CATHOLIC ALL WEEK

Timely tips for blending faith & life

August is ripe with change as the vacation season winds down, a new school year begins, and parish life picks up again. Yet the late summer sun still sizzles, and the earth produces its bounty. As in every season, Our Blessed Mother grants each of us the graces we need to make the most of this time and the year ahead. Renew your devotion to Our Lady by bringing her into your home as you celebrate this month’s Marian feasts:

Stay Cool With Our Lady Of The Snows

Something extraordinary happened in Rome on the night of Aug. 5, 354. Snow fell in summer, a rare occurrence in the Eternal City even in winter. On that night, Mary appeared to a wealthy childless couple in a dream, telling them a miracle would reveal where they should build a church: on a hill in the Esquiline district of Rome. Pope Liberius, having had the same vision, went out to the hill and drew an outline for the church before the snow melted. The feast of Our Lady of the Snows is still celebrated Aug. 5 in Rome with an artificial snowfall and lightshow at the church that was built on the hill: the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Celebrate by eating vanilla or any flavor of white-colored ice cream to represent the snow and Mary’s purity.

CELEBRATE MARY’S ASSUMPTION WITH FRUITS AND HERBS

Staff

EDITOR: Spencer K. M. Brown

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EDITORIAL TEAM: Kimberly Bender

704-370-3394, kdbender@charlottediocese.org

Annie Ferguson

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Troy C. Hull

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COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Erika Robinson

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COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Liz Chandler

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ASSISTANT COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle

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One of the oldest traditions associated with the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Aug. 15 is the blessing of fruits and herbs. The custom coincided with harvest time and arose from Germanic countries as an opportunity to give thanks to God for the bountiful harvest while also celebrating Mary’s Assumption, body and soul, into heaven. Some churches still hold these blessings on this feast, instituted by the Venerable Pope Pius XII. Another great way to celebrate is to eat fruits and herbs like the ones in this heirloom tomato salad with basil, capers and feta cheese from www.flavourandsavour.com

ENTRUST NEW BEGINNINGS TO MARY’S QUEENSHIP

The faithful also have Pope Pius XII to thank for the institution of the Feast of the Queenship of Mary on Aug. 22. He believed everyone should go to Mary, the queen of our hearts, and beg for her assistance. Her motherly help is very effective for starting a new chapter in your life. Honor the Queenship of Mary by attending Mass or checking out TAN Books’ stunning “Queen of Heaven” series by Rick Rotundi and Brian Kennelly (both parishioners in our diocese), which includes a book, group study edition and videos for growing closer to Mary.

Diocesan calendar of events

ESPAÑOL

VIÑEDO DE RAQUEL: ¿Es usted o un ser querido que busca la curación de los efectos de un aborto anterior? Los retiros de fin de semana son ofrecidos por Caridades Católicas para hombres y mujeres en todas las regiones de la Diócesis de Charlotte. Para obtener información sobre los próximos retiros, comuníquese con Karina Hernández: 336-267-1937 o karinahernandez@live.com.

PRAYER SERVICES

ANOINTING MASS : 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, St. Luke Church, 9800 Fairview Road, Mint Hill. Anointing available for people who need healing from physical or mental illness, or who will be undergoing surgery. For details, call Mary Adams, 704-545-1224.

ANNUAL MARY DAYS : 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, to 7 p.m. 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 704290-6012.

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. The St. Peregrine healing prayer service will include a blessing with a relic of St. Peregrine, the patron saint of people afflicted by cancer, leg ailments or any life-threatening disease, and of at-risk youth. All are welcome.

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

AUG. 18 – 6:30 P.M. Mass for the Feast of St. Helena for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte