Aug. 18, 2023

At a glance

AUGUST 18, 2023

Volume 32 • NUMBER 23

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

704-370-3333

PUBLISHER

The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis Bishop of Charlotte

INDEX

Contact us 2 Español 16-21

Our Diocese 4-11

Our Faith 3

Our Schools 12

Scripture 3, 21

U.S. news 22-23

Viewpoints 26-27

World news 24-25

CATHOLIC ALL WEEK

Timely tips for blending faith & life

LateAugust feast days highlight the power of prayer in all circumstances. From St. Monica and St. Augustine to St. Pius X and Our Lady of Knock, here are a few ways to tap into this grace as we prepare for a busy fall season.

BRINGING UP ST. PIUS X

Parental prayer and sacrifice also played a major role in the life of St. Pius X. Born into a devout but poor family in 1835, Joseph Sarto knew he wanted to be a priest from a young age. Not knowing where the money for his studies would come from, his mother, Margherita Sanson, prayed and sacrificed for her son even as she was left to care for nine children after her husband’s death. By providence young Joseph earned a scholarship to the seminary and was ordained in 1858. Throughout his ministry, including his 11-year pontificate, he remained a humble country priest at heart who believed in the power of prayer coupled with action as he combated modernism, addressed social issues, promoted love for the Blessed Sacrament, and performed great acts of charity. In honor of his Aug. 21 feast day, pray for the intercession of this saintly pope at home or at the church in Greensboro dedicated to him.

STAFF

EDITOR: Spencer K. M. Brown

704-808-4528, skmbrown@charlottediocese.org

ADVERTISING MANAGER: Kevin Eagan

704-370-3332, keeagan@charlottediocese.org

HISPANIC MEDIA MANAGER: César Hurtado

704-370-3375, rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

MULTIMEDIA DESIGNER: David Puckett

704-808-4521, dwpuckett@charlottediocese.org

EDITORIAL TEAM: Kimberly Bender

704-370-3394, kdbender@charlottediocese.org

Annie Ferguson

704-370-3404, arferguson@charlottediocese.org

Troy C. Hull

704-370-3288, tchull@charlottediocese.org

COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Erika Robinson

704-370-3333, catholicnews@charlottediocese.org

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Liz Chandler

704-370-3336, lchandler@charlottediocese.org

ASSISTANT COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle

704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org

THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte 26 times a year.

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JOIN ‘MILLIONS OF MONICAS’ IN THE TRIAD

St. Monica is known for her ardent and unceasing prayers for her son who, for many years, lived a debaucherous life while espousing beliefs opposing the Catholic faith. After seemingly endless pleas to God, St. Monica’s prayers were miraculously answered. Not only did her son return to the faith, but he also became a priest, bishop, saint and Doctor of the Church. Do you have a child who has left the Church or needs to be strengthened in the faith? Begin or renew your prayers in honor of the Aug. 27 and 28 feast days of St. Monica and St. Augustine. Join “Millions of Monicas” for an hour of guided prayer every Monday at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Greensboro, where dozens of women have found solace through prayer and the realization that they aren’t alone in their concern for their children’s souls. As the only “Millions of Monicas” group in the state, the Triad chapter is holding an open house at 5:45 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, in St. Paul the Apostle’s parish hall prior to the group’s weekly scheduled prayer from 7 to 8 p.m. Mondays in the church. For more information, email triadmillionsofmonicas@gmail.com.

Diocesan calendar of events

ESPAÑOL

VIÑEDO DE RAQUEL: ¿Usted o un ser querido busca la sanación de los efectos de un aborto previo? Los retiros de fin de semana para hombres y mujeres son ofrecidos por Caridades Católicas en todas las regiones de la Diócesis de Charlotte. Para obtener información comuníquese con Karina Hernández: 336-267-1937 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 está 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, para concluir con la oración de exorcismo de San Miguel Arcángel.

KNOCK – THE DOOR SHALL BE OPENED

Many believe the most powerful prayer on earth played a role in Mary’s appearance with St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist in Knock, Ireland, on Aug. 21, 1879. Before this, Father Bartholomew Cavanagh, the parish priest, pledged he’d say 100 Masses for the souls in purgatory. He offered the last of these 100 Masses just days before the Marian apparition occurred. By 1880, Father Cavanagh recorded 300 cures credited to Mary. Looking for some heavenly help for departed loved ones? Seek Our Lady of Knock’s intercession this Aug. 21 by requesting a Mass enrollment at the Knock shrine.

— Annie Ferguson

Tuesday, Aug. 22, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte. Eight days of Masses and preaching in honor of Mary with priests from the Diocese of Charlotte and beyond. All Masses begin at 7 p.m. except Saturday, Aug. 19, which starts at 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 20, which starts at 5 p.m. For details, call the parish office at 704-549-1607.

POLISH MASS : 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte. Polish Father Michal Szwarc of New Jersey will celebrate, with Deacon James Witulski assisting. Mass offered in Polish, with an English and Polish homily and traditional Polish hymns. Confessions in Polish and English at 1 p.m. After Mass, venerate a relic of St. John Paul II. Reception with light refreshments will follow.For details, contact Mary Witulski at 704-290-6012.

ST. PEREGRINE HEALING PRAYER : 6-7 p.m. second Thursday of each month in the New Life Center Building adjacent to St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., Charlotte.

His Excellency, Bishop Peter J. Jugis, will participate in the following upcoming events:

AUG. 18 – 6:30 P.M.

Mass for the Feast of St. Helena for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre

St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

AUG. 31 – 12 P.M.

Foundation Board Meeting

Pastoral Center, Charlotte

St. Augustine and his mother, St. Monica

St. Pius X

A mosaic at the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock in Ireland

Our faith

The day Mary was assumed into heaven

On Aug. 15 Catholics and many other Christians celebrate the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This significant feast day recalls the physical departure of the mother of Jesus from the earth, when both her soul and her body were taken into the presence of God.

Pope Pius XII confirmed this belief about the Virgin Mary as the perennial teaching of the Church when he defined it formally as a dogma of Catholic faith in 1950, invoking papal infallibility to proclaim “that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”

His apostolic constitution “Munificentissimus Deus” (“Most Bountiful God”), which affirmed the dogma, contained the pope’s accounts of many long-standing traditions by which the Church has celebrated Mary’s Assumption throughout its history.

The constitution also cited testimonies from the early Church fathers on the subject, and described the history of theological reflection on many biblical passages that are seen as indicating that Mary was assumed into heaven following her death.

Although the bodily assumption of Mary is not explicitly recorded in Scripture, Catholic tradition identifies her with the “woman clothed with the sun” who is described in the 12th chapter of the Book of Revelation.

The passage calls that woman’s appearance “a great sign” that “appeared in heaven,” indicating that she is the mother of the Jewish Messiah and has “the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” Accordingly, Catholic iconography of the Western tradition often depicts Mary’s Assumption into heaven in this manner.

Eastern Christians have also traditionally held Mary’s assumption into heaven as an essential component of their faith. Pius XII cited several early Byzantine liturgical texts – as well as writings by St. John of Damascus, the eighth-century Christian theologian, monk and Doctor of the Church – in his own authoritative definition of her Assumption.

“It was fitting,” St. John of Damascus wrote in a sermon on the Assumption, “that she, who had kept her virginity intact in childbirth, should keep her own body free from all corruption even after death,” and “that she, who had carried the creator as a child at her breast, should dwell in the divine tabernacles.”

In Eastern Christian tradition, the same feast is celebrated on the same calendar date, although typically it is known as the Dormition (“falling asleep”) of Mary. Eastern Catholic celebration of the Dormition is preceded by a two-week period of fasting similar to Lent. Pius XII, in “Munificentissimus Deus,” mentioned this same fasting period as belonging to the traditional patrimony of Western Christians as well.

— Catholic News Agency

Pope Francis

‘Ask yourself: Am I capable of praise?’

On the feast of Mary’s assumption into heaven, Pope Francis entrusted to her people’s prayers for peace, especially in Ukraine.

“The din of weapons drowns out attempts at dialogue,” the pope told an estimated 10,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square Aug. 15 to pray the Angelus with him.

“The law of force prevails over the force of law” and respect for human rights, “but we must not be discouraged,” the pope said. “Let’s continue to hope and pray because it is God, it is He who guides history. May He hear us.”

While the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Mary’s assumption, body and soul, into heaven, the day’s Gospel reading focused the Visitation, Mary’s decision to rush to visit her cousin Elizabeth when she heard the older woman also was expecting. The passage also includes the Magnificat, when Mary praises the greatness of God and all He has done for her.

“Mary ascends, and the word of God reveals to us what characterized her as she does so: service to her neighbor and praise to God,” Pope Francis told people in the square.

“In other words, Jesus and Mary travel the same road: two lives that ascend upward, glorifying God and serving their brothers and sisters,” the pope said.

Mary’s journey from Nazareth to visit Elizabeth was not short, the pope said. Serving others has a price, which everyone experiences “in the effort, the patience and the worry that taking care of another brings,” whether it is traveling for work to support one’s family or sleepless nights caring for a newborn or volunteering to care for those who can offer nothing in return.

“It is tiring, but it is ascending upward, it is earning heaven,” Pope Francis said.

The Gospel also makes clear how praise – especially of God but also of others –changes the quality of one’s actions and one’s life, he said.

Daily Scripture readings

AUG. 20-26

Sunday: Isaiah 56:1, 6-7, Romans 11:1315, 29-32, Matthew 15:21-28; Monday (St. Pius X): Judges 2:11-19, Matthew 19:16-22; Tuesday (The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary): Judges 6:11-24a, Matthew 19:23-30; Wednesday (St. Rose of Lima): Judges 9:6-15, Matthew 20:1-16; Thursday (St. Bartholomew): Revelation 21:9b-14, John 1:45-51; Friday (St. Louis, St. Joseph Calasanz): Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22, Matthew 22:34-40; Saturday: Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11, 4:13-17, Matthew 23:1-12

AUG. 27-SEPT. 2

Sunday: Isaiah 22:19-23, Romans 11:33-36, Matthew 16:13-20; Monday (St. Augustine): 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8b-10, Matthew 23:1322; Tuesday (The Passion of St. John the Baptist): 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Mark 6:17-29;

Wednesday: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:27-32; Thursday: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13, Matthew 24:42-51; Friday: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, Matthew 25:1-13; Saturday: 1

Thessalonians 4:9-11, Matthew 25:14-30

SEPT. 3-9

Sunday: Jeremiah 20:7-9, Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 16:21-27; Monday: 1

Thessalonians 4:13-18, Luke 4:16-30; Tuesday:

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11, Luke 4:31-37;

Wednesday: Colossians 1:1-8, Luke 4:38-44;

Thursday: Colossians 1:9-14, Luke 5:1-11;

Friday (The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary): Micah 5:1-4a, Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23;

Saturday (St. Peter Claver): Colossians 1:2123, Luke 6:1-5

“Praise increases joy. Praise is like a ladder: it leads hearts upward,” he said. “Praise elevates souls and defeats the temptation to give up.”

“Haven’t you seen how boring people, those who live on gossip, are incapable of praise,” the pope asked the crowd.

“Ask yourself: Am I capable of praise?” he suggested. “How good it is to praise God every day, and others, too! How good it is to live in gratitude and blessing instead of regrets and complaints, to raise our gaze upward instead of keeping a long face!”

“Assumption of the Virgin” (1605-1608) by Orazio Gentileschi

Our diocese

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief

Best-selling author, convert to speak at St. Leo Church

WINSTON-SALEM — To kick off its fall lecture series, St. Leo the Great Parish will host Roy Schoeman, acclaimed Catholic author of “Salvation is from the Jews: The Role of Judaism in Salvation History” and “Honey from the Rock: Sixteen Jews Find the Sweetness of Christ.”

The free public event starts at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, in the parish activity center. St. Leo the Great is located at 333 Springdale Ave. in Winston-Salem.

Schoeman’s lecture will weave together his witness testimony and the supernatural experiences that led him to the Church with a discussion of the role of Judaism in salvation history, as illumined by Catholic doctrine.

Schoeman was born and raised Jewish by parents who had fled Nazi Germany. Growing up he received a thorough Jewish education, followed by a bachelor’s degree from MIT and an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he then joined the faculty as a marketing professor. While there, he says he had two supernatural experiences – one of Christ and one of the Blessed Virgin Mary – that resulted in his conversion to Catholicism. Now he writes, speaks and teaches on Catholic theology, focusing on the relationship between Judaism and the Catholic Church. He has written two best-selling books published by Ignatius Press, taught theology at Ave Maria University and Holy Apostles College and Seminary, hosts a weekly Catholic radio show on Radio Maria, has a daily internet livestream, and appears frequently on EWTN.

— Catholic News Herald

St. George Trek applications open

Applications are now being accepted from Scouts interested in participating in the 2024 St. George Trek at Philmont Scout Ranch. St. George is the patron saint of Catholic Scouting and the inspiration for Catholic Scouting’s high adventure program for Scouts aged 15 to 18.

Every two years, approximately 70 Scouts from dioceses across the country are chosen for this 11-day challenge. Led by selected priests, religious and seminarian advisors from around the country, St. George Trek participants experience spirituality, faith, scripture and the sacraments in a spectacular setting.

The Charlotte Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting has traditionally sponsored two scouts to attend the St. George Trek, paying Trek fees assessed by Philmont ($1,575 per scout), which include ground transportation, overnight lodging and food in Albuquerque, and Philmont fees paid to BSA. Participants are responsible for airfare to/from Albuquerque, and all personal gear and incidentals.

An all-female crew is planned pending sufficient female registration. This trek is not co-ed.

For details and to apply, contact Mike Nielsen at mnielsen@carolina.rr.com by Oct. 1.

‘God is truly alive’

Local youth make pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Portugal

SPENCER K.M. BROWN & CÉSAR HURTADO Catholic News Herald

CHARLOTTE — Alongside an estimated 1.5 million others from across the globe, young people from five parishes in the Diocese of Charlotte made the pilgrimage to Lisbon, Portugal, last week for World Youth Day 2023.

Groups from St. James in Concord, St. Joseph in Kannapolis, St. Mary’s in Greensboro, and St. Basil the Great Eastern Catholic and Our Lady of Guadalupe in Charlotte were all in attendance for the historical event. They were among 30,000 pilgrims from the United States.

“It was an eye-opening experience to see all the young people from different countries showing their love and devotion for Christ,” said Vicente Capistrano, a youth leader at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. “I especially loved hearing prayers that I know in Spanish and English in different languages like Portuguese, Slovak, French and Italian. I’ll never forget how beautiful it was! You could see the sky with all the

different flags from all over the world. God is truly alive.”

Every four years, young people from myriad nations gather for World Youth Day, a week-long experience to deepen their faith, witness the universality of the Catholic Church, and commit their lives to Christ beside hundreds of thousands of like-minded peers. Since the first World Youth Day in Rome in 1986, started by then-Pope John Paul II, millions of youth continue to gather and share their love of Christ.

During his homily at this year’s closing Mass, Pope Francis said, “Let’s all repeat this phrase in our hearts: ‘Don’t be afraid.’ Jesus knows the hearts of each one of you, the successes and the failures. He knows your hearts,” Pope Francis said. “And today He tells you, here in Lisbon for this World Youth Day: ‘Don’t be afraid.’”

Twenty-five young people from St. James the Greater Parish in Concord who attended World Youth Day were inspired by the pope’s words. To get to Lisbon, for months they had worked organizing bake sales, raffles and other fundraisers.

“The Lord brought us there for one reason: to praise and share His name with others,” said youth group member Angel Vásquez, 18.

The most valuable part of the experience? “Sharing in our faith and love of Christ with so many young people around the world,” Vásquez said.

“We could feel the love of God.”

For fellow youth group member Aracely Castro, 22, this was her second World Youth Day – and it was just as amazing an experience for her as the first one.

As a young adult, “one gets distracted by what happens in life, at work, at school,” Castro said. That makes it difficult for a young person to surrender to God’s plans.

“But when I arrived in Lisbon and let everything go away, I gave myself over completely and I felt an immense peace, as if God had stayed with me,” she said.

“I was able to find myself – to find Jesus within me – and I understood how He works and continues to work within my life.”

The next World Youth Day will be held in Seoul, South Korea, in 2027.

PHOTOS PROVIDED Young people from St. James Parish in Concord and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Charlotte hold up flags of their home countries in Lisbon, Portugal, for World Youth Day. In a tradition of the week-long event, pilgrims represent their native lands as they come together, showing the true universality of the Catholic Church.

Schoeman

Brief

After a powerful homily and solemn Mass, St. Joseph College Seminary welcomed its latest class of students.

The incoming class includes (from left): Patrick Gallagher, Andrew Scott, Charles McCormick, Matthew Sie, Michael Herman, Said Rangel Landeros, John Paul Felder and Peter Andress. Behind them are the seminary’s clergy: Father Brian Becker, Father John Putnam, Father Matthew Kauth (rector), and Father Matthew Buettner.

St. Joseph College Seminary welcomes eight new men

SPENCER K.M. BROWN skmbrown@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — St. Joseph College Seminary welcomed eight young men to its latest class during a Mass Aug. 6 at St. Ann Church. With this addition, total enrollment in the Diocese of Charlotte’s vocations program stands at a record number of 51 men in various stages of formation for the priesthood.

The group – called the eighth or “Hotel class”(“H” being the eighth letter of the alphabet) – brings the total at the college seminary to 21 men who are discerning a call to the priesthood while pursuing undergraduate studies in philosophy at nearby Belmont Abbey College.

The 2023-’24 class includes: Patrick Gallagher, Andrew Scott, Charles McCormick, Matthew Sie, Michael Herman, Said Rangel Landeros, John Paul Felder and Peter Andress.

In his homily, the college seminary’s rector, Father Matthew Kauth, drew a connection between the day’s Feast of the Transfiguration and the young men discerning vocations to the priesthood.

“Our Lord is constantly telling the apostles, ‘Don’t be afraid’ … You should be, because I am God, but I’m giving you the confidence not to be,’” Father Kauth said.

He said the Gospels repeatedly describe important moments of revelation – such as during the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor, when Thomas sees the Risen Jesus in the Upper Room, or

when the angel comes to St. Joseph — as being met with the same words: “Do not be afraid.”

“And so, are you afraid?” Father Kauth asked the eight young men sitting before him. “A little bit? You should be, but that’s OK. But be afraid for the right reasons. Don’t be afraid of the people who think you’re going to lose. Don’t be afraid for the persons you are leaving behind. Don’t be afraid that you’re not smart enough.”

Perhaps sensing the usual nerves and anxiousness that accompanies such a day, Father Kauth reminded the men, “You are sitting here today because you have mastered a different kind of fear, because you desire to see God. Your desire to see Him outweighs the fearful path.”

“And so as you begin this path, and when that fear comes again, as every year I will hear someone say, ‘I don’t belong,’ you must tamp down that fear,” Father Kauth told them. “You only belong anywhere because He has placed you there. Remember to give it time. Be courageous in the face of fear. He will show you the way and each day you will see a little more. So, like the apostles, keep your eyes wide for all you will be shown.”

After Mass, the new seminarians moved into their rooms and met their fellow seminarians after orientation at the college seminary in Mount Holly.

Enrollment in the diocese’s 2023-’24 vocations program also includes 29 men who are studying in major seminary in Ohio and one who is taking a pastoral year of service.

Annual Polish Mass to be offered Aug. 27

CHARLOTTE — All are welcome to attend the 12th annual diocesan Polish Mass in honor of Our Lady of Czestochowa, St. John Paul II and St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, to be offered at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church.

Polish Father Rev. Michal Szwarc of New Jersey will be celebrant and Deacon James Witulski will assist.

The Mass will be in Polish, with the homily given in both English and Polish, and it will fulfill the Sunday obligation. Confessions in Polish and English will be heard beginning at 1 p.m. A Polish choir will provide traditional hymns.

After the Mass, the faithful will have the

opportunity to venerate a first-class relic of St. John Paul II: a drop of his blood on a fragment of his cassock from the day he was shot in 1981.

Traditional native Polish attire is encouraged for those who desire. A reception with light refreshments will be held after Mass. Donations for the reception are appreciated and can be dropped off before Mass at Aquinas Hall, across the courtyard from the church. St. Thomas Aquinas Church is located at 1400 Suther Road in Charlotte. For details, call Mary Witulski at 704-2906012.

— Catholic News Herald

Our Lady’s Rosary Makers hold fundraiser for missions

WAYNESVILLE — Our Lady’s Rosary Makers held its annual fundraiser in conjunction with St. John the Evangelist Parish’s annual festival July 29. Under the guidance of pastor Father Paul McNulty and group leader Carol Kielb, handmade rosaries were offered for a donation to support the purchase of beads and other supplies. Rosary Makers take beads and weave handmade cord rosaries for missions. So far, more than 7.000 free rosaries have been sent to missions.

Another opportunity to support Our Lady’s Rosary Makers will be Oct. 1 at St. John Parish, just in time for October celebrations of Our Blessed Mother. There will be many original pieces available at the parish, including glass, stone and wood bead rosaries, rosary brackets, pocket rosaries and more.

—

Carol Kielb and Lynn Jefferys

Marion parish hosts adoption baby shower to support mothers in need

MARION — After nine months of daily prayer for children in danger of abortion, Our Lady of the Angels Parish hosted a Spiritual Adoption Baby Shower for the McDowell Pregnancy Care Center.

Father Carl Kaltreider and parishioners collected baby supplies including clothes, diapers, wipes, food, formula and bottles to help meet the local pregnancy support ministry’s needs.

Glen and Carole Keller, representatives of the Our Lady of the Angels pro-life ministry, were greeted with smiles and excitement as they delivered a carload of baby supplies and monetary donations to MPCC afterwards. “We are so grateful,” says Denise McCormick, director of MPCC. “These items will be passed along to our well-deserving clients.”

According to MPCC staff, the center is the busiest it has ever been since opening its doors just over 20 years ago. Its mission is to offer help and hope to families facing an unplanned pregnancy and to walk alongside families during their parenting journey. All of their services are free and confidential.

“My wife and I learned about the pregnancy center about this time last year,” says Keller. “We went by the center, took a tour, met the staff, asked questions, and immediately felt compelled to help. We just can’t imagine that people wouldn’t want to be advocates for children and be a voice for the unborn. We are called to make a difference, and this is one way we can do that.”

— Neil Schunke

PHOTO PROVIDED BY FREDRIK AKERBLOM

FILE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Children dressed in traditional Polish garb for the special Polish Mass in 2019 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte. The annual Mass is a way for Polish immigrants and people of Polish descent to celebrate their heritage, and share it with others.

Charlotte-area Catholics invited to join Knights of Peter Claver

CHARLOTTE — The Church’s largest and oldest Black Catholic lay-led organization is putting down roots in Charlotte.

The Knights of Peter Claver, an international Catholic fraternal service order founded in 1909, has created a charter to form a new unit in Charlotte.

Council 411 (for men) and Court 411 (for women) for the Charlotte region will be based out of Our Lady of Consolation Parish, and its spiritual advisor is pastor Father Basile Sede.

Over the coming weeks, Catholics across the Charlotte region are invited to apply for membership. While the organization has Black Catholic roots, people of all races and ethnicities are welcome. It also invites young people to join its youth divisions, the Junior Knights and Junior Daughters.

Organizers will be available after the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses at Our Lady of Consolation Church on Sunday, Aug. 27, to answer questions and accept applications.

Edward Marsh, a 1988 graduate of Charlotte Catholic High School and OLC parishioner, will serve as Grand Knight for the new council.

Mary Adams, an OLC parishioner and longtime member of the Ladies Auxiliary from when she lived in New Orleans, where the Knights of Peter Claver are headquartered, will serve as Grand Lady.

Marsh and Adams said they plan to visit parishes in the Charlotte area to spread awareness about the Knights of Peter Claver and solicit new members.

Applications will be taken until the end of September, and then in October the council/ court will be inaugurated.

The new Charlotte council/court will be the second in North Carolina, joining Council/ Court 388 in Raleigh.

The order is named after St. Peter Claver, a Jesuit priest from Spain who ministered to Africans enslaved in Colombia in the 17th century. He routinely met docking ships

to provide food, medical aid and spiritual instruction to slaves, ultimately baptizing an estimated 300,000 over four decades.

Today members of the order work to further his legacy, reaching out to underserved communities and promoting human rights, providing scholarships, spearheading education and health initiatives, participating in Catholic charitable appeals, and finding other ways to live the Gospel message.

Headquartered in New Orleans, the order has over 18,000 Catholics in 400 councils and courts in the United States, operating in nearly 60 archdioceses and dioceses. Notable members have included Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the Church’s first African-American cardinal; Cardinal Raymond Burke; and Olympian track-and-fielder and Congressman Ralph Metcalfe.

The order is one of two U.S.-based members of the International Alliance of Catholic Knights, along with the Knights of Columbus.

— Catholic News Herald

For details

Learn more about the Knights of Peter Claver Council and Court 411 at www.kopcolc.com, or email knightsofpeterclaver@kopcolc.com.

Fundraiser planned

The new Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary Council/Court 411 is already busy –helping organize a fundraiser to benefit Our Lady of Consolation Parish’s capital campaign to renovate its campus and accommodate growth.

The “Legends of Soul” concert featuring Stephanie Massey will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, in OLC’s Parish Life Center, 1235 Badger Ct., Charlotte, N.C. 28206.

It is being co-sponsored with OLC’s Perpetual Hope Gospel Choir.

For tickets and details, go to www.kopcolc.com

Who was St. Peter Claver?

A native of Spain, young Jesuit Peter Claver left his homeland forever in 1610 to be a missionary in the colonies of the New World. He sailed into Cartagena, a rich port city washed by the Caribbean. He was ordained there in 1615.

By this time the slave trade had been established in the Americas for nearly 100 years, and Cartagena was a chief center for it. Ten thousand slaves poured into the port each year after crossing the Atlantic from West Africa under conditions so foul and inhuman that an estimated one-third of the passengers died in transit. Although the practice of slave-trading was condemned by Pope Paul III and later labeled “supreme villainy” by Pope Pius IX, it continued to flourish.

Father Claver’s predecessor, Jesuit Father Alfonso de Sandoval, had devoted himself to the service of the slaves for 40 years before Claver arrived to continue his work, declaring himself “the slave of the Negroes forever.”

As soon as a slave ship entered the port, Father Claver moved into its infested hold to minister to the ill-treated and exhausted passengers. After the slaves were herded out of the ship like chained animals and shut up in nearby yards to be gazed at by the crowds, Claver plunged in among them with medicines, food, bread, brandy, lemons, and tobacco. With the help of interpreters he gave basic instructions and assured his brothers and sisters of their human dignity and God’s love. During the 40 years of his ministry, Claver instructed and baptized an estimated 300,000 slaves.

Father Claver’s apostolate extended beyond his care for slaves. He became a moral force, indeed, the apostle of Cartagena. He preached in the city square, gave missions to sailors and traders as well as country missions, during which he avoided, when possible, the hospitality of the planters and owners and lodged in the slave quarters instead.

After four years of sickness, which forced the saint to remain inactive and largely neglected, Father Claver died Sept. 8, 1654. The city magistrates, who had previously frowned at his solicitude for the black outcasts, ordered that he should be buried at public expense and with great pomp.

He was canonized in 1888, and Pope Leo XIII declared him the worldwide patron of missionary work among black slaves.

His feast day is Sept. 9.

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‘SHARING OF GIFTS’

Cameroonian priests boost and learn from Charlotte diocese

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS AND STAFF Catholic News Herald

CHARLOTTE — While the Diocese of Charlotte’s successful seminary program hosts a record 51 men preparing for the priesthood this year, the diocese is also responding to the growing pastoral needs of its halfmillion Catholics through a unique partnership in the West African nation of Cameroon.

An ocean away, the Diocese of Buea (pronounced Booyaa) is also experiencing a healthy harvest of priestly vocations and is well positioned to send priests to serve in North Carolina. It’s a special relationship that brings spiritual, cultural and material benefits for both dioceses.

“Our partnership is essentially a sharing of gifts,” says Monsignor Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte. “They share the wealth of their vocations to the priesthood to help us with our needs as a fast-growing diocese, and we are able to assist with some of the material needs in the Diocese of Buea.”

“Beyond the practical exchange,” Monsignor Winslow adds, “there are also the intangible benefits of the relationships, the cultural enrichment, and learning about one another’s practice of the faith. While they imprint a little bit of Africa on us, we imprint a little bit of North Carolina on them.”

The program began in 2016 and to date, eight priests from the Buea diocese have been temporarily assigned to serve across the Charlotte diocese – from the state’s biggest city of Charlotte to the quintessentially American small town of Mount Airy (home of Andy Griffith). The Cameroonian priests remain under the authority of their bishop but gain experience and cultural enrichment while serving here as parochial vicars, pastors, campus ministers and administrators. With permission of Charlotte Bishop Peter Jugis and his counterpart in Buea, some priests even seek higher education at American universities while they live and serve here.

In exchange for the priests’ service, the Charlotte diocese provides an annual stipend on behalf of each priest to the Buea diocese, an amount similar to its contribution to local priests’ retirement fund. The financial support goes a long way in Buea, funding a variety of needs.

“Having the Buea priests here is a sign of the universality of the Church,” Monsignor Winslow says. “The priests offer some unique cultural perspectives on faith which are good for our people to have. People through time have extolled the benefits of travel for experiencing different situations and circumstances. In this program, the traveler comes to our people here, and both receive the benefits of the new perspectives.”

A FAITHFUL EXCHANGE

The Cameroonian priests muse about learning to live and minister in a new country – adapting to new foods, customs, technology, and a faster pace of life. Language barriers also must be overcome. It takes time, they say, to understand the idioms and nuances of American English and a Southern dialect, and the Buea priests recognize it can be hard for some parishioners to understand their African accents.

Throughout their varied experiences, however, all say they have been impressed by the welcome they’ve received, the lessons they have learned, and the commitment to faith of the area’s Catholics.

“Catholics here in North Carolina and in the U.S. are radically fighting for their faith, and that for me is a very good thing to see,” said Father Basile Sede, pastor of Our Lady of the Consolation Parish in Charlotte. “In my current church, people show up in numbers for confession, they are there every morning for the rosary, for Mass. They are committed to their faith, and that in turn challenges me.”

CHANGE BRINGS GROWTH

The Buea bishop selects the priests he believes would be the best fit for the North Carolina ministry, and all of them come with a letter of good standing from him – required by

the Catholic Church for all priests ministering in another jurisdiction.

Each priest is here for a limited time as defined by the bishops’ mutual agreement, typically around five years, although a few extensions have been granted to allow the priests to serve a bit longer. This year, two of the eight priests have been called back to Cameroon to allow two new Buea priests to participate in the international experience.

“Change is the sign of a living Church,” Monsignor Winslow says. “There is a bit of sadness as we say goodbye to those priests who have served, lived and grown here with us. We are blessed their vocations crossed paths with the Church here in Charlotte. And while we will miss them, we are also excited to receive the new priests who

will come and share their ministries with us.”

Father Henry Tutuwan’s assignment at St. Benedict the Moor Parish in Winston-Salem and Good Shepherd Mission in King ended in July. Father Felix Nkafu’s assignment at St. Leo Parish in Winston-Salem ends on Aug. 28.

Father Felix has served as parochial vicar at St. Leo since his 2016 arrival in the U.S. Parishioners express gratitude for his commitment to them, particularly throughout the early months of the pandemic, and for his joyful presence in the parish and in the school. During his stay, he also earned a master’s degree.

“The people of St. Leo are like family,” Father Felix says. “They are wonderful, very prayerful people. They love their faith. They try to live their faith, and they encourage others to live the faith, while also offering their support.”

Father Christopher Gober, pastor of St. Leo and vocations director for the Charlotte diocese, said the Buea diocese’s gift of priests is also a sacrifice, given the overwhelming need for priests in Africa.

Catholicism is growing faster in Africa than in any region in the world. In 1910, there were approximately 1 million Catholics in Africa. Today, the continent is home to more than 170 million Catholics or 16 percent of the faith, according to the Pew Research Center.

“We have been truly blessed to have Father Felix at St. Leo, as have all of the parishes where the Buea priests are serving,” Father Gober says. “Father Felix brought a special passion for the faith.”

TEACHING THE TEACHERS

The Buea priests, in turn, say they have grown spiritually and learned more than they imagined during their service in North Carolina.

Noting the more communal life of prayer in Africa, Father Sede says he’s learned the spiritual value of praying alone.

Father Felix cites his gratitude for being able to bring comfort to those near death and for his time working with the school children.

Father Melchesideck Yumo, the new administrator at St. Benedict the Moor in Winston-Salem and Good Shepherd Mission in King, has been particularly impressed by the diocese’s devotion to the Eucharist. Citing the annual Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress, which draws thousands of faithful to publicly manifest their faith in the Lord, he says: “This can only be a blessing from the Lord.”

For Father James Kang, parochial vicar of Holy Family Parish in Clemmons, the exchange has been spiritually awakening. “Working with the Diocese of Charlotte has been a wonderful experience which has helped me to blend both African and American culture while ministering to many diverse people,” he says.

‘Having the Buea priests here is a sign of the universality of the Church.’

Monsignor Patrick Winslow Vicar general and chancellor, Diocese of Charlotte

TROY HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Basile Sede praises the commitment of Catholics he’s seen in the diocese and says “that challenges me.” He’s learned from his service as pastor of Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Charlotte.

PHOTO PROVIDED

St. Leo parishioners express gratitude for the work of Father Felix Nkafu, who has served as their parochial vicar since his arrival in the U.S. in 2016. “Father Felix brought a special passion for the faith,” said Father Christopher Gober, pastor, noting that all of the parishes who have received Cameroonian priests “have been blessed.”

Holy Family Parish establishes four endowments in one fiscal year

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

CLEMMONS — Imagine the value of an endowment that was established 50 or more years ago at the founding of a parish – that’s what Father James Stuhrenberg ponders in planning for the future of Holy Family Parish in Clemmons as it approaches its 40th anniversary in 2024.

“If an endowment was set up at a church’s very beginning, what would it be worth now?” he asks as he recalls the 50th and 80th anniversaries of his past parishes.

When it comes to his current parish, Father Stuhrenberg didn’t want any more time to slip away. In his desire to add to Holy Family’s security in a lasting way, he began speaking from the pulpit about the importance of planned giving.

It’s working.

Since he became pastor of Holy Family in 2020, four new endowments have been established, each in the 2021-’22 fiscal year, bringing the parish’s number of

parishioners obtain a Catholic education.”

The three additional endowments are the Holy Family Catholic Church Facilities Endowment Fund, which provides for facilities needs at the church; the Rieker Family Endowment Fund, which provides for liturgical needs such as Mass intentions, candles, vestments and hosts; and the St. Joseph Endowment Fund, which provides for the general needs of the parish.

Father Stuhrenberg said he is immensely grateful to everyone who has contributed to the endowments.

He encourages further growth of these funds by holding second collections to build on the principal of the endowments. Parishioners can also give to these efforts through the parish’s website.

Other efforts include the establishment of a parish planned giving committee and hiring a development/stewardship staff position at the parish.

“Father James is doing a wonderful job educating his parishioners on the benefits of proper estate planning,” said Gina Rhodes, director of planned giving for the Diocese of

Big-hearted ‘Volunteens’ bond with residents of Holy Angels

SHAWN FLYNN

Special to the Catholic News Herald

MOUNT HOLLY — Teenage volunteers gave their time and hearts this summer to help support the residents of Holy Angels as part of its Volunteen program.

“The Volunteen program was a really great opportunity to do good and spread God’s love,” said Volunteen Lila McGarry, an incoming freshman at Charlotte Catholic High School. “Holy Angels is filled with so much love, and it is a wonderful place to volunteer.”

Holy Angels has provided residential services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and complex medical needs since 1955. This is the first time the organization welcomed back the Volunteens since the beginning of the pandemic.

Program attendees supported residents through art and music therapy, visits to Camp Hope, playing games and lots of conversations, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of the residents.

endowments to eight – some of which have been set up by individuals. Currently, there are 41 members of the Holy Family Parish Legacy Society and Catholic Heritage Society who are remembering the Church in their estate plans.

To establish an endowment, donors give $25,000 or more, which is then invested. The endowment then draws upon earnings from the investments only, not touching the principal, leaving a stable source of money to be used according to the endowment agreement terms. An individual can establish an endowment immediately, through their estate plan, or both.

One of the new endowments at the Clemmons parish is the Holy Family Scholarship Endowment Fund that provides tuition aid for parishioners. Many Holy Family parishioners have children who attend Our Lady of Mercy and St. Leo schools in Winston-Salem and Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville, Father Stuhrenberg noted.

“Catholic schools used to be run by the religious, but now they are run by lay people who support a family, so tuition continues to increase,” he said. “We started a scholarship program to help our

Charlotte. “His commitment and leadership are having a positive impact. We welcome all parishes to work with our office in encouraging parishioners to remember the Church in their estate plans.”

Father Stuhrenberg added that donations to help a parish with immediate needs fixes only the problem of today, but endowments set up security for the future.

To illustrate this, he said, “Many people invest in a 401(k) so that they will have a sustainable income many years in the future. Endowments could be just like that for our parish. Instead of a retirement fund, it’s a stability fund.”

Fund an endowment

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

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“The Volunteen program holds special significance at Holy Angels, bridging the gap between generations and nurturing the spirit of compassion and service within our younger supporters,” said Holy Angels President and CEO Kerri Massey. “These dedicated teens exemplify the core values of Holy Angels, demonstrating the profound impact they make through genuine connections and acts of kindness. We hope they had an exceptional experience and created a lifetime of memories.”

The Volunteens bonded with many of the residents and staff, creating friendships that will last beyond the summer.

Aidan Flynn, another Charlotte Catholic High School freshman, expressed his appreciation for the program’s impact.

“The Volunteen program is great because it gives teenagers the opportunity to develop a relationship with those individuals who are differently-abled, along with the team members who have the biggest hearts,” Flynn said. “I made several new friends, including one resident, Mark. We had so much fun playing cornhole. It meant a lot to me that he drew a picture of both of us playing football for the Seattle Seahawks. This was a life-changing experience.”

Throughout the summer, the volunteens brought so much enthusiasm, igniting smiles and laughter, and instilling a sense of belonging within the community.

“Holy Angels is a really beautiful place,” McGarry added. “Everyone I met was so loving and kind. I love all the residents and all their unique and wonderful personalities. It was a blessing to be a part of Holy Angels.”

Get involved

Interested in becoming a Holy Angels volunteer or Volunteen? Contact Holy Angels Foundation at 704-825-4161 or go online to www.holyangelsnc.org

‘Holy Angels is a really beautiful place. Everyone I met was so loving and kind.’

Lila McGarry

Charlotte Catholic High School freshman and Holy Angels Volunteen

‘Many people invest in a 401(k) so that they will have a sustainable income many years in the future. Endowments could be just like that for our parish.’

Father James Stuhrenberg Pastor, Holy Family Parish in Clemmons

Camp Hope delivers thrills and smiles for Holy Angels residents

MOUNT HOLLY — Residents of Holy Angels recently had the opportunity to spend the summer at Camp Hope enjoying a “safari adventure.” Camp Hope officially opened in 1994, designed to expand and enhance the specialized programs, services and recreational opportunities for Holy Angels’ residents and other participants.

“Summer is always my favorite time of year because of Camp Hope,” said Holy Angels resident Mark. “I love going out to the camp, taking some boat rides, walking the nature trail and having fun with my friends.” Holy Angels, founded in 1955 by the Sisters of Mercy, provides residential services and programs for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and fragile medical conditions. This year’s “safari” theme enabled programming staff to create multi-sensory games and adventures for the campers. The 15-acre property on the South Fork of the Catawba River features a wheelchair accessible nature trail, boat dock, lodge, campfire pit and pavilion.

“Camp Hope has always been a place of growth, joy and connection. The camp allows our residents to experience the great outdoors, smell the flowers and feel the cool breeze and the warmth of the sun on their face,” said Kerri Massey, Holy Angels’ president and CEO. “We love being able to give our residents this special summer camp experience.” The highlight of the adventure is always a boat ride on the “Spirit of Maria,” named after the first resident of Holy Angels, Maria Morrow. Every ride is captained by a dedicated volunteer who gives their time to be specially trained on how to drive the boat.

“When I first started driving the boat more than a decade ago, I was told I could see the face of Jesus in these residents, and it’s true,” said volunteer captain John Gannon, parishioner of St. Matthew in Charlotte. “If I’m ever in need of a smile, I go to Holy Angels. It’s a blessing to be a part of this organization.”

The good news for Holy Angels’ residents, staff and volunteers is that the summer season extends well into fall as Camp Hope remains open through October, providing many more smiles and “mercy moments.”

— Shawn Flynn

Do you have a car sitting in a driveway catching leaves? Maybe it will not star t or needs a major re pair from the donation of your vehicle

An IRA rollover gift to your parish, the diocese, Catholic school, agency, or the Foundation provides meaningful support without impacting your checkbook, and can maximize your giving potential.

For more information, go to www.charlottediocese.givingplan.net or call Gina Rhodes at 704/370-3364.

Donate your car to Catholic Charities to help fund prog rams for those in need. All vehicle makes, models and years welcome Tr uck, boat, RV and motorcycle donations accepted. 855.930.GIVE (4483) www.ccdoc.org/CARS

Catholic Charities relies on your direct support to help fund its various ministries.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SHAWN FLYNN

Please pray for the following deacons who died during the month of August:

Recipients of the inaugural Charlotte Chaplaincy Compassion Award included a variety of people who have responded with an abundance of kindness, care and compassion at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport and elsewhere. Their “passion to help” makes the airport a more welcoming place, organizers said.

www.kofcnc.org

Compassion Award honors emergency responders, volunteers and others for extraordinary service at CLT Airport

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — Ten individuals and groups were recognized Aug. 9 for going above and beyond in kindness at Charlotte Douglas International Airport with the inaugural Charlotte Chaplaincy Compassion Award.

Your Life’s Journey…

how

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

The award recognized members of the airport police and security teams, USO volunteers, airport staff, chaplains and others for situations in which they assisted people in need with an abundance of kindness, care and compassion at the airport and elsewhere. They represented outstanding examples of people who go out of their way to relieve the physical, mental or emotional pain of others.

“There are so many acts of compassion that occur at the airport every day,” said Terri Pope, a member of the airport chaplaincy’s board of directors and retired American Airlines executive. “Our hope is to recognize some of those actions through this award program.”

Recipients were:

n Barbara Cousan, a master security training instructor for the TSA at the Charlotte airport

n Gail Gillies, terminal logistics manager for the City of Charlotte’s Department of Aviation

n Members of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department Airport Division’s third shift: Sgt. Shabeer Mohammad and Officers Rocky Smith, Timothy Payne, Mark Wassell, Wesley Terry, Reginald Boyce and Travell Bice

n Members of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department Airport Division’s K-9 Unit: Jonathan Cerdan, Jennifer Hetrick, Amanda Gorrod, Alex Betts, Brandon Ferguson and Chad Paxton

n Danny Carter, a member of American Airlines’ Customer Care Department

n Canapea Wilson, a supervisory transportation security officer for the TSA at the Charlotte airport

n USO Fallen Warrior Support Team

n Deacon Kevin Williams of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Charlotte

n Airport chaplains Laurie Parker and Karen Cloninger

Keynote speaker at the inaugural awards luncheon was Haley Gentry, CEO of the Charlotte airport. Emcee was Father Joe Mulligan, a priest of the Diocese of Charlotte.

The award was sponsored by the Inter-Faith Chaplaincy at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, an interdenominational, non-profit organization that provides emotional and spiritual support with its “ministry of presence” to passengers, military personnel, and airport and airline employees at one of the nation’s busiest airports.

Deacon David Reiser, executive director of the airport chaplaincy, agreed. “As the first award ceremony honoring workers exhibiting compassion to the millions of travelers that pass through CLT every year, I’m reminded of the connection to the vision and mission of the Airport Chaplaincy. The vision is an airport experience transformed by compassion and human connection. The mission is to care for travelers and the airport community by offering personal, emotional and spiritual support. The airport chaplains follow that mission daily, but it was an honor to commend others who exhibit the same passion to help.”

Learn more about the airport chaplaincy at www.cltairportchapel.org.

Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Featuring over 158 miracles from 19 countries, St. Eugene Parish will host two phases of events for attendees to come and experience the Eucharistic miracles exhibition. The first exhibition will be held in September and the second in October.

Eucharistic miracles of the world to be exhibited in Asheville

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

ASHEVILLE — “The more Eucharist we receive, the more we become like Jesus, so that we can have on this earth a foretaste of heaven,” said Blessed Carlo Acutis, who died in 2006 at the age of 15. The young Italian showed throughout his short life an exceptional devotion to the Holy Eucharist.

of his priestly vocation was due to the presence of a Eucharistic Adoration chapel at St. Gabriel Parish in Charlotte, where he spent time during his childhood and teen years. “Then also at Belmont Abbey, I had the possibility of having a true approach with Jesus, where I received a personal revelation that the Lord always responds to us with His love.”

Julieth Liliana Duarte, a parishioner of St. Eugene and promoter of the expo, explained that during the COVID-19 pandemic she saw a documentary about the changes that churches made so as not to stop their mission of evangelization. One of those parishes hosted this exhibition of Eucharistic miracles.

“I thought it was a great way to evangelize,” she said.

Learn more

At www.eucharisticrevival.org : Find Church resources, videos, educational materials, prayers and more at the National Eucharistic Revival movement’s website – designed to restore understanding and devotion to the Eucharist

At www.miracolieucaristici.org : Find out more about the international exhibition

At www.catholicnewsherald.com : Get hours and other information about the exhibition at St. Eugene Church

After working intensively on a project to promote devotion to the Holy Eucharist, Acutis launched a website in 2004 to promote the exhibition of Eucharistic miracles throughout the world.

That same exhibition, which Acutis could not attend due to his ill health, will be presented throughout September and October at St. Eugene Parish in Asheville.

The exhibition is part of the National Eucharistic Revival, a movement promoted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY

Father Patrick Cahill, pastor of St. Eugene Parish, said the Church “in all times” needs to “renew its faith in the Eucharist,” and the exhibit will be a wonderful opportunity for it.

“We have a crisis,” he said, referring to the fact that many practicing Catholics do not believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. “It is a pity that they do not recognize that every Mass is a personal encounter with God. For some people it’s just a teaching they welcome in their minds, but not in their hearts.”

Father Cahill acknowledged that part

The idea remained in the back of her mind until earlier this year, when she had a dream about Blessed Carlo Acutis.

“The next day I prayed for his intercession to bring the exhibition, and the same day I received all the information I needed,” she said.

After receiving help from some parishioners of St. Eugene and nearby St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville, in addition to the unconditional support of Father Cahill, the project was launched.

In conjunction with the effort to host the exhibition, St. Eugene Parish installed a Eucharistic Adoration chapel on the church property, so people can visit the Blessed Sacrament daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

158 MIRACLES

The Eucharistic miracles exhibit is now at the parish, but due to its large size – it showcases 158 miracles in 19 countries –the display has had to be divided into two viewings.

Among the countries presented are Germany, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Colombia, Croatia, Egypt, Spain, France, India, Italy, Mexico, Holland, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland and Venezuela.

The first phase of the exhibition will take place at different times on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 7 to 24. The second phase will take place in October.

St. Eugene Church is located at 72 Culvern St. in Asheville.

Admission is free, but donations from attendees are welcome.

Jim Caviezel has made his mark as a world-renowned actor Jim’s most significant role came when he was chosen by Mel Gibson to portray Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ " The movie made headlines and broke box-office records around the world and became one of the highest grossing films of all time Jim is continuing to give his best to play challenging roles

This is very obvious in his latest block buster hit “Sound of Freedom”, in the role of portraying Tim Ballard

DID YOU KNOW?

Our College Residence is a place where pregnant college students can live and learn with each other. Student moms can stay with us while we provide everything needed to stay in school and care for their child. Our College Residence at Belmont Abbey College offers on-campus housing, meals, childcare, material assistance and professional support

DID YOU ALSO KNOW?

MiraVia’s Outreach Center in Charlotte provides thousands of diapers, baby supplies, clothing items and material goods to pregnant women and their children. Clients are welcome to participate in this program for one year

Since the first pregnant mother's admission in 1994, MiraVia has been a safe haven and source of hope for women and their children and has empowered thousands to achieve their dreams

Online registration (free but required) for individuals and table hosts begins on Sept 1 at 12 PM ET at miravia org/banquet

All tables will seat 10 guests

Due to our speaker's popularity and the likelihood of a waiting list, all table guest names must be submitted with registration online.

Contact: Megan Whiteside, Community Relations Manager meganwhiteside@miravia org

l l e g e R e s i d e n c e a n d O u t r e a c h C e n t e r p r o g r a m s M i r a V i a h a s b e e n s e r v i n g t h e C h a r l o t t e c o m m u n i t y s i n c e 1 9 9 4

o l e a r n m o r e o r m a k e a d o n a t i o n , p l e a s e v i s i t M i r a V i a o r g

PHOTO PROVIDED

A thousand questions answered

Grace leads Sacred Heart alumnus to Catholic faith

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@charlottediocese.org

SALISBURY — The conversion of Kevin Nguyen, 19, has all the makings of a classic saint story.

Everything is there – the moments of grace and the obstacles, including his struggle to learn a new language, the tension of having parents who didn’t understand at first, and even his patience and perseverance in waiting for God’s timing.

The uplifting elements are there, too. Along the way, Kevin’s burden was made light with the encouragement of a wise and warm-hearted priest, devoted teachers, and a tight-knit group of true friends.

Where in this modern world can you find a setting so enriching? Sacred Heart Catholic School in Salisbury is one such place.

The year was 2014, and 10-year-old Kevin – born in North Carolina to Buddhist parents who came to the U.S. from Vietnam – was starting fourth grade in a new school.

“My parents transferred me to Sacred Heart because the public school I was attending was not as structured as they would have liked,” Kevin recalls.

The transition wasn’t easy, but he says he felt the embrace of the Sacred Heart community from day one.

Religion was his favorite class. Veteran catechist and religion teacher Mike Thompson – affectionately called “Mr. T.” – taught Kevin in the fourth and fifth grades.

“Mr. T. first introduced the faith to me. I didn’t know much about God at the time. Before that, I was Buddhist,” Kevin says.

Scripture intrigued him – the way Thompson, now retired, told the stories of Adam and Eve and Noah’s ark drew him to the Catholic faith. Thompson himself – with

his peaceful and positive demeanor – also set an example that attracted Kevin to Christianity.

The more Kevin learned about the faith, the more curious he became.

“He had a thousand questions and was always questioning, not challenging the faith but always wanting to know more information,” Thompson says. “The root of it seemed to be his desire not to offend God.”

Father John Eckert, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, soon learned of Kevin’s interest in the Catholic faith and welcomed his questions.

“It was humbling to witness his curiosity and fervor at such a young age,” Father Eckert says. “I could tell God had big plans for him.”

Yet, like all great stories, there were obstacles to be overcome.

Kevin’s parents didn’t understand his newfound passion to learn all he could about the Christian life, and Thompson said that, as his religion teacher, he couldn’t encourage him to convert at this age and go against his parents’ wishes.

“I recommended that he wait until he reached an age like 18 where he could make that decision without having to have his parents agree,” Thompson. says.

Kevin was unsure this was the right path at first but soon understood his teacher’s reasoning. However, there were other hurdles. One of them was learning the English language, which was very difficult.

Disappointed when he was held back a year in fourth grade, he worked that much harder, and with the help of his tutor, he overcame this roadblock and forged ahead in his academic and faith journeys.

Around this time, he befriended classmate Drew Hansen.

“Drew is one of those students who leads by example,” Kevin says. “He always did what it takes to accomplish what he was trying to do, which was to be a good Catholic, by going to Mass, praying every day, and reading the Bible.

I tried to follow in his footsteps.”

Drew says that he and Kevin were “frenemies” at a young age. “We wouldn’t talk during the school day, but after school, we’d talk and be friends,” Drew recalls

with a laugh. “All throughout our time at Sacred Heart, especially those last three years, we somehow, through that weird friendship, got really close.”

Meanwhile, Kevin was praying more than ever, never hesitating to stop by Thompson’s classroom if he had questions.

After graduating from Sacred Heart, Kevin and Drew parted ways for high school. They didn’t talk much for most of freshman year, but that changed when the pandemic hit.

“It was kind of funny, but I just asked him online if he wanted to play Fortnite and he was like, ‘Yeah.’ It was out of the blue, but we still had that closeness,” Drew says. “We just started playing and from that night on, throughout COVID and the rest of high school, we stayed close.”

Fellow Sacred Heart alumni Kyna Zaldivar and Miguel Villalobos joined their friend group, and the four prayed the divine mercy chaplet and the rosary together every day. They also completed their Marian consecration together.

To his friends, Kevin was already Catholic, but there was still the matter of making it official.

During his junior year, Kevin told Father Eckert he was ready to become Catholic. He completed R.C.I.A. classes during his senior year. Now 19 years old, he wanted to surprise his friends by officially entering the Church, but Father Eckert reminded him that he needed a sponsor.

Kevin chose Drew for this role, and the date was set: the Easter Vigil of 2023 – nearly nine years after his first day at Sacred Heart.

Drew says he was honored to be Kevin’s sponsor.

“I got to light his baptismal candle and then hand it to him,” he recalls. “It was just this really cool experience to pass on the fire of the faith to him.”

Kevin adds, “I was overjoyed because now I’ve made the commitment forever, and my friends are very happy, and everybody was there to support me. Being baptized by Father John, who I look up to, was an amazing experience.

CONVERT, SEE PAGE 13

(From left) Kyna Zaldivar, Miguel Villalobos, Kevin Nguyen, Father John Eckert and Drew Hansen welcome Kevin into the Catholic faith on at the Easter Vigil on April 8 at Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KEVIN NGUYEN AND IRASEMA MEDRANO

CONVERT

Receiving Communion was another very beautiful feeling.”

Noting Scripture such as the Parable of the Sower, Father Eckert says, “I am so proud of the fertile soil we have here at Sacred Heart that has made Kevin’s desire to draw closer to God possible. He is an impressive young man of virtue and faith, and I am honored to be a part of his story.”

Thompson adds, “I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Kevin because it took a great deal of courage, selfdetermination and faith relying on God to help him make that journey. He took advantage of the grace that was given to him.”

Today, Kevin says his parents are at peace with his conversion and are happy to see the young man he has become through his devotion to the Catholic faith. His two younger siblings currently attend Sacred Heart, and Kevin starts his freshman year this fall at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he will be studying computer science.

In his first few months as a Catholic, he notes that he’s praying every day and reading more about the Bible because he doesn’t want to “stay in the same spot forever.”

His advice for those who are interested in becoming Catholic: Don’t rush the process.

“Make sure you know why you’re doing it and make sure you are ready for it, but not because your friend told you to get baptized. This process is between you and God,” he says. “You have to make sure

you’re ready to be disciplined, mature and willing to take responsibility for your actions by going to church, praying, and

Director of Advancement and Communications

Position open September 2023

spreading the Gospel to the world.”

That’s the Great Commission, and with God’s grace, Kevin is ready.

St. Michael School announces Jacob Nolan as new headmaster for 2023-’24 school year

GASTONIA — Jacob Nolan of Billerica, Massachusetts, has been named headmaster at St. Michael School. Nolan has served for the past two years as assistant principal of Lumen Verum Academy in the Archdiocese of Boston. He obtained a master’s of theology from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. In 2022, Nolan successfully completed the Institute of Catholic Liberal Education’s Aspiring School Leaders program. “His passion for the Catholic Liberal Arts, combined with his years of classroom teaching and leadership qualities, will inaugurate an exciting new chapter in the history of our parish school,” said Father Lucas Rossi, pastor of St. Michael Parish. “I entered the field of education because I greatly desired to share with students the ‘pearl of great price’ I had discovered: the incredible joy and freedom of a life lived with Jesus Christ,” Nolan said. “I am thrilled to be joining St. Michael Catholic School as headmaster.”

Lifelong Catholics, Nolan and his wife, Megan, have two sons, Ambrose and Augustine.

— Catholic News Herald

Responsibilities:

Provides leadership and management of the Advancement Office and is responsible for planning and executing a comprehensive advancement program to generate gifts from alumni, parents, parents of alumni, grandparents, and friends of Bishop McGuinness. Also provides direction and guidance to the head of school and advisory board and is responsible directly to the head of school. This is a 12-month, exempt position that requires occasional evening and weekend hours.

Qualifications:

• A strong belief in Catholic education and support of the mission of the school

• Bachelor’s degree and experience in fundraising/advancement/donor relations (5+ years)

• High level of organization, excellent communication skills, enthusiastic/dynamic personality

• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and interact with a variety of constituents

• Knowledge of database management, professional code of ethical conduct in maintaining standards of competence and confidentiality

• Willingness to grow professionally

Email letter of interest, resumé, and 3-5 professional references to: Dr. Jared M. Rashford, Head of School, at jrashford@bmhs.us

References will be contacted only for finalist candidates. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated in the order received.

Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School’s primary mission is to develop students holistically and equip them to live and serve in a complex world in need of peace, love, and justice.

Schools open to record

Catholicschools across the Diocese of Charlotte welcomed students back to the classroom Wednesday.

The 20 schools throughout the western half of North Carolina are booming, with a record

enrollment of more than 8,100 students. As the new year begins, let us pray for all our students, teachers and staff.

Learn more about our Catholic schools in the 2023 Back-to-School edition published Aug. 4.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

(Above) Third-grade students at Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro gather for assembly before class. (Right) Sister Geri Rogers, principal of Our Lady of Mercy School in Winston-Salem, greets students as they arrive for the first day of class.

PHOTOS BY TROY HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Above) Parents fit their student with a new uniform at St. Patrick School’s open house Aug. 14. (Right) A St. Patrick School kindergarten student meets his new teacher, Erin McLane.

PHOTO PROVIDED Students at Christ the King High School in Huntersville gather to welcome the incoming freshman class.

enrollment growth

TROY HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD and her two children arrive at St. Matthew School in Charlotte.

TROY HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD; PROVIDED

(From left) Students smile on their way into St. Leo the Great School in Winston-Salem. The beloved dolphin mascot welcomes students at Sacred Heart School in Salisbury. A kindergarten student at St. Mark School in Huntersville gathers her supplies. Principal Tyler Kulp welcomes students at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Charlotte.

PHOTO BY TROY HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD Charlotte Catholic High School students settle into their classrooms on the first day of school. This year, the school is welcoming its largest ever freshman class of more than 400 students.

TROY HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Dr. Greg Monroe, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Charlotte, greets St. Matthew students Wednesday. His next stop was Charlotte Catholic High School.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Clad in new school hoodies, students at Holy Trinity Middle School in Charlotte pose with friends Wednesday during morning dropoff.

A puertas del Congreso Eucarístico

PADRE JULIO DOMÍNGUEZ jcdominguez@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — Estamos por celebrar el Congreso Eucarístico diocesano y toda nuestra diócesis esta muy alegre de poder acompañar a nuestro Señor por las calles de Charlotte y a nuestro Obispo que por 19 años ha querido que toda nuestra diócesis se reúna en tan solemne evento.

Es algo tan hermoso cuando se ve la procesión de fieles siguiendo el Santísimo Sacramento, desde el obispo, sacerdotes, diáconos, religiosos y todo el pueblo de Dios.

Una de las cosas que es maravilloso observar es cada una de las parroquias entrando con su estandarte y representando con mucho orgullo a sus parroquias.

Cuando entran todos los niños que hicieron su primera Comunión ese año es como si los mismos ángeles se hicieran presentes en la solemne procesión eucarística.

Tal vez podamos preguntarnos, ¿cuál es la importancia de este gran evento?

Antes que nada, quiero hacer eco a lo que nuestro querido obispo ha expresado en varias ocasiones que se le ha preguntado sobre la razón del evento: quiero dar la oportunidad para que mi diócesis se reúna con nuestro Señor y sus pastores para que juntos podamos darle la gloria y honor.

Hemos sido testigos de todas las gracias y frutos que el Congreso ha traído a nuestra diócesis desde los meros orígenes de este.

Para mi como sacerdote, me da la oportunidad de encontrarme con mi comunidad presente y poder saludar a fieles que vienen de parroquias pasadas y darles el gran abrazo de la amistad.

Hemos visto como las parroquias se han ido conociendo y los fieles se alegran de ver a tantos católicos de nuestra diócesis, reafirmándolos en la fe y haciéndoles ver que somos muchos en una misma fe.

Hemos visto también que, desde el Congreso, más capillas y días de adoración se han abierto en las parroquias, debido al impulso extraordinario de la gracia que nos anima a rendir adoración a nuestro buen Dios y que nos ha caracterizado por ser una diócesis bastante eucarística.

Entre las cosas más bellas que hemos presenciado y experimentado, es el nacimiento del Seminario Universitario San José de nuestra diócesis.

La oración de los fieles al Señor de que envíe operarios a su mies esta muy presente en el Congreso.

El testimonio de todos los seminaristas trabajando en el Congreso ha servido de inspiración entre los jóvenes, y el presentarles a los jóvenes una diócesis que ora, cree y se reúne, hace que en ellos se presente la gran pregunta:

¿Señor que quieres de mí?

Muchas familias me han comentado como el congreso les ha ayudado con sus niños a crecer en la devoción a la Eucaristía y como hogares han sido restablecidos en la fe debido al mismo.

¿DE DÓNDE VIENE ESTA TRADICIÓN?

Una de las manifestaciones de esta mayor devoción fue la introducción de las procesiones eucarísticas, cuya primera evidencia proviene de Colonia, Alemania, en la década de 1270.

Para el siglo XIV, la práctica de procesionar el Santísimo Sacramento en la fiesta del Corpus Christi había sido adoptado en toda Europa.

En las ciudades y pueblos estas procesiones tenían lugar en las calles, pero, en las comunidades rurales, las procesiones eucarísticas generalmente tomaban la forma de una procesión por los campos. En este último escenario, a menudo se construían cuatro altares al aire libre y en cada altar se cantaba el comienzo de uno de los cuatro Evangelios, respectivamente.

Los escritos de Santo Tomás de Aquino, en particular, influyeron en la Iglesia durante este período para usar el término transubstanciación para describir la conversión milagrosa del pan y el vino en el Cuerpo y la

Sangre de Cristo en la consagración en la Misa. Una vez profundizado en las universidades de formación sacerdotal (seminarios) estas verdades, la explosión eucarística no se hizo esperar y los fieles empezaron a pedir a sus pastores que se expusiera el Santísimo y se realizaran las grandes procesiones del Corpus Christi.

Y así, la Iglesia ha seguido perseverando en estas procesiones y Congreso Eucarísticos que tanto bien hacen a los fieles.

¿CÓMO SE ORGANIZAN ESTAS PROCESIONES?

Los libros litúrgicos de la Iglesia continúan alentando el transporte de la Eucaristía en procesión en la Solemnidad del Corpus Christi u otras ocasiones importantes, calificando esta práctica como “deseable” (cf. Misal Romano, Formulario de Misa para el Corpus Christi; Ceremonial de los Obispos, 386). El propósito de tales procesiones por las calles es dar testimonio público de la fe del pueblo cristiano y manifestar su devoción al Santísimo Sacramento.

El libro ritual Sagrada Comunión y Adoración de la Eucaristía fuera de la Misa indica que corresponde al Ordinario del lugar decidir sobre la conveniencia de tales procesiones y aprobar un lugar y un plan que asegure que estos movimientos se realicen con decoro y reverencia (101). Además, se deben hacer los arreglos adecuados con las autoridades públicas y los funcionarios encargados de hacer cumplir la ley para garantizar la seguridad de quienes participarán en las procesiones. Idealmente, el Santísimo estará reservado en un Sagrario y se prepara una custodia y se coloca sobre el altar. Se ofrece una oración adecuada, que en nuestra diócesis consiste en el rezo de Laudes por todos los

El Congreso Eucarístico de la Diócesis de Charlotte se celebrará los días 8 y 9 de septiembre en el Centro de Convenciones de Charlotte. El sábado 9 se realizará la tradicional Procesión Eucarística en el Uptown de la Ciudad, para dar luego paso a una Hora Santa, la presentación de oradores en sesiones en inglés, español y vietnamita. Las actividades concluirán con la celebración de la Santa Misa.

sacerdotes, se inciensa el Santísimo Sacramento y luego comienza la procesión.

Los cantos e himnos eucarísticos que son fáciles de cantar y memorizar deben ser dirigidos por un coro durante la procesión. Si bien no es obligatorio, puede tener lugar la costumbre tradicional de detenerse en las estaciones para proclamar la Palabra de Dios y dar una bendición eucarística.

También se puede utilizar opcionalmente un dosel o baldaquino sostenido sobre el Santísimo Sacramento.

Al finalizar la procesión, se debe dar la bendición con el Santísimo Sacramento en la iglesia donde termina. Luego se reposa el Santísimo Sacramento.

El Ceremonial de los Obispos da el siguiente orden para las procesiones eucarísticas: portador de la cruz con porta velas, clérigos y diáconos con sus albas en procesión, diácono(s) de la Misa, Turífero, obispo o sacerdote portando el Santísimo Sacramento, otros miembros de la congregación católica [opcionalmente llevando velas encendidas], personas que porten pancartas adecuadas, instrumentos musicales, todo el pueblo santo de Dios. Mis queridos hermanos, les animo a todos a que vengan a Charlotte el sábado 9 de septiembre y, como ha dicho nuestro querido obispo, aprovechen las grandes gracias que Dios está derramando sobre nosotros al “encontrarnos con nuestro Señor y sus pastores para que juntos podamos darle gloria y honor”.

Más online

En www.goeucharist.com : Podrá encontrar todos los detalles sobre el Congreso Eucarístico de la Diócesis de Charlotte, desde horarios, oradores, estacionamiento, etc.

FOTO ARCHIVO CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Jóvenes de las parroquias Santiago el Mayor en Concord y Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte muestran las banderas de sus países en Lisboa, Portugal, durante la realización de la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud. En el tradicional evento que se realiza cada cuatro años, los peregrinos levantan las banderas de sus países mientras se reunen mostrando la auténtica universalidad de la Iglesia Católica.

“Dios está verdaderamente vivo”

Jóvenes locales peregrinaron a la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud

SPENCER K.M. BROWN Y CÉSAR HURTADO Catholic News Herald

CHARLOTTE — Junto con aproximadamente 1,5 millones de personas de todo el mundo, jóvenes de cinco parroquias de la Diócesis de Charlotte peregrinaron a Lisboa, Portugal, la semana pasada para asistir a la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud 2023.

Grupos provenientes de Santiago el Mayor en Concord, San José en Kannapolis, Santa María en Greensboro, de la Iglesia Oriental San Basilio el Grande y Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte asistieron al histórico evento. Ellos se contaban entre los aproximadamente 30 mil peregrinos de Estados Unidos.

“Fue una experiencia reveladora ver a todos los jóvenes de diferentes países mostrando su amor y devoción por Cristo”, dijo Vicente Capistrano, líder juvenil de la parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. “Me encantó especialmente escuchar oraciones que conozco en español e inglés en diferentes idiomas como portugués, eslovaco, francés e italiano. ¡Nunca olvidaré lo hermoso que se veía el cielo con todas las diferentes banderas de todo el mundo! Dios está verdaderamente vivo”.

Cada cuatro años, jóvenes de todo el mundo se reúnen para la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud, una experiencia de una semana para profundizar su fe, dar testimonio de la universalidad de la Iglesia Católica y comprometer sus vidas a Cristo junto a cientos de miles de compañeros

con ideas afines. Desde la primera Jornada Mundial de la Juventud en Roma en 1986, iniciada por el entonces Papa Juan Pablo II, millones de jóvenes continúan reuniéndose y compartiendo su amor por Cristo.

Durante la homilía en la Misa de clausura de este año, el Papa Francisco dijo: “Repitamos todos esta frase en nuestros corazones: ‘No tengan miedo’. Jesús conoce el corazón de cada uno de ustedes, los éxitos y los fracasos. Él conoce sus corazones”. “Y hoy les dice, aquí en Lisboa, en esta Jornada Mundial de la Juventud, ‘No tengan miedo’”.

Veinticinco jóvenes de la parroquia Santiago el Mayor en Concord que asistieron a la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud se inspiraron en las palabras del Papa. Para llegar a Lisboa, durante meses trabajaron organizando ventas de pasteles, rifas y otras recaudaciones de fondos.

“El Señor nos trajo allí por una razón: para alabar y compartir Su nombre con otros”, dijo el miembro del grupo juvenil, Ángel Vásquez, de 18 años.

¿La parte más valiosa de la experiencia? “Compartir nuestra fe y amor de Cristo con tantos jóvenes alrededor del mundo”, dijo Vásquez. “Podíamos sentir el amor de Dios”.

Para su compañera del grupo juvenil Aracely Castro, de 22 años, esta fue su segunda Jornada Mundial de la Juventud, y una experiencia tan increíble para ella como la primera.

Como adulto joven, “uno se distrae con lo que sucede en la vida, en el trabajo, en la escuela”, dijo Castro. Eso hace que sea difícil para una persona joven rendirse a los planes de Dios.

“Pero cuando llegué a Lisboa y dejé que todo se fuera, me entregué por completo y sentí una paz inmensa, como si Dios se hubiera quedado conmigo”, dijo. “Pude encontrarme a mí mismo, encontrar a Jesús dentro de mí, y entendí cómo Él trabaja y continúa trabajando dentro de mi vida”.

La próxima Jornada Mundial de la Juventud se celebrará en Seúl, Corea del Sur, en 2027.

“Fue una experiencia reveladora ver a todos los jóvenes de diferentes países mostrando su amor y devoción por Cristo.”

Vicente Capistrano líder juvenil de la parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

FOTOS PROPORCIONADAS

Alrededor de 800 personas asistieron al Congreso Diocesano de

Renovaron la vida en el Espíritu enfocados en la Eucaristía

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

MORGANTON — Con una asistencia de más de 800 personas se llevó a cabo el XI Congreso Anual de la Renovación Eucarística de la Diócesis de Charlotte. La cita tuvo lugar en el Auditorio Municipal de la ciudad de Morganton (COMMA, por sus siglas en inglés), y contó con la presencia de los conferencistas invitados, Padre Teófilo Rodríguez, Diácono José Arévalo, Dr. Carlos Barillas y el hermano Saulo Hidalgo. El Padre Teófilo Cristóbal Rodríguez, nacido en Colón, Panamá, inició sus estudios para el Orden Sagrado en San José de Costa Rica y posteriormente los concluyó en el Seminario Mayor San José de Panamá. Fue ordenado sacerdote en 1981 en la Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción de su nativa ciudad de Colón. Es fundador y conductor del programa de televisión ‘Kerigma’, que es retransmitido por la cadena EWTN.

Milagros Eucarísticos del mundo se expondrán en Asheville

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

ASHEVILLE — “Mientras más Eucaristía recibimos, más nos parecemos a Jesús, para poder tener en esta tierra un anticipo del cielo”, dijo entre otras frases importantes el Beato Carlo Acutis, un joven italiano fallecido el 12 de octubre de 2006, que mostró a lo largo de su corta vida de solo 15 años una devoción excepcional a la Sagrada Eucaristía.

Acutis, después de trabajar intensamente en un proyecto que promueva efectivamente la devoción por la Sagrada Eucaristía, lanzó en 2004 un website y en 2006 una exposición que difunde los milagros eucarísticos en el mundo.

Esa misma exposición, a la que Acutis no pudo atender por su grave estado de salud, es la que se presentará durante los meses de septiembre y octubre en los salones de la parroquia San Eugenio en Asheville.

La muestra se incluye dentro de las actividades del año de reavivamiento eucarístico nacional, movimiento que promueve la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de EE.UU.

OPORTUNIDAD MARAVILLOSA

El Padre Patrick Cahill, párroco de la Iglesia San Eugenio, dijo que la Iglesia “en todos los tiempos”, necesita “renovar su fe en la Eucaristía”, por lo que la exhibición será una maravillosa oportunidad de reencuentro.

“Tenemos una crisis”, dijo, en referencia al hecho de que muchos católicos practicantes no creen en la real presencia de Cristo en Eucaristía. “Es una pena que no reconozcan que cada Misa es un encuentro personal con su Dios. Para algunas personas es solo una enseñanza que acogen en sus mentes pero no en sus corazones”.

Carismática local.

“Creo fielmente que el congreso fue de gran bendición para todos los que pudieron llegar, al igual que para las comunidades que nos visitaron desde el estado de Georgia, la ciudad de Charleston, en Carolina del Sur, Raleigh y otras más de las Carolinas”, dijo Carmelo Ambríz Morales, coordinador de la Renovación Carismática Hispana diocesana, precisando que la temática del congreso ‘Vivir en el Espíritu’, incluyó temas importantes como la Eucaristía, Adoración al Santísimo, Familia Unida en la Eucaristía y la Gracia de Vivir en el Espíritu Santo.

“Además, tuvimos la oportunidad de contar con una Hora Santa, la Adoración al Santísimo Sacramento y la celebracion de la Santa Misa”, añadió.

El diácono Ramón Tapia, director espiritual de la Renovación Carismática Hispana de la Diócesis de Charlotte, dijo que el Congreso fue una experiencia muy positiva desde el punto de vista espiritual. “La gente que asistió estuvo muy contenta y ‘tocada’, y salió diciendo que en verdad necesitaban de esto y dando gracias por los mensajes que recibieron”, dijo.

Respecto a la Renovación Carismática, el diácono Tapia dijo que el movimiento ofrece la oportunidad de crear un ambiente donde las personas se reúnen en pequeños grupos para orar y renovar su fe. “Algunas veces nuestra fe como que se ‘marchita’ un poco, necesita agua, y la renovación te ayuda a que florezca nuevamente”, señaló, aclarando que otros movimientos también ofrecen esta posibilidad y “está en uno el escoger el que más le parezca o se ajuste a su personalidad”.

El Padre Cahill reconoció que parte de su vocación sacerdotal se debió a la presencia de una sala de Adoración Eucarística en la parroquia San Gabriel en Charlotte, a la que atendió durante su niñez y adolescencia. “Luego también en Belmont Abbey conté con la posibilidad de tener un verdadero acercamiento con Jesús, donde recibí la revelación personal que siempre el Señor nos responde con Su amor”.

Julieth Liliana Duarte, parroquiana de la Iglesia San Eugenio e impulsora de la expo, explicó que durante la pandemia de COVID vio un documental sobre los cambios que las iglesias realizaban para no detener la tarea de evangelización y una de las parroquias acogió la exhibición de los Milagros Eucarísticos. “Pensé que era una gran manera de evangelizar”, dijo entonces. La idea permaneció en su mente hasta el inicio de este año cuando soñó con el Beato Carlo Acutis. “El siguiente día le pedí en oración su intercesión para traer la exposición y el mismo día recibí toda la información que necesitaba”, dijo. Después de compartir su idea con parroquianos que mostraban un gran amor por la Eucaristía de la iglesia San Eugenio y la Basílica de Asheville, el proyecto se puso en marcha con el apoyo incondicional del Padre Cahill. Adicionalmente, en enero de 2023, el Padre Cahill decidió instalar una capilla de adoración eucarística en la nueva casa adquirida por la parroquia, por lo que los fieles pueden visitar el Sagrado Sacramento diariamente de 8 a.m. a 8 p.m.

158 MILAGROS

El material de exhibición de los Milagros Eucarísticos ya se encuentra en la parroquia, pero debido a su extensión ha debido dividirse en dos muestras.

Por su parte, el hermano Saulo Hidalgo, nacido en Santo Domingo, República Dominicana, es graduado en Ingeniería Civil. Con su esposa, Elizabeth, tiene dos hijos, Saulo y Nicole. En 1990 conoció al Señor, iniciando un proceso de formación y servicio a Dios, dedicando su tiempo al estudio y predicación de la Palabra de Dios. Dede 2003 se dedica a tiempo completo a la predicación de la Palabra y mostrar al mundo las maravillas que Dios puede hacer en nuestras vidas, si le abrimos nuestro corazón.

El diácono José Arévalo, de El Salvador, y el Dr. Carlos Barillas, de Nueva York, son ampliamente conocidos por la comunidad de la Renovación

En cuanto a las actividades del movimiento, Ambríz dijo que se acaba de realizar un Taller de Intercesión para servidores el 12 y 13 de agosto en un conocido hotel en Charlotte con la presencia del orador Francisco Prieto. Asimismo, anunció un retiro de Seminario de Vida en el Espíritu para el 1, 2 y 3 de septiembre. Además, la realización de un Retiro de Sanación Interior que ha sido programado para el 1, 2 y 3 de diciembre. Ambos eventos se realizarán en el Centro Católico de Conferencias en Hickory.

“La Renovación Carismatica, como dice el Papa Francisco, es una gran corriente de gracia en la Iglesia, cuya misión es ayudar al católico a vivir una experiencia de vida a través del Bautismo en el Espiritu Santo, a tener un encuentro real con Jesucristo en la Eucaristía, lo que te motiva a poner tus dones y carismas al servicio de la Iglesia”, señaló Ambríz, añadiendo que, “la Renovación Carismática es un estilo de vida, es vivir en el Espiritu”.

Entre los países presentados se encuentran Alemania, Argentina, Austria, Bélgica, Colombia, Croacia, Egipto, España, Francia, India, Italia, México, Holanda, Perú, Polonia, Portugal, Suiza y Venezuela. La primera fase de la exposición se llevará a cabo en diferentes horarios los jueves, viernes, sábados y domingos, desde el 7 hasta el 24 de septiembre. La segunda fase se realizará en octubre. La Iglesia San Eugenio está ubicada en 72 Culvern St. en Asheville. El ingreso es completamente gratuito, pero se aceptarán con agrado las generosas donaciones de los asistentes.

Mayor información

En www.es.eucharisticrevival.org : Encuentre más información, recursos, sugerencias y actividades para este año de avivamiento eucarístico

En www.miracolieucaristici.org : encuentre detalles sobre la exposición

En www.catholicnewsherald.com : Horarios y detalles sobre la expo en la Iglesia San Eugenio

FOTO PROPORCIONADA

la Renovación Carimática Católica Hispana de la Diócesis de Charlotte. La cita contó con la presencia de los conferencistas P. Teófilo Rodríguez, Diácono José Arévalo, Dr. Carlos Barillas y el hermano Saulo Hidalgo, que aparece en la ilustración de abajo.

Sacerdote colombiano ofreció capacitación y dirección espiritual

Padre Juanito Evangelista retornará el próximo año

CÉSAR HURTADO

rchurtado@charlottediocese.org

CHARLOTTE — Tras una visita que se extendió por todo el mes de julio, el Padre Juan Evangelista, de la orden Carmelita asentada en Bogotá, Colombia, retornó a tierra natal después de cumplir una recargada agenda de capacitación, asesoría y atención a los programas de Pastoral Familiar, Pastoral de Duelo y Comunidades Eclesiales de Base que lleva adelante el Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte en los vicariatos de Charlotte y Smoky Mountains.

El Diácono Eduardo Bernal, coordinador del Ministerio Hispano del Vicariato de Charlotte, dijo que el Padre Juanito, como cariñosamente lo llaman los fieles, ha estado acompañando a nuestra comunidad en la dirección espiritual desde hace muchos años. “Además ofreció retiros a los líderes del vicariato de Charlotte, formación a las personas que se están integrando a la Pastoral de Duelo. El padre inclusive nunca detuvo su asesoría y nos acompañó en los tiempos de pandemia con sesiones vía Zoom”, añadió.

“Tengo contacto con Charlotte desde 2016, cuando Eduardo Bernal era coordinador del Ministerio Hispano en las montañas de Carolina del Norte. Desde ese entonces he estado ligado estrechamente con la diócesis, ofreciendo acompañamiento espiritual a las personas o familias que lo solicitaban. Durante la pandemia, a través de Zoom, los acompañé todo el tiempo de manera virtual con la Pastoral de Duelo, pero ahora, a través de la Pastoral Familiar, acompañamos a familias de manera personalizada en formación y sanación”, dijo el Padre

En la imagen el Padre Juan Evangelista dicta una charla de capacitación en el Centro Pastoral de la Diócesis de Charlotte. El Padre Juanito, como lo llaman cariñosamente los fieles y líderes de la diócesis, permaneció durante el mes de julio pasado asistiendo a la Pastoral de Duelo y la Pastoral de Familia en las vicarías de Charlotte y Smoky Mountains.

Evangelista.

El fundamento del acompañamiento que ofrece el Padre Evangelista es la sanación de heridas espirituales a través de La Palabra, en complemento con la asistencia ofrecida por profesionales en psicología y medicina. “Muchas heridas de las personas a veces se dan inclusive desde el mismo seno materno. El bebé es afectado por las situaciones difíciles que pueden darse entre las parejas y el problema crece en la infancia, en la adolescencia, en la vida adulta, sin que la persona se pueda dar cuenta”, dijo.

“Estoy convencido que La Palabra bien llevada y asumida por las personas es

capaz de sanar. La Palabra “es una espada de dos filos” nos dice Hebreos , porque es capaz de penetrar hasta lo más íntimo de la persona”, añadió.

Incluso, explicó, una persona sin fe puede ser sanada si abre la puerta de su vida. “Uno no puede entrar cuando la puerta está cerrada. Sea creyente o no, si abre su corazón se le puede ayudar”, dijo.

Sobre el hecho de que algunas personas viven situaciones extremadamente difíciles, es decir “un infierno en su hogar”, dijo haber sido testigo de sanaciones espirituales en las que las personas han logrado perdonarse a sí mismas y a los demás.

“El primer paso es que la persona llegue a mirar su interior, que encuentre qué es lo que tiene que perdonarse”, porque normalmente es un punto que no se ve y el enfoque solamente va en lo que se necesita perdonar al otro, al que ofende, dijo explicando el proceso de sanación personal.

Expresó que en la relación de pareja, en el centro de trabajo, en cualquier situación de la vida, el objetivo es ser feliz. “Si no soy feliz, no hay nada que hacer. No tiene sentido vivir en situaciones dramáticas, infelices y continuar así para siempre. Eso, Dios no lo quiere así, Él quiere nuestra felicidad. Si uno mira el Evangelio, la vida de Jesús era eso. Era liberar a todas las personas que estaban esclavas, en situaciones difíciles que los llevaban a la muerte”, dijo.

Su recomendación para las personas que sufren dijo, es buscar ayuda. “Nosotros no podemos solos, tenemos que buscar ayuda. A veces no tenemos a nadie que nos escuche, por ello el sentido hoy por hoy de la Iglesia es el sentido de escucha”.

Respecto a los problemas que enfrenta el inmigrante en Estados Unidos, señaló que el principal inconveniente es que “su vida es ganar dinero” descuidando a los hijos, la esposa. “Ahí la Pastoral Familiar tiene una tarea importante de explicar cómo dar el espacio a Dios en el hogar”, dijo.

El Padre Juanito espera regresar el próximo año para continuar con la tarea de asesoría a los ministerios de la diócesis. “El tiempo, la vida en mi comunidad Carmelita está en función del acompañamiento espiritual. Lo más gratificante en esta tarea es comprobar, ver y escuchar, que las personas si pueden sanar de sus heridas”, finalizó.

Parroquia Santa Elizabeth agradeció a servidores latinos

BOONE — El pasado domingo 23 de julio, el ministerio hispano de la parroquia Santa Elizabeth en Boone compartió una mesa presentada en agradecimiento por el servicio que realizan para la comunidad. El Padre Brendan Buckler, párroco, y Aleksandra Banasik, coordinadora del ministerio hispano del vicariato de Boone, prepararon los deliciosos platillos que todos saborearon. En Boone, dijo Banasik, “hay una comunidad hispana grande, y estamos trabajando en la tarea evangelizadora para lograr que más personas asistan a Misa”. El ministerio hispano parroquial tiene solo un año de funcionamiento y actualmente ya cuenta con un coro, habiendo también sido asignados los cargos de coordinador y subcoordinador. “Tan pronto como los niños regresen a clases vamos a capacitar a las personas interesadas en el ministerio de lectores”, dijo Basanik. La Misa en español se ofrece todos los domingos a las 11:30 de la mañana, después de concluir las clases de educación en la fe de los niños.

Confirmaciones en Santa María

SYLVA — El domingo 6 de agosto, 17 jóvenes recibieron el sacramento de Confirmación en la Iglesia Santa Maria Madre de Dios de esta localidad durante una Misa celebrada por el párroco, Padre Paul Asoh, MSP, a las 11:30 de la mañana. La liturgia fue oficiada en tres idiomas: latín, español e inglés; y la homilía se pronunció en inglés y español. Sirvieron durante el oficio, el diácono de la parroquia, Matthew Newsome, y como invitado el diácono Sigfrido Della Valle, coordinador del ministerio hispano del vicariato de Smoky Mountains. “Ver que en una comunidad pequeña se confirmaron 17 jóvenes, y todos ellos hispanos, me emocionó mucho e hizo ver el importante crecimiento de nuestra comunidad, dijo el diácono Della Valle. Al término de la Misa, la comunidad, especialmente anglo, ofreció un agasajo a los jóvenes y sus familias. ¡Una hermosa muestra de la integración de la comunidad católica!

FOTO CORTESÍA ALEKSANDRA BANASIK

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Lecturas Diarias

AGOSTO 20-26

Domingo: Isaías 56:1, 6-7, Romanos 11:1315, 29-32, Mateo 15:21-28; Lunes (San Pío X, papa): Jueces 2:11-19, 30-34, Mateo 19:1622; Martes (Nuestra Señora María Reina):

Jueces 6:11-24, Mateo 19:23-30; Miércoles: Jueces 9:6-15, Mateo 20:1-16; Jueves (San Bartolomé Apóstol): Apocalipsis 21:9-14, Juan 1:45-51; Viernes (San Luis y San José de Calasanz): Ruth 1:1, 3-8, 14-16, 22, Mateo 22:34-40; Sábado: Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11,

4:13-17, Mateo 23:1-12

AGOSTO 27-SEPTIEMBRE 2

Domingo: Isaías 22:19-23, Romanos 11:3336, Mateo 16:13-20; Lunes (San Agustín):

1 Tesalonicenses 1:1-5, 8-10, Mateo 23:13-22; Martes (Martirio de San Juan Bautista):

1 Tesalonicenses 2:1-8, Marcos 6:17-29; Miércoles: 1 Tesalonicenses 2:9-13, Mateo 23:27-32; Jueves: 1 Tesalonicenses 3:7-13, Mateo 24:42-51; Viernes: 1 Tesalonicenses

4:1-8, Mateo 25:1-13; Sábado: 1 Tesalonicenses

4:9-11, Mateo 25:14-30

San Bartolomé Apóstol

A este santo, uno de los doce apóstoles de Jesús, lo pintaban los antiguos con la piel en sus brazos como quien lleva un abrigo, porque la tradición cuenta que su martirio consistió en que le arrancaron la piel de su cuerpo, estando él aún vivo.

Al parecer, Bartolomé es un sobrenombre o segundo nombre que le fue añadido a su antiguo nombre que era Natanael (que significa “regalo de Dios”).

Muchos autores creen que el personaje que el evangelista San Juan llama Natanael, es el mismo que otros evangelistas llaman Bartolomé. Porque San Mateo, San Lucas y San Marcos cuando nombran al apóstol Felipe, le colocan como compañero de Felipe a Natanael.

El evangelio de San Juan (Juan 1:45-51), la narra el encuentro de Bartolomé con Jesús de la siguiente manera: “Jesús se encontró a Felipe y le dijo: “Sígueme”. Felipe se encontró a Natanael y le dijo: “Hemos encontrado a aquél a quien anunciaron Moisés y los profetas. Es Jesús de Nazaret”. Natanael le respondió: “¿Es que de Nazaret puede salir algo bueno?”

Felipe le dijo: “Ven y verás”. Vio Jesús que se acercaba Natanael y dijo de él: “Ahí tienen a un israelita de verdad, en quien no hay engaño” Natanael le preguntó: “¿Desde cuando me conoces?” Le respondió Jesús: “antes de que Felipe te llamara, cuando tú estabas allá debajo del árbol, yo te vi”. Le respondió Natanael: “Maestro, Tú eres el Hijo de Dios, Tú eres el Rey de Israel”. Jesús le contestó: “Por haber dicho que te vi debajo del árbol, ¿crees? Te aseguró que verás a los ángeles del cielo bajar y subir alrededor del Hijo del Hombre” (Juan 1:43 ). Desde entonces, nuestro santo fue un

discípulo incondicional de este enviado de Dios, Cristo Jesús, que tenía poderes y sabiduría del todo sobrenaturales.

Con los otros once apóstoles siguiendo a Jesús, recorre pueblos y aldeas, predica a las gentes.

Por dos veces es enviado junto con otro compañero a evangelizar los pueblos de Galilea, con poderes de arrojar demonios y realizar milagros.

Conoce lo que es la falta de tiempo para comer y dormir. Convive íntimamente con Jesús, es testigo de sus obras y de su sed insaciable de entregarse y, aún cuando pasará momentos de duda terrible al ser testigo de la Pasión y Muerte del Maestro, su fe se mantendrá fime, y merecerá ser testigo de su resurrección.

Bartolomé se encuentra allí en el Cenáculo, cuando a través de las puertas cerradas Jesús se les aparece a los discípulos.

El libro muy antiguo, y muy venerado, llamado el Martirologio Romano, resume así la vida posterior del santo: “San Bartolomé predicó el evangelio en la India. Después pasó a Armenia y allí convirtió a muchas gentes. Los enemigos de nuestra religión lo martirizaron quitándole la piel, y después le cortaron la cabeza”.

Para San Bartolomé, como para nosotros, la santidad no se basa en hacer milagros, ni en deslumbrar a otros con hazañas extraordinarias, sino en dedicar la vida a amar a Dios, a hacer conocer y amar mas a Jesucristo, y a propagar su santa religión, y en tener una constante caridad con los demás y tratar de hacer a todos el mayor bien posible.

— Condensado de Catholic.net

SEPTIEMBRE 3-9

Domingo: Jeremías 20:7-9, Romanos 12:1-2, Mateo 16:21-27; Lunes: 1 Tesalonicenses 4:13-

18, Lucas 4:16-30; Martes: 1 Tesaloniceses 5:1-

6, 9-11, Lucas 4:31-37; Miércoles: Colosenses

1:1-8, Lucas 4:38-44; Jueves: Colosenses 1:9-

14, Lucas 5:1-11; Viernes (Fiesta de Natividad de la Santísima Virgen María): Miqueas

5:1-4, Mateo 1:1-16, 18-23; Sábado (San Pedro Claver, presbítero): Colosenses 1:21-23, Lucas

Reading the Sacred Book of Nature

Where do you find God? The Divine? The Sacred? In the Scriptures? In Others? In Yourself? In Nature?

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16

“Saint Francis (of Assisi), faithful to Scripture, invites us to see nature as a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants us a glimpse of his infinite beauty and goodness.”

— Laudato Si’ (On Care for Our Common Home) #12 Pope Francis

2023 Annual Women’s Retreat

Led by Sr. Susan Schorsten, H.M.

Come away for a day and explore how we might find God in nature and discover some of the lessons nature has to teach us.

Sr. Susan Schorsten has served in a variety of ministries in her community and in the Diocese of Charleston. This is the 8th Women’s Retreat she has led for us, in addition to many other programs and retreats.

Suggested donation: $50 (lunch included)

REGISTER TODAY!

Email: oratorycenter@gmail.com

(Put Womens Retreat in the subject line)

-or-

Go online: www.rockhilloratory.org

(Go to Center for Spirituality/Events)

Questions? Contact us at the email address above.

San Pedro Claver

FOTO DOMINIO PÚBLICO

‘San Bartolomé’, óleo en canva de Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640). Probablemente fue realizado en 1611 como parte de la serie de los doce apóstoles ilustrados por el pintor.

Our nation

Maui mourns

Pope promises prayers; Lahaina’s parish church survives; diocese collects relief aid

PATRICK DOWNES

Hawaii Catholic Herald

HONOLULU — In the days following the fierce Maui wildfire that burned to the ground the town of Lahaina Aug. 8-9 in the deadliest natural disaster in state history, Pope Francis expressed his solidarity with those “suffering from this tragedy,” the Lahaina Catholic church was found to be still standing, and the Diocese of Honolulu began taking donations to aid the thousands of victims.

Bishop Larry Silva, in an Aug. 11 message to Hawaii Catholics, expressed “unwavering support” for the fire victims and explained how to help them financially through the Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation.

“As a community of faith, we are called to come together and provide unwavering support to those who are suffering,” he said. “It is in times like these that our collective love, faith and compassion can make a tremendous difference.”

“This is an opportunity for us to show our solidarity as a Catholic faith community and lend a helping hand to those who have lost so much,” Bishop Silva said.

“Let us also remember the power of prayer,” the bishop said. “In our collective prayers, we ask for strength, resilience, and healing for the fire victims and their families. May we find the grace to rebuild our families, their livelihoods, and the physical structures that were lost. Let our faith guide us as we navigate the challenges ahead, knowing that with the grace of God, all things are possible.”

As of Aug. 16, at least 99 people had died

and dozens more had been injured. But those numbers are expected to rise, Maui County officials said. About 11,000 others evacuated. As many as 3,000 homes have been destroyed.

Other Maui communities affected by fires include Kihei and Kula, where more than 500 acres burned.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, sent a letter Aug. 11 to Bishop Silva on behalf of Pope Francis, who, he said, “expresses his personal closeness to you and to the people affected by the terrible consequences of the ongoing wildfire on the Island of Maui.”

“His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and the destruction caused by the wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui,” the letter states, “and he expresses his solidarity with all those suffering from this tragedy, especially those whose loved ones have died or are missing.”

“His Holiness also offers the assurance of prayers for the dead, injured and displaced, as well as for the first responders and emergency personnel,” Cardinal Parolin wrote. “As a sign of his spiritual closeness, the Holy Father willingly invokes upon all the people of Maui, Almighty God’s blessings of strength and peace.”

The Maui blaze began the night of Aug. 8. The National Weather Service said strong winds from Hurricane Dora, passing hundreds of miles to the southwest of the Hawaiian Islands, were partly to blame for fueling the fires.

When the fire struck, Bishop Larry Silva was taking a few vacation days in California on his way back from World Youth Day in

Lisbon. His office quickly organized a Zoom virtual Rosary to pray for the victims.

“What is needed is prayer for those who have lost their homes and businesses,” he said, introducing the virtual prayer session that was attended by about 300 people, “prayers for our firefighters and first responders and police, and all those who are trying to protect the community, prayer for our social service agencies, which are gearing up to help those who are most in need in this time of crisis and trial.”

“And so we pray to our Blessed Mother for victory over all these tragedies,” he said, noting that Maria Lanakila translates into “Our Lady of Victory.”

“We ask the Lord to quench those fires immediately, so that they will no longer do any damage, so that they will be a memory of the past so we can begin the work of recovery and rebuilding,” he said in closing.

Bishop Silva flew to Maui Saturday night, Aug. 12, with plans to visit the area affected by the fire. He hoped to celebrate Mass at Maria Lanakila’s mission church, Sacred Heart in Kapalua about nine miles away, and to spend time with the people there, many of whom have lost homes and livelihoods.

Lahaina’s Maria Lanakila Catholic Church miraculously survived the blaze.

The day after the fire, the Diocese of Honolulu had been unable to verify the fate of the church and its adjoining parish elementary school, Sacred Heart School, which the day before the fire, Aug. 7, had lost half of its roof to heavy winds.

Father Robert Ni Ni, a Missionaries of Faith priest who is pastor of the Maui parish of St. Rita in Haiku and up until

last month was Maria Lanakila’s parochial vicar, said he had heard conflicting reports on the fate of the church.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser had reported that the church had burned down, while another news source reported the church was still standing.

The Star-Advertiser corrected its report Aug. 11 with a story that the church survived, seemingly untouched by the flames.

The church is a block or two from Front Street, the famous waterfront stretch of visitors’ shops and restaurants which the Lahaina fire reduced to a smoldering pile of ashes. Pictures showed charred trees across the street from the church. The day after the fire ripped through Lahaina town, the word going around was that the church was “gone.” By Aug. 10 the diocese had received enough ground and aerial photographic evidence to determine that the church and rectory survived intact, while the convent, school, and parish hall were heavily damaged by the fire. No one from the church had been able to visit the site because the area was closed off as the search for victims continued.

During an Aug. 10 visit to a Veterans Affairs medical center in Salt Lake City, President Joe Biden issued a federal disaster declaration for Maui and the Big Island, ordering “all available federal assets on the Islands to help with response.” Hawaii Gov. Josh Green requested the declaration. Green said in his statement, “This is a tragic day for everyone in Hawai’i and the nation. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and the survivors suffering through the deadliest natural disaster the state has seen in generations.”

An aerial view shows the community of Lahaina, Maui, after wildfires driven by high winds burned down most of the historic town last week.

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief

New Jersey court rules Catholic school can require teachers to follow Catholic teaching

TRENTON — The New Jersey Supreme Court on Aug. 14 unanimously upheld a Catholic school’s ability to enforce an employee code of conduct in line with Catholic moral teaching and to fire teachers for violating that code. The ruling in Victoria Crisitello v. St. Theresa School further solidifies the ability of New Jersey religious schools of all types to enforce moral codes of conduct in line with their religious practice. “This ruling provides Catholic schools with a significant new protection against lawsuits brought by employees who do not follow a school’s code of conduct,” said Eric Rassbach, an attorney with Becket, a law firm specializing in religious freedom cases. “As the New Jersey Supreme Court recognized, religious schools have a right to require their teachers to follow their faith in word and in deed. Although the ruling centers on New Jersey law, it will have knock-on effects around the country as a persuasively written decision.” The case revolved around Victoria Crisitello, a former art teacher at St. Theresa Catholic School in Kenilworth, N.J. Crisitello was terminated because she violated

not renew Crisitello’s contract in 2014 after she revealed she was pregnant, despite not being married. Crisitello sued the school for discrimination based on her pregnancy and marital status. St. Theresa’s responded, stating that “Crisitello was not terminated because of her pregnancy” but rather “she was terminated for violation of the Code of Professional and Ministerial Conduct” and for “not following the tenets of the Roman Catholic faith.” The state Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of St. Theresa’s and New Jersey religious schools in its unanimous decision Aug. 14. In its ruling, the New Jersey Supreme Court stated “the religious tenets exception allowed St. Theresa’s to require its employees, as a condition of employment, to abide by Catholic law, including that they abstain from premarital sex.” Peter Verniero, counsel for St. Theresa School, stated: “We are pleased that the Supreme Court upheld the rights of religious employers to act consistent with their religious tenets.”

St. Augustine, Fla., new statue unites cultures and launches Camino de la Unidad pilgrimage

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The newly unveiled sculpture of the Apostle Santiago at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine in the heart of downtown St. Augustine is a tangible link to its counterpart at the entrance of Santiago Cathedral in Spain. Placement of the statue took place on the feast of St. James (Santiago), July 25, during an event marking the convergence of spiritual connections between cultures and continents. It included the opening ceremony of Camino de la Unidad, a network of pilgrimage

cathedral basilica a few blocks away. The statue, crafted by the skilled hands of Juan Vega, is fashioned after one found at Spain’s Santiago Cathedral. It returned with a local Florida delegation that visited Spain in 2022 to solidify St. Augustine’s connection to the Camino de Santiago de Compostela (the Way of St. James) and will be placed permanently in the west courtyard of the cathedral basilica. The Florida group went to Spain to solidify their membership in the Alliance of Cathedrals and strengthen the city’s connection to the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. Father John Tetlow, rector of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, officially signed the proclamation joining the Alliance of Cathedrals. The cathedral basilica now officially becomes the anchor for the new Camino de la Unidad.

Sister Josephine Garrett shares

‘hope stories’ of Black Catholics in podcast meant to inspire

HUNTINGTON, Ind. — A podcast production by Catholic publishing company OSV with a nationally-recognized religious sister is featuring “Hope Stories with Black Catholics” this summer. “A hope story is a time in someone’s life when he or she was called to hope in a deep way,” Sister Josephine Garrett, a member of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, said of the ongoing series. “Hope (especially hope that is deep and profound and connected to the deepest desires of our hearts) takes courage, and as we wait for what is longed for, we can experience grief, loss, joy, fear, expectancy -all sorts of feelings.” She added that “in each episode the guests share times in their life

episodes lasting around 30 minutes each while highlighting the stories of 17 U.S. Black Catholics from all walks of life. One guest, Father Robert

Boxie, chaplain at Howard University and priestin-residence at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Washington, said he “absolutely enjoyed” being a part of the podcast, and his prayer is “that listeners will be inspired by the stories of Black Catholics, appreciate the unique witness that we bring to the Catholic Church.”

Catholics mark 78th anniversary of atomic bombings with calls for nuclear disarmament

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Catholics marked the 78th anniversary of the United States’ 1945 atomic bombings in Japan with calls for nuclear disarmament, prayers for peace and a protest at the White House. The Dorothy Day Catholic Worker House gathered about three dozen protesters for a vigil outside the White House Aug. 9 to mark the occasion with prayer, and to call on the U.S., the only nation that has used such weapons in war, to lead the way to a world where they are never again used. The group held a similar effort outside the Pentagon Aug. 6. During World War II, the U.S. used nuclear weapons on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima Aug. 6, 1945, and Nagasaki Aug. 9, 1945. Those bombings marked the first – and to date, only – use of atomic weapons in war, killing tens of thousands of people in each city in the initial explosions with still more dying from radiation poisoning in the following years. “We have to begin the process of dismantling the production of any new ones,” Catholic Worker Art Laffin said, saying President Joe Biden should heed the teaching of Pope Francis and embrace the United Nations’ treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons. Pope Francis has taught that “the use of nuclear weapons, as well as their mere possession, is immoral.” No nation with nuclear weapons has signed the U.N. treaty.

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Our world

‘The lighting of a fire’: Mater Dei Academy’s plan to renew Catholic education, faith in Ireland

KIMBERLEY HEATHERINGTON OSV News

A famous quote, oft attributed to Irishman William Butler Yeats, considered one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, says “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

And the philosophy that an authentic education is something more than cramming scholarly craniums with facts is ablaze at Cork, Ireland’s Mater Dei Academy, an independent Catholic school in the classical tradition.

OSV News recently spoke with the principal founder of Mater Dei Academy – Pádraig Cantillon-Murphy – when he visited Washington for a presentation at the Catholic Information Center.

Pádraig and Grace Cantillon-Murphy – husband and wife MIT graduates who returned to Ireland in 2010 – in 2020 launched Mater Dei Academy accompanied by a small group of founding parents and just 12 students. Enrollment has more than tripled since, and the first principal of the academy – Geraldine Heffernan – was announced April 10.

Its mission is plainly stated on the school’s website: “Mater Dei Academy is the beating heart for a new missionary pulse which seeks to revitalize Irish and European society with the values and traditions of our Catholic forefathers.”

That said, the aggressive secularization

of modern Ireland has been rapid for the nation that in 1946 was described by Giovanni Battista Montini – the future Pope Paul VI – as “the most Catholic country in the world.”

“The reality we have today is essentially that of the early Church, where we are a minority in a civilization that has essentially apostatized its faith,” said Cantillon-Murphy, “and our mission is to be salt, to be light, to be leaven in that society. So the number one priority of the school is to make Jesus Christ present. First of all, in the lives of the kids. Second of all, in the life of the school. And third of all, in the wider society.”

Outside the walls of Mater Dei’s Cork city center campus, the secular atmosphere grows. As the London-based Catholic Herald reported June 14, “The proposed addition to the Irish Statute book, the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022, seeks to create a new crime of hate speech (incitement to violence or hatred) as well as upgrading existing criminal acts when aggravated by hatred.”

“It poses all sorts of problems,” said Cantillon-Murphy, “particularly for us in the Church, where people are now scratching their heads and asking, ‘Are large tracts of the Bible now considered hate speech?’ Because obviously there are very clear references to the way some people live. It seems to be trying to muzzle people.”

The breadth of the intended statute was criticized by the Catholic Herald as “chillingly vague and ill-defined.”

“That’s not surprising for us who are in the country,” Cantillon-Murphy noted. “It’s the latest in a long catalog of legislative and constitutional changes which are essentially deconstructing a Christian vision and anthropology of society. And that is seen quite clearly in the schools, even though nominally, many of them retain their historically Catholic ethos. The reality, of course, is very different.”

Almost 50% of modern Irish schools retain a Catholic character, but often superficially, Cantillon-Murphy explained. The remainder are state-controlled. Schools that are privately funded and independent of the government are such a minority that they barely register in statistical tallies.

“I don’t anticipate our mission being to turn the clock back to a time where the church dominated education in the country,” Cantillon-Murphy said. “We are a choice that parents make to be able to deliver education in an environment where the faith is supported.”

Unlike other Catholic schools in Ireland, Mater Dei Academy operates independently of state funding; but it charges no fees to Irish residents, relying entirely upon donations to make Mater Dei’s Catholic classical education as accessible as state-funded schools. The U.S.-based Saints and Scholars Foundation petitions the support of charitable

Americans to make this possible.

Mater Dei’s students take courses in theology, philosophy, English, Latin, mathematics, science, history and culture, geography, music, art – and the Irish language.

“We’ve spent quite a lot of time trying to give the students the confidence to speak the (Irish) language, to be able to recite poetry in public,” said Cantillon-Murphy. “For example, there’s an old competition for public recitation in Irish poetry – and we won both prizes this year.”

While it’s admirable to save Irish, or Gaeilge, from succumbing to the stagnant status of a “dead language,” there’s more to the effort than that.

“We see this as part of the mission – not because it’s a means to an end in itself, but that the language is a means of transmitting faith,” Cantillon-Murphy commented. “The faith is interspersed everywhere in the language and the culture; it’s wrapped up in the etymology of the words. You say hello by saying ‘Dia duit,’ which means ‘God be with you.’”

“The language itself is full of imagery and poetry,” he explained. “It’s about really creating a certain pride in the students also, that this is something that belongs to them. Not for themselves, but to pass on to somebody else. You learn so that you can teach. This is ultimately what we would like these students to be able to do, in a generation from now.”

Pope again prays for Maui victims, makes appeal for migration reform

VATICAN CITY — After leading the recitation of the Angelus prayer Aug. 13, Pope Francis again assured the people of Hawaii of his prayers. With some 15,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square to pray with him, the pope said he was praying “for the victims of the fires that have devastated the Hawaiian island of Maui.” The official death toll from the fires had risen to 96 Aug. 13 and the number was expected to increase as the search through burned out rubble continued. In his public prayers and appeals after reciting the Angelus, Pope Francis also made a strong appeal for serious efforts at immigration reform after 41 migrants were reported to have drowned in the Mediterranean in early August. “Another tragic shipwreck happened a few days ago in the Mediterranean – 41 people lost their lives,” the pope said. “I have prayed for them.” Four migrants from Africa were rescued by a merchant ship and brought to the Italian island of Lampedusa Aug. 9. They said they were on a boat carrying 45 people that capsized off the coast of Tunisia.

president

HAIFA, Israel — Israeli President Isaac Herzog denounced the increasing violence against Christians in Israel during a visit on Aug. 9 to the Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery in Haifa. Herzog was accompanied by Israel Police Inspector General Yaakov Shabtai and emphasized Israel’s commitment to the full protection of freedom of religion and worship. He met with patriarchs and church leaders including Cardinal-designate Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, and Father Jean Joseph Bergara, the monastery superior of Stella Maris. The visit comes against the background of recent attacks against the monastery in particular by a few fringe members of the Breslov ultra-orthodox sect who began arriving at the monastery in May, claiming it was a Jewish holy site, and increasing attacks against churches and Christian clergy in general. “In recent months we have seen very serious phenomena towards the Christian denominations in the Holy Land,” said Herzog. “Our brothers and sisters, Christian citizens, who feel attacked in their places of prayer, in their cemeteries, on the streets. I view this phenomenon as extreme and unacceptable in any shape or form. This phenomenon needs to be uprooted.” The president urged for greater understanding of the histories of the religious communities

in the Holy Land, noting that it was the birthplace of the three monotheistic religions.

Polish village prepares for Ulma family’s beatification, tells story of their heroism in face of Nazis

KRAKOW, Poland — A few years ago people of the little village of Markowa, in southeastern Poland, would never have thought that in the summer of 2023, they would have dozens of guests coming to visit every day from all over the world. With the Ulma family beatification coming up Sept. 10, the people of Markowa are busy telling the story of their ancestors and preparing for what is for them an event of the century. For the village of roughly 4,000 people, a mostly farming community, “it is a bit overwhelming in a sense,” Urszula Niemczak told OSV News. Her husband is Wiktoria Ulma’s nephew. “We have media, pilgrims, people from all over Poland but also the United States coming to visit. Lots of renovations, preparation and a bit of stress, yes, that’s what it is at the moment!” she said. Józef and Wiktoria Ulma, who lived in the village during the Second World War, gave shelter to eight Jews for almost two years in German-occupied Poland, hiding them from the Nazi regime. The Ulmas had seven children, including the unborn child in Wiktoria’s womb. The Nazis, informed by a local policeman that Jews were being hidden in the household, came early in the morning March 24, 1944, right before Easter. First, they killed all eight of the Jewish fugitives. Then they shot Wiktoria and Józef. Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, will preside over the beatification Mass in a soccer field in Markowa, 1,300 feet from the grave of the Ulma family and about 1.2 miles from their house and the place they were killed.

U.S. group marks 1945 atomic bombings, urges abolishing nuclear weapons

HIROSHIMA, Japan — On the 78th anniversary of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Archbishop Paul D. Etienne of Seattle and Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the Pilgrimage of Peace delegation from their archdioceses participated in an interfaith prayer ceremony and a peace memorial ceremony. “It was hard to fathom that with just one bomb, this entire city along with some 140,000 people died as a result, far more than the tens of thousands gathered this morning to remember them,” Archbishop Etienne wrote on his blog about the interfaith ceremony at the Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound that was led by the Hiroshima Prefecture Federation of Religions. Since the bombing on Aug. 6, 1945, many more people have died from radiation poisoning and other illness because of the bomb, and survivors (hibakusha) still carry physical and psychological wounds, the archbishop said. “All of this was on my heart as we prayed together in this site of so much devastation, suffering and death,” he said. During the service, several Shinto priests approached the altar with branches and reeds and bowed, followed by dozens of other dignitaries and religious leaders.

Archbishops Etienne and Wester read the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi as a reminder for all to be instruments of peace. The Pilgrimage of Peace seeks to establish relationships with the bishops of Japan to work toward abolition of nuclear weapons, while “expressing our heartfelt sorrow for the devastating experiences endured by their nation,” according to the official pilgrimage site.

In wake of candidate’s murder, Ecuadorian bishops condemn growing violence

BOGOTA, Colombia — While the murder of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio shocked Ecuador Aug. 9, the bishops’ conference in the South American country expressed its solidarity with Villavicencio’s family and condemned growing rates of violence. In a statement posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, the bishops said that they will “join initiatives to recover security” in Ecuador, where violence waged by drug cartels has pushed up murder rates, forced thousands of people to migrate and has now jeopardized the credibility of a presidential election that will be held Aug. 20. “We also ratify our commitment to pray and work for peace based on liberty, justice and truth,” the statement read. Villavicencio was murdered as he left a campaign rally at a school in the capital city of Quito, and entered a vehicle that was not bulletproof. Police said the car was shot at 40 times by men on motorcycles. On the campaign trail, the candidate had spoken out about the growing influence of drug cartels in the South American country, whose ports on the Pacific Ocean have become an important transit point for cocaine shipments headed to Asia and the United States. He also campaigned against corruption.

Jesuit university’s accounts frozen in Nicaragua

MEXICO CITY — Nicaragua appears to have frozen the bank accounts of the country’s Jesuit university – marking yet another attack on the Catholic Church and its educational and charitable projects. The Central American University sent an email to students Aug. 9, stating, “By means beyond our control we are not receiving payments corresponding to fees or services from any of the instances of the university,” according to the independent Nicaragua news organization Divergentes. Divergentes cited a government source, saying the university’s accounts had been frozen. It later reported Aug. 10 that the Nicaraguan government had frozen the university’s assets two months ago, acting on orders from the prosecutor’s office, but had not advised the Central American University. The university has not offered an explanation for its problems in receiving payments. “As a former student of the Central American University, I repudiate the

dictatorship’s aggression against this education center,” Auxiliary Bishop Silvio José Báez, who is exiled in Miami, wrote on X, the site formerly known as Twitter.

Syrian people ‘again forgotten,’ say humanitarian workers six months after earthquake

AMMAN, Jordan — Six months after the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, Catholic aid organizations are expressing special concern and providing help particularly for the residents of northwestern Syria who they say face greater isolation from international assistance. Twelve years of civil war have left 5.4 million? Syrians as refugees, 6.8 million were internally displaced and 4.3 million are sheltering in the predominantly rebel-held region from various parts of the country in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The earthquakes exacerbated an already dire economic recession, fuel shortages, prolonged drought, and health crises such as a cholera outbreak, putting even more pressure on public systems in the area. Thomas Weiss of Malteser International told OSV News that these people “depend totally on international support.” “Humanitarian access to Syria must be safe, consistent and especially protected from politicization,” he urged. Weiss travels regularly to northwest Syria to meet with beneficiaries and the several local non-government organizations with whom Malteser International partners. Father Tony O’Riordan of the Jesuit Refugee Service serving in the northern city of Aleppo warned that Syrians are “starving,” saying nine in every 10 people in Syria need assistance..

— OSV News

Israeli

calls attacks on Christians ‘extreme and unacceptable’

Record enrollment: a testament to Catholic schools

As we welcome students back for another promising school year, I am reflecting on the journey our esteemed Catholic schools across the western half of North Carolina have taken over the past few years. From my beginning as Superintendent in 2020, through the challenges of the pandemic, to the growing demand we face today, our dedication to fostering Catholic culture has been a beacon guiding us toward excellence in all pursuits.

Our enrollment is a testament to the collective hard work of everyone in the diocese, as we embrace close to 8,200 students in our 20 Catholic schools – the highest enrollment in our history. Behind these numbers lie the stories of more than 600 new families who have joined us since the pandemic, each placing faith in our system to nurture the growth of their children not just intellectually, but as virtuous disciples of Jesus Christ. While we celebrate this milestone, we all know enrollment is but one indicator of success. There remains the ever-important task of ensuring that our schools radiate an immersive, accessible, and authentically Catholic spirit, where all students are welcomed and can heed their call to holiness.

It’s inspiring to see our schools remain resilient and steadfast during times when the global education sector faced unprecedented challenges. Making the brave decision to keep our schools open for in-person learning throughout COVID-19 was borne from our conviction that prioritizes the emotional, academic, social, and spiritual well-being of our students. Looking back, I am filled with gratitude that our decisions were appropriate and fruitful. Our students thrived at a time when many institutions faced declines – all thanks to the unwavering partnership of parents, faculty and staff working together for the good of our students.

Last year, the national spotlight shined on our efforts, recognizing our holistic and exceptional education and robust Catholic identity, as the Catholic Education Foundation designated us “Catholic Institution of the Year.” Our students benefit from a premier education, as evident in everything from the classes they choose, to the colleges they attend, to the scholarships they earn, to the careers they pursue.

Such accolades demonstrate that our pursuit of excellence – in academics, faith and extracurriculars – springs from our Catholic identity itself.

Behind our success stands the relentless dedication of our school leaders, teachers, staff, and support from our Church and pastoral center leadership. Their continued commitment to our core pillars — Robust Catholic Identity, Holistic Education Formation, Committed Operational Vitality, and Effective Governance and Leadership – has forged our schools into environments that are faith-filled, welcoming of all people who seek to join our mission, and truly exceptional.

Special acknowledgment goes to our devoted pastors and chaplains who have consistently championed our Catholic culture and helped us deepen relationships between our parishes and schools. We are a combination of parish-based, metro, diocesan and independent schools – yet we are one system committed to God and our students.

My personal journey from Nebraska, driven by my search for a faith-filled community with potential to grow into a “destination diocese,” mirrors the sentiments of many who have become part of our school system. Our vibrant diocese – from Greensboro to Asheville and everything in between – was poised for national prominence, and together, we are realizing that aspiration.

As superintendent, I am often reminded of the importance of partnership and unity. Our parents, the primary educators of their children, continue to play an essential role in our schools. I am so grateful they not only entrust us with their children’s education, but also actively engage in reinforcing faith and academic lessons at home. This collaboration makes our community even more vibrant and purpose-driven, and we could not realize the great gains in our schools without our parents walking with us every step of the way.

May our Lord, through the intercession of Mary, His Mother, light our path, and may we celebrate countless more milestones together.

At the doors of the Eucharistic Congress

We are about to celebrate the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress, and our entire diocese is very happy to be able to accompany our Lord through the streets of Charlotte with our bishop –who for 19 years has wanted all to gather at such a solemn event.

It is such a beautiful thing when you see the procession of the faithful following the Blessed Sacrament, from the bishop, priests, deacons and religious to all the people of God who walk and pray. One wonderful thing to witness is parishioners entering with their banners, proudly representing their local parishes. In years past, when all the children who made their first Holy Communion that year come in, it is as if the angels themselves are present in the solemn Eucharistic procession.

Perhaps we can ask ourselves, what is the importance of this great event? First, I want to echo what our dear Bishop Peter Jugis has expressed on several occasions when asked about the reason for the event: “I want to give the opportunity for my diocese to meet with our Lord and His shepherds so that together we can give Him glory and honor.”

We have witnessed all the graces and fruits that the Congress has brought to our diocese from the very start. For me as a priest, it gives me the opportunity to meet with my present community and be able to greet the faithful coming from past parishes and give them the great embrace of friendship. We have seen how the parishes have been getting to know each other, and the faithful are happy to see so many Catholics from our diocese. It reaffirms their own faith and helps them see that we are composed of many cultures in the same faith. We have also seen that, since the Congress, more chapels of adoration and more nocturnal adorations have been opened in parishes. The extraordinary impulse of grace has encouraged us to render adoration to our good God and has characterized us as a Eucharistic diocese.

Among the most beautiful things we have witnessed and experienced is the birth of St. Joseph College Seminary in our diocese. The prayer of the faithful to the Lord to send workers to His harvest is very present in the Congress, and the testimony of all the seminarians working in the Congress inspires young people. Young Catholics see a diocese that prays, believes and makes them ask themselves the great question: “Lord, what do you want from me?” Many families have told me how the Congress has helped them and their children grow in devotion to the Eucharist and how homes have been restored in faith because of the gathering.

WHERE DOES THIS TRADITION COME FROM?

One of the manifestations of this increased devotion was the introduction of Eucharistic processions, the earliest evidence of which comes from Cologne, Germany, in the 1270s. By the 14th century, the practice of processing the Blessed Sacrament on the feast of Corpus Christi had been adopted throughout Europe. In cities and towns, these processions took place in the streets, but in rural communities, Eucharistic processions usually took the form of a procession through the fields. In the latter setting, four outdoor altars were often built, and at each altar the beginning of one of the four Gospels was sung.

The writings of St. Thomas Aquinas, in particular,

influenced the Church during this period to use the term “transubstantiation” to describe the miraculous conversion of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ during the consecration at Mass. Once these truths were deepened in priestly formation at seminaries, the Eucharistic explosion was not long in coming. The faithful began to ask their pastors for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the great Corpus Christi processions. And so, the Church has continued to persevere in these processions and Eucharistic Congresses that do so much good for the faithful.

HOW ARE THE PROCESSIONS ORGANIZED?

The liturgical books of the Church continue to encourage the carrying of the Eucharist in procession on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi or other important occasions, calling this practice “desirable” (cf. Roman Missal, Form of Mass for Corpus Christi; Ceremonial of Bishops, 386). The purpose of such processions through the streets is to give public witness to the faith of the Christian people and to manifest their devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

The ritual book Holy Communion and Adoration of the Eucharist outside Mass indicates that it is for the local Ordinary (bishop) to decide on the appropriateness of such processions and to approve a place and plan that will ensure that these movements are carried out with decorum and reverence (101). In addition, appropriate arrangements should be made with public authorities and law enforcement officials to ensure the safety of those who will participate in the processions.

Ideally, the Blessed Sacrament will be reserved in a tabernacle, and a monstrance is prepared and placed on the altar. A suitable prayer is offered, which in our diocese consists of the recitation of Lauds by all the priests. The Blessed Sacrament is incensed and then the procession begins. Eucharistic songs and hymns that are easy to sing and memorize should be led by a choir during the procession. While not required, the traditional custom of stopping at stations to proclaim the Word of God and give a Eucharistic blessing may take place. A canopy or baldachin held over the Blessed Sacrament may also be used as an option. At the end of the procession, a blessing with the Blessed Sacrament should be given in the church where the procession ends. The Blessed Sacrament is then reposed.

The Ceremonial of Bishops gives the following order for Eucharistic processions: Cross bearer with candle bearers; clergy and deacons with their albs in procession; deacon(s) of the Mass; thurifer; bishop or priest carrying the Blessed Sacrament; other members of the Catholic congregation (optionally carrying lighted candles); persons carrying appropriate banners; musical instruments; followed by all the holy people of God.

My dear brothers and sisters, I encourage all of you to come to Charlotte on Saturday, Sept. 9, and, as our dear bishop has said, avail yourself of the great graces God is showering on us as we “meet with our Lord and His shepherds so that together we can give Him glory and honor.”

FATHER JULIO DOMÍNGUEZ is the episcopal vicar for Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte.

Dr. Greg Monroe Father Julio Domínguez

DR. GREG MONROE is superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Charlotte.

Most-read stories on the web

Deacon Matthew Newsome

Confirmation: The most misunderstood sacrament

Sacraments are visible signs of invisible grace. Through the Sacraments of the Church, God uses natural signs to communicate His supernatural grace to us. For example, Baptism uses the sign of water. Water is necessary for life, but it can also be deadly, which makes it a fitting sign of the death and rebirth that sacramentally occurs at baptism. The word “baptism” itself means to bathe or wash, making baptism a natural sign of the cleansing of sin that the sacrament also confers.

The natural signs of bread and wine are used in the Eucharist to communicate the Real Presence of Jesus’ Body and Blood, signifying the supernatural nourishment we receive from God through Christ, our Lord, uniting us with the gift of His Body for us on the cross.

But what about the other sacrament of initiation, confirmation? The visible sign of this sacrament is anointing with sacred oil (chrism). What does this signify? I think one reason confirmation remains such a misunderstood sacrament today is that we have lost sight of the natural meaning of anointing.

In Matthew’s gospel, when Jesus talks about the proper way to fast, he says to “anoint your head and wash your face so that you may not appear to others to be fasting” (Mt 6:17-18). Here anointing is linked to washing. Jesus is instructing us to look presentable, so as not to draw attention to our penance. In this context, anointing is understood to be an aspect of hygiene and personal grooming.

In the book of Daniel we read about Susanna, who is accosted by two lecherous judges while bathing in her garden. As she is preparing for her bath, Susanna instructs her maids to “bring me oil and soap” (Dan 13:17). We think of the oil made from olives and other plants primarily today in terms of a kitchen ingredient, but in the ancient world, these oils were also used extensively for bathing. We still use plant oils frequently in personal grooming; we just call them lotions or moisturizers. Soap and water may be sufficient to get the dirt off, but oils rejuvenate our skin, making it feel soft and smooth. Since oils used for bathing are usually scented, they also make us smell nice. To anoint yourself with oil after a bath is not a necessity, but a luxury. To be anointed is to be renewed, rejuvenated and made fresh. It’s a way of pampering yourself.

OUTWARD SIGN OF HIS GREAT LOVE

When Mary Magdalene anoints Jesus’ feet with costly perfumed oil, it was an outward sign of her great love for the Lord (Jn 12:3). God likewise uses anointing as a natural sign of the overflowing abundance of His love. Psalm 23 includes the line, “You anoint my head with oil” in between “You set a table before me” and “my cup overflows,” as a way of recognizing the many undeserved blessings God bestows upon each of us.

God has also historically used anointing as a sign to convey a particular blessing of special significance. For example, at the

establishment of the Aaronic priesthood, Moses used oil to anoint the altar of the Lord and then poured the oil over Aaron’s head to consecrate him (cf. Lev 8:10-12). Elijah used oil to anoint Elisha as prophet to succeed him (1 Kg 19:16). Samuel used oil to anoint David as King of Israel (1 Sm 16:13).

Lest we forget, the word Christ means “Anointed One” (from the Greek “Khristos,” which is a translation of the Hebrew “Messiah”). Aaron, Elisha and David were messiahs in the sense that they were anointed, but their anointings pointed to a greater future fulfillment. The messianic offices of priest, prophet and king were fulfilled in the Person of Jesus Christ, who was anointed not with the sign of oil, but directly by the Holy Spirit at his baptism.

The word “Christian” literally means “little anointed one.” To be a Christian therefore means more than being a follower of Christ; it is to be anointed like Him. Christ, our head, was anointed by the Holy Spirit at his baptism, but the Body of Christ, the Church, was anointed by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Through baptism we are made members of Christ’s Body, and through confirmation we receive our share of Christ’s anointing. Both are necessary for the fullness of Christian life.

In the Acts of the Apostles, after the deacon Philip baptizes new converts in Samaria, the Apostles Peter and John came to lay hands on them “because the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized” (Acts 8:16).

OUR MISSION NEVER GOES AWAY

Just as God anointed people for special tasks in the Old Testament, our anointing gives us our identity and strengthens us for our mission. As “little Christs,” we are anointed as priests, prophets and kings. We each in our own unique way have a share in Christ’s mission, in keeping with our vocation and state in life. That mission is to reconcile people to God, beginning with ourselves. Confirmation thus conveys two special graces. For the benefit of ourselves, we receive the grace to live a holy life in an unholy world. For the benefit of others, we receive the grace to be witnesses of Christ, proclaiming the Gospel in word and deed. As anointed people, we are not merely members of a body, but of a consecrated body, a royal body, a holy body – a body set apart, which is the very meaning of the word “ecclesia,” or Church. Confirmation leaves an indelible mark on your soul. Once received, God’s holy anointing never goes away, which means our mission never goes away, even if we forget about it at times. But let’s not take it for granted. Let us strive to live each day as God’s “little anointed ones” in Christ.

DEACON MATTHEW NEWSOME, the Catholic campus minister at Western Carolina University and regional faith formation coordinator for the Smoky Mountain Vicariate, is the author of “The Devout Life: A Modern Guide to Practical Holiness with St. Francis de Sales,” available from Sophia Institute Press.

Pope Francis

From online story: “Jesus does not abandon individuals or the Church, pope says at Angelus”

The Catholic News Herald reached the Facebook and Instagram feeds of more than 378,000 people in English and Spanish last month. The most talked about post? Coverage of the latest Mass in the Igbo language. Join the conversation: www.facebook. com/CatholicNewsHerald

On YouTube in August so far, videos produced by the Catholic News Herald have been viewed more than 27,000 times. The most popular video? “Mass honors new priest, fathers and Igbo Catholic heritage”

So far this month, 13,973 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of 20,751 pages. The top five trending headlines are:

n 2023 priest assignments announced................................................................................................. 873

n St. Joseph College Seminary welcomes eight new men 505

n ‘Father Steve’ Hoyt starts chaplain assignment at Pennybyrn 412

n Catholic schools gear up for record enrollment.............................................................................. 335

n ‘Sound of Freedom’ actor Jim Caviezel to speak at annual MiraVia banquet 315

Letter to the editor

We need more models of faith for students, teachers

I would like to suggest some models for our teachers and students in addition to the ones listed in the Aug. 4 edition of the Catholic News Herald.

For teachers, I urge you to emulate St. John Baptist de La Salle. LaSalle was born in 1651 in France to a wealthy family. He was moved by seeing many of the poor children of his time wandering the streets and unable to get an education because they had no money. Most of the teachers at that time were very poorly educated and also unprofessional. LaSalle founded the first teacher training program in France initially by taking his teachers into his own home, helping them learn to speak properly, be gentlemen, and practice effective methods of teaching youngsters. LaSalle believed teaching was a noble and honorable profession, and a teacher could have a great influence on young people by teaching them how to lead a good and virtuous life. Simultaneously, he founded schools for the poor and recruited young men to teach in these schools.

As a teacher today, you probably will never see all the good that you bring to your students’ lives. But be confident that many of your students will be better people and lead holier lives because of your hard work and influence on them.

For students, I suggest the life of St. Maria Goretti. Maria was born in Italy into a poor family. Maria’s father died when she was 9 years old. Because they were poor, her family had to move and share a house with another family. This other family, the Serenellis, had a 20-year-old son, Allesandro, who kept making sexual advances toward Maria which she continually refused. One day, when Maria was 12 years old, Allesandro attacked Maria and killed her. Maria had told him, “No, it is a sin,” and yet forgave him before she died. Maria is the patron saint of young women and all youth.

As a young person today you are greatly influenced by your friends and ever-present social media. You can be a light to your friends by following your beliefs without verbally preaching to them. Your good example will be more important than anything you can say to them.

JOHN DIERINGER is a member of St. Eugene Parish in Asheville.

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@CatholicNewsCLT

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‘By walking on the water, He wants to say,

“Do not be afraid. I put your enemies under my feet.” ’