5things you need to know this week

from March 31, 2023

Our world Bishop Álvarez proved alive as he appears in staged TV interview

MAKE THAT ANNUAL CONFESSION

Just a friendly reminder that the Catechism of the Catholic Church #1457 instructs us that “each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” Need help discerning what to confess? Go online to www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/ sacraments-and-sacramentals/penance/ examinations-of-conscience

TRY AN APP TO PRAY THROUGH HOLY WEEK

Go deeper in prayer in the days leading up to Easter with the Hallow app. This Catholic prayer app offers audio-guided meditation sessions to help us grow in our faith and spiritual lives and find peace in God. Take advantage of the free trial during Holy Week at www.apps.apple.com/ us/app/hallow-prayer-meditation/id

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GET YOUR EASTER BASKETS BLESSED

Staff

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Annie Ferguson

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SueAnn Howell

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Troy C. Hull

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An Eastern and Central European tradition of blessing your Easter Food baskets is a fun tradition to start! St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte and parishes around the diocese are encouraging the faithful to bring traditional foods such as sausages, eggs and bread – as well as that Easter ham and baskets of Easter candy – for a blessing on Holy Saturday, April 8. Go online to www. stacharlotte.com, or www. charlottediocese.org to find a parish near you.

Diocesan calendar of events

ESPAÑOL

VIÑEDO DE RAQUEL: ¿Es usted o un ser querido que busca la curación de los efectos de un aborto anterior? Los retiros de fin de semana son ofrecidos por Caridades Católicas para hombres y mujeres en todas las regiones de la Diócesis de Charlotte. Para obtener información sobre los próximos retiros, incluidos retiros en las diócesis vecinas, comuníquese con Karina Hernández: 336267-1937 o karinahernandez@live.com.

VIGILIA DE ADORACIÓN: 6 p.m. los jueves, en la Catedral San Patricio, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. Nos reunimos para una Vigilia de Adoración por la Paz y la Justicia en Nicaragua, que en estos últimos meses están pasando por momentos turbulentos y ataques físicos contra la Iglesia Católica, sus templos, y sus Obispos. Todos son bienvenidos a unirse a la Adoración, rezar el Santo Rosario, la hora santa de reparación, y terminando con la oración de exorcismo de San Miguel Arcángel.

Prayer Services

BLESSING OF EASTER BASKETS AT ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH: 1 p.m. Holy Saturday, April 8. This Eastern and Central European tradition is also called “The Blessing of the Easter Baskets,” (or “Swieconka” in the Polish) and will last about 30 minutes. This tradition has become popular among all Catholics. The blessings will be in both English and Polish. Traditional foods, such as sausages, eggs, bread, and butter in the shape of a lamb are brought to the church, neatly arranged in a basket. However, every person of any nationality is invited to use their imagination and include their own national foods. Children can even bring their own baskets with their own treats, including chocolate and Easter candy. St. Thomas Aquinas Church is located at 1400 Suther Road in Charlotte. Contact Deacon James Witulski with any questions at 704-960-3704.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 16, St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte. Veneration of the Divine Mercy image, praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet,

ELEVATE THOSE EASTER LEFTOVERS

We’ve all done it. We’ve cooked enough for an army, and even after a couple of helpings on Easter Sunday, there’s still plenty of food left over. Find delicious recipes to make that Easter ham and other goodies taste even better on Easter Monday at www.allrecipes.com/ recipes/1880/holidays-and-events/easter/leftovers

NEW FILM ON POPE FRANCIS HITS THEATERS

A new documentary on Pope Francis’ pontificate, “In Viaggio: The Travels of Pope Francis,” hits theaters March 31. The film (screenshot pictured above) gives an inside look at the pope’s travels over the past 10 years. The film is also available via online streaming platforms. Go to www.magpictures.com/inviaggio for details.

— SueAnn Howell

veneration and blessing by a first-class relic of St. Faustina Kowalska, and benediction are included. Following the hour, Cenacles of Divine Mercy invite all to the New Life Center Banquet Room for a reception. Details: www.stmatthewcatholic. org/divine-mercy-sunday.

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

HOLY APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST

LUKE MISSION (UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH) : Divine Liturgy (Mass) at 3 p.m. Sundays at St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden. For details, email ucmcanton@gmail.com.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING

PROTECTING CHILDREN: Protecting God’s Children (Protegiendo a los Niños de Dios) workshops educate parish volunteers to recognize and prevent child sexual abuse. For details, contact your parish office. To register for online training, go to www. virtus.org. Upcoming workshops:

MOCKSVILLE: Noon Sunday, April 23, St. Francis of Assisi Church , 862 Yadkinville Road (en Español)