.”

Fla. bishop invites prayer for God’s protection from Hurricane Ian

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — As the Tampa Bay area on Florida’s west coast prepared for Hurricane Ian, Bishop Gregory L. Parkes of St. Petersburg invited all in the diocese to pray to God “for the protection of life and property as we face this serious threat. As Hurricane Ian approaches, as we make our final preparations, and as we begin to feel the effects of the storm, I invite you to pray with me,” he said in a video message released Sept. 27 to the diocese, which includes Tampa. “Loving God, maker of heaven and earth, protect us in Your love and mercy. Send the spirit of Jesus to be with us to still our

fears and to give us confidence. In the stormy waters, Jesus reassured His disciples by His presence, calmed the storm and strengthened their faith,” he prayed. “Guard us from harm during the storm and renew our faith to serve you faithfully. Give us the courage to face all difficulties and the wisdom to see the ways your Spirit binds us together in mutual assistance,” he continued. “With confidence, we make our prayer through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.” News reports said Hurricane Ian hit the western side of Cuba early Sept. 27, moving north and growing in strength to a Category 3 storm with 125 mph sustained winds. The National Hurricane Center predicted the storm would grow bigger before making landfall on Florida “likely near Tampa Bay” late Sept. 28 or Sept. 29.

Catholic Charities, others mobilize to help migrants bused to Chicago

CHICAGO — When busloads of migrants sent from Texas arrived outside Chicago’s Union Station, public and nonprofit service providers swung into action. The groups had been advised that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott would send people to Chicago, but they received no official notice of when people would arrive or how many were coming, said Marie Jochum, senior director of special projects for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Catholic Charities is among the groups providing assistance to the migrants. “I think we knew the night before that they were coming,” Jochum said, adding that the information came through unofficial channels. The first group arrived the evening of Aug. 31, and by Sept. 11, more busloads had arrived. Another round of migrants arrived Sept. 20, bringing the number to about 800 in recent weeks. Abbott also has sent about 8,100 migrants to Washington and over 2,600 to New York City.

— Catholic News Service

PHOTOGRAPHER

Do you relish taking photos and creating videos that capture the beauty, goodness and truth of our Catholic faith? We are growing and seeking a full-time photographer/videographer to shoot and produce compelling visuals for our various print and digital platforms to inform, inspire and educate the people of the Diocese of Charlotte – which covers the western half of North Carolina. From taking photos of news and events for the Catholic News Herald to creating videos for special occasions, this position is ideal for a creative and enthusiastic person with a keen eye for detail, a commitment to accuracy, and a heart for sharing the Gospel. Competitive salary and family-friendly benefits. At least 1-3+ years of experience.

For details: www.catholicnewsherald.com/jobs

Email your résumé and portfolio link to: catholicnews@charlottediocese.org (No phone calls, please.)

Deadline to apply: Monday, Oct 10

The Diocese of Charlotte is proud to be an equal opportunity employer

Our world

Pope encourages young Catholics to use ‘creative courage’ to evangelize

JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis encouraged young Catholics to take an active role – not be spectators – in the Church’s mission.

“You are not museum people, but are instead walking with creative courage, being welcoming and having a missionary drive,” the pope told hundreds of young men and women belonging to the Shalom Catholic Community Sept. 26.

The Shalom Catholic Community, founded in Brazil in 1982, offers members an opportunity to take part in “a community and missionary life in order to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all men and women, especially to those far from Christ and the Church,” its website said. In 2007, it was recognized by the then-Pontifical Council for the Laity as an international association of the faithful. Noting that the movement began 40 years ago “during a eucharistic celebration,” the pope said it was important that the Shalom community “was not born ‘at the table,’ with a beautiful plan” invented by the movement’s founder, Moysés Louro de Azevedo Filho. Instead, he said, “it was born in prayer, in the liturgy.”

“The liturgy is not a beautiful ceremony, a ritual in which our gestures or, worse, our garments are at the center, no! The liturgy is God’s action with us, and we need to be attentive to Him,” he said.

During the meeting, the pope heard the experiences and questions of several members from Mexico, Congo and Brazil. Pope Francis began his address by answering a question from Fabiola, a 26-year-old from Mexico who recounted her experience of joining Shalom after moving to Boston and then serving as a missionary in Rome.

“How can we persevere in a friendship with God in the midst of such a frantic world?” she asked. “How can we pass along this experience in today’s world, in universities, in families and in the very Church?”

Responding to her question, the pope recalled Jesus’ call to His disciples to “remain in me” and “remain in love” and said that, through prayer, the word of God, Adoration and the rosary, Christians can “bring forth much fruit.”

“The fruit is love, and it is the love of Christ that touches people’s hearts, wherever we are, in every environment,” the pope said. “It is up to us to make the commitment to remain in Him; the Holy Spirit does the rest. He is the protagonist, not us.”

Answering a question from Bertrand, a 31-year-old Congolese member who asked how young people keep the “youthful spirit” of evangelization alive, the pope said it was important to remain open to the Holy Spirit, “who renews hearts, renews life, renews the Church and renews the world.”

The pope recalled the example of the many young saints in the Catholic Church who have and continue to “build up the Church with their witness.” He also emphasized the need for the Church “to learn to not be paternalistic” and to keep young people engaged and involved.

“Sometimes we involve young people in pastoral initiatives, but not to the full extent. We risk ‘using’ them a little, to make a good impression. But I wonder: Do we really listen to them?” the pope asked.

Pope Francis encouraged the Shalom community’s members to be “docile to the action of the Holy Spirit” and to be open to listening to each other and the Church “in order to best discern how to continue on your journey.” Such actions “will teach you to ensure that the various forms of common life within (your

movement) always protect the proper autonomy and needs of different vocations: of priests, of married people and those who have made a choice of celibacy for the mission,” he said.

Administrative Coordinator

The Diocese of Charlotte is currently accepting applications for a full-time Administrative Coordinator to support the Director of Planned Giving / Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte and the Office of Development staff. This position requires a professional who can work independently, communicate well with donors, and can successfully work in an environment that requires extensive multi-tasking.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

•Associates degree or greater in related field

•Three years’ experience in administrative support

•Preferred experience in Raiser’s Edge or other database software

•Competent in MS Office software

•Solid planning and organizational

•Ability to work both independently and as part of a larger team

•Strong written, verbal and inter-personal

Please submit letter of interest and resume by October 31, 2022 to: Gina Rhodes – Office of Development gmrhodes@rcdoc.org

Or by mail to: 1123 South Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28203

The Diocese of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

CNS | VATICAN MEDIA Pope Francis attends a meeting with members of the Shalom Catholic Community at the Vatican Sept. 26.

Cameroon bishops respond after kidnapping, church burning

YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon — Catholic bishops in Cameroon’s war-torn English-speaking regions said they were left in “shock and utter horror” following the burning of a church and the kidnapping of five priests, a nun and three laypeople. The incident occurred Sept. 16 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nchang, in southwestern Cameroon. The kidnappers, identified only as separatists, are asking the church to pay a ransom of $50,000, a request the church has rejected. “I have spoken to all nine people who were abducted,” Father Christopher Eboka, communications director at the Mamfe Diocese, told Catholic News Service Sept. 21. “They say they have not been tortured but, every day, they are being reminded that if the ransom isn’t being paid, they will be killed one after the other.” “It was with great shock and utter horror that we, the bishops, learned of the burning down of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Nchang,” said a statement signed by Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya of Bamenda, on behalf of the bishops of the Bamenda ecclesiastical province.

Processions banned after police surround Nicaragua parish

MEXICO CITY — Police in Nicaragua have thwarted the celebration of feast day processions for patron saints in a city considered iconic for the ruling Sandinista

regime, which continues increasing its repression of the Catholic Church. Police have surrounded parishes in the city of Masaya, to prevent parishioners from removing statues of their patron saints and holding processions. “It’s absurd that the dictatorship sees the religious celebrations of Masaya’s patron saints as a threat,” tweeted Father Edwin Román, former pastor at the St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Masaya. “This is not an attempt to measure forces. It’s allowing Catholics to celebrate,” he continued in a tweet dated Sept. 20. “The police, instead of an aggressive attitude, should guarantee security.” Celebrations of the Eucharist occurred, but not processions.

Pope revamps fund for rural communities in Latin America

VATICAN CITY — Saying he wanted to promote even “stronger links” between the dioceses of Latin America and the Caribbean and the poorest people in their territories, Pope Francis ordered changes to the structure of a foundation established by St. John Paul II 30 years ago. The pope met members of the Populorum Progressio Foundation for Latin America and the Caribbean Sept. 16, the same day the Vatican announced he was suppressing the foundation and replacing it with the Populorum Progressio Fund. In its 30 years of operation, the foundation had distributed more than $40 million to projects in rural areas across the region. With individual grants of less than $25,000, the foundation focused on health care, housing, clean water, community infrastructure, and educating Catholics in the faith. The objectives will remain the same, Pope Francis told the council, but he had given the Latin American bishops’ council responsibility for helping study the grant applications and following the implementation of projects.

— Catholic News Service

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO)

The Chief Financial Officer is responsible to preserve, protect and administer the temporal goods of the Diocese of Savannah under the authority of the Bishop and in accord with the budget approved by the Finance Council. The Chief Financial Officer is the principal advisor to the Bishop in matters of finance in cooperation with the Finance Council under the Code of Canon Law.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Diocese of Savannah serves more than 80,000 Catholics in 90 counties covering 37,000 miles and is part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Atlanta. The Diocese of Savannah employs +1350 people, Priest, Religious and Lay, working in 79 parishes and schools with an annual budget of $10,000,000.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee day-to-day financial operations and advise the Bishop and other diocesan leadership on financial matters and administrative matters as they relate to finance.

• Support the Bishop in setting and implementing strategic priorities for the Diocese, including results of the planning process, Refelct+Renew+Rejoice.

• Oversee all accounting and financial reporting for the Diocese of Savannah, delegating related tasks to financial office staff.

• Assure there are policies and procedures in place, fully implemented and monitored to safeguard all ecclesiastical goods belonging to the Diocese of Savannah.

• Prepare the annual capital and operational budgets with recommendations for a balanced operational budget.

• Ensure timely, accurate and periodic financial reporting for the Diocese itself and obtain reports from all other associated entities and providing any other financial information requested by the Bishop.

• Supervise, train and evaluate the performance of the Department of Finance staff.

• Work with external auditors in the examination of the various books and records of the Diocese.

• Serve as Plan Administrator for all Retirement Plans, establish relationships with third party providers and review Plan documents.

• Collaborate with Human Resources on management of Diocesan sponsored insurance programs including self-insured Benefits, General liability and Workers Compensation.

• Direct Property and Casualty Insurance Program and oversee extensive Loss Program.

• Provide educational assistance and training to Parish Bookkeepers.

• Monitor and make recommendations to parishes regarding handling and care of parish financial resources.

• Maintain a high level of contact with constituencies across Diocese, especially with Pastors and their Finance Councils.

• Provide contractual consultative services to the Catholic Foundation of South Georgia as mutually agreed upon.

• Engage and interact with diocesan legal counsel, as necessary, on issues pertaining to diocesan financial and administrative compliance. Aldo monitor legal expenses to annual budget.

• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the Bishop or his designate.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree in Business Management or C.P.A. with 10 years’ experience in a business related field.

• Ability to multi-task and work effectively under specific deadlines.

• Affinity for mission-driven organizations with a commitment to serving the Catholic Church.

• Must be a Catholic in full communion with the Church.

• Must have strong organizations, oral and written communication and problem solving skills.

To apply send a resume, salary history and references to: jagreen@diosav.org.

ViewPoints

Loving beauty early

In a passage from his classic “Confessions,” St. Augustine looks back on his life and admits: “Late have I loved you O beauty so ancient and new, late have I loved you!” Have we also come late to know God as beautiful? Or worse still, maybe we have yet to experience God’s beauty. So how can we come to know God as beauty, not late but early? A good place to begin, as always, is with Scripture.

The Bible presents us with the idea of God as the origin and source of all beauty. All of creation, with humanity at its pinnacle, is marked by God’s goodness and beauty. Both the scientist and the child can observe the order, harmony, and beauty of the universe and learn something of the one responsible for it all: “From the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator for the author of beauty created them” (Wis 13:3, 5).

Creation is to be contemplated and admired for its own sake by human beings with the effect of raising their hearts to the Creator. In the presence of creation’s beauty, the human person feels humbled, amazed and moved to praise: “When I see the heavens, the work of your hands, the moon and the stars that you have arranged; what is humankind that you are mindful of us, human beings that you care for them?

... Lord our God, how great is your name through all the earth” (Ps 8).

In the New Testament, all beauty is concentrated on the person of Jesus Christ, the Word made visible, “full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14). In Him, God’s eternal beauty became a human being. Christ is the one who “reflects the glory of God and

bears the very stamp of His nature” (Heb. 1:3). By prayerfully observing His words, it dawned on the early Christians that the very nature of God was unconditional love: “Your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5); “Neither do I condemn you” (John 8:11); “God so loved the world” (John 3:16); “Come to me all you who are heavily laden and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28). These beautiful words of Christ perfectly corresponded to His beautiful actions – His healings, His accompaniment of sinners, forgiveness for His killers, His raising of the poor and lowly.

Yet the beauty of His words and actions were often hidden beneath His suffering and rejection. His brutal torture turned Him into someone who “had no form of comeliness” to such an extent that He “seemed no longer human” (Is 53:2,14). This outward disfigurement because of our sins was part of His work of saving us – taking the ugliness of sin upon Himself so as to restore the beautiful image and

Protecting God’s Children

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

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

Suspect sexual abuse or misconduct?

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

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

Safe Environment training

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

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

likeness of God within us.

The main symbol the Gospels use to describe this beauty of Jesus Christ is light. The prophesy of Zachariah states that Christ would be the one to “give light to those in darkness, those who dwell in the shadow of death” (Luke 1:79). During the Presentation in the temple, the old prophet Simeon saw the infant and rejoiced that he finally saw “the light to enlighten the pagans and glory for your people Israel” (Lk 2:29-32). In all three of the synoptic Gospels, Jesus’ Transfiguration is recorded when His person became illuminated from within with an intense divine light (Mt 17:18; Mk 9:2-8; Lk 9:28-36).

With the evangelist John, this beauty of Christ is also symbolized by light and the concept of “glory.” This is spelled out in the prologue of his Gospel where Christ’s coming into the world is associated with “a light that the darkness could not overpower” (Jn 1:5). Later at Cana, John interprets the miracle that Christ performed as letting His glory be seen in a way that leads to faith in Him (Jn 2:11). In the book of Revelation, John imagines believers in Christ not only observing His glory but sharing in it too. In the final age, God will unite Himself to His people as a husband to his bride, sharing His own beauty with those who accept Him. This is the people the Lamb has married, the holy city, the heavenly Jerusalem that enjoys “the radiant glory of God and glittering like some precious jewel of crystal-clear diamond” (Rev 21:11). This idea of the light and beauty of God being shared with those who believe is also found with Jesus Himself. “I am the light of the world” he declared, and “those who follow me will not walk in the dark but will have the light of life” (Jn 8:12). Therefore, when Jesus exhorted His followers to be “the light of the world,” He commissioned them to be vessels of His own light, beauty and truth (Mt 5:14). For Jesus, His saving mission was to be an enabler of sight, to heal blindness so that we could see beauty where it is to be found.

This scriptural theme of beauty was taken up by many of the Church fathers and saints. For St. Gregory of Nyssa (335395): “Our life is stamped with the beauty of His (Christ’s) thought. The inner and the outer person are harmonized in a kind of music.”

For St. Paulinus of Nola (354-431), the Creator is the composer of beautiful

music, “the musician who controls that universal-sounding harmony which He exercises through all the physical world.”

We humans are absorbed by this music in a way that attunes us to its harmonious beauty.

Noted for his beautiful mind, St. Gregory of Nazianzus (329-390) explains in “Oratio” that the union of God’s beauty and human beings happens through baptism: “Baptism is God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift. ... It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own.”

As someone who discovered God’s beauty late, Augustine encourages his audience to explore the beauty of God’s handiwork because doing so will lead us to the One whose beauty never changes: “Question the beauty of the earth, question the beauty of the sea, question the beauty of the air ... question the beauty of the sky... These beauties are subject to change. Who made them if not the Beautiful One who is not subject to change.” In sum, for Augustine, God is: “the beauty of all things beautiful.”

For St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), our experience of beauty occurs at the intersection of wholeness (“integritas”), harmony (“proportio”) and radiance (“claritas”). According to Thomas, beauty gives rise to contemplative pleasure: “Beautiful things please when seen.”

Beauty triggers love, for we fall in love with the beauty we see in a way that provides joy and delight. In Thomas’ understanding, “God created the universe to make it beautiful for Himself by reflecting His own beauty.”

For St. John of the Cross (1542-1591), when the love of God encounters human beings, it transforms us more into its own love and beauty. John explains that at the incarnation, Jesus “took on our human nature and elevated it in the beauty of God, and consequently all creatures, since in human nature He was united with them all.”

For St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), we humans are marked by the beauty of the one who made us. For this reason, God delights in His own beauty He sees in us: “You, eternal Trinity, are the craftsman; and I your handiwork have come to know that you are in love with the beauty of what you have made, since you made of me a new creation in the blood of your Son.”

Finally, according to St. Bonaventure (1221-1274), Francis of Assisi experienced the beauty and joy of creation in a way that led him continuously to the source of that beauty and joy: “In beautiful things Francis saw and fell in love with God who is Beauty itself. ... For Francis, all things were a ladder by which he could climb up and embrace Him who alone could satisfy his heart.”

FATHER BILLY SWAN is a priest of the Diocese of Ferns, Ireland. This commentary is the first of a two-part series on beauty. It originally appeared on the Word on Fire blog, at www.wordonfire.org. In Part II, Father Swan will explore practical ways we can love beauty early.

‘All of creation, with humanity at its pinnacle, is marked by God’s goodness and beauty. Both the scientist and the child can observe the order, harmony and beauty of the universe and learn something of the one responsible for it all.’

Father Billy Swan

God pursues us relentlessly

Have you ever owned a hound dog? If you have, then you know why they are sometimes described as “a nose with a dog attached.” Whether a droopyeyed, long-eared basset hound or a cute little beagle, they both come from a long history of hunting dogs. Did you know that God has sometimes been referred to as the Hound of Heaven?

A hound is a type of hunting dog used to track or chase prey. Most hounds were bred and trained to track by either scent or sight. Scent hounds (often used to track people) are not fast, but they have incredible endurance. Sight hounds on the

Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”

Jesus Himself speaks of the extent to which the Father pursues us when He tells the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:1-7, and the story of the lost coin in Luke 15:810. In both of these parables, the loss was accidental. The sheep innocently wandered away, and the coin was accidentally misplaced.

Jesus gives us even more hope in the story of the prodigal son found in John 15:11-32. In this story, the son intentionally demanded his inheritance and squandered it on a life of dissipation. Even though it was a willful rebellion, Jesus tells us that the father never gave up longing for the return of his son. Even when we intentionally sin, God’s pursuit of us is unabated. God has more endurance and stamina to doggedly track us down than the best trained hound dog.

An additional key point to keep in mind, is that before we knew to pursue God, He had already pursued us. In John 6:44, Jesus says, “‘No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day.’”

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other hand, follow prey mostly by speed, keeping it in sight. Whether tracking by sight or by scent, hounds are relentless in pursuit of their prey.

For just a moment, try to place yourself in the mindset of a prisoner who has just escaped. The jailer has released the bloodhounds. They are out to track you down. You are on the run. The bloodcurdling sound of their barking tells you that they are closing in. It’s only a matter of time before you’re caught.

From a Christian perspective, we share some similarities with that escaped prisoner. Since the first appearance of sin, mankind has been on the run from God. The Old Testament reads like a nonstop story of rebellion. God’s people have continually tried to escape His love. Throughout these stories, we witness God’s relentless pursuit of His chosen people.

Already in Genesis 3:9, when Adam and Eve try to hide in the garden, God says, “‘Where are you?’” Like a hound, He was already in hot pursuit.

We also find this in the Old Testament in Psalm 139:7-8, “Where can I go from your spirit? From your presence, where can I flee? If I ascend to the heavens, you are there; if I lie down in Sheol, there you are.”

The Bible makes it clear that we can run, but we cannot hide. We cannot escape the love of God!

In the New Testament, we discover in a more profound way that God never stops pursuing us. He loves us too much to stop. He longs for us to be with Him in paradise.

John 3:16 makes this quite clear, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only

Let’s go back to the analogy of the escaped prisoner. When the bloodhounds catch up to the prisoner, it is with the intent of bringing the escapee back to prison. This is where that analogy breaks down, however. With the speed of a sight hound, God pursues us. We are never out of His sight. Like a scent hound, He tracks us. Because of the stench of our sins, we are easy to find. But unlike a “prisoner” the difference lies in this joyful, assuring news in John 3:17, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”

My friends, God is relentlessly pursuing us, not to take us captive, but precisely for the opposite reason. God wants to release us from the chains and self-imposed prison of our sins. He wants to take us home to be with Him forever in paradise.

Yes, God is in a relentless pursuit of us. Wherever we might be on our life’s journey, God wants us back. No sin can separate us from His love. He stands ready to forgive. He does not want to capture us with the biting teeth of a hound, but rather, He wants to capture us in the loving embrace of His outstretched arms. Like a shepherd who has lost a sheep, He wants to carry us home on His shoulders.

Heavenly Father, thank You for never giving up on me. Thank You for Your relentless pursuit. No matter how far I stray, You find me. If I fall into a ditch, You are there to retrieve me. When I give in to sin, the blood of Your Son washes me clean. Your love for me exceeds my ability to comprehend. Track me down, Lord, and bring me home. Amen.

BRIAN PUSATERI is the founder of Broken Door Ministries (www.brokendoorministries.com) and a member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville.

Pope Francis

From online story: “Jesus, present in the Eucharist, inspires compassion, sharing, pope says”

Through press time on Sept. 28, 23,798 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of 34,537 pages. The top five headlines in September have been: n Virgen de las Mercedes, patrona de los reclusos 1,998 n People must choose: Help grow garden of life or desert of death, pope says .................... 1,394 n Feast day of Padre Pio, ‘a man of prayer and suffering,’ celebrated Sept. 23 1,120

n View the current print edition of the Catholic News Herald 910 n Igbo Mass held to praise God, celebrate cultural identity ............................................................ 724

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

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‘When we adore the Lord Jesus present in the Eucharist, we receive a new way of looking at our lives: I am not the things I possess and the successes I am able to achieve...’

‘Since the first appearance of sin, mankind has been on the run from God. God’s people have continually tried to escape His love.’

Brian Pusateri

The Universal Call to Holiness: Vatican II’s Wisdom for Spiritual Living

CARL McCOLMAN

Friday, October 21, 2022 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 22, 2022 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Vatican II gave the Catholic Church new ways of worshipping, of celebrating the sacraments, and of understanding Church teachings — but it also provides us with wonderful insights into the spiritual life. Contrary to the popular idea that Vatican II represented an innovation, the Council's spiritual wisdom actually has deep roots in the Bible and early Church history. This weekend will explore what Vatican II has to say to us about spirituality, with an emphasis on the concept of a universal call to holiness, for all the faithful: laypeople as well as religious and ordained persons. Friday: We'll take a tour of the key elements of Vatican II spirituality with an emphasis on nine "invitations" that Vatican II offers the people of God. Saturday: We'll take a deeper dive, looking at topics such as the Bible, the centrality of Jesus, the ministry of all people, and the relationship between the Church and the world. There will be opportunities for prayer and meditation as well as conversation and shared reflection. Bring a notebook and be prepared to let the wisdom of the council inspire your heart!

Carl McColman is a popular presenter, retreat leader and author of several books on Christian spirituality. He is a Lay Cistercian at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Georgia.

This program will be available in person and on-line. When registering, please indicate the chosen option.

COST:

Friday Evening Only: $10.00 Saturday Only: $40.00 Both Sessions: $45.00

(Saturday lunch included)

Limited overnight accommodations available: $50.00/night (meals included)

PAYMENT:

In-person participants may pay on arrival by check or cash or ahead of time by credit card at www.rockhilloratory.org/Donation/Center for Spirituality

On-line participants may pay by check to: Oratory Center for Spirituality, PO Box 11586, Rock Hill, SC 29731-1586 or by credit card at www.rockhilloratory.org/Donation/Center for Spirituality

REGISTRATION:

Please register by email to oratorycenter@gmail.com

Be sure to include which sessions you are signing up for, the format (in-person or on-line) and if overnight accommodations are needed.

obligó a su administración a conectarse con la comunidad gracias al uso de las redes sociales.

La feligresa Paula Matheson dijo que esta es una ocasión para celebrar “que estamos aquí, llenos de recuerdos, viendo prosperar nuestra fe”. “Juntos es más fácil”, resaltó.

Fidel Bazaldua, parroquiano, dijo ser testigo del crecimiento de la comunidad hispana. “Desde que llegó el Padre Camilo hemos visto florecer nuestra iglesia”.

MASCOTAS

primera clase de San Francisco de Asís.

Domingo 2 de octubre: 9 a.m. Misa seguida de una procesión en los exteriores y veneración individual y bendición con una reliquia de primera clase de San Francisco de Asís.; 10:30 a.m. Misa seguida de una fiesta parroquial con venta de comida y juegos para niños.

Más bendiciones de mascotas

n Iglesia Sagrado Corazón, 375 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury, 30 de septiembre, 8 a.m.

n Iglesia San Leo el Grande, 335 Springdale Ave., Winston-Salem, 1 de octubre, 9 a.m., Patio Ave Maria Courtyard

n Iglesia San Pío X, 2200 North Elm St., Greensboro, 1 de octubre, 9 a.m., claustro

n Iglesia San Felipe Apóstol, 525 Camden Dr., Statesville, 1 de octubre, 9:30 a.m., frente a la iglesia

n Iglesia San Vicente de Paúl, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte, 1 de octubre, 9:30 a.m.

Fidel y su esposa Ana son servidores para diversos ministerios. “Celebramos también junto a otros hermanos y con los que han partido. Y los que seguimos aquí, trabajamos con fe y esperanza para que esta obra siga derramando bendiciones y tocando corazones”, dijeron.

Por su parte Raquel y Alan Fox afirmaron que la Iglesia Santa Trinidad “ha sido una bendición para nosotros porque nos ha brindado un lugar para estar más cerca de Dios y una comunidad que nos hace sentir como familia”.

Si desea visitar la Iglesia Holy Trinity, se encuentra ubicada en 1039 NC Highway 90 West, Taylorsville, NC 28681. Sus Misas dominicales en inglés y español son a las 8:30 y 10 de la mañana respectivamente.

n Iglesia San Marcos, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville, 1 de octubre, 9:30-11 a.m., pileta de la iglesia

n Iglesia San Gabriel, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte, 1 de octubre, 10 a.m., gruta Mariana

n Iglesia San Pedro, 507 South Tryon St., Charlotte, 1 de octubre, 10-11 a.m., St. Peter Garden

n Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Merced, 1730 Link Road, Winston-Salem, 1 de octubre, 11 a.m., frente a la escuela

n Iglesia San Bernabé, 109 Crescent Hill Dr., Arden, 1 de octubre, 1 p.m.

n Iglesia Sagrada Familia, 4820 Kinnamon Road, Clemmons, 2 de octubre, 4:30 p.m., frente a la estatua de Sta. Teresa

n Iglesia Santa Teresa, 217 Brawley School Road, Mooresville, 8 de octubre, 10 a.m., patio entre los edificios B (Admin) y C (Parish Life Center)

n Iglesia Sagrada Cruz, 616 S. Cherry St., Kernersville, 8 de octubre, mediodía, Mary Garden

n Iglesia San Mateo, Charlotte, Oct. 8, mediodía, Pet Memorial Garden en la esquina de Rea Road y Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.

architecture draws a lot of people. The sacred draws them because you’re drawn to beauty,” he said.

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Andrew Wong and his family have been parishioners for 15 years. “I really enjoy this parish family. We have a lot of good friends. One of the greatest things is to see our kids hanging out with other Catholic families, growing not just in friendship but also in faith,” he says. “It’s wonderful to see everyone here celebrating.”

Betty Tarantelli has been a parishioner since 1988. She grew up in Geneva, New York, and was immediately drawn to the church.

“I like it here because I feel like it’s traditional. You can go to a Spanish Mass, Latin Mass or English Mass. They’re all just beautiful. There’s something for everyone,” she said.

Tarantelli served in a variety of ministries at the church including as a lector and a substitute teacher at Our Lady of Grace School, founded in 1953, just a year after the church. Originally run by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters from Scranton, Pa., the school has fostered the Catholic faith and academic excellence of generations of students.

Ed Alton, an active parishioner since 1955, attended the parish school in first grade and received his First Communion at the church. He particularly enjoyed the anniversary trivia contest.

“I often looked at this church from the standpoint of its architecture. The

Throughout the preparation and celebrations, Father Coleman emphasized his gratitude for the founding families and all the clergy, religious and lay faithful who have gone before him to build the church and parish community. Their work “continues to nourish me and my priesthood,” he said.

Father Coleman then reflected on the future of the parish.

“My hopes are that we can continue to build on these firm foundations, grow a lot as a loving community, and as St. Paul says, live a life worthy of the faith that we have received, so that the concrete reality that’s continued to endure and perdure is realized in us for the future and for the continued foundation of the Church, the world and society for many generations to come,” he said.

“That’s my real hope – that we continue to do justice to the gift that we have.”

More online

At www.catholicnewsherald.com : The true genesis of Our Lady of Grace Church began with Ethel Clay Price’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and her love story with Julian Price. Read more about the church’s history and architecture, see more photos from the 70th anniversary celebration, and watch videos of Solemn Vespers and a clip of the choral concert featuring the Parish Choir and Latin Schola.