April 23, 2004

8

5

«vww.dbariottedioccsc4>rs

Roman

Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

One

table,

many

cultures Catholic responsibility

APRIL

23,

to

NEW!

Established Jan. 12, 1972

by Pope Paul VI

I

SERVING CATHOLICS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

2004

welcome others

THE DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE

IN

VOLUME

PAGE

N9

13

29

MINISTERING TO THE MASSES

FIGHTING FOR LIFE

Trial testimony said to

show

truth behind abortion support BY

NANCY FRAZIER

of legal abortion and other

O'BRIEN

sues affecting

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ing to the U.S. bishops' chief

f

pro-life

.

some graphic descriptions of

abortion procedures.

spokeswoman.

"This demonstration

Editor's note: This story contains

is-

women, accord-

some

for

said

'choice,'"

is

not

abstract notion of

Cathy Cleaver

Ruse, director of planning and

— The

information in the bishops'

graphic and often disturbing

Secretariat for Pro-Life Activi-

testimony about abortion at trials in San Francisco, New York and Lincoln, Neb., "provides a telling backdrop" to the scheduled April 25 demonstration in Washington in support

ties.

I

WASHINGTON

"As the testimony shows, for a very real, very cruel and very painful way of killing it is

See ABORTION, page 9

Living the faith Photo by Karen A. Evans

Rev. Mr. Edwin Rodriguez

Peter 18.

J.

and

Rev. Mr. Jesus Reyes, followed by Father Christopher

Jugis, lead the recessional following the dedication of the

The new church features seating

Monroe

for the 1,200-family

for

Our Lady

of

Roux and Bishop

Lourdes Church

April

more than 700 worshippers, providing much-needed space

parish.

Our Lady of Lourdes Church dedicates new worship space BY

KAREN

A.

EVANS

STAFF WRITER

MONROE — One

Bishop Peter

would

think that a brand-new sanc-

Photo by Kevin

E.

Murray

-ranciscan Sister Andrea Inkrott, director of diocesan Hispanic Ministry,

works

witli

Discernment House

Lourdes Toribio, who in

Charlotte.

lives at tlie Franciscan

The house allows women to

eside with and experience the lives of the Sisters of tvhile

considering a vocation to the religious

St.

Francis

life.

SEE COVERAGE ON PAGES 10-11.

tuary would provide some growing room, but Our Lady of Lourdes Church's new sanctuary was overflowing on the day of its dedication.

Enthusiastic worshippers filled the pews, aisles and an additional seating area in the

vestibule for the dedication of

the

new church

In

Our Schools

ebrated by former pastor

building, cel-

J.

Jugis April 18.

Four years of fundraising and planning, which had begun under previous pastors, continued during the twoyear tenure of then-Father Jugis and concluded under the administration of Father

James Cassidy, culminated with the dedication on Divine Mercy Sunday.

dozen years, said Austin Doherty, chairman of the parish council.

"Ten or 12 years ago, there were 300 registered families," he said. "Now there are about 1,200." About 840 of these families are Hispanic.

For the past few years, Mass has been celebrated four times each weekend, including twice in Spanish, in the activ-

The

parish has quadrupled in size over the last

See DEDICATION, page 17

mm

ON 0£6£

m

Id

dCi

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mUY\

IJd^HO HOSIIH

Equal

Culture

in dignity

Watch

Students win awards, explore

Parishioners with autistic

"Left Behind" series;

ancient cultures

children seek inclusion

"Passion" media coverage

NO 113311 03 ON 1191 tt-£**v..,.,vv.v*vvv..».vm*MdNXai

I

PAGES 6-7

I

PAGE

I

PAGES

12-13

'

2

The Catholic

News & Herald

Current and upcoming

In Brief

topics from around the

world to your

own backyard

ROl

Study: Hundreds of U.S, parishes help poorer sister parishes WASHINGTON

(CNS)

— About

1,350 U.S. parishes say they support a

NEW LIFE FOR KNEELERS

poor parish

United States or a Center for Applied Rein the

abroad, said

search in the Apostolate

Of

(CARA)

report.

the parishes supported abroad,

83 percent are in Latin America. Parishes in 55 foreign countries receive support from U.S. parishes.

The report was based on responses from a survey of 5,831 parishes across the United States conducted in 2001 by CARA, which specializes in social science research for Catholic organizations.

Of

CARA

the parishes

a total of 1,350, or about

surveyed,

30 percent,

reported such partnerships.

There are about 19,000 parishes

tionship, said the

in

the United States.

more

affluent

than those parishes without such a rela-

Diocesa n. planner

Church, 102

—

CNS

PHOTO BY Karen Calwway, Northwest Indiana Catholic

lima

U.S. parishes that support foreign

more than 1,000 registered households and $380,000 annu-

parishes average

ally in

weekend Mass

salvaged wood into shelves and coatracks to be sold to raise money for the parish

SPARTA

F

ami

tered households and $260,000 annu-

issil

weekend Mass

—

year-old church's kneelers.

He and Bondi have

As

the church undergoes a restora-

undergoing a transformation to become shelves and coatracks by parishioners Tom Dabertin and Damian Bondi.

Last December, Precious Blood Father John Kalicky, pastor at St. John, tion, its old kneelers are

offered a kneeler to Dabertin,

home and made

it

who took it

into a shelf

When

make

coatracks.

real

Dabertin figures he has enough material for

250 shelves and 50 coat

ders for 50 shelves. tinue als

working

run

racks.

already received or-

They

plan to con-

until the orders or materi-

out.

Each man averages six hours a week on the project.

The two volunteers are also pressure-stamping the back of each product with this message: "St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 1931-2003."

Dabertin returned with the shelf, several parish workers said they would like one.

That led to an idea to raise money for the church.

Each shelf costs $25; a coatrack costs $10. Length ranges from three to four feet, depending upon the size of the

Dabertin and Bondi have begun transforming the 300 kneelers. Bondi dismantles them, removing screws and nails. Dabertin then picks up the pieces and runs the boards through a planer, removing the old finish and any scratches. He guides the pieces through a shaper that produces curved edges and then he assembles the main section and

wood is chipped or has suffered salt damage. In other

the side legs into shelves.

Left behind were the kneelers' metal hinges, but the restoration crews recommended Dabertin and Bondi attach the hinges to leftover

original kneeler

wood. In some

cases, nails

Theology on Tap is young adults providing

answers" on the Catholic

applies to daily

a

"I

U.S. parishes also provided food, cloth-

sst

ing, educational materials

life.

The final

HUNTERSVILLE

—

and how it meeting will be faith

oly

pril

An area that gets the least support is sponsorship of immigrants to the United

fOtlli

untri

States, it said. "Fewer than a tenth of partnering parishes ever do this."

T

uyei

The survey was commissioned by

rth

the U.S. bishojjs' Secretariat for the Church in Latin America.

in the

JVord for weekly gatherings for

Sunday

Sill a

music

scripture,

and sharing experiences of Christ in daily life. each Thursday, 9:45-11:45 a.m. in the family room of St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd. For details, call Linda Flynn at (704) 366-9889. For childcare reservations, call Jurga Petrikene at 704) 907-0205.

CHAR,^OTTE

llm,

—

St.

Peter Church, 507 S of the Blessed^ Friday of every month> ho/

will offer Adoration

St.,

Mass and

Benedictiorii

at 1:30 p.m.

msor

.fit

CHARLOTTE

lie

—

Christians in Career Transiministry of St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., devoted to helping people in career crises. The meetings take place' on the first and third Monday of each month 7-9' p.m. in the conference room. For more information, call Rev. Mr. Jim Hamrlik at (704) 5760456. i tion is a

CHARLOTTE

— The

Iff

Kadai

Cancer Support Grou^

for survivors, family and friends meets the

firsi

Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. For more information, call Marilyn Borrelli at (704 Tuesday of each month

The Newcomers

to a 10-week course entitled, "After the Boxes

are Unpacked" based

and religious

at 7 p.m. at St.

ist

542-2283.

Women's Ministry of St. Mark Church invites women who are new or stUl feel new to the area

Miller.

it

supplies, said the report.

a

April 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Pepperoni's at Park Road Shopping Center.

on the book by Susan

We will talk about the spiritual, emo-

and practical needs associated with movthrough June 23 in Room 200 of St. Mark Church, 14740 Stumptown Rd., 10:15 -1 1:45 a.m. followed by lunch. Call Gerry Phillips at (704) 895-2388 or Colleen Siadak at (704) 987-7920 for more information. tional

ing. Classes will meet

CHARLOTTE

— The

St.

Maximilian KolU

im atii

Fraternity of tlie Secular Franciscan Order gath-l ers the first Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. a' Our Lady of Consolation Church, 230!i Statesville Ave.

Those

interested in learninji

more about the SFO and the Franciscan way o life are invited to attend. For more information' call Skyler Harvey, SFO, at (704) 545-9 13,S.

CHARLOTTE — The Happy Timers of St.

ar

inl

fi

i ISBU

tftliei

Church meet the first Wednesday of each mon

Sable

1

and the condition of the

cases, the

have prevented cracks from

spreading. All proceeds benefit the par-

where Dabertin and Bondi each have two children. ish

—

casual forum for "straight talk, hard facts, and

wood

to

VICARIATE

speaker series for

(CNS) St. John the Baptist Church in Whiting is undergoing a major facelift. So are the 73Ind.

St.

CHARLOTTE

collections,

said.

Sacrament on the first following the 12:10 p.m.

more information.

CHARLOHE

use for oid itneeiers

Margaret Mary

Place, offers Adoration

Frances of Rome Church, Hendrix and Highlands Rds., sponsors the Oratory of Divine hove Prayer Group in the parish house the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. Call (336) 372-8846 for

said.

The group meets

VICARIATE

—

it

relationships average about 800 regis-

Tryon

BOONE

Indiana parish finds inventive

St.-

collections,

In contrast, parishes with no sister

fVomen

of the Blessed Sacrament on the first Friday of each month following the 12 p.m. Mass with Benediction at 5 p.m. For information call (828) 686-8833.

Damian Bond! adds a piece of wood to a stack gleaned from old kneelers at St. John the Baptist Church in Whiting, Ind., in late March. Volunteers were fashioning the school.

Andrew

collections, said

the report.

CHARLOTTE — All women are invited to join

VICARIATE

SWANNANOA

report.

weekend Mass

nually in

prayer, reflection on

ASHEVILLE

10

CARA

households and average $470,000 an-

U.S. parishes involved in "sister" relationships are larger and

t

Those parishes that support other U.S. parishes average 1,400 registered

ally in

4,670 responded to questions about supporting another parish. Of that number

WHITING,

i

2004

April 23,

THE

Qthqlic NEW^ERALD

said the shelves

and racks are a "nice

reminder, a nice souvenir of the church."

PUBLISHER: Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis EDITOR: Kevin E. Murray STAFF WRITER: Karen A. Evans GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: Cindi Feerick

SECRETARY:

Sherill

Season

1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203 MAIL: RO. Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237 PHONE: (704) 370-3333 FAX: (704) 370-3382 E-mail: catholicnews

@ charlottediocese.org

13

•

The Catholic News & Herald, the

school,

"It's an opportunity to make a few bucks for the parish," said Bondi, a retired steel worker. "Some of the older people might like a memento. Other people have had kids at the school."

Father Kalicky, himself a carpenter,

APRIL 23,

VOLUME Roman

2004

NUMBER

USPC

007-393,

is

29

published b

Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South

Churc

NC

28203, 44 times a year, weekly except ft_^ Christmas week and Easter week and every two weeks durin W 27-

St., Charlotte,

June, July and August for $1 5 per year for enrollees of the

Roman

Catholic Diocese of Charlotte and

in

parishe

$23 per

yeJ

The Catholic News & Herald reserve reject or cancel advertising lor any reason deeme|fc|jn '~ appropriate. W/e do not recommend (™ guarantee any product, service or bene! claimed by our advertisers. Second-cla$lt-.][j., postage paid at Charlotte NC and other citie POSTMASTER: Send address corrections 12 The Catholic News & Herald, P.O. Box 3726'

for all other subscribers.

the right to

'

Charlotte,

NC

28237.

The Catholic News & Herald 3

2004

April 23,

ROM THE VATICAN

Papal calling: daily message

Pope appeals for release of hostages In

—

VATICAN CITY John Paul

(CNS) Pope appealed to radical

II

groups in Iraq to show "feelings of humanity" and release the hostages they are holding.

At the same time, the pope deplored the "inhuman" violence in the Holy Land, the day after the leader of the Palestinian militant organization

Hamas was

assassinated in an Israeli

missile attack.

am

following with great sadnews coming out of the Holy Land and Iraq/' the pope said ^pril 18. "May the bloodshed among "I

aess the tragic

Drothers end. Such

inhuman

acts are

lontrary to the will of God."

The pope

available for U.S, cell

Iraq, decries violence

said he joined in the

"who are fearful loved ones, especially those >vho have been taken as hostages."

"I invite the kidnappers to have

Drayers of families ibr their

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The — not words of Pope John Paul voice — are now available on II

feelings of humanity.

I

implore them

his

to return to the families the persons

most U.S.

who

Through a Pope's Thought

pray to the merciful God for the population of the Holy Land and Iraq, and for all those working for reconciliation and peace in those regions," he said.

Armed groups have held civilians are in their hands, while

I

from several countries, including the United States, Japan, the Czech Republic, Australia and Denmark; some have been released.

Four armed Italians working for private security operations in Iraq were abducted and one was killed executionan act that shocked many in Italy.

Negotiations were continuing for the release of the remaining three.

The groups also were holding at least one U.S. soldier and apparently style,

wanted

to trade

him

ian firm

phones. service called "The of the Day," an Italmaking the pope's message

cell

is

available to cell

phone

users.

The

service began April 7 to Cingular and Verizon Wireless customers. After a test was conducted April 14 on Wireless' system, the papal message service became

AT&T

available to

ers

and

is

AT&T

Wireless custom-

made

to be

available to

other wireless service providers soon.

In all, the estimated 105 million cell phones that have text-messaging technology, or about 70 percent of all U.S. cell phones currently in use, will eventually be able to access the service.

"The Pope's Thought of the Day"

for prisoners be-

ing held by U.S. forces.

if

is

selected by the Vatican press office,

according to Acotel USA, the U.S. branch of the Italian company Acotel. and program at 1 p.m. in the )arish activity center, 3635 Park Rd. All adults ige 55 and older are welcome. For more infornation, call Charles Nesto at (704) 398-0879. vitli

a luncheon

HARLOTTE

—

Thank God It's Friday weekly support group for separated ind divorced women, meets every Wednesday, .30-8:30 p.m. in the New Life Center building, oom 114, of St. Matthew Church, 8015 ?allantyne Pkwy., including a potluck dinner, TGIF),

a

men

divorced

are invited every third

Wednes-

month. TGIF is a healing ministry ponsored by Catholic Social Services, Charotte Regional Office and St. Matthew Church. or details, call Karen Wepasnick at (704) 541-

lay of the

891 after 3 p.m.

IICKORY

follow the Mass. Father John Putnam, pastor, will be the celebrant.

For further information,

The messages

are culled from his

speeches, homilies and writings.

now

phones The

service began a year ago in and subsequently expanded to Ireland, England and Malta.

Tarantino said Acotel is working Italy,

with the Vatican to provide Spanishlanguage messages.

The messages are available at noon Eastern time each day.

The texts aren't long, given the somewhat confined screen of cell phones.

For example, the April 5 message read: "May Christ, the way, the truth life renew you so that you will be his friends and witnesses in the world." The message from the day

and the

"Mary teaches us we must enter our own

before that read: that to pray

room

and, after closing the door, speak to the Father in secret."

There is a 30-cent fee charged for each message.

To subscribe, cell phone users can send a text message saying "Pope on" to the number 24444.

To unsubscribe, callers use the same number to send the text message

"Pope off"

Owens at (704) 639-9837.

call Bill

SMOKY

MOUNTAIN

VICARIATE

WAYNESVILLE— St. John the Evangelist Church, 234 Church St., offers Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament the first Friday of every

Decrees of sainthood

month following the 9 a.m. Mass until 4:15 p.m. For information, call the church office at (828) 456-6707 or Christine Ryan at (828) 926-1331.

SYLVA

—

St. Mary Church offers Adoration of the Blessed Sacratnent the first Saturday of every month following the 9 a.m. Mass until 3 p.m. For information, call (828) 586-9496.

VICARIATE

—

A GriefSupport Group meets the econd and fourth Wednesday of each month at ::30 p.m. in the parlor of St. Aloysius Church, 12 1 Second St. NE. For more information, call he church office at (828) 327-2341.

WINSTON-SALEM

ALiSBURY

panions

IICKORY

VICARIATE

CLEMMONS — Holy Family Church, 4820 Kinnamon

Rd., offers Eucharistic Adoration every Thursday- Exposition begins at 6 p.m. and benediction is at 9 p.m.

WINSTON-SALEM :ONCORD

VICARIATE

— Discover how

God's Ian for marriage really is! Natural Family Planning classes are being offered at St. James 'hurch, 251 Union St., Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.

-earn a natural

method

that

is

beautiful

just as effective as

is

— The Healing Com-

a grief support

group

for the be-

reaved that meets the first and third Thursdays of the month in conference room B at St. Leo the Great Church, 335 Springdale Ave. For further details, call Joanne Parcel at (336) 924^9478.

he Pill and is in accord with Catholic teaching, bntact Susan Chaney at (704) 720-0772 for lore information or email questions to

Is your parish

or school hawng an event? Please

ujo94@aol.coiTi. submit noticesforthe Diocesan Planner at least

ALISBURY

— Sacred Heart Church, 128 N.

1

and Healing iass the first Sunday of each month at 4 p.m. 'rayer and worship with prayer teams will be vailable at 3 p.m., and a potluck dinner will "ulton St., celebrates a Charismatic

5 days priorto the event date in writing to Karen

A.

Evans at l<aevans §charlottediocese.org or

fax to (704) 370-3382'

CNS

piscopal

calendar pril27

Pope John Paul Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate

— 7 p.m.

acrament of Confinnation it.

May 3

— 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Mary Church, Shelby

Holy

Trinity

— 7 p.m.

May

5

pril

29

in thefollowing events:

Church, Taylorsville

— 7 p.m.

acrament of Confinnation

Sacrament of Confirmation

acred Heart Church, Salisbury

St.

lay

2

-12 p.m.

edication of new/ church I.

Joseph Vietnamese Church, Charlotte

John the Baptist Church, Tryon

May 6

— 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St.

Jude Church, Sapphire Valley

II

meets with members of the Congregation

PHOTO FROM Reuters

for Saints'

Causes

in

Clementine Hall at the Vatican April 19. The pope issued decrees relating to the

causes of 15 individuals, including

U.S.

Mother Marianne Cope of Molokai. Mother

Cope, now considered venerable, can be beatified once a miracle

is

attributed to

her intercession. The Franciscan nun, who lived from 1838 to 1918, ministered to patients with Hansen's disease

in

the Hawaiian Islands.

NOTICE TO READERS Nope, your paper for

is

not

any inconvenience.

late.

We did

not publish on April 16 due to Easter.

We apologize

4

The Catholic News & Herald

April 23,

2004

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Discussing refugees Officials meet with Charlotte -area

refugees, explore resettlement issues

Phoio by Kevin

E.

Murray

Twelve priests celebrated anniversaries of priestly ordination and two retired priests

were honored during the annual chrism Mass are (from Msgr.

left):

Abbot Placid

Solari,

Thomas Walsh; Father

C.

at St. Patrick Cathedral April 6. Pictured

OSB; Msgr. Joseph

Kerin; Father Michael Buttner;

Morris Boyd; Bishop Peter

J.

Latsko; Msgr. Mauricio W. West; Father James Hawker; Father

Bishop Emeritus William

G.

Jugis; Father Andrew Edward Sheridan; and

Curlin.

Priest anniversaries, Photo by Kevin E.

retirements honored at

chrism Mass â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

CHARLOTTE

Several priests celebrated anniversaries of their ordination during the annual chrism St.

Patrick Cathedral April

Mass

at

6.

Celebrating 50 years of service were

Msgr. Thomas Walsh, retired; Father Joseph Kelleher, retired; and Father Patrick Gavigan, retired.

Celebrating 40 years of service were Father Edward Sheridan, pastor of St. Aloysius Church in Hickory; and Father James Hawker, pastor of St. Luke Church in Mint Hill and vicar of the diocesan Education Vicariate.

Celebrating 25 years of service

Marlene Myers, N.C. State refugee coordinator, and Dr. Nguyen Van Hanh

Clemmons;

in

Kimbrough,

Father

Conrad

Father Michael Klepacki, Father Carl Kaltreider and Father William Farrell, all working outside the diocese; and Msgr.

Mauricio W. West, diocesan vicar general and chancellor.

Priests who retired in 2003 were also honored. They were Father Andrew Latsko and Msgr. Joseph Kerin. retired;

Department of Health

director

of the Office of Refugee Resettlement for

Human

Services, chats, with Elizabeth Thurbee, executive director

the U.S.

and Cira Ponce,

Services in the Diocese of Charlotte,

were Father C. Morris Boyd, administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jefferson and St. Frances of Rome Church in Sparta; Father Michael Buttner, pastor of Holy Family Church

Mum

arii

of Catholic Socic

director of

level

^

CSS's Refuge

1

Resettlement Office.

While officials

Hmong conference, Myers, Van Hanh and othe Hmong and Montagnard refugee communities around the Diocese

in Charlotte for the national

toured

i

mt

Centri

filler

Charlotte.

weir

During

Vietnam War,

the

Intelligance Agency.

and thousands have the U.S.

Hmong

were used as

They fled persecution

in their

home country of Laos

to

Thailam

1st

1

been living there since. Thailand no longer wants to keep them, an

government agreed

to resettle

them

with as many as many as 500

here,

refugees expected to resettle this year to parts

Catawba

secret forces by the

of

Hmon

the Charlotte region, including

ti leir

Valley.

North Carolina has

the third largest

Montagnard population

in the United State

encec

23rd annual

GOLF TOURNAMENT

p

to benefit

Now Your Parents Can V^e

Home!

IJve At

CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC HIGH 8c HOLY TRINITY MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Build Friendships With Families

tionn

Monday, April 26 Registration at

1

1

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Carolina Golf Club

am and lunch

is

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on your own.

Shotgun start: 12:30

pm.

Oldo

FOUR-PERSON captain's CHOICE. SINGLES ARE WELCOME. $1 15 PER person; $460 per team - INCLUDES GREEN FEES,

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it

isn't

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easy to invite

and

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home to provide who we refer to you.

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OS PLAYERS SO PLEASE RESPOND QUICKLY TO: BOB BETTERS (704) 847-3049 (H) OR (704)854-4657, OR email: rbetters@watsoninsurance.com LIMITED TO

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Businesses and individuals are invited to donate $125 to sponsor a tee or hole, or to donate prizes for drawings.

can*

3

7

.

The Catholic News & Herald 5

2004

April 23,

AROUND THE DIOCESE ing aware of the plight of migrants through educational programs, creating opportunities for immigrants to tell their stories, being host for a program with an immigration attorney on inmiigration rights, and celebrating National Migration Week, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in January each year.

ONE TABLE, MANY CULTURES

Catholic responsibility to welcome others, speaker says

According

JOANITA M. NELLENBACH

BY

site:

CORRESPONDENT

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

sibility as

wide the doors' to welcome newcomeducate others about the harsh realities faced by immigrants, migrants, and refugees, and to motivate each community to act in solidarity with people on the move."

Although the week following the feast of the Epiphany is designated National Migration Week, the USCCB

program.

Catholics to

Web

our respon-

welcome every-

their own observance."

Parishes and individuals can help

mark

immigrants, migrants and refugees home, Dudas said, by collecting and distributing items they need such as school supplies, warm clothing and

feel at

"This is a pro-life issue, yet this is never addressed," he said. "We have to bring the same passion of respect for

The program looked

com-

life

immigration and described ways to provide hospitality to immigrants, migrants, visitors, tourists and seasonal parishioners.

at

That includes making

efforts to

welcome everyone, learning about other cultures, welcoming people not just to the parish but to the wider community and avoiding assumptions about others.

For instance, some immigrants rarely had access to the sacraments in their

own

countries because a priest

may have

visited their villages only once or twice a year. Eduardo Bernal,

says dioceses are "free to

site

choose the specific date on which to

one God sends to us," Dudas said.

"God has always used immigration to bring about his kingdom."

Augustinian Father Francis J. Doyle, pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland Church, saw another dimension.

those already here as for the ing into the world."

as en-

ers, to

"There's a lot of pain out there in it's

Week,

Catholic Bishops, presents the entire Church with an opportunity to 'open

"Making Room at the Table," April 1 at Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center. The Smoky Mountain Vicari-

our communities, and

USCCB Web

visioned by the National Conference of

MAGGIE VALLEY "There's only one table and that's God's table," Elizabeth Dudas said, "and the symbol of that is the eucharistic table."

Dudas, ministry consultant with Glenmary's Department of Pastoral Services in Nashville, Tenn., presented

ate sponsored the

to the

"National Migration

household items; and supporting activities that promote accepand understanding among young people.

"God Wouldn't give us this chalyouth tance

A

Elizabeth Dudas explains ways to

M- Ne:aenbach

welcome people during "Making Room at the in Maggie Valley April 17.

Table" at Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center

lenge it,"

if

he didn't think we were up to said. "God's time is always

Dudas

the right time."

Church, we have a moral obligation to do all we can to help immigrants, reminding us that we were once immi-

Hispanic ministry coordinator for the Smoky Mountain Vicariate, said immigrants with that background often don't understand the importance of sacraments and attending Mass.

"Don't assume that people who come from other countries live the faith the same way you do," he said.

"Get to know them first, and then help

them adjust

to the

new

lic

grants, too,"

ers,

said.

inviting

them

anic

to be part of the

parish's regular community-building,

reality."

Welcoming immigrants

Dudas

This help, Dudas suggests, applies to everyone and includes greeting oth-

not optional for Catholics, said Dudas.

"Our bishops say that as a Catho-

encouraging seasonal visitors to take

istems

part in parish activities, and "sensi-

IXC

migrants in their camps and temporary homes."

It also means, Dudas said, becomtively considering visiting

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The Catholic News & Herald

6

April 23,

IN

2004

OUR SCHOOLS

Loose change helps Angels

TIMELESS JOURNEY

Courtesy photo

Principal Walt Przygocki (right) joins Darren Sorrels and his fourth-grade class,

the winners of

St.

Mark School's Loose Change Drive to benefit Holy Angels, a Courtesy Photo

nonprofit ministry that provides services for children and adults with varying degrees

The students presented a check

of mental retardation. in

for

$1,800

to Holy Angels

mid-February.

THIS MONTH IN

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OLG STUDENTS PLACE FIRST IN NASA COMPETITION •

An eighth-grade science class in

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The Catholic News & Herald 7

2004

OUR SCHOOLS SONS OF ERIN

Washington winner

Courtesy Photo

The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Sons of Erin Division, donated books on Irish history and culture to Charlotte Catholic High School March 17. Pictured are Linda Meckes, school librarian; John Eury, Sons of Erin project chairman; Jerry Healy, school principal; and Tim Lawson, Sons of Erin president.

Courtesy Photo

!-oly Trinity

Middle School eighth-grader Kristen Keane stands with Jerry Healy,

>rincipal of Charlotte Catholic

the

of

scholarship,

named

High School. Keane was recently

Megan Healy Washington Scholarship

9th Annual

after Healy's daughter,

at

named the winner Holy

was presented by Janice

Trinity.

Ritter,

assistant

uperintendent of diocesan schools, and Holy Trinity Principal Carole Breerwood and

will

be used by Keane for her class

trip to

AOH donates books, funds

The

Washington, D.C. this spring.

on St. Patrick's Day CHARLOTTE

—

A

vocations department. The AOH hopes to make the support an annual event on St. Patrick's Day. The Sons of Erin upheld another St. Patrick's Day tradition by attending Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral March 17, with AOH brother and Ceol na Gael Pipe Major Mike Holian play-

local divi-

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The Sons

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The Catholic News & Herald

2004

April 23,

THE NEWS 'EQUAL

DIGNITY

IN

IN

of God and have the same divine calling." They also wrote "Catholics with disabilities have a right to participate in the sacraments as fully functioning members of the local ecclesial community."

"It's more than a right," said Father Ron Damico, a priest of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio. In his 2002 bopk, "The Joy of Worshiping Together," Fa ther Damico wrote that every member of a Catholic parish has a duty to be

THE SIGHT OF GOD'

in the sight

Parishioners with autistic children seek inclusive worship atmosphere

BY IRENE VOTCH CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

BERTHA, who

Minn.

— Most parents

bring their children to

Mass can

present to the other

one story of when their child's behavior became disruptive: The baby suddenly cried inconsolably, the toddler threw a tantrum, the preschooler loudly insisted on a bathtell

room break or

"Everybody has something to conhe said when he learned of the Race family's efforts to include Adam ifl their family and parish worship.

"I see all kinds of ways that this person is a gift to the community," he said, adding that Adam may have the

refused to leave her sister

For most parents, it is the story of an isolated incident or two. But for parents of autistic children, like John and Carol Race, their stories are of ongoing disruptive behavior by their children and of rejection and chastisement by those around them at Mass.

Among

the Races' five children

"People at

think

it's

a discipline a

good

spanking would clear everything up," she told the St. Cloud Visitor, newspaper of the St. Cloud Diocese.

While a "good spanking" might be the worst treatment for a child with disruptive behavior,

especially in-

is

it

appropriate for autistic children.

Autism

is

a lifelong,

which

complex condiproblems to

a child has

varying degrees with language, socialization and learning. Those with severe problems are referred to as "low-functioning." Those with less severe problems are referred to as "high-functioning." Many are somewhere in between.

The Autism Society of America estimates that 1.5 million or one in every 200 people in the United States have some degree of autism.

Adam Race has been determined to be low-functioning. He is now 9 years old and large for his age, requiring the Races to take specific measures so that the whole family can participate in

—

—

Caring for Charlotte Areo Catholic

"We're often self-focused so we don't see people like this as gifts," he

"We think they're keeping us from getting anything out of Mass. But we have to find ways. have to get used said.

We

to one another."

CNS

PHOTO BY DiANNE ToWALSKI

Carol Race offers an encouraging smile to her 9-year-old son,

Joseph Church

at St.

requires

much

Bertha, Minn. Adam,

in

of his parent's attention during

in

Their Hour of

together.

They

sit in

the last pew,

Adam

keeps

close to his

mother or

In their 1995

provide

Adam

with a

supply of wrapped candy with which he busies himself during Mass. But none of this guarantees Adam will not be disruptive.

He generally hums during each hymn while picking up and dropping his candy on the pew. Sometimes he throws the candy. Sometimes he throws himself

To ioners

their credit, St. Joseph's parish-

do not frown or whisper

at the

one

situation in the back pew. In fact,

12-year-old parishioner offers her help

each Sunday, often taking the other Race children into her pew so Adam's parents can more easily respond to his

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of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities," the bishops wrote: "By reason of their bap-

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Some might think the family should not insist on bringing a child who is persistently disruptive to Mass.

But Carol Race thinks it is important that the family worships together.

The U.S. bishops have said that

reveal

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Describing their inclusion as

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2004

FIGHTING FOR LIFE evant to their safety," she

Abortion testimonies provide telling

Westhoff

and collapsed, but the are not disturbed at

She

dure."

ABORTION, from page 1

abortion ban

when they agreed

to hear

the cases, but Hamilton issued a prenearly viable and even post-viable un-

liminary injunction that applied only

born children," said Ruse.

locally.

The "March

for

Women's

Lives"

is

sponsored by groups that include Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the plaintiff in the San Francisco

No

matter what the outcome in each case, the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act is likely to end up before the U.S.

U.S. District Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton heard closing arguments 16 in Planned Parenthood vs.

April

Ashcroft, the San Francisco challenge

on the partial-birth abortion procedure. But similar trials aimed at overturning the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act continued in Lincoln and New York.

Hamilton gave no indication on when she might rule. But she told attorneys in the case that she would not to Congress' ban

issue an injunction with nationwide effect.

"I

that"

would have some hesitance to do while the other two cases were

pending, she

The the other

Supreme Court.

The law

trial.

said.

that

is

bars a type of abortion

usually performed in the second

two cases are Judge Richard

Casey, who is hearing NaAbortion Federation vs. Ashcroft in New York, and Judge Richard G. Kopf, who is presiding at Leroy Carhart vs. Ashcroft in Lincoln. Both of them issued nationwide injunctions

and

and extraction abortion involving dismemberment.

"You can count there is a limb here, I can see feet and hands, I can see skull fragments, I can see trunk," he said April 7. "But when you see little pieces, if there are little pieces left behind that are torn off, you can't fully reconstruct and you cannot fully count the small

who

dilation

pieces."

is

In San Francisco, Dr. Katharine

partially delivered, then the skull

is

Sheehan, medical director of Planned

it,

punctured to sever the brain stem before the whole body is delivered.

Under

who

the law, doctors

per-

form such abortions, which are also

known

to physicians as "intact dilation

and extraction,"

are" subject to

up to two

Testimony

San Diego and Riverside Counties, testified about the use of Digoxin "to cause fetal demise" before an abortion.

Parenthood

at the three trials cov-

ered not only the partial-birth procedure but other abortion methods.

The testimony has come mostly from medical professionals and has covered such issues as what

women

are

whether the partial-birth procedure is ever medically necessary and whether unborn

Conway

children can feel pain.

tional

In New York, Dr. Gerson Weiss, chairman of the department of obstetrics, gynecology and women's health at New Jersey Medical School in Newark, spoke in graphic detail about the diffi"

in

""We like to prevent an eventuality of a live birth, and because it seems to make

years in prison.

told before their abortions,

U.S. District Court judges in

culty of counting the fetal parts after a

a live fetus

or third trimester. In

the procedure

bit easier

she

move along

a

little

on the day of the procedure,"

said.

Testifying in New York, Dr. Carolyn Westhoff, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University in New York and attending physician at

New York

Presbyterian

Hospital, said she did not

women

tell

undergoing dilation and extraction abortions that the child's skull would be crushed and his or her brain suctioned out.

"Those are distressing to

details that

my

would be

patients and

mation about that

is

...

infor-

not directly

rel-

"little

facial

all

structures

by that proce-

said there are "small coffins"

hats" available to parents

wish to

see,

photograph or bury

their child.

Dr. Kanwaljeet Anand, a Univer-

of Arkansas pediatrician, testified Lincoln that his research on pain in

sity in

and children had convinced him would be "severe and excruciating pain caused to the fetus" by the infants

that there

partial-birth abortion procedure.

But some of the testimony provided information about the humanity of the

unborn

child.

Anand

talked about studies that looked at the senses of taste and smell experienced by unborn children.

"For example, if you put a sweet substance, say saccharine, into the amniotic fluid, ultrasound studies showed that the fetus starts swallowing the amniotic fluid much faster than before this sweet substance was introduced," he said. "And if you introduce a bittertasting oil into the amniotic fluid, the swallowing stops. So from early on, the fetus seems to have a sweet tooth."

Ruse said the trial transcripts "should be required reading for every politician who voted" to keep partialbirth abortion legal and will provide "a in the words of abortion providers themselves.

"From this day forward, Americans will judge abortion by its chief proponents in their own words," she said.

permanent public record"

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

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how

stabbing the head with scissors or her finger causes it to look "a little wrinkly

backdrop' for pro-life supporters against enforcement of the partial-birth

said.

also talked about

10 The Catholic News & Herald

FOCUS ON FAITH

2004

April 23,

—

AshevOle and South Carolina at the inquiry level with the Sisters of Mercy.

DISCERNING THE CALL

"The inquiry

Women contemplate religious life

woman letter

level

contacts us

or e-mail

religious

life,"

—

is

the

— with an

said

first

time a

by phone,

either

interest in the

Mercy

Sister

Mary

Cabrini Taitano, vocations minister for

discernment houses

in

the Sisters of Mercy in North Carolina.

"The discernment begins

there,

informal conversations to get to

KEVIN

BY

each other

MURRAY

E.

—

CHARLOTTE either they're too

pret

Hush. Listen.

busy or they misinter-

ommendations, sacramental documents, work history and submitting to a background check.

cludes providing an autobiography, rec-

Andrea

The

asking too much.'"

calling them, "that's their sure

is

way

of being happy," said Sister Inkrott.

Everyone has a vocation, "a call from God to respond in some way," said Sister Inkrott.

religious life

— we

ways

ferent

"And there

and to the married

To

women

help

religious

St.

to the single

Virginia, a 24-year-old

Tamatam

in

the Federated States of Micronesia,

is

currently in her second-year novitiate at the Sisters of Mercy in Belmont. She is preparing to make her first vows in Guam in September.

"The discernment continues until she makes final vows," said Sister Taitano. "It's a long engagement."

—

Francis of Tifiin, Ohio

by

An idea of community and

novice from the island of

life."

Sister Inkrott

Sister

in church?

community?

Mercy Sister

dif-

established a discernment house

Franciscan

—

the personal responsibility of living in

discern a call to the

in Charlotte, staffed

and

life,

Sister Inkrott's order

life,

the Sisters of

— have

many

life

have vocations to

to priestly

life,

are

idea, said Sister Taitano, is to

determine the candidate's values does she have a sense of calling? A pattern of personal prayer? An active sacramental

But when people determine to what

God

said.

candidacy, said Sister Taitano. This in-

Inkrott, director of diocesan Hispanic

'that's

she

—

call

Ministry. "Sometimes they hear the call

but say

life,"

woman

chooses to pursue a life as a Sister of Mercy, the next step is preIf a

said Franciscan Sister

it,"

to form a relationship and

introduce her to religious

EDITOR

God may be calling you.

"Many people miss God's

...

with

know

Ann

Joan

Gilsdorf.

'There are a lot of people who don't have contact with sisters," said Sister Inkrott. "So a house of discernment would be one way that women could ask

See HOUSE, next page

what a vocation and ask, 'Is this for

questions, see firsthand

to the religious

life is

me?'"

WOMEN

A discernment house

Life in discernment

Going

is

not a

a calling, said Franciscan Sister

to a discernment house

necessarily a first step toward

is

but a way to investigate

first step,

Andrea

RELIGIOUS IN THE DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE Religious orders represented by sisters

Inkrott.

not

in

becoming

Courtesy Photos

the Diocese of Charlotte:

Sisters of St. Vincent

de Paul

a nun, said Sister Inkrott.

Above: Lourdes Toribio and Franciscan

not becoming a candidate or novitiate, but it's something to help a person discern whether or not God is "It's

calling

them

"It's

to this

been very

Sister Joan

House

life."

helpfiil

Ann

Gilsdorf help with the

cooking at the Franciscan Discernment in

Charlotte.

Left: Discernment houses aren't all work and prayer. Toribio takes a break from

thought."

the order

—

to live at a discernment

her studies to help a friend clean her

Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Sienna

Sisters of St.

Toribio was among the Hispanic youth, ages 16-27, to participate in the second session of Taller Pascua (Easter

Immaculate Conception Church and Immaculata School

Workshop) 2004

of a spiritual nature, with prayer, faith-

The group

sharing and reflective opportunities; and another characterized by a deeper in-

book, "A Life Project

in the life

and ministries of

the sisters, but without living in resi-

dence

at a local house.

Toribio, 22, originally from Mexico,

has been living at the discernment house since September 2003.

When

she's not

cooking or praying with the

sisters,

Toribio assists Sister Inkrott with Hispanic ministry and tutors at

Our Lady

of the Assumption Church in Charlotte.

She also is starting a sacramental preparation class for Spanish-speaking St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte, said Sister Inkrott, "with dreams of doing even more."

parishioners at

of St. Francis

Sisters of St. Joseph, Chestnut

house for a year or more and be involved in the ministry of the sisters.

Other associate options include one

volvement

School Sisters

car.

The Sisters of St. Francis consider Toribio to be an "associate," someone who shares the journey and dream of St. one of three associate options offered by

— Dallas, Pennsylvania — Watchung, N.J. — Mich.

—Cincinnati, Ohio

joying it," said Lourdes Toribio, the Franciscan Discernment House's first resident. "It's a lot different than what I

is

Mercy of the Americas,

Regional Communities of N.C.

Detroit,

and I'm en-

Francis of Assisi. Toribio's residency

Sisters of

at

in Hendersonville in

ness:

Your

November

2003.

finalized chapters for the

Towards Happi-

Calling," published

by the

Southeast Pastoral Institute this year to help Hispanic youth discern vocations.

"I'm learning a lot about the different cultures

— both

and continue to follow the

have received."

If Toribio decides to pursue her interest in becoming a Sister of St. Francis, her next step is to become a pre-candidate and then candidate, when she becomes a canonical member of the order.

This is followed by two years as a novitiate, with one year spent in prayer and spiritual study and one year in ministry

call

I

of Carondelet,

is

to

a temporary profession for a number of years, followed by final profession

with permanent vows.

"If people don't try

it,

don't

make

any steps toward investigating a calling, they'll have that hanging over their

Sisters of St. Joseph, Rochester, N.Y. Sisters of the Society of thetloly Child

Jesus Sisters of Notre

Dame

Maryknoll Missioners Sisters of St. Francis, Rochester, Minn.

their lives," said Sister Inkrott.

heard people say they've had a drawing toward religious life, and for whatever reason they didn't follow it."

"I've

Sisters of St. Francis,

Tiffin,

Ohio

Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph Sisters of Charity

Anglo and His-

panic," said Toribio. "I'm looking to learn more,

After the novitiate, the next step

make

all

Pa.

Minneapolis, Minn.

and preparation.

heads

Joseph

Hill,

Inspirations

Poor Servants of the Mother of God

of Mercy

The Franciscan Discernment House in Charlotte, which can accommodate up to four associates, has been in the "idea stage" for several years, said Sister

Sisters of

Our Lady Help of the Clergy

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

Inkrott.

Anyone interested in contacting any of

Sister

the above communities

While conceptualizing the house, Inkrott met with the Sisters of

Mercy who run the McAuley discernment house in downtown Belmont.

—

There are currently three women college students from Charlotte,

may call the

Mercy Sister Mary Timothy Warren, vicar for the diocesan Office of

Religious, at (704) 370-3213.

Women

2004

April 23,

The Catholic News & Herald 11

FOCUS ON FAITH Office of

Women Religious.

There are currently women religious working

FAITHFUL ASKED TO PRAY FOR VOCATIONS 17 orders of

in various ca-

throughout the Diocese of Char-

pacities lotte.

women

'These

are

engaged

in

of pastoral care, medical

istries

min-

fields,

social outreach, catechetics, education, Hispanic outreach, administration, visi-

tation to the sick,

not a vocations crisis

It's

bereavement counsel-

ing and hospital chaplaincy," said Sister

but a commitment crisis, priest says

Warren.

Although many religious orders have age limits for consideration, there are a variety of women entering discernment

Courtesy Photo

Raymond

Virginia

novitiate

the

at

motherhouse

is

in

her second year

Sisters

of

i^ercy

mother," said Sister Taitano.

Belmont.

in

accepted

women who

"We

have

are divorced with

annulled marriages, and women who are widowed."

"We can have a variety of careers

—

HOUSE, from previous page

teachers, nurses, pastoral associates, cooks," said Franciscan Sister

Religious life

During Bishop Peter

Jugis' "ad

J.

March 29, asked him about vo-

limina" visit to the Vatican

Pope John Paul

II

cations in the Diocese of Charlotte.

"He

also

was

to the religious

interested in vocations

life,

especially to the sis-

terhood," said Bishop Jugis.

gious

life?'"

So

I

"It's

a

sister."

choice, like the married or

life

the Sisters of St. Francis at Tiffin.

I

do,

I

"What

religious

life isn't

for

the

2,

always an

for "all of

spirituality of young people so dedicated

vocations to the priesthood, to the conse-

to their relationship to

and to missionary service," said Pope John Paul II. "Indeed, our primary duty is to pray

the church."

The purpose

crated

of the day

is

life

to the 'Lord of the harvest' for those

vicar for the diocesan

live

them

life

Some women explore the religious for the wrong reasons, such as to

out."

"The convent

Join Our Home Buyer Rebate

it is

with people

those

life,

and for

whom he in his mercy continues

to

such important ecclesial service,"

The day

will "provide

an opportu-

who are engaged in minisand mission. "We do have the capacity and ability to support one another in all of our ministries, in our vocations, in all that we give to the church and one try

nity for the local church to mobilize the

another," he said.

many

He urged his listeners to stand up to mass media when reporters or comedians only talk about the church in terms of priests who have sexually abused children. Such references, he said, ignore the breadth of the Catholic

people in the diocese dedicated to

vocation efforts

—

vocation personnel,

priests, religious, teachers, parents, as

well as

all

the faithful in the diocese

—

to

for an increase in vocations

and to con-

executive director of the U.S. bishops'

"A dying

is

Slowick. often

not an escape from

"Women

in religious life are

more aware of what's going on

in

the world; we're involved in a lot of social justice issues."

Vocations directors help interested women sort out their calling before they join, said Sister

Compensation

of people say that religious are I

the

is

Franciscan Sister Andrea

Contact Editor Kevin E.

2erprart<;realtyjiet

calling

(704)

Murray

by

370-3334 or e-mail

kemurray@charhttediocese.org.

vocations. Parents and grandparents

must ask themselves whether they discuss vocations at home and encourage

of

new discernment house The home was established

Francis'

St.

in Charlotte.

to help

women

discern a possible voca-

tion to the order

with the

by observing and living

is

suffering

from a commitment

"It's

not easy to

make

a

commitment

Bishop event to benefit the Vocations Investment Partnership for the Diocese of Jefferson City, Mo. "But that is exactly what we are called to do," he said.

All of the faithful must "rally around

who do make commitments

Confirmation

—

special,

unique

gifts

Sunday missals

Fri

Greene

St.

Greensboro,

NC 27401

life,"

to or-

Religious sisters and brothers. Father Burns said,

to the

must be asked whether

way they live out the charism of their community makes young women and the

to inquire about religious

life.

he said, must ask themselves whether their prayer life and personal example and the way they preach and celebrate the Eucharist properly nourish and nurture young people, so that they might also reflect on a call to Priests,

vocation.

"All of us," he said, "are called to

nurture, to mentor, to teach and to invite, to create this vocation culture."

"Ultimately, as

said Father

"We need to support all vocations

that

ahead of

lie

us,

we look at the tasks we come before the

for us as church, in order to express the

Lord, repeating the words of the psalmist in all that we do in vocation ministry

mission of Christ."

and

ways and

in all seasons. It's so vital

All the church missals, rosaries, gifts

pray for them. Teachers

dained ministry and the consecrated life are presented in textbooks and in the

men want

crisis.

in all

veils,

their children to

must be aware of how vocations

classroom.

sisters.

Father Burns said the church in the United States is not suffering fi-om a vocations crisis. Rather, he said, modern

Burns.

—

home

but not dying out."

church, to five a holy

Communion

in the

the Diocese of Charlotte. "We're fewer,

those

Catholic Gift & Book Store

an environment

that enables the entire family to pray for

speaker at the 2004 Evening with the

(70 4) 321-2859

Parents, he said, have a responsibility to create

Inkrott, director of Hispanic Ministry in

these days," said Father Burns, ke3mote

said Sister Slowick.

their priestly identity.

don't think that's necessar-

ily true," said

calling you, if you take the time to listen,"

with youl

out.

culture

Kerschner.

"Somehow you know where God

lot

Sister Inkrott resides at the Sisters

the problems of the world," said Sister

N.

how important

priesthood and religious

escape childhood or abuse issues.

$$$ for Closing

233

talked about

for every Catholic to stand in solidarity

diocesan priests must be clear about

never really done. For example, people make marriage vows and then have to

(336) 273-2554

He

who

already follow Christ very closely in the

Formation.

a continuing challenge," said

"It's

religious," said

Mon-

—

Secretariat for Vocations and Priestly

Sister Taitano. "It's a journey that's

Daily and

God, and so hungry for the truth and the Gospel message the truth that is proclaimed in

their calling was," said Sister Inkrott.

women Mercy Sister Mary

9am - 5pm

the spirituality they pos-

is

Church's many ministries.

Father Burns said everyone in the church must be clear about his or her mission. Religious communities must be clear about their unique charisms, and

life

1st

II,

the faithful join in fervent prayer for

sess

sider participating in creating a positive

one, the sisters agreed.

and works of several orders of

Hours:

World War

atmosphere surrounding church vocations," says Father Edward J. Burns,

call

Discover how we share our Buyer Agent

May

"There are some sisters in our community who had to work hard and give up a lot in order to follow what they felt

easy

become a member of a religious community have many opportunities in the

Timothy Warren,

will cel-

discuss the need for vocations, to pray

can do anywhere."

But the

Catholic

Recent polls in the United States have indicated this generation of young people is "more spiritual than ever," said Father Burns.

"Compared to the generation of

one that needs further nurturing and further formation," he said. "It is a

the

single life," said Franciscan Sister Leanne Kerschner, vocations director for

to

Diocese of Charlotte to experience the

be a

call to

did say, "Well, yes."'

"Persons seeking to follow God's

Vocations on Sunday, Fourth Sunday of Easter.

said the pope.

us, it's

The

World Day of Prayer

ebrate the 41st

call to

not a career that defines

—

CHARLOTTE

ministry for the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio.

"It's

MURRAY

Church throughout the world

Slowick, director of diocesan campus

"He asked

me on two different occasions, 'Are there any women interested in joining the reli-

Margaret

E.

EDITOR

houses.

"We're trying to meet the people where they are," said Sister Inkrott. "We have people coming in who are older, some have been working for a long time.

Some communities are seeing grandmothers coming in."

"One of our sisters is a grand-

KEVIN

BY

must help create

—

all

we do

women

what he called a "vocation culture" "a culture whereby young men and women

religious

may

hands.'"

courageously respond to God's call, and to live out a life of commitment commitment to the Gospel message, to a life

of service, and

—

life

in the church."

and

in inviting

young men and

to respond to priesthood life:

and

'Lord, bless our endeavors'

'give success to the

work of our

Jay Nies of Catholic News Service contributed to this story.

1

12 The Catholic News & Herald

April 23, 200,,

Culture Watch

A roundup

WORD TO LIFE MAY

of Scripture,

more

readings, films and

SUNDAY SCRIPTURE READINGS:

May 2, Fourth Sunday

left Behind' series called

two truths stand

The

first is

to vindicate

apocalyptic Scripture

— The popular

WASHINGTON

"Left Behind" series of Christian apocalyptic novels denies a

teachings and

"is

number of Catholic

both subtly and overtiy

anti-Catholic," says

an

article in

The Liv-

ing Light, a quarterly publication of the

Department of Education.

The quarterly's winter 2003 issue

U.S. bishops'

devoted

articles to "Left Behind," the fun-

damentalist "rapture doctrine" behind a Catholic understanding of the

times

when

Christ will

come

again,

it,

end and

the large gap religious educators see be-

turn of Christ

know about church

teach-

not

come

period of tribulation and that

all

believ-

up to

heaven to be with him."

Rapture theology relies on

St. Paul's

First Letter to the Thessalonians

where

he says when Christ comes a second time, "the dead in Christ will rise first. are alive,

who

are

left,

wUl

be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air."

The word

articles'

authors warned Catho-

"rapture"

comes

Latin verb "rapere," used in

fi"om the

Jerome's

St.

press the notion of the just being "caught

up" with the Lord.

first in his

in his secret

birth in Bethlehem, second

coming

to snatch

llMlAliAYE

and third

at the

end of the world to

reign in glory.

Catholic and mainstream Christian

teaching holds that could easily be drawn into such fun-

when

his

second coming, not his

it

Donahue commented, "A

teaching about the last things

up

death,

judgment, heaven and hell.

The issue appeared before the 12th and final novel in the series, "Glorious

March 30.

Since authors Tim LaHayes and

Appearing," hit bookstores

Jerry Jenkins began the series in 1995, its first

40

1 1

novels have sold

number of

copies to

around 60 million.

"While they appear to be based on the Bible, the 'Left Behind' books actually promote a nonbiblical fear in opposition to Catholic teaching about a hopefilled end time," wrote religious educator Joyce Donahue in an article analyzing the theology of the series in relation to

second coming)

We

is

not

early heresy in Christianity,

not on God's initiative.

"Left Behind" books also present a "harsh and judgmental" image of God, offer a theology of suffering that is not Catholic the rapture saves the good from the trials of the end time initiative,

The

—

—

On specific

over the world,

all

denly disappear." learn those

who

The

central characters

disappeared were taken

heaven in the "rapture" before the seven years of global tribulation that

up

to

—

according to rapture belief cede Christ's second coming.

—

will pre-

moment by

ter describes this to the kids as a 'transac-

tion

...

a

deal,'"

place only

she wrote. "Salvation takes

when

a person tells Jesus Christ

"In contrast," she wrote, "the Catholic

Church teaches that salvation

is

a

process effected and celebrated in the

ries is anti-Catholic,

approach to the Book of Revelation and other apocalyp-

trayal of "a self-centered, obese

"Any fundamentalist reading of

and loving hand.

Loss, anger, disappointment, fear

man whose

in the

end car

they are outlast

—

Nothing the love and mercy of God.

desolation, physical pain

job has been exported to another country in order to punch up the share prices of company directors; glittering pools flooding the eyes of a heartbroken young couple making their long goodbyes at

all

provisional.

Questions: is one time someone helpec you to experience God's consolation Is there someone in your life whost tears might need to be acknowledgec and wiped away?

What

Sometimes they are hidden, perceponly in the crushing headache, the dark mood, the angry words of those who hide their tears fi-om fear of vulnertible

Scripture to Illustrate: "For the lamb ... will shepherc them and lead them to springs of life giving water, and God will wip< away every tear from their eyes'

ability.

Tears come to mind on hearing the promises made to us in Sunday's reading fi-om the Book of Revelation. When we shine the light of that passage on our experience of all the different kinds of

(Revelation 7:17).

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 25 MAY

1

Sunday (Third Sunday of Easter), Acts 5:27-32, 40-41 Acts 6:8-1 St.

Louis de Montfort), Acts ;

1

Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19;

,

John 6:44-51 Friday Genesis

,

John 6:22-29; Tuesday, Acts 7:51 —8:1 John 6:30-35; Wednesday

5,

:26—2:3,

(St.

8:1-8,

Pius

l\/latthew

John 6:35-40; Thursday

V), Acts 9:1-20,

(St.

(St.

Monday

Peter Chanel

Catherine of Siena), Acts 8:26-40

John 6:52-59; Saturday

(St.

Joseph the Worker)

13:54-58

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 2 - MAY 8 Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Easter), Acts 13:14, 43-52, Revelation 7:9, 14-17, John 10:27-30 Monday (Sts. Philip and James), 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, John 14:6-14; Tuesday, Acts 11 :1 9-26, Joht 10:22-30; Wednesday, Acts 12:24—13:5, John 12:44-50; Thursday, Acts 13:13-25, John 13:16-20 Friday, Acts 13:26-33, John 14:1-6; Saturday, Acts 13:44-52, John 14:7-14

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that he or she accepts salvation."

Jenkins in the novels and Catholic teach-

passages of Scripture.

the

quUt her recently deceased mother made for her 50th birthday; wet smears on the

saying a verbal for-

sacraments of initiation and continuing through Christian life."

She described ways in which the se-

tic

and inconsequential to th( longest flowing and most deeply felt will be wiped away by God's tendei

mula," and in the children's series "a minis-

Donahue cited key conflicts between theories propounded by LaHaye and ing, including their

livt

that God's

the nonbaptismal approach to sal-

She gave a synopsis of the first 1 books, starting with the first, when all

is

and "deny the efficaciousness of baptism," wrote Donahue. vation, "people in the series are saved at a

small children and 'good' adults sud-

ourselves to

fleeting

streaks in the

blotchy, wrathful face of a

condemn

—

stung by

fi"iends

to

Pelagianism held that grace depended on

human

Catholic teaching.

"mysteriously,

life;

makeup of a woman showing

is

biblical.

—

An

the unfairness of

story. Dis-

compassion and fidelity are so greal that every tear from the mosi

salty droplets run-

face of a child

'second

wUl all, at the same time, receive judgment Mt 13:37-43. The postrapture, prejudgment scenario in the 'Left Behind' books borders on Pelagianism because characters seem to be working to redeem themselves." ...

the final

more than

million copies, with a spinoff' youth

serie# kicking the

in the

fat,

human

will be

chance' at salvation (for those not taken

—

as

eliminate the fact thai

third.

if they have not received solid formation in Catholic

damentalist teachings

Tears flow in many forms, sprung thousand different causes.

They come down the

who remain faithfii

only on the surface. , The second truth here

Christ comes

glory at the end of this age,

in lies

out tears

fi-om a

away the

just before the tribulations of the end time,

DAN

BY LUBY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ning

commitmeni

that God's

those

out compassion, and compassion opens us up to all the sadness of the world fi"om the shallow and momentary to th( deep and lasting. To attempt a Itfe with-

the airport.

But as Donahue and the author of another article, theologian Paul Thigpen, pointed out, rapture theology teaches about a third coming of Christ

—

5

John 10:27-30

after a

ers will at that time be taken

Then we who

3)

Scripture

biblical.

Latin translation of that passage to ex-

ing in that area.

The

is

3,

'rapture'

teaches that Christ will

tween what Catholics know and what they should

between the

100:1-2,

condition

cipleship in Christ cannot be lived witlv

2) Revelation 7:9, 14b- 17

"A seven-year tribuand the re-

teaching," she said. lation

not Catholic

is

human

out.

tears are part of the

Acts 13:14, 43-52

Psalm

BY JERRY FILTEAU CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

all

him does not

to

Cycle C. Readings: 1)

2004

tears arising fi-om the

ofEaster

'overtly anti-Catholic'

2,

'IiUcR

religion."

st

ran:

shown

i.s

Prime

(-1%),

Andrew Smith

minus 1/4%, based on 80%

(704) 965-7486

oi less

LTV. Subji'ct lo underwriting

coiidiuoii.s.

1

The Catholic News & Herald 13

2004

April 23,

Marquette University studies

newspaper MARK

BY PATTISON CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON — An

than negative coverage in news stories, although news stories with neutral cov-

erage outnumbered the positive and negative coverage.

William Elliott, dean of Marquette's College of Communication, said level of coverage extraordinary and that the study's results, released April 8, confirmed his own instincts of what he saw in the press. first

phase of the Marquette

study covered the 10 highest-circulation U.S. newspapers. The second phase will cover at least one newspaper in each of the 50 states.

Under

were stories puband March 20; the was released Feb. 25. The 10 news-

lished film

analysis

between

Jan.

1

papers averaged 35 stories each over that time period, or close to one story every other day.

Other movies, Elliott

said,

all

sion."

analysis of

may gen-

newspaper coverage, but in the case of a series such as "The Lord of the Rings," it would be "directed to a small group of Tolkien readers, and appears a lot on the entertainment pages."

News articles made up 42. 1 percent

Of the

Letters to the editor accounted for 23.3 percent of the coverage of the film,

making them the next largest portion of "Passion" newspaper coverage. Of 81 letters, 31 were judged to be negative, 27 positive and 23 neutral.

Of the 47 feature stories, which accounted for 13.5 percent of all newspaper coverage, 29 of the stories were neutral, 1 1 were negative and seven were positive.

Reviews of "The Passion of the Christ" were almost evenly

split,

with

1

being neutral, 10 positive and 10 negative. Of editorials about the movie, 13

were negative, 1 3 were neutral, and only four were positive.

The Marquette study also examined what the newspaper articles discussed about the movie.

The

CNS

Uma Thurman

topic,

religious

with 197 stories referencing

it.

stars

the superficiality of

toward violence and

nature of the film was the most prevalent

"Kill Bill its is

—

Vol. 2." While not

as bloody as

theme incompatible

fueled by a revenge-driven

The

of the articles that were studied was whether the film could be seen as anti-

Association of America rating

is

R

— —

restricted.

Semitic.

"While anti-Semitism was fi-equently it was considered a major issue only 30.4 percent of the articles," the

one side of the issue was presented."

Other topics found in the coverage were, in descending order: the film's vio-

violence, the study said, "violence

"The

lence, its historical accuracy, the movie's

age, the results

that the

production and promotion efforts, and the quest of director Mel Gibson.

surrounding violence often come in the form of negative articles."

discussed, in

study's executive

summary

said.

was

most

fi-equent interpretation

issue

was a minor part of the story and

&

Regarding

Gymnasium

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von Hildebrand, PhD

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Please specify choice of sandwich: Turkey Veggie.

Ham

-

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Dr. Alice

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8:00am

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9:30am

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10:30am

& Our Lady

-

M. Kauth

Fr.

Winslow

The Holy Eucharist— Fr.

P.J.

The Roman

W.R. Williams

Liturgy

-

Reformation History

Fr. -

David Dorando, D.Phil.

Ecclesiastical Architecture

Duncan

Stroik,

-

LLC

Panel

Q&A

The Friends

of St.

-

John Vianney*

am ta^s

11:30am

Repeat of all 9:30

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Rosary and Benedic^on—Fr. C. Gober

2:15pm

Swear to God, The Bible S The SacramentsDr Scott Hahn

Make checks payable to:

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Opening Address

Priest

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that the issues

Kimberly

7:15pm

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3:15pm

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4:30pm

The Holy Mass-

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Fr. P.J.

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Hahn Hahn

7:30pm

Lord Have Mercy

8:30pm

Q8A Sesson- Scott &

9:30pm

General Conclusion of Conference

-

Dr. Scott

Kimberly

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film's

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Featured Speakers:

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Friday,

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...

Schedule of Events 6:00pm

NC

stories

not only a significant theme of the cover-

Kimberly Hahn Are Coming to Charlotte June 11 & 12, 2004 Charlotte Catholic High School

David Dorondo,

with the

Christian understanding of forgiveness. Recurring gratuitous scenes of violence,

much rough and crude language and drug content. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is 0 morally offensive. The Motion Picture

Hahn

Alice

predecessor,

promotes a video-game attitude

highly stylized savagery

Scott

Scott

its

PHOTO FROM Miramax

other subject touched upon in a majority

erate

Scott

bad

still

newspaper coverage of "The Pas146 articles, 50 were judged to be positive and 21 negative, but 75 were considered neutral. of

newspaper coverage of the movie "The Passion of the Christ" conducted by Jesuit-run Marquette University in Milwaukee showed there was more positive

The

sequel

^Biir

coverage of 'Passion' fiim

*TheFriendsofSt John Vianney is an informal gathering of Diocesan priests

14 The Catholic News & Herald

2004

April 23,

EASTER EASTER S.T.A.R.S

Portraying passion

Courtesy Photo

members of S.T.A.R., the Easter Bunny and Msgr. John McSweeney gather during an Easter luncheon at St. Matthew Church April 7.

Father Carmen Malacari,

Kindergarten students from

St.

Matthew School gave cards and sang songs

for the

members.

S.T.A.R.

Courtesy Photo by David Ramsey

Hispanic Ministry

Kindergarteners, senior

of the Cross

members portray

performance

at St.

Jesus and Roman soldiers during a living Stations Mary Church in Sylva on Good Friday, April 9. The

Stations of the Cross, a traditional Lenten devotion also known as the Cross, reenact Christ's passion and crucifixion.

citizens celebrate Easter CHARLOTTE

— Kids and

Paul

adults

Matthew Church and School

at St.

proved Easter

is

fun for any age.

Approximately 115 kindergarten 160 members of the parish's S.T.A.R. group (Seniors That Are Retired) enjoyed an Easter luncheon at the church's New Life Center 7.

The

students

the seniors,

made Easter

who baked

provided Easter candy for the children.

The students then sang for the seniors

II

Way

of the Cross service

prayed, "May the mystery of the

of us a source of

unending hope. May

Way it

in

brief

remarks

Rome's Colosseum

of the

end of the 9, Pope John

April

Son

of the Cross of the

Way

at the

God be

of

for

all

comfort and strengthen us even when our

hour of death arrives."

after lunch.

students and

April

Vatican's torch-lit

In

cards for

cupcakes and

The Easter Bunny and helpers from Charlotte Catholic High School also joined the festivities. Msgr. John McSweeney, pastor of St. Matthew Church, and Father Due Duong and Father Carmen Malacari, parochial vicars, judged the seniors' Easter bonnet contest.

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The Catholic News & Herald 15

2004

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Introducing Pennybyrn

Abbey's alumni magazine wins awards BELMONT

Along the wooded cove of

flight suit,

—

He wore a green dark shades and had a daz-

zling smile.

High Point City Lake, God's handiwork

is

At first glance, you could have easmistaken the attractive flight surgeon who graced the Winter 2003 cover of CROSSROJDS, Belmont Abbey College's alumni magazine, with a famous actor from the movie "Top Gun." ily

everywhere.

Worship

our Meditation chapel in

The

similarities, of course,

were

all

it

certainly couldn't have hurt

when judges for the Communicator Awards read about 1968 graduate Ed Discover nature's beauty while walking our trails

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Antosek's journey from Belmont Abbey College to Iraq. They also got to know others such as NBC Television personality and 1967 graduate Dr. Kevin Soden; they experienced Abbey events firsthand through photos such as Homecoming 2003 and New Jersey Day at the Races; and learned about exciting news and discoveries Uke Father Abram Ryan, and La Casa's grand opening on campus.

It was this that judges based their decision to award Belmont Abbey College's alumni magazine, CROSS-

ROADS,

with five Communicator Awards in its 2004 Print Media competition.

The

College

won Awards

of

Distinction for its Winter 2003 issue in the following categories; Writing/

Pets are always

Magazine; Magazine/Educational Institution; and Most Improved Maga-

welcome

Choices of

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The Communicator Awards is an international awards competition that recognizes outstanding work in the communications field with entries judged by industry professionals.

Belmont Abbey College was chosen from among 3,743 in this year's competition from advertising agencies, corporate communications departments, educational institutions, government entities, designers, writers, video production professionals, broadcast and cable operations and other businesses throughout the country.

"There's no better reward than seeing everyone's hard work from someone in the office taking time to write an extra article to a student taking some extra time out of his or her every little day to pose for a picture bit adds something special to the magazine," said McKinney.

CROSSROADS is published biannually by the Office of Public Relations with assistance from the Alumni Office and the Development Office.

The magazine features success stories of alumni and current students of the Abbey and includes news, sports, arts, calendar events, alumni news and

—

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letters

from the abbot and alumni

president.

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"I think no matter what, whether events or publications, as an instiwe need to bring them to the tution it's

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welcome," said 1999 graduate Fran Kirk Pifieros. "We need to continue to reinforce that connection alumni have with the Abbey."

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16 The Catholic News & Herald

AROUND THE DIOCESE

April 23,

200^

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After the walk, The South Fork Boys, a local bluegrass band comprised of three Belmont teens, performed for the walkers at a picnic reception at House of Mercy.

Worldwide, 20 million persons have died from AIDS and more than 40 million are estimated to be living with HIV. Southern states, with a

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approximately 46 percent of afl cases, according t© the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Twenty-one hundred cases of HIV disease were reported ta the N.C. Division of Public Health i| 2003.

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NC 28203.

(704) 370-3332.

With praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God, you are cordially invited to the

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April 23,

2004

The Catholic News & Herald 17

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Monroe church dedicated

Congratulations to

Our Lady of Lourdes Church

Photos by Karen A. Evans

Above: Bishop Peter

J.

Jugis prepares to anoint the

new

Our Lady

altar of

Lourdes

of

Church with the sacred chrism. Below: The bishop anoints the candleholder above the entrance of an alcove with chrism as part of the anointing of the church.

Monroe DEDICATION, from page 1

ity hall,

the parish having

outgrown

the 120-seat church.

This growth necessitated the construction of a

new

11,955 square-foot

church adjacent to the original structure, where Mass had been celebrated for much of the past 60 years in Monroe.

The new church

Thank jou for allomng

us

to be

part of jour new church project.

a

will

719

seat

people for Mass, six times that of the old building, which will continue to serve the parish as a space for baptisms, funerals,

weddings and daily

Mass.

The tuary

is

centerpiece of the

new

sanc-

the 6-foot corpus of Christ,

S.

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ARK

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by Christ himself

the real consecra-

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the presence of the eucharistic sacrifice,

fill

church and Stations of the Cross will adorn

COMPANY,

is

tion of this place

the altar. Eventually, statues will

two alcoves

JOHN

represents what

in the front of the

the walls, said Lucille Jackman, a member of the building committee.

"It is with a sense of overflowing joy and profound gratitude to God that we celebrate this Mass of dedication of the new church of Our Lady of Lourdes parish," said Bishop Jugis in his homily.

The bishop gave his homily in both English and Spanish, out of respect for the large number of Hispanics in attendance.

The bishop thanked the priests and deacons in attendance: Abbot Placid Solari, OSB, of Belmont Abbey; Augustinian Father Cassidy, pastor; Msgr. William Pharr, pastor from

1965-69; Msgr. John McSweeney, pastor of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte; Father Christopher Roux, parochial vicar of St.

Mark Church

in

Huntersville; and Rev. Mr. Edwin Rodriguez and Rev. Mr. Jesus Reyes,

deacons for Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

During the nearly three-hour Mass, more than 700 parishioners and special guests watched as Bishop Jugis blessed the church with holy water, holy chrism oil and incense, "to signify the superabundant grace and

the sacred banquet with Christ our king," he said.

At the conclusion of the Mass, parish council chairman Doherty presented a visibly moved Bishop Jugis with the crucifix that had hung in the church's rectory. The bishop selected this

same

crucifix as the

model

for the

cross on his episcopal coat of arms

when he was ordained

in

October

2003.

Remarkably, the new church was completed both under budget and early, said Jackman. Thanks to a relatively mild winter, construction proquickly from its ceeded groundbreaking until completion in

March. The building was first used for the Palm Sunday Masses.

According to Doherty, the majority of the capital needed for the new church was raised over the past four years. He expects the balance to be paid off by the end of 2005.

"Today salvation has come to this house," said Bishop Jugis. "May Christ fill up our hearts and fill out this place with his divine presence." late

Contact Staff Writer Karen A. Evans by calling (704) 370-3354 or e-mail kaevans@charlottediocese.org.

For more on the history of Our Lady

Lourdes, please see the Parish

holiness of the sacrifice of Christ."

of

"But the anointing with sacred chrism and incense only symbolically

Profile

on page 20.

18 The Catholic News & Herald

2004

April 23,

Perspectives

A

collection of columns,

and viewpoints

editorials

God offers faithfiil a safe haven from evil and chaos,

The best place

to find

pope says

the bishop

BY

CAROL GLATZ

VATICAN CITY recent editorial in the Winston-

Salem Journal Jugis for not

Bishop Peter

J.

making himself available

to

criticized

news reporters

The

the bishop has been talking regularly

and often since

&

Catholics

offers the

haven from chaos and evil, Pope John Paul II. "The Lord surrounds the faithful

with a horizon of peace that keeps out the uproar of evil. Communion with

"A Bishop's

was time for the bishop most Catholics know,

it

to talk. But, as

said

the Media

for interviews.

editorial, entitled,

Silence," said

God and

Bishop Jugis

Winston-Salem Journal, and any other reporter,

is

welcome

to listen and learn

any one of these Masses.

The

bishop understands that news

organizations have an interest in

some

more than others and has accommodated those needs. For example, on topics

Ash Wednesday

Cathedral in Charlotte, the bishop addressed a topic that the secular news media has a great deal of interest in: the sinful crime of clergy sex abuse. The news media was given advance notice of the homily, written copies of it were distributed to reporters and a video and audio feed of the service was available.

Audio of the homily can still be found the diocesan web on site, www.charlottediocese.org.

Coverage was widespread with radio, television and newspapers all carrying stories. The bishop also spoke out about sex abuse in a lengthy op-ed piece that editors of The Charlotte Observer, the Asheville Citizen-Times and the Winston-Salem Journal, found worth at St. Patrick

publishing.

the bishop's messages to the faithful are covered in

News

& Herald. The bishop

at his

weekly general is is

are abridged versions of reality.

Most people who

are quoted by

news organizations, such

much

don't have

work with

as politicians,

choice: either they

reporters or they

public's radar.

He

fall

off the

different for the

It's

40,000 pilgrims gathered April

in St

.2 1

nity justice.

fronted by hostUe forces because of their

the pope said.

far

more important

their belief "creates iso-

non-Catholics than the fast-changing and often whimsical agenda of the news

lation

media.

personal advancement, outward success,

David Hains

director of communicaofCharlotte. Contact him

is

tionsfor the Diocese

and provokes even contempt and

hostility in a society that often chooses

wealth and unhindered pleasure as standard," he said.

He

said those

who

believe in

its

The structure of pastoral councils Editor's note: This series

is

Commission members are

of a

the second

of columns on pastoral

called

and are the principal body responsible

councils.

pastoral council

is

The

plan.

group

the faith

for the parish, the

commissions

made up of the people who actually help to make the plans become realities.

The members of the commissions

how

a story

is

portrayed.

Condensing is the squeezing of ten pounds of information into a five-pound bag. There is rarely enough room in a newspaper or time on television to give a subject a complete airing.

News

stories

possible to

said.

Predominantly Catholic Poland wiU be the largest nation to join the Euro-

May

1

together with nine

other Central European and Mediterra-

nean countries.

Guest

Column

pastor, pastoral council

community should recognize

this calling.

Commission members

should be installed

in their

GEORGE COBB

and

K.

Guest Columnist

lot

ministry dur-

tta

Ecumenism/Evangelization, Educa-

tees relate to the pastoral council

Administration/ Communication. the completion of the strategic plan of the diocese, "Crossing the Threshold with Christ," it was recommended Ecumenism to be a separate commission with Communication being added to Evangelization. In this way, the commissions better reflect the

through the appropriate commissions.

members should

nature

ticular ministry in the parish that

particular to his role as pastor.

They

is

are

pastoral council.

affects

it

concerning matters pertaining to the commission, evaluating programs and policies, and approval of its budget.

The commissions should endeavor to become the experts in the parish concerning the ministry that they carry out.

For example, the Community Life Commission should be trained in all pertinent aspects of social justice and commission

sioned by the pastor to carry out a par-

condensed. Filtering occurs because everything from the bias of a reporter to the point of view of a given publication

a trade-off for

he

is

common, European home,"

build a solid,

all

spiritually called to this ministry. It falls

in the secular

Adalbert "reminds us once again

that only with Christ

also take -seriously this obligation that

commis-

persons in the faith community who may have a calling to a particular ministry. This same discernment should occur every time there is a need to fill positions

is

quoted

and death "became the foun-

ing Sunday liturgy.

are individuals in the parish

anyone who is news media. In return for the notoriety that comes with being quoted, you have to be willing to have your words and ideas filtered and

there

life

dation of the nation and Polish identity,"

the ministry in accord with the pastoral

the thinking, planning and reflection

policies

activities.

St.

for overseeing the proper carrying out of

While the parish

commission to imitate the Twelve

most thorough cov-

April 23 marks the feast day of

pean Union

God

are never alone and a "surprising peace

at dwhains@charlottediocese.org.

the impor-

tance of Christianity for a united Europe.

St.

They know

and

for Catholics

made mention of

the pope

faith.

Apostles, prayerfully discerning those

comments and has the

and community prayer."

Adalbert, one of Poland's patron saints,

News & Herald is not as large some newspapers in the diocese, but

to

the temple, while resorting to personal

and serenity

place their trust in him.

Catholic

erage of his

first

that are obtained while finding refuge in

whose

"These topics and others should be

whom

fortitude of the soul and peace are gifts

He said those who are faithful to God may become isolated or be con-

as a refuge that offers peace

who

the Lord

In a portion of the speech he did not read aloud, the pope wrote, "inner calm,

the image of the house or temple of God to those

...

salvation;

fear?"

newspaper or the Internet. But more importantly, he has the pulpit, a place where he can comment on our spiritual welfare, God's plan for our salvation and topics such as commuvia this

as

official

authoritative and

is

I

my

In his greeting to Polish pilgrims,

to the pastor, pastoral council and the

report his

it

and

light

In his catechesis, the pope focused on

Granted, the audience for The

publishes this newspaper;

my

should

Peter's Square.

Commissions are established within every parish with size and membership dependent upon the size of the parish.

Each commission is responsible for establishing a working plan, including a mission statement, goals and objectives, the recommendation to the pastor of

Catholic

kept in their heart because

can connect with Catholics

bishop.

II

entering an oasis of light

he said

Looking refreshed and happy in the warm Rome sunshine, the pope read brief passages from an otherwise long audience address. He spoke slowly and deliberately though his speech was slurred. He also gave short greetings in 10 different languages to the some

are

Most importantly,

love,"

audience.

the pastoral leader

is

of our diocese and, as such, the most appropriate way for him to speak is from the pulpit, which he does in churches throughout the diocese every Sunday. The editorial writer from the

POPE

JOHN PAUL

Guest Columnist

his installment in

has to say.

Speaks

a source of serenity, joy, tranquil-

is

lity; it is like

DAVID HAINS

October. In addition, when he speaks, he invites the news media to cover what he

The

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; God

faithful a safe

A

at

The Pope

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

in the faith

community, including the

Existing organizations or commit-

It

is

common

in parishes across the

take their obligation to

be educated in the subject seriously.

Diocese of Charlotte to delegate commissions to the level of another committee. This is contrary to the intent of the

individuals in a particular ministry be

diocesan policy.

The

Canon law

specifically requires that

trained in that ministry (Canon 229 §l).

pastor and pastoral council must

engaged in ministry must be trained and insure that opportunities are provided for proper formation. Money must be budgeted annually to insure that the laity are

iow

tee

properly trained.

The commission structure is: Liturgy, Community Life, Family Life,

hi

tion,

With

Evangelization and Ecumenism as understood in the Catholic Church today. of

George Cobb

is

the director

esan Office of Planning.

of the

dioc-

bn,

ioi

me

:fa

^

The Catholic News & Herald 19

2004

April 23,

David Robinson Stories

who won

and money as they are about

and who lost, so it's a pleasure to. read about an athlete who's as much a hero in real life as he's been in a gym. Meet

David Robinson, basketball star

may one day

— who

be better remembered as

David Robinson, humanitarian.

Robinson, 38, retired last year after a glittering career with the San Antonio Spurs, where he helped win two NBA titles and once reigned as the league's Most Valuable Player. Already named one of the 50 top players of all time, he's a sure bet for the Hall of Fame. And what has he been up to since retiring?

Starting a school, for one thing and putting $9 million of his own money named into it. The Carver Academy

—

—

George Washington Carver,

can-American

scientist

and

Afri-

social leader

(and Robinson's personal hero)

—

not

is

any school. Faith-based, with a 15-1 student-teacher ratio and a schedule that

just

begins with chapel each day, the acad-

emy

stresses integrity, service, leader-

and

ship I

and about the incredible generosity of the man who started it, in a New York Daily

News story written by Wayne Cotfey.

And quite a story it is. Robinson and his wife, Valerie,

One

Light

decided to launch the school

solid values.

One nation

Robinson

Oak

serves as a minister at large for the

Church

Hills

in

tries to

He

pass his ideas on faith along to

the students at Carver, because to

him

warning him of all the problems he'd face and pointing to the scholarships he'd established through the David Robinson

what matter most in life.

"Everything in life is not dictated by money," Robinson told Wayne Coffey.

"It's dictated by what kind of legacy you're going to leave, and what kind of man you are going to be."

Robinson's academy, now two years old, has brightened up a once run-down neighborhood in San Antonio. Set in a modest building on a six-acre site, it houses 83 children up to grade 4. Each year a grade will be added, and a $6-million ex-

Foundation.

pansion plan

they're

MSGR. JIM LISANTE Guest Columnist

as the kind of place they

wanted

their

own

boys to attend. Robinson's good friend Red McCombs, former owner of the Spurs, tried to talk

"I

lot,"

told

idea,

him he was already doing

McCombs But

him out of the

explained.

McCombs was

hardly surprised when Robinson persisted in going ahead with his plans. After all, he knew the man.

"People from coast to coast ask me, 'Is this guy really as good as his image'?" says.

"My

response

is,

'No,

is

here,"

he

The Human Side FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK CNS

said.

"They love coming here. You know young liyes, and that's

you're impacting

the best part of it."

Parents of Carver Academy students couldn't agree more. "David Robinson is a phenomenal man," said one mother. "I feel blessed every day that my son goes to this school."

A carnival-like atmosphere developed as reporters, protesters and onlookers descended upon the U.S. Supreme Court March 24 to hear the atheist

For afree copy of the Christopher News Note, "Good Neighbor, Good Citizen," write: The Christophers, 12 East 48th Street,

New Tork,^NT

10017;

or

steeped in the Judeo-Christian tradition

when such an

react

undertaken

effort is

by someone like Newdow? Do we start a a religious war against atheists?

Not with soldiers or bombs, obvi-

Of course,

there's always the posof letter-writing, an e-maO blitz, phone calls and other efforts to support the nation's Judeo-Christian heritage. sibility

But do we undertake a

e-mail:

relentless

battle to destroy the illogical

mail@christophers.org.

his

daughter should not be subjected to reciting the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.

How should Catholics and others

ously.

he's better.'"

Academics has always been a prime concern for Robinson, who majored in math during his under^iduate days at the U.S. Naval Academy. But so is excellence in general, not to mention the de-

COLU.MNIST

Michael A. Newdow's case that

already in the works.

"The kids are happy

a

'Under God'

San Antonio, where he

leads a weekly Bible study session.

Candle

McCombs

discipline.

read about the Carver Academy,

the image velopment of

on the sports pages these

days are as likely to be about sex, drugs

for

— Beyond

and de-

structive thinking of such people? Fol-

lowing the same

line

we The

of thought, do

resort to character assassination?

Do Catholics

believe in the Eucharist?

Several times I have heard speak-

most Catholics don 't believS in the Eucharist anymore. They say it is because priests do not urge old and young

ers tell us that

parishioners to be reverent

and

especially

because Catholic education classes do not teach true doctrine.

One

gave the same ideas

priest

talk just the other night,

that he says

show

the presence

of Jesus

that true?

Do

in a

quoting surveys

Catholics do not accept in the Eucharist. Is

surveys really prove that?

(Pennsylvania)

A. I've heard the same claims, though it seems to me they were more vocal several years ago than they are now. I too find such accusations hard to accept. In my 50 years as a priest, I have certainly experienced nothing to support them.

Schools in every parish I have worked with or known of are clear and thoroughly Catholic in their teaching about the Eucharist. There is always unevenness and need for improvement in education, including religious

educa-

These broad accusations, however, undermining and defaming Catholic

tion.

schools around the country, contribute

nothing helpful to the

faith

and

life

of

Catholic people.

As

for the surveys, I'm not at

all

sure they indicate a decline in eucharis-

For one thing, there were no such surveys in earlier times to measure against.

tic faith.

Second, studies.

how

I

have read a few of these that, no matter

They prove

fair their

authors

may

think

them

is impossible to capsulize our about the Eucharist in a few brief questions that people could answer without leaving room for serious

to be,

it

is undoubtedly beyond he going through a mid-life crisis and making this his last hurrah?

Do we respond to Newdow on his own terms and argue that there is no such thing as an atheist because if you say you don't believe in God, you are admitting

his prime. Is

Corner

beliefs

confusions.

FATHER JOHN DIETZEN

CNS

took the church centuries to develop satisfactory eucharistic language.

The 16th-century Council of Trent (Session 13) summarized that development in describing the true and substantial eucharistic presence of our Lord. Yet even that language is being refined and clarified to this day, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church, for example, demonstrates.

Our belief in the real presence of Jesus Christ "body and blood, soul and divinity," as the older catechisms put it needs to be carefully understood. It can be, and often has been, misinterpreted. From former times even to the present, people not of our

there

Columnist

—

sometimes mistook what we eating the body of Christ, seeing it as implying some sort of

faith

mean by

cannibalism.

Thoughtful Catholics may not

know

all

the technical theological ter-

minology, but they know what they believe. They tend to be cautious of language that could be open to a caricature of our faith. We are, after all, as the church teaches, dealing here with a profound mystery that no human words will ever adequately express.

Finally, it is simple reality that some Catholics feel an urgent need to deplore what they see as a crisis of faith so they can lay the blame on whatever it is they currently dislike in

a

is

God? You

can't disbelieve

what

doesn't exist in your mind.

It

—

Newdow

aging

Question

Or do we

the church: English liturgy, women lectors, Latin Masses, lay eucharistic ministers, celibate priesthood and so on.

Various factors always quality of people's faith

—

affect the in the

just dismiss the whole one more carnival to which the Supreme Court has opened itself? Will it, like most carnivals in the past, quickly pass and be forgotten? Is no reaction the affair as

better course?

Eu-

As

Christians,

we have

the responsi-

we

charist as in everything else. Fortu-

bility to

nately, the Eucharistic Prayers at

react to an effort such as

Mass express

evangelization, trying harder to share

rist is

plainly what the Euchaand why. From the words of

institution (consecration) to the calling

down

of the Holy Spirit and the many expressions of thanksgiving, when these are proclaimed clearly and listened to carefully the true faith is present and alive.

When the faithful make their act of faith at Communion time by saying "Amen" I affirm it after being

—

—

body of Christ," they dewhat they believe. It is worth remembering that for centuries, when the Mass was once before in the

offered "the

clare quite well

language people understood, the Mass the word and the Eucharist was

—

—

the primary place where faith was planted and nourished.

Maybe we need to look there a little

more

closely.

Questions may be sent to Father Dietzen at the same address, or e-mail: jjdietzen@aol.com.

the

evangelize others. Should

Newdow's with

good news and bring about a change

of heart in people like him?

I

believe that the best

with atheists

is

way

to deal

to imitate par excellence

the God they deny. There is an evening prayer that priests in particular recite that captures God's attitude beautifully: "Grant Lord, that we may see in each

person the dignity of one redeemed by your Son's blood so that we may respect the freedom and the conscience of all."

No matter how

deeply

we

feel

about

making war, promoting character assassination, making people eat their words or sending them to oblivion, God's way encourages us always to maintain respect of the person's conscience and freedom.

God never forces us, but always leaves us to our own designs, knowing that justice always will win out. This must be our disposition in heated debates.

Living as truly as we can as Christians

is

the best

way

to

make

Christians.

20 The Catholic News & Herald

April 23.

2004

PARISH PROFILE ate of Oblate Father

Martin Walsh, it became necessary to buUd an education buUding for the growing number of ch

Our Lady of Lourdes Church home

dren in religious education.

In 1988, the Oblates transferred: charge of the parish to priests of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost Father ExIward Vilkauskas became pastor to approximately 250 families.

to diverse Catholic congregation OUR LADY OF LOURDES

Our Lady of Lourdes Church connumber of pa-

725 Deese Street Monroe, N.C. 28112 (704) 289-2773

tinued to grow, with a

rishioners increasing almost weekly.

Approximately 650 people of 1,000-member parish celebrated

Vicariate: Albemarle

Cassidy Mr.

Jesus Reyes,

Rev. Mr. Edwin Rodriguez

Number

the, their

50th jubilee anniversary with an outdoor Mass celebrated by then-Bishop John F. Donoghue May 10, 1992. By February 1996, as then-Bishop William G. Curlin and the parish celebrated

James

Pastor: Augustlnian Father

Deacons: Rev.

|

of Households: 1,200

the church's 50th anniversary, a fund

new church building had ready been established.

for the

n

al-

Over the next decade, the Spanishspeaking population of Monroe grew exponentially, and with it the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes Church. By 2004, more than 1,200 families were worshipping each weekend at the church, including at least 840 Hispanic families.

Along with the Women's Guild, Men's Club and Knights of Columbus, parishioners became actively involved in RCIA, faith formation and a Bible study

Augustlnian Father

James Cassidy

group.

The

parish provides

monthly evalua-

tions for Hispanic schoolchildren to assess Courtesy Photo by Terry Montler

The new 719-seat church of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe dominates the original 120-seat building. The thriving parish fills the new building for the four Masses celebrated each weekend. The original church will continue to be used for the celebration of baptisms, weddings, funerals and daily Mass.

MONROE World War on the map

—

The fortunes of put the Catholic Church in Union County and are

II

responsible for the founding of Our

Lady

1941, a priest from St. James

In

in

Hamlet

offered

monthly Mass

to the few Catholics living in

a local's house.

The

Lourdes Church,

May

10,

Monroe

at

establishment of

nearby Camp Sutton as a training site for servicemen preparing to enter combat overseas resulted in an influx of soldiers descending upon the normally

officially established

The

1942.

was celebrated

of Lourdes Church.

Church

Mercy Father James Hudson befirst pastor of Our Lady of

came the

first

Sunday Mass

Center Theatre on Main Street May 31, 1942. More than 500 soldiers, their wives, relatives and the few local Catholics celebrated solemn high Mass in the Monroe High School auditorium on Christmas, 1942.

At war's end in 1945, the exodus of in the

Catholic soldiers fi-om the area signifi-

Mass

cantly reduced

attendance, but

some of those who had married

These soldiers were from all over the country and many of them were

women decided to settle in Monroe. From

Catholic.

this

quiet area.

A at the

U.S.

Army

camp and

Mass thereafter two

chaplain offered shortly

Congregation of Priests of Mercy arrived from Brooklyn, N.Y., to establish a church in Monroe. priests of the

local

seminal group, mostly comprised of

men from Tennessee, New York, Wisconsin

and Indiana, the Catholic presence

in

from Brooklyji, Boston and across the Northeast, a new church building was dedicated by then-Bishop Vincent S. Waters of Raleigh April 24, 1946.

The Priests of Mercy faithfully served Our Lady of Lourdes Church and its missions, St. Joseph in Monroe and later Sacred Heart in Wadesboro,

their progress and needed areas of improvement. An active Hispanic young adults group serves the growing Spanish-speaking population in Monroe.

Father Vilkauskas and parishioners broke ground for the new church Aug. 12, 2000, with a bilingual ceremony reflective, of the community's faithfiil optimism ana

dedicated in September 1947, for several years. The parish rectory for Our Lady of Lourdes Church was built in 1955, and priests from the Diocese of Raleigh assumed the spiritual care of the growing parish and its missions

multicultural heritage.

in

1960. Father Robert Shea

In 2000, Father Carlo Di Natale Tarasi arrived as pastor, and newly ordained Father Luis Salvador Osorio became parochial vicar. In July 2001, then-Father (now Bishop) Peter J. Jugis

became

became

When

pastor.

nearly two years at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Father Jugis was elected the fourth bishop of the Diocese of

AAer

the first diocesan pastor.

was then-Bishop

the Diocese of Charlotte

established in 1972, Michael J. Begley invited the Oblates of Mary Immaculate to assume the pastorate of Our Lady of Lourdes Church. In 1973, Oblate Father Donald Joyce became pastor, followed by Oblate Father George Waggert in 1976 and Oblate Father Paul McCartin in 1978.

A parish hall was built during these

Charlotte. In tlnian Father

September 2003, AugusJames Cassidy assumed

G

the position of pastor of the church.

On

2004, Bishop Jugis returned to celebrate the dedication of the April

1

8,

new Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

The new 1 1,955-square-foot church features seating for

719 worshippers. In

two

Union County grew.

years to accommodate the growing con-

the near future, statues will

Through the efforts of the Priests of Mercy and the generosity of benefactors

gregation, which had reached 154 fami-

coves in the front of the church and Sta-

lies

iiseii

fill

al-

tmSi

tions of the Cross will adorn the walls.

by 1981. In 1984, during the pastor-

jravf

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