July 26, 2024

At a glance

JULY 26, 2024

Volume 33 • NUMBER 19 1123 S. CHURCH ST. CHARLOTTE, N.C. 28203-4003 catholicnews@rcdoc.org

704-370-3333

PUBLISHER

The Most Reverend Michael T. Martin, OFM Conv., Bishop of Charlotte

INDEX

Contact us 2

Español 18-21

Our Diocese 4-17

Our Faith 3

Scripture 3, 20

U.S. news 22-23

Viewpoints 26-27

World news 24-25

STAFF

ADVERTISING MANAGER: Kevin Eagan 704-370-3332, keeagan@rcdoc.org

HISPANIC MEDIA MANAGER: César Hurtado 704-370-3375, rchurtado@rcdoc.org

MULTIMEDIA DESIGNER: David Puckett 704-808-4521, dwpuckett@rcdoc.org

EDITORIAL TEAM: Kimberly Bender 704-370-3394, kdbender@rcdoc.org Annie Ferguson 704-370-3404, arferguson@rcdoc.org Troy C. Hull 704-370-3288, tchull@rcdoc.org Christina Lee Knauss 704-370-0783, clknauss@rcdoc.org

COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Amelia Kudela 704-370-3333, catholicnews@rcdoc.org

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Liz Chandler 704-370-3336, lchandler@rcdoc.org

ASSISTANT COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@rcdoc.org

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

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CATHOLIC ALL WEEK

Timely tips for blending faith & life

July

really turned up the heat – couldn’t you almost just see the thermometer burst? However, as sweltering as August is, it does have some redeeming qualities – like these faith-filled ways to fend off soaring temperatures. Try these cool summer activities before the school bell rings.

DREAM OF SNOW

Scan the QR code for this week’s recommended resources and activities:

When summer sizzles, try dreaming of a snowfall just outside your door. Farfetched? Maybe, but not without precedent. On Aug. 5, 354, snow fell in Rome, a rare occurrence in the Eternal City even in winter. On that night, Mary appeared to a wealthy childless couple in a dream, telling them a miracle would reveal where they should build a church: on a hill in the Esquiline district of Rome. The feast of Our Lady of the Snows is still celebrated in Rome with an artificial snowfall and lightshow at the church that was built: the Basilica of St. Mary Major. This year, Pope Francis will take part in Vespers for the Solemnity of Our Lady of the Snows on Aug. 5. Join the thousands of tourists, or pray with the pope on YouTube from the cool of your home and enjoy a frozen treat afterward in honor of the feast. Alternatively, you could take a U.S.-based pilgrimage to the Basilica of Saint Mary in Alexandria, Virginia, which mirrors the Rome basilica’s “snowfall” of white flower petals falling from the ceiling above the sanctuary. The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Illinois also celebrates the feast starting with a novena on July 28.

GAZE AT THE NIGHT SKY

Escape the heat of day with a starry night on Aug. 6, the feast of St. Dominic, founder of the Dominican order and patron of astronomers. Celebrate his feast day by viewing photos taken by the advanced telescope at the Vatican Observatory in Arizona or by using an astronomy app to identify constellations in the night sky right outside your home. Steamy night air still too much? Visit an air-conditioned planetarium near you.

Diocesan calendar of events

EVENTS

FREE MEDICARE SEMINAR : 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Road in Arden. The first of three upcoming free, unbiased seminars presented by Abby Landry from the Council on Aging of Buncombe County and hosted by Catholic Charities Elder Ministry. This seminar is an invaluable resource for those new to Medicare, people turning 65, caregivers, and anyone transitioning from group health plans. Future seminars are set for Sept. 17 at St. Eugene Church in Asheville and Sept. 24 at Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville. RSVP by Aug. 19 to Sandra Breakfield at 704-370-3220 or email sandrab@ccdoc.org.

FALL FESTIVAL : Save the date for St. Luke Parish’s annual Fall Festival Saturday, Oct. 12. To be held rain or shine at 13700 Lawyers Road in Mint Hill.

PRAYER SERVICES

IGBO MASS : 11:30 a.m. Sunday, July 28, St. Mary’s Church, 812 Duke St. in Greensboro. Park at the Windsor Center next to the church. For details, call 336-707-3625.

ST. PEREGRINE HEALING PRAYER SERVICE : 7 p.m. every

In honor of St. Maximilian Kolbe’s Aug. 14 feast day, scan the QR code to watch a preview of “Triumph of the Heart,” the story of the heroic saint who is known for his profound Marian devotion and for giving up his life in the Auschwitz concentration camp so another man – a husband and father – could live. And don’t forget to mark your calendar for Friday, Aug. 30. During the Charlotte Eucharistic Congress kickoff night, there will be a premiere showing of the movie with writer/ director Anthony D’Ambrosio, who will share his powerful conversion story and how he was inspired to bring the Polish saint’s story to life.

— Annie Ferguson

fourth Thursday of the month, St. Matthew Church chapel, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. in Charlotte. Includes a blessing with the relic of St. Peregrine. For details, go to www.stmatthewcatholic.org/st-peregrine.

SUPPORT GROUPS

NEW CATHOLIC GRANDPARENTS GROUP : A prayer and support group for Catholic grandparents has launched in the Charlotte area. Learn more at www.catholicgrandparentsassociation.org.

RACHEL RETREAT ‘HEALING AFTER ABORTION’: Are you or a loved one seeking healing from the effects of a past abortion? Find healing and support in a confidential, non-judgmental environment at a Rachel Retreat weekend. These retreats are offered by the Diocese of Charlotte’s Family Life Office for men and women, in English and Spanish. For details, contact Jessica Grabowski at jrgrabowski@rcdoc.org or 704-370-3229.

GRIEF SUPPORT: Meets 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesdays in Room 9 at Holy Family Church in Clemmons. Mourning the loss of a loved one is never easy, but you need not walk alone. For questions, email Angie LaFrancis at amlafrancis@yahoo.com.

participate in the following events:

JULY 28 – 9 A.M.

Mass for Catholic Family Day Carowinds Theater

JULY 28 – 12:30 P.M.

Blessing of cornerstone

Holy Spirit Church, Denver

AUG. 5-6

Diocese of Charlotte Convocation of Priests

Catholic Conference Center, Hickory

AUG. 7

Belmont Abbey College Faculty Retreat

Belmont Abbey College, Belmont

Bishop Michael T. Martin, OFM Conv., will

ENJOY A PREVIEW OF ‘TRIUMPH OF THE HEART’

Our faith

‘He will come again’: The Last Judgment

Credo

A 12-part series on the Creed

by Deacon Matthew Newsome

EDITOR’S NOTE

This article is Part 7 in a series exploring the Creed. Look for articles each month in the Catholic News Herald and online at www.catholicnewsherald.com.

In the previous article of this series, we focused on Jesus’ Ascension into heaven.

We now turn our attention to His Second Coming in glory to judge the living and the dead. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that: “Before His Ascension Christ affirmed that the hour had not yet come for the glorious establishment of the messianic kingdom awaited by Israel, which, according to the prophets, was to bring all men the definitive order of justice, love, and peace,” and calls this present age a time of “witness … waiting and watching” (CCC 672).

We wait with hope, because Christ, our Head, has conquered sin and death, and where the Head goes, the Body will follow. Our task in the intervening time is to give witness to His victory, to preach the good news to all nations, baptizing them and incorporating them into the Body until Christ has come to full stature. And because we do not know when the final consummation of the kingdom will come, we remain ever watchful for that day.

The fact that Jesus Himself says it is not for us to know the times and seasons the Father has established for these things hasn’t stopped many would-be prophets over the centuries from making predictions about when the Lord would return. The one thing these predictions have in common is that they have so far all been wrong.

That doesn’t mean the scriptures don’t

Daily Scripture readings

“The Last Judgment” by the Italian Renaissance painter Michelangelo. This fresco, which covers the entire altar wall of the Sistine Chapel, depicts the Second Coming of Christ and the final and eternal judgment by God of all humanity. The dead rise and descend to their fates as judged by Christ, who is surrounded by the Blessed Virgin Mary and prominent saints. Altogether there are more than 300 figures, with the saved ascending to Heaven on the left and the damned descending at the lower right.

offer any information about the end times. We are told that after “the full number of Gentiles” has entered the Church, “all of Israel will be saved” (Rom 11:25-26). Jesus speaks of wars, famines, earthquakes, persecution and false prophets that will precede the end, at which time the Son of Man will come with power and glory to gather the elect.

There has been no shortage of wars, famines and persecutions in the 20 centuries since the founding of the Church. False prophets are a dime a dozen. That is just as true today as it was in the first century. Every generation is tempted to look at calamitous events in the world and see them

JULY 28-AUG. 3

Sunday (17th Sunday in Ordinary Time): 2 Kgs 4:42-44, Eph 4:1-6, Jn 6:1-15; Monday (Memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus): Jer 13:1-11, Jn 11:19-27 or Lk 10:38-42; Tuesday: Jer 14:17-22, Mt 13:36-43; Wednesday (Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Priest): Jer 15:10, 16-21, Mt 13:44-46; Thursday (Memorial of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church): Jer 18:1-6, Mt 13:47-53; Friday: Jer 26:1-9, Mt 13:54-58; Saturday: Jer 26:11-16, 24, Mt 14:1-12

as signs of Christ’s coming. Those who warn that Christ is coming soon are not wrong: but what does “soon” mean to the One for whom a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years as a day (2 Pt 3:8)?

We are in the End Times and have been since the day of the Ascension. We just don’t know how long they will last. God has His own timing, as the scriptures teach us: “The Lord does not delay His promise, as some regard ‘delay,’ but He is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar and the elements will

be dissolved by fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be found out” (2 Pt 3:9-10).

While each of us faces our own particular judgment at the very moment of our death, it is at the final Judgment on the Last Day that “the conduct of each one and the secrets of hearts [will] be brought to light” (CCC 678). This public judgment is described by Christ as a sifting, or separation: sheep from goats, grain from chaff, wheat from weeds, good from bad, righteous from unrighteous, repentant sinners from unrepentant sinners, the humble from the proud, those who say “Thy will be done” from those who say “my will be done,” those who love God and neighbor from those who only love themselves. There will be no more secrets. All will be made manifest.

There is a certain trepidation that can accompany our thoughts of this final, public judgment. No one likes to feel judged by others, so the prospect of a “Judgment Day” where our hidden deeds and secret thoughts will be revealed does not sound appealing. But our dislike of being judged stems from the fact that we are very often judged unfairly, too critically or unjustly. What we fear is being misjudged. But we needn’t fear this from Christ, who came not to condemn the world but to save it (Jn 3:17). He knows the secrets of our hearts. He knows and understands our woundedness, our limitations and our hidden motivations, and He is both perfectly just and merciful.

A healthy amount of “fear and trembling” at the prospect of our judgment can motivate us to turn away from sin and accept the mercy of God. Yet for those who love God and strive to live as Christian disciples, it should not be something we fear, but something we anticipate with great joy. The final Judgment means more than condemnation of sinners. It means vindication for the innocent, peace for the persecuted, joy for those who have mourned, justice for those who were oppressed, and freedom for those held captive. It is when all will be made right –not just for a time, but finally and forever. It is no wonder that one of the most ancient prayers of the Church is “marana tha,” “come, Lord” (1 Cor 16:22).

In the final dialogue between Christ and His Church recorded in the Bible, Jesus says, “Yes! I am coming soon,” and the Church replies, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev 22:20). May that glorious day find us ready to welcome our Lord.

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

AUG. 4-10

Sunday (18th Sunday in Ordinary Time): Ex 16:2-4, 12-15, Eph 4:17, 20-24, Jn 6:24-35; Monday: Jer 28:1-17, Mt 14:13-21; Tuesday (Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord): Dn 7:910, 13-14, 2 Pt 1:16-19, Mk 9:2-10; Wednesday: Jer 31:1-7, Mt 15:21-28; Thursday: Jer 31:31-34, Mt 16:13-23; Friday: Na 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, Mt 16:24-28; Saturday (Feast of St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr): 2 Cor 9:6-10, Jn 12:24-26

Our diocese

2024 DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

Bishop Martin with other dynamic speakers, concert, dramas top this year’s event

Thousands of people take part in a Eucharistic procession through the streets of Uptown Charlotte in what is a signature part of the Diocese of Charlotte’s annual Eucharistic Congress. This year’s Eucharistic Congress will take place FridaySaturday, Aug. 30-31, at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Youth and young adults invited to Friday night concert, movie premiere and reception with the bishop

CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte’s 2024 Eucharistic Congress is shaping up to be an exciting two days of powerful personal stories, prayer and praise – and it’s all free for everyone to attend.

The two-day event – the largest of its kind in North Carolina – begins Friday, Aug. 30, at the Charlotte Convention Center with an evening of music, drama and saintly inspiration.

Headlining this year’s Eucharistic Congress will be Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv. On Friday night, he will give a keynote address to young people, followed by a “meet and greet” reception.

Friday night will also feature a performance by Dove Award-nominated artist Sarah Kroger, fresh off her performance at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis.

There will also be a free premiere of “Triumph of the Heart,” the story of St. Maximilian Kolbe’s last days in Auschwitz. Its writer/director Anthony D’Ambrosio will share his powerful conversion story that inspired him to make the movie.

There will also be appearances by Adoration Ultra runner Jimmy Coleman, former professional soccer star Father Chase Hilgenbrinck, and more.

The Benedictine monks of Belmont Abbey will lead evening prayer.

On Saturday, Aug. 31, events begin with a dramatic

Eucharistic procession through the streets of Uptown Charlotte into the Charlotte Convention Center.

Thousands of parishioners, Catholic groups, clergy, religious and 2024 First Communicants will follow Bishop Martin carrying the Blessed Sacrament – the Real Presence of Jesus – for all to witness.

The procession will conclude with Holy Hour and a homily delivered by Father Juan Miguel Sanchez.

Eucharistic Adoration and the sacrament of confession will be offered all day Saturday.

Saturday’s talks will feature Jesuit Father Robert Spitzer, Father Hilgenbrinck and emcee Pete Burak. There will be additional programs in Spanish and Vietnamese, plus lots of food, music and Catholic vendors offering unique merchandise.

Saturday afternoon will also have special programs for middle and high school students, families, and special needs individuals.

The 2024 Eucharistic Congress will end with Mass, offered by Bishop Martin and the priests of the diocese. — Catholic News Herald

More online

At www.goeucharist.com : See the full schedule of Eucharistic Congress events, speaker profiles, a sneak peek of “Triumph of the Heart,” and more

Register now for special programs, volunteer sign-ups

n Middle / High School Track

This year’s event will feature a special afternoon program just for middle and high school students (rising sixth graders to 12th graders): “Conversion: What’s your story?” Guest speakers Marcellino D’Ambrosio and Jimmy Coleman will share their stories of conversion.

D’Ambrosio is the co-founder of a Catholic creative marketing firm and involved with the production of “Triumph of the Heart,” a featurelength movie about St. Maximilian Kolbe’s final days in Auschwitz that will premiere Friday night at the Eucharistic Congress.

Coleman is a member of St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte who conceived of “Adoration Ultras” – ultramarathons that involve running from church to church for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to raise awareness of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. His Adoration Ultras have attracted other runners to join him, most recently for the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, and the effort has drawn local and national media attention.

The teen program will also include trivia, music provided by Belmont Abbey College students, a talk by newly ordained Father Matthew Harrison, small group breakout sessions, adoration, and the opportunity to receive the sacrament of confession.

Advance registration is required at www.goeucharist.com/schedule/highschool-middle-school-track

Note: There will be no children’s track at the Eucharistic Congress this year.

n Special Needs Track

This year’s event will also feature an afternoon program designed for special needs individuals and their families. Participants will spend their time exploring what it means to remain in Jesus through movement, games, crafts and stories. Advance registration is required at www. goeucharist.com/schedule/special-needs-track.

n 2024 First Communicants

A highlight of the annual Eucharistic Congress is a milelong procession through the streets of uptown Charlotte on Saturday morning. It starts at St. Peter Church at 9 a.m. and ends inside the Charlotte Convention Center, where the day’s program is held.

Children who have received their first Holy Communion this year are invited by Bishop Martin to participate in the procession. Registration is encouraged. For details and to register, go to www.goeucharist.com/schedule/procession

n Volunteer sign-ups

Become a volunteer and make new friends, have fun and get a behind-the-scenes look at how this incredible two-day event comes together. Sign up by Thursday, Aug. 15, at www.goeucharist.com/get-involved

D’Ambrosio

Harrison

Coleman

Martin

Bishop Michael Martin joins others in shoveling dirt at the groundbreaking for a new church at Our Lady of the Mountains Parish July 14 in Highlands. Plans are underway to replace the current brick structure, which dates to 1950, with a 9,000-square-foot Baroque-style church at the current location on Fifth Street.

Highlands parish breaks ground for a new church

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

HIGHLANDS — Our Lady of the Mountains Parish celebrated an important milestone July 14, breaking ground for a new church in a ceremony led by Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv. – his first groundbreaking since being ordained bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte six weeks earlier.

Plans are under way to replace the current brick structure, which dates to 1950, with a 9,000-square-foot Baroque-style church at the current location on Fifth Street.

The new building project is the result of years of planning and work spearheaded by Father Jason Barone, pastor, who from the time of his arrival in 2019 heard from parishioners and saw for himself the need for a new worship space because of the growing Catholic presence in the mountain community and the structural problems of the existing building.

A crowd of nearly 250 packed the pews for Mass and then spilled out onto the lawn near the church for the groundbreaking ceremony, held in front of a shrine on the property dedicated to the church’s patron, Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

“We’re here today because of the work of men and women who have gone before us to build the church here – not just of brick and mortar, but who brought the faith to this area,” Bishop Martin told the crowd who had gathered for the groundbreaking.

Father Barone thanked Bishop Martin, the diocese, and recently retired Bishop Peter Jugis for supporting the project.

“We’re going to look back several years from now and realize how much God has worked here at Our Lady of the Mountains and how much we have been strengthened by the Holy Spirit,” he said.

‘We’re going to look back several years from now and realize how much God has worked here at Our Lady of the Mountains and how much we have been strengthened by the Holy Spirit.’

Father Jason Barone Pastor, Our Lady of the Mountains Mission

The ceremony also included remarks from Patrick Taylor, mayor of the Town of Highlands.

“The architecture of this new church will be a profession of faith and belief,” Taylor said. “It will be an icon of Catholic faith for this community for decades and probably even centuries to come.”

Our Lady of the Mountains Parish serves about 275 registered families who are either full-time or seasonal members, as well as visitors and vacationers drawn to the area by its quiet mountain beauty and proximity to attractions like the Nantahala National Forest.

The new church will accommodate the growing number of parishioners and seasonal visitors while also

offering a worship space that calls upon ancient Catholic architectural tradition, parish leaders say.

The project is a sign of how far the local Catholic community has come since a small number of faithful first started worshiping in Highlands decades ago, using a local playhouse theater for Masses that were offered by visiting priests from Waynesville.

Plans call for seating 268 worshipers and a narthex for fellowship before and after Mass and for use as a cry room. The interior will feature seven altars from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, six shrines highlighting sacraments, and two shrines/altars dedicated to Mary, the Blessed Mother and to St. Joseph. Plans also include a confessional, a baptistry, work sacristy and priest sacristy as well as a choir loft.

Fundraising for the project started in May 2022, and so far the “Building a Beacon of Catholic Faith Capital Campaign” has raised $8.3 million in donations and pledges. The total budget for construction is $11.5 million.

JDavis Construction, based in Anderson, South Carolina, is lead contractor.

“We have built churches in the past but none have attempted to capture their faith and symbolism of their belief so much in their structure as this one does,” said Alley Linder, the company’s chief operating officer. “This will help Our Lady of the Mountains to truly bring a beacon of the Catholic faith on the plateau here.”

Masses will continue to be celebrated in the existing church while construction is ongoing. The parish’s former offices were recently demolished to make way for the new church. The current goal is to have it completed by late 2025.

More online

At www.catholicnewsherald.com : See more photos from the groundbreaking ceremony at Our Lady of the Mountains Church

TROY HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Clockwise from left) Original members Kathy and Gary Chapman were all smiles at the 50th anniversary of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Greensboro. Gary spoke about moving to the city 50 years ago and the welcome they received at St. Paul the Apostle. Longtime parishioners Linda Boehlein, Betty Klinc and Phyllis Regan enjoyed celebrating the milestone anniversary together while Klinc and Regan reminisced about their roles in the parish’s production of “Finian’s Rainbow.” An original member of St. Paul the Apostle and convert to the Catholic faith, Linda Shahbaz shared stories of her years at the parish as did her husband, Ken.

50 years of faith, hope and charity

Greensboro’s

St. Paul the Apostle celebrates golden anniversary

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@rcdoc.org

GREENSBORO — Music filled St. Paul the Apostle Church July 14 as hundreds of voices sang “Lord You Give the Great Commission” during their parish’s 50th anniversary celebration.

More than 550 parishioners, clergy and friends came together for the Mass, offered by longtime pastor Father Joseph Mack. It was the culmination of months of 50th anniversary festivities that included Mass and dinner on the parish’s patronal feast in January, a service day in February and parish picnic in June. As the main event, the July 14 celebration also included Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction and a rosary led by Knights of Columbus Council 13236.

Yet St. Paul’s celebration was not only about giving thanks for the past 50 years, but also the prospect of continuing to spread the Good News.

“Imagine what the next 50 years of our parish’s impact can look like if we do that,” Father Mack said during his homily.

“What an impact we can have, always remembering where it’s rooted,” he added, pointing to the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle.

SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS

In his homily, centered on the day’s Gospel reading (Mk 6:7-13), Father Mack connected Jesus’ sending out His disciples two by two with the parish’s anniversary and long history of outreach.

“We’ve already had a great impact in the area around us and in other places, but imagine what we can do if – as a people of faith – we show people what a right relationship with God looks like by being people who live justice,” he said.

Father Mack illustrated how a lack of faith in God during the time of the prophet Amos led to injustices and oppression. He then encouraged people to restore faith in society today by showing what a faithful marriage looks like by staying true physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually to one’s spouse; contributing to the economy through work while not focusing on how much we can gain for ourselves; and leading in the political sphere by encouraging people of good character to run for office and supporting them.

“Think of the impact we and St. Paul the Apostle can have if we do what is right because we’re influenced by our faith – seeking to put it into practice by our being aware of what’s going on around us and not allowing it to corrupt us, but instead asking God for the grace that we may influence, by our lives, those around us,” he said.

SERVING OUT OF LOVE

St. Paul’s influence is already felt in the community through its food pantry, which is one of the longestrunning church-based pantries in the Greensboro area. Service has been a key part of the parish’s 50th anniversary celebrations. In February, the parish partnered with Rise Against Hunger for a day of service, packing 25,000 meals for the hungry. More than 100 parishioners of

all ages showed up for the day of service. Because of the event’s success, they plan to repeat the effort.

Service is the founding charism of St. Paul the Apostle and an important part of celebrating the anniversary, says Colleen Assal, a parishioner since 1992 and former outreach coordinator who led the 50th anniversary committee. “We’ve had the food pantry from the start, and we support organizations in the community, including outreach to our own parishioners.”

For Assal, service is a crucial part of parish life: keeping the door open for any parishioners who need help or just need to talk.

“The people who come for food may need something more,” she adds. “They might need a hug or a referral somewhere.”

The parish is involved in an array of other service projects, including partnering with Niño Jesús, their sister parish in Manta, Ecuador, since 2000.

“The purpose of this relationship is to assist young people to get the educational background they need so that they can better their lives by giving a hand up, not just a handout,” Father Mack notes. “It’s a very powerful and long-running ministry.”

CREATING FAMILY IN A NEW PLACE

Founded on July 15, 1974, with a congregation of 90 families, St. Paul the Apostle Parish was originally led by the Paulist Fathers before the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and later diocesan priests staffed the parish. In those early days, Masses were celebrated at Forbis & Dick Funeral Home as well as at Lutheran, Methodist and Episcopal churches before the parish could build a church of its own. ST. PAUL, SEE PAGE 7

PHOTOS PROVIDED AND BY ANNIE FERGUSON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

ST. PAUL

In the beginning, many parishioners had moved to Greensboro from other states.

Assal was one of them. She felt at home right away, she recalls, despite her initial apprehension about leaving her home in Philadelphia.

“We were going from 95% Catholic to less than 4% Catholic, but Father Tom Murphy made us feel welcome immediately,” she says. “There were so many transplants. We had a moms’ group of 25 women, and we were each other’s godparents and confirmation sponsors, and to this day I’m in a book club with 15 of them.”

At a luncheon after the 50th anniversary Mass, four of the 28 original members of the parish spoke about how joining St. Paul’s enabled them to put down roots in their new hometown of Greensboro.

Phyllis Regan, an original member of the parish and the choir, moved to Greensboro after her late husband’s employer Western Electric transferred him. She fondly recalled being in the parish’s production of “Finian’s Rainbow,” which included roles performed by other longtime parishioners as well as the two priests serving St. Paul’s at the time.

Ken and Linda Shahbaz moved to Greensboro after a job change and started attending Our Lady of Grace Church. Ken had already signed up for the Knights of Columbus when he received a letter from the diocese asking them to join the new parish due to the proximity of their address.

“So being a good Catholic, I started going to Mass at Forbis & Dick Funeral Home – not that unusual when you’ve been in the military,” he said with a grin.

Linda Shahbaz, who converted to Catholicism after growing up Presbyterian, added that she quickly felt at home in the new parish and told how Father Robert Scott recognized her singing ability in the congregation.

“He said, ‘You can sing. You have the background to get others to sing. We need that,’” she recalled him telling her. “That began my 35 years cantoring here. It was so special, I learned so much and came to truly love the traditions and liturgy of the Church and serving all the congregations.”

The Chapman family moved to the area from Michigan in 1974. Upon learning that they were Catholic, a neighbor insisted they check out the new parish called St. Paul the Apostle that was offering Mass at the local funeral home.

“We went the first day, and we loved it so much we registered through the parish. Father Scott was the pastor then,” Chapman remembered. “Shortly thereafter he comes driving up on a

Saturday afternoon to welcome us to the parish and met my wife and all our children.”

Fifty years later, the Chapmans have served in a variety of ways, including the Knights of Columbus, Meals on Wheels, Cursillo and the food pantry. The St. Paul Youth Group helped create community and belonging for the

Chapmans, and their son John even met his future wife in the program.

“We just love the parish, we love being there, we love the people,” Chapman said. “In fact, we’ve got a niche there at the columbarium, so we’ll never leave!” JOIN OUR TEAM AND HELP CARE FOR OTHERS

Priests who have served at St. Paul the Apostle Parish

Paulist Fathers

1974-1991

Father Robert Scott (founding pastor)

Father Robert Carr

Father Jim Walsh

Father Denis Hickey

Father Joseph Gallagher

Father Jim Weisner

Father Ken Boyack

Father Robert Rivers

Father Jerry Sullivan

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

1991-2008

Father Jim O’Neill

Father Tom Murphy

Father Robert Bazzoli

Father Tony Gilborges

Father Tony Larry

Father Joseph Zuschmidt

Father Doug Burns

Father Mark Wrightson

Father Paul DeChant

Father Charles Chamberlain

Father Bill Ruhl

Diocesan priests

2008-present

Father John Allen

Father Benjamin Roberts

Father Joseph Mack

(Above) After meeting in other locations, St. Paul the Apostle Parish began gathering for Mass in its permanent parish center in 1976. They later constructed a new church in 1990. (Below right) Bishop John Donoghue dedicated the new sanctuary in 1993. (Below left) Young men from St. Joseph College Seminary assisted at the anniversary Mass.

In Brief

BLD Charlotte hosts seminar

GREENSBORO — Charismatic Catholics gathered June 14-16 at Our Lady of Grace Church for a “Life in the Spirit” seminar sponsored by BLD Charlotte, with Father Marcel Amadi as retreat master and assisted by Deacon Serge Bernatchez. It was a glorious weekend, a unity of nations in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, organizers said.

BLD stands for “Bukas Loob Sa Diyos” (“Open In Spirit to God”). The BLD Community is a Catholic Covenant charismatic community and a private association of the faithful in the Church. The BLD Community started in 1985 in Manila, Philippines, the center of its international organization.

— Bert and Lith Golamco

Wedding anniversary Mass set

CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte’s annual Anniversary Mass for couples celebrating 25 and 50 years of marriage will be offered at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at St. Patrick Cathedral. Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., will be the celebrant. A reception will be held after the Mass, sponsored by the diocese’s Family Life Office. Couples who are celebrating their 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries in 2024 will receive a special certificate commemorating their anniversary. To receive a certificate, please sign up online at www. charlottediocese.org (click on Events).

Belmont Abbey College

offers free online course, ‘Rights and Freedoms’

BELMONT — Ever wondered how rights and freedoms shape our society?

Belmont Abbey College is offering a free online video course, “Rights and Freedoms,” designed to explain these crucial concepts.

This course offers an enriching educational experience tailored to foster informed citizenship. Beginning with the Bill of Rights’ historical significance and the balance between freedom of speech and religion, the course dives into thought-provoking topics such as the philosophical implications of how rights are discussed, the true essence of freedom, and the vital role of congressional committees in preserving liberty.

The videos feature political experts and scholars including: Nina Shea, senior fellow and director of the Center for Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute and former member of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom; Robert Smith, president of the Thomas More Society of America and deputy chief counsel of the U.S. Senate’s Oversight Committee for Commerce, Science and Transportation; and Dr. Tom Varacalli, assistant professor at Belmont Abbey College. Register online at www.resources.bac.edu/rights. — Catholic News Herald

Correction

In the July 12 story “Catholic Conference Center gets new director,” the number of years Kris Cordes has worked at the center was incorrectly reported. She has worked there for more than eight years. We regret the error.

Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio passes away, leaving ‘living legacy’

LIZ CHANDLER lchandler@rcdoc.org

GREENSBORO — Monsignor Anthony John Marcaccio, the longtime lionhearted pastor of St. Pius X, known for his generosity, inspiring homilies and gregarious demeanor, passed away Friday, July 19, 2024, after a short battle with appendiceal cancer. He was 61.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 31, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 2210 North Elm St., in Greensboro, with Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., officiating. Family and friends will be received Tuesday, July 30, from 2 to 9 p.m., at St. Pius X. Interment will be private. Monsignor Marcaccio underwent surgery July 9 in Chicago and appeared to be recovering, posing for a photo in his hospital bed while covered in Get-Well cards and flashing his million-dollar smile. But parishioners were heartbroken a few days later when their pastor of 24 years succumbed to complications, and soon found themselves turning to Monsignor Marcaccio’s own words for comfort.

“We have to change our perspective when it comes to this kind of grief,” he said in a 2020 video for All Souls’ Day, reposted on the parish’s website this week. “Don’t look at it as (a loved one being) snatched from our hand…but rather, we have given them back to the embrace of the Lord who made them. Those souls are in the embrace of Jesus Christ.”

Monsignor Marcaccio was a character of the highest order, friends say, always smiling and regaling all who would listen with stories, good-natured humor, even practical jokes that might involve funny phone calls to colleagues using disguised voices.

His ministry spanned a range of pastoral experiences – from leading a small church in a mountain town to assisting in the Diocese of Charlotte administration – before he settled into Greensboro to make St. Pius X his forever home. In the 1990s, as priest secretary for Bishop William Curlin, he traversed the diocese, driving the bishop to parishes and schools, delivering messages from the Vatican and taking calls from Mother Teresa, who was a close friend of the bishop’s.

Monsignor Marcaccio had a heart for the poor, homeless and hungry. He inspired his parishioners to “punch above our weight” in financial giving, one member said, raising millions to give to the diocese’s annual appeal and to transform the St. Pius X campus.

In 2019, he stood before the U.S. Senate on national TV and prayed for unity: “In this moment make us mindful of all that has brought us together as a country and how it far surpasses that which can divide us, so in all things deliberated and done here we may be preserved as one nation under God.”

He also loved animals and welcomed anyone – with any kind of creature – to come by the church for pet blessings. Schoolkids were spellbound when he described his childhood dream of becoming a pirate. And everyone loved Monsignor’s sidekick “Tater,” a caramel-colored French bulldog, whose pedigree name was “Napolean Tater Tot.” Tater frequently went to work with his dad in the church office, sometimes in different outfits, always serving as a conversation starter.

“He had a profound love of the faith and was very serious about getting you to heaven, but he wanted to put you at ease,” says Derek Ritzel, a St. Pius X parishioner and friend who traveled to Chicago to visit with his pastor in his final days. “He wanted to make sure people saw their faith as approachable, so he told fun stories and made you feel like we’re all sinners on a journey together, rather than having this piety hurdle that you couldn’t clear.”

GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT

Born in Detroit in 1963, Anthony John Marcaccio was the youngest of four children born to Rose and Tony Marcaccio. The family moved to Greenwood, South Carolina, when he was 3, where his father opened a manufacturing plant for a pharmaceutical company. A local priest first kindled his interest in the priesthood, and his family instilled values that would define his life.

“My parents were very generous and welcoming. We always had people to our home. Mom would invite the person who was alone, an elderly person or an exchange student to our home for the holidays,” Monsignor Marcaccio told the Catholic News Herald in 2019, when he established what he expected to become a million-dollar fund in honor of his late parents. The St. Anthony Bread Endowment feeds the hungry in Greensboro and Asheville where his parents had lived.

Young Anthony graduated from Greenwood High School, earned a political science degree from Francis Marion College in Florence, South Carolina, then completed his graduate studies in theology at The Catholic University of America. He was ordained a priest on June 1, 1991, by Bishop John

SEE PAGE 9

(Far left) Holding up the Host at Easter Mass, Monsignor Marcaccio was “meticulous” about the liturgies and homilies he delivered, just as he was about the physical appearance of the St. Pius X campus.

Marcaccio loved children and baptisms – and revels here with both.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MARY ANN LUEDTKE AND ST. PIUS X PARISH Parishioners are preparing for the July 31 funeral of their beloved pastor Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio, who died July 19 at age 61. His dog Tater, often the center of attention at St. Pius X Parish, is being well taken care of and is spending time now with his littermate Beau.

Monsignor

MARCACCIO,

MARCACCIO

Donoghue. He served as parochial vicar at St. Gabriel Parish in Charlotte and as pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Swannanoa, before becoming priest secretary to Bishop Curlin in 1994.

The pair became fast friends and confidants, sharing long car rides across the western half of North Carolina, listening to classical music and opera, or discussing issues of the day. They visited Pope John Paul II together in Rome. Bishop Curlin gifted two chihuahuas to him, Chica and Obispo (or “Bishop” in Spanish).

One Curlin mantra Monsignor Marcaccio absorbed and frequently shared: “Your will, Lord – nothing more, nothing less and nothing else.” Fittingly, he will be buried next to his good friend at Belmont Abbey.

In 2000, Monsignor Marcaccio was appointed pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Greensboro, where he served the rest of his priestly ministry.

In 2002, in recognition of his service to the Church, he was named a Chaplain of His Holiness by Pope John Paul II –granting him the title of monsignor.

A ‘GENERATIONAL TALENT’

At St. Pius X, Monsignor Marcaccio immediately went to work building a community and an environment that would inspire their faith, parishioners said.

“He embodied our motto ‘To know, love and serve the Lord,’ ” says Pat Spivey, his pastoral associate for 21 years. “It defines the way he went about his life, and he encouraged all of us and all of his parishioners to do the same.”

He was generous with his time and his money – personally and through the parish’s charitable outreach, parishioners say. He was a strong advocate for Greensboro Urban Ministry, constantly collecting food and sending volunteers to its food pantry. In 2022, in honor of the diocese’s 50th anniversary, he set out to collect 50,000 pounds of nonperishable food for the poor – and he rallied parishioners to deliver.

“He was always looking out for the hungry and the homeless,” says Mary O’Neill, former director of Greensboro Urban Ministry’s food pantry. “He was always sending us food and volunteers. When I moved over to work at the (homeless) shelter, he toured the building and bought lamps for all the rooms.”

Monsignor Marcaccio was meticulous in everything he did, staff and parishioners say – from the design, furnishings and maintenance of the church, to the liturgies and homilies he delivered.

“Monsignor liked everything perfect

and looking good,” says O’Neill, also a parishioner. At the same time, despite a slightly cluttered look, he decided to place multiple food-collection boxes in prominent locations inside the church to keep the mission top-of-mind.

His example and expectations inspired others, adds Spivey.

“He expected excellence. He wanted things to be right and done correctly. He wanted our parish to be open and welcoming, from the design of the lobby to the greeting you received. He always told the receptionists: ‘You are the first face and the first voice of St. Pius the Tenth,’ which meant they were to be warm and welcoming and attentive to whoever came through that door.”

He also was a “brilliant homilist” who made things relevant, Ritzel says.

“He made me better. He made me learn. He created opportunities where I could be part of smaller faith communities like Bible studies. He inspired me to go deep, to live my faith…He reflected the love of Christ.”

Monsignor Marcaccio’s work yielded great fruit. The parish nearly doubled to 1,800 registered families during his tenure. Nearly 90 percent of parishioners participated in the “Making a Place at the Table” capital campaign that raised $6.6 million toward construction of a new church, which opened in 2010. Next came a new parish center and a primary education facility in 2015, which brought another $6.7 million in contributions from parishioners.

“Monsignor was visionary,” says Marcaccio’s administrative assistant Liz Pendergrass. “He conveyed his vision and empowered us to achieve it with him for the glory of God. He showed us what we were capable of doing with the gifts we are given.”

Ritzel calls him “a generational talent,” saying, “He did everything so well. He was really good at managing all the processes that go into running a church. And he was so good at being with people and understanding who they were. He just created an environment where people wanted to contribute and be a part of things.”

‘CATCHING

SOULS’

When COVID-19 hit, a smiling Marcaccio and little Tater appeared in a series of videos sent to parishioners, charming them at a grim time and helping them stay connected.

“People loved him,” parishioner O’Neill says. “He was always joyful. He always said, ‘Joy is the net for catching souls.’ ’’

He had a skillset and a style parishioners say will be hard to replace. “Can you imagine being the guy who had to replace Phil Jackson at the Chicago Bulls or Nick Sabin at Alabama?” Ritzel says.

In 2016, on the 25th anniversary of his ordination, Monsignor Marcaccio told the Catholic News Herald how he hoped people would remember him.

“I hope that after 25 years people would think of the success of my priesthood in Jesus Christ in terms of a living legacy –not brick and mortar, not a building, not even a church door, but as someone who helped them open the Door of Mercy, that Living Door, the Gate through which the people of our parish were able to pass and develop that deep, abiding friendship with God.”

In a July 19 letter announcing the Monsignor Marcaccio’s death, Bishop Martin echoed the sentiments of so many: “May we all console one another with the promises of Christ in the resurrection as well as with the knowledge that Msgr. Marcaccio has heard the words that he lived his life to hear: ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Come, share your master’s joy.’ ” (Mt. 25:23)

(Far left) Just days before he died, Monsignor Marcaccio received eight pounds of Get-Well cards and letters from his parishioners. (Above) Parishioners and their pastor pose with a small sliver of the food collected for the poor on a Mother’s Day during the COVID-19 pandemic. The parish is a significant supporter of Greensboro Urban Ministry and its food pantry. (Left) Tater is enlisted as the star of a Valentine’s Day celebration at St. Pius X School.

Please note

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Marcaccio Family St. Anthony’s Bread Endowment of the Foundation of the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, P.O. Box 13588, Greensboro, N.C. 27415-3588.

A DAY WITH DR SCOTT HAHN & DR JOHN BERGSMA

DR SCOTT HAHN DR JOHN BERGSMA TO REGISTER, VISIT:

September 21, 2024

Mercy Sister Jeanne Margaret McNally passes away

Noted educator, psychologist, nurse and canon lawyer

BELMONT — Mercy Sister Jeanne Margaret McNally passed away peacefully July 6, 2024, at Sacred Heart Convent. A Sister of Mercy for 75 years, Sister Jeanne Margaret was a nurse, psychologist, canon lawyer and leader within the community and the Church.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated July 20, 2024, in Cardinal Gibbons Chapel at Sacred Heart Convent in Belmont. Interment followed at Belmont Abbey Cemetery.

Jeanne Margaret McNally was born on Nov. 22, 1931, in New York City, the daughter of Edward Joseph McNally and Margaret Elizabeth Weyland, both of New York. She attended St. Jean Baptiste High School in New York, then professed with the Sisters of Mercy in Belmont. She received her A.S. in nursing from Sacred Heart College in Belmont, R.N. at Mercy Hospital in Charlotte, B.S. and M.S. in nursing, as well as a Ph.D in psychology and J.C.L. in canon law from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She also received an administration certificate from UNC-Chapel Hill, psychology certificate from Harvard University, canon law certificate from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Fla., and

an honorary doctorate from Sacred Heart College.

Sister Jeanne Margaret’s spiritual motto was “What Is This In Eternity.” She lived this as a nurse, an elected regional councilor and president for 13 years. She served on many boards and was well known as a canon lawyer for the Archdiocese of Miami and the Diocese of Charlotte. Among her fellow Sisters, she was a well-known storyteller and an advocate for higher education.

“Her legacy leaves very big shoes to fill – I don’t know if we’re ever going to have another like her. She had the full package – she was very intelligent, very willing to help, and just could do so many different things,” said Lisa Sarvis, head of the tribunal chancery, who worked with Sister Jeanne Margaret on issues of canon law for more than 15 years. “She continued to assist us after her retirement and she did anything we needed her to do if she was capable of it. Her mind never let her down. She knew her topic, could help with any situation and answer any question. She was wonderful to work with.”

Bishop Emeritus Peter Jugis worked with Sister Jeanne Margaret for several years in the diocesan tribunal when he served as judicial vicar before becoming bishop. Earlier this year during the celebration of her 75th jubilee, she smiled as she recalled studying canon law alongside Bishop Jugis at the Catholic University of America.

In remembrance, Bishop Jugis said, “I am grateful to the Lord and to Sister Jeanne Margaret for the expert help Sister gave us with the important work of our diocesan tribunal.”

Father John Putnam, the current judicial vicar for the diocese and pastor of St. Mark Parish in Huntersville, first met Sister Jeanne Margaret when he was in the seminary. They later worked together extensively on cases that came before the diocesan tribunal.

“She was working at the tribunal while I was studying canon law and she was always helpful,” Father Putnam said. “As the years went by, I always valued her opinions and insights. She had a keen mind for discerning the truth of a situation, and she was committed to the pursuit of justice. We were all very fond of her and were very thankful that she continued to assist as an assessor, advocate and psychological expert long after she officially retired. She was an amazing person, and I was better for knowing her.”

Sister Jeanne Margaret loved all the people she served throughout her life. She especially enjoyed working with the novices at Belmont Abbey Monastery in Belmont and helping people understand the teachings and laws of the Catholic Church.

Working with and knowing Sister Jeanne Margaret also meant getting to enjoy her keen sense of humor on a regular basis.

“She was very much a witty person with a sense of humor that was both funny and intellectual,” Sarvis said.

In his homily at her funeral Mass, celebrant Father Kevin Walsh, OCSO, of Mepkin Abbey in South Carolina reflected

on the love and pride Sister Jeanne Margaret had for her fellow sisters and their ministry in North Carolina.

“On my first visit to Belmont Abbey, she walked us around and showed us the programs the Sisters of Mercy hosted, and I could feel the well-placed pride she radiated in her sisters who created and staffed these programs,” Father Walsh said. “As proud as she was of her family in this religious community, she also thanked God for the love of her parents and siblings and delighted in speaking of her family and their accomplishments. She lived deeply in the circles of her family that were her religious community, her own biological family and this wonderful family of God.”

Sister Jeanne Margaret was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Patricia. She is survived by her many family members and the Community of Sisters of Mercy.

The Sisters of Mercy would like to thank the Novant Health Family Physicians of Gastonia, Dr. Kenneth Edel, and CaroMont Heart, Dr. Anthony Arn, for their years of dedicated care. Also a thank you to the Marian Center staff and nurses as well as the Alumni of Mercy School of Nursing –Class of 1967, for their years of devotion to Sister Jeanne Margaret.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 101 Mercy Dr., Belmont, N.C. 28012.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcleanfuneral.com.

McLean Funeral Directors Belmont was in charge of the arrangements.

— Catholic News Herald

Belmont Abbey College grad takes vows to join Benedictine monks

SARAH BOLTON Special to the Catholic News Herald

BELMONT — The example of the Benedictine monks who taught him has inspired a Belmont Abbey College graduate to join their monastic community.

John Paul Hamilton graduated in 2020 with a degree in English. During his time as a student, he received guidance and mentorship from the abbey’s monks and faculty members who played a crucial role in shaping his character and formation.

On July 11, Hamilton made his simple (first) profession of vows, committing to life in the Benedictine community for the next three years. Brother Gabriel, as he is now called, took vows of obedience, stability and fidelity to the monastic manner of life according to the Rule of St. Benedict.

The ceremony was celebrated during Belmont Abbey’s Conventual Mass on the feast of St. Benedict, who founded the religious order nearly 1,500 years ago. Brother Gabriel’s family, friends and members of the college community attended the Mass at the abbey’s Mary Help of Christians Basilica.

In his homily, Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari reminded Brother Gabriel that the monastic way of life involves a unique embrace of the cross of Christ. Quoting from the Gospel of John, he assured Brother Gabriel with Jesus’ words, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me” (John 12:26).

After the homily, Brother Gabriel stood in front of the altar to profess his vows and then was received into the community, exchanging the sign of peace with his new brother monks.

With their simple, or first, profession of vows, someone who is discerning a vocation as a consecrated religious is able to continue the process of prayer and discernment under the guidance of the religious community for a specific period of time. After fulfilling simple vows, the person may take the next step with solemn, or final, vows that confirm their vocation and lifetime commitment to the community. The celebration of Brother Gabriel’s simple profession

of vows is not only a profound moment for him personally, but also a significant milestone for the entire Belmont Abbey community.

“It was so wonderful to see the overwhelming joy that filled Brother Gabriel as he made his first profession of vows. That joy seemed to radiate throughout the basilica and could be seen in every face – especially in those of his family, friends and faculty who were in attendance,” said Dr. Bill Thierfelder, president of Belmont Abbey College.

“It was a day of great hope for the monastic community and the Church to witness the humble fiat of this incredible young man, an alumnus of Belmont Abbey’s Honors College, committing himself to the Benedictine life of ‘ora et labora’ (prayer and work).”

Abbey College graduate John Paul Hamilton recently joined the Benedictine monks of Belmont Abbey, professing simple (or first) vows to the monastic community for the next three years.

McNally

Belmont

(Below) Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari presents the newly named Brother Gabriel with the monastic hood (capuche) as part of his habit.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY BELMONT ABBEY COLLEGE

Charlotte Catholic students, alumni SOAR into service

JEREMY KUHN

Special to the Catholic News Herald

CHARLOTTE — The 23rd annual Special Olympics Athletic Retreat, better known as Camp SOAR, has again brought together a diverse community of volunteers and campers for sports, activities and camaraderie. Held at the Levine Jewish Community Center June 10-14, this year’s camp saw enthusiastic participation from Charlotte Catholic students and alumni, among many volunteers.

Founded by Bob Bowler, a longtime member of St. Gabriel Parish, Camp SOAR aims to provide a traditional summer camp experience tailored to individuals with special needs. Participants engaged in activities ranging from soccer, basketball and tennis to more unusual offerings such as bocce, boxing and pickleball. Beyond sports, campers enjoyed arts and crafts, dance sessions, fitness classes and even had the pleasure of interacting with therapy animals, including a mini-pony named Soleil.

Bowler’s dedication to the Special Olympics spans four decades, a commitment officially recognized this year at the camp’s closing ceremony, where he also received the Special Olympics Mecklenburg County Matt Hull Coach of the Year award.

the campers and to help them have a good time,” she said.

Keese encourages others considering volunteering at Camp SOAR: “Step out of (your) comfort zone. … It could be difficult and unfamiliar at first, but that is the whole point. Camp SOAR is about being selfless and willing to help.”

Another dedicated volunteer, rising CCHS junior Ella Lengers, echoed Keese’s sentiment on the transformative power of Camp SOAR. For her, it is a powerful experience of joy that elevates all who are involved.

“This isn’t any ordinary summer camp,”

Among the standout volunteers this year was rising CCHS senior Emma Keese, honored with the Vickie Bowler Memorial Volunteer of the Year award. Keese shared her personal motivation for involvement, citing her younger sisters Molly and Caroline, who have special needs.

“For years we have wanted the twins to have structure during the summer in a place that caters to their needs,” she explained. “Camp SOAR provides exactly that – a safe environment where every camper is welcomed and supported.”

Keese also highlighted the profound impact of her volunteer work. “I feel so fulfilled knowing I am not at Camp SOAR merely to check a box or get my service hours, but rather I am there to advocate for

Lengers explained, “this is a camp that really does soar … through activities and lifelong friendships.”

Camp SOAR continues to thrive thanks to the dedication of these individuals and others who generously give their time and energy, organizers say. The efforts of volunteers from local programs such as RyzeAb0ve Fitness, the Charlotte Soccer Academy, Allegro Dance, Havilah Dance and Expand Movement ensure that every camper experiences joy, camaraderie and the opportunity to excel in a supportive environment.

As Camp SOAR concludes another successful year, the entire community looks forward to its continued growth and impact, celebrating the spirit of inclusivity, collaboration and service that defines this remarkable event.

The Diocese of Charlotte is looking for a passionate, curious and innovative veteran to become the next editor of the award-winning Catholic News Herald and catholicnewsherald.com and help lead a creative team of professionals to a new level of excellence.

The editor will serve on the Communications leadership team and will oversee content development and editorial direction for the Catholic News Herald’s growing print and digital channels during an exciting time in one of the nation’s fastest growing communities.

PHOTO PROVIDED Charlotte Catholic volunteer Emma Keese (right) dances along with camper Audrey Kim and Camp SOAR Leadership Coordinator Grace Flanagan.

‘East Meets West’ Retreat discusses the Immaculate Conception

FATHER KEVIN BEZNER

Special to the Catholic News Herald

How and why was the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Holy Mother of God anticipated by St. Gregory Palamas centuries before Pope Pius IX defined it in his papal bull in 1854? That was the core topic of the 11th annual East Meets West Retreat, held June 22 in Tryon.

The retreat was led by Father Christiaan Kappes of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, Pa. The East Meets West retreat is the signature event of Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke Ukrainian Catholic Mission, based in Tryon.

In three 45-minute talks, Father Kappes spoke about the homilies of St. Gregory Palamas on the Most Holy Mother of God, and how the saint presents her as all holy and immaculate, purified before she was greeted by the angel at the Annunciation.

One important way the saint does this, he said, is by drawing attention to how Mary is a descendant of Noah. St. Gregory’s homilies draw attention to how the phrase “full of grace” is used only twice in the Bible: in relation to Noah in Sirach, and then to Mary by St. Luke, who quotes the phrase from Sirach.

Just as Noah and his family were purified and Noah is immaculate, Mary’s parents, Sts.

Joachim and Anne, were purified and Mary was conceived immaculate. Noah’s children eventually fall to worldly corruption, while the Blessed Mother does not.

St. Gregory expresses how Mary was chosen to give birth to the Savior from the most pious and well-pleasing to God from every age.

Father Kappes also noted that St. Gregory believed that Mary was the first to greet her son after the Resurrection, a view also expressed by St. John Paul II. The first two Gospels downplay Mary’s role so as to avoid the possibility that those hearing the Gospel would think that the story of Our Lord’s Resurrection was just a family tale. St. Luke was not hampered by this when he writes his Gospel.

St. Gregory Palamas was born in Constantinople in 1296 and died in 1359. In his 20s he became a monk on Mount Athos. He is best known for his book “The Triads,” a defense of the monks of Mount Athos and their practice of silence and the reciting the Jesus Prayer. He was canonized in 1368.

Father Kappes is academic dean, director of intellectual formation and professor of liturgical and dogmatic theology at Byzantine Catholic Seminary. He is the author of several books, including “The Immaculate Conception,” published by the Academy of the Immaculate.

Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke Ukrainian Catholic Mission is a mission of St. Josaphat Eparchy in Parma, Ohio. The mission, now in its 11th year, serves the Western North Carolina mountain region, which borders Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia.

Summer Smiles: Refugee kids find joy at camp

CHARLOTTE — More than 40 children who have fled war and persecution in their homelands recently had a chance to do what so many American children may take for granted – have fun at a summer camp. Whether it was going to Carowinds, bowling or making crafts, the campers had a blast just being kids. Organized by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, the annual summer camp has made a difference in the lives of refugee children and their families for years.

On the Diocese of Charlotte’s YouTube channel : Learn more about the impact of the summer camp program from Catholic Charities’ Taylor Barnhardt and Laura T. Jones.

COLLEEN SHOLTIS | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Kappes

Love Beyond Measure

Natural Family Planning Week July 21-27, 2024

Cycle tracking: Growing popularity, convenience make it an accessible Natural Family Planning method

BATRICE ADCOCK

Special to the Catholic News Herald

CHARLOTTE — During Natural Family Planning Awareness Week July 21-27, the Diocese of Charlotte’s Family Life Office is highlighting the benefits of cycle tracking to women and married couples.

Cycle tracking is the practice of recording one’s menstrual cycle – to identify fertile times, to aid in the diagnosis of a health condition, or to optimize health and wellness. It is also known as fertility awareness when used as a method to become pregnant or to postpone pregnancy for a short time or indefinitely.

Mobile apps and wearable trackers have made cycle tracking more popular and convenient than ever. And thanks to cycle tracking, women can manage the shifting hormone patterns throughout their cycle and take advantage of the health benefits of “cycle syncing” the ways they exercise, eat, sleep and work.

Cycle tracking is a flexible and accessible component of Natural Family Planning (NFP) that anyone can do, and it aligns with Catholic teaching. It also is a natural and effective alternative to contraceptives like hormonal birth control or to assisted reproductive technologies, which are fraught with moral, physical and emotional issues.

The diocese’s Family Life Office offers free online Natural Family Planning courses in English and Spanish and refers to local instructors for in-person instruction. These courses cover cycle tracking and other important information to help women reap the benefits of this natural approach to health and family planning. In addition, Cycle Prep and TeenFEMM, two programs that introduce cycle awareness and its health benefits to younger women, are available for mothers and their daughters.

More online

Cycle Prep and TeenFEMM are particularly important resources because girls transitioning through puberty need education and support to achieve healthy menstrual cycles and hormones, which impact their growth and development, mental health and future fertility.

When girls and women experience menstrual cycle problems, it is advised to seek treatment from a health professional trained in restorative reproductive medicine,

At www.charlottediocese.org/faith-life/family-life/natural-family-planning : Learn more about NFP, get answers to basic questions about family planning and Catholic teaching, and sign up for workshops offered through the diocese’s Family Life Office

At www.usccb.org/topics/natural-family-planning : Learn more about Church teaching related to infertility and assisted reproductive techniques

At www.naturalwomanhood.org/find-a-doctor/restorative-reproductivemedicine : Learn more about restorative reproductive medicine

which uses cycle tracking to identify and resolve root causes rather than simply treating the symptoms.

Several Catholic, pro-life health professionals in the Charlotte diocese have completed additional medical training in order to offer this approach to women’s healthcare, which aims to restore healthy hormones, ovulation and fertility. Email the diocese’s Family Life Office at familylife@rcdoc.org to find a supportive program or health professional near you.

Catholic News Herald earns 6 N.C. press awards

CHARLOTTE — The Catholic News Herald has won six awards, including three firstplace honors, from the North Carolina Press Association for its work published in 2023. Photographer Troy Hull earned a first-place award for his video “Mass honors Igbo Catholic heritage” featuring the Igbo community at St. Mary’s Parish in Greensboro.

Hull and Spanish media manager César Hurtado also won a first-place award for their collaborative photo essay featuring Our Lady of Guadalupe feast day celebrations around the Diocese of Charlotte.

Staff writers Annie Ferguson and Christina Lee Knauss also won a first-place award for their story showcasing the Diocese of Charlotte’s rural missions, “Little churches with big hearts.” Ferguson and Hull also won a second-place award for their multimedia project about St. Matthew parishioner and runner Jimmy Coleman, “Ultra-devoted: Catholic athlete runs 50 miles in Adoration.”

Multimedia designer David Puckett won second place for his design centerpiece “God’s Country” that spotlighted churches along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the autumn.

Ferguson also won a third-place award in sports feature writing for “It’s good to be a Villain,” about Bishop McGuinness High School’s champion girls basketball team and its coach Brian Robinson.

The NCPA contest was judged by the Colorado Press Association.

Awards will be officially presented at the NCPA’s annual convention Sept. 19 in Raleigh. —

Pitman endowment funds college tuition for 17 students

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — Seventeen college students who are Catholic parishioners in North Carolina have been awarded $3,000 scholarships from the George Pitman Endowment Fund.

Created with an estate gift of $1.2 million by the late George Warren Pitman, a businessman and philanthropist who once lived in Charlotte, the scholarships are available to applicants who live in either Mecklenburg County or the town of Dunn. Pitman was a renowned designer and ran his design firm, George Pitman Inc., from his Charlotte home for more than

30 years until his death in 2007 at age 79. Pitman was a graduate of Mount St. Mary’s College in Maryland and Bright’s School of Design in Chicago.

Through the George Warren Pitman Scholarship Fund, college-bound Catholics can apply for renewable awards of up to $3,000, depending on the type of college (two-year, four-year or vocational) they plan to attend.

Of the 17, seven are first-time recipients. Two will attend UNC-Chapel Hill, while others will attend Appalachian State University, Clemson University, Denison University, Trident Technical College and the University of South Carolina.

Of the 10 students who received renewal

The Pitman Scholarship has given $162,000 since 2018.

scholarships, four attend UNC-Chapel Hill, two attend North Carolina State University, two attend the University of Tennessee, and the others are students at the Catholic University of America and Washington and Lee University.

“Mr. Pitman’s transformative gift continues to benefit Catholic students to attend a college or a university of their

choice,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development. He added, “More and more people across the diocese are remembering the Church in their estate plans – gifts from thousands to millions – and we are thankful for their generosity.”

The Pitman Scholarship has given out $162,000 since its beginning in 2018. The diocesan foundation has distributed $16.4 million to the diocese and its parishes, schools and ministries since 1994.

Donors like Pitman who make a planned gift to the diocese or any of its parishes, schools, ministries or agencies become members of the Catholic Heritage Society, which currently has more than 1,700 members.

Catholic News Herald

Ferguson Hull Hurtado

Knauss Puckett

Mphasa Mwanza of Mishawaka, Ind., prays during a July 19 “Encounter impact” session at Lucas Oil Stadium during the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis.

BOB ROLLER | OSV NEWS

Igniting a new Spirit

National congress urges Catholics to become Eucharistic missionaries

PETER JESSERER SMITH OSV News

INDIANAPOLIS — Five days of worship, joy and fellowship – tens of thousands of people all focused on Jesus’ Presence in the Eucharist – marked the 10th annual National Eucharistic Congress.

The event, one of the largest Catholic gatherings in the United States in decades, energized participants and ended with a call for them to return to their communities and spread the Gospel message, fostering a revival in devotion to Jesus’ Presence in the Eucharist.

That enthusiasm culminated at a concluding Mass celebrated by Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota,

head of the congress organizing committee. Lucas Oil Stadium was filled with more than 60,000 cheering people for the final event of the congress.

“I have a question for you,” he told the crowd.

“This is the 10th National Eucharistic Congress. Do you think we should do an 11th one?”

The congress participants – representing 50 U.S. states, 17 countries, and various Eastern and Western churches, and speaking over 40 languages – cheered wildly.

They again rose to their feet to give the U.S. Catholic bishops an enthusiastic standing ovation for making possible the five-day congress with its impact sessions, small group sessions, special events, revival nights with Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, and beautiful and reverent Masses.

The event reflected the diversity of a Church united in the same Eucharistic Lord and eager to use their gifts to spark a new Pentecost.

A REVIVAL OF FAITH

The first day of the July 17-21 event began with an evening revival and Eucharistic Adoration. A group of 30 pilgrims who had walked from across the United States on four pilgrimage routes over the past eight weeks

took their final official steps into Lucas Oil Stadium carrying icons of each route’s respective patron saints: the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, St. Junipero Serra and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.

“How will we know that we are experiencing Eucharistic revival?” Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the papal nuncio to the U.S., asked in his keynote speech July 17, encouraging everyone to surrender their hearts to the Lord.

“When we are truly revived by the Eucharist,” he said, “then our encounter with Christ’s real presence in the sacrament opens us to an encounter with Him in the rest of our life” and then “spills over in our daily life, a life of relating to others, our way of seeing others.”

INSPIRING LITURGIES, TALKS, EXHIBITS

Every day of the congress began with most attendees joining in Eucharistic liturgies in the stadium – including a July 20 Holy Qurbana, the Syro-Malabar form of the Eucharistic liturgy, prayed in English.

REVIVAL, SEE PAGE 16

‘We should not keep Jesus to ourselves. Share Jesus’ tender love with the weary, the hungry and suffering ... the lost, confused and weak.’

Congress

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle Pope Francis’ envoy to the National Eucharistic

Bishop Martin joins calls for revival, unity in the Eucharist

KIMBERLY BENDER

kdbender@rcdoc.org

INDIANAPOLIS — Every person who attended the National Eucharistic Congress last week has been called to bring the fire of the Gospel and their faith back home and “to the ends of the earth.”

That message was echoed by Bishop Michael Martin, who joined hundreds of local pilgrims and 60,000 other Catholics in Indianapolis for the event – the culmination of a national campaign meant to spark renewal in devotion to the Eucharist.

“The road to conversion, the road to revival is made real every single day in your parish, in your home,” Bishop Martin told pilgrims from the Diocese of Charlotte. He urged attendees and clergy who had traveled from more than 15 parishes to get out of their comfort zone and join in the Eucharistic revival.

“Look around you. These people are on the journey with you. I am not in this revival by myself,” Bishop Martin said. “Let us remember the challenge ahead. We need to find ways to make connection, which is the heart of the Eucharist. It’s the communion that we share.”

Like its Charlotte counterpart, the National Eucharistic Congress is a massive gathering of Catholics to celebrate faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Among the thousands of people in Indianapolis last week were pilgrims from small towns and big cities across the

diocese – Brevard to Charlotte, Linville to Mooresville.

“It feels like the Eucharistic Congress in Charlotte but on a much, much grander scale,” said Chris Beal, who as the diocese’s faith formation director helps organize the local Eucharistic Congress each fall. “The number of Catholics from across the country, that’s powerful enough in itself. But they’re here for one reason: for the love of the Eucharist.”

During five days of non-stop praying and powerful speakers, pilgrims from the Charlotte diocese walked with tens of thousands of people in the largest Eucharistic procession in the country. They worshiped at stadiumsized Masses celebrated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York and Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington, D.C., alongside their own bishop. And they came together for fellowship at meetings, talks and a special luncheon hosted by Bishop Martin.

Deacon Bill Schreiber, diocesan director of deacon formation and member of St. Aloysius Parish in Hickory, said being with this many people “crazy” about the Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist has been inspiring.

“I was in tears this morning at Mass,” Deacon Schreiber said of the Mass celebrated by Cardinal Gregory. “I counted 75 bishops and cardinals in the procession, along with hundreds of seminarians and priests and deacons. It’s such a blessing that we’re able to do this in Indianapolis.”

Joining Deacon Schreiber was a group of permanent deacon candidates who are hoping to be ordained in 2025.

“The power of seeing that many people come together in our faith is overwhelming. It lights your heart on fire,” said one candidate, Tracy Neumann from St. Therese Parish in Mooresville.

CALLING FOR UNITY

Unity was a key theme of the 10th annual National Eucharistic Congress – and for Bishop Martin and pilgrims from the Charlotte diocese.

During a July 20 appearance on Relevant Radio’s “The Inner Life” with Patrick Conley during the National Eucharistic Congress, Bishop Martin called for unity and communion through Christ, saying “division is at the heart of sin.”

The Eucharist makes us “one,” he said. “Jesus’ constant message, especially in John’s Gospel, talks about the desire for all of us to be one in Him, as He and the Father are one. That is the Holy Spirit – the unity between them.”

Noting the divisiveness in our country, Bishop Martin cautioned that unity is easier said than done.

Bridge building, repentance, open hearts – that’s what it takes, he said.

“God gives us the grace, but we have to respond. We have to allow His grace to be made to bear in our world, to bring about the unity that we so deeply desire.”

UNITY, SEE PAGE 17

Bishop Michael Martin met with faithful from the Diocese of Charlotte at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. (Far left) Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena from St. Thomas Aquinas Parish joined Bishop Martin in packaging food for the Million Meal Movement.

PHOTOS BY KIMBERLY BENDER | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD, AND PROVIDED BY AIDAN CRETER

REVIVAL

Additional morning and evening Masses at nearby sites were offered in different languages, such as Spanish or Vietnamese, or in different forms, such as the Byzantine rite or the Traditional Latin Mass.

Three days of the congress, July 18-20, were split between seven morning impact sessions and nearly 20 afternoon breakout sessions on a variety of topics meant to form, equip and inspire people, including clergy, to live more deeply their faith in light of Jesus making Himself truly present in the Eucharist – and how to practically bring what they have learned into their parishes, ministries, groups and families.

The exhibit halls in the Indiana Convention Center were packed throughout the congress, as long lines formed for exhibits such as the Shroud of Turin or Eucharistic miracles. Religious sisters provided a kind of spiritual air traffic control that guided people to the lengthy confession lines.

The convention center was also a place where the spontaneity of joy could be seen and felt. Young people marched through chanting their love for Jesus, while further on, a group of Catholic women, dressed in traditional apparel from Cameroon, sang and danced their love for Jesus and Mary to the delight of people who gathered around them.

Attendees had the opportunity to attend off-site events such as The Catholic Project’s panel discussion July 19 that explored the challenges of navigating the dating landscape as Catholics.

Tens of thousands of attendees at the revivals – and the liturgies as well – eagerly joined their voices in singing hymns and chants, both traditional and contemporary, in English, Spanish, Latin and other languages. The congress saw the musicianship of Dave and Lauren Moore, Sarah Kroger and Matt Maher, as well as the talents of the men’s ensemble Floriani and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

“The reverence was just awe-inspiring, and that’s something I would like to take back to our parish,” Deacon Robb Caputo of the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, said.

The nightly revival sessions created a sensory experience of awe around the Eucharistic Lord, as thousands prayed in silent contemplation before the Eucharist on the altar – illuminated in the dark stadium by spotlights. Adoring Jesus in the stadium, concluding with Benediction, was the pinnacle movement of each evening.

Keynote speakers and testimonies helped keep people’s eyes fixed on Jesus’ personal love for them and His desire to be close to them.

One such nightly revival, focused on healing, indicated that the problem with Catholic belief in the Eucharist is more about the heart than the head, and Catholics need to repent of their indifference to Jesus.

“Knowledge can make us great, but only love can make a saint,” said Father Mike Schmitz, the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota, priest known for chart-topping podcasts

“The Bible in a Year” and “The Catechism in a Year.” Mother Olga of the Sacred Heart, who survived four wars in the Middle East, recounted how in the midst of her own personal suffering she heard Jesus say in her heart “that even on the cross and through

the cross, we can still choose to love.”

Jonathan Roumie, the actor famous for his portrayal of Jesus in the hit TV series “The Chosen,” told the audience at the final revival night July 20, after reading Jesus’ Bread of Life discourse from John 6, “The Eucharist for me is healing. The Eucharist for me is peace. The Eucharist for me is my grounding. The Eucharist for me is His heart within me.”

Congress organizers made intentional efforts to be inclusive of families and those with disabilities, particularly those with sensory disorders, so they could also experience the congress and participate fully in the experience.

Murielle and Dominic Blanchard of Gallup, New Mexico, navigated the congress with six children aged 8 and under, including 20-month twins, and a baby on the way. They said the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium was key for them, because it provided both formation for their older children and had space for the twins to play.

Throughout the congress, the historic and stately St. John’s Catholic Church across from the Indiana Convention Center’s main entrance fulfilled its role as a spiritual hub. A steady flow of pilgrims came and went from the main church during 24-hour adoration throughout the congress. It had times for silence as well as times geared toward families, where children were invited to get close to the Eucharist, put a flower in a vase near the monstrance, and just adore as beautiful, simple melodies lifted up the packed church in prayer.

PROCESSION DRAWS THOUSANDS

Tens of thousands of laypeople, over 1,200 religious sisters and brothers, 1,170 priests, 630 deacons, 610 seminarians and 200 bishops participated in the congress, according to organizers. At a press conference July 19, Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez said he had

never seen anything like the congress, as a non-papal event, in his 35 years of priesthood.

“You can sense the energy of what’s happening here, which is touching hearts,” he said, adding the experience was making him think about how to respond to the need for the Church’s sacraments to be more accessible.

The highlight came July 20 as thousands of Catholics followed behind a float, rimmed with flowers and pulled by a truck, carrying the Blessed Sacrament accompanied by Bishop Cozzens and Indianapolis Archbishop Charles C. Thompson. They walked 10 blocks from the convention center through downtown Indianapolis to the Indiana War Memorial Plaza for what Bishop Cozzens said “might be the largest Eucharistic procession in the country in decades.”

Nancy Leuhrmann of Cincinnati said the experience, culminating in Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction at the plaza, was “really wonderful, seeing all the people just quiet, reverent and joyful.”

CALL TO BE MISSIONARIES

At a “sending-forth Mass” July 21, Pope Francis’ special envoy to the congress, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, delivered a

homily with warmth, joy and humor that made participants both laugh and feel inspired as he told them, “A Eucharistic people is a missionary and evangelizing people.”

“We should not keep Jesus to ourselves,” he said, urging them not to use their time in church to escape others, but to “share Jesus’ tender love” with “the weary, the hungry and suffering ... the lost, confused and weak.”

“Go and share Jesus’ gift of reconciliation and peace to those who are divided,” he said, emphasizing, “Let us proclaim Jesus joyfully and zealously for the life of the world!”

Bishop Cozzens announced there would be another National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in 2025 from Indianapolis to Los Angeles, and possibly an earlier National Eucharistic Congress than 2033.

But he invited people to take this experience of the congress and – echoing Cardinal Tagle’s call for Eucharistic “missionary conversion” – join the congress’s “Walk with One” initiative that encourages Catholics to invite others to Mass and talk openly about their faith.

“Commit yourself to walking with one person,” he said. “Commit yourself to becoming a Eucharistic missionary, someone who lives deeply a Eucharistic life and, having received that gift, allows themselves to be given as a gift.”

— The Criterion and Simone

contributed to this report.

Orendain

PHOTOS BY BOB ROLLER | OSV NEWS Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, chairman of the board of the National Eucharistic Congress, Inc., and Archbishop Charles C. Thompson of Indianapolis, kneel before the Blessed Sacrament being towed during the final Eucharistic procession of the National Eucharistic Congress July 20 through downtown Indianapolis. (Left) A woman prays during the third revival night of the congress July 19 at Lucas Oil Stadium.

CONNECTING IN CHRIST

As Charlotte’s bishop for only a few months, Bishop Martin was greeted with smiles and hugs at every turn from the North Carolina pilgrims as well as clergy he’s known in his decades in ministry all over the country – everyone stopping to say hello and congratulate him.

Bishop Martin marshaled pilgrims to help package food with him for the Million Meal Movement, which stocks food pantries across Indiana. Charlotte pilgrims pitching in to help alongside him included the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena from St. Thomas Aquinas Parish.

While packaging food, Sister Charis Gavan couldn’t help but talk about the Eucharistic pilgrim processions –there were four of them that began in different regions of the U.S. and ended in Indianapolis for the start of the National Eucharistic Congress.

“It was remarkable,” she said. “The convergence of the Eucharist from the four corners of the country was a sight to see. Seeing this many Catholics together, it

‘We need to find ways to make connection, which is the heart of the Eucharist.’

Eucharistic Revival together as a couple. They each said they “revived” the other in the faith they share together.

Bishop Martin shared stories and answered questions from the pilgrims, asking them about their experiences at the congress.

“It’s been such an impactful couple of days,” said Katie Nelson from Sacred Heart Parish in Brevard, who was inspired by the various speakers. “Father Mike Schmitz shared some great wisdom, and he spoke of God’s love.”

feels like the faith is growing.”

A luncheon arranged by Bishop Martin for diocesan pilgrims during the Indianapolis event brought together all sorts of people – from small mountain parishes like St. Bernadette in Linville and Charlotte-area parishes such as St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Mark Church in Huntersville to Catholic professionals, Spanish-speaking Catholics, Eastern rite Catholics, monks, deacons, priests, and people pursuing vocations.

One family from St. Aloysius in Hickory drove all night from Charlotte to make it to the weekend days of the congress and the bishop’s luncheon. A couple who attends St. Bernadette, who had their first date at a Latin Mass, came without their four children for a chance to experience the

Her favorite part of the Congress? Confession available on-demand, she said.

“We’re living the Eucharist here. It’s amazing to be among 60,000 Catholics and to see God’s glory and His goodness and just adore Him,” she said.

Perpetual adoration at a historic church across the street from the Indiana Convention Center was a highlight for Belmont Abbey College student Hannah Martin.

“It’s a very beautiful moment to just rest in the peace of Christ,” she said.

The National Eucharistic Congress centered around the Eucharist and included live music, engaging speakers for clergy and pilgrims, daily Mass inside the football stadium, as well as smaller youth-

oriented and Spanish-language Masses offered throughout the event.

Beal said when he returns to his home parish of Sacred Heart in Salisbury, he plans to bring back one of the lessons he took away from a breakout session with Bishop Andrew Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota.

“Bishop Cozzens talked about the power of inviting just one person to come to Mass. If everyone invited one person to return to the faith, we can change the culture one person at time,” Beal said.

From intense speakers and moving, prayerful moments, Bishop Martin said he also has a lot to share after returning home. One thing he’s not sharing? The nameplate from the stadium locker room where he and the other bishops vested for Mass.

“The number for each of us on our locker is our year of priestly ordination,” Martin said with a grin. “I’m taking that magnet home with me, and it’s going on my refrigerator.”

More online

At www.catholicnewsherald.com : See

Bishop Michael Martin

(Left) Pilgrims from the Diocese of Charlotte pose for a group photo at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Representatives from more than 15 parishes attended in hopes of growing in their faith in communion with tens of thousands of fellow Catholics. (Below) St. Thomas Aquinas Parish’s Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena pose with Bishop Martin, who hosted a luncheon July 19 for all the local pilgrims. Throughout the National Eucharistic Congress, Adoration was held at historic St. John the Evangelist Church across the street from the Indianapolis Convention Center.

Cocina Vicentina nutre cuerpos y almas

Acoge, promueve compañerismo y da la bienvenida

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE

— Son las 4:30 de la mañana del domingo. Solo la luz del alumbrado público permite ver entre las sombras la silueta de la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe y el monumento a la Morenita del Tepeyac en su rotonda de entrada.

Esta es la hora en la que arriban los integrantes del equipo de ventas de tamales, atole y champurrado, delicias que demandarán los fieles que asisten a la primera Misa de la mañana. Más tarde, pasadas las 7, un numeroso grupo de voluntarios y coordinadores se integrarán para, desde la Cocina Vicentina, preparar y ofrecer las exquisitas pupusas salvadoreñas, desayunos americanos y mexicanos y otros sabrosos platillos tradicionales que extrañamos los inmigrantes provenientes de todo Latinoamérica.

COCINA VICENTINA

El origen de la Cocina Vicentina, llamada así en memoria de San Vicente de Paúl, fundador de la Congregación de la Misión, comunidad religiosa que conduce los destinos de la parroquia Guadalupe, se remonta a la segunda mitad de la década de los años ’90, cuando el Padre Vicente Finnerty, por aquella época a cargo del ministerio hispano de la diócesis, vio la necesidad de ofrecer a los fieles las condiciones para que se reúnan al término de la Misa, compartan y construyan una comunidad respetando su riqueza cultural y profundo catolicismo. Los fondos recaudados se utilizaron entonces para el sostenimiento de la parroquia y el pago de la renta del

gimnasio que se alquilaba en la avenida Shenandoah para celebrar Misa. El dinero permitió que años después, con los ahorros y el esfuerzo de la comunidad, se entregara el pago inicial del terreno del nuevo templo que se construyó en la calle Tuckaseegee, al suroeste de la ciudad.

ACCIÓN SOCIAL

La Cocina Vicentina no solo ofrece comida latina. Es una vía para compartir cultura, comunidad y fe. Abrazando la cocina tradicional, la parroquia nutre cuerpos y almas, abriendo un espacio que acoge a todos a participar en la riqueza de la cultura hispana.

El compartir la mesa fomenta el compañerismo e invita a que los feligreses conversen, establezcan relaciones y den la bienvenida a los recién llegados. El aroma de la cocina casi se puede decir que alimenta. Evoca recuerdos de fiestas familiares y religiosas que extrañamos. Solo probar un platillo nos transporta a la casa en que crecimos, nos recuerda a mamá y nos arranca una lágrima.

VOLUNTARIADO EFECTIVO

Mauricio Hernández, salvadoreño, recuerda el inicio de este ministerio.

“La gente llegaba con hambre, había necesidad de recursos, y cuatro voluntarios comenzamos a preparar pupusas. Yo no sé, pero nuestras pupusas tienen algo especial. Aquí trabajamos 10 equipos de 12 personas que nos rotamos”, dijo y subrayó que las pupusas no solo llevan masa, chicharrón y queso, sino también “una dosis de amor”. Otro voluntario de aquella época, Don Guillermo Ceballos, es uno de los personajes más conocidos en toda la parroquia. “Al compartir con los hermanos, con la gente, ni se siente el día. Mientras Dios nos de fuerza, hay que darle a la Iglesia nuestro tiempo, talento y tesoro. Yo no tengo tesoro, pero doy mi tiempo y mi talento”, dijo.

Stefanie (publicamos solo su nombre para proteger su identidad), una joven ecuatoriana profesional en contabilidad, tiene solo tres meses de haber llegado a Charlotte huyendo de la violencia generalizada en su país. Cruzó Sudamérica, Centroamérica y México con su madre e hijo de dos años. Llegó a “la Lupita” solicitando ayuda de despensa. “Me encontré con un ángel, la Sra. Gloria Sierra en la recepción. Me atendió con cariño, me ayudó a conseguir trabajo, me trató como una hija”, dijo. Desde entonces es voluntaria los domingos en la cocina. Mientras espera su regularización migratoria, trabaja en labores de limpieza. “No me importa”, anota, “estoy feliz porque estoy tranquila con mi madre y mi hijo. Eso no tiene precio”.

Nicolás García, su esposa Tania Ramírez y sus dos hijos: Joshua y Tadeo, llegaron

CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Un miembro del equipo de preparación de pupusas se encarga del paso final, llevarlas a la plancha para su cocción. En la imagen a la izquierda, al frente de la cocina, Stefanie y Roberto Rodríguez, uno de los coordinadores, en un breve descanso entre dos de las más de cinco Misas que se ofrecen el domingo en la parroquia. Demás está decir que necesita llegar temprano a Misa para encontrar un espacio de estacionamiento disponible.

a la parroquia en 2013 y son voluntarios desde 2017. “Es una bendición para nosotros estar juntos en familia dando un poco de tiempo para el bienestar de la comunidad”, dijo la Sra. Ramírez. Una pareja llegada de California, Doña Luisa y Don José Castillo ya llevan siete años de voluntariado. Ellos se encargan de preparar los desayunos americanos y

mexicanos. “En 2010 perdimos nuestra casa con la recesión y tomamos la decisión de venir a Charlotte. El plan de Dios es perfecto. Se nos abrieron las puertas en muchos aspectos”, dijo Doña Luisa. “Dios nos ha dado tanto que hay que agradecerle

Vuelven las bodas comunitarias a Asheville

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@rcdoc.org

ASHEVILLE — Cada vez que Nancy Arely Blanco asistía a Misa con su pareja y cuatro hijos, el momento de la comunión era de suma tristeza para ella. Pese a contar con todos los sacramentos y estar casada por lo civil, solo le faltaba estar casada por la Iglesia. Las lágrimas asomaban en sus ojos y calladamente se repetía una y otra vez que algún día recibiría la Sagrada Eucaristía. Ese día finalmente llegó el pasado sábado 13 de julio a las 11 de la mañana.

Nancy y su esposo, Guilian Castillo, junto a otras siete parejas, recibieron el sacramento del matrimonio en una boda comunitaria que se celebró nada menos que en la Basílica de San Lorenzo en Asheville, una de las más hermosas de Estados Unidos y muy requerida por novios dentro y fuera de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

PRIMERA BODA COMUNITARIA POST COVID

Esta fue la primera boda comunitaria desde los tiempos de la pandemia del Covid-19, explicó Antonio García, coordinador del ministerio hispano de la Vicaría de Asheville. Anteriormente se realizaron bodas comunitarias en varias ocasiones, muchas de ellas en la basílica y también en Hendersonville.

“La idea es de poder facilitar un poco los gastos que pueden incurrir las parejas al momento de casarse, y de esta manera motivar a quienes se encuentran viviendo en unión libre, o casados por la vía civil, a que se animen a contraer matrimonio y vivan plenamente su vida católica”.

La preparación para estas parejas se extiende por seis meses. “Tienen que pasar por el taller de formación matrimonial, la revisión de documentación en regla y otros detalles. Es muy bonito porque reunimos a todos al mismo tiempo, y de paso se facilita el espacio a la parroquia que no tiene que estar organizando diferentes bodas”, dijo García, quien espera realizar una nueva boda comunitaria en la basílica durante la primavera de 2025. Para muchas parejas de la comunidad, comenta García, “casarse en la Basílica de San Lorenzo es ‘como un sueño’ y, especialmente con una donación tan baja que, de otra manera, sería imposible poderla costear”.

“Debemos mantener abierta la opción de realizar este tipo de celebración de bodas comunitarias pues ayuda con la organización de los calendarios de las parroquias y los sacerdotes. Se me hace muy bonito, muy comunitario”, añadió.

El Padre Nohé Torres, vicario y celebrante de la Misa, dijo que la dimensión comunitaria motivó a unirse a muchas parejas que, por diferentes motivos no estaban casadas por la Iglesia, y que recibieron un gran apoyo por parte del párroco, Monseñor Roger Arnsparger, “todos nosotros y la comunidad entera”. Además, señaló, atrajo

Ocho felices parejas unieron sus vidas para siempre con el sacramento del matrimonio gracias a una boda comunitaria, la primera en la Vicaría de Asheville desde la pandemia de COVID-19, que celebró el Padre Nohé Torres en la Basílica San Lorenzo. Arriba: Nancy Blanco, su esposo Guilian Castillo y sus cuatro hijos, uno de ellos monaguillo, posan junto al P. Nohé Torres al término de la Misa.

a muchas otras personas “como familiares y amigos que nunca llegaban a Misa”, y “todos entendieron que no se trataba de un evento social únicamente, sino de un sacramento que une a las parejas que se casan por amor, para siempre, bajo el mandato de Dios, como un llamado a vivir plenamente su vida católica”.

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En el caso de Guilian y Nancy, ambos de origen salvadoreño, el anhelo de quererse casar llegó despueés de un retiro al que asistió Nancy, tras la insistencia de los que fueron sus padrinos de velación: Ruth y Manuel. “Yo me quería casar, y se lo decía a Guilian. Pero los gastos y la economía no nos permitían hacerlo”. Tiempo después, tras asistir a un retiro de evangelización, Guilian le prometió a su mujer que se casarían tan pronto como se presentara la ocasión propicia.

Y la oportunidad llegó con la boda comunitaria.

Para Guilian y Nancy la boda fue “algo muy hermoso”. Con pocos familiares cercanos, se sintieron “como en familia” en compañía de las otras parejas.

“Estoy agradecida con la Virgen por este paso tan importante, y con Dios por la ayuda que nos envió a través de la comunidad y nuestros padrinos”. Pero, lo que hasta el momento la tiene muy conmovida, fue el momento en que se acercó a entregar su ramo de rosas a la Virgen María. “No lo olvidaré nunca”, finalizó.

La importancia de los abuelos

Recuerdo que cuando estaba en la escuela secundaria, estuve viviendo con mi abuelita Matilde por 4 años. El domingo por la noche era un tiempo sagrado en el que me llevaba siempre a la iglesia. Durante esos años, fue mi abuelita, a quien veía rezar todas las noches antes de acostarse y quién tuvo un gran impacto en mi vida, quien plantó la semilla de la fe en mi corazón.

En su exhortación apostólica Amoris Laetitia, el Papa Francisco nos recuerda la importancia de los abuelos en la vida familiar y cómo su papel puede ser fundamental en la transmisión de la fe católica a las generaciones futuras.

El Santo Padre nos invita a reflexionar sobre la importancia de esta conexión intergeneracional y su impacto en el crecimiento espiritual de nuestras familias.

El Papa Francisco señala que, “Muchas veces son los abuelos quienes aseguran la transmisión de los grandes valores a sus nietos, y muchas personas pueden reconocer que deben precisamente a sus abuelos la iniciación a la vida cristiana” (AL192). Esa fue mi experiencia no solo con mis abuelitas sino también con los abuelos de mis hijos.

Mi esposa Becky y yo tuvimos la bendición de tener a mis suegros Paul y Barbara a tan solo 10 minutos de casa. Ellos fueron de gran ayuda para nosotros, apoyándonos en las actividades de nuestros siete hijos.

Cuando están envueltos en la vida de sus nietos, los abuelos pueden ser el tesoro de la familia, y su experiencia, sabiduría y amor incondicional ser un legado invaluable que nutre y fortalece la vida familiar. A través de sus palabras, oraciones y acciones, los abuelos pueden ser faros de luz espiritual, guiando a sus nietos hacia una relación más profunda con Dios y enseñándoles el valor de la oración, la misericordia, el perdón y el amor cristiano.

El Papa escribió también “Una familia que no respeta y atiende a sus abuelos, que son su memoria viva, es una familia desintegrada; pero una familia que recuerda es una familia con porvenir”.

Recientemente, mi papá estuvo muy enfermo con tres derrames y tuvo que estar dos veces en un centro de rehabilitación. Fue difícil para él sentirse solo y lejos de la familia. En ese lugar, su salud mental empeoró y comenzó a deprimirse. Finalmente, decidimos con mis hermanos llevarlo a casa y turnarnos para que no se sienta solo. No había una solución perfecta para él, pero el estar en casa le daba más tranquilidad y paz. Tristemente pude observar cuánta gente anciana vive en abandono y soledad en los lugares de rehabilitación para ancianos.

Los abuelos también pueden ser pilares fundamentales en la formación de una comunidad de fe sólida, alentando la transmisión de las tradiciones e historias familiares. Al respecto, el Papa Francisco afirma: “Las narraciones de los ancianos hacen mucho bien a los niños y jóvenes, ya que los conectan con la historia vivida tanto de la familia como del barrio y del país”, (AL 193).

Yo no pude compartir mucho con mis abuelos ya que fallecieron cuando yo era muy chico, pero llevo en mi corazón el recuerdo de muchas historias que me contaban mis abuelitas.

El amor, sabiduría y testimonio de los abuelos son un regalo invaluable que puede fortalecer los lazos familiares y nutrir la espiritualidad de las generaciones futuras. Debemos cuidar de no dejarlos solos y aislados de nuestras familias con lo que el Papa llama una “cultura del descarte”.

Aprovechemos el tesoro de nuestros abuelos para construir familias y comunidades católicas sólidas, donde se respete a los mayores y la fe sea vivida y transmitida con alegría y amor.

SILVIO CUÉLLAR es escritor, compositor de música litúrgica y periodista. Fue editor del periódico El Católico de Rhode Island en la Diócesis de Providence.

Silvio Cuéllar

FOTOS MINISTERIO HISPANO DE ASHEVILLE

La Transfiguración del Señor

Cada 6 de agosto, los católicos celebramos la Solemnidad de la Transfiguración del Señor, momento sucedido poco antes de su Pasión, en el que se transfigura ante tres de sus discípulos. Ocho datos que todo católico debe saber sobre este acontecimiento.

1. Transfiguración significa “cambio de forma” La palabra “transfiguración” proviene de las raíces latinas trans (“a través”) y figura (“forma, aspecto”). Por lo tanto, significa un cambio de forma o apariencia. Esto es lo que le sucedió a Jesús en el evento conocido como la Transfiguración: su apariencia cambió y se volvió gloriosa.

2. El Evangelio de Lucas pronostica la Transfiguración En el Evangelio de Lucas 9:27, al final de un discurso a los doce apóstoles, Jesús agrega, misteriosamente: “Pues de verdad os digo que hay algunos, entre los aquí presentes, que no gustarán la muerte hasta que vean el Reino de Dios”.

Esto a menudo se ha tomado como una profecía de que el fin del mundo ocurriría antes de que la primera generación de cristianos muriera. Sin embargo, la frase “reino de Dios” también puede referirse a “la expresión externa del reino invisible de Dios”.

El reino está encarnado en Cristo mismo y, por lo tanto, podría “verse” si Cristo lo manifestara de una manera inusual, incluso en su propia vida terrenal, así como lo fue el evento de la Transfiguración.

El Papa Emérito Benedicto XVI afirmó que Jesús “argumentó convincentemente que la colocación de este dicho inmediatamente antes de la Transfiguración lo relaciona claramente con este evento”.

“A algunos, es decir, a los tres discípulos que acompañan a Jesús a la montaña, se les promete que presenciarán personalmente la venida del Reino de Dios ‘en el poder’”, agregó.

3. La Transfiguración fue presenciada por los tres discípulos principales

La Transfiguración ocurrió en presencia de los apóstoles Juan, Pedro y Santiago, los tres discípulos principales.

El hecho de que Jesús solo permitió que tres de sus discípulos presenciaran el evento pudo haber provocado la discusión que rápidamente se produjo sobre cuál de los discípulos fue el más grande (Lucas 9:46).

4. El lugar donde ocurrió la Transfiguración no se conoce con exactitud

San Lucas declara que Jesús llevó a los tres a “la montaña para orar”. A menudo se piensa que esta montaña es el Monte Tabor, en Israel, pero ninguno de los evangelios lo identifica con exactitud.

CORTESÍA MUSEO DEL PRADO, MADRID. Óleo sobre tabla de Giovanni Francesco Penni (Florencia, 1496-Mantua, 1528). La obra es una copia a escala de último original pintado por Rafael, ‘La Transfiguración’, que se exhibe en la Pinacoteca Vaticana. Penni incluye un episodio ajeno a este pasaje bíblico, el fracaso de los apóstoles al exorcizar a un endemoniado.

Moisés y Elías representan los dos componentes principales del Antiguo Testamento: la Ley y los Profetas.

5. La Transfiguración sirvió para fortalecer la fe de los apóstoles Según el Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica: “La Transfiguración de Cristo tiene por finalidad fortalecer la fe de los apóstoles ante la proximidad de la Pasión: la subida a un ‘monte alto’ prepara la subida al Calvario. Cristo, Cabeza de la Iglesia, manifiesta lo que su cuerpo contiene e irradia en los sacramentos: ‘La esperanza de la gloria’”.

6. El Evangelio de Lucas es el que da más detalles de este evento

San Lucas menciona varios detalles sobre la Transfiguración que otros evangelistas no hacen.

Por ejemplo, anota que esto sucedió mientras Jesús estaba orando; menciona que Pedro y sus compañeros “estaban dormidos y cuando despertaron vieron su gloria y los dos hombres que estaban con él”.

También menciona que Pedro sugirió poner tiendas mientras Moisés y Elías se iban.

7. La aparición de Moisés y Elías representan la Ley y los Profetas

Moisés fue el dador de la Ley y Elías fue considerado el mayor de los profetas.

8. La sugerencia de San Pedro fue errónea

El hecho de que la sugerencia de Pedro ocurra cuando Moisés y Elías se están preparando para partir revela un deseo de prolongar la experiencia de la gloria. Esto significa que Pedro se está centrando en lo incorrecto.

La experiencia de la Transfiguración está destinada a señalar los sufrimientos que Jesús está a punto de experimentar. Está destinado a fortalecer la fe de los discípulos, revelándoles la mano divina que está trabajando en los eventos que Jesús sufrirá. Pedro pierde el punto y quiere quedarse en la montaña, al contrario del mensaje que Moisés y Elías han estado exponiendo. Como una reprensión aparente de esto, ocurre una teofanía: “Una nube vino y los cubrió con su sombra; y tuvieron miedo cuando entraron en la nube. Y una voz salió de la nube, diciendo: ‘Este es mi Hijo, mi Elegido; ¡Escúchenlo!’”.

— Condensado de ACI Prensa

FE FAMILIA FRATERNIDAD

Caballeros de Colón

Considere unirse a los más de 2 millones de miembros de la organización fraternal católica más grande del mundo y registrándose en línea hoy en: www.kofc.org/joinus/es

Por tiempo limitado - Membresía en línea GRATISUse el código de promoción (BLESSEDMCGIVNEY)

VIENE DE LA PÁGINA 18

de alguna manera. Nos gusta mucho ayudar de cualquier forma”, añadió don José.

TRABAJO COORDINADO

Consuelo Herrera, Mónica Cajero y Roberto Rodríguez coordinan el trabajo de toda la semana con diferentes tareas.

La cocina, durante las clases de catequesis, abre miércoles, jueves y viernes por la tarde, y sábado y domingo todo el día. Además, atiende en fechas especiales como la fiesta de la Virgen, procesiones y otras actividades con la ayuda de los 42 ministerios de la parroquia que se turnan en el servicio. Para los voluntarios, el servicio es un momento de familia. “Esta es nuestra familia. Venimos a colaborar y a estar con la familia. Es hermoso ver que se reúnen para compartir después de la Misa”, dijo Rodríguez.

Para la Sra. Verónica Rivera, su esposo y cinco hijos, llegar a la cocina es una tradición. “Venimos en familia a Misa todos los domingos y luego desayunamos. Enseñamos a nuestros hijos la riqueza de nuestra fe y a dar gracias a Dios por lo que nos da cada semana”, dijo la Sra. Rivera. Rodríguez afirmó que por casi cuatro años la comunidad vicentina le entregó un tiempo de formación vocacional, alimentación y estudios. “A través de mi servicio siento que estoy devolviendo algo del bien que he recibido y, hasta que Dios me de licencia, estaré aquí sirviendo”.

Más online

En www.catholicnewsherald.com/español : Ver más fotos de la Cocina Vicenciana

Lecturas Diarias

JULIO 28-AGOSTO 3

Domingo: 2 Reyes 4:42-44, Efesios 4:1-6, Juan 6:1-15; Lunes (Memoria de Santas Marta, María y San Lázaro): Jeremías 13:1-11, Juan 11:19-27; Martes (Memoria de San Pedro Crisólogo, obispo y doctor de la Iglesia): Jeremías 14:17-22, Mateo 13:36-43; Miércoles (Memoria de San Ignacio, presbítero): Jeremías 15:10, 16-21, Mateo 13:44-46; Jueves (Memoria de San Alfonso María de Ligorio, obispo y doctor de la Iglesia): Jeremías 18:1-6, Mateo 13:47-53; Viernes: Jeremías 26:1-9, Mateo 13:54-58; Sábado: Jeremías 26:11-16, 24, Mateo 14:1-12

AGOSTO 4-10

Domingo: Éxodo 16:2-4, 12-15, Efesios 4:17, 20-24, Juan 6:24-35; Lunes (Memoria de la Dedicación de la Basilica de Santa María la Mayor): Jeremías 28:1-17, Mateo 14:13-21; Martes (Fiesta de la Transfiguración del Señor): Deuteronomio 7:9-10, 13-14, 2 Pedro 1:16-19, Marcos 9:2-10; Miércoles (Memoria de San Sixto II, Papa, y San Cayetano, presbítero): Jeremías 31:1-7, Mateo 15:21-28; Jueves (Memoria de Santo Domingo, presbítero): Jeremías 31:31-34, Mateo 16:13-23; Viernes: Nahúm 2:1, 3, 3:1-3, 6-7, Mateo 16:24-28; Sábado (Fiesta de San Lorenzo, diácono y mártir): 2 Colosenses 9:6-10, Juan 12:24-26

IMAGEN

VIERNES

Comenzando a las 5:30 p.m.

Bienvenida del Obispo Michael Martin. Conozca y salude al obispo

Concierto con Obra de Teatro “La Vida de Carlos Acutis”

Camina con Nuestro Señor

Congreso Eucarístico de la Diócesis de Charlotte

30-31 de agosto

Centro de Convenciones de Charlotte

Vea la programación y anótese para recibir actualizaciones por email:

SÁBADO

Comenzando a las 9 a.m.

Oradores:

•Participe en la emotiva Procesión Eucarística por las calles del centro de Charlotte

•Adoración Eucarística y Hora Santa con el P. Juan Miguel Sánchez

•Obra de Teatro “Eucaristía, pan bajado del cielo” y animación

•Conferencias

• Misa con el Obispo Michael Martin

P.Juan Miguel Sánchez

Testimonio de Evan Lemoine, “Amar al máximo”

•Compre arte, libros, regalos y otros artículos católicos únicos

Harris in, Biden out for Democrats’ race for president; Trump accepts GOP nomination after assassination attempt

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden announced July 21 he was ending his 2024 election bid and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his preferred candidate for the Democratic Party ticket. The news came after former President Donald Trump accepted the Republican Party’s nomination for president during the party’s convention in Milwaukee last week, just days after an assassination attempt at a political rally.

Biden’s historic announcement ended several weeks of speculation about his political future and viability in the November election and his ability to serve another four-year term in the White House, after his performance at a June 27 debate raised concerns about his physical and mental stamina heading into the general election campaign. In a letter posted on X, Biden said, “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”

In a subsequent social media post, Biden endorsed Harris to be the Democratic

Party’s presidential nominee in November.

In response, Harris praised Biden for “his extraordinary leadership” and called it “a profound honor” to be his vice president.

Biden, who was previously the first Catholic vice president, and later became the second Catholic president in U.S. history, has previously been at odds with the U.S. bishops over his administration’s abortion policy but has won some bishops’ praise on refugee and climate-related policies, as well as mixed responses to his policies on immigration.

On July 18, Trump accepted the Republican nomination for president.

During his speech on the final day of the Republican National Convention, Trump pledged to reduce inflation and reinstate and increase his strict immigration policies if he wins another term in the White House. He praised the platform adopted by the party, one that he oversaw, that removed a long-standing call for federal abortion restrictions after 20 weeks, added a call for mass deportations, access “to Birth Control, and IVF (fertility treatments),” and cut references to guns and the Second Amendment.

Trump’s acceptance speech was his

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first public speech since an assassination attempt at a July 13 political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. One attendee was killed and two others were injured at the rally, and law enforcement killed the shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.

The violence and turmoil created by the political events prompted Catholic leaders across the country to call for calm.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, who leads the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said July 14 that people should promote respectful dialogue despite political differences.

“One thing that all of us can do is to remember and to promote the dignity of the human person,” Archbishop Broglio said. “Even if someone disagrees with me, he or she is still created in the image and likeness of God. And therefore, has a dignity that I have to recognize and that I have to respect.”

If people were more aware of their common-held dignity, he said, “then we might be able to discuss as rational human beings, the problems and the disagreements that we have, and perhaps come to some solutions. But it’s tragic that political discourse in this country has

reached a point where people just shout at each other, and there’s no space to listen to the other.”

Charlotte Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., urged local Catholics to pray for those killed and injured at the rally, and to commit to peacemaking.

Martin

“Let us take this moment to reflect on how we must act in our own lives to help bring an end to all violence. Let us not simply condemn today’s attack but root out the anger in our own hearts that can affect our words and our actions,” Bishop Martin said. “Scripture reminds us we are all made in the image and likeness of God. That means something, especially in our great democracy. It means we must treat other people – all people – with the sacredness that is due to all of God’s children. We must respectfully listen to each other, care about others’ welfare, and seek the common good – even and especially when we disagree on how that may be best achieved.”

— OSV News and Catholic News Herald

Faithful fill Brooklyn arena to celebrate reversion movement’s 50th anniversary in the U.S.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — An arena typically filled with fans cheering on the Brooklyn Nets had a different kind of excitement in the air July 7. The Barclays Center was the center of the Neocatechumenal Way universe for the day as nearly 20,000 faithful gathered for a Mass in the famous basketball arena and concert venue to celebrate a significant milestone – the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Catholic movement in the United States.

Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the papal nuncio to the U.S., was the main celebrant of Mass. Brooklyn Bishop Robert J. Brennan was among several bishops from around the country, and hundreds of priests joined him to mark the anniversary. Retired Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and Auxiliary Bishop James Massa also represented the Diocese of Brooklyn. Brooklyn native Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of Bridgeport, Connecticut, was also present. Pilgrims, young and old, came from as far away as the Pacific Islands to participate in the once-in-a-lifetime gathering.

The Neocatechumenal Way was founded in Spain in 1964 by two laypeople, Kiko Argüello and Carmen Hernández, and a priest, Father Mario Pezzi, who wanted to find a way to bring baptized Catholics who had strayed back to the faith. Ten years later the first Neocatechumenal Way community was established in the

Archdiocese of New York. Today, there are 1,100 Neocatechumenal Way communities in the U.S. Knights of Columbus cover

mosaics in Washington shrine created by accused priest-artist

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Premium brown paper was placed over significant portions of mosaics in the St. John Paul II National Shrine in Washington July 23, as the Knights of Columbus respond to sexual abuse survivors’ statements that those mosaics, created by a renowned priest-artist under investigation for allegations of sexual abuse, cause further harm. The shrine was closed following Mass July 23 and remained closed for most of the day to accommodate the work, with plans to reopen to the public sometime July 24.

On July 11, the Knights of Columbus announced that the Catholic fraternal organization would cover the mosaics by exJesuit Father Marko Rupnik at the Washington shrine, which they sponsor, and the Holy Family Chapel at the Knights’ headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut. The Knights said in a statement that the decision came at “the conclusion of a careful and thorough process.”

The paper will eventually be replaced by fabric, obscuring the mosaics in full, and “which will remain in place at least until the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) issues its decision on the pending sexual abuse cases against artist Father Marko Rupnik.” After that, the Knights said, “a permanent plaster covering may be in order.”

Alleged victims welcomed the decisions, saying they are “grateful.”

“Words are not enough to show solidarity with the victims; actions are needed,” one of the women told OSV News.

The mosaics cover the shrine’s Redemptor Hominis Church with images of the Old and

New Testaments and saints, and the separate Luminous Mysteries Chapel, where they illustrate the five newest mysteries of the rosary St. John Paul II instituted in 2002.

ministries that are serving migrants’ basic needs.

Activists: Without more moves toward sustainable future, extreme temps may be here to stay

migrants

La. governor cuts $1 million to Catholic Charities homeless shelter over care for

LAFAYETTE, La. — Gov. Jeff Landry, R-La., vetoed $1 million in state funds June 24 for emergency homeless shelter services run by Catholic Charities of Acadiana. Landry later cited the wider work of Catholic Charities, the domestic charitable arm of the Catholic Church in the U.S., in serving migrants as his reason, yet the line item veto financially gutted homeless services by Catholic Charities overwhelmingly serving native Louisianans.

Catholic Charities of Acadiana had requested state funding to support its overall emergency shelter operations in Lafayette. In a statement provided to local media outlet KATC, Landry, a Catholic, did not specify the work of Catholic Charities of Acadiana but he made a general accusation that Catholic Charities in the U.S. supports unauthorized immigration – which the Catholic Church’s charitable arm has vigorously denied.

Catholic Charities of Acadiana said in a statement to OSV News that it was “deeply saddened” by the veto of the funding, which “will have a crippling impact” on the agency’s “ability to sustain shelter services” over the coming fiscal year.

“The vetoed shelter appropriations are a significant setback to our pro-life efforts to care for our vulnerable neighbors experiencing homelessness,” said CEO Kim Boudreaux.

Landry’s move comes as the U.S. bishops have started to raise concerns about the rising hostility from political and social quarters to the work of Catholic Charities and other Catholic

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last year was the hottest year on record for the world, since global records began in 1850, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported. In recent weeks, Western states such as Arizona, California, Oregon and Nevada have all posted recordbreaking heat – but in the East, North Carolina and Maryland have also shattered records. So is this “just summer” – or something else?

“In the Northern Hemisphere, this is summer – but it is not the summer of my childhood and it won’t be the summer of future generations,” Dan Misleh, founder and executive director of the Catholic Climate Covenant, said. “We do have the solutions to begin to dramatically reduce the greenhouse gases that are creating this problem,” confirmed Misleh, “but we need to act fast and with purpose.”

Anna Johnson, North American senior program manager for the Laudato Si’ Movement, said “strong action” is urgently needed “to move our society away from fossil fuel production and towards a healthy and sustainable future – of course rooted in support for everyone working in these industries.” Or heat waves will “become more frequent and more extreme, hurting our health, the lands and waters we love,” she explained.

The Laudato Si’ Movement, a global network of over 900 Catholic organizations and over 10,000 trained grassroots leaders, helps mobilize the Catholic community “to care for our common home and achieve climate and ecological justice.”

Pope calls for a global cease-fire during Olympics

CAROL GLATZ Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — With world peace under serious threat, Pope Francis called on all nations to observe the Olympic truce and cease all conflicts for the traditional period before, during and after the Olympic Games in Paris.

“As is the custom of this ancient tradition, may the Olympic Games be an occasion to call for a cease-fire in wars, demonstrating a sincere desire for peace,” he said after praying the Angelus with visitors gathered in St. Peter’s Square July 21.

“I hope that this event may be a beacon of the inclusive world we want to build and that athletes, with their sporting testimony, may be messengers of peace and authentic models for young people,” he said.

The pope’s appeal came after he sent a written message to Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris, who celebrated Mass at the Church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine in Paris July 19 to mark the official start of the Olympic truce.

May God help “enlighten the consciences of those in power to the grave responsibilities incumbent upon them, may He grant peacemakers success in their endeavors,” the pope said in the letter that the Vatican published July 19, seven days before the opening of the Summer Games and the customary start of the observance of the Olympic truce.

The Olympic truce tradition, originating in Greece in the 8th century B.C., asked that all wars and conflict be suspended during the Games and seven days before and after the Games as a way to make sure participants could travel to and from the venue safely.

The International Olympic Committee revived the tradition in 1992, and it works with the United Nations to pass a symbolic U.N. resolution before each Games inviting U.N. member states to observe a truce to encourage the Olympic spirit of peace.

In his letter, the pope said the Olympic Games can be “an exceptional meeting place between peoples, even the most hostile. The five interlinked rings represent the spirit of fraternity that should characterize the Olympic event and

sporting competition in general.”

“I therefore hope that the Paris Olympics will be an unmissable opportunity for all those who come from around the world to discover and appreciate each other, to break down prejudices, to foster esteem where there is contempt and mistrust, and friendship where there is hatred. The Olympic Games are, by their very nature, about peace, not war,” he wrote.

“It was in this spirit that antiquity wisely instituted a truce during the Games, and that modern times regularly attempt to revive this happy tradition,” the pope wrote.

“In these troubled times, when world peace is under serious threat, it is my

“Get

fervent wish that everyone will take this truce to heart, in the hope of resolving conflicts and restoring harmony,” he wrote.

Pope Francis also sent his support and blessings to all athletes, spectators and the people of Paris, including the many Catholics who “are preparing to open wide the doors of their churches, schools and homes.”

“I hope that the organization of these Games will provide the people of France with a wonderful opportunity for fraternal harmony, enabling us to transcend differences and opposition and strengthen the unity of the nation,” he wrote.

The Olympic Games begin July 26 and run until Aug. 11, followed by the

Paralympic Games, which will take place from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.

Some 10,500 athletes from around the world are set to compete in the Olympics and as many as 4,400 in the Paralympics. Thirty-seven athletes from 11 countries of origin are expected to represent the Refugee Olympic Team at the Summer Games and eight athletes from six countries will compete in the Refugee Paralympic Team.

The Paris Summer Games will mark the first time there is the same number of women and men competing in events since the modern Summer Olympics began in Athens in 1896, where all the athletes were men.

CNS | COURTESY OF IOC MEDIA

A dancer lights the torch during the Olympic flame handover ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, Greece, on April 26.

Pope warns against falling victim to hectic ‘dictatorship of doing’

VATICAN NEWS — In order to be compassionate and respond best to the needs of others, it is necessary to take time out to relax and not be anxious about getting things done, Pope Francis said. It is also a “social injustice” when working parents hardly see their children because of long hours away from home, he said, before praying the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square July 21. “In families, fathers and mothers should have time to share with their children, to let love grow within their family and in order not to fall into the dictatorship of doing.” The pope reflected on the day’s Gospel reading from St. Mark (6:30-34) about Jesus telling the apostles to rest after their return from their mission of preaching and healing. However, when Jesus saw the vast crowd that had gathered, “His heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things,” the verse says. The pope said that resting and being compassionate “may seem like two incompatible things, while they actually go together.” The pope added, “Only if we learn how to rest can we have compassion.” A person’s life, society in general and even the Church in its pastoral work may often be “held prisoner by haste,” he said. “Brothers and sisters, let us beware of the dictatorship of doing!”

Pope asks world’s religions to push for ethical AI development

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis called on representatives from the world’s religions to unite behind the defense of human dignity in an age that will be defined by artificial intelligence. “I ask you to show the world that we are united in asking for a proactive commitment to protect human dignity in this new era of machines,” the pope wrote in a message to participants of a conference on AI ethics which hosted representatives from 11 world religions. Religious leaders representing Eastern faiths such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, and Bahá’í, among others, as well as leaders of the three Abrahamic religions gathered in Hiroshima, Japan, for the conference, titled “AI Ethics for Peace.” They also signed the Rome Call for AI Ethics – a document developed by the Pontifical Academy for Life which asks signatories to promote an ethical approach to AI development. In his message to the conference published by the Vatican July 10, Pope Francis

noted the “great symbolic importance” of the religious leaders’ meeting in Hiroshima and noted the increasingly central role that artificial intelligence technology plays in society.

Pope mourns death of Vietnamese leader, praises his role in improving relations

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis expressed his condolences for the death of Nguyen Phu Trong, the general secretary of the Communist Party, and appreciation for his role in fostering improved relations with the Vatican. Pope Francis “sends condolences to all who mourn his loss, especially his family, together with the assurance of his prayers for their consolation and peace,” said a telegram published by the Vatican July 23. The telegram, written on the pope’s behalf, was signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, and sent to To Lam, the president of Vietnam. “With particular appreciation for his role in fostering and promoting the positive development of relations between Vietnam and the Holy See, Pope Francis willingly sends the pledge of his spiritual closeness to your excellency and all your fellow citizens at this time of sorrow for the nation,” the telegram said. Trong died at the age of 80 in Hanoi July 19 after months of illness. He had served as general secretary of the country’s Communist Party since 2011 until his death; that role, which sets the general direction of the nation’s policies, was one of two top leadership posts in Vietnam, the other being prime minister. He also served as president of Vietnam from 2018 to 2021. While there are no full diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Vietnam, an official Vietnam-Holy See joint working group has long been working to pave the way for full relations between the Vatican and the communist government.

Nicaraguan government removes Radio María from airwaves

MANAGUA, Nicaragua — The Nicaraguan government closed the country’s most prominent Catholic radio station as the Sandinista regime continues to persecute the Church and increasingly infringe on citizens’ religious freedom and the ability to worship.

On July 9, Nicaragua’s interior ministry extinguished the legal status of Radio María, which broadcast Catholic content throughout the Central American country. It served as an important medium for Catholics lacking celebrations of the Eucharist after their priests fled the country to avoid persecution or were forced into exile. The interior ministry claimed Radio María failed to deliver financial reports between 2019 and 2023 and alleged its board’s term expired in 2021. Eleven other nongovernmental organizations also had their legal status revoked the same day. Radio María Nicaragua had operated in Nicaragua since 2000 and belonged to the World Family of Radio María founded by the Archdiocese of Milan. More than 3,000 nonprofit organizations in Nicaragua have had their legal status stripped in recent years, including the Missionaries of Charity for supposed irregularities and having too many foreigners on its board of trustees.

Major archbishop: ‘Not a single Catholic priest’ left in Russianoccupied Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine — Russian forces have driven out all Greek and Roman Catholic clergy from the occupied areas of Ukraine, said the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. “Our church was liquidated in the occupied territories,” said Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, in a June 25 interview with media outlet Ukrinform. “In fact, there is not a single Catholic priest in the occupied territories today – either Greek Catholic or Roman Catholic.” As part of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine – launched in February 2022, and continuing attacks initiated in 2014 – Russia has systematically suppressed a number of faith communities, including Catholic, Christian and Muslim. Churches and worship sites have been destroyed or seized, with clergy of various faiths imprisoned, tortured and in several cases killed. Some Ukrainian Greek Catholics remain in occupied areas of Ukraine despite Russia’s ban, “because there are our faithful, our people,” said the archbishop. However, he noted that such believers “are deprived of spiritual care,” adding that in regions of Ukraine under Russian control, “the Stalinist times are returning, the clergy are being repressed.”

Vatican offers indulgence for World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

VATICAN CITY — Any Catholic who participates in the celebration July 28 of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly can receive a plenary indulgence, the Vatican announced. “Grandparents, the elderly and all the faithful who, motivated by a true spirit of penance and charity,” attend Mass or other prayer services as part of the day’s celebration can receive the indulgence, which “may also be applied as a suffrage to the souls in purgatory,” said the announcement. The indulgence also can apply to those who “devote adequate time to actually or virtually visiting their elderly brothers and sisters in need or in difficulty,” such as those who are sick, lonely or disabled. To receive a plenary indulgence, which is a remission of the temporal punishment due for one’s sins, a person must show detachment from sin, go to confession, receive the Eucharist and pray for the intentions of the pope. The indulgence is also available to “the elderly sick and all those who, unable to leave their homes for a serious reason,” spiritually join the celebrations, which will be broadcast through various media, and offer “to the merciful God their prayers, pains or sufferings,” the Vatican said.

Bishops: War tearing Sudan apart

JUBA, South Sudan — As fighting continues to rage in Sudan in the Horn of Africa, Catholic bishops in neighboring South Sudan say they cannot distance themselves from their neighbors. In a June 29 pastoral message, the prelates noted that “the fabric of Sudanese society has been torn apart, with people shocked, traumatized, and disbelieving about the level of violence and hatred.” There appears to be no end in sight of the escalating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. War broke out in Sudan in 2023 between two rival armed factions of the Sudanese military government. Almost 15,000 people have been killed to date, and almost 9 million have been displaced, giving rise to the worst displacement crisis in the world. Nearly 2 million displaced Sudanese have fled to unstable areas in Chad, Ethiopia and South Sudan, overrunning refugee camps.

— Catholic News Service and OSV News

ViewPoints

Laura Kelly Fanucci

The most important prayer you already know

Want to hear a secret? You likely know a prayer that can reorient you to everything in your life. And it goes like this: “Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

(Or as you might have learned it growing up: “BlessusOLordandthesethygifts,” spoken in one breathless prayer, racing at break-neck speed to get to dinner, stomach rumbling.)

The traditional Catholic grace before meals is familiar to many families, dating all the way back to the Gelasian Sacramentary of the eighth century. The prayer asks God’s blessing and offers gratitude for Christ’s abundance.

At mealtime, some opt for particular petitions, blessing the food and all the hands who prepared it, or thanking God by name for each person gathered around the table. But there is a beauty in the wideness of this traditional grace, casting a wide net to draw in the bounty that God provides. We become like the disciples, fresh from fishing, amazed at the overflow in our nets.

What’s more, the words at the heart of the prayer – “Thy gifts, which we are about to receive” – can open our eyes to all the gifts God is ready to give, beyond the warm food waiting to be enjoyed.

‘More than a mealtime blessing, this prayer invites us to bring our whole selves into a stance of openness toward God.’

Over the years, these words sprung to mind for me on the threshold of great change, such as the final days before we welcomed a new baby. I’ve found myself praying this line while we were keeping vigil at the deathbed of beloved family members or while wrapping presents on the night before each child’s birthday. In each of these moments, our family was about to receive God’s gifts, all over again.

Sometimes the words we rattle off without thinking are precisely the place to pause and reflect. At least three times a day our family sits and speaks these words aloud over meals – but what other gifts might God be waiting to give us?

More than a mealtime blessing, this prayer invites us to bring our whole selves into a stance of openness toward God: a dependence on divine mercy that will transform our entire life. To pray like this keeps us on our toes, arms open, waiting to receive, trusting that God will provide.

Just as Jesus prayed over meals, from the miracle of the loaves and fishes to the Last Supper, we too return to this daily practice of thanksgiving. We believe that whatever is good, loving and fruitful – grace beyond what we deserve – is exactly what God desires to give. We are always about to receive God’s gifts, standing in each moment on the threshold of Christ’s self-giving love, the same agape we celebrate in the Eucharist.

This prayer could fittingly be used as morning prayer, orienting us to receive whatever God has to offer today. Or we might pray it as evening prayer, giving thanks for the gift of rest and the promise of another tomorrow. They can become a prayer for labor and delivery, a blessing over a new school year, a petition for marriage preparation, or even a prayer in grief, as we strive to trust that God will offer mercy even in our hardest moments.

As we turn from one season to the next, what surprises of grace might be waiting around the corner? Can we trust that God will not only provide, but will pour out blessings upon us? Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive – always about to receive.

LAURA

Deacon Greg Kandra

How can we bring peace to a hostile, divided society?

At the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, July 13, I spoke in my homily about the Gospel – how all of us, in some way, are called like the apostles to go into the world to preach the good news of repentance, healing and hope. After I got home, the events in Butler, Pennsylvania, changed everything.

I saw the images on TV. I’m sure you did, too. The blood-stained bleachers. The horrified people in the stands. The former president, blood streaming down his face. I watched some of the commentary, heard the statements, read the calls for prayer coming from around the country and around the world.

I ended up taking another look at Sunday’s readings – and I was struck by a part of the liturgy that I usually don’t preach about, the Psalms. The psalmist prays for a world we all dream of but that right now seems so far away.

“I will hear what God proclaims; the Lord – for He proclaims peace. Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. The Lord Himself will give His benefits; our land shall yield its increase. Justice shall walk before Him and prepare the way of His steps.”

I decided to set aside my other homily and reflect more Sunday morning on what this passage is saying to each of us. I remembered other events like this.

I grew up not far from Laurel, Maryland, and remember my mother taking me to the Laurel Shopping Center, where another man running for president, George Wallace, was shot and crippled.

A decade later, I was working for CBS News in Washington, and one of my colleagues was Charlie Wilson – the cameraman who captured the nowhistoric footage of Ronald Reagan when he was shot.

Then there are the others: Gabby Giffords, Steve Scalise and now Donald Trump. It seems endless.

And we find ourselves confronted by these words: “Kindness and truth shall meet. Justice and peace shall kiss.”

When? How? In an unjust, hostile world, where is justice and peace? No matter what your political affiliation, you can’t help but feel shock, helplessness and even fear. What have we become? How often do we have to condemn these evil acts? What will happen next?

A WOUNDED POPE’S FORGIVENESS

On May 13, 1981, a Turkish gunman named Ali Agca shot and seriously wounded Pope John Paul II. Four days later, from his hospital bed, the pope recorded a message for an event he never missed, his weekly Regina Coeli prayer in Vatican Square. “I pray for the brother who struck me, whom I have sincerely forgiven,” he said. “United to Christ, priest and victim, I offer my sufferings for the Church and for the world.”

Two years later, the pope met with Ali Agca in prison. The Holy Father personally offered his forgiveness for the act that nearly took his life. How many in our world could do that today? We need to try.

This moment offers us a bold challenge – calling on us to examine how we live, how we talk, how we engage on social media. We need to ask some hard questions, most importantly: What can we do to help turn down the incendiary rhetoric burning in the public square? How can we make things better?

‘This moment offers us a bold challenge – calling on us to examine how we live, how we talk, how we engage on social media.’

We need to bring harmony and peace into a culture increasingly consumed by hostility, division and war.

MY GRANDMOTHER’S POWER

My grandmother came to this country as a young girl from Czechoslovakia – what was then Austria-Hungary – in the late 19th century. Whenever a thunderstorm came rolling through the Pennsylvania coal country, she grabbed a rosary and fell to her knees.

She knew the power of prayer to calm a troubled, fearful heart.

Thunder is rolling through our country now. And we need to be on our knees. Pray for all the victims and their loved ones, yes. But pray, also, for ourselves.

Amid our brokenness, we pray for healing. In our anger and hostility, pray for understanding. In our division, pray for unity. In our despair, pray for hope. We pray to be able to forgive what seems unforgivable. Because that’s what Jesus would do –it’s what He did on the cross. We ask Him to whisper to us the first words He spoke in the Upper Room after the resurrection: “Peace be with you.” Peace. In that spirit, I suggest we do what my grandmother would do. Very simply: Pray.

After the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Robert F. Kennedy said, “Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.”

Pray for that. Pray to be agents of change – men and women who rededicate ourselves to building a world where “kindness and truth shall meet … where justice and peace shall kiss.” Pray for our country and its leaders.

Let us make this prayer from Pope Francis our own: “Lord, God … You created us and You call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. … Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. … Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be ‘brother,’ and our way of life will always be that of peace.”

DEACON

KELLY FANUCCI is an author, speaker and founder of Mothering Spirit, an online gathering place on parenting and spirituality.

GREG KANDRA is an award-winning author and journalist, and creator of the blog “The Deacon’s Bench.”

Every Catholic is called to be a Eucharistic missionary

The average Catholic in the pew hearing the term “Eucharistic missionary” might think this is a special role in the Church, performed by well-trained holy people in some far-flung region. And yet, every Catholic is called to be a Eucharistic missionary.

The everyday Catholic’s everyday call to a Eucharistic encounter that ultimately leads to the life of a Eucharistic missionary is the topic of the book “For the Life of the World: Invited to Eucharistic Mission.”

The work is co-authored by Bishop Andrew Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, who has been leading the U.S. bishops’ three-

the apostolate, are tied together with the Eucharist and are directed toward it.”

OFFER YOUR TRIALS AND SUFFERINGS

A portion of the book is dedicated to understanding how to live in communion with one another, centered around the Eucharist. This means loving, serving and forgiving others as well as joining in the sacrificial aspect of the Eucharist by offering our trials and sufferings in union with the sacrifice of the Mass.

According to the great Carmelite spiritual writer Father Wilfrid Stinissen, “A great deal would happen in our lives if every time we celebrated the Eucharist we would place on the paten something of our own, something that we know is directed wrongly and therefore blocks us. … We imagine all too often that we must offer beautiful things to God. But the beautiful does not need to be offered to God. It is already in God’s sphere. It is the evil, that which has not yet found its right place, that must be lifted up and placed there, where it belongs, in God’s radiance.”

‘As we draw closer to Jesus in the Eucharist, we are sent out on a mission to spread His message to others.’

year National Eucharistic Revival, and Tim Glemkowski, the outgoing CEO of the National Eucharistic Congress Inc.

A fruit of the bishops’ Eucharistic Revival efforts, the work outlines the foundation of a Eucharistic life that the faithful are called to participate in, and also concrete ways to embrace that call.

The book offers a poignant re-emphasis on the need to encounter Jesus Christ as a living person in the Eucharist, drawing from Scripture and the saints. In one letter from Mother Teresa of Calcutta to her sisters, she asks, “Do you really know the living Jesus – not from books, but from being with Him in your heart? Have you heard the loving words He speaks to you? Ask for the grace, He is longing simply to give it. Until you can hear Jesus in the silence of your own heart, you will not be able to hear Him saying ‘I thirst’ in the hearts of the poor.”

An understanding of one’s identity in the Eucharist follows this personal encounter with Jesus. Quoting the Second Vatican Council, the authors note that “the other sacraments, as well as with every ministry of the Church and every work of

Letter to the editor

‘Reclaiming

History’ is good reminder for us all

In the Catholic News Herald’s July 12 cover story, “Reclaiming History,” celebrating Our Lady of Consolation Parish’s efforts to preserve a beloved decades-old school building, we are reminded of how God can make all things new. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque writes in her autobiography that Jesus said to her, “…I am the eternal memory of My Heavenly Father, by Whom nothing is forgotten, and before Whom the past and the future are as the present.” As they preserve the past for the present and the future, Our Lady of Consolation will be making their learning center new again.

JON GAUTHIER is a member of St. Matthew Parish and a published author.

Letters policy

The Catholic News Herald welcomes letters from readers. We ask that letters be originals of 250 words or fewer, pertain to recent newspaper content or Catholic issues, and be written from a perspective of Christian charity.

As we draw closer to Jesus in the Eucharist, we are sent out on a mission to spread His message to others. The two are linked, the authors emphasize, writing, “the Eucharist is the heart of the Church’s mission, its source and summit. And mission is not an accidental quality, but essential to the reception of Jesus in the Eucharist. In every Mass, Jesus himself goes on mission, rushing down to the altar, to accomplish some definite purpose. Therefore, the final step in becoming a Eucharistic missionary is to make His purpose in becoming the bread of life ours.”

IT’S THE ANSWER TO WORLD’S PROBLEMS

As the authors highlight inspiring words of the saints and point out ways to be Eucharistic missionaries in our everyday lives, they also acknowledge the climate of division in our world today.

“We believe that the Eucharist is the answer to the problems of our world,” they write, “because the Eucharist contains the entire spiritual wealth of the Church: Christ Himself.”

They ask the Lord to “form us in the Eucharistic life that He Himself lived, so that we might give ourselves, too, for the life of the world.”

To be considered for publication, each letter must include the name, address and daytime phone number of the writer for purpose of verification. Letters may be condensed due to space limitations and edited for clarity, style and factual accuracy.

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Lauretta Brown

You belong here

Longing for joy and connection?

Come be nourished in a welcoming community of Catholics just like you. Come be inspired by our new Bishop Michael Martin and walk with Jesus in one of the nation’s largest Eucharistic processions.

Meet Bishop Michael Martin Hear speakers including

Chase Hilgenblinck, and Fr. Robert Spitzer of EWTN’s “Fr. Spitzer’s Universe”

Praise and worship with GMA Dove Award-nominated singer Sarah Kroger

St. Maximilian Kolbe movie, “Triumph of the Heart”