March 25, 2022

March 25, 2022

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

Benedictine monks of Belmont Abbey keep pioneering spirit alive 18-21

Investing in healthcare during a pandemic

Impulsan fase diocesana del sínodo en comunidad latina 12 FUNDED BY THE PARISHIONERS OF THE DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE THANK YOU!

Belmont Abbey College, CaroMont and Gaston County partner to train next generation of healthcare professionals 8-9 Scouts celebrate faith, fellowship, fun at annual Camporee Comidas y platillos latinoamericanos de Cuaresma 15

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Looking forward to Easter With most COVID-19 restrictions gone, churches embrace parishioners’ return

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At a glance 2

catholicnewsherald.com | March 25, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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March 25, 2022 Volume 31 • NUMBER 13

things you need to know this week to a pope. Most believe the day began in 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII decreed the adoption of the “Gregorian calendar” – named after himself – which moved New Year’s Day from the end of March to Jan. 1. Those who didn’t learn of the calendar change and continued to celebrate on April 1 were seen as foolish, called “April Fools.” That’s not the only “origin story” for the day, however.

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

704-370-3333

START PRAYING A DAILY ROSARY: The rosary is a powerful sacramental of the Church and a tremendous source of grace and spiritual protection guaranteed

by Our Lady herself.

Find intentions for special days during the diocese’s 50th anniversary at www.faithmorepreciousthangold.com.

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

INDEX

Contact us.....................................2 Español....................................... 12-15 Our Faith........................................3 Our diocese.............................. 4-11 Scripture readings................. 3, 14 Arts & Entertainment...........24, 25 U.S. news................................26-27 Viewpoints.............................30-31 World news........................... 28-29

Subscribe today! Call:

704-370-3333

Clergy wear rose-colored (not pink!) vestments on Laetare Sunday. The “rose” color is meant to be encouraging as we reach the midpoint of Lent.

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WE’RE HALFWAY THROUGH LENT: March 27 is Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent. Named for the first word of the Introit, or Entrance Antiphon – “laetare” (“rejoice”) – it offers a moment of joy during the somber 40 days of Lent.

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MAKE THE BEST OF THE REST OF LENT: Check out a series on “The Seven Deadly Sins” by Father Matthew Buettner, St. Joseph College Seminary’s spiritual director.

Catch his weekly podcasts at www.facebook.com/ stjosephcollegeseminary or on YouTube.

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APRIL FOOLS’ DAY IS CATHOLIC (KIND OF): April Fools’ Day is not a religious holiday. It does, however, trace its origins

YES, THE INTERNET HAS A PATRON SAINT: St. Isidore of Seville is the author of the first encyclopedia ever written, called “Etymologiae,” and patron saint of the internet. At a time when the remnants of the Roman Empire were crumbling and aristocratic violence and illiteracy were spreading, he helped convert the royal Visigothic Arians to Catholicism and played a prominent role in developing Visigothic legislation – regarded by historians as influencing the beginnings of representative government. He’s also a Doctor of the Church. Read more about him on page 3, and check out more Doctors of the Church at www.catholicnewsherald.com/ourfaith.

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

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

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

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CONFERENCES & TALKS

PRAYER SERVICES & GROUPS

LEARN ABOUT JOHN FISHER AND THOMAS MORE: Judge Robert Conrad Jr., author of “John Fisher & Thomas More: Keeping Their Souls While Losing Their Heads,” will speak at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at St. Pius X Church, located at 2210 N. Elm St., Greensboro. Conrad is a former trial judge, federal prosecutor, former college basketball player, father, grandfather, coach, mentor, teacher and amateur historian who examines the lives of these two saints with a trial lawyer’s love for advocacy and an Irishman’s love for a well-told story. He brings to life their examples of fidelity to a well-formed conscience, the vision of eternal life with God, and willingness to die rather than submit to a raw exercise of royal power. Register online at www.stpiusxnc.com/events or call 336-272-4681.

MARY’S SONS KNEELERS: People around the Diocese of Charlotte can pray for the men expected to be ordained – Deacon Darren Balkey and Deacon Aaron Huber – on special kneelers they will receive when ordained on June 18. For more info, see www.

MarysSons.org. Upcoming parishes hosting the kneelers:

ESPAÑOL VIGILIA DE LOS DOS CORAZONES: 8 p.m. Todos los Viernes, en la Catedral San Patricio, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. Únase cada primer viernes del mes a una vigilia nocturna para honrar los Corazones de Jesús y María, orar por nuestras familias, ofrecer penitencia por nuestros pecados y pedir por la conversión de nuestra nación. Para inscribirse a una hora de Adoración, visite www.ProLifeCharlotte.org/dos-corazones.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING FREE WINTER NFP CLASS SERIES: First Tuesday of the month, 6:30-8:30 p.m. St. Margaret Mary Church, 102 Andrews Place, Swannanoa. This Fertility Education and Medical Management (FEMM) series will cover monitoring ovulation cycles as a sign of health. Learn to chart as a self-care practice, learn ways to understand and manage one’s overall health and fertility, and increase appreciation of God’s design and feminine genius through tracking the signs of fertility. April 1: Family Planning, with a FEMM expert. May 3: Q&A about Medical Management, with Megan Blum, P.A.-C from www.mycatholicdoctor.com. For details and registration info, email: office@saintmmc.com.

MARCH 28-APRIL 4: Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury (Deacon Balkey’s home parish) POLISH MASS: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 3, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy,, Charlotte. Celebrant will be Father Przemyslw Gawlik from New Jersey. Confessions begin at 1:15 p.m. in New Life Center 132/125. For details, contact Barbara Banas at 704-847-2419 or barbmbanas@aol.com.

LENTEN MEDITATION SERVICE, ‘THE PASSION WITHIN THE EUCHARIST’: 7;30 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, at St. Thérèse Church, 217 Brawley School Road in Mooresville. Featuring meditations by Adrienne von Speyr, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis, Xavier Leon Dufour and others.

Upcoming events for Bishop Peter J. Jugis: MARCH 25 – 12:10 P.M. Daily Mass, followed by Act of Consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte (also livestreamed starting at 12:10 p.m.)

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

MARCH 26 – NOON Rite of Election St. Barnabas Church, Arden

Correction

APRIL 2 – 8 A.M. White Mass for Converging Roads Conference St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

In the March 11 Catholic News Herald, a photo of the members of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Charlotte OCDS (Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites) visiting St. Joseph College Seminary listed Father Timothy Reid as the community’s spiritual advisor. His correct title is spiritual assistant. The order’s founder was also incorrectly identified. The Discalced Carmelites, with whom the lay secular order is affiliated, was founded by St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross.

APRIL 8 – 10 A.M. Finance Council Meeting Pastoral Center, Charlotte APRIL 9 – 1:50 P.M. Lenten Youth Pilgrimage Eucharistic Procession Belmont Abbey College, Belmont

Our faith

March 25, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

St. Isidore of Seville, the internet’s patron saint Feast day: April 4 St. Isidore is the author of the first encyclopedia ever written, called the “Etymologiae” (Latin for “The Etymologies”) and also known as the “Origines” (“Origins”). In 20 volumes, the massive work compiled all of the learning of his day including extracts of many books from classical antiquity that otherwise would have been lost.

Etymology, the origins of words, is prominent, but the work covers among other things: grammar, rhetoric, mathematics, geometry, music, astronomy, medicine, law, the Church and heretical sects, pagan philosophers, Detail of a page from St. languages, cities, animals Isidore’s “Etymologiae,” and birds, the physical a Carolingian manuscript world, geography, public dating from the eighth buildings, roads, metals, century, at the Royal rocks, agriculture, ships, Library of Belgium in clothes, food and tools.

Brussels Throughout the greater part of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, it was the textbook most used in schools.

Because of that legacy, he has also been named the patron saint of the internet – today’s version of all the world’s compiled knowledge.

If that weren’t enough, St. Isidore also invented the period, comma and colon.

St. Isidore was born in Cartagena, Spain, around the year 560 and succeeded his older brother as the archbishop of Seville. He was a prolific writer on the Scriptures and theology, as well as on the knowledge of his day in the fields of physics, astronomy, history and geography. He also wrote a dictionary of synonyms.

During his episcopate, the classic learning institutions of the Roman Empire were being destroyed by the barbarous Goths, who were in power in Spain. In an effort to counter this, St. Isidore encouraged education and the study of law, medicine and the liberal arts. He eradicated Arianism and other heresies and reinforced religious discipline.

At the Second Council of Seville, begun Nov. 13,

619, St. Isidore persuaded all bishops to establish seminaries in cathedral cities, making education an obligation for all bishops.

He also had great admiration for monks and wrote a book called “Regula monachorum” on the monastic life, though he wasn’t a monk himself. In it, he said religious life is proof of true Christian democracy by admitting men of every rank and station of life.

“God has made no difference between the soul of the slave and that of the freedman,” he wrote.

In the monastery, he said, all are equal in the sight of God and of the Church.

St. Isidore was the last of the ancient Christian philosophers and great Latin Fathers.

He died April 4, 636, and his feast is celebrated each April 4.

— Catholic News Agency and Wikipedia

What is a Doctor of the Church?

Doctors of the Church are great saints known for their defense and explanation of the truths of the Catholic faith.

The original eight Doctors of the Church were named by acclamation, or common acknowledgment. The rest have been named by various popes, starting with the addition of St. Thomas Aquinas to the list by St. Pius V in 1568.

The title “Doctor of the Church” indicates that the writings and preachings of such a person are useful to Christians “in any age of the Church.” Such men and women are particularly known for the depth of understanding and the orthodoxy of their theological teachings. Through their research, study and writing, they have advanced the Church’s knowledge of our faith.

While the writings of the Doctors are often considered inspired by the Holy Spirit, this does not mean they are infallible. It does mean that they contributed significantly to the formulation of Christian teaching in at least one area, and that their work overall serves to advance the cause of Christ and His Church.

The title was first given in the Middle Ages. Originally, there were four great Doctors of the Church: St. Ambrose, a fourth-century bishop of Milan; St. Augustine, a fifth-century bishop of Hippo; St. Gregory the Great, who was pope at the start of the seventh century; and St. Jerome, the fifthcentury biblical scholar and translator.

Today, there are 37 Doctors of the Church: 28 from the West and nine from the East.

More online

— USCCB

At www. catholicnewsherald. com: Read more about the Doctors of the Church “St. Isidore of Seville” by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, 1655

Daily Scripture readings MARCH 27-APRIL 2

Sunday: Joshua 5:9a, 10-12, 2 Cor 5:17-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32; Monday: Isaiah 65:17-21, John 4:43-54; Tuesday: Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12, John 5:1-16; Wednesday: Isaiah 49:8-15, John 5:17-30; Thursday: Exodus 32:7-14, John 5:31-47; Friday: Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22, John 7:12,10, 25-30; Saturday (St. Francis of Paola): Jeremiah 11:18-20, John 7:40-53

APRIL 3-9

Sunday: Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:8-14, John 8:1-11; Monday (St. Isidore): Daniel 13:19, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62, John 8:12-20; Tuesday (St. Vincent Ferrer): Numbers 21:4-9, John 8:21-30; Wednesday: Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95, Daniel 3:52-56, John 8:31-42; Thursday (St. John Baptist de la Salle): Genesis 17:39, John 8:51-59; Friday: Jeremiah 20:10-13, John 10:31-42; Saturday: Ezekiel 37:21-28, Jeremiah 31:10-13, John 11:45-56

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APRIL 10-16

Sunday (Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord): Luke 19:28-40, Isaiah 50:4-7, Philippians 2:6-11, Luke 22:14-23:56; Monday: Isaiah 42:1-7, John 12:1-11; Tuesday: Isaiah 49:1-6, John 13:21-33, 36-38; Wednesday: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Matthew 26:14-25; Thursday (Holy Thursday): Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-15; Friday (Good Friday): Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42; Saturday (Easter Vigil): Genesis 1:1-2:2, Exodus 14:1515:1, Exodus 15:1-6, 17-18, Romans 6:3-11, Luke 24:1-12

Pope Francis

War is ‘defeat for humanity’

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s Russian bombardments continue to decimate Ukraine, Pope Francis prayed that God would free the world from war and the need to selfdestruct.

“May the Lord send us His Spirit so that we may understand that war is a defeat for humanity, that those who make war have a need for defeat and may He free us from this need of selfdestruction,” the pope said March 23 during his weekly general audience.

Before concluding the audience, the pope led pilgrims in praying a Hail Mary to remember the innocent victims of the war in Ukraine, especially those “who are displaced, who have fled, the people who have died, the wounded and so many soldiers who have fallen, those on both sides.”

According to a report published by the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights March 20, at least 902 civilians, including 75 children, have been killed since Russia’s attack on the country began nearly a month ago. The report said the U.N. believes “the actual figures are considerably higher,” but intense bombardments have made it impossible to verify other reports.

For example, in his address to the Italian parliament March 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that due to Russia’s heavy bombing of the port city of Mariupol, “there is nothing left there.”

With the intensity of the attacks, particularly on non-military targets and residential areas, some believe that Russia, having failed to capture the capital city of Kyiv, is now waging a war of attrition to wear down Ukraine’s defenses.

“It is news of death,” the pope said of the escalating violence and loss of life.

“We ask the Lord of life to free us from this death of war. With war, everything is lost. Everything. There is no victory in war. It is all defeat.”

Addressing world leaders, Pope Francis insisted the manufacturing and deployment of weapons “is not the solution to the problem.”

“The solution is working together for peace, and as the Bible says, of turning weapons into instruments of peace,” the pope said.

Our diocese 4

catholicnewsherald.com | March 25, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Charlotte diocese to join pope in consecrating Ukraine, Russia to Mary SUEANN HOWELL CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

GIULIANA RILEY | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Jason Christian, pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Tryon, delivers his homily to parishioners parked in their cars at Harmon Field during Lent 2020, when all churches were closed and liturgies were moved outdoors where people could remain socially distanced. With most COVID-19 restrictions relaxed, this year’s Holy Week and Easter services will be more like normal across the diocese.

Looking forward to Easter With most COVID-19 restrictions gone, churches embrace parishioners’ return KIMBERLY BENDER AND PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CHARLOTTE — Two years after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down every church in western North Carolina, parishioners and pastors alike are looking forward to in-person services for Holy Week and Easter.

Local mandates on face coverings, social distancing and other health measures have largely disappeared as infection rates, hospitalizations and deaths have dwindled. As of Wednesday, 587 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in all of North Carolina – down from 2,637 a month ago.

Pastors say they expect the pews to be full this Easter, as more people are feeling a “spiritual hunger” for in-person worship and especially the Eucharist.

“Easter is always the high point for the Church and is even more special this year as the pandemic declines and we celebrate our 50th anniversary as one diocesan family,” Bishop Peter Jugis said. “I welcome everyone back for Holy Week and Easter, and to a renewal of their spiritual life.”

The holy days will be a stark contrast from April 2020, when people could only watch Easter Masses streamed online from empty churches.

“Now that Lent is underway, we are seeing an even greater number of people attending the liturgies, which is great,” said Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio, pastor of St. Pius X Church in Greensboro. He said people are craving in-person participation in the sacramental and social life of the Church.

Father Benjamin Roberts, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe, agrees. “People are really happy to be back in the church. I think upon returning regularly to Mass, many people realized how much they hungered for the Eucharist.”

“I generally feel the mood of the parish is very positive and hopeful,” added Father Mark Lawlor,

‘I welcome everyone back for Holy Week and Easter, and to a renewal of their spiritual life.’

— Bishop Peter Jugis pastor of St. Thérèse Church in Mooresville. “We are expecting a very large crowd for Easter, a crowd that will be close to pre-COVID times.”

A REBOUNDING

Offertory collections – which dropped 11 percent in 2020 – have also mostly rebounded. Giving in 2021 was up 0.4% compared to before the pandemic in 2019, said Jim Kelley, the diocese’s director of development.

“We caught up to 2019 in 2021 – and we’re on pace this year to reach our goal to help our parishes reengage the people they serve,” Kelley said.

Offertory collections for three-quarters of the diocese’s 92 parishes and missions are at 90 percent or higher than they were in 2019, he said. Only five are seeing less than 80 percent of their 2019 offertory totals.

“Pastors and other parish leaders went to extraordinary lengths to keep people engaged and connected spiritually, even though they weren’t in Mass,” Kelley said. “They faced a wave of new demands – from moving their ministry online, to helping those who lost jobs, to caring for parishioners who were sick PANDEMIC, SEE PAGE 22

CHARLOTTE — In an extraordinary worldwide plea for peace, Pope Francis will consecrate Ukraine and Russia to Mary on Friday, March 25 – and the Diocese of Charlotte will join him.

The pope will lead a “Consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary” at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican Friday at 6:30 p.m. Rome time. Here in the Diocese of Charlotte, Bishop Peter J. Jugis and priests across western North Carolina will recite the same prayer at 1:30 p.m. local time.

Bishop Jugis joins bishops around the world in accepting the pope’s invitation for all to pray for peace through consecrating the two warring countries to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Everyone is welcome to join Bishop Jugis in the prayer service March 25 at St. Patrick Cathedral, located at 1621 Dilworth Road East in Charlotte, or take part at their parish church. The prayer service will begin with recitation of the rosary at 11:30 a.m., followed by daily Mass at 12:10 p.m., then praying of the Chaplet of Adoration and Reparation at 1 p.m., and the Act of Consecration at 1:30 p.m. For those unable to attend in person, it will be streamed live from the cathedral starting with Mass at 12:10 p.m.

Consecration means “to make holy,” and an act of consecration is a prayer to become more united to God. This consecration prayer is an appeal for Mary to intercede with God and help the world bring peace and the cessation of war in Ukraine, which has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians and displaced more than 3.7 million people since Russia invaded Ukraine Feb. 24.

St. John Paul II once explained that Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary “means accepting her help to offer ourselves and the whole of mankind to Him who is holy, infinitely holy…”

St. John Paul II himself consecrated Russia and the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on March 25, 1984 – just five years before the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

March 25 is a special day in the Catholic Church: it is the feast of the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel visited Mary to tell her that she would be the mother of Jesus.

At the same time the pope is praying the act of consecration in Rome, the pope’s head of charities, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, will carry out a similar consecration at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. The Archbishop of Lviv, Ukraine, will also offer the prayer of consecration at the Church of the Nativity of the Holy Virgin Mary in LvivSykhiv in solidarity with the pope.

Pope Francis’ call for this worldwide prayer effort comes after the Latin Rite and Eastern-rite Catholic bishops of Ukraine asked him earlier this month “to publicly perform the act of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Ukraine and Russia, as requested by the Blessed Virgin in Fatima.”

Mary’s apparitions at Fatima in 1917 are intricately connected to Russia. According to the Vatican’s translation of the messages of Fatima, when Mary appeared to the three shepherd children in Fatima in 1917, she told them: “God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved, and there will be peace.”

Warning of “war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father,” Mary told the children, “to prevent this, I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart.”

In her apparitions, Mary predicted World War I would end but that another major war would start during the reign of Pius XI (1922-1939) if people continued to offend God and Russia was not consecrated to Mary’s Immaculate Heart.

— Catholic News Agency and Catholic News Service contributed.

Tune in live At www.youtube.com/dioceseofcharlotte: Join Bishop Peter Jugis for the Consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, starting at 12:10 p.m. Friday, March 25

AN GOLD

FA I T H MO

CIO P R1EPETER 1:7 US T

Sign-ups for Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage are under way

Monsignor Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte, and Deacon Martin Ricart, the diocese’s Scouting chaplain, distribute Holy Communion during Mass to conclude the annual Catholic Camporee March 20 at Camp Grimes.

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Scouts celebrate faith, fellowship, fun at annual Camporee PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR

NEBO — Nearly 300 Scouts and adults attended the annual Catholic Camporee March 18-20, which celebrated the Diocese of Charlotte’s 50th anniversary theme “Faith More Precious Than Gold.”

Catholic Scouts of all ages enjoyed a weekend of fun Scouting activities, religious education, food and fellowship at Camp Grimes, the Mecklenburg Scout Reservation in the South Mountains owned by the Boy Scouts of America’s Mecklenburg County Council. The Camporee ended with Mass and a ceremony to award religious emblems to Scouts and leaders who exemplify the Catholic ideals of Scouting.

The closing Mass was offered by Monsignor Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor of the diocese, who was assisted by Deacon Martin Ricart, the diocese’s Scouting chaplain. St. Joseph College Seminary students who are former Scouts served the Mass.

In his homily, Monsignor Winslow focused on the Gospel reading for

the Third Sunday of Lent, in which Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree that produced no fruit. In the story, the owner tells the gardener to cut it down, but the gardener asks for one more year to cultivate it.

The parable is about the “precious gift of time,” Monsignor Winslow explained, and the second chances time affords us.

“We don’t always think about how important time is, especially when we’re younger,” he said, but he encouraged the Scouts to remember their motto – “Be Prepared” – and value the time God has given them.

Monsignor Winslow then told a story of a young man he helped through confirmation at a New York parish where he was assigned as a seminarian. A few years after ordination, he returned to serve as a priest at the parish. The young man, now grown, was home from college but not attending Mass. Instead, he was sleeping late every Sunday morning, Monsignor Winslow said, and no amount of cajoling from him or the parents was working.

CAMPOREE, SEE PAGE 23

St. Ann Parish ‘hub’ undergoes transformation SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Visitors and passersby will notice big changes to the Monsignor Allen Center on the St. Ann Parish campus, nestled along the Park Road corridor.

The 24,349-square-foot parish activity center has undergone a $2.4 million renovation, changing the appearance both inside and out.

Most notable is a new brick exterior, which was necessary to replace the 29-year-old center’s deteriorating façade. Inside, the upstairs rooms have been refinished, and flooring and paint throughout the building have been updated.

The building houses the parish offices and classrooms for parish and community meetings. It also serves as the kitchen, cafeteria and gymnasium for St. Ann School.

The Monsignor Allen Center is a hub for activities at the adjacent St. Ann School. St. Ann School is one of nine Charlotte-area schools in the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools system.

Father Timothy Reid, pastor of St. Ann Parish and vicar of education for the diocese’s 19 Catholic schools, said renovating the parish activity center has been a project needing attention for quite some time.

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March 25, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

PHOTO PROVIDED BY EMMETT SAPP

The St. Ann Church Monsignor Allen Center renovation is nearly complete, except for the landscaping and walkway in front of the building. A Marian grotto is being constructed next to the activity center and is expected to be finished this summer.

“While we haven’t added any new space to the building, we’ve reconfigured our office space a bit to make it more usable for our staff, and we’ve brightened up the interior of the whole building – making it a much more inviting place for all who use it,” Father Reid said.

He noted that some long-standing problems

with the building, which was built in 1993, were corrected and that completing these necessary fixes ensures that the activity center will be able to serve the parish and school community for years to come.

“We’re a very busy and thriving parish, and this building is the hub of much of our activity.

Renovating the activity center is a way we are striving to be good stewards of the gifts God has given us, while also providing for the needs of our community,” he said.

Due to the extensive site work required, a new Marian grotto in honor of Our Lady of Fatima will be completed this summer. Located adjacent to the Allen Center, it will serve as an outdoor devotional space for parishioners and the

school.

“The grotto portion of the project will be complete in May and includes the final paving and landscaping in front of the main entry,” said Emmett Sapp, the diocese’s construction manager. “When the grotto is complete, the whole plaza area is going to be beautiful.”

CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis invites all youth of the diocese in middle school and high school to join him for the Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage Saturday, April 9, at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont.

This event, designed just for young people, will be held in person after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage allows youth an opportunity to experience a fun day of music, reflection, prayer, formation, vocation awareness and fellowship.

A component of the annual Eucharistic Congress, the Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage shares the annual Eucharistic Congress theme for 2022, based on the theme for the Diocese of Charlotte’s 50th anniversary: “Faith More Precious Than Gold,” from 1 Peter 1:7.

The day’s events will include live music from singer/songwriter Dana Catherine, keynote speaker Emily Wilson, a vocations fair, motivational speakers for middle-school and high school tracks, Eucharistic Adoration, Mass and lunch. The sacrament of reconciliation will also be available.

All events will take place in front of the abbey basilica, weather permitting.

To learn more or to register, go online to www.goeucharist.com/ bishops-youth-pilgrimage.

Cost is $15 per student and includes a 50th anniversary rally flag and lunch.

Deadline to register is Monday, March 28.

Questions? Contact Kay Jordan at kayj@rcdoc.org.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

6

catholicnewsherald.com | March 25, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief Diocese sale of south Charlotte land closes CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte’s sale of surplus land in south Charlotte closed last week, making way for a public high school and providing funds to help accommodate the longterm needs of the rapidly growing Church in western North Carolina.

Plans for the sale were announced in May 2021, and the transaction closed March 15 at a price of $36.5 million. The 73acre parcel, located at North Community House and Johnston roads, was one of the last large tracts remaining in the highgrowth Ballantyne area. The buyer, Carolinas-based Woodfield Development, plans to build a multifamily community on 18 acres and sell the other 55 acres to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for a future high school.

“This arrangement was a great collaboration and provides for public, private and Church interests,” said Anthony Morlando, director of diocesan properties. “Growth is a defining narrative for Charlotte and for the diocese, and this sale will help us plan for and accommodate that growth long into the future.”

Proceeds from the sale will continue to serve as an investment for the diocese, as approved by the Vatican, and will be set aside to generate ongoing income to secure land for future growth of the Church, improve facilities, and establish an endowment to support the diocese’s expanding vocations program.

“As a young diocese of just 50 years, these types of capital investments and endowments are important as we continue to establish long-term financial security for the future,” said Monsignor Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor of the diocese.

The transaction will not affect the neighboring British International School of Charlotte, located on 11 acres the diocese retains.

— Catholic News Herald

Human trafficking forum held MOORESVILLE — St. Therese Parish hosted a forum on human trafficking Feb. 25 with local expert speakers and a benefit fair trade sale. Speakers included Kara Griffin of Catholic Charities’ Human Trafficking Awareness Committee, Heather Tucker of Present Age Ministries, Mercy Sister Patricia Peppitone, and an FBI agent and victim assistance specialist from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The fair trade sale featured items either made by former victims or by charities working to help victims. All proceeds were donated to House of Hope.

The event was co-chaired by Janet Zaccarelli and Richard Kincaid.

— Catholic News Herald

Deacon Bob Desautels, member of diocese’s inaugural class of deacons, passes away WINSTON-SALEM — Deacon Charles Robert (Bob) Desautels passed peacefully on March 6, 2022, in the presence of his daughter and surrounded by the love of his family and close friends after 73 years of a full and active life. He served the Church faithfully as a deacon for nearly 40 years.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 11, 2022, at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in WinstonSalem. A private burial followed in Ashe County.

He was born March 8, 1948, to Lula Belle and Bernard Desautels in Ashe County. Eventually, their family moved Desautels to Lenoir and ran a small gas station there for many years. In his youth, he worked odd jobs including working at the gas station, driving a school bus and working in a candy factory.

After graduating from North West High School in West Jefferson in 1966, he served in the U.S. Army, where he earned a Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam.

He attended Appalachian State University in Boone, graduating with a degree in special education and a master’s degree in reading. He taught in Ashe County Schools for several years and presided over the Jaycees of Ashe County. He stretched his legs as an entrepreneur by owning and operating a traveling sales business prior to relocating to the Fayetteville area in the early 1980s.

Wanting more stability and family time, he went to work for Piedmont Airlines and retired as shift supervisor in the technology services department at U.S. Airways.

He remained active in retirement, becoming a certified mediator and volunteer, and was named Red Cross Volunteer of the Year several times. He also rechartered Boy Scouts of America Troop 958 at St. Leo the Great Catholic Parish in Winston-Salem. He acted as the scoutmaster until all three of his sons became Eagle Scouts, and he remained active in the troop through his grandson’s Eagle Scout achievement.

At 35, Deacon Desautels was also the youngest member of the Diocese of Charlotte’s first class of 19 permanent DEACON, SEE PAGE 23

Endowments and condo sale support Catholic students’ education SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Catholic students in the greater Charlotte metro area have two scholarship opportunities thanks to Dr. Clark Ross, a college educator and longtime parishioner of St. Thérèse Church in Mooresville.

The economics professor and past vice president of academic affairs at Davidson College has two endowments with the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation: the Clark G. Ross Scholarship Endowment Fund and the Clark G. Ross St. Thérèse Scholarship Endowment Fund. Proceeds from the recent sale of a condominium Ross owned and gave to the foundation provided additional funds to both endowments.

The Clark G. Ross St. Thérèse Scholarship Endowment Fund will benefit Catholic high school students who are parishioners of St. Thérèse Parish going on to college. Scholarships in the amount of $2,500 will be awarded annually and are renewable for all four years of undergraduate study.

“Clark Ross is a long-time parishioner who has dedicated his career to education,” said Father Mark Lawlor, St. Thérèse’s pastor. “This latest initiative will greatly help some parishioners with their college expenses. As pastor, I am very pleased when I see parishioners who exemplify the Christian virtues of generosity and charity.”

“Clark’s incredible generosity will make a difference to the lives of St. Thérèse parishioners for many years to come,” noted Aisling Zaccarelli, the parish’s pastoral

council vice chair. “Clark’s commitment to making college more affordable is a testament to his remarkable character and faithful stewardship of his treasure.”

Ross also established the Clark G. Ross Scholarship Endowment Fund to provide scholarship opportunities for Catholic students who want to attend Christ the King High School or Charlotte Catholic High School. This $2.3 million planned endowment gift is expected to grow in value to benefit Catholic students both now and long after his death.

“Dr. Ross has become part of the fabric of our school.

He teaches AP Economics, has introduced students to the wonderful academic programs at Davidson College and has been a generous donor towards scholarships to Christ the King Catholic High School,” explained Dr. Carl Semmler, principal. “I can honestly say that Dr. Ross has kept numerous students here at CTK and has sent them onto bright futures in college.”

His philanthropic giving also includes assisting Catholic students in need, domestic or international, to attend Davidson College.

“Clark has been giving for over 40 years and he keeps finding ways to give even more and in various ways,” said Jim Kelley, the diocese’s director of development. “He has established two endowments, will leave gifts to both endowments in his estate plan, and now has gifted a condo that has helped grow the endowments.”

Ross is involved with the Catholic Student Organization ENDOWMENTS, SEE PAGE 23

Come pray for health care professionals at White Mass April 2 Pro-life vigil held despite bad weather SWANNANOA — A small but fervent group of pro-life activists braved frigid temperatures and a late winter snow storm to attend a regional Respect Life Mass March 12 at St. Margaret Mary Church. Mass was offered by the pastor, Father Brian Becker, who preached on the importance of sharing the Gospel with abortion minded women. After Mass, the group traveled to the Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Asheville for prayers. Amid snow showers, icy roads, and blustery winds, the group prayed the rosary for an end to abortion and conversion of abortion-minded women. The event was organized by the Carolina Pro-Life Action Network (C-PLAN) of Western NC. — Mike FitzGerald, correspondent

CHARLOTTE — A special White Mass, which takes its name from the white coat commonly worn by physicians, will honor and raise prayers for our community’s health care workers at St. Patrick Cathedral Saturday, April 2.

The Mass will begin at 8 a.m.

Bishop Peter Jugis and Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey will concelebrate.

Prayers will be offered for the protection of those serving in the field of health care and for whatever assistance they need.

The White Mass is an opportunity for the faithful to reflect on the role of Catholics in health care, as well as an opportunity for community-building and support.

The liturgy is being offered in conjunction with the Converging Roads healthcare ethics conference, “Sexuality in Ethics and in Medicine.”

The conference for healthcare professionals will begin after the Mass, with opening remarks at 9:15 a.m., and concludes with a reception at 6 p.m. It is sponsored by the diocese and the St. John Paul II Foundation.

All are welcome to attend the White Mass without staying for the conference.

St. Patrick Cathedral is located at 1621 Dilworth Road East in Charlotte. Free parking is available on the streets around the cathedral or behind St. Patrick School, located at 1125 Buchanan St. For details and registration information about the Converging Roads conference, go to www.forlifeandfamily. org/events/cr22-cnc.

Questions? Contact Jessica Grabowski, the diocese’s Respect Life program director, at jrgrabowski@rcdoc.org.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

March 25, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

7

PHOTOS BY JAMES SARKIS AND CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD PHOTO PROVIDED BY ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE SEMINARY

St. Patrick Cathedral lights up the night CHARLOTTE — There’s a new beacon of hope atop historic St. Patrick Cathedral in Dilworth. On March 17, the patronal feast of the cathedral of the diocese, Bishop Peter Jugis led a joyful countdown initiating the lighting of the Celtic cross atop the bell tower for the first time.

Prior to the countdown the cathedral’s rector, Father Christopher Roux, addressed the crowd, noting, “We have been a cathedral since 1972 (the founding of the diocese). But there is something I have always thought was always missing.”

The illumination of the bell tower, and a sacred art laser light show held at the cathedral March 13-19, were parish events aimed at commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Charlotte.

Over the course of seven nights, the stunning stained-glass windows

APRIL 9, 2022 8:00am - 5:30pm

of St. Patrick Cathedral were projected on the exterior of the church. The unique 3-D laser projection, which uses digital mapping technology, was produced by Highland Mediaworks of Asheville.

On March 17, several visitors who happened to be admiring the show were treated to an explanation of the sacred images by Bishop Peter Jugis.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

Online

At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Missed the show?

Check out videos from the bell tower lighting and the sacred art laser light show

Bronze sculpture makes bold statement outside college seminary MOUNT HOLLY — Visitors to St. Joseph College Seminary can’t miss the most recent addition to its entrance: a bronze seminary shield mounted on a sword and stuck into a boulder. The sculpture was created by artist and metalsmith Mark Read of Banner Elk, who also created the bronze elements and lion’s tail doorknobs for the college seminary’s signature front doors. Read installed the bronze and stone artwork Feb. 25. The shield features the college seminary’s motto “Noli Timere” (“Do Not Be Afraid”), a recumbent lion and a field of diamonds (called lozenges).

Pictured (from left): Read’s assistant Liam; seminarian Maximilian Frei; artist Mark Read; Father Matthew Kauth, rector; Deacon Tim Mueller; Sister Mary Raphael; seminarians Carson Cannon and Michael Camilleri; and Fredrik Akerblom.

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 25, 2022 FROM THE COVER

CaroMont Health’s hospital under construction along I-85 in Belmont is a visible sign of a broad partnership struck during the COVID-19 pandemic – a response

by Belmont Abbey College, its community of Benedictine monks, CaroMont and Gaston County to meet the rising demand for nurses and other healthcare professionals in the Charlotte region.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY BELMONT ABBEY COLLEGE

INVESTING IN HEALTHCARE DURING A PANDEMIC

Belmont Abbey, CaroMont and Gaston County partner to train next generation of healthcare professionals KRIS JOHNSON CORRESPONDENT

BELMONT — As you drive on Interstate 85 nearing the intersection of N.C. 73, it’s impossible to miss a mile-long fence banner that announces “CaroMont Health and Belmont Abbey College: The Future of Health Care.”

The banner announcing CaroMont Health’s new $300 million hospital is a visible sign of a broad partnership struck during the COVID-19 pandemic – a response by Belmont Abbey College, its community of Benedictine monks and CaroMont Health to meet the rising demand for nurses and other healthcare professionals in the Charlotte region.

The hospital, expected to be completed by mid-2023, is being built on land that it is leasing from the monks at Belmont Abbey College. That’s the main headline in this ambitious story, but it’s far from the only one.

The hospital is the latest move in Belmont Abbey College’s long-term plan to train medical professionals who can staff the new hospital as well as other local healthcare providers. The college has created new degree programs in nursing (beginning this fall) and health care management (launched in the fall 2021) that will help provide trained medical professionals for the hospital in the future. A central pillar of the effort also involves keeping Gaston County students here to serve their community for years to come.

The most important aspect of the partnership “that I’ve seen is the investment of the entire community, and not just the college or the monastic community,” said Dr. Bill Thierfelder, president of Belmont Abbey College. “It’s even the greater community around us in Gaston County and Belmont specifically. It’s been exciting to see everybody coming together to collaborate.”

Gaston County high schools help identify students interested in health sciences, and Gaston Community

College offers more technical degree programs such as ultrasound. Belmont Abbey College will now offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees to help even more students enter the medical field.

“It’s almost like a pipeline being built that will allow the residents of Gaston County to stay and actually serve their community by working in the hospital that is being built here,” Thierfelder said. “This a proverbial win-win-win.”

GENESIS OF A BIG IDEA

Thierfelder formed a friendship with CaroMont Health President Chris Peek through the years. The duo meet for lunch every month, according to Thierfelder, and about two years ago Peek surprised him by asking, “What do you think about building a hospital on your campus?”

His response with a laugh was, “Where do we get the shovels?”

Thierfelder later proposed the idea to Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari, who oversees the Southern Benedictine Association (SBA). The SBA is a separate corporate entity from the college for the monastic community at Belmont Abbey. SBA owns all of the land Belmont Abbey College sits on and the college itself, along with the many buildings on campus.

Abbot Placid noted that SBA’s negotiations with CaroMont Health mandated religious and ethical guidelines from a Catholic health care perspective as part of the lease agreement.

“We insisted that those be part of the ground lease,” Abbot Placid said. “The exclusion of elective abortions and sterilizations, any type of euthanasia or assisted dying goes with the lease. That was a necessary condition for us to lease the property for a hospital, and they agreed to that.”

Abbot Placid touched on a common misconception that exists about funding for Belmont Abbey College, founded by the Benedictine community in 1876. Many people think

Nursing students will do their clinical training with faculty at the new hospital when it opens in 2023. Students will gain lab skills training using mannequins at first, then actual patients.

a private Catholic institution, which gets no government or tax support, is supported by the Catholic Church.

“It’s actually supported by the monastery,” he said.

That’s why the SBA’s leasing of land – as opposed to selling HOSPITAL, SEE PAGE 9

March 25, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com

FROM THE COVERI

9

HOSPITAL FROM PAGE 8

it – is critical to both the monastic community and the college.

It serves as the lifeblood not only for long-term stability, but for a flourishing future at the Benedictine college.

“The reason for the development of the land is ultimately to ensure that (the monks) can be provided for with their basic needs, but also to help support the college so that we continue to thrive and grow,” Thierfelder said.

The eye-popping cost of building the hospital and two professional office buildings that will be included in the complex is estimated at $300 million. On Belmont Abbey College’s side of the ledger, Thierfelder noted that $8 million has already been invested in capital and facility additions, and those improvements will likely require another $3-4 million during next two years. These costs are associated with the building of things such as science labs and simulation labs for the nascent nursing program.

Belmont Abbey College has also hired 10 new PhD faculty members to help support growth in the health sciences, according to Thierfelder.

“The scope of this project is so large,” he said, “it’s a game-changer kind of project.”

The $300 million CaroMont hospital is situated on the campus of Belmont Abbey College.

College president Dr. Bill Thierfelder notes, “The scope of this project is so large, it’s a gamechanger kind of project.”

BUILDING NEW DEGREE PROGRAMS

Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic erupted in 2020, Dr. Travis Feezell returned to Belmont Abbey College as provost after serving as a professor there from 2008 to 2014.

The opportunity to help build new degree programs was a major factor in his move back.

There were three areas of focus for graduate programs in health sciences: nursing, health informatics (database analysis for the handling of health care information) and health administration. Feezell noted that a pivot was made in the fall of 2020 away from health informatics as more prep time would be required for that program. The decision was made to focus on the Master’s in Health Administration degree program first.

Feezell hired Dr. Gwyndolan Swain as architect and founding program director. Swain, who had created

RENDERING PROVIDED BY BELMONT ABBEY COLLEGE

similar programs at Pfeiffer University in Charlotte, developed Belmont Abbey College’s program much more quickly than anticipated. The Southern Association of College and Schools Commissions on Colleges (SACSCOC) gave its official accreditation to the MHA program late last year after a successful compliance visit.

In February 2021, Belmont Abbey College officially became a master’s degree granting institution based on SACSCOC’s approval. Feezell was quick to credit Swain for her role in that development.

“Her work was exceptional,” Feezell said. “That got us thinking, we’ve normed and habituated the campus into thinking about program growth and then executing on that – working it through all the internal approval systems and then with the board of trustees.

“Why don’t we actually accelerate this for other graduate programs? We’ve kind of flexed that muscle, so let’s see what we can do.”

HOSPITAL, SEE PAGE 22

You have a calling.

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Since 1876, Belmont Abbey has been a guiding force of faith and education in North Carolina.

At the Abbey, you’ll find a vibrant spiritual life, supportive faculty, and lifelong friendships.

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www.bac.edu/apply

10

catholicnewsherald.com | March 25, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Catholic health care professionals attend program on women’s health MIKE FITZGERALD CORRESPONDENT

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte-area health care professionals and others attended a talk on women’s health March 4, sponsored in part by the Diocese of Charlotte’s new Office of Family Life.

The program, hosted by St. Patrick Cathedral, featured guest speaker Anna Halpine, CEO of Fertility Education and Medical Management (FEMM). The FEMM program provides diagnostic testing and treatment for a range of hormonal disorders, allowing physicians to effectively treat a broad range of symptoms including menstrual pain, headache, anxiety, fatigue, infertility and more. It helps physicians identify the underlying issues behind these symptoms to help women achieve optimal

reproductive health.

Halpine noted that hormonal imbalances are often treated with the birth control pill to reduce symptoms. She offered FEMM’s medical management approach as an alternative that goes beyond treating the symptoms and addresses the underlying conditions that cause hormonal imbalances. A FEMM-trained medical provider makes use of a woman’s ovulation chart and an in-depth hormone profile to diagnose the root cause of the symptoms and then develop a personalized treatment plan.

Halpine formed FEMM after attending a United Nations conference on population and development in which some of the attendees advocated abortion and contraception as solutions to women’s health challenges. Halpine organized a

MIKE FITZGERALD | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Anna Halpine, CEO of Fertility Education and Medical Management (FEMM), spoke at a March 4 conference on women’s health and fertility, sponsored by the Diocese of Charlotte’s new Office of Family Life and Catholic Health Professionals of Charlotte. group of young pro-life attendees who countered such recommendations by promoting the dignity of the human person and Catholic teaching. The delegates from developing nations encouraged Halpine to maintain a permanent presence at future U.N. conferences and continue her work toward providing women’s education and health care that do not include abortion or contraception.

This spurred Halpine to form the

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World Youth Alliance to help advocate for women’s health programs aligned with Church teachings and the dignity of the human person. From that advocacy work, Halpine helped to develop FEMM, which gives health care providers the tools to diagnose and treat the underlying conditions that impact women’s health. FEMM medical management training is available to health care providers.

The event was cosponsored by Catholic Health Professionals of Charlotte, which supports Catholic health care workers in promoting Church teaching in the fields of science and medicine and is open to Catholic health care workers in the diocese.

Learn more At www.femmhealth.org: Get more information about alternative approaches to treating hormonal imbalances and about Fertility Education and Medical Management At www.facebook.com/ CatholicHealthCharlotte: Get updates from Catholic Health Professionals of Charlotte and learn more about joining

March 25, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Rosary rally held KERNERSVILLE — Members of Holy Cross Parish took part in a “rosary rally” March 19 as part of the national campaign “America Needs Fatima.” People gathered on a street near the church to pray for the restoration and protection of traditional marriage.

Christ the King Catholic High School is seeking to fill these positions for the 2022-2023 school year: • Assistant Principal • English Teacher • Part-time Physical Education Teacher • Part-time Science Teacher Visit: https://charlottediocese.org/schools-office/employment-opportunities/ or e-mail CTK-resume@ctkchs.org for more information.

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 25, 2022 12

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OSA E C1 IPEDRO 1:7 QUE

EL

PR

Eduardo Bernal

San Romero de América

D

esde el martirio de Monseñor Oscar Romero en marzo 24 de 1980 por la mano de un sistema asesino, injusto y cobarde, hasta su canonización el 14 de octubre de 2018 pasaron 38 años.

Yo tenía 11 años cuando Monseñor fue martirizado, y recuerdo muy bien el día de su funeral pues mi madre nos llevó a mi hermana y a mi hasta la catedral metropolitana, donde junto con miles de salvadoreños pudimos dar el último adiós, que fue también marcado de violencia por parte del mismo sistema cobarde que se refugió detrás del poder y las armas en contra del pueblo.

En esos 38 años, desde el martirio hasta su canonización, en mi vida han pasado tantos sucesos transformantes, que ahora miro mi pasado y me sorprende ver como Dios y su Iglesia han transformado mi historia, mi vida, mi camino, y creo mi destino.

En los noventa dejé mi país de origen, El Salvador. Llegué a este país, que ahora es mi país, dos meses después, en septiembre de 1990, sin un norte o sentido de vida, cansado de sobrevivir, cansado de la guerra, cansado de tener miedo, cansado de no saber ni quién era.

En 1992, por gracia de Dios, éste me llevó a la Santa Misa en la parroquia del pueblo donde vivía, San Patricio en Glen Cove, Long Island, NY. Y en esa Santa Misa algo pasó que me tomó muchos años poder comprender.

Tuve un encuentro con alguien que en ese momento no reconocí, pero que por alguna razón decidí seguir. Quizá fue porque me ofreció un norte, una manera diferente de vivir, quizá me sedujo su historia. Esa parte de mi vida fue realmente una experiencia de Emaús.

En esta parroquia, donde la mayoría de los fieles eran y creo todavía son salvadoreños, quizás sin darnos cuenta vivíamos una espiritualidad de Iglesia naciente, nueva, fresca, con gran energía, grandes sueños, sin miedo, llenos de optimismo y esperanza.

Comunidad joven en casa nueva, con un espíritu golpeado sí, un pueblo con cicatrices profundas sí, pero sin miedo y dispuesto a hacer el trabajo del Reino.

Esta, que fue mi comunidad por siete años hasta mi venida a Carolina del Norte, fue la que me enseñó a ser Iglesia, cuerpo de Cristo, y me dio las herramientas para el resto de mi vida.

Todavía hoy esa experiencia de Iglesia que tuve en los años noventa en esta comunidad de Fe, Esperanza y Amor sigue dando frutos en mi vida.

Ahora veo mi historia con ojos nuevos y mente fresca. Puedo reconocer que ese martirio de un obispo que fue voz de los sin voz, que fue mi voz, que me defendió, que oró por mí, por mi madre y hermana, esa muerte SAN ROMERO, PASA A LA PÁGINA 23

Impulsan fase diocesana del sínodo en comunidad latina CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE — Invitado por la dirección del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte, el Dr. Alessandro Rovati se reunió con directores espirituales de los diversos movimientos apostólicos en español para motivarlos a continuar con el proceso de escucha diocesano del sínodo 2021-2023, que con el tema ‘Por una Iglesia Sinodal’ ha sido convocado por el Papa Francisco.

El Dr. Rovati, encargado por el Obispo Jugis para facilitar la fase diocesana, es egresado de la Universidad Católica del Sagrado Corazón de Milán y autor con funciones de liderazgo en asociaciones teológicas nacionales. En la actualidad es director de departamento y profesor asistente de teología en Belmont Abbey College.

Durante la reunión, el Dr. Rovati señaló que la razón de la convocatoria del sínodo es “para darnos una oportunidad de crecer en unidad utilizando el tiempo juntos” y poder apreciar los recursos que tenemos en nuestra comunidad.

En ocasiones, dijo, “vivimos como extraños, no como una comunidad en nuestro Señor’, por lo que el proceso de escucha, al que hemos sido invitados y nos reúne, busca integrarnos al “encontrar a la persona para transformarla y luego todos juntos transformar a la comunidad”.

La escucha, subrayó, se inicia siempre en oración para que la participación esté libre de intereses, agendas y compañerismos, y así “plantar la semilla de conversión en nuestras vidas y comunidades”.

“Vamos a renovar nuestra Iglesia escuchando a los hermanos, analizándonos y redescubriendo al Señor”, dijo.

Básicamente, explicó, son tres las preguntas que debemos responder en este proceso, ¿cuáles son los signos más significativos del Señor en tu vida?, ¿cuáles son los desafíos de respuesta al trabajo cristiano? y ¿qué te sugiere el Espíritu Santo para responder a la vocación cristiana?

En relación particularmente a las comunidades minoritarias, el Dr. Rovati dijo que el sínodo va “a descubrir la riqueza de la cultura oculta de las comunidades vivas”, las que darán una gran contribución a la Iglesia de los Estados Unidos.

En este momento se llevan a cabo reuniones de escucha a lo largo y ancho de toda la diócesis. Los organizadores y facilitadores locales recogen la información y envían sus reflexiones al Dr. Rovati. El 11 de junio se llevará a cabo una reunión común de la diócesis en las instalaciones de la Catedral San Patricio en Charlotte, donde asistirán aproximadamente 150 delegados de las diferentes parroquias y grupos apostólicos diocesanos.

Posteriormente, el reporte final de la Diócesis de Charlotte será enviado a la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos (USCCB), que la entregará al Vaticano para sumarse a las conclusiones alcanzadas en todo el planeta.

El proceso concluirá con la celebración del Sínodo de los Obispos en Roma en octubre de 2023.

Más online En www.charlottediocese.org/synod2023: Encuentra información y recursos sobre el proceso sinodal en nuestra diócesis. La USCCB también tiene recursos disponibles en línea en www.usccb.org/synod. Para consultas, envíe un correo electrónico a synod@rcdoc.org.

Inscripciones en marcha para Peregrinación Juvenil del Obispo CHARLOTTE — El Obispo Peter Jugis invitó a todos los jóvenes de la diócesis en la escuela intermedia y secundaria a unirse a él para la Peregrinación Juvenil del Obispo que se realizará el sábado 9 de abril en Belmont Abbey College en Belmont.

El evento, exclusivamente para jóvenes, se llevará a cabo de manera presencial luego de dos años de pausa por la pandemia de COVID-19.

Esta actividad brinda a los jóvenes la oportunidad de experimentar un día con música, reflexión, oración, formación, conciencia vocacional y compañerismo.

Como componente del Congreso Eucarístico anual, la jornada comparte su tema para 2022, basado en el del 50 aniversario de la Diócesis de Charlotte: “La fe es más preciosa que el oro”, de la Primera Carta de Pedro 1:7.

La programación incluye música en vivo de la cantante y autora Dana Catherine, a la oradora Emily Wilson, feria vocacional, oradores para jóvenes de escuela media y secundaria, Adoración Eucarística, Misa y almuerzo.

También se ofrecerán confesiones.

Todos los eventos tendrán lugar frente a la basílica de la abadía, si el clima lo permite.

Para obtener mayor información o inscribirse, visite www.goeucharist.com/ bishops-youth-pilgrimage. El costo es de $15 por estudiante e incluye una camiseta y almuerzo. La fecha límite para registrarse es el lunes 28 de marzo. ¿Tiene preguntas?

Contacte a Kay Jordan en kayj@rcdoc.org.

— SueAnn Howell, reportera senior

March 25, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Directores espirituales de grupos apostólicos se reunieron para unir fuerzas CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE — Los directores espirituales de los diferentes movimientos apostólicos en español en la Diócesis de Charlotte se reunieron la primera semana de marzo con el Padre Julio Domínguez, director del Ministerio Hispano, con el objetivo de coordinar esfuerzos, informar de próximas actividades y recibir información actualizada de los nuevos procedimientos implementados en la diócesis para regular y agilizar el trabajo pastoral e incrementar su alcance evangelizador.

La agenda de la reunión incluyó también algunos otros puntos de interés general e informativo.

Estuvieron presentes con el Padre Julio Domínguez, el Padre Gabriel CarvajalSalazar, pastor de la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de los Caminos en Thomasville y director espiritual de los Apóstoles de la Palabra; el Padre José Camilo Cárdenas, pastor de la Iglesia Santísima Trinidad en Taylorsville y director espiritual de Jóvenes para Cristo; el Diácono Ramón Tapia, asignado a la Iglesia San Marcos y director espiritual de la Renovación Carismática; el Padre Jean Pierre Swamunu Lhoposo, pastor de Divino Redentor en Boonville y director espiritual del Movimiento Catecumenal; y el Diácono Sigfrido della Valle, coordinador del ministerio hispano del vicariato de Smoky Mountain y director espiritual del Cursillo. También asistió el Padre Miguel

El Padre Julio Domínguez (de espaldas), vicario apostólico del ministerio hispano de la diócesis, conversó con sacerdotes y diáconos responsables de la dirección espiritual de diversos grupos apostólicos diocesanos. El Padre Domínguez reconoció el trabajo diligente que los grupos desarrollaron con perseverancia, incluso en tiempos de pandemia.

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Sánchez, vicario parroquial de la Iglesia San Mateo en Charlotte.

La reunión, realizada en un ambiente informal y durante un almuerzo de trabajo, ofreció las condiciones para compartir opiniones, recibir sugerencias y llegar a acuerdos que fortalecerán el trabajo coordinado de los grupos apostólicos.

De otra parte, se reconoció el trabajo diligente de los grupos que, guiados por el Espíritu Santo, desarrollaron con perseverancia una importante labor, incluso en tiempos de pandemia, cuando debieron utilizar todos los medios disponibles a su alcance para continuar con sus misiones.

La hermana Juana Pearson, asistente de la dirección del ministerio hispano diocesano, señaló que se habían superado las expectativas de los resultados esperados.

Resaltó que al contar con una programación ordenada y con anticipación, se permitirá compartir las actividades de los grupos y lograr el alcance a feligreses de otras parroquias o vicariatos para aumentar la efectividad de la capacitación y/o retiro espiritual que se ofrezca.

De igual manera, dijo, se espera perfeccionar el sistema de supervisión actual sobre oradores invitados a las diferentes actividades de los grupos, con la finalidad de asegurar la calidad e idoneidad de los conferencistas, siempre bajo las normas y enseñanzas de la Santa Madre Iglesia, evitando confundir a los hermanos feligreses con corrientes e ideas que no son avaladas en su totalidad o parcialmente por la doctrina católica.

Otro aspecto importante, señaló, es que los grupos apostólicos estarán siempre bajo la protección y guía de un sacerdote o diácono, el que les ofrecerá asistencia permanente y orientación para que sus grupos florezcan.

Adicionalmente a los grupos antes mencionados, también desarrollan actividades los grupos Marianos y del Movimiento Familiar Cristiano, respectivamente a cargo del Diácono Darío García, coordinador del ministerio hispano del vicariato de Hickory, y el Padre Enrique González.

Invitan a unirse a Campaña de Oración por la Vida CÉSAR HURTADO REPORTERO

CHARLOTTE — El Padre Peter Ascik, párroco de la Iglesia María Auxiliadora y la Misión Cristo Rey, además de director de la Oficina de Vida Familiar de la Diócesis de Charlotte, invitó a la comunidad hispana a participar de la campaña de primavera ‘Cuarenta Días por la Vida’, convocándola a unirse en jornadas de oración pacífica por el fin del aborto frente a las instalaciones de Planned Parenthood, 700 S. Torrence Street en Charlotte.

La campaña inició el 2 de marzo y se extenderá hasta el 10 de abril, cuando se celebre el inicio de Semana Santa con el Domingo de Ramos.

El Padre Ascik organiza la participación de sacerdotes, que ya contó con la asistencia de los sacerdotes hispanos Julio Domínguez, director del ministerio hispano, y Miguel Sánchez, vicario de la parroquia San Mateo en Charlotte.

El Padre Hugo Medellín, vicario de la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, dirigirá un grupo el sábado 2 de abril de 10 a 11 de la mañana, al que todos están invitados a asistir.

El Padre Ascik señaló que solo es necesario presentarse en el lugar indicado, pararse en la acera pública frente a Planned Parenthood y unirse una hora a los quienes ya se encuentran en oración silenciosa. “Las oraciones sugeridas incluyen el rosario, la coronilla de la Divina Misericordia, las Letanías de los Santos o tiempos de oración en silencio”.

Precisó que los participantes deben mostrar una conducta pacífica, devota y respetuosa de la ley en todo momento. Es muy importante no bloquear el acceso a las entradas de vehículos en Planned

Parenthood ni el tráfico en la calle.

“No obstruyamos el paso de otros peatones en la banqueta. Por favor, párense uno al lado del otro en la acera”.

Sugirió que, si alguna persona le pregunta qué está haciendo, se puede responder, “estamos orando pacíficamente por el fin del aborto con la campaña 40 Días por la Vida”.

Dijo que en caso que alguna persona le pida ayuda, “hágales saber que los ama y que está aquí para ellos. El aborto no es la solución a sus problemas. Pregunte acerca de sus necesidades inmediatas y conéctelas con un Centro de recursos para el embarazo pro-vida”.

Algunos puntos a los que puede dirigir a las personas son el Centro de recursos para el embarazo de Queen City, 1508 E 4th Street, Charlotte, NC, 28204, teléfono (908) 999-5191; la Clínica de mujeres de Charlotte,1505 East 4th Calle,Charlotte, NC 28204, teléfono (704) 228-3393; o el Centro de Alcance de MiraVia, donde se debe contactar con Luisa Danjou Roldan, (704) 525-4673 extensión 12, o enviando un correo a luisadanjouroldan@ miravia.org Para las personas que lleguen en coche, el estacionamiento en la calle está disponible a lo largo de S. Torrence Street y en el vecindario cercano de Cherry Park. “Por favor, no bloquee ninguna calzada. No estacione en el parqueadero de Planned Parenthood ni en ningún negocio cercano”, pidió el Padre Ascik.

Más online En www.40daysforlife.com y www. charlottehelpers.com: Mayores recursos e información. En este último lugar, haga click en ‘resources’ y luego en ‘sidewalk materials’. Aquí encontrará material de ayuda y oración en inglés y español.

FOTO CORTESÍA

El Padre Hugo Medellín, vicario de la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, dirigirá un grupo de oración, como el que aparece en la gráfica, el sábado 2 de abril de 10 a 11 de la mañana para, de forma pacífica, rogar por el fin del aborto frente a las instalaciones de Planned Parenthood, 700 S. Torrence St. en Charlotte. Todos están invitados a unirse.

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 25, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

San Oscar Romero

Luces de la Catedral San Patricio iluminaron la noche CHARLOTTE — Hay un nuevo faro de esperanza en lo alto de la histórica Catedral San Patricio en Dilworth. El 17 de marzo, fiesta patronal de la catedral de la diócesis, el Obispo Peter Jugis encabezó una alegre cuenta regresiva inaugurando la iluminación de la cruz celta en lo alto del campanario. Antes de la cuenta regresiva, el rector de la catedral, Padre Christopher Roux, dijo a los fieles: “Hemos sido una catedral desde 1972. Pero hay algo que siempre pensé que faltaba”. La iluminación del campanario y un espectáculo de luces láser de arte sagrado del 13 al 19 de marzo, fueron eventos parroquiales destinados a conmemorar el 50 aniversario de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

En el transcurso de siete noches, las impresionantes vidrieras de la Catedral de San Patricio se proyectaron en el exterior de la iglesia. La proyección láser en 3D fue producida por Highland Mediaworks de Asheville.

FOTO POR JAMES SARKIS

Online En www.catholicnewsherald.com: ¿Te perdiste el show? Todavía puedes los videos de la iluminación de la cruz celta y del show de arte sagrado

Pastoral de Salud de Charlotte se renueva CHARLOTTE — Tras cuatro años ininterrumpidos de servicio a la Pastoral de Salud del vicariato de Charlotte, su coordinadora Fravelin Cuesta cedió la “antorcha” a Maribel García, quien asumió la posición a inicios de este mes de marzo durante la primera reunión presencial después de las restricciones de reunión decretadas por las autoridades políticas y sanitarias para prevenir el contagio del COVID-19. En la imagen aparecen, de izquierda a derecha, Maribel García, Fravelin Cuesta, el Diácono Eduardo Bernal, Eva García y Alfreda Dalila Pérez. Tras un auspicioso inicio, la pastoral de salud se vió obligada a realizar sus actividades de manera virtual, utilizando diversas plataformas que le permitieran mantener prestando sus servicios de orientación de salud tales como prevención de diabetes, alimentación saludable, hipertensión cuidados en pandemia y otros. El trabajo online se complementó con servicios presenciales pero siempre guardando las medidas preventivas de contagio.

García dijo que actualmente se encuentran en proceso de capacitación y planeamiento de las actividades de este año, aunque adelantó que incidirán, respondiendo al pedido del Papa Francisco de salir a “la periferia”, en actividades dirigidas a complejos de apartamentos y parques de casas móviles.

FOTO CORTESÍA

Trece años de ‘Generación para Cristo’ WINSTON-SALEM — El 29 de febrero, con una Hora Santa celebrada por el Padre Alfonso Gámez, vicario de la parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Merced, el grupo apostólico ‘Generación para Cristo’ apagó sus 13 velitas. Tomás Bautista, coordinador, dijo que la misión del grupo es educar a la comunidad sobre la oración y el Santo Rosario, fomentando la oración espontánea, el diálogo con Dios y la alabanza a la Virgen María. El pasado jueves 17, durante su reunión semanal, contaron con la presencia de Iván Molina y el Ministerio Abba Padre; y el jueves 24 con la asistencia del Padre Wilson González, conferencista colombiano radicado en Nicaragua. Bautista adelantó que el 4 de junio llevarán a cabo una Vigilia de Pentecostés desde las 7 de la tarde hasta la 1 de la mañana; el 25 de junio realizarán su concierto anual con los grupos Abba Padre, Ríos de Agua Viva y Ministerio Abdiel; y que ya trabajan en la organización de su retiro anual programado para el 5 y 6 de agosto en el gimnasio de la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Merced que los acoge.

”El micrófono de Dios” Oscar Arnulfo Romero nació en Ciudad Barrios, en el este de El Salvador, el 15 de agosto de 1917, día de la Asunción de la Virgen María.

Creció en el seno de una familia humilde. Desde pequeño era conocido por su amor a las cosas sencillas y las comunicaciones.

En 1939, cuando estalló la Segunda Guerra Mundial, fue enviado a Roma para completar su formación en Teología en la Pontificia Universidad Gregoriana.

Fue ordenado sacerdote el 4 de abril de 1942 y en agosto de 1943 regresó a El Salvador, donde lo nombraron párroco en Anamorós, en el este del país, y posteriormente arzobispo de San Salvador por el Papa Pablo VI el 8 de febrero de 1977, durante un período de violencia política generalizada, desapariciones y violaciones de los derechos humanos.

En ese momento, el arzobispo Romero no era considerado un defensor abierto de las personas que eran pobres y oprimidas.

Mientras que muchos clérigos y religiosos hablaron en su nombre, el arzobispo Romero no lo hizo.

Poco después de convertirse en arzobispo, el padre Rutilio Grande, su amigo y compañero sacerdote, fue asesinado debido a su apoyo externo a las comunidades oprimidas. Esto afectó profundamente al arzobispo Romero, y comenzó a denunciar públicamente la violencia y la injusticia, instando a las personas a vivir el mensaje del Evangelio de Cristo de amor al prójimo. A medida que el arzobispo Romero comenzó a hablar, la gente en los pueblos de todo El Salvador sintonizaba sus homilías de radio semanales.

El arzobispo Romero fue un micrófono tan fuerte para Dios que fue asesinado mientras celebraba misa el 24 de marzo de 1980. Fue formalmente declarado un mártir por el Papa Francisco en febrero de 2015 y fue canonizado como santo en octubre de 2018.

El testimonio de San Óscar Romero nos inspira a no permanecer callados en el margen, sino a convertirnos en micrófonos para Dios. Su testimonio nos inspira a hablar con nuestros hermanos y hermanas que necesitan ayuda para romper los sistemas y estructuras que perpetúan la pobreza y el sufrimiento. Personas en todo el mundo siguen enfrentando la opresión en muchas formas—nos corresponde a nosotros ser el micrófono de Dios al abogar en su nombre.

Hoy podemos usar las redes sociales, correos elec­trónicos, cartas y eventos públicos para dar testimo­nio del mensaje del Evangelio de Cristo a través de la defensa legislativa. Es una de las formas más efecti­vas de crear un cambio real y duradero.

La defensa legislativa puede influir en la toma de decisiones a nivel local, nacional e internacional para cambiar las políticas injustas que afectan negativamente a nuestros hermanos y hermanas pobres y vulnerables.

— Condensado de CRS y Aciprensa

FOTO CORTESÍA

Lecturas Diarias MARZO 27-ABRIL 2

Domingo: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a, Efesios 5:8-14, Juan 9:1-41; Lunes: Isaías 65:17-21, Juan 4:43-54; Martes: Ezequiel 47:1-9, 12, Juan 5:1-16; Miércoles: Isaías 49:8-15, Juan 5:17-30; Jueves: Éxodo 32:7-14, Juan 5:31-47; Viernes: Sabiduría 2:1, 12-22, Juan 7:1-2, 10, 25-30; Sábado (San Francisco de Paula): Jeremías 11:18-20, Juan 7:40-53

ABRIL 3-9

Domingo: Isaías 43:16-21, Filipenses 3:8-14, Juan 8:1-11; Lunes (San Isidro): Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62, Juan 8:12-20; Martes: Números 21:4-9, Juan 8:21-30; Miércoles: Daniel 3:14-20, 49-50, 91-92, 95, Juan 8:31-42; Jueves (San Juan Bautista de la Salle): Génesis 17:3-9, Juan 8:51-59; Viernes: Jeremías 20:10-13, Juan 10:31-42; Sábado: Ezequiel 37:21-28, Juan 11:45-56

ABRIL 10-16

Domingo (Domingo de Ramos): Lucas 19:28-40, Isaías 50:4-7, Filipenses 2:6-11, Lucas 22:14–23, 56; Lunes: Isaías 42:1-7, Juan 12:1-11; Martes: Isaías 49:1-6, Juan 13:21-33, 36-38; Miércoles: Isaías 50:4-9, Mateo 26:14-25; Jueves: Isaías 61:1-3, 6, 8-9, Apocalipsis 1:5-8, Lucas 4:16-21; Viernes: Isaías 52:13–53, 12, Hebreos 4:14-16, 5:7-9, Juan 18:1–19, 42; Sábado: Génesis 1:1–2, 2, Génesis 22:1-18, Éxodo 14:15, 15:1, Isaías 54:5-14, Isaías 55:1-11, Baruc 3:9-15, 32:4, Ezequiel 36:16-17a, 18-28, Romanos 6:3-11, Lucas 24:1-12

March 25, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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Comidas y platillos latinoamericanos de Cuaresma Los platillos latinoamericanos de Cuaresma son muy variados dependiendo del país de procedencia. La Iglesia pide que los católicos mayores de 14 años se abstengan de comer carne los viernes, por lo que es común referirse a estos días como viernes de abstinencia, o viernes de vigilia.

Si te gusta lo salado, puedes probar pescado, mariscos, tamalitos o empanadas de atún, entre tantas otras opciones. Si te inclinas más por lo dulce, te recomendamos la capirotada, las torrejas, el ayote en miel, o los molletes guatemaltecos.

Te sugerimos consideres la preparación de los siguientes platillos sin carne y fáciles de hacer. Para más recetas visita www.crsricebowl.org/es/recipe.

Empanadas de queso con frijoles

Arroz rojo, México 2 tazas de arroz 1 cucharada de aceite de oliva de comercio justo 1 diente de ajo, picado 3 tomates, picados 1/2 cebolla, picada tazas de caldo de vegetales 1 taza de arvejas 2 zanahorias, picadas 1 ají picante, picado Sal al gusto

Añade el aceite a una olla grande a fuego lento. Añade el arroz y fríelo hasta que esté dorado. Añade el ajo, los tomates y la cebolla; cocínalos hasta que la mezcla esté suave. Añade el caldo, las zanahorias, el ají y la sal. Cuando comience a hervir, baja el fuego y tapa la olla hasta que el arroz esté completamente cocido.

Rinde de 4-6 porciones.

Empanadas: 2 tazas de harina 2 cucharadas de manteca vegetal 1 cucharadita de polvo para hornear 1 taza de agua fría mezclada con 1 cucharadita de sal 12 oz. de queso fresco, rallado 4 cucharadas de aceite de oliva de comercio justo Frijoles: 2 latas de 16-oz. de frijoles rojos, drenados 1 cebolla, en cubos 1 pimiento rojo, picado 1 cucharadita de comino cilantro para adornar Empanadas: Mezclar la harina, la manteca, el polvo para hornear y el agua salada en un tazón mediano. Amasar hasta que se mezclen. En una

Pupusas de queso, El Salvador

Baleadas, Honduras 1/4 taza de aceite vegetal 1 cebolla amarilla pequeña, cortada en cuartos 1 lata de 32 onzas de frijoles rojos 8 onzas de sour cream 1/2 taza de crema de leche 1/4 cucharadita de sal y más al gusto 8 tortillas de harina pequeñas, calentadas 2 tazas de queso blanco desmoronado (queso duro, cotija o feta) Enjuaga los frijoles y mézclalos con un poco de agua hasta que estén cremosos. Calienta el aceite en una sartén mediana a fuego medioalto. Agrega la cebolla y cocina, volteando ocasionalmente, hasta que la cebolla esté

ligeramente dorada y el aceite absorba el sabor de la cebolla, aproximadamente 5-7 minutos; desecha la cebolla, reteniendo el aceite en la sartén. Agrega los frijoles a la sartén con aceite. Cocina, revolviendo con frecuencia, hasta que el aceite se absorba y los frijoles se calienten, aproximadamente 3 minutos; sazonar con sal al gusto. Retira los frijoles del fuego y mantenlos calientes. En un tazón mediano, mezcla sour cream, la crema de leche y ¼ cucharadita de sal; dejar de lado. Para armar, extiende una capa delgada de frijoles refritos sobre tortillas calientes; rocía con la mezcla de sour cream, espolvorea con queso y cubre con las guarniciones deseadas y luego dobla por la mitad. Servir inmediatamente.

Rinde 4 porciones.

Pupusas: 2 tazas de harina de maíz 1 pizca de sal 1 1/2 taza de agua 1 taza de queso fresco rallado 1 cucharada de aceite de oliva Curtido: 1/2 cabeza de repollo, rallado 1 zanahoria grande, rallada 1/2 cebolla amarilla mediana, en rodajas finas 1/2 taza de vinagre 1/4 taza de agua 1/2 cucharadita de sal 1 cucharadita de orégano, seco 1/2 a 1 cucharadita de hojuelas de pimienta roja Salsa Roja: 3 tomates medianos, picados 1/4 taza de cebolla, picada 1 diente de ajo, picado 1 jalapeño pequeño, sin semillas y picado 1/4 taza de cilantro, picado 1 cucharadita de orégano, seco 1/2 taza de agua Pupusas: Combina la harina de maíz, la sal y el agua en un tazón. Amasa hasta que se forme una masa suave y húmeda. Si la mezcla

superficie enharinada, formar la masa en un rollo. Cortar en 6 a 8 piezas iguales y aplanar cada pieza en un círculo de aproximadamente 5 pulgadas de diámetro. Colocar una cucharada de queso en la mitad del círculo y doblar la otra mitad de la masa sobre el queso, asegurándose de sellar el queso dentro.

Añadir y calentar el aceite a una sartén grande y calentar hasta estar muy caliente.

Colocar una empanada en la sartén. Una vez que se dore la parte inferior, voltear para cocinar del otro lado. Remover de la sartén y colocar sobre una servilleta de papel para absorber el exceso de aceite. Repetir con el resto de los trozos de masa.

Frijoles: En una sartén aparte, sofreír la cebolla y el pimiento con aceite. Añadir los frijoles y el comino hasta que esté caliente.

Adornar con cilantro.

Rinde de 6-8 empanadas.

está demasiado seca, añade más agua, o si es demasiado pegajosa, añade más harina de maíz.

Con manos húmedas, forma la masa en 8 bolas de aproximadamente 2 pulgadas de diámetro.

Con el pulgar, haz una muesca en una de las bolas, formando una pequeña taza, y rellénala con 1 cucharada de queso. Envuelve la masa para sellar el queso y palmea la masa para formar un disco redondo. Repite con el resto de la masa y calienta una sartén con un poco de aceite a fuego medio-alto. Cocina cada lado de las pupusas hasta que estén doradas. Sírvelas calientes con curtido y salsa roja.

Curtido: Combina el repollo, la zanahoria y la cebolla en un tazón. En un recipiente aparte, mezcla los ingredientes restantes. Vierte sobre la mezcla de repollo y remueve. Refrigéralo preferiblemente un día antes de servir.

Salsa Roja: Combina todos los ingredientes excepto el agua en una licuadora. Añade media taza de agua y mezcla hasta que quede suave.

Añade más agua si es necesario para hacer la salsa suave.

Rinde 8 pupusas.

Más online En www.crsricebowl.org/es/recipe: Para más recetas y videos

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 25, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

LEFT PAGE PAID ADVERTISEMENT PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Cross Catholic Outreach Supplies Safe Water to Poor Families in African Dioceses Every 15 seconds, a child in a developing country dies from cholera or some other waterborne disease because their water is contaminated with bacteria and parasites.

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(See related story on opposite page.)

“It is an incredible hardship for these families, but the Church in Africa is working hard to find solutions to these challenges, and we are partnering with bishops in several dioceses to help provide that relief,” said Jim Cavnar, president

of Cross Catholic Outreach, an official Catholic ministry with a history of success in supporting African missions. The current water projects undertaken by Cross Catholic Outreach will help communities in Ghana, Malawi and Zambia.

“Our mission team is currently working with Bishop Richard Kuuia Baawobr in the Diocese of Wa, Ghana; Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka in the Diocese of Karonga, Malawi; and Bishop George Zumaire Lungu in the Diocese of Chipata, Zambia. Each of these wonderful Catholic leaders has a deep love of the people in his diocese and is very concerned about the water crisis rural families are facing on a daily basis,” Cavnar said. “They’ve identified the areas of greatest need, and we are working with them to ensure those communities are provided with safe, abundant sources of water.”

AFRICA

AREA OF DETAIL

Cross Catholic Outreach is working to provide safe, clean water sources in poor, rural communities in Ghana, Malawi and Zambia.

To address this need, Cross Catholic Outreach drills wells and installs pumps and enclosures that will protect the quality of the water. Drilling the wells to a depth determined by a local hydrology company ensures they will continue to supply clean water even during the driest season of the year, when substandard wells are known to dry up.

“It is important to do the job to a high professional standard and to provide sturdy pumps at each location because our goal is to have these water systems serve generation after generation, providing safe water for many years to come,” Cavnar explained. “We also work with the diocese to create water committees at each well location.

These local leaders play a critical role in managing the use of the well and ensuring it remains in good condition.

They also set up a community fund to cover the cost of any repairs that become necessary. These additional steps also help extend the water system’s effectiveness and longevity.”

While the donors who help Cross Catholic Outreach fund these water projects appreciate the care the ministry

takes with its work, it is the impact of providing water to poor families that appeals to them most, Cavnar said.

“Many of our donors are aware of the terrible fatalities caused by waterborne diseases, especially among children,” he said. “They value life, and they want to make sure the vulnerable are protected.

Giving to support water projects achieves that goal, but it also produces other important benefits because it supports the Church’s educational goals and helps families lift themselves out of poverty by eliminating the burden of searching for and collecting water.”

Readers interested in supporting Cross Catholic Outreach’s many relief programs to help the poor can contribute through the ministry brochure inserted in this issue or send tax-deductible gifts to: Cross Catholic Outreach, Dept.

AC01864, PO Box 97168, Washington, DC 20090-7168. The ministry has a special need for partners willing to make gifts on a monthly basis. Use the inserted brochure to become a Mission Partner or write “Monthly Mission Partner” on mailed checks to be contacted about setting up those arrangements.

Cross Catholic Outreach Endorsed by More Than 100 Bishops, Archbishops Cross Catholic Outreach’s range of relief work to help the poor overseas continues to be recognized by a growing number of Catholic leaders in the U.S. and abroad.

“We’ve received more than 100 endorsements from bishops and archbishops,” explained Jim Cavnar, president of Cross Catholic Outreach.

“They’re moved by the fact that we’ve launched outreaches in almost 40 countries and have undertaken a variety of projects — everything from feeding the hungry and housing the homeless to supplying safe water and supporting educational

opportunities for the poorest of the poor.

The bishops have also been impressed

by Cross Catholic Outreach’s direct and meaningful response to emergency situations, most recently by providing food, medicines and other resources to partners in Haiti, El Salvador and areas of Belize impacted by natural disasters.”

Archbishop Thomas Rodi of Mobile, Alabama, supports this mission, writing, “It is a privilege for me to support Cross Catholic Outreach. This organization funds ministries to our neighbors in need in Africa, Asia, Central and South

America, and the Pacific. Through the generosity of so many, the love of God is made visible to many who are coping with the most difficult of daily living conditions.”

In addition to praising Cross Catholic Outreach’s accomplishments, many of the bishops and archbishops are encouraged by the fact that Pontifical canonical status was conferred on the charity in September 2015, granting it approval as an official Catholic organization. This allows Cross Catholic Outreach to participate in the mission of the Church and to give a

concrete witness to Gospel charity, in collaboration with the Holy Father.

“Your work with the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development is a strong endorsement of your partnership with the work of the universal Church,” Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco said. “By providing hope to the faithful overseas by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, delivering medical relief to the sick and shelter to the homeless, and through selfhelp projects, you are embodying the Papal Encyclical Deus Caritas Est.”

March 25, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

RIGHT PAGE PAID ADVERTISEMENT

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

American Catholics Working to End Water Crisis Faced by Poor Families in Africa and Beyond When families lack access to essential resources for life, like food, water and safe shelter, their time and energy is often consumed with a desperate search for those resources. By necessity, survival becomes their first priority. It dominates their every thought, consumes their valuable time and saps their useful energy.

It is a terrible and stressful way to live.

“Some describe this constant daily pursuit of survival without any real progress as ‘the deadly cycle of poverty,’ because once a family is trapped in it,

“Water scarcity and unsafe water are at the root of the problem.”

Jim Cavnar, President Cross Catholic Outreach

it steals the potential of one generation after another. Today’s children are born into the poverty of their parents, and they in turn are unable to offer any hope to their sons and daughters. The tragic cycle just keeps repeating itself,” explained Jim Cavnar, president of Cross Catholic Outreach, one of the most successful Catholic ministries working to end this kind of poverty around the globe.

According to Cavnar, there are only a few ways to successfully break this cycle of poverty, and one of them involves water.

“When you look for the source of poverty in developing countries — particularly in Africa — you often discover that water scarcity or unsafe water is at the root of the problem,” he said. “In the poorest communities, families usually lack access to water and spend enormous amounts of time and energy finding and collecting it. These women and children leave home before dawn and walk miles to the nearest borehole, dam or stream, whether the water there is clean or not. Some even sleep in those remote places just so they can be first in line for water in the morning. That is risky because it makes them vulnerable to wild animals and human predators.”

While this risk may seem unwise, the poor consider it an unavoidable trade-off to save precious time. Once the queue starts forming, it can take hours for a family to collect the water they need.

In the dry season, their lives become even more difficult. At certain times of the year, streams and other groundwater sources literally dry up. Then families dig holes in a dry riverbed and wait for muddy water to well up from below so they can fill their buckets.

The search for and collection of water remains a daunting task in many African countries. During dry seasons, holes are dug in the riverbeds. As muddy water slowly seeps up to fill these pits, it is collected for drinking and cooking.

“It would be bad enough if water scarcity was the only problem the poor face. But even when water can be found, it is often unsafe for human consumption,” Cavnar said. “As you would imagine, water from ponds and streams is used by animals and also becomes contaminated with debris and chemical runoff. Still, these families have no other options, so they drink water polluted by parasites, bacteria and waste — risking their health to quench their thirst.

When they become sick, it only adds to their trials and adds to the burdens they must endure in order to survive.”

Fortunately, this troubling situation has not been ignored by the Church or ministries serving the poor. In fact,

partnerships between dioceses and Cross Catholic Outreach have produced practical solutions to water scarcity problems in Africa and beyond. Very often, American Catholics are part of this important cause too. Their donations fund the wells African communities desperately need.

“We can end the misery of poor families in remote areas of Africa by installing simple deep-water wells in their communities, and American Catholics can play a critical role in that outreach,” Cavnar confirmed. “Supplying water has an obvious benefit — it addresses a basic human need.

But the impact of these projects goes much deeper. Donors who support our efforts to provide poor communities with clean, easily accessible water are also improving public health and helping promote the education

of needy children. When we install wells in a community, children are sick less often and spend fewer hours searching for and collecting water. That has a huge impact on their education because they can attend classes regularly and have the time and energy to study.”

To bring all of these blessings to the poor in Africa, Cross Catholic Outreach recently launched a new Wells of Salvation campaign aimed at helping poor families in three African dioceses. (See related story on the opposite page.)

Cavnar’s prayer is that hundreds of compassionate Catholics will donate generously so dozens of wells can be installed in these African communities, ending the terrible burdens water scarcity has placed on them.

How to Help To fund Cross Catholic Outreach’s effort to help the poor worldwide, use the postage-paid brochure inserted in this newspaper, or mail your gift to Cross Catholic Outreach, Dept. AC01864, PO Box 97168, Washington, DC 200907168. The brochure also includes instructions on becoming a Mission Partner and making a regular monthly donation to this cause.

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

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 25, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

‘ORA ET LABORA’

Benedictine monks of Belmont Abbey keep pioneering spirit alive SUEANN HOWELL AND PATRICIA GUILFOYLE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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:

ST. BASIL THE GREAT EASTERN CATHOLIC CHURCH 7 p.m. Friday, March 25 On the campus of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28213 The pilgrim statue of Mary will visit St. Basil the Great Eastern Catholic Church the evening of March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation, for Divine Liturgy (Mass) at 7 p.m. The statue will then repose in St. Basil Chapel, located on the campus of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, until being transferred to inside St. Thomas Aquinas’ main church the next day.

Catholics of any rite are welcome to attend; liturgies are offered in English.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH Saturday, March 26-Monday, March 28 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28213

ST. MARK CATHOLIC CHURCH Monday, March 28-Friday, April 1 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville, N.C. 28078

CONVERGING ROADS HEALTHCARE CONFERENCE AND WHITE MASS 8 a.m. Saturday, April 2 St. Patrick Cathedral 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte, N.C. 28203

ST. THERESE CATHOLIC CHURCH Monday, April 4-Wednesday, April 6 217 Brawley School Road, Mooresville, N.C. 28117

BELMONT — If not for the Benedictine monks of Belmont Abbey, the Church in North Carolina would not exist as we know it today.

The intrepid monks’ pioneering spirit attracted them to the wilderness of North Carolina 146 years ago, driven by the Benedictine motto: “Ora et Labora,” to pray and work here.

As the Diocese of Charlotte celebrates its 50th anniversary, we take a look back at how the Benedictines planted the seeds of Catholicism here and how they continue to cultivate the faith today.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

The history of the Benedictine monks’ presence here all began with a land deal.

In 1872, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah J. O’Connell, a circuit-riding priest who traveled tirelessly throughout the Carolinas and Georgia preaching and ministering to the sparse Catholic population, bought 500 acres of farmland near what today is Belmont. It was a bankruptcy sale, and he paid just $10.

During his extensive travels, Father O’Connell had realized the need for Catholic institutions to educate people and nurture vocations to the priesthood.

He approached the head of the Church in the Carolinas at the time – Bishop James Gibbons – and offered to donate the land if the bishop would agree to use it for a Catholic men’s college run by a religious order.

Bishop Gibbons – himself acutely aware of the need to provide religious education to Catholics MONKS, SEE PAGE 19

(Top) The monk professors of St. Mary’s College pose with Abbot Leo Haid, O.S.B., (center) in 1893. (Left) Father Jeremiah O’Connell, O.S.B., donated the land Belmont Abbey is built on.

(Above, left to right) Bishop (later Cardinal) James Gibbons served as bishop of the region when the monastery and college were founded. A 1906 engraved portrait of Abbot Leo Haid.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY BELMONT ABBEY AND NCPEDIA

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

March 25, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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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

PHOTO PROVIDED BY BELMONT ABBEY

Abbot Leo Haid, O.S.B., (center) is pictured with the visiting abbots at their nullius celebration at Belmont Abbey in 1910. Abbot Haid was to become one of the most pivotal figures in North Carolina Catholic history. He died in 1924 and is buried in Belmont Abbey Cemetery on the abbey campus.

MONKS FROM PAGE 18

living in the predominantly Protestant South – agreed. He then reached out to St. Vincent’s Archabbey in Latrobe, Pa., and asked them to set up a community of Benedictine monks and a college on the land.

St. Vincent’s Abbot Boniface Wimmer sent Benedictine Father Herman Wolfe to take a look at the property first, but the deal must have looked good because the monks agreed to the plan on Jan. 19, 1876.

Abbot Wimmer dispatched Father Wolfe back down to the Carolina wilderness with two students, and the monastery and school were founded on April 21, 1876. By that fall, two more students joined them, along with five lay brothers – four to help run the farm and one to help run the school.

A few months later Abbot Wimmer visited the new school, named it St. Mary of Help Priory, directed that a chapel be built, and gave them an organ. On Sept. 8, the feast of the Nativity of

Mary, the first Mass was offered in the new chapel.

By 1883, now Archabbot Wimmer realized for the new school and community to thrive, it would need strong local leadership, instead of being directed by the St. Vincent monks more than 400 miles away in Pennsylvania. He proposed to the St. Vincent monks that St. Mary’s Priory become its own Benedictine community.

The monks agreed, and on Dec. 19, 1884, St. Mary’s Priory became “Mary, Help of Christians Abbey.”

The monks of St. Vincent’s might have thought this new abbey in the wilds of western North Carolina was remote, even a place of exile. But eight of them bravely volunteered to move down, join the trail-blazing Father Wolfe, and form a new Benedictine community. They unanimously voted one of their own – Benedictine Father Leo Haid – to become the first abbot of their new community.

Abbot Leo Haid was to become one of the most pivotal figures in North Carolina Catholic history. Over the next 40 years, he would lead and nurture the growth of the faith here – through the economic depressions of the late 19th century, the industrial and political changes of the early 20th century, and the disruptions of MONKS, SEE PAGE 20

Get started on your future in healthcare with us.

Learn more - www.bac.edu/programs.

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!

March prayer intention For families. May God pour out an abundance of grace to every family in the diocese, that they may be domestic churches and dwellings of loving sacrifice.

Saint of the Month St. Katharine Drexel Feast day: March 3

At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Read more about St. Katharine Drexel and how she helped the Church in western North Carolina

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 25, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

MONKS FROM PAGE 19

World War I. Beyond serving as abbot, in 1888 he was appointed “vicar apostolic of North Carolina” by the Holy See, serving as leader of the Church for the entire state.

FAITHFUL PIONEERS

The monks who left the comfort of St. Vincent’s knew they were heading to a life of toil at the new community in Belmont. Benedictine monks take a vow of stability, which means a lifetime profession to a particular community. Even today, monks spend their lives working and praying at a particular monastery, and they eventually die and are buried there.

True to this Benedictine tradition, the pioneering monks of Belmont Abbey sought to create an enduring community. Abbot Haid believed sturdy brick buildings would express values like stability and beauty.

That spirit is apparent in the immense effort it took to build the abbey and college – literally from the ground up. They cleared the land and built each structure by hand, using timber they cut themselves and bricks they made by hand.

The largest structure they built was the abbey church, which still sits at the heart of the campus.

Thanks to financial support from St. Katharine Drexel, the church was finished in 1894. A fire in 1900 caused significant damage to a college building, but the monks quickly rebuilt and classes resumed a few months later. The building is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

During Abbot Haid’s 39 years at the helm, 4,000 students passed through the college. The community grew to 85 monks serving the college and ministering to Catholics in the surrounding area. For decades, the monks regularly went beyond the confines of their monastery to build and staff churches across western North Carolina, serving the growing number of Catholic families in the absence of any other local Catholic institutions.

That special role was recognized by Pope Pius X, who in 1910 declared Belmont Abbey an “abbatia nullius” – an abbey outside the jurisdiction of any diocese. It meant the abbey church was elevated to that of a cathedral, and its abbot, to the rank of bishop.

The papal bull gave Abbot Haid and his successors jurisdiction over eight counties west of the abbey, answering directly to the Holy See. In 1977 the “abbatia nullius” was suppressed and all of the territory outside of the monastery was absorbed into the Charlotte diocese, but the abbey community and its college retain their independence.

THE ABBEY COMMUNITY TODAY

The abbey community – now comprised of 15 monks – remains rooted in its mission to provide a Catholic education. What was once called St. Mary’s College is today’s Belmont Abbey College, and it boasts 25 majors of study and an enrollment of 1,500 students. It is the only Catholic college between northern Virginia and Florida.

The abbey campus itself has grown to 700 acres.

New dorms, a dining hall, a revitalized library and science building and sport fields now dot the landscape. The campus also includes a privatelyrun maternity home, MiraVia – an important support system for young mothers in need who want to pursue a college education.

Most recently, the monks of Belmont Abbey partnered with CaroMont Health to complement new healthcare degree programs offered at the college. A new hospital being built on the east side of the campus, CaroMont Regional Medical CenterBelmont, is set to open in mid-2023.

But the vibrant campus remains dominated by the historic Abbey Basilica – formally called Mary, Help of Christians Basilica. Beyond its purpose as a place of prayer, its brickwork speaks of permanence and trust in God’s providence, even as it has seen decades of change, generations of monks and tens of thousands of students.

MONKS, SEE PAGE 21

(Left) The monks of Belmont Abbey pray at the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto located behind the monastery in this undated photo. Blessed as a pilgrimage shrine, the grotto was designated for the special purpose of praying for vocations.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

BY BELMONT ABBEY

(Left) In 1894, St. Benedict School opened as a school for black children who were barred from attending the county’s segregated academies for white children. (Above) Father Christopher Kirchgessner, O.S.B., has been teaching at the college on and off since 1980.

(Below) Abbot Leo Haid, O.S.B., is buried in the abbey cemetery along with the monks who have lived, worked and prayed there since 1876.

March 25, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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MONKS FROM PAGE 20

PHOTO PROVIDED BY BELMONT ABBEY COLLEGE

(Above) Mary Help of Christians Basilica is located at the heart of the Belmont Abbey campus. The monks pray six times a day in the basilica.

(Left) The monks of Belmont Abbey are pictured in front of the Belmont Abbey College administrative building with Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari and Bishop Peter Jugis March 21, the feast of St. Benedict.

(Below, from left) Deacon William Melton Jr. assists Abbot Placid at Mass for the community’s feast day. The monks process into Mary, Help of Christians Basilica for the feast day Mass.

PHOTOS BY SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

That focus on worship of God lies at the heart of the Benedictine community.

“Monastic life is evangelizing,” says Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari, the eighth abbot of Belmont Abbey and chancellor of Belmont Abbey College.

“It is a witness to the rest of the Church and the world, which is the Lordship of Jesus. The monks have devoted their lives to this, and first and foremost to prayer. That makes a statement to what is important in life – the importance and efficacy of prayer.

The Benedictine way of life has always been centered on prayer, no matter what work the monks are doing – teaching, serving the community, or taking care of the day-to-day tasks in the community, he says.

“The purpose (of coming to North Carolina) was to found a monastic community and school, but because of a lack of priests, the monks were pulled to help with pastoral care. We’re used to a flourishing diocese, but in those times it was very much mission territory.

“The school now flows out to primary witness of monastic life. It brings people together. Our community life and prayer, dedicated to life seeking God, is the evangelizing that raises questions to the world as to what is truly important.”

That spirit of faith is what drew Mooresville native David Brown to become a Benedictine monk in 1970. Growing up at St. Therese Parish, he enjoyed seeing the Benedictine monks who staffed the parish as needed. As a young man just out of college, he visited the abbey often for Vespers or Mass, or just to take time for reflection.

“I have been professed for over 50 years now.

The peace and prayerful atmosphere are what attracted me,” he says. Through the decades Father David has served the college in instructional and administrative roles, served as procurator for the monastery, and assisted the local Catholic community in parishes when needed.

“I did what I promised I would do,” he explains simply. “Whatever I have contributed, my contributions have been second nature. It’s His work.”

Fellow monk Benedictine Father Christopher Kirchgessner agrees. Professed for nearly 50 years, he has taught at the college and assisted at parishes in Charlotte and Lincolnton.

“I think that our responsibility is to do the best we can to be faithful to what we promised,” he says.

“That’s what they (early monks) did as well. It is to be faithful and trust that God is working.”

One of the younger monks, Benedictine Father Elias Correa-Torres, is grateful for the faithful legacy of the Benedictine community he joined in 2008. A former meteorologist, he now teaches monastic history to the monks in formation and several science courses at the college.

Reflecting on the lives of fellow monks who have since died, he says, “It was a lot of hard work.

Monks like Father Kieran Neilson, Father Arthur Pendleton and Father David Kessinger exemplified an ethic of work in the schools during week and then on weekends they served in the parishes. Then in summers when the schools were out, it was all hands on deck for maintenance around the abbey.

Father Kieran described waxing all the floors and painting.”

“You worked all day, every day, all year round.

That’s real dedication. They put blood, sweat and tears into everything. Everything we have is their legacy. The farm is blessed now in more ways than they could have dreamed of !”

— Sources: “The First Hundred Years, Belmont Abbey College, 1876-1976” by Benedictine Father John P. Bradley; “Blessing The Years To Come: Belmont Abbey, A Pictorial Perspective” by Benedictine Father Paschal Baumstein; www.belmontabbey.org; and www.belmontabbeycollege.edu.

Learn more At www.belmontabbey.org and www.belmontabbeycollege.edu: Discover more about the history of the Benedictine monks of Belmont Abbey, and how they and Belmont Abbey College continue to make an impact in our community

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 25, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

HOSPITAL FROM PAGE 9

With the MHA in place, the focus shifted to finalizing the undergraduate nursing program. In keeping with the Benedictine tradition of caring for the sick, Belmont Abbey College’s nursing program is predicated on a holistic approach with a foundation in Catholic health care ethics.

The college’s dean of nursing, Dr. Carolyn Harmon, said the program is set to open this fall. Already, 67 students have been admitted to the college’s pre-nursing program, which lasts for two years. There will not be a full cohort of nursing students this fall, but Harmon expects to accept transfer students who have completed prenursing programs at other schools. Moving forward, 40 students will be enrolled annually with a planned total of 80 seats reserved for junior and seniors.

Experts estimate that 500,000 new nursing jobs will be available by 2028, so the programs couldn’t come at a better time – even with the pandemic.

“The nursing profession has actually had a shortage since the 1960s,” Harmon noted.

“COVID pushed us into a crisis mode. The monks and the college, along with CaroMont, were working on this partnership prior to COVID. They recognized the need for more nurses – especially in Gaston County. This will be the first bachelor’s nursing program in the county, and we also plan to offer master’s degrees.”

The nursing program cleared a major hurdle in January when it received confirmation of accreditation from SACSCOC. It subsequently received the approval of the N.C. Board of Nursing. The

PANDEMIC FROM PAGE 4

or lost loved ones. And I believe parishioners recognized this and are grateful.”

Monsignor Marcaccio said his parishioners have remained committed to the church despite the pandemic.

“People have been so generous in supporting our mission,” he said. “While the ministries had to morph somewhat or be remote, none were curtailed because they needed funding.

Actually, it was quite the contrary.

“At the end of the year, we conducted a soft campaign to retire our capital debt and received funds to pay off a 15-year

new nursing building on the college’s Sacred Heart Campus features classrooms, labs and offices. It is set to open in April, and classes will begin in August. The first cohort will include 40-45 students and seven fulltime faculty members.

Belmont Abbey College nursing students will do their clinical training with faculty at the new CaroMont hospital when it opens in 2023. Harmon noted that they’ll have a set number of days and hours of training in the classroom. CaroMont will provide dedicated teaching space in a pair of office buildings situated next to the hospital. Once students acquire the requisite knowledge, they will gain lab skills training at the hospital using mannequins at first, then actual patients.

The case studies will allow students to practice and refine their skills for tasks such as giving injections and starting IVs. Research and national studies demonstrate that nurses with a bachelor’s degree (or higher) see better health outcomes and overall patient care.

“That’s what we’re bringing to Gaston County – more nurses to fill those shortages and to bring better care,” Harmon said, emphasizing that rigorous medical ethics will be a key factor in the educational programs at Belmont Abbey College. “I believe that the foundation of our nursing program relies on high moral training. This will help our students learn how to deal with what they’ll see on a daily basis in health care. That’s what is going to set us apart. That level of excellence is

mortgage nine years ahead of time – saving over a million dollars in interest expense.”

The diocese’s two retreat centers also are welcoming more visitors.

“There’s still some lingering discomfort and other concerns. I’m very cautious with using the word normal,” said Deacon William Shaw, director of Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center in Maggie Valley. However, “parishes are starting to host retreat events again,” and so far in 2022, the center is back to pre-pandemic scheduling and has already hosted five events.

“It’s been a nice improvement,” he said.

Deacon Scott D. Gilfillan, director of the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory, is also seeing a rebound.

“Our year ending June 30 will be our best year ever – even with all of the

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In keeping with the Benedictine tradition of caring for the sick, Belmont Abbey College’s nursing program is predicated on a holistic approach with a foundation in Catholic health care ethics.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY BELMONT ABBEY COLLEGE

what you want in a nursing program.”

In part because of the new programs, Belmont Abbey College’s enrollment has taken off. Enrollment of new, first-year students this past fall grew 8.6% over 2020, and it stands at 7% higher than five years ago.

“This is the only Catholic nursing program in the whole region along with the Master of Health Administration degree program. That takes us to a new level of offering education that’s attracted new students,” Abbot Placid said.

Thierfelder predicts enrollment will continue to grow as the programs and new hospital get up and running.

“We are going to attract many excellent, vibrant health care professionals here with many different specialties,” he said.

“I think the whole health care industry is going to bloom here. I envision down the line that you’ll see this become a medical hub to some degree.”

PART OF A HIGHER CALLING

Belmont Abbey College only exists because there is a Benedictine monastery here. The college is their first and primary

cancellations we had in December and January” because of the surge in the Omicron variant, Deacon Gilfillan said.

Staying in close contact with clients, as well as hosting their own events and retreats, “are paying big dividends.”

“I am sensing a deep spiritual hunger,” he said. One unexpected consequence of the pandemic: he’s seeing greater demand for spiritual direction.

“I am in the process of becoming certified (as a spiritual director), something I would not have embarked upon otherwise,” he said.

IN THE WAKE OF THE PANDEMIC

While it is not over, the COVID-19 pandemic has left in its wake a number of changes – good and bad.

Pastors and parishioners both embraced new technology – from YouTube videos to online giving. Churches, schools and the conference centers used the closures and slow times to make much-needed repairs or improvements – from new carpeting or paint to major renovations.

Schools are now so comfortable using remote learning tools that they expect to keep using them even after the pandemic, such as when bad weather hits – perhaps spelling the end of those cherished “snow days.”

The diocese’s 19 Catholic schools – which resumed safe, in-person instruction earlier than most public schools – are all seeing strong enrollment gains, with overall enrollment up 10% this year compared to the 2019-’20 academic year.

“In short,” noted Deacon Gilfillan, “there is a lot of lemonade that came from the one big lemon we call the pandemic.”

Yet pastors remain concerned about the members of their flock who have not returned to Mass – either because they have lost touch or because they remain isolated and fearful.

According to the annual Mass count last

apostolate. Abbot Placid was asked about the lasting legacy this powerful partnership with CaroMont Health will have.

“There will be an increased level of health care service,” he said. “It’s also going to make Gaston County a more attractive place to live and (provide) a new appreciation for what it has to offer. For the college, it offered us the opportunity to expand. For the monastery, it has offered us the opportunity to continue a new role of service to the local community. The income from the lease of the property allows us to continue our support for Belmont Abbey College.”

Feezell described the monks as the “essence” of Belmont Abbey College. They were also a big reason in his decision to return to the institution.

“The Southern Benedictine Association shouldn’t go unnamed or unnoticed,” Feezell said. “They have great love and care for the institution. The financial, strategic and emotional support that they provided – and continue to provide – has been tremendous to get these programs off the ground.”

As much as this is a tale about a hospital being built on a college campus with the addition of medical and health science degree programs, Thierfelder believes Divine Providence is the real protagonist in this story.

“When I came here, I recognized how much Divine Providence had a role in creating this place called Belmont Abbey, which was really the foundation of Catholicism in North Carolina,” he said. “I believe that Divine Providence is at work today in the most profound ways.”

He added, “It’s about the salvation of souls and trustful serenity to Divine Providence. We have enough proof in our history to show that Divine Providence always comes through.”

October, Mass attendance was down about 25% from before the pandemic hit.

“I think the pandemic removed the bandage, and we can see the wound in the Church, of superficial commitments and misunderstandings regarding the importance of the sacramental life of the Church,” Monsignor Marcaccio said. “I think the pandemic was a virus for the Church that ate our engagement, and the antidote will be hospitality.”

Father Roberts said he is “cautiously optimistic” about describing parish life as back to normal. The most recent COVIDrelated funeral at the parish was just last month, he noted.

“There were a number of times throughout the pandemic where things were looking to be getting better, and suddenly they weren’t,” he said.

Yet, he added, “people are pretty excited about Holy Week.” He said he is looking forward to baptizing three adult catechumens at the Easter Vigil.

Father Lawlor also remains cautiously hopeful.

“The pandemic took the world by surprise and has given all of us a different perspective,” he said. “Two years ago, it changed our Lent, Holy Week and Easter season. I would never have imagined that we would go from an Easter attendance of 5,500 in 2019 to 10 the following year.

“So, we are cautious that things can change very quickly. We have much to be thankful for and there have been many blessings even during these challenging times. We are planning for our future with hope and trust in Divine Providence.”

Did you know?

Since March 2020, 13,350 people have died from COVID-19 in the Diocese of Charlotte’s 46 counties.

March 25, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

CAMPOREE FROM PAGE 5

So then-Father Winslow went over to the family’s house and, with the help of the mother, woke up the young man and surprised him. The young man gave lots of excuses about not attending Mass and said he had plenty of time to return to church later.

But Father Winslow insisted, encouraging him to come back to his faith. The young man returned to Mass and went to confession.

“It was good to see him” back at church, Monsignor Winslow recalled.

“What I didn’t expect was a phone call in the middle of the night from his mom,” he continued. “I had to go over to the hospital – he had been in a fatal car accident. His time was a lot shorter than anyone ever anticipated.”

“You don’t know how much time you’ll have,” Monsignor Winslow said. “You think you have a ton of time, but God only knows.

“Time is a gift. It’s a gift when your parents give it to you. It’s a gift when you give it in return. It’s a gift, especially, when God gives us time. For all of us, this gift of time is something we should never take for granted.

“Because every single moment, every single second we’re given – just like the fig tree – is an opportunity to begin again. It’s a second chance. It’s hope.”

“As Scouts, you are prepared,” he noted. “I just ask you to think about the use of the time that you have. It is the one commodity that you have no control over, ultimately. But you have it, so make sure it’s used well.

“Judging by your attendance here this morning, and by those who are mentoring you, I think you’re on a good path.”

After Mass, religious emblems exemplifying the Catholic ideals of Scouting were awarded to Scouts who earned the achievement in either 2020, 2021 or early 2022, since the Camporee was canceled the last two years due to the pandemic.

Mike Nielsen, chair of the Charlotte Diocese

DEACON FROM PAGE 6

deacons, ordained on May 29, 1983.

Deacon John Martino, former head of the diocese’s permanent deacon ministry, once wrote of Deacon Desautels’ calling to become a deacon: “He was a traveling salesman who returned to his mountain home one cold Saturday to find his pipes frozen and broken. He crawled under the house and worked until 1 a.m. on the broken pipes. He had just finished fixing them but before they had thawed, his wife Peggy asked if they were going to Sunday Mass. Exhausted, he replied, ‘I am dirty and the water pipes are still frozen.’ He later recalled, ‘She persisted, so I said we would go if we have water in the morning.’ Early that morning they were awakened by the sound of ice flowing though the pipes. They went to Mass and that Sunday a letter from Bishop Michael Begley was read announcing the creation of the permanent diaconate for the Charlotte diocese. His wife urged him to apply, saying, ‘It was meant to be.’”

He prayed and discerned, and after encouragement from the program’s new formation director, Father Anthony (Tony) Kovacic, he applied and was accepted into the inaugural class.

Deacon Desautels’ vocation was meant to be, and his ministry always remained a top priority even as work transferred him to various cities. Soon after his ordination,

Catholic Committee on Scouting, which organizes the annual camporee, noted these religious awards are a sign of the importance of spiritual development for diocesan youth involved in a Scouting program, either a Cub Scout pack or a Scouts BSA troop.

“The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law,” Nielsen said. “Through Scouting, Catholics have another avenue through which Catholic principles of ethics and morals can be shared and reinforced with youth.”

More than 100 young people from 24 packs and troops were recognized as having received the Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei, Ad Altare Dei or Pope Pius XII awards in 2020, 2021 or early 2022.

The highest national adult recognition in Catholic Scouting, the St. George Emblem, was awarded to Jerry Smith and Scott Kennedy, both from St. Matthew Troop 8 in Charlotte.

“Scott is a strong advocate for the spiritual and leadership development of all Scouts and models that through his behavior at all meetings and activities of Troop 8, the largest Catholic Scout troop in the Diocese of Charlotte,” Nielsen noted.

“Jerry has been a leader for Catholic Scouting youth religious emblems programs at Troop 8, and his deep faith and understanding of the Catholic religion were seen and heard by Scouts and adults alike,” he said.

Five other Scout leaders received the Bronze Pelican emblem, the highest adult honor given locally in Catholic Scouting: Tom Gauch and Leslie Tesch of St. Gabriel Troop 174 in Charlotte, William Nichols and Wendell Roth of St. Matthew Troop 8, and Kathy MacMahon of St. Vincent de Paul Troop 288 in Charlotte.

More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See the full list of Scouts in the Diocese of Charlotte who earned the Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei, Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII awards in 2020, 2021 and early 2022

he was transferred to Fayetteville, located in the Diocese of Raleigh. He was granted faculties and served at St. Patrick Church in Fayetteville for eight years, with an active role in the nursing home ministry there. When he was subsequently transferred to Philadelphia, he served as a deacon in a primarily Polish Catholic community. Three years later, he and his family moved back to North Carolina, to Winston-Salem. He was assigned to St. Leo Catholic Church in Winston-Salem, where besides reviving the parish’s successful Boy Scout program, he oversaw its prison ministry program for many years.

He survived by his wife of 50 years, Peggy Sue Desautels; their five children: Daniel Desautels (Johnette), Amy Deystone (Justin), Rebecca Williams (Ty), Adam Desautels (Rachel), and Paul Desautels; nine grandchildren: Francois and Dominik Desautels, Dakota and Noah Deystone, Zach and Gabe Williams, and Kiyah, Peter and Evangeline Desautels. He is also survived by siblings Teresa, Mary, Naomi and Steve, and preceded in death by his brothers Bernie and David.

Memorial contributions may be made to Maryknoll Lay Missioners, online at www. mklm.org; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn.

38105, or online at www.stjude.org.

Salem Funeral & Cremation Services of Winston-Salem was in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.salemfh.com.

— Catholic News Herald

SAN ROMERO VIENE DE LA PÁGINA 12

de un pastor de su pueblo dio vida nueva a todo un pueblo, fortaleció la fe de una Iglesia, y sin darme cuenta afectó mi fe, mi vida, mi ministerio, mi vocación y muy seguramente mi destino.

Monseñor Romero con su vida, pasión y muerte, a modelo de su maestro, Nuestro Señor Cristo Jesús, fue para mi experiencia de fe como un Pentecostés que muchos hemos podido vivir en carne propia, me dio nueva fuerza y valor para poder proclamar al

ENDOWMENTS FROM PAGE 6

at Davidson College, volunteers his time to teach at Christ the King High School, chairs the Mooresville parish’s pastoral council and sits on its planned giving committee, Kelley said.

“I hope more Catholics in the diocese will become involved in supporting education for our Catholic students,” said Ross. “Modest amounts of support can pay large dividends for families trying to educate their children in a world where education is both more costly and more necessary. I will feel greatly reassured if my example encourages others to donate at any and all levels of support.”

“More of our parishioners across the diocese are giving real estate,” Kelley noted. “A Hendersonville couple gave a condo that the diocese

23

Dios de la vida.

Con su canonización, muchos recibimos la gran confirmación que si vale la pena todo lo que hemos pasado, lo que hemos llorado, soportado, sufrido, para la Gloria de Dios.

San Romero, fruto de nuestra Santa Madre Iglesia, hijo y pastor de un pueblo, mártir y Santo, que por tu intercesión los que tuvimos la gracia de compartir contigo en tu vida y tu muerte podamos dar los frutos de misericordia por lo que oraste. Para la Gloria de Dios, así sea.

EL DIÁCONO EDUARDO BERNAL sirve en la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe y es coordinador del ministerio hispano del vicariato de Charlotte.

later sold to set up an endowment, and a parishioner at St. John Baptist de la Salle Church left her house to the parish in her will.”

Founded in 1994, the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation now totals 322 endowments totaling more than $74 million in assets.

Fund an endowment Interested in setting up an endowment or adding to an existing endowment at your parish or Catholic school? Establish an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will; a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan; a gift of real estate; a gift of life insurance, cash or securities sufficient to set up an endowment; or a life income arrangement, such as a trust or annuity.

For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704370-3364 or gmrhodes@rcdoc.org.

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

It’s free, too – making it wonderfully easy to be green.

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

Arts & Entertainment 24

catholicnewsherald.com | March 25, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

In theaters

‘The Adam Project’ A smart-alecky tone mars this sci-fi action adventure in which a time traveler (Ryan Reynolds) from the year 2050 arrives in the present where he teams with his 12-yearold self (Walker Scobell) to nip a future problem for humanity in the bud. Mostly stylized violence with little gore, numerous milder oaths, considerable crude and crass language.

CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13

‘The Batman’ When The Riddler (Paul Dano) targets a series of Gotham’s corrupt politicians for assassination, the iconic crimefighter of the title (Robert Pattinson) enters into an uneasy alliance with a police lieutenant and an equally volatile partnership with the Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz) to stop the killing spree. Harsh violence, considerable crude and crass language.

CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13

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New podcast explores restorative justice issues CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE “The moms began to lean in and see these WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Catholic people differently. They carried their own trauma Mobilizing Network has introduced a new and their own pain. They, too, were victims,” podcast, “Encounters With Dignity,” available on Father Kelly said. “The mothers said, ‘Well, now, many popular podcast platforms. what are we going to do? We can’t leave them.’

Hosted by Caitlin Morneau, the organization’s ‘Well, you can’t stay.’” director of restorative justice, the half-hour podcasts break down talks given during Catholic Mobilizing Network’s seminar last fall on restorative justice.

The first of the monthly installments made its premiere in January. It features Precious Blood Father David Kelly, who has been a parish-based jail minister in the Archdiocese of Chicago for the past 30 years and is one of the founders of the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, which focuses on three Chicago neighborhoods.

In the podcast installment, he details some of his ministry. “I’ve been in courtrooms too many times,” Father Kelly said. “The focus is on punishment,” while no resources are given to those who CNS | CATHOLIC MOBILIZING NETWORK have been harmed, he added.

This is a screen grab of Catholic Mobilizing Network’s welcome message for He recalled the 1995 heat wave listeners of its new podcast, “Encounters With Dignity.” in Chicago that claimed 739 lives. “One community had six times more deaths” than another in the same The compromise: “They insisted that they city, Father Kelly noted. The difference: The come back and bring food to these young people,” neighborhood with fewer deaths had a place he added. “A community, albeit different, was where people could check in on one another, such formed.” as a library or community center.

The second podcast, released in February, So it is with troubled youths, Father Kelly said. features Christina Swarns, defense attorney and They need, he added, “a place where we don’t say, executive director of the Innocence Project, and ‘We’re just tolerating you.’”

Sheryl Wilson, victim outreach specialist and The priest recounted an episode when he executive director of the Kansas Institute for invited the Spanish-speaking mothers of murder Peace and Conflict Resolution. victims to come to a prison with him to meet They tell the story of how restorative young men whose ages were similar to their sons. approaches were used in a death penalty case They “quickly said no,” Father Kelly said. that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“But an invite to Mass – Mass they knew,” and The third episode in the series, posted they accepted. The Mass would be in the prison. this month, features Ernie Garcia, a former After Mass, there was a restorative justice participant and current member of the alumni circle “with jailed young people” whose “eyes advisory committee for Rise Up Industries, an were wide open,” Father Kelly said, as they heard 18-month prisoner reentry program in Santee, the mothers describe their pain and heartache at Calif. the loss of children to violence.

The mothers in turn listened in wide-eyed More info amazement “as they heard stories of kids not At www.catholicsmobilizing.org: Get more information knowing their mothers, families riddled with about the “Encounters With Dignity” podcast drugs,” he added.

Please pray for the following deacons who died during the month of March: Paul Teich Joseph Mack

3/13/2013 3/22/2020

On TV n Friday, March 25, 6:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Solemn Mass of the Annunciation.” Live from Nazareth. n Saturday, March 26, 2 p.m. (EWTN) “Mother Angelica: Her Life and Legacy.” An in-depth look back on the profound faith and incredible accomplishments of EWTN’s foundress, Mother Angelica, and the lasting legacy she left. n Monday, March 28, 4:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Image of God: St. Patrick and St. Valentine.” Mary Jo Smith and the Faith Factory kids discuss the lives of the two saints whose feast days almost everyone celebrates: St. Patrick and St. Valentine. n Tuesday, March 29, 10:03-11:03 p.m. (History) “Lost Gold of the Aztecs.”

Premiere of a new series that follows three families as they search for treasure Aztec Emperor Montezuma supposedly hid from Spanish conquistadors. n Friday, April 1, 5 p.m.

(EWTN) “They Might be Saints: Bishop Frederic Baraga.” Trekking across Michigan’s wilderness earned him the nickname “the Snowshoe Priest,” but his heroic virtue bringing the Gospel to Native Americans and immigrant miners may earn Bishop Frederic Baraga sainthood. n Saturday, April 2, 8 p.m.

(EWTN) “St. Giuseppe Moscati: Doctor of the Poor.” The story of St. Giuseppe Moscati, and the plight and struggles of the poor and homeless of Naples in the early 20th Century during a time of great inequality and poverty. Part 1.

March 25, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

25

Jesuitical marks five years; ‘young, hip and lay’ podcast has global reach ANNA CAPIZZI GALVEZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. ‚ A “young, hip and lay” podcast, Jesuitical, from America Media is celebrating five years.

Co-hosted by Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless, podcast episodes focus on three main segments – Catholic news, an interview with a guest and faith-sharing – “often over drinks,” as the podcast tagline puts it, and through the lens of Ignatian spirituality.

With over a million total downloads and about 40,000-50,000 downloads per month, Jesuitical has reached listeners globally, grown an online community, found financial supporters and is even hosting a pilgrimage to Italy in September.

From its founding in 2017, the podcast has sought to fill a gap in the Catholic podcasting world.

While there were prayer apps, apologetics resources and “theology nerd” podcasts, “we didn’t see a Catholic podcast that was more outward looking,” said McKinless, an executive editor at America Media.

“We wanted to create a space where there could be conversations about topics in the Church that are contested in the modern world and to not be afraid of bringing on people who weren’t 100% certain in their faith or 100% in the Church or were struggling with questions of Catholic teaching and their relationship to God and what it means to be a Catholic in the world today,” McKinless said.

Building a space of encounter with a diversity of viewpoints, not simply Catholic ones, is a point of pride for McKinless these past five years. “We’ve made it a point to talk to Muslims, Jewish people, atheists, spiritual seekers,” she said. That’s a unique contribution to Catholic media, she added.

Another factor that contributed to Jesuitical’s initial success was narrowly defining its target audience.

Listeners could be young people who had recently graduated or finished a year of service work. Perhaps they had been involved in campus ministry, theology or youth group and are now living in a new city, where they are struggling to fit into parish life or Catholic life and “don’t feel like they have an outlet to talk about these things,” Davis said.

“We wanted to create a space to invite people in where we weren’t assuming that they didn’t know anything about the Church or that they had questions about the Church,” he told CNS. But “they just wanted to hang out and learn some new things, talk about spirituality in an inviting way. I think we’ve hit that market,” he said.

Today, the podcast has reached beyond that audience and attracts older listeners who want to know what young people “actually think” outside of formal Church settings, added Davis, who is an associate editor and director for audience engagement and analytics at America Media.

For listeners, no matter their age, the draw to the podcast is the Ignatian spirituality the show strives to cultivate.

The last segment in the podcast, called “As One Friend Speaks to Another,” is the faith-sharing part in the show where the co-hosts talk about where they’ve found God during the week.

“I’ve heard Jesuits come up and tell us, ‘You guys are modeling Ignatian spirituality in an entirely new way,’ which is great to hear because Ashley and I will be the first to admit we’re not experts in it. We’re not Jesuits. We’ve not done the Spiritual Exercises (of St. Ignatius Loyola).

Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless, co-hosts of the podcast Jesuitical from America Media, are pictured with Sebastian Gomes, the show’s producer, March 15. Davis is an associate editor and director for audience engagement and analytics at America. McKinless and Gomes are executive editors at America.

CNS| KEARA HANLON, COURTESY AMERICA MEDIA

We are just trying to use this tradition in a modern, contemporary context,” Davis said.

Apart from their faith-sharing segment, Davis and McKinless said they way they select guests and examine news brings a Jesuit perspective to the show.

“Keeping our eyes wide open, reviewing (the news) the way the Examen reviews every day the lights and the shadows and trying to take that same approach to how you look at Catholic news is something we keep in mind,” Davis said.

Their innate curiosity about the world informs how they choose what news to cover and whom to interview.

“There’s really not a corner of the Church or culture or politics that we don’t think there’s a way in for us for and a way for us to find God working through God’s people in those spaces,” McKinless said.

Embracing Ignatian spirituality also means meeting people where they are.

“We’re not going to wait until someone’s 100% on board with everything the Church teaches before we’re going to be willing to talk to them and have that encounter,” she added.

For Davis, one of the best parts about Jesuitical is the community that’s formed online through their Facebook group.

“They’re people who are kindred spirits who found each other and help each other” and interact without any prodding, he said.

Podcasts are uniquely suited to building virtual community, McKinless said. And the two wanted to deepen that through a Facebook group, which now has more than 4,800 members. “It’s a very organic community. It runs itself and people are respective and constructive and charitable,” McKinless said.

Davis believes that the U.S. Church is experiencing an “upheaval of what Catholic life looks like.” While the focus in the past has been on the parish, young Catholics today are looking outside of the parish to find community.

“To be able to play a small part as we’re figuring it out in real time has meant a lot to me,” Davis said.

Jesuitical also has a group of 165 Patreon supporters, listeners who pay a minimum of $5 monthly to access exclusive episodes, private posts from the co-hosts, access to virtual reading groups and other benefits.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, McKinless and Davis hosted a Zoom reading group over four weeks discussing

Pope Francis’ encyclical “Fratelli Tutti” for their Patreon community, and hope to do more reading groups in the future.

Throughout the five years of the podcast, the show has gone through a few transitions. One of the founding co-hosts, Olga Segura, now works for National Catholic Reporter, and the show has a new producer, Sebastian Gomes, who also is an executive editor at America.

The changes have “forced us to keep the

show fresh and ever-evolving” because “it is such a group effort that each personality does really shape the podcast,” McKinless said.

McKinless, 31, and Davis, 29, also are aware that their tagline is “young, hip and lay.”

“We’re getting less young and maybe less hip, so we’re thinking about what the next five years could look like when we’re solidly in our 30s,” McKinless said.

Both co-hosts are eager to get back on the road and resume live shows after two years of travel restrictions due to the pandemic.

And McKinless mentioned another hope for the next five years: Interview more U.S. bishops.

Jesuitical hosts have talked to Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of Bridgeport, Conn.; Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Robert E. Barron; and Seattle Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo.

The goal is to “bring bishops down to earth for people” and “give bishops the opportunity to show their full humanity” to the Church, while modeling what a listening Church can be by having conversations with them, McKinless said.

Davis and McKinless shared advice for other Catholic journalists who want to build an online community: Pay attention to emerging forms media forms, narrowly define your audience, and consider the type of space you’re creating.

If young people “think it’s going to be a place of judgment, they don’t need anymore of that. They want places where they’re safe to ask questions, they’re safe to disagree, where they feel like their concerns are being heard,” McKinless said.

with Fr. Adrian Porras May 17 – 27, 2022

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Our nation 26

catholicnewsherald.com | March 25, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Saint Peter’s continues its March Madness winning streak WASHINGTON, D.C. — St. Peter gained the upper hand on St. Patrick’s Day when the underdog team of the small Jesuit school, Saint Peter’s University of Jersey City, N.J., upset the mighty University of Kentucky in the first round of “March Madness,” the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament. The school’s winning streak continued in the second round of the tournament March 19, when the Peacocks beat Murray State University, 70-60, gaining a spot in the tournament’s Sweet 16. Saint Peter’s now faces Purdue University March 25 in Philadelphia in the East Region. The Jesuit school joined three other Catholic colleges in the third round of the tournament this week: top-ranked Jesuit-run Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash.; Villanova University, an Augustinian school outside of Philadelphia; and Rhode Island’s Dominican-run Providence College. The Peacocks’ 85-79 win over No. 2-seeded Wildcats in overtime March 17 at the start of the tournament was one for the record books since the New Jersey team went into the tournament at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis as the No. 15 seed. Pictured, Doug Edert of St. Peter’s University shoots against the University of Kentucky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis March 17.

CNS | ZACH BOLINGER, ICON SPORTSWIRE VIA ST. PETER’S UNIVERSITY

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For more information on how to leave a legacy gift to your parish, Catholic school, Catholic agency, the Diocese of Charlotte or the diocese foundation, please contact Gina Rhodes, Director of Planned Giving at / gmrhodes@rcdoc.org or Foundation of the 704-370-3364 Heidi Kelley, Planned Giving Officer at Diocese of Charlotte 704-370-3348 / hmkelley@rcdoc.org.

March 25, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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In Brief USCCB president, committee chairmen recommit Church to pro-life initiatives WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the nation awaits the U.S. Supreme Court’s most significant abortion ruling in decades, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the chairmen of eight USCCB committees said they “join together in prayer and expectant hope that states will again be able to protect women and children from the injustice of abortion.”

“As we affirm the value of every human life, we welcome the possibility of saving countless unborn children as well as sparing women and families the pain of abortion,” they said in a statement released late March 21.

In June or early July, the court will issue a ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which involves a Mississippi law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks.

It is expected the decision will overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationwide, returning the abortion issue to the states.

In their statement, Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez, USCCB president, and the chairmen of USCCB committees concerned with pro-life, domestic and international policy, evangelization and other issues recommitted the Church’s years-long outreach – through various initiatives, parishes, agencies and other entities – to pregnant women in need and their children and families. They urged Catholic

dioceses, parishes, agencies and institutions to do the same.

West Virginia’s new law bars abortions of unborn diagnosed with disability CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Republican Gov. Jim Justice of West Virginia signed into law the Unborn Child with a Disability Protection and Education Act, which will prohibit an unborn child from being aborted due to a diagnosis of a disability. He announced he had signed the bill in a tweet to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day March 21. The law also requires doctors to provide educational materials and information on the support systems available to families raising children with disabilities.

“Killing an unborn child because of a disability is an extreme form of discrimination against people with disabilities,” said Karen Cross, political liaison for West Virginians for Life.

“I’m so proud of the West Virginia Legislature for protecting these vulnerable babies with disabilities from abortion.”

The West Virginia Senate passed the bill in a bipartisan 27-5 vote March 12, the final day of the Legislature’s regular 60-day session. The House of Delegates OK’d it earlier in the day in an 81 to 17 vote.

The law allows exceptions for a patient who has a “medical emergency” or a “nonmedically viable fetus.” Physicians who violate the law could have their license to practice medicine suspended or revoked.

Texas Supreme Court rules against abortion law challenge WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a March 11 ruling, the Texas Supreme Court ended a challenge by abortion clinics to a state law that bans most

abortions in Texas. The court ruled that state officials, including licensing officials, do not have the ability to enforce the abortion law, which bans most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, so clinics cannot sue them.

Under the law, private citizens can sue abortion providers for abortions that take place and could be entitled to $10,000 if successful.

“With this ruling, the sliver of this case that we were left with is gone,” said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, in a March 11 statement.

Her organization led the challenge against the Texas law.

Kimberlyn Schwartz, director of media and communication for Texas Right to Life, called the ruling “a big victory for the life-saving Texas Heartbeat Act,” adding in a statement that the group has “said from the beginning that the abortionists’ lawsuit should be dismissed.”

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton similarly called the ruling a “major victory,” and said on Twitter that the state’s law “remains fully in effect” and the lawsuit against the state is “essentially finished.”

Senate passes omnibus spending bill with Hyde, pro-life provisions WASHINGTON, D.C. — The chairmen of several U.S. bishops’ committees and the head of March for Life March 11 praised the U.S. senators who voted to pass the government’s omnibus bill with the Hyde Amendment and other pro-life provisions included in it. The bishops also commended lawmakers for including “critical humanitarian assistance for the victims of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.” In a 68-31 vote late March 10, the Senate OK’d a $1.5 trillion government funding bill that includes $13.6 billion in aid to Ukraine. The House passed the measure a day earlier.

“We applaud Congress for including provisions in the omnibus appropriations package that uphold the sacred dignity of human life and will support and assist many vulnerable people here and abroad,” said the chairmen of five U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ committees in a joint statement.

— Catholic News Service

Construction Project Manager The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte is currently accepting resumes for the position of “Construction Project Manager” to work within the Office of Diocesan Properties. The Construction Project Manager is responsible for providing professional Owner representation and guidance on Diocesan construction projects.

The Construction Project Manager will work closely with Pastors and Principals, acting as their “Project Advocate” through the Diocesan Capital Construction Team process, assisting in all aspects of the planning and execution of construction projects from initial concept through final project completion.

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

• 5+ years minimum related experience.

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

• Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills.

• Ability to work both independently and with a team.

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

• Advanced level of proficiency in Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Microsoft Project, and Adobe Acrobat Pro. • Strong knowledge of project delivery methods such as Negotiated GMP, Lump-Sum Competitive Bidding, and Design-Build methods.

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Our world 28

catholicnewsherald.com | March 25, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Ukraine is ‘epicenter of spiritual challenge,’ nuncio says JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY — The Russian invasion of Ukraine is not just a tragic conflict between two nations, but the center of a spiritual battle wrought by the forces of evil that have pitted brother against brother, said the apostolic nuncio to Ukraine.

“Like Pope Francis has underscored, any war – (including) this concrete war – is an invention of Satan, it’s an evil invention,” Lithuania-born Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas told Catholic News Service by phone March 21.

“If God allowed such things to happen,” he said, it is not a call to point fingers of blame, CNS | COURTESY ARCHBISHOP but instead to VISVALDAS KULBOKAS understand “what Archbishop Visvaldas God wants to tell Kulbokas, apostolic us through such nuncio to Ukraine, experiences.” elevates the Eucharist “I would say that I in the kitchen at the am feeling like I am apostolic nunciature in the epicenter of a in Kyiv, Ukraine, in this spiritual challenge,” recent photo. During the Archbishop war, Archbishop Kulbokas Kulbokas said. has been celebrating Since Russia Mass in the kitchen invaded Ukraine because it’s a wellFeb. 24, Archbishop protected area.

Kulbokas has remained at the nunciature in Kyiv, having the “privilege to be an element of union between the suffering of the Ukrainian people” and the solidarity of the global Catholic Church.

In his Angelus address March 20, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude to church personnel, who remained in the country “for the concrete support you are offering courageously to so many desperate people.”

“I also think of the apostolic nuncio –

who was just made a nuncio – Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, who since the beginning of the war has stayed in Kyiv together with his collaborators and who with his presence brings me close every day to the martyred Ukrainian people,” the pope had said.

Archbishop Kulbokas said he has felt and continues to feel the pope’s “presence, his heart, here,” and he believes the pope is “one of the important voices, spiritual voices” that are needed in this time.

Despite the tragic situation, especially in areas of the country devastated by Russian bombs, the nuncio said necessities like heating, electricity, internet and phone lines are still functioning at the nunciature in Kyiv.

Yet, being able to work under the constant threat of bombardment, has proven challenging at times, especially when “there is an air-raid alert and we must hide ourselves in the basement.”

The archbishop also said he celebrates daily Mass in the kitchen, which is in an area of the nunciature that is wellprotected from potential bombings.

“Psychologically, of course, it’s a dramatic situation, but it also has a spiritual dimension,” Archbishop Kulbokas said. “It’s even a grace of God to live in this situation because this kind of situation I think pushes us to – I don’t want to say to pray or to believe more – but to identify ourselves more with God, with people and pushes us to read more attentively what the Lord is saying to us. So spiritually speaking, it is a profound experience.”

Nevertheless, the Lithuanian archbishop said he remains hopeful, especially for the scheduled March 25 consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which he believes is, first and foremost, a call for personal conversion.

“When we raise our eyes toward the Virgin Mary, toward the Immaculate Heart, it’s not just an action of our devotion,” he said. “It is not a magic action that we consecrate ourselves, we consecrate all the world, and we consecrate especially Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart and everything will be resolved. No! It starts from our humble conversion.”

Much like in the Book of Revelations, which describes in eschatological terms “this battle between Satan and the Virgin Mary who is protected by God himself,” another purpose of the consecration is that through “God’s help, the Virgin Mary and the Immaculate Heart of Mary is able to protect the world from the devil’s actions,” he said.

“When we unite our humble, contrite hearts with the Immaculate Heart of the

Virgin Mary, then we have this protection against the devil’s forces,” Archbishop Kulbokas said. “I would say she will win the war because we need to win peace. It’s something much more than an intercession.”

While the outcome of the war remains uncertain, Archbishop Kulbokas saidhe is hopeful that Ukraine will be a “spiritual winner after such suffering” and through the unity and solidarity among the various religious confessions in the country.

CNS | VATICAN MEDIA

Pope Francis blesses a child as he visits Ukrainian children being treated at the Vatican-owned Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital in Rome March 19. The next day, Pope Francis told pilgrims gathered for the Angelus prayer that among the patients there was a child who is missing an arm and another with a head wound as a result of the Russian bombing of Ukraine.

Pope: ‘There is no justification’ for ‘sacrilegious’ war on Ukraine VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis again condemned Russia’s war on Ukraine, calling it a “senseless massacre” and “sacrilegious” attack on human life. “Sadly, the violent aggression against Ukraine does not stop, a senseless massacre where each day slaughter and atrocities are repeated,” the pope said March 20 after reciting the Angelus with visitors in St. Peter’s Square. “There is no justification for this!” he told an estimated 30,000 people who had come to the square to pray with him. The pope once again urged leaders to work together to put an end “to this repugnant war.”

Since Russia invaded Ukraine Feb. 24, missiles and bombs have continued to fall “on the elderly, children and pregnant mothers,” he said. “I went to see the wounded children here in Rome. One of them is missing an arm, the other has a head wound.” That happened to “innocent children,” he said. The pope had gone March 19 to the Vatican-owned Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital where some 50 Ukrainian children have been cared for since the war began. Initially, the Vatican said, most of the young patients were brought to Rome for treatment for cancer, neurological or other diseases. More recently, it said, the hospital has been caring for those injured in the war.

— Catholic News Service

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March 25, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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In Brief Pope promulgates Curia reform, emphasizing Church’s missionary nature VATICAN CITY — Nine years after taking office, Pope Francis promulgated his constitution reforming the Roman Curia, a project he began with his international Council of Cardinals shortly after taking office in 2013.

“Praedicate Evangelium” (“Preach the Gospel”), which was published only in Italian by the Vatican March 19, will go into effect June 5, the feast of Pentecost.

Merging some congregations and pontifical councils and raising the status of others – particularly the charitable office of the papal almoner – Pope Francis said he hoped the constitution would ensure that the offices of the Vatican fulfill their mission in helping promote the Church as a community of missionary disciples, sharing the Gospel and caring for all those in need. Part of that effort, he wrote, requires including more laypeople in Curia leadership positions.

“This new apostolic constitution proposes to better harmonize the present exercise of the Curia’s service with the path of evangelization that the Church, especially in this season, is living,” the pope wrote.

To emphasize the importance of the Church’s missionary nature, in the new constitution Pope Francis specified that he is the prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization; he will be assisted by a “pro-prefect” for “basic questions regarding evangelization in the world” and a “pro-prefect” for “the first evangelization and the new particular Churches,” those previously supported by the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

The new constitution specifies that a Vatican office led by a cardinal or archbishop has no more authority than one led by a layperson because all offices of the Roman Curia act in the name of the pope, said experts presenting the document.

“Whoever is in charge of a dicastery or other organism of the Curia does not have authority because of the hierarchical rank with which he is invested, but because of the power he receives from the Roman pontiff and exercises in his name,” said Jesuit Father Gianfranco Ghirlanda, the canon lawyer who helped draft the document.

Facing extreme hunger, South Sudanese loot aid convoys for food NAIROBI, Kenya — Church workers are concerned because increasingly desperate South Sudanese are looting humanitarian aid supplies and attacking aid workers in an effort to get food. Some leading causes of the food shortages are armed conflict and climate change.

While the violence resulting from the conflict has hurt livelihoods and caused deaths, climate change-induced floods have displaced families, swept away homes and farmlands. This has made it difficult for people to plant and harvest crops or replenish their food stocks. And now, as the communities race to find food, humanitarian aid workers are being caught in the crossfire, with some being killed and aid convoys, warehouses and medical teams being attacked or looted.

“Aid workers are losing their lives and their service on the way, as the aid is robbed or looted because the people are desperate,” said Father James Oyet Latansio, a Catholic priest who is general secretary of the South Sudan

Council of Churches. “They are not looting to go and sell the aid in the market, but to keep in their homes, so that they can eat.”

According to the U.N. World Food Program, an estimated 8.3 million people out of a population of 12.4 million will face extreme hunger in the coming months.

‘Never take peace for granted,’ say Northern Ireland archbishops ARMAGH, Northern Ireland — In a joint message for St. Patrick’s Day, the Catholic and Anglican archbishops of Armagh said the war in Ukraine is a lesson to Northern Ireland to “never take peace for granted” and “never give up on dialogue, the building of bridges, and mutual understanding across historical divides.”

Catholic Archbishop Eamon Martin and Anglican Archbishop John McDowell, whose dioceses straddle both sides of the Irish border, made their comments after they led the annual St. Patrick’s lecture organized by local borough councils. Armagh is where St. Patrick built a Church in the fifth century. Each year, the lecture offers insights on how the witness of St. Patrick speaks to the contemporary world.

This year’s lecture was March 16, the eve of St. Patrick’s Day, with the theme, “St. Patrick as a model for reconciliation and peace.”

The two churchmen appealed for an end to the “pointless massacre and pulverizing of the property, bodies and spirit of the Ukrainian people. What is happening today in Europe should help us learn lessons for our own peace process,” they stressed.

Speaking to Catholic News Service, Archbishop Martin said, “We have to learn here on this island from Ukraine about the importance of continuing progress in peace, dialogue and diplomacy. We should never take peace for granted.”

Ethiopian bishops reiterate call for peace in their country NAIROBI, Kenya — Catholic bishops in Ethiopia reiterated their call for peace and dialogue in the Horn of Africa country, as conflict in the northern region of Tigray threatens to trigger a famine. The bishops said they had never been silent about the war. They said the Church was delivering humanitarian aid in all conflict areas and followed all the professional and legal reports on the alleged human rights abuses linked to the conflict.

“The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia renews its appeal to all parties involved in the conflict in our country to drop their guns and start a genuine dialogue for the interest of the people,” said the March 8 bishops’ statement.

“The bishops also assure their prayers, their commitment to helping in all possible ways, together with all the stakeholders, to see peace is attained and reconciliation is reached.”

In November, Catholic Bishop Tesfasellasie Medhin of Adigrat asked the Ethiopian Catholic Church to end its silence about atrocities in Tigray and act as mother and shepherd of all peoples. In January, a group calling itself Tigray Diaspora Inter-Religious Council said it feared that some of the country’s religious leaders and institutions were increasing divisions and ethnic hatred, instead of calling for truth and reconciliation.

The war started in November 2020, after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, a Nobel Peace laureate, ordered a military strike against rebels over allegations that the region’s rulers had attacked a national army base.

Four sentenced for 2016 killing of French Father Jacques Hamel PARIS — A Paris court sentenced four men in connection with the 2016 killing of Father Jacques Hamel, giving them sentences ranging from eight years to life in prison. The harshest sentence was applied to Rachid Kassim, a recruiter for the Islamic State group, who was

not present at the trial.

Father Hamel was killed July 26, 2016, when two men stormed a church in Saint-Etienne-duRouvray near Rouen while he celebrated Mass.

After taking several hostages, the attackers slit Father Hamel’s throat and seriously injured another parishioner. Following a standoff, police killed the attackers, ending the hostage situation. The four men on trial accompanied the two killers.

During the trial, Jean-Philippe Steven JeanLouis, Farid Khelil and Yassine Sebaihia asked for forgiveness, but they were found guilty of criminal association with terrorists. The Associated Press reported that Kassim, who had already been sentenced to life in absentia in 2019 for having ordered a failed attack in Paris, is thought to have been killed in a 2017 drone strike in Iraq.

Nicaragua expels the Vatican ambassador MANAGUA, Nicaragua — The Vatican called Nicaragua’s expulsion of the Vatican ambassador “grave and unjustified” as the rift deepened between the Church and the government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega.

In a March 12 statement, the Vatican said

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the Nicaraguan government “has decided to withdraw the consent (welcome) for Archbishop Waldemar Stanislaw Sommertag, apostolic nuncio to Nicaragua since 2018, imposing him to leave the country immediately after notifying him of that measure.” The statement continued, “Such an order is incomprehensible since (Archbishop Sommertag) has worked tirelessly for the good of the Church and the Nicaraguan people,” which included serving as a witness in a national dialogue between the government and opposition and working to free political prisoners. “Convinced that this grave and unjustified decision does not reflect the sentiments of the deeply Christian people of Nicaragua, the Holy See wishes to reaffirm its full confidence in the pontifical representative.”

The expulsion of the nuncio highlights the difficulty of the Church-state relationship in Nicaragua, where the Catholic Church has sought reconciliation amid political turmoil and come under attack for offering support to political prisoners and their families.

Ortega’s government has branded Church leaders “coup mongers” and terrorists, while it suffocates civil society and stamps out all opposition.

The government offered no explanation for expelling the nuncio.

— Catholic News Service

Office Manager

Diocesan Properties Office The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte is currently accepting resumes for the position of “Office Manager” to work within the Diocesan Properties Office. The Office Manager will be required to perform a wide range of administrative and office support activities for the Office of Diocesan Properties to facilitate the productive and efficient operation of the department.

The Office Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining office procedures, communication protocols, streamlining administrative procedures, overseeing inventory control, and efficiently and effectively supporting all division leaders. The office manager shall be well organized, flexible, and professional in handling a wide range of administrative and executive support related tasks.

REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE: • Associates degree or greater in associated field preferred.

• 5+ years minimum related experience.

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

• Advanced level of proficiency in Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat Pro. • Strong knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

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

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

• Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills.

• Ability to work both independently and with a team.

• Must have a service oriented attitude that actively looks for ways to help others

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

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 25, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Jesuit Father John Michalowski

Rev. Dr. David M. Ramsey III

Communion, participation and mission: The fruit of the Mass

Celebrate your other date of birth

ope Francis and Bishop Peter Jugis have called on us to travel with them and with the Holy Spirit on a journey to grow as a Church in communion, participation and mission. This is the call of the Synod process that we have entered in the Church throughout the world. In fact, this is the journey that the Second Vatican Council called us to, as it reminded us that all are called to holiness and to bring the Gospel to all people and all places.

For too long, it was thought the call to holiness and to mission was something only for priests and religious, not for every member of the Body of Christ. Yet as St. John Paul II wrote in “Redemptoris Missio” more than 30 years ago, “missionary activity is a matter for all Christians, for all dioceses and parishes, Church institutions and associations.”

Jesus came to lead all people to salvation, and through the Holy Spirit He has entrusted us to continue His work in the world.

What has Christ given us to empower us to become the people who will live out this mission? I want to suggest that the Holy Spirit works in a special way through the Mass to form us in communion and participation so that we might go on mission to the world. Unfortunately, it is often too easy to be nearsighted in our understanding of the Mass. It is too easy in our culture of individualism to think of it as being about me and Jesus, about my listening to the Word and my receiving the Eucharist. Yes, I am in the parish congregation and the lectors, acolytes, deacon and priest are there, but they are serving me and my family, just as the religious educators are serving my children in a different way. If this is my understanding, I am missing what is most essential.

Christ is forming us together into the Body of Christ to continue His work in the world. Jesus is forming a “we” – a community of love and service.

The New Testament and the Fathers of the Church speak of Christians as a “koinonia” (Greek) or a “communio” (Latin) – a communion with Christ and with one another, bonded together with the bishops. The bond was both effected by and made manifest in Eucharistic communion among the churches throughout the world. We all are one body in Christ, joined together with all who are baptized into Christ – both the living and those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. We are one with those in heaven and those in purgatory, united as one in Christ.

The problem comes when we don’t discern the body, as St. Paul puts it in First Corinthians.

In the early Church, the Eucharist was part of a communal, agape meal. Unfortunately, the Corinthian community had divisions in which some came early and ate and drank, not waiting for the poor whose work kept them later. Often there was nothing left for them. This problem also showed up in the community of James, where the rich in their finery were given the best seats while the poor were told to stand or sit on the floor (James 2:1-9). In both cases, some in each community did not understand the communion that they shared. “For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Cor 11:29).

Communion unites us with Christ and with one another – not just during the particular Mass we partake in, but with all who gather around the

Eucharistic table. As St. John Paul II said, “A spirituality of communion also means an ability to think of our brothers and sisters in faith within the profound unity of the Mystical Body, and therefore as ‘those who are a part of me.’ This makes us able to share their joys and sufferings, to sense their desires and attend to their needs, to offer them deep and genuine friendship. A spirituality of communion implies also the ability to see what is positive in others. … A spirituality of communion means, finally, to know how to ‘make room’ for our brothers and sisters, bearing ‘each other’s burdens’ (Gal 6:2) and resisting the selfish temptations which constantly beset us and provoke competition, careerism, distrust and jealousy” (“Novo Millennio Ineunte,” 43).

To live out communion is our mission, so that the world might see and believe. May it be said about us, as was said about the early Christians: “See these Christians how they love one another.” Is this what is experienced in our parishes each Sunday? What is my contribution to the atmosphere of love? How do we make ours a welcoming parish? For example, do I resent it when other people sit in “my” pew? Are we aware of and helpful to the elderly, the disabled, and the families with little ones at Mass? Do we take it to heart when the priest at the beginning of Mass greets us with “The grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all”?

We are all called by grace into the communion of love. Since we are not so good at living out the communion of love, we pray together the Penitential Act and ask God for mercy. We then pray together the Gloria as a “people of good will.” We embody a people striving to be at peace with all, glorifying God by following Jesus, the Son of the Father, who through the Paschal Mystery makes us children of God and brothers and sisters to one another.

As we pray our “amens” throughout the Mass, we are asking that we become increasingly the people whom the Spirit is forming us to be.

We then encounter the Word of God in the Scriptures. This encounter is a call to our minds and hearts to grow in understanding, in communion, and in the charity that reaches beyond the walls of the church – into our everyday lives and into the life of the world. As we prepare to encounter Jesus in the Gospel, we sign our forehead, lips and heart and pray that the Word might take root in our understanding, pour forth from our lips, and move our hearts so that we might become the People of God at work in the world, living out our mission of reconciliation, charity and peace.

John’s Gospel proclaims that Jesus is the Word who is “the light of the human race.” By taking the Gospel into our hearts and lives, we allow His “grace and truth” to drive out the darkness in us so that we might bring His light into our world. We prefigure our mission in the Prayer of the Faithful as we pray for the Church and the world, for the needs of our community and our parish, and for the living and for the dead.

JESUIT FATHER JOHN MICHALOWSKI is the parochial vicar of St. Peter Church in Charlotte. This is the first of two commentaries on the Synod theme of “Communion, Participation and Mission.”

D

o you remember your birthday? Of course, your life really began the moment when those two cells, one from your father and one from your mother, came together in your mother’s womb. At that instant an individual unique in all eternity came into being – you. But do you remember the date of your birth?

You reply, “Yes, of course I know!” Well, OK, but there is more. I know you know the date your mother gave birth to you. That was your earthly birth, which was wonderful, but our earthly life is destined to have a finite end in time.

I am referring to an even more glorious birthday into a life that will never end. Do you remember the date of your other birthday? That was the day you were born into eternal life: the day of your baptism.

It is an even more important date for you to remember.

Over my years as a family physician, I helped nearly 600 women deliver their babies into the world. I can truly say that I looked on each baby I delivered in total amazement at the miracle he or she is.

As a medical scientist, I can’t fully explain God’s miraculous gift of life any more than, as a deacon, I can fully explain the Trinity.

I do know that, for each of those 600 unique human beings I delivered, their earthly life will eventually end. But through baptism, Our Lord gave us the opportunity for a life that will never end. “The Rite of Baptism for Children” proclaims this: “Baptism, the door to life and to the Kingdom of God … which Christ offered to all, that they might have eternal life.”

The reading at baptisms about Jesus and Nicodemus from John’s Gospel is my favorite. Jesus tells Nicodemus, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus replies, “How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” Jesus answers, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” Jesus gave us the example by having Himself baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Then Christ left us the grace of the sacrament of baptism with its formula at the end of Matthew’s Gospel: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

As a deacon who now performs baptisms, it is a distinct privilege and joy to again be assisting in the “delivery” of children – children of God. In writing this, a young girl of about 5 years old I baptized comes to mind. The parents had missed having her baptized as an infant. She was afraid of her head being in water, so they were reluctant of her having a potentially bad faith experience with water poured on her head by the deacon or priest during baptism. However, they brought her to me, and I talked with her and felt she would do fine. She was a trooper during the baptism, which was a blessed event.

Then, the following week at Mass, I saw her in my Communion line with her father. As they approached, she came forward all by herself, dropped down on her knees in front of me, folded her hands in prayer, and bowed her head for a blessing. I became so choked up with emotion that I had trouble verbalizing a blessing for her, but somehow managed it. Through her reverence for the Eucharist, she understood what baptism meant for her: she was now a child of God, part of the Mystical Body of Christ, and sharer in the inheritance of heaven.

So be sure you know the date of your other important birthday: your birth into eternal life through baptism. If you already know the date – or when you do – take a moment to reflect on what that profound moment in your life means for you. At the vigil Mass at Easter we renew our baptismal promises. It is an opportunity to give thanks for the miraculous gift of our earthly life. It is also a very special time to be thankful for our other gift of life, our birth through baptism into life with Christ. With our baptism came His incredible offer to live forever with Him, in the eternal Kingdom. Thanks be to God. REV. DR. DAVID M. RAMSEY III serves as deacon at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Franklin.

March 25, 2022 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI

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April Parker

Christ meets us where we are during Lent

W

hile recently having the pleasure of attending a confirmation retreat with the youth of our parish, I found myself being met by Jesus in unexpected ways.

Our LifeTeen organizers did a remarkable job of centering the whole weekend around the theme of being “sent.”

Each session was experienced through the lives of several key saints whom Jesus called from the most unlikely backgrounds to use in His mission to build a universal Church.

Over the course of the weekend, we explored the lives of St. Paul, St. John and

fact, Saul was responsible for condoning the stoning of St. Stephen. Christians feared Saul. But Jesus saw more. Jesus saw a passion and even a humility that could be redirected for the good of God’s Kingdom.

Christ has been meeting people where they are for centuries. Think of the Centurion, as well as the criminal crucified with Jesus, who were converted at the cross. Jesus met these men in their imperfection, in their daily job, and He pierced their reality.

God chose to meet the Israelites, His chosen people, where they were by coming to them in their slavery in Egypt. By sending His servants Moses and Aaron, God formed a covenant relationship with the people in ways they could connect with based on their time in bondage.

Think of Jonah, whom God met on a stormy sea as he was running away. Or Abraham, an old man with no children, whom God asked to count the stars as a demonstration of how numerous his descendants would be. Then there was David, whom God met in the field shepherding his sheep and called to battle.

This Lent, Jesus comes to us right where we are. Our pastor, Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio, once quoted a line in his homily that I have never forgotten: Christ doesn’t choose the qualified, he qualifies the chosen. The people He calls may not have the background or the credentials, but they have the heart.

On our retreat, so many students shared in their testimony that they had never heard God speak to them, but they wanted to. The teens seemed to be thirsty to know how to make the right decisions when faced with the temptations brought to them by their peers and social media. They wanted to meet Christ. They wanted to hear His voice.

Even though my own desire was nothing more than to stay in my own cozy home for the weekend, having just completed a very stressful week of work, God met me where I was on that Friday night after my arrival at the retreat. He renewed me and showed me how to speak to the young people in my breakout sessions. I could truly see each young woman in my group listening and soaking up my own testimony and advice as a Christian woman.

Where should Christ meet you today?

Would you like to give Him an open invitation? Many people struggle with not being able to hear or see God, but He is here. Christ is right here with you today in the mundane moments of your daily life.

He is right here with you in your stressful day or in your sadness, your fear, and even your “mountaintop moments.” Open up your heart today to the way Christ can meet you where you are right now. Listen and be patient. There it is: the quiet knock.

He is waiting for you just as you are.

‘Where should Christ meet you today? He is here, with you today in the moments of your daily life.’

St. Peter. Yet most of these men started in a very different place than the most holy apostles we remember in icons today. They came from lowly, uneducated backgrounds, some even from sinful lives of extortion and genocide. Remarkably, through the power of Jesus and the fortitude of the Holy Spirit, each man, cleansed of his past, became so much more.

St. Peter, who would become the rock of the Church, the first in an unbroken succession of Catholic popes, was a typical Jewish fisherman, most likely not well trained in Mosaic Law. Scripture tells us he could be impulsive and rash at times.

Jesus met him where he was on the banks of the Sea of Galilee after an all-night fishing excursion during which the crew had caught nothing. Peter, called Simon at the time, was tired, drained and had no patience for Jesus. Yet the first thing that Jesus asked of Peter was, in fact, patience and a willingness to listen. Jesus sent Peter back out in his small craft, instructing him to cast his nets once more. The resulting miracle won Peter’s heart and service to Christ for the rest of his life.

Similarly, St. Paul, known at the time as Saul, was going through life doing what he thought was God’s calling when he was literally knocked off his horse and blinded

by Jesus. Before his conversion, Saul, a Jewish Pharisee, spent his days going from town to town persecuting Christians. In

APRIL PARKER is a teacher and curriculum director at St. Pius X Parish in Greensboro.

Letter to the editor

Thank you for Ukraine coverage Thank you for the all the articles on Ukraine in the March 11 edition of the Catholic News Herald. As someone who grew up during the Cold War, when I was asked what my heritage is and I responded that I was 50 percent Ukrainian, I was literally asked, “What is that?” So these are unsettling times for my family. I do not want to see an entire

culture lose its identity – again. It is nice to know that so many people of different cultures are praying for them. And rather than pray for something bad happen to Putin, I am praying that he have a “Saul to Paul” moment and stop the war.

DIANA PATULAK ROSS lives in Charlotte.

Most-read stories on the web

‘Let’s not get used to war and violence. Let’s not tire of welcoming them with generosity, as we are doing.’

Pope Francis

From online story: “Pope: ‘There is no justification’ for ‘sacrilegious’ war on Ukraine” Through press time on March 23, 17,736 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of 26,417 pages. The top headlines in March so far have been: n Charlotte diocese to join pope in consecrating Ukraine, Russia to Mary................................ 634 n View the current print edition of the Catholic News Herald.........................................................553 n El Tercer Secreto de Fátima...................................................................................................................472 n Pilgrim image of Mary to visit 100-plus sites across diocese this year....................................385 n Special events planned for St. Patrick’s Day, March 17..................................................................337 n Community rallies after loss of Catholic Charities’ volunteer, Afghan refugee......................282 n ‘It’s a time of grace we begin today’....................................................................................................273

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catholicnewsherald.com | March 25, 2022 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Where are you going?

QUO VADIS DAYS 2022

June 13 -17, 2022 Belmont Abbey College Retreat is open to young men 15 thru 19 years old Registration Opens April 25 A camp for Catholic men to learn more about the priesthood, deepen their faith, and help discern God’s call in their lives.

www.charlottevocations.org

PHOTO BY : Anina Puccio.