DSA pledges outpace goal at halfway mark

SPENCER K.M. BROWN skmbrown@charlottediocese.org

Train to be a sidewalk advocate and help women choose life

CHARLOTTE — Are you interested in a peaceful, prayerful method of reaching out to women and men entering the local abortion facility and helping them to choose life? If so, Sidewalk Advocates for Life might be for you. This new “sidewalk counseling” program uses a compassionate, woman-oriented method to save lives and help women in unplanned pregnancies by offering them life-affirming options. If you would like to learn this method and check out our program, please join this training. Register online at www. charlottediocese.org/sidewalk-advocates-forlife-counseling-training. The $20 fee will cover lunch and training materials. Learn more about Sidewalk Advocates for Life: www.sidewalkadvocates.org. Questions? Contact prolifesignup@gmail.com.

Living Waters announces autumn mountain retreat

MAGGIE VALLEY — Seek personal transformation by the effective instruments of divine encounter in “Sacramental Life,” an informative, prayerful retreat amid beautiful fall foliage at Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center in Maggie Valley, west of Asheville. The weekend retreat is led by Michael Coyle, who holds a theology degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville and has been enthusiastically teaching religious education for 40 years. Held Oct. 20-22, the retreat cost is $215 per individual or $285 per married couple, which includes two nights lodging and five meals, as well as the Saturday Vigil Mass. Register with a $25 paid deposit by Sept. 22 at www.catholicretreat.org.

N.C. Columbiettes unite to help mothers and children

CHARLOTTE — Each year, the North Carolina State Council Columbiettes sponsor the Mother’s Coin Jar program to collect spare change from its members across the state. This year, the total amount collected was $7,094.41. Catholic Charities of the Dioceses of Raleigh and Charlotte each received $3,547.21 to help mothers and children in need.

The Columbiettes held their 24th annual state convention May 5-6 at the Embassy Suites in Greensboro. Columbiettes and Knights of Columbus from North Carolina gathered together to conduct a business meeting and engage in fun and fellowship. Newly elected state officers are President Teresa Laraia from Father James E. Waters (Wilmington), past state President Maggie Herbstritt from Bishop Greco (Clemmons), Vice President Kathy Thomas from Bishop Greco (Clemmons), Secretary Patti Dmuchowski from Holy Cross (Kernersville), Financial Secretary Mary Couvillon from Our Lady of the Rosary (Shalotte), Treasurer Maggie Muelker from Holy Cross (Kernersville), Advocate Marg Young from Sons of Mother Seton (Fayetteville), and Sentinel Elaine DuPree from St. Raphael the Archangel (Raleigh).

— Catholic News Herald

CHARLOTTE — Contributions to the Diocese of Charlotte’s annual charitable effort, the Diocesan Support Appeal, have reached 81 percent of the $6.5 million goal halfway through the yearlong campaign.

Today’s rising costs for food, fuel and other essentials create a greater demand for assistance. Recognizing the need, donors are stepping up to contribute to the DSA –so far giving $5.2 million with six months remaining to reach, or surpass, the goal.

The theme of the 2023 Diocesan Support Appeal, “To Serve is to Love,” implores Catholics to help thousands of people in need across the Charlotte diocese. Inspired by Philippians 2:5-9, people are called to follow Christ’s example of humbly regarding others as more important than themselves and to serve one another with love and compassion.

Bishop Jugis reminds the faithful, “The annual Diocesan Support Appeal is motivated by Jesus’ command to love one another as He loves us. ‘To Serve is to Love’ calls us to help others through charity, kindness, and humility. It calls us to be inspired by the teachings of our Catholic faith.”

The DSA campaign funds more than 50 ministries and programs that serve thousands of people across western North Carolina.

The DSA is a significant funding source for Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte for its counseling, food pantries, pregnancy support, refugee resettlement, elder ministry and other programs. Catholic Charities receives 30 percent of the total DSA funds raised in the campaign.

Another 30 percent of funding supports the programs and ministries of the Education Vicariate, such as faith formation, youth and young adult ministries, and Totus Tuus summer camps.

The DSA also supports the Education Vicariate’s Campus Ministry program, which continues to grow and evangelize college students at campuses across the diocese. In a sign of that growth, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish recently expanded its campus center to serve more students at nearby University of North Carolina-Charlotte.

The DSA also provides funding for the diocese’s Family Life office and the annual Eucharistic Congress (7 percent); Hispanic Ministry and African American Affairs Ministry (13 percent); and the diocese’s Vocations programs (12 percent), which include seminarian education and the permanent deacons program.

Campaign administrative costs are projected to be 7 percent.

Parishioners in all 92 parishes and missions help fund the DSA. Through their contributions, they are able to join together to raise the funds to serve more people in need – having a combined impact that no one person or parish can achieve individually.

Give online to the DSA

At www.charlottediocese.org/dsa : Make a donation securely online to support this year’s DSA. Pledges must be paid by Dec. 31.