Aug. 9, 2024

charlottediocese.org

At a glance

AUGUST 9, 2024

Volume 33 • NUMBER 20 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

Arts & Entertainment 10-11

Contact us 2

Español 20-23

Our Diocese 4-9

Our Faith 3

Our Schools 12-19

Scripture 2, 22

U.S. news 24

Viewpoints 26-27

World news 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.

NEWS: The Catholic News Herald welcomes your news and photos. Please e-mail information, attaching photos in JPG format with a recommended resolution of 150 dpi or higher, to catholicnews@rcdoc.org All submitted items become the property of the Catholic News Herald and are subject to reuse, in whole or in part, in print, electronic formats and archives.

ADVERTISING: Reach 165,000 Catholics across western North Carolina! For advertising rates and information, contact Advertising Manager Kevin Eagan at 704-370-3332 or keeagan@rcdoc.org. The Catholic News Herald reserves the right to reject or cancel advertising for any reason, and does not recommend or guarantee any product, service or benefit claimed by our advertisers.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: $17.25 per year for registered families of the Diocese of Charlotte and $25 per year for all others

POSTMASTER: Periodicals Class postage (USPC 007-393) paid at Charlotte, N.C. Send address corrections to the Catholic News Herald, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 28203.

CATHOLIC ALL WEEK

Timely tips for blending faith & life

It’salmost time to head back to the classroom, but even if you don’t have school-aged children, there’s a certain back-to-seriousness feel throughout August. Channel your lifelong learner side by exploring the lives of three women saints who have feast days this month. These holy women knew the truth when they heard it, followed the Lord and taught others to do the same.

MEET ST. CLARE OF ASSISI

In the early 13th century, the future St. Francis was causing a stir in Assisi, drawing the interest of many, including a young woman of noble birth named Clare. Drawn to the Lord through Francis’ preaching at a Lenten mission, she left her parents’ home because she felt God calling her to live like Francis and his followers. She eventually established her own order, the Poor Clares, and is the first woman to write a rule of life – a set of practices for a certain way of living –for religious sisters. Learn more about the female saint of Assisi, whose feast is celebrated Aug. 11, in “St. Clare of Assisi: Light From the Cloister” by Bret Thoman, OFS, or “St. Clare of Assisi: Runaway Rich Girl,” a graphic novel for young readers.

GET TO KNOW THE SAINT OF DIJON

FOLLOW THE PATH OF OUR LADY

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

St. Jane Frances de Chantal was born in Dijon, France, in 1572 and was the spiritual daughter of St. Francis de Sales. Like St. Clare, St. Jane Frances was drawn to the Lenten preaching of a holy man named Francis. Francis de Sales’ spiritual direction helped Jane through the difficult circumstances she faced after losing her husband. Their spiritual friendship bore fruit again when they founded the Order of the Visitation together. In honor of St. Jane Frances’ Aug. 12 feast day, learn from their friendship in “Wisdom from the Lives and Letters of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal” by Louise Perrotta.

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.

PRAYER SERVICES

RED MASS : 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., will be principal celebrant. All who work in the legal profession are invited. Reception to follow with guest speaker U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Conrad. RSVP for the reception at https://pp.events/aaKV5Ymm.

ST. PEREGRINE HEALING PRAYER SERVICE 7 p.m. every fourth Thursday of the month, St. Matthew Church chapel, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. in Charlotte.

The greatest of the saints is the Blessed Virgin Mary. She learned from her parents Sts. Joachim and Anne, temple leaders, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Himself. As the first and most devoted follower of Jesus, Mary offers us the ultimate example of holiness. She was rewarded when she was assumed body and soul into heaven and crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth. We celebrate her Assumption on Aug. 15 and Queenship on Aug. 22. Get to know more about Mary’s Assumption in “The Bible & the Virgin Mary: Journey Through Scripture” on the Formed app, which examines the dogma of the Assumption and Mary’s connection to the woman described in the Apostle John’s vision in Revelation. — Annie Ferguson

Includes a blessing with the relic of St. Peregrine. For details, go to www.stmatthewcatholic.org/st-peregrine.

HOLY HOUR FOR NICARAGUA : All are welcome to a Holy Hour in Spanish for the Intention of Bringing Peace to Nicaragua. 7-8 p.m. every Thursday (except for the first Thursday of every month), St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte.

SUPPORT GROUPS

MARRIAGE SUPPORT: Fall Retrouvaille retreat Sept. 27-29 in the Charlotte area. For married couples struggling with challenges in their relationship, not communicating well, or considering separation or divorce. This confidential program has helped tens of thousands of couples. Call Bill and Lyn Folsom at 727343-6701 or email 3062ac@helpourmarriage.org.

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

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.

Bishop Michael T. Martin, OFM Conv., will participate in the following events:

AUG. 19 – 7 P.M.

Confirmation

St. Mary Mother of God Church, Sylva

AUG. 20 – 7 P.M.

Confirmation

Holy Trinity Mission, Taylorsville

AUG. 24-25

Weekend Masses

St. Pius X Church, Greensboro

AUG. 29-30

Priest Orientation

Diocesan Pastoral Center, Charlotte

AUG. 30-31

Eucharistic Congress Charlotte Convention Center

SEPT. 4 – 12:10 P.M.

Homeschoolers Mass

St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

SEPT. 5 – 5 P.M.

Missionaries of Charity Mass for St. Teresa of Calcutta

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Charlotte

The Church celebrates the assumption of Mary Aug. 15. Spanish artist Mariano Salvador Maella (1739-1819) depicts the event in this painting, “The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

Our faith

Intercessors: Patron saints of students and teachers

Thestart of school is nearly here, and for students, parents and teachers, it’s the perfect opportunity to reflect and pray that the coming months will be fruitful and fun for everyone. The saints are always there to help us on our journey, so here are three saints for you to consider as the 2024-’25 school year dawns:

St. Catherine of Alexandria

c. 287-305 Feast day: Nov. 25

Catherine is thought to have been born to a noble family in Alexandria, Egypt. Through a vision, this scholarly young woman converted to Christianity and began evangelizing others – including the wife of the pagan emperor who was persecuting Christians. According to legend, after she defied the emperor and refuted philosophers brought in to test her faith, she was imprisoned and tortured on a rotating spiked wheel. When that broke, she was beheaded.

She is venerated as the Great Martyr St. Catherine in the Orthodox tradition, and her voice was among those heard by St. Joan of Arc. Today, she is known as the namesake of a monastery at Mount Sinai that claims to be the oldest in the world. She is the patron saint of wheelwrights, and also a patron saint of teachers, students, jurists and philosophers.

AUG. 11-17

Sunday (Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time): 1 Kgs 19:4-8, Eph 4:30—5:2, Jn 6:41-51; Monday: Ez 1:2-5, 24-28c, Mt 17:22-27; Tuesday: Ez 2:8—3:4, Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14; Wednesday (Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr): Ez 9:1-7; 10:18-22, Mt 18:15-20; Thursday (Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mass during the Day): Rv 11:19A; 12:1-6A, 10AB, 1 Cor 15:20-27, Lk 1:39-56; Friday: Ez 16:1-15, 60, 63 or Ez 16:59-63, Mt 19:3-12; Saturday: Ez 18:1-10, 13b, 30-32, Mt 19:13-15

St. Thomas Aquinas

1225-1274

Feast day: Jan. 28

Thomas so shocked his noble Italian family when he entered the Dominicans about 1244 that his brothers kidnapped him from the Dominicans, took him to the family’s castle, and at one point even sent a woman to seduce him – whom Thomas drove out by brandishing a poker from the fireplace. But he would not yield, He studied under St. Albert the Great, becoming a master of theology in 1256. As a priest, he showed great reverence for the liturgy and skill as a homilist. In keeping with the Dominican order’s charism for preaching, he strove to bring his own family to a sincere practice of the faith, and he largely succeeded. For the rest of his brief life, the “dumb ox,” as he was dubbed, taught, preached and wrote, producing the monumental “Summa Theologica.” The 13th-century theologian showed that the Catholic faith is in harmony with philosophy and all other branches of knowledge. His thinking became enormously influential in later centuries, and he was named a Doctor of the Church in 1567. In 1965, the Second Vatican Council taught that seminarians should learn “under the guidance of St. Thomas,” in order to “illumine the mysteries of salvation as completely as possible.” He is also a patron saint of academics, chastity, colleges and universities, Catholic schools and theologians.

St. Peter of Alexandria died 311 Feast day: Nov. 26

“Execution of the patriarch Peter of Alexandria under the emperor Maximinus Daia,” depicted in the “Menologion of Basil II,” an illuminated manuscript dating around the year 1000.

Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Peter headed its catechetical school before being named bishop-patriarch in 300. In his early Church history, Eusebius called Peter an excellent teacher. Peter’s own theological writings were cited in a fifthcentury dispute over Christ’s divinity and humanity. Peter fought two heresies, Arianism and Origenism, and for much of his episcopate encouraged his people to remain Christian in the face of Emperor Diocletian’s persecutions. When he eventually went into hiding, Alexandria experienced a schism, and when a new emperor renewed Christian persecutions, Peter was seized and summarily executed. He was the last Christian martyred in Alexandria by civil authorities. His instructions on how to receive “lapsed” Christians who had denied their faith back into the Church were adopted by the entire Eastern Church. Although his feast day in the Western tradition is no longer a part of the Roman Catholic Church’s universal calendar, he remains especially beloved among Catholic and Orthodox Christians of the Egyptian Coptic tradition. — Catholic News Service and Catholic News Agency

AUG. 18-24

Sunday (Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time): Prv 9:1-6, Eph 5:15-20, Jn 6:51-58; Monday: Ez 24:15-23, Mt 19:16-22; Tuesday (Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church): Ez 28:1-10, Mt 19:23-30; Wednesday (Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope): Ez 34:1-11, Mt 20:1-16; Thursday (Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary): Ez 36:23-28, Mt 22:1-14; Friday: Ez 37:1-14, Mt 22:34-40; Saturday (Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle): Rv 21:9b-14, Jn 1:45-51

“Catherine of Alexandria” by Caravaggio (1598-99)

“St. Thomas Aquinas” by Fra Bartolomeo (c.1510-1511)

Our diocese

A high-Spirited occasion

Denver parish breaks ground for new, larger church

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE plguilfoyle@rcdoc.org

DENVER — Sunday at Holy Spirit Church was a jubilant celebration of the “living stones” who made a new church possible after years of hard work and persistence.

More than 250 people gathered excitedly under a large tent July 28 to break ground on a new, larger Holy Spirit Church. After persevering through a 10-year capital campaign, they were undaunted by the heat and the muddy construction site.

The $12.5 million building project is the parish’s response to its tremendous growth, which has topped 1,000 families driven by the escalating population in the Lake Norman area.

The 16,000-square-foot church will seat 675 people and feature traditional Catholic architecture with rounded arches, stainedglass windows, choir loft, baptistry, and twin towers bookending the main entrance.

‘IT TAKES VISION’

The site blessing and groundbreaking ceremony was led by Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., and Holy Spirit’s pastor Father Carmen Malacari, with special guest Monsignor John McSweeney, who was instrumental in Holy Spirit’s early years. According to diocesan officials, the special liturgy before the groundbreaking, “Order of Commencement of Work to Build a Church,” was a first for the diocese. Bishop Martin commended them and the parishioners as “living stones” who have created a solid foundation for the thriving Denver parish. “All of us realize that firm foundations are critical for any endeavor,” he said. “When I look out and see all of you, you are the firm foundation upon which this church is being built.”

Bishop Martin had traveled to Denver for the celebration just after offering Mass for 500 people at Catholic Family Day at Carowinds that morning, which prompted a few jokes from an already exuberant crowd. (See story on page 7.)

The bishop made the most of the fun.

“An hour and 45 minutes ago I was on a rollercoaster – if you can get an actual mental image of that,” he said at the opening of his remarks, eliciting several chuckles. Everyone kept smiling as he went on to praise the parish and its pastor for their efforts to push through despite delays due to the pandemic, escalating construction costs and design alterations.

“It takes vision, it takes determination, it takes commitment, and it takes perseverance to build a church,” he said. “You’re blessed to have a pastor, Father Carmen, who possesses all of these qualities.”

Bishop Martin continued, “I understand that this has been a project in the planning for quite some…”

Pausing, he hung his head. “Forever.”

The crowd roared with laughter, to which

the bishop deadpanned, “There you have it – so he’s very patient. He’s been waiting forever for this.”

Someone from the crowd wisecracked, “It’s been a rollercoaster!”

Turning to a grinning Father Malacari, Bishop Martin said, “Thank you, Father Carmen, for leading us to this moment.”

The crowd erupted into cheers for them both.

‘A

NEW BEGINNING’

The laughter continued as Father Malacari recounted how the parish acquired the extra land for the new church.

It was all thanks to Monsignor John McSweeney, he said, whose business savvy taught him the importance of buying land.

Holy Spirit began in 1979 as a community of about 30 Catholics who used a nearby Episcopalian church for Mass.

By 1987, when Monsignor McSweeney was the diocese’s No. 2, the congregation had grown large enough to need a church of its own. One day in 1988, he and then-Charlotte Bishop John Donoghue were driving along Highway 16.

“I was always looking for land,” he recalls with a grin.

At the time, the area was undeveloped, but both knew the Lake Norman area was promising.

They spotted an old county school

property up for auction, and Bishop Donoghue said, “Let’s see what they want for that building.”

The diocese and the parish teamed up to bid and were granted the 6.5 acres and 7,300-square-foot school for $335,000.

Yet the prelates had to obscure their identity for the sale, Monsignor McSweeney explains with a chuckle, because of anti-Catholic bias at the time.

“I dressed up in my farm clothes. They didn’t know who … I was, and I didn’t let them know until we bought it!”

Years later while serving at St. Matthew Parish, Father Malacari saw firsthand Monsignor McSweeney’s skills as “an incredible, incredible businessman” while developing that sprawling campus in south Charlotte.

When he moved to Denver, Father Malacari said, he followed Monsignor McSweeney’s example and bought up adjacent land to prepare for growth.

What does Monsignor McSweeney think about Denver’s future church?

“Beautiful,” he said. “It’s a new beginning.”

‘SOMETHING NOT SEEN BEFORE’

For years, the Denver parish has needed to move to a larger building to accommodate more worshipers. Masses are currently celebrated in a converted gym next door to the original church, which now functions as parish offices.

The new church will be built on a visible height facing Highway 16, on an open lot adjacent to the Parish Activity Center.

Sunday’s groundbreaking was held on the exact site of the future altar.

Handling the ceremonial shovels were Bishop Martin, Monsignor McSweeney, Father Malacari and Deacon Matt Reilly; architects William Heyer of Columbus, Ohio, and Scotty Smith with ADW of Charlotte; Mark Baucom from general contractor Hickory Construction; and

Tommy Touchstone, head of the parish building committee.

As a civil engineer, Touchstone said groundbreakings are nothing new to him, but witnessing his parish’s big day was “a thrill.”

He said he’s proud of what the parish has planned in close collaboration with the diocese. “This church is going to be something that the diocese hasn’t seen before.”

Construction is expected to take 16 months, and parishioners hope to be worshiping in the new church by the end of 2025.

‘A LASTING LEGACY’

Noting their happy anticipation for a new church, Bishop Martin urged parishioners to remain focused on the right goal.

“As we go forward as a faith community, as we realize what we’re being given and what we’re making, let us not take ownership of the building in the sense that ‘this is mine.’ It’s not mine! It’s ours for a moment,” he said.

“There will be challenges in the days ahead,” he added. “May we pray for peace, may we pray for safety, and may we pray ultimately that we carry ourselves through this building process with the same spirit that Jesus did as He built the Church upon the apostles and their disciples thereafter: with love, forgiveness, understanding and, above all, with deep communion to the Father.”

“We all come and go. What we’re trying to leave is a lasting legacy … something that gives praise and honor to the Holy Spirit,” he said. The effort is “for God’s greater glory, not our own. Amen?”

The crowd joyfully answered, “Amen!”

More online

At www.catholicnewsherald.com : See more photos from the July 28 groundbreaking and a video highlight from Bishop Michael Martin’s homily

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Breaking ground for Holy Spirit Parish’s future church were Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv.; Monsignor John McSweeney, who was instrumental in the parish’s early years; pastor Father Carmen Malacari and Deacon Matt Reilly; architects William Heyer of Columbus, Ohio, and Scotty Smith with ADW of Charlotte; Mark Baucom from general contractor Hickory Construction; and Tommy Touchstone, head of the parish’s building committee. (Below) A sketch of what the new church will look like.

Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., celebrated the funeral Mass July 31 for Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio, the longtime pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Greensboro, who died earlier in the month at the age of 61.

Thousands pay their respects at funeral Mass for Monsignor Marcaccio

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@rcdoc.org

GREENSBORO — Filing in from both sides of the courtyard of St. Pius X Church, nearly 2,000 friends, family, clergy and religious gathered July 31 to pray for and say goodbye to Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio.

The beloved longtime pastor of the Greensboro parish passed away July 19 due to complications from appendiceal cancer. The Mass of Christian Burial came after 1,700 people paid their respects during a wake that stretched seven hours on Tuesday.

Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., celebrated the priest’s funeral Mass, his first as bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte. He reminded the congregation how they’d been enriched by their pastor of more than 24 years, and he offered to walk with them in their time of mourning.

Dozens of clergy concelebrated the liturgy, including Father Timothy Nadeau, a close friend of Monsignor Marcaccio and the pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Saco, Maine.

Father Nadeau delivered the homily, inspired by the Gospel reading about when the apostles were caught in a storm while in a boat on the Sea of Galilee.

In it, Jesus walks on water toward their boat and says, “Take courage. It Is I; do not be afraid.” (Mt 14:27)

“Jesus didn’t avoid cancer. Jesus didn’t avoid death. Jesus didn’t avoid water. He confronted it,” Father Nadeau preached. “The gentleman, the brother, the priest that we’ve gathered around this day – he followed Jesus’ call.”

Father Nadeau also noted that many people knew Monsignor Marcaccio had an “allergy to pain, an allergy to needles, an allergy to all things medical, but he knew this momentary life situation would produce some weight of glory for God, so he carried it.”

Then he quoted from Monsignor Marcaccio’s own words, a letter he had written to his parishioners just weeks prior:

“Trusting myself to Divine Providence and the kindness of your prayers, I will carry this cross henceforth with renewed confidence that God is mysteriously working on these prayers. May it all be for the glory of God and the spread of the gospel.”

Monsignor Marcaccio’s siblings – Charles, John and Celeste –were all present with their families at the funeral Mass. Charles, asking to be called “Chuck,” the eldest of the siblings, offered remarks, thanking the parish while including lighthearted comments about who the favorite child of the Italian American family was – clearly, the baby of the family who became a priest, he said.

Parishioner and friend Derek Ritzel also spoke to the congregation, describing the closeness of their pastor to Jesus and to many of them, and how his holiness was recognized by

all who knew him – including strangers and even those from different cultures who spoke other languages.

Bishop Martin offered concluding remarks at the end of Mass, noting the difficulty of losing a pastor. He added that their pastor had an impact across the diocese and the universal Church.

‘I believe firmly that he would want all of us to look forward to the future of this parish community – not with a dampened sense of Church, but a strengthened sense of Church.’

Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv.

“The faith community has a big question mark in their hearts right now. Where do we go from here? What’s the future going to be like?” he said. “I would suggest to you in my brief knowing of Monsignor Marcaccio that he would want you to put aside those questions to say: ‘Get behind me, Satan. That’s not of this world.’

“We believe in the power of the Holy Spirit made manifest in the Church – through lots of different people and lots of different ways. This has been one of those manifestations of life in the Spirit. I believe firmly that he would want all of us to look forward to the future of this parish community – not with a dampened sense of Church, but a strengthened sense of Church.”

Bishop Martin will celebrate Masses at the parish the weekend of Aug. 24-25.

“As your bishop, I’m with you in this time of mourning,” he said. “But I’m with you more as we look forward to a future here at St. Pius that will continue to build up the People of God in the spirit of Anthony, your pastor, and all the men and women who have done so much to build this community and will continue to do so much to build this community.”

More online

At www.catholicnewsherald,com : Read more about Monsignor Marcaccio’s ‘living legacy,’ originally published in the July 26 edition

Bishop Martin evaluates initial planning, sites for new cathedral

LIZ CHANDLER lchandler@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — Upon his arrival in Charlotte, Bishop Michael Martin dove into details of the diocese’s planning for a new cathedral, focusing first on finding a location that would best serve the people of the Diocese of Charlotte so that design and cost considerations can be evaluated.

The diocese has identified several potential sites based on criteria recommended by a 19-member task force of Church and lay leaders, which last year concluded that a new cathedral is needed to replace the current St. Patrick Cathedral. St. Patrick was built as a parish church in 1939 and has long been too small to serve the growing diocese’s needs, the task force said.

“I’m deep in the weeds of the due diligence so I can fully evaluate where we are and where we need to go with the cathedral project,” said Bishop Martin, OFM Conv., who replaced retiring Bishop Peter Jugis in May. “While every diocese needs a mother church where people can come together with their bishop in communion with Jesus, I want to look at all of our needs as a faith community and allow for plenty of input from clergy and parishioners as we consider a project of such magnitude.”

The diocese announced in April that then-Bishop Peter Jugis had accepted the task force’s recommendation to build a new cathedral and that “all necessary preliminary work be done to allow construction to begin in 2030.”

Potential sites are mostly in and around Charlotte, the largest city in the diocese. Bishop Martin is looking at population projections and growth areas, and has asked several parishes with large churches and campuses to consider whether they would want to become home to the new cathedral. Another option would be to repurpose the site of the Diocesan Pastoral Center on South Church Street near uptown.

Emmett Sapp, diocesan director of construction and real estate, said, “We’ve done a lot of research, spoken to other dioceses, and consulted with architects –so we’ve got a solid foundation the bishop and the diocese can use as we consider next steps. If we decide to use the site of an existing church as the cathedral, there would almost certainly be some significant construction needed, so everyone involved will have to weigh that against building somewhere new.”

A new cathedral in Charlotte would follow a trend for the growing Catholic Church in the South.

Among the 193 Catholic cathedrals across the U.S., 15 have been built or expanded within the past 40 years – including six in the South to serve growing Catholic populations of Hispanic families and people moving in from the Northeast and Midwest. Costs for cathedral construction have ranged widely from $31 million in Knoxville in 2018, to $190 million in Los Angeles in 2002.

A cathedral serves as the mother church

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MARYANN LUEDTKE

Diocesan foundation grants help 14 parishes, ministries

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — Fourteen parishes and ministries have received grants totaling $48,000 thanks to the Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte.

The annual awards, which range from $2,000 to $5,000, are based on need and the impact the money is expected to have on local communities. They are fueled by endowments that people have made to the foundation in their wills or estate planning over the years.

“It is because of the forward planning of the parishioners in the Diocese of Charlotte that the foundation is blessed to award these grants on an annual basis,” said Gina Rhodes, diocesan director of planned giving.

The grants go toward a variety of projects around the diocese, ranging from ministries and outreach programs to repairs and additions to church facilities.

St. Elizabeth Parish in Boone received a $3,000 grant to build an outdoor fellowship site.

“It will be an area where the youth group can meet and other activities can be held,” said Father Brendan Buckler, pastor. “Also, it will have a fire pit where we can build the fire for the Easter Vigil Mass as well, because basically we have to build the Easter fire on the ground right now. We have someone who is matching the grant, so we’ll be able to go ahead and start designing the site and building it.”

At St. Mary Mother of God Parish in Sylva, a $3,000 grant will go toward construction of a new cry room, according to Father Paul Asoh, pastor.

“Our old cry room has no direct view of the altar, so when a lot of parents take their children there, they feel they can’t

2024 Foundation Grant recipients

participate in the Mass as fully because they can’t see what’s happening,” Father Asoh said. “We felt that it would be best to have a new cry room with a direct line of sight to the altar. That way we can accommodate both our young families with children and some of our older parishioners who get distracted when children are crying loudly at Mass. Parishioners had mentioned the need to me since I arrived here about four years ago, and I felt this was a good time to go ahead with it.”

Father Asoh said he hopes to present building plans for approval to the diocese in the next few weeks and schedule work to begin by this fall.

“Foundation endowments provide a permanent and secure source of income which will safeguard the future of Catholic entities across western North Carolina,” Rhodes said. “We are so thankful and encourage more people to consider an endowment as part of their estate planning.” Since 2001, the foundation has awarded 426 grants totaling $1,212,000. These grants are distributed from four of the foundation’s 350-plus endowments.

The 2024 grants and the foundation’s work over the decades reflect a passage in the Gospel of John (4:37): “For here the saying is verified that ‘one sows and another reaps,’” according to Joe Gigler, who chairs the foundation’s board.

“The foundation is a vehicle for individuals and organizations to really be able to offer support to the diocese and its ministries,” Gigler said. “I love what we do because it’s an exciting time to be a Catholic in western North Carolina. With both the grants we give out and the endowments that the foundation has, we can prepare for the future along with the things we’re doing today.”

Thunder strikes at Catholic Family Day at Carowinds

LIZ CHANDLER lchandler@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — Nearly 500 young people and their parents packed into Harmony Hall at Carowinds Sunday for Mass with Bishop Michael Martin, who had fun with the crowd, preached to the youth – and rode the “Thunder Striker” rollercoaster, formerly known as “The Intimidator.” Yes, he screamed. He held tight, too. He also practiced what he preached, choosing to wait in line for the ride with everybody else rather than skipping to the front when the offer came.

It was a fitting choice given the message of his homily an hour earlier when he compared much of life not to the thrill of a rollercoaster, but rather, to the tedium of waiting in line.

“Every day isn’t like a rollercoaster ride,” he said. “Most days are like standing in line – where we have to be with our brothers and sisters, where we have to do things we might not want to do, where we have to wait.”

The bishop encouraged the young people to use their time in line Sunday to think about Jesus, resist sin, and change the way they might behave “when sin creeps in” during mundane times.

“In the line today, I’m just going to ask you to think about all the things you have to do at home that maybe you’re not crazy about and say, ‘Lord, give me your love, give me your grace, give me your patience, give me your strength to do hard things that may not be as fun as a rollercoaster ride.”

Bishop Martin greeted people and posed for photos before and after Mass, which drew a multicultural crowd for Catholic Family Day at Carowinds. It was a simple Mass with just two altar servers on stage in a room full of picnic tables, lit partly by a screen with projected stained glass.

His 14-minute homily took on a calland-response quality, where he engaged the crowd by asking questions, coaxing answers, and joking about scary rides and all the sweet treats parents would buy for their children. At one point, he asked the crowd to say ‘hello’ to 7-year-old John Scibor, who stands about 50 inches tall

Joseph College Seminary welcomes nine new men to its program this fall. Father

(back row, center) offered Mass Aug. 4 at St. Ann Church in Charlotte to

the

and was pining for the day that he would hit 54 inches, so that he could ride the rollercoaster. With Jesus, the bishop said, there are no height limits.

John’s parents, St. Matthew parishioners David and Carissa Scibor, praised the communion the event offers. “When they do things like this, it brings all of us as Catholics from all around Charlotte together,” Carissa Scibor said, “and I love that we can hear and pray through the Latin and the Spanish. It reminds our children and reminds us that we’re part of the universal Church, and I think we’ve lost that a little bit.”

Bishop Martin compared the young people’s excitement for the day to the feeling shared by the followers of Jesus at the Sea of Galilee, the subject of the day’s Gospel reading. He explained how Jesus transformed “a little bit of food” into enough to feed 5,000 – and how that miracle was much like the miracle of his presence at Sunday’s Mass, which the bishop said would provide “nourishment far better than the Raptor or the Copperhead Strike, or whatever other rollercoaster we could ever get on.”

Waiting for the Thunder Striker, Elon University sophomore Christina Skelly stood in line with the bishop chatting and joking with others.

“We made the most out of our time in line,” said Skelly, a parishioner at St. Charles Borromeo in Morganton, acknowledging his homily message. “He’s really good at connecting with younger kids, great personality, very bubbly.”

Minutes later she boarded the rollercoaster and set off on what Carowinds calls “the tallest, fastest, longest hyper coaster in the Southeast” – which hits speeds of 80 mph in its extreme drops – with her bishop.

“It’s my favorite ride in the whole park and it was so awesome to get to ride it with the bishop,” she said. “I can check that one off my bucket list.”

More online

At www.catholicnewsherald.com : See video highlights and more photos from Catholic Family Day at Carowinds with Bishop Martin

Kauth,

of the academic year before the men moved in at the college seminary in Belmont. Also

are other diocesan clergy who serve the college seminary program or at St. Ann Parish. With the nine new seminarians, the Diocese of Charlotte’s seminary program now has 47 men in various stages of formation.

Nine men welcomed to St. Joseph College Seminary this fall

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — Nine men who have enrolled at St. Joseph College Seminary heard words of encouragement Aug. 4 during Mass with the seminary’s rector, Father Matthew Kauth.

The Mass at St. Ann Church marked the traditional opening of the seminary year, when the new class of men join the other seminarians and priest faculty for prayer before moving in and beginning their studies.

The new seminarians are Anthony Briones-Tristan from Our Lady of Grace Parish, Greensboro; Micah Burgess from St. Gabriel Parish, Charlotte; Walter Frei and Caden Miller from St. Dorothy Parish, Lincolnton; Alexander Lavine, James Sides and Maximilian Torres, all from St. Mark Parish, Huntersville; Collin A. Petruska of Queen of the Apostles Parish, Belmont; and Pierre Westhoff from St. Bernadette in Linville.

They are joining 21 other men at St. Joseph College Seminary who are considering a priestly vocation while also pursuing an undergraduate degree at nearby Belmont Abbey College.

Father Kauth preached a homily that drew on the daily readings and described the journey of discernment the new seminarians are embarking upon.

He reflected on the day’s Gospel reading from John, in which Jesus says, “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.”

“You are here because something stirred in you that said, ‘I don’t want to work for food that perishes,’” Father Kauth told the men.

Life in the college seminary will offer the men the chance to learn what it is like to turn their lives over completely to Christ and draw their spiritual nourishment from Him, instead of the

material world and material desires, he said.

He also drew on the day’s first reading from Exodus for inspiration. It described how, during their 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites eventually became frustrated with manna, the special food God sent for them to eat. While manna nourished the Israelites, he said, the seminarians will have the chance to find an even greater nourishment in their relationship with Christ.

“We don’t know if God will eventually call all of you to the altar as priests, but we do know He did call you here now, with all your talents and particularities,” Father Kauth said. “He is calling you to live with Him and to live on Him, and watch what happens when you do! It’s extraordinary what happens when men begin to live on the true manna.”

Father Kauth drew laughter from the congregation when he brought up a description in the first reading of how the Israelites ate quail in the evening and then manna at dawn.

“You’re going to be getting up at dawn from now on,” he told the men, referring to the rigorous schedule of prayer, worship and study that comes with seminary life.

He also asked the congregation to keep the new class in their prayers, especially because they will be adapting to an entirely different way of life in the next few weeks and months.

The seminarians started moving into their dormitories in Mount Holly on Sunday in anticipation of the start of classes later this month.

The opening year Mass has traditionally been celebrated at St. Ann Church because its campus was the temporary home for the seminary when it first opened in August 2016. The college seminary opened its permanent home in Mount Holly in 2020.

TRAVIS BURTON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

St.

Matthew

rector,

celebrate

start

pictured

TROY HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Michael Martin gets to know young people from the Diocese of Charlotte as they prepare to ride the thrilling Thunder Striker at Carowinds on Catholic Family Day July 28.

10,000 rosaries and counting

Waynesville rosary makers reach impressive milestone

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

WAYNESVILLE — With simple beads and cord in hand, their thoughts focused on Mary’s intercession, members of St. John the Evangelist Parish craft rosaries that reach praying hands across the globe.

They are Our Lady’s Rosary Makers. Founded and led by parishioner Carol Kielb, the group recently celebrated making its 10,000th rosary.

Members commemorated the achievement in June at Kielb’s Waynesville home with their pastor, Father Paul McNulty.

“It was absolutely exhilarating to reach this milestone – I couldn’t believe it was happening,” Kielb said. “It’s fantastic to have achieved this in three and a half years.”

Kielb got the idea to start the group in 2021 while visiting her son and daughter-in-law in Florida. After Sunday Mass at a church there, she was invited to sit in with a rosary making group and learn the prayerful craft. The experience was so moving that Kielb decided she wanted to bring it to members of her own parish.

“envisioned a world in which all God’s children, possessing an instrument of peace and comfort, would work to fulfill Our Lady’s requests at Fatima to pray the rosary daily.”

The Waynesville group relies on donations and fundraisers to raise money to purchase the basic supplies from Louisville. Kielb said the group buys simple beads called mission beads and cord to make cord rosaries, which are the simplest to make.

“We have one knotting tool that we use and there are only four knots used in each rosary,” Kielb said. It takes about two hours of instruction for her to teach new members.

She distributes supplies to members from her home. They return the completed rosaries for her to send off to Louisville, where they are then sent all over the world.

“They bring them back to me in bags of 10, and when I have 150 rosaries completed, I send them off,” she said.

Group members also make specialty rosaries out of materials like amethyst, black onyx, jade and olive wood that they sell at their fundraisers.

The Rosary Makers first met to work together in the church’s basement but that was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, so the 10 members now work out of their homes.

Members often combine the work of their hands with spiritual work as well.

“A lot of our members pray the rosary as they’re making them,” Kielb said. “I have a deep devotion to Our Lady and I pray for the intervention of Our Lady of Fatima when I’m making my rosaries.”

Attention, young married couples: This program is designed for you

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — Couples in the Diocese of Charlotte have an opportunity to take part in a program focused on strengthening and enriching their marriages.

The Diocese of Charlotte Family Life Office is partnering with the St. John Paul II Foundation to offer the “Together in Holiness” Formation series, which brings married couples together in small faith-sharing groups at the parish level. The year-long, seven-part program includes videos and discussion, plus time for prayer and fellowship.

The Formation series is designed to augment existing marriage preparation classes for engaged couples and NFP education programs already provided by the Family Life Office.

People can learn more about the Formation series at a special wine and cheese reception set for 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27. It is being hosted at the St. Ann Parish Allen Center on Park Road, but couples from across the Charlotte area are invited to attend and learn more.

the race. Don’t let your married life be a series of ups and downs. Rather, commit to becoming a part of the ‘Together in Holiness’ Formation series that will give you the resources to strengthen your relationship in Christ for the long haul.”

Couples will gather for the sessions at the home of a host couple, on a schedule they set themselves. Dudley noted the Formation series is designed primarily for couples in the early years of their marriage or with children in the home. This phase in a marriage is an important one that often gets overlooked in the area of formation, so the program is uniquely placed to serve couples who are setting the foundation for their families.

“The Formation series is an incredible opportunity for couples to grow together year-round in small communities, supporting each other in their call to holiness and desire for marriage enrichment,” Dudley said.

The Formation series is growing in the Charlotte area, and the Family Life Office

The diocese partners with the St. John Paul II Foundation to offer larger “Together in Holiness” conferences, but bringing marriage enrichment opportunities to parishes and homes is a new priority, according to Brendan Dudley, the diocese’s new marriage preparation and enrichment coordinator.

“The Family Life Office promotes ‘Together in Holiness’ because it offers dynamic opportunities for married couples to support each other in learning and implementing the plan of God for marriage and family,” Dudley said. “Married couples will receive insights and strength by journeying together through the various initiatives.”

Dudley has 15 years of experience in ministry at high schools, parishes and dioceses and recently played a key role in developing and launching a Catholic storefront and resource center. He holds a master’s degree in theology from Sacred Heart Major Seminary and a bachelor’s degree in theology and politics from The Catholic University of America.

The program received a positive endorsement from Bishop Michael Martin, who praised its opportunity to bring couples together to talk one-on-one about their marriage experiences.

“We go to a conference and have an awesome experience, but then what?” the bishop said.

“All married couples need a steadier reinforcement of the key dimensions of keeping your vows in Christ – slow and steady always wins

hopes to bring it to parishes across the diocese, Dudley said.

The connection between the diocese and the St. John Paul II Foundation dates back to 2017, said Jessica Grabowski, director of the diocese’s Respect Life Program. Since 2018, the diocese has partnered with the Foundation to present seven “Converging Roads” conferences focused on medical and pro-life issues and eight “Together in Holiness” conferences centered on strengthening marriages.

For couples interested in attending a one-day “Together in Holiness” conference, the diocese is offering two this fall, both on Saturday, Nov. 16 – one at St. Barnabas Church in Arden and another at St. Ann Church in Charlotte. On-site childcare is offered to help accommodate the schedules of couples with young children.

“What started as an idea on a phone call has developed into a long-lasting and truly fruitful collaboration, which I could never have imagined at the time,” Grabowski said. “It has been wonderful working with the Foundation to bring all of their initiatives serving life and family to the people of our diocese.”

For more information about the “Together in Holiness” Formation series, contact Rachel Townsend at rachel@ forlifeandfamily.org.

For more information about the “Together in Holiness” conferences, contact Alexandra Landrigan at alexandra@forlifeandfamily.org.

Research led her to Our Lady’s Rosary Makers, a lay apostolate based in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Founded in 1949 by Xaverian Brother Sylvan Mattingly, the nonprofit organization offers instruction and supplies for volunteers to make rosaries that are then distributed all over the world – from mission churches to hospitals to military bases.

The organization’s website states its mission is to provide rosaries to anyone who wants one because Brother Mattingly

Member Lynn Jefferys said she can complete a rosary in about half an hour and uses the time for prayer and meditation.

“I just do some spontaneous prayer and ask the Blessed Mother to rain blessings down on the rosaries and the people who receive them,” Jefferys said. “You just feel so good when you’re doing this because you know you’re doing something wonderful: providing rosaries for those that need them.”

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).

— Catholic News Herald

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Our Lady’s Rosary Makers at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Waynesville is a group of volunteers that makes rosaries that are distributed to people worldwide. Group members recently celebrated the milestone of crafting 10,000 rosaries.

CATHEDRAL

of a diocese, where the faithful can worship with their bishop, and is regarded with great reverence as the center for liturgical life. It is the bishop’s ceremonial seat of authority and the physical location of his “cathedra,” which means “seat” in Latin, from which he presides. It is typically at the cathedral that a diocesan bishop officiates for significant liturgical occasions, ordains clergy, and consecrates the sacred chrism used in sacraments.

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.

Arts & entertainment

‘Cantemus Domino’

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish music ministry releases third CD

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish recently released its third musical production, “Cantemus Domino,” under the guidance of its longtime music director, Juan Manuel Cajero.

Cajero composed and produced the religious-themed collection, a series of psalms and reflections set to original music.

Each of the themes includes a personal reflection by priests who have served at the Charlotte parish over the years. One of the songs includes a reflection from his own brother, Father José Luis Cajero Ramos, who died unexpectedly in April at only 38 years old. A priest for seven years, Father Cajero served at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish during the summer months of 2013 and 2015.

Cajero describes the musical collection as “psalms for healing, for forgiveness, for moments of sadness and melancholy, for thanksgiving.”

A native of Mexico, Cajero says he always had a taste for the religious music that he heard growing up in his Catholic home.

Composer and music director Juan Manuel Cajero describes the musical collection as ‘psalms for healing, for forgiveness, for moments of sadness and melancholy, for thanksgiving.’

Inspired by seminarians who visited his parish while on their missionary travels, Cajero entered the minor seminary of Guadalajara when he was just 15 years old. There he learned music theory and Gregorian chant. He became interested in piano but was disappointed because the rigorous studies of seminary life left him little time left over to pursue music.

In 2002 he visited Charlotte while on vacation and met a priest who would shape his life: Vincentian Father Vincent Finnerty, then pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. Father Finnerty invited him to stay in Charlotte and discern the priesthood with his religious order.

Cajero enrolled in classes at Central Piedmont Community College, studying philosophy and psychology as part of his vocation discernment process, but music was still beckoning him. He switched to music classes and joined the college’s opera group.

Cajero became convinced that music – not priestly ministry – was how God was calling him to serve the Church. In 2004 Father Finnerty put him in charge of the parish choirs, and Cajero didn’t look back.

A year later, his musical skills were brought to bear for a special occasion at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish: the ordination of a Vincentian priest. Cajero and the choir rehearsed new material, and Father Finnerty liked it so much he asked them to record it on a CD.

“A New Day Dawns” was their first production, but it wouldn’t be their last.

Cajero and the parish choir planned to release a second CD with original music, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed their efforts. In 2023, “Let God Win” was finally released. Among the songs was an original composition Cajero had created as the entrance song at his wedding: “Yo te acepto a ti.”

Cajero, now father of three children – Sofía, Natalia and Emmanuel – does not know what God has planned for his future, whether it’s writing more music, focusing on his family life or something else. His additional duties as a tribunal advocate at the parish are also fulfilling, he says.

“I want to continue studying and growing. I want to finish canon law to help my community, especially the non-English speaking community. I feel very sorry for people who cannot receive Communion. This helps them to rebuild their lives.”

Yet, Cajero adds, he will never give up music entirely. And he is already preparing a new production that he plans to call “What I Believe In,” he says, “where I will sing to women, to family, to life.”

el lanzamiento del nuevo CD que incluye temas con música y letra originales.

Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

lanza tercera producción musical

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — Quince años tuvieron que pasar para que una segunda producción musical de la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe viera la luz en 2023, pero solo un año más para que la tercera, siempre a cargo de Juan Manuel Cajero, director musical de la parroquia, concluyera su última producción.

En ‘Cantemus Domino’, que saldrá a la venta a fines del verano, se reúnen salmos a los que realizó una adaptación del texto y les añadió música original. Cada uno de los temas incluye una reflexión personal de los sacerdotes que han dejado huella con su presencia en la comunidad guadalupana de Charlotte. Uno de ellos incluye una reflexión de su propio hermano, el Presbítero José Luis Cajero Ramos, inesperadamente fallecido en abril de 2024, con solo 38 años y 7 de ministerio sacerdotal. El Padre Cajero laboró en la parroquia durante los meses de julio y agosto de 2013 y 2015.

“Son salmos para sanación, para el perdón, para momentos de tristeza, de melancolía, para la acción de gracias”, explicó Juan Manuel. Mexicano, nacido en Guadalajara, Jalisco, Juan Manuel recuerda que siempre tuvo el gusto por la música que se escuchaba en su católico hogar: popular en inglés, lo que llamamos hoy ‘oldies’. Atraído por unos seminaristas que llegaron en misión a su parroquia, ingresó al seminario menor de Guadalajara a los casi quince años. Ahí recibió clases de solfeo y canto gregoriano. Interesado por el piano, se desilusionó un poco porque los estudios fuertes del seminario le dejaban poco tiempo para seguir con la música. En 2002 llegó de vacaciones a Charlotte y conoció a quien daría forma a su vida: el Padre Vicente Finnerty, entonces párroco, quien lo invitó a ingresar a su casa de discernimiento.

Paralelamente, luego de un breve paso por las escuelas de filosofía y psicología del CPCC, ingresó al departamento de música de esa casa de estudios y formó parte del grupo de ópera de la escuela comunitaria.

Convencido que la vida sacerdotal no era lo suyo, en 2004 se retiró de la casa de discernimiento y, a pedido del Padre Finnerty, se hizo cargo de los coros parroquiales.

En 2005, con 22 años, con motivo de la ordenación de un sacerdote vicentino, ensayaron nuevo material para el coro y el Padre Finnerty decidió grabar todo el material que se ensayaba en un CD.

Así apareció “Amanece un nuevo día”, que se grabó en un estudio local.

En marzo de 2007, Cajero fue contratado por la diócesis para trabajar en la parroquia Guadalupe en tres áreas: en apoyo con procesos del tribunal eclesiástico, catecismo y sacramentos, y la pastoral de la música. Y lo mejor de todo fue que recibió el permiso del Padre Finnerty para continuar sus estudios de música.

El segundo CD, “Dejen que Dios gane”, con temas y música de su autoría, y grabado con el apoyo de los párrocos, aparece en 2023 debido a retrasos por la pandemia. Ya casado desde 2016, la producción incluye el canto de entrada que compuso y cantó en su boda, “Yo te acepto a ti”. Juan Manuel, hoy con tres hijos, Sofía, Natalia y Emmanuel, no sabe ciertamente si seguirá trabajando en la parroquia por siempre. “Quiero seguir estudiando y creciendo. Quiero acabar derecho canónigo para ayudar a mi comunidad, especialmente a la que no habla inglés. Me da mucha pena las personas que no pueden comulgar. Esto les ayuda a rehacer sus vidas”. El compositor ya se encuentra preparando una nueva producción a la que llamará ‘En lo que creo’, “donde cantaré a la mujer, a la familia, a la vida”, dijo.

Juan Manuel Cajero, choir director at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Charlotte, talks about the release of a new CD that includes songs with original music and lyrics.

Juan Manuel Cajero, director de coros de la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte, nos cuenta sobre su vida y

CÉSAR HURTADO |

CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Find solace in ‘Nursery of Heaven’

Local

writer

coauthors

new book to help grieving parents

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@rcdoc.org

LINCOLNTON — Even amid an outpouring of condolences, grief can leave us feeling isolated and misunderstood –particularly when it involves the loss of an unborn child or infant. A local Catholic author wants to offer hope to those who have experienced such tragedies.

Patrick O’Hearn, a member of St. Dorothy Parish in Lincolnton, is shedding light on the suffering of parents who have experienced miscarriage and other forms of child loss, helping them find comfort through the stories of others – including his own.

cross, really helped,” Everts adds. “When I experienced my own miscarriages, I never had felt so isolated and alone. I didn’t know where to turn, what the Church offered, or who to ask for help – my prayer is that ‘Nursery of Heaven’ will provide those answers for other women and couples.”

In the pages, readers will find the stories of Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, St. Gianna Molla, and Servant of God Chiara Corbella Petrillo as well as those of Everts, O’Hearn and his wife Amanda, and other modernday couples. Each shares the realities of losing a child and the consolations God has given them.

“When you lose a child, there’s a sense of isolation, especially when you’re in parishes where everyone else is having a lot of children, because that can be painful,” O’Hearn says. “Priests do their best but sometimes don’t know what to say, so you just feel like you’re carrying this hidden cross.”

Everts adds that there is never a quick fix or easy words when someone is experiencing the loss of a baby. They want their book to be a helpful resource and source of comfort.

Besides the personal stories, the book has prayers such as the “Blessing of Parents after a Miscarriage or Stillbirth,” “Order for the Naming of an Infant Who Died before Birth,” Scripture passages and novenas. Both authors also recommend attending a Mass of Consolation like the one to be held this fall at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.

“Often people won’t say anything at all, or say that you’ll have another child, and so that’s why many parents are so private about it, but here’s a book where people are pouring their hearts out,” O’Hearn says.

“You’ll realize that reading it gives a little touch of grace in your heart.”

Consider joining the over 2 million members of the largest, lay Catholic order in the world by signing up online today at: www.kofc.org/joinus Knights of Columbus

For a Limited Time – FREE Online Membership –Use Promo Code (BLESSEDMCGIVNEY)

Readers can find these accounts in “Nursery of Heaven,” O’Hearn’s new book coauthored by Cassie Everts and available from Sophia Institute Press Aug. 20.

“The Holy Spirit wanted me to use my sufferings to help other people, and so that’s when I reached out to Cassie about writing this book with me,” O’Hearn says.

Through a mutual friend, O’Hearn had heard about Everts’ five miscarriages and how she wanted to share her experience to help others.

“God brought us together to write this book,” O’Hearn says.

“To share my own grief and journey, knowing someone is carrying the same

Everts’ message to women going through such a loss: “May you find comfort knowing that your baby is in heaven and never forget the powerful intercessor they now are before the throne of God. And while the world may have never known this beautiful child, our hearts never forget the life we were blessed to carry, no matter how short the time was, and the honor it is to be their mother.”

Order and learn more

At www.sophiainstitute.com : Buy a copy of “Nursery of Heaven”

At www.patrickrohearn.com : Get to know the author and St. Dorothy parishioner

O’Hearn

Preparations like this are

Gearing up: Catholic

Schools prepare for third year of record enrollment

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — Teachers are readying classrooms and families are stockpiling supplies as the first day of school approaches for the Diocese of Charlotte’s Catholic Schools, on pace for their third straight year of record enrollment.

The number of students enrolled in the diocese’s 20 schools across the western half of North Carolina has risen steadily in recent years, hitting a new high of 8,315 students enrolled as of July 30, according to the Catholic Schools Office. Of that, 5,700 students are enrolled in the nine Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools.

The total is up about 2% from this time last year and 18% over the past five years – a testament to the continued success of Catholic education in the diocese, according to Superintendent Dr. Greg Monroe.

“Our diocese continues to be a destination for Catholic education because we provide outstanding academics and instill Catholic values and character in our students,” Monroe said. “Our wonderful parents and families partner with our devoted educators to give students a wide range of opportunities – so that every child can succeed.”

Enrollment would have been even higher, Monroe noted, if families had been able to take advantage of the popular North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship program as many originally hoped.

The program, which helps families pay tuition at schools of their choice, was set to

be expanded this year – prompting many families to sign their children up for a Catholic education. But a bill to provide additional funding stalled in the North Carolina Legislature, putting the expansion – and the plans of many families – on hold.

“We were very excited to hear that 74,000 people statewide had applied for the Opportunity Scholarship across the state and that the Legislature planned to fully fund the program so all families who applied could receive assistance,” Monroe said. “So of course we were disappointed when legislators were unable to come to a consensus on the state budget.”

While Monroe still hopes for a budget agreement, the Catholic Schools Office will continue planning for accommodating the continued growth through possible expansions at existing schools and new school construction.

The 2024-25 academic year also brings added learning opportunities for students, said Assistant Superintendent Crystal Koury.

Two of the diocese’s high schools –Christ the King in Huntersville and Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville – now have dual-enrollment arrangements with Belmont Abbey College, enabling students to take college-level classes while also completing their high school studies.

The diocese has also enhanced its support for students who need additional help in the classroom through the school’s learning support program, now called “Academic Achievement.” The program includes adding accommodations for students who need more time to complete

tests and assignments, assisting with notetaking, and assigning a teacher or aide to assist a student one-on-one in the classroom or in an individualized setting.

“Every school can now offer a program that matches the quality and consistency of their sister schools, ensuring that all students in our programs receive the best possible support,” Koury said.

Catholic schools also offer a range of programs for students with different

learning abilities beginning in prekindergarten all the way through high school and beyond. (See page 13.)

“We do everything we can to tailor the education we provide to what students and families want and need to succeed in life – academically, socially and spiritually,” Monroe said. “That starts with listening to parents and students, providing resources, and building out a range of opportunities so every child can thrive.”

Marianne Ong, a staff member at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Charlotte, sorts and sets out textbooks for students as she prepares her classroom for the new academic year.

going on at Catholic schools all around the Diocese of Charlotte as the first day of school approaches.

TROY HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

DAVID PUCKETT | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD * denotes estimated enrollment as of July 30.

Educating all of God’s children: Special learning options

The Diocese of Charlotte’s Catholic schools are dedicated to providing a robust Catholic education for all students, including those with special needs. Parents can find programs that offer both academic and spiritual education from the early years through high school.

The goal is to give special needs students a well-rounded education that prepares them for life, says Assistant Superintendent Allana-Rae Ramkissoon.

To

“We want parents to know that whatever the dream is for your child, whether it is to continue on to a college setting or into the world of work, we have a program that can help them achieve that,” Ramkissoon said. “There is also the goal of helping these students to feel as much a part of the school experience as possible, and to build up the social interactions between special needs students and their general education peers.” Here’s a snapshot of what the diocese offers:

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

Modified Academic Program (MAP)

St. Ann and Our Lady of the Assumption schools, Charlotte

For students in grades 2-5 with special learning needs who need a hybrid educational approach that delivers both instruction in a self-contained classroom and general education classes. Instruction in core subjects is adapted to each student’s ability level.

www.stanncatholic.org/speciallearning

Providing Academically Appropriate Catholic Education (PACE)

Our Lady of the Assumption School, Charlotte; Our Lady of Grace School, Greensboro

For elementary and middle school students with learning disabilities. At Our Lady of the Assumption, in grades 2-5, PACE primarily uses a self-contained setting, with daily classes alongside general education peers. In grades 6-8, the goal is to remediate reading/writing weaknesses, so students may eventually be included in a general education classroom with learning support. In Greensboro, the program is designed for PK-8th grade students with learning or intellectual disabilities who require a small classroom setting and specialized instruction in academics and social skills. Students have a separate curriculum and integrate with the general school population for specific programs.

www.olacatholic.org/speciallearning

Matthew-Morgan Program

St. Patrick School, Charlotte

www.olgsch.org/learn-at-olg/pace-program.cfm

For K-5 students with Down syndrome. Students receive a quality, faith-based education in a classroom setting where each of them can progress toward their own individual potential. Basic academic and life skills are taught. Elementary students in the MACS system who complete the program may continue their education through the Options path at Holy Trinity Middle School or Charlotte Catholic High School.

www.saintpatrickschool.org/specialprograms

Our Lady of Grace School, Greensboro

For PK-8th grade students with high-functioning autism. QUEST offers structured, individualized instruction in social skills, academics and language. It is designed for students who benefit from inclusion opportunities with their peers – both in the classroom and during social activities.

www.olgsch.org/learn-at-olg/quest-program.cfm

Options

Holy Trinity Middle and Charlotte Catholic High schools, Charlotte

At Holy Trinity, the program caters to students who need an individualized, modified curriculum and combines instruction in both inclusive and a self-contained setting. It is designed to continue with Options at Charlotte Catholic. There, the program works to give students a full high school experience while also preparing them for life beyond high school. Options also offers a “certificate path” that enables participants to explore offerings on college campuses that accommodate special needs students.

www.htcms.org/speciallearning

www.charlottecatholic.org/departments/options-program

“We work hard and play hard and pride ourselves in building positive relationships with our families – many of whom will be with us for four years.”

“The idea is to teach students in PACE strategies that will enable them to be in a regular classroom by the time they get to high school.”

“There is a joy you see in parents when they watch their students in this program…the students are able to both be educated at their appropriate levels and also to be included in all school activities.”

“We share God’s unconditional love with each child, equipping them with faith and virtue to follow His will for their life.”

“The inclusion program has helped her academically and to develop social and people skills which will be critically important as she moves into a job life after school.”

www.charlottediocese.org/schools/about/special-learning.

Amanda Mooney, MAP teacher St. Ann School, Charlotte

Tyler Kulp, principal Our Lady of the Assumption School

Nicholas Calametti, principal St. Patrick Catholic School

Catherine Rusch, principal Our Lady of Grace School, Greensboro

Stephen Dey on daughter Avery’s experience, Options program at Charlotte Catholic

Our Catholic Schools

Diocese of Charlotte Schools encompass 20 schools in different formats: Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS), parish-based schools, a diocesan-based high school, and an affiliate.

How do I apply?

Navigating the application process for the diocese’s parish-based schools and for the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools system (MACS) is a straightforward online process.

The admissions process begins in November and continues as space is available. All schools work on a rolling admissions basis until all spots are filled.

All students entering pre-kindergarten must be 4 years old on or before Aug. 31. All kindergarten students must be 5 years old on or before Aug. 31. Details for MACS – including required documents and placement testing information – can be found online at www.discovermacs.org/apply. Details for each parish-based school can be found on their respective website. Questions? Please call the individual school or the MACS Office any time in the application process at 704-370-3273

Diocesan high school

Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Kernersville serves the Triad area.

Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School 1725 N.C. Hwy. 66 South, Kernersville, NC 27284 336-564-1010

www.bmhs.us Grades: 9-12

Affiliate school

Canongate Catholic High School

109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden, NC 28704

828-712-8924

www.canongatecatholic.org Grades: 9-12

Parish-based schools

This includes 9 schools serving kindergarten through eighth grade and, in some instances, preschool. While each school is part of the diocese’s Catholic Schools system, they are directly administered by a corresponding parish. For admissions info, contact the specific school.

Asheville Catholic School 12 Culvern St., Asheville, NC 28804

828-252-7896

www.ashevillecatholic.org Grades: PK-8

Immaculata Catholic School 711 N. Buncombe St., Hendersonville, NC 28791

828-693-3277 www.immac.org Grades: PK (ages 3-4), K-8

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School 4145 Johnson St., High Point, NC 27265

336-887-2613 www.ihm-school.com Grades: PK-8

Our Lady of Grace Catholic School 201 South Chapman St., Greensboro, NC 27403

336-275-1522 www.olgsch.org Grades: PK3-8

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School 1730 Link Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 336-722-7204 www.ourladyofmercyschool.org Grades: PK-8

Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS)

Sacred Heart Catholic School

385 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury, NC 28147

704-633-2841

www.salisburycatholicschool.org Grades: JK-8

St. Leo Catholic School 333 Springdale Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27104

336-748-8252 www.stleocatholic.com Grades: PK-8

St. Michael Catholic School 704 St. Michael’s Lane, Gastonia, NC 28052 704-865-4382 www.stmcsg.org Grades: PK-8

St. Pius X Catholic School 2200 North Elm St., Greensboro, NC 27408 336-273-9865 www.spxschool.com Grades: PK-8

Step 1: Take a Tour

• Though not a required step, it is recommended to take a tour before officially applying to a school.

• An in-person tour is a great way to ask specific questions about the curriculum, what is offered, and what the facilities feature for your child.

Step 2: Complete Application Form

A centralized, regional system of schools in the Charlotte area that includes 9 schools (2 high schools, a middle school, 4 elementary schools, some with PK and TK, and 2 K-8 schools):

Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School

4225 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215

704-531-0067

www.olacatholic.org

Grades: PK-8

St. Ann Catholic School 600 Hillside Ave., Charlotte, NC 28209

704-525-4938

www.stanncatholic.org

Grades: PK, TK and K-5

St. Gabriel Catholic School

3028 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28211

704-366-2409

www.stgabrielcatholicschool.org

Grades: K-5

St. Mark Catholic School 14750 Stumptown Road, Huntersville, NC 28078

704-766-5000

www.stmarkcatholicschool.net Grades: K-8

St. Matthew Catholic School 11525 Elm Lane, Charlotte, NC 28277

704-544-2070

www.stmattwildcats.com

Kevin O’Herron, principal Grades: TK-5

St. Patrick Catholic School 1125 Buchanan St., Charlotte, NC 28203

704-333-3174

www.saintpatrickschool.org Grades: K-5

Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School 3100 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209 704-527-7822 www.htcms.org Grades: 6-8

Christ the King Catholic High School 2011 Crusader Way, Huntersville, NC 28078 704-799-4400 www.ctkchs.org Grades: 9-12

Charlotte Catholic High School 7702 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226 704-543-1127 www.charlottecatholic.org Grades: 9-12

Step 3: Pay Application Fee

Step 4: Complete Checklist Items

• An easy-to-use online system for applying enables you to start at either a specific school’s website or at DiscoverMACS.org.

• Just click the green menu bar item labeled “Apply” at the top of the page.

• Applicants are encouraged to call anytime throughout the application process with questions.

• Pay by mail, credit card or electronic check.

• The application fee is non- refundable.

• Along with the application, applicants must submit a birth certificate and proof of a physical exam and immunization records.

• Additionally, families who wish to qualify for a participating Catholic tuition discount must submit a completed parish participation voucher.

• Some schools may ask for the student’s most recent grades and standardized test scores.

• MACS middle schools and high schools require principal and teacher recommendations and transcripts.

Catholic schools name 5 new principals in Triad, Asheville

ANNIE FERGUSON arferguson@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — Catholic school communities in the Triad and in Asheville are welcoming new principals this fall. Two recent hires and three internal candidates have been tapped to lead St. Pius X in Greensboro, Our Lady of Mercy and St. Leo in Winston-Salem, Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville, and Asheville Catholic School.

Antonette Aguilera, the new principal of St. Pius X School in Greensboro, has more than 25 years of teaching experience, from elementary education to post-graduate levels. She began as a third-grade teacher near Los Angeles and has served St. Pius X School as assistant principal since 2018. In addition to her love for children and for teaching, her dedication to education advocacy and law has been a driving force in her career, she says.

“As someone who has been shaped by Catholic education, the mission of Catholic schools resonates deeply,” she adds. “I believe in nurturing in our students a lasting relationship with Christ and an appreciation for the profound beauty of our Gospel teachings.”

Aguilera holds a bachelor’s degree from California Polytechnic University, a Juris Doctor degree from Western State University, a Master of Laws from the

University of London, and a master’s degree in educational administration from Liberty University.

Callie Moore, the new principal of Our Lady of Mercy School in Winston-Salem, has spent the past nine years teaching and leading the middle school at St. Leo School in WinstonSalem. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from High Point University.

During her time at St. Leo, Moore was named Teacher of the Year for the 2019-’20 school year for her work in developing and executing the digital learning plan for the middle school. Most recently, she served as the assistant principal at St. Leo.

Moore says she feels God has always led her to the place she most needs to be, and He had a strong hand in leading her to this position. With His guidance, Moore says, she is looking forward to a new journey and is excited to see what the future holds at Our Lady of Mercy School.

Katie Nance is the new principal of St. Leo School in Winston-Salem. She has experience as a school administrator and non-profit executive. In her 11 years of management and senior leadership experience,

she built and maintained relationships with a variety of stakeholders.

Nance earned her undergraduate degree at High Point University and a master’s degree in school administration from Appalachian State University. She served as admissions director and director of the lower school at High Point Friends School from 2017 to 2020. She has also served as director of education and programs at the Nido And Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum in High Point.

Nance is a member of various committees such as the High Point Chamber of Commerce and volunteers as a lector and greeter at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in High Point.

Melissa Stuart, the new principal of Asheville Catholic School, will be familiar to the school community – having taught and served as assistant principal from 2022 to earlier this year. She joined the school in 2021 as a fourth-grade teacher, following 17 years of service in Miami-Dade County Schools. Throughout her career she taught upper elementary classes with a focus on reading development and a specialization in writing. She served as a lead teacher, instructional coach, and in 2016, was named a Florida High Impact Teacher. Stuart first became an assistant principal in 2016 after earning a master’s degree in educational leadership. She worked

in administration for three years before moving to Asheville with her family. Stuart attended Catholic school as a child and says her own Catholic education and experience in the classroom inform her leadership approach. She prioritizes having students find joy in learning and fulfillment in being living examples of Christ’s love.

Claire Willis assumed the role of principal of Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville in June 2024, with her predecessor, Dr. Jared Rashford, becoming president of the school. Willis most recently served as the assistant schools superintendent for the Diocese of Baton Rouge and has 10 years of experience as a Catholic school administrator.

Willis is a certified education leader and education specialist in gifted education and holds a master’s degree in education from Vanderbilt University, a master’s degree in business administration from Louisiana State University-Shreveport, and a bachelor’s degree in history from Louisiana State University.

After spending every summer in the North Carolina mountains since childhood, Willis and her family moved from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to fulfill their dream of making North Carolina home. She says she is excited to be a part of the Bishop McGuinness community and its mission to form the faith, character and intellect of young men and women.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Stuart

Aguilera

Willis

Moore

Nance

Our Mission:

Committed to inclusivity and diversity within Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School family and rooted in Scripture, Tradition, and the Teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, we strive to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

4225 Shamrock Drive Charlotte, NC 28215 Ph: 704-531-0067

FFHL funds provide $120K in tuition assistance at 6 schools

CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte’s “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign is funding $120,200 in tuition assistance this fall that will help students at six diocesan schools receive a Catholic education.

The 2013 FFHL campaign funded capital projects, endowments and other needs across the growing diocese. Included in the $65 million campaign was a tuition assistance endowment available to the diocese’s 20 schools.

This year’s funds are going to six diocesan schools that applied for the 2024’25 school year: Asheville Catholic School, $33,100; Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville, $28,000; Immaculate Heart of Mary School in High Point, $16,300; Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro, $4,200; Sacred Heart School in Salisbury, $24,000; and St. Michael School in Gastonia, $14,600.

The funds are expected to help participating Catholic families who have the greatest financial need.

The FFHL tuition assistance endowment, with over $4.6 million in assets, is administered by a committee consisting of the diocese’s schools superintendent, chief financial officer and members of the diocesan school board. Available income from the endowment is distributed to qualifying diocesan schools that apply each year for student financial aid.

An endowment is a permanent fund, the principal of which is never touched, but the income from which can be used according

The endowment has awarded $990,430 in financial aid for students to attend Catholic schools.

to the wishes of the donor organization or person. Endowments provide a way to generate income and help sustain the longterm strength and viability of the recipient parish, school or ministry.

To date, a total of $990,430 in FFHL funding has been awarded to the diocese’s schools for tuition assistance.

To qualify for the funding, the school must receive local parish support of at least $500 per participating Catholic student and must have awarded all of its tuition assistance funds it already has for that school year. Schools that do not receive $500 per student in parish support may be considered if there are extenuating financial circumstances that preclude this level of support. Qualifying schools may request funds from the FFHL endowment for participating Catholic students with a financial need.

The tuition assistance endowment is one of seven endowments funded through the FFHL campaign.

—

Catholic News Herald

Financial aid makes Catholic education more accessible

Diocesan financial aid & discounts

Most families who attend Catholic schools receive some form of financial aid through tuition discounts or assistance.

All of the diocese’s schools offer some sort of tuition discount or subsidy for registered participating Catholic families, up to 30 percent in some cases.

Generally speaking, tuition amounts range from approximately $5,000 to $13,000 for registered Catholics, with non-participating Catholics and non-Catholics paying higher amounts. Multiple child discounts are also available. Needs-based tuition assistance is also available to qualified families – making Catholic education more affordable than ever for more families.

The application period is January through March 31 for the upcoming school year.

A family does not have to be registered as a participating Catholic to receive aid. Aid is need-based and can only assist with the cost of tuition. As soon the application process is complete, families are eligible to receive an award.

For details about the MACS tuition assistance program, call 704-370-3273 or go online to www.discovermacs.org/familyindividualized-tuition. The DiscoverMacs.org website has detailed information about how financial assistance works, how to apply, and answers to frequently asked questions.

The diocese’s nine parish-based schools and Bishop McGuinness High School offer similar need-based tuition assistance to qualified students. Details can be found on each school’s website.

All financial aid requests are processed through a third-party processor, FACTS. Most diocesan parish-based schools provide financial aid through the FACTS processor as well. Receiving financial aid requires an ample amount of documentation, which is verified through the FACTS processor using the information provided by the family.

Families are required to apply every year if they wish to continue receiving financial aid. However, applying for financial aid does not guarantee a family will receive aid.

State financial aid

Other financial aid options include the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship Program, Disabilities Grant Program, and Education Savings Accounts. These cover tuition and required fees at a participating non-public school. In addition, the Disabilities Grant and Education Savings Account may cover certain other expenses related to educating a child with a disability.

OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The Opportunity Scholarship Program expands school choice in North Carolina through scholarship grants for eligible children in kindergarten through 12th grade. This program provides funding for eligible children who choose to attend a participating non-public school. Scholarships range from approximately $3,000 to $7,000 and are based on a family’s household income.

DISABILITIES GRANT PROGRAM

The Disabilities Grant Program is a program for eligible students with disabilities in kindergarten through 12th grade to provide an option for parents to pay tuition, fees and some other expenses at a participating school. This program provides funding of up to $8,000 per year ($4,000 per semester) for eligible children who choose to attend a participating non-public school.

EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT

An Education Savings Account expands school choice for eligible students with disabilities in kindergarten through 12th grade. An Education Savings Account is for students attending a registered non-public school and can be applied to tuition and required fees and certain other expenses related to educating a child with a disability. Additionally, it allows parents quarterly access to funds on a debit card. This program currently provides funding of up to $9,000 per year for eligible children who choose to attend a participating non-public school. Each program has specific additional requirements for eligibility. For details on all of these programs, go to the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority’s website at www.ncseaa.edu/k12

The Abbey Experience

Diocese’s endowment funds support schools, students

CHARLOTTE — The Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte manages 92 endowments that generate income to directly aid Catholic schools and their students.

Since 1994, more than $5.5 million has been distributed from these endowments to directly benefit schools and students.

“We are grateful for those individuals and schools who have established endowments in the diocesan foundation for our 20 Catholic schools,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan development director. ”We are hopeful that more alumni, grandparents, past parents, current parents and friends of our Catholic schools will establish endowments – either now or in their estate plan.”

Established in 1994, the foundation offers a way for people and organizations to provide long-term financial stability for the diocese and its ministries.

An endowment is a permanent fund, the principal of which is invested – not spent – that generates income to help pay for projects and programs specified by the donor.

Endowments are tax deductible and help sustain the strength and viability of the diocese and its entities, paying for capital improvements, charitable outreach, education and parish operations.

The foundation makes available annually 5 percent of an endowment’s value (averaged over three years). It reports to endowment holders every quarter outlining the latest value and how much is available for distribution for its prescribed purpose – which can be very specific or more general, giving recipients the leeway to decide how the funding can help them most.

“The benefit of an endowment is that its principal continues to grow while at the same time generating an increasing amount of income for a school or ministry or parish,” said Kelley.

View the full list of education endowments on the diocese’s website, www.charlottediocese.org

You can establish an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a trust or annuity, or a gift of real estate, life insurance, cash or securities. For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or gmrhodes@rcdoc.org.

Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School develops students in their pursuit of excellence In partnership with committed families, our dedicated faculty form the faith, character, and intellect of young men and women within an engaged, diverse community grounded in the Catholic tradition

Bishop McGuinness is fully accredited, and a college preparatory high school that is widely recognized for high academic standards, extensive extra curricular activities and championship athletic teams. Students are guided by an exceptional faculty and college counseling team, not only as they work towards college goals, but in all aspects of their experience at Bishop.

We offer a full AP program, aviation STEM courses, a thriving arts program with over 40 courses, Learning Support program and on-site tutoring services We are located in the center of the Triad and have transportation available. We offer tuition assistance as part of our commitment to making a Catholic education affordable for families

LEARN MORE

La vejez

Nuestros hermanos mexicanos, que celebran la vida en el Día de Muertos, no podían estar más en lo cierto: la muerte es lo único seguro y no hay que temerle. Cuanto más años tenemos, todo indica que más cerca de la muerte estamos. Respecto a las personas mayores, Proverbios 16:31 dice que “la cabeza canosa es corona de gloria”; y Salmos 92:14 nos asegura que “aún en la vejez darán fruto. El Papa Francisco dijo en febrero de 2022, que las personas mayores, “nunca tan numerosas como ahora”, suelen considerarse “una carga”, cuando prevalece la cultura del descarte y la productividad. La vejez, en realidad, es un regalo “para todas las edades de la vida”.  Personalmente, puedo decir que no temo a la muerte. Lo que si me aterra es la vejez.

Y no porque se pierden capacidades motrices e intelectuales con el tiempo, sino porque nuestras sociedades no están preparadas para atender correctamente a los adultos mayores.

Para nosotros los migrantes, la falta de un seguro de salud o insuficiencia de cobertura es difícil de afrontar. A esto se suma nuestro desconocimiento sobre planificación para el retiro que asegure una pensión digna.

Algunos de mis amigos y familiares hoy se encuentran en un dilema: dedicarse a atender a sus padres mayores o seguir trabajando para ayudarles a ingresar a un asilo.

Dije bien, ingresar a un asilo, o si suena mejor, a un centro de vida asistida.

Difícil decisión para quienes crecimos bajo la sombra, cuidado, amor y protección de nuestros padres. Como latinos, más que nuestra cultura nos lo exija, sentimos y queremos ver por ellos hasta el último de sus días.

¿Qué podemos hacer? Regresar a nuestros países no parece ser una solución. ¿O si?

Debo confesar que hasta hace poco yo no extrañaba nada de mi país, y podía estar sin hablar por teléfono con mis padres por tiempo. Desde la muerte de mi mamá durante la pandemia de COVID-19, me di cuenta de lo alejado que había vivido de mis raíces.

Siento que mi esposa y yo cumplimos el ciclo por el que vinimos a vivir a los Estados Unidos: el de dar un futuro a nuestras hijas. Esa meta, quiero creer, se ha cumplido. Ha tenido que ver nuestro esfuerzo, pero creo que más ha sido un tema de desarrollo propio de ellas mismas.. Aunque las llamamos nuestras bebés y siempre estaremos para ayudarlas en la medida de nuestras posibilidades, actualmente son dos mujeres hermosas, adultas, que toman sus propias decisiones con sabiduría. Nos toca decidir si nos quedaremos o si regresaremos al lugar donde nacimos para cuidar de nuestros padres, reanudar amistades suspendidas por el tiempo y la lejanía, y acompañar a nuestros amigos y familiares de nuestra generación hasta que juntos exhalemos nuestro último aliento.

¿Qué vamos a hacer? Como decía una querida amiga, “ni se sabe”.

CÉSAR HURTADO es gerente de medios hispanos diocesano.

Mujeres y hombres se integran al Cursillo de Cristiandad

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@rcdoc.org

MAGGIE VALLEY — Nueve hombres se integraron al Cursillo de Cristiandad Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte el pasado domingo 14 de julio, al término del retiro de invitación a nuevos miembros que se realizó del desde el miércoles 10 en el Centro de reflexión católica Living Waters localizado en Maggie Valley.

“Este año tocó a las montañas acoger el retiro anual”, dijo el Diácono Sigfrido Della Valle, director espiritual del Cursillo Hispano diocesano.

En el encuentro de invitación a miembros nuevos, explicó el Diácono Della Valle, un ‘padrino’ lleva a una persona, la invita para que se una al grupo. La persona invitada es acogida, pero puede o no unirse al movimiento. “Esto, al igual que otros movimientos, no es para todos. Algunos se quedan y otros deciden permanecer en su vida regular. Es buscar un amigo y llevarlo a Cristo”, dijo.

También precisó que en ellos participan solo católicos ya integrados a la vida de la Iglesia. “No es abierto a la periferia como son los retiros de evangelización o, como por ejemplo Emaús, aunque los participantes no necesariamente tienen que estar sirviendo”.

En el retiro se reciben charlas y testimonios, llamadas por el movimiento apostólico ‘rollos’, que apuntan a que el participante se enamore más de Cristo y se comprometa al servicio en la parroquia.

PARTICIPACIÓN MASCULINA

El Diácono Della Valle se mostró sorprendido por la baja participación masculina. “Fueron nueve hombres. Quizás la fecha en julio, el verano, no lo sé, hizo que bajara el número regular. Normalmente tenemos un número mayor”, dijo. En contraste, del 17 al 21 se realizó en el mismo lugar un retiro de damas con 30 mujeres. Al parecer, es mucho más difícil comprometer a los hombres en la vida espiritual. “Creo que la mujer es mucho más abierta a la espiritualidad. Quizás por ello Dios les hablaba más directamente a las mujeres. En cambio, a los hombres, a la mayoría de ellos en la Biblia les hablaba en sueños. Los hombres somos más asentados en la tierra. La

Participantes y servidores varones del Cursillo de Cristiandad se reunieron en el Centro Católico de Reflexión Living Waters en Maggie Valley. Las damas cumplieron su retiro también en un ambiente de reflexión y alegría. A la izquierda de la imagen, en la fila de parados, se puede ver al Diácono Sigfrido Della Valle, director espiritual de la rama hispana del movimiento.

FOTO CORTESÍA CURSILLO DE CRISTIANDAD

responsabilidad de proveer, de ser ganadores del pan, un poco que nos roba el espíritu. El hecho de que las mujeres sean procreadoras, la dimensión de poder ser madres, de llevar una criatura dentro de ellas, las acerca más a Dios, las hace más espirituales”, explicó Della Valle.

¿QUÉ ES EL CURSILLO?

El Cursillo de Cristiandad tuvo sus inicios en los años 50 en España, cuando un grupo de hombres se dedicaron a dar a conocer a Cristo a los jóvenes. La palabra ‘Cursillo’, en español, como sabemos, significa un curso pequeño, breve, y se asocia con el fin de semana en el que se invita a los participantes a tener un encuentro personal con Dios.

En la Diócesis de Charlotte, particularmente en la comunidad hispana, el movimiento cursillista se expandió rápidamente desde 2011, cuando un grupo de hombres interesados participó en un encuentro de tres días organizado por la Diócesis de Raleigh, aunque mucho antes este movimiento ya se había instalado y desarrollado en nuestro propio territorio.

La primera promoción de diáconos latinos, ordenados el 1 de julio de 1995 por el entonces Obispo William G. Curlin, contó con la presencia de los Diáconos Carlos Medina y Rafael Torres, ambos formados en el movimiento cursillista.

PRÓXIMAS

ACTIVIDADES

El 10 de agosto se tiene previsto llevar a cabo una ultreya de bienvenida a los nuevos miembros en el Centro de Convenciones de Hickory. “Una ultreya es una cita donde se reúne toda la gente, se dan testimonio y se comparte a nivel diocesano por lo menos una vez al año”, aclaró el Diácono Della Valle.

Para la estación de otoño, se tiene prevista la realización de un “Cursillo de cursillos”, un taller de especialización y profundización de temas que se llevará a cabo en la Iglesia Inmaculada Concepción, en Hendersonville.

Más online

En www.charlottediocese.org/espanol/grupos-apostolicos : Encontrará más información y contacto con los grupos apostólicos diocesanos, entre ellos el Cursillo de Cristiandad.

César Hurtado

|

NEWS HERALD (Arriba) El Padre Bruce Krause esparce agua bendita sobre el féretro del fallecido voluntario de la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Don Ambrosio Rubio. (Abajo) El Diácono Juan Carlos Pérez administra la comunión a una de las asistentes a la Misa en la que también se despidió temporalmente de la parroquia, pues regresará a Filadelfia a continuar su formación sacerdotal.

Doble despedida: al camposanto y a Filadelfia

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — En una Misa repleta de niños, jóvenes y adultos, la comunidad de la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe dio una doble emotiva despedida: una de ellas a un servidor muy querido, Don Ambrosio Rubio, voluntario vendedor de paletas por muchos años; y la otra al Diácono transicional vicentino Juan Carlos Pérez Torres, quien retorna a Filadelfia para continuar su formación como sacerdote.

La Misa de cuerpo presente fue concelebrada por los sacerdotes Bruce Krause, José Gregorio García Rubio y Óscar Danilo Benavides; y contó con la presencia de los diáconos Eduardo Bernal y Juan Carlos Pérez.

En su homilía, el Diácono Pérez hizo un comentario sobre el doble propósito de la Misa de acción de gracias: dar la despedida final a un hermano de la comunidad, y dar un hasta luego a su presencia de dos meses en la parroquia.

“Es bueno ver tanta gente”, dijo refiriéndose a la multitud que abarrotaba el salón parroquial, “los que conocimos a Don Ambrosio conocemos su testimonio de lo que es vivir una vida con Dios”.

“Don Ambrosio trabajó para tener esta familia que hoy está aquí reunida… Estamos aquí para dar gracias a Dios por la vida de Don Ambrosio. Yo estoy aquí para dar gracias a Dios por mi servicio, mi ministerio como diácono transitorio”.

“ÉL ERA AMOR”

La familia biológica de Don Ambrosio no pudo estar presente en la Misa pues reside en México. En cambio, su familia adoptiva conformada por Ana Laura Enríquez, su esposo Jesús Morales y uno de sus hijos, Alan, se encontraba en una de las primeras bancas.

“Lo conocimos en 2001 y desde 2006 vivió en nuestra casa, era parte de nuestra familia. Se convirtió en un padre para nosotros y como en un abuelo para nuestros hijos”, dijo acongojada la Sra. Enríquez, quien nos refirió que Don Ambrosio nació en Querétaro, se casó en San Luis Potosí y posteriormente se trasladó a Charlotte hace muchos años.

En sus ratos libres leía la Biblia, paseaba al perro de la familia y regalaba su tiempo como voluntario todos los fines de semana en la parroquia.

“Estoy muy agradecida con él por todo el amor que nos dio, por todos sus actos de servicio para con toda la comunidad. Él era amor”, dijo la Sra. Enríquez.

En una de las bancas se encontraba la Sra. María León, de Guerrero, México, quien se lamentaba de no haber podido conversar con Don Ambrosio el domingo 21 de julio. “Cruzamos miradas y sonreímos. Ya el siguiente domingo me enteré de que había fallecido. Él era muy bueno con todos. Mire cómo está la iglesia de llena. Es porque todos lo querían. Lo vamos a extrañar”, dijo.

CAMINO AL SACERDOCIO

Por su parte, el Diácono Juan Carlos Pérez, visitó la comunidad por cuarta vez y ahora se dispone a retomar sus estudios para ser ordenado sacerdote. “He cambiado un poco, la primera vez que vine en 2021 era más tímido. Venía con miedo. Ahora como diácono, he podido administrar los sacramentos y en solo ocho semanas he bautizado a 62 niños, celebrado como 12 quinceañeras, bodas, bendiciones de casas, de carros, pues como hispanos tenemos esa cultura. Es fantástico poder compartir la cultura y la fe que nos une y ayuda a salir adelante”, dijo. Al término de la Misa, se llevó a cabo la Adoración Eucarística en el salón; mientras que en el pasillo exterior se ofreció un pastel como agradecimiento al servicio prestado por el diácono.

Más online

En el canal de YouTube de la Diócesis de Charlotte Encontará el video con la homilía pronunciada por el Diácono Juan Carlos Pérez en la Misa de acción de gracias.

El año pasado la Antorcha Guadalupana visitó siete parroquias de la diócesis de Charlotte en su paso a su destino final, Central Park en Nueva York, a donde debe llegar el 12 de diciembre, fecha central de las celebraciones de la Virgen de Guadalupe.

Antorcha Guadalupana

partirá desde la Ciudad de México el 30 de agosto

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — Una vez más, como cada año desde 2002, la Antorcha Guadalupana se apresta a iniciar su recorrido de más de cuatro mil millas que cruza los territorios de México y Estados Unidos, hermanando a dos pueblos divididos por una frontera común bajo el mensaje de amor, unión y esperanza de la ‘Morenita del Tepeyac’.

El próximo 30 de agosto, la carrera Antorcha Guadalupana 2024 partirá desde la Basílica Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, en las faldas del Cerro Tepeyac en la Ciudad de México, después de la celebración de una madrugadora Misa a las seis de la mañana.

Después de ser llevada en manos por más de siete mil corredores y cruzar aproximadamente nueve estados mexicanos y catorce en Estados Unidos, finalmente llegará a Central Park, Nueva York, el 12 de diciembre, día en que se festejan las apariciones de ‘La Lupita’ a San Juan Diego, ocurridas en 1531.

Se tiene previsto que los corredores de la Antorcha Guadalupana crucen la línea que divide los estados de Carolina del Sur y Carolina del Norte el 6 de noviembre. Usualmente, los corredores de la parroquia Santa María Magdalena en Simpsonville, Carolina del Sur, recorren la autopista 29 adentrándose en Carolina del Norte por la localidad de Grover.

Los organizadores proporcionaron la programación inicial del recorrido de la Antorcha Guadalupana por nuestra diócesis, aunque explicaron que aún trabajan en ello y podría ser modificado.

El 6 de noviembre, la Antorcha arribará a la parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte, partiendo el 7 de noviembre por la mañana con dirección a la parroquia San José en Newton. El 8 de noviembre llegará a la parroquia San Francisco de Asís en Mocksville, para luego arribar el 9 de noviembre a la parroquia Santa María en Greensboro. Finalmente, el 10 de noviembre será recibida en las parroquias Nuestra Señora de los Caminos en Thomasville e Inmaculado Corazón de María en High Point.

La carrera Antorcha Guadalupana es organizada anualmente por la Asociación Tepeyac, fundada en 1997 por diferentes comités guadalupanos del área de Nueva York.

La asociación asegura que, “la Antorcha va más allá de la tradición religiosa, pues su objetivo final es impulsar una reforma migratoria incluyente y humanitaria”. En su página de Facebook, la Carrera Antorcha Guadalupana publicó que, como inmigrantes en Estados Unidos, necesitamos recuperar nuestra esencia ancestral para ser mensajeros por la dignidad en un mundo dividido. “Dejemos que mientras corremos llevando la luz en la antorcha, la vibración de los tambores nos permita despertar a los líderes que llevamos en nuestra esencia. Nuestros ancestros, los pueblos originarios de nuestra tierra, conocieron en vivo a nuestra Morenita cuando bajaba a escucharlos, animarlos, sanarlos y motivarlos para llevar su mensaje. Por eso dejó su imagen, para llevarla como una bandera para avanzar, abrir caminos, luchar, unir, establecer comunidades donde se promueva el amor, la justicia, la protección, auxilio y defensa para los oprimidos en la sociedad”.

FOTO ARCHIVO

CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

CÉSAR HURTADO

CATHOLIC

SERGIO

LÓPEZ | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

En una celebración “bonita, sencilla y ordenada”, como la calificó María Segura, coordinadora de formación en la fe de la parroquia Nuestra Señora del Rosario, el Obispo Michael Martin, acompañado del párroco, P. Sabastián Umouyo, MSP., bautizaron a 24 jóvenes, algunos de ellos provenientes del programa OICA, antes llamado RICA.

El Obispo Martin confirmó a 24 fieles en Lexington

SERGIO LÓPEZ selopez@rcdoc.org

LEXINGTON — La parroquia Nuestra Señora del Rosario en Lexington estuvo de fiesta el martes 23 de julio. Veinticuatro candidatos recibieron el sacramento de confirmación, algunos de ellos provenientes de OICA (antes RICA).

Ofició la Misa el Obispo Michael Martin, OFM Conv., con la asistencia del párroco, Rev. Sabastián Umouyo, MSP. Fue una celebración muy emotiva con un mensaje del obispo muy personalizada hacia los jóvenes. “¿Tienen talentos?”, les preguntó. “Úsenlos, lleguen a los lugares donde yo no puedo llegar.

Así que la próxima vez que regrese quiero verlos aquí”, dijo a la concurrencia, mientras padres, padrinos y confirmados afirmaban, entre sonrisas y alegría, lo que su obispo les sugería.

Antes de iniciar la Misa, el Obispo Martin se reunió con los candidatos para

tener una pequeña conversación con ellos. Después de saludarles, se reunieron todos para aprovechar la luz del día y tomarse una foto fuera de la iglesia, ya que el buen tiempo lo había permitido en una tarde de lluvias.

“Fue una celebración muy bonita, sencilla y ordenada”, comentó María Segura, coordinadora de Formación de Fe en la parroquia. Le asistió la Señora Orla Kelly-Rajan, maestra de los nuevos confirmados, así como Donaciano Corona, catequista de OICA.

Al término de la Misa se realizó una pequeña recepción para los confirmados, sus padres y padrinos, que recibieron un agasajo preparado muy amablemente por algunos parroquianos.

El Padre Sabastián concluyó con un agradecimiento a todos los que pusieron de su esfuerzo durante la celebración: ujieres, servidores del altar, coro, catequistas y a los Caballeros de Colón que visitaban la parroquia esa noche.

Lecturas Diarias

AGOSTO 11-17

Domingo: 1 Reyes 19:4-8, Efesios 4:30-5:2, Juan 6:41-51; Lunes (Memoria de Santa Juana Francisca de Chantal, religiosa): Ezequiel 1:2-5, 24-28, Mateo 17:22-27; Martes (Memoria de San Ponciano, Papa, y San Hipólito, presbítero, mártires): Ezequiel 2:8-3, 4, Mateo 18:1-5, 10, 12:14; Miércoles (Memoria de San Maximiliano María Kolbe, presbítero y mártir): Ezequiel 9:1-7, 10:18-22, Mateo 18:15-20; Jueves (Solemnidad de Asunción de la Santísima Virgen María): Apocalipsis 11:19, 12:1-6, 10, 1 Colosenses 15:20-27, Lucas 1:39-56; Viernes: Ezequiel 16:1-15, 60, 63, Mateo 19:3-12; Sábado: Ezequiel 18:1-10, 13, 30-32, Mateo 19:13-15

AGOSTO 18-24

Domingo: Proverbios 9:1-6, Efesios 5:1520, Juan 6:51-58; Lunes (Memoria de San Juan Eudes, presbítero): Ezequiel 24:15-24, Mateo 19:16-22; Martes (Memoria de San

Bernardo, abad y doctor de la Iglesia): Ezequiel 28:1-10, Mateo 19:23-30; Miércoles (Memoria de San Pío X, papa): Ezequiel 34:1-11, Mateo 20:1-16; Jueves (Memoria de Nuestra Señora María Reina): Ezequiel 36:23-28, Mateo 22:1-14; Viernes: Ezequiel 37:1-14, Mateo 22:34-40; Sábado (Fiesta de San Bartolomé, Apóstol): Apocalipsis 21:9-14, Juan 1:45-51

AGOSTO 25-31

Domingo: Josué 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b, Efesios 5:21-32, Juan 6:55, 60-69; Lunes: 2 Tesalonicenses 1:1-5, 11-12 , Mateo 23:1322; Martes (Memoria de Santa Mónica): 2 Tesalonicenses 2:1-3. 14-17, Mateo 23:23-26; Miércoles (Memoria de San Agustín, obispo y doctor de la Iglesia): 2 Tesalonicenses 3:610, 16-18, Mateo 23:27-32; Jueves (Memoria del Martirio de San Juan Bautista): 1 Corintios 1:1-9, Marcos 6:17-29; Viernes: 1 Corintios 1:17-25, Mateo 25:1-13; Sábado: 1 Corintios 1:26-31, Mateo 25:14-30

Our nation

Brief For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

New Knoxville bishop: Ordination

‘a day of great beginnings’

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Bishop Mark Beckman was ordained July 26 as the fourth shepherd for the Diocese of Knoxville. Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre of Louisville, Kentucky, the province that includes the Knoxville diocese, was the principal consecrator at the ordination, held at the Knoxville Convention Center. Co-consecrators were Bishop J. Mark Spalding of the Diocese of Nashville and Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri. Bishop Beckman, 61, is a native of

Nashville and a priest in the Middle Tennessee diocese since his ordination in 1990. He was elevated to bishop in a Mass that included 4,000 people at the convention center.

Retired

FBI agent, survivor,

social workers appointed to bishops’ National Review Board

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A retired FBI agent will lead the U.S. bishops’ National Review Board, while a clergy abuse survivor, a nursing professor and two clinical social workers are also among the board’s Aug. 1 appointments.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, appointed James Bogner as the new chair of the consultative safe environment body. A former high-level FBI special agent with more than 35 years of law enforcement experience, Bogner succeeds outgoing chair Suzanne Healy, who recently completed her four-year term.

Three new members were also appointed to the board: Paulette Adams, a tenured professor emeritus at the University of Louisville School of Nursing; independent business owner Scott Surette, a survivor of clerical abuse; and retired clinical social worker Barbara Thorp of the Archdiocese of Boston. Reappointed for a second term was Vivian M. Akel, a retired licensed clinical social worker who serves as safe environment coordinator for the Maronite Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn.

The 15-member, lay-led board is a key part of the U.S. bishops’ 2002 “Charter for the

Donate Your Vehicle

Turn your unused car, truck, boat, RV, or motorcycle into a force for good. Donate it to Catholic Charities and help fund programs for those in need. And receive a tax benefit!

All vehicle makes and models are accepted.

855-930-GIVE OR CCDOC.ORG/CARS

which lays out comprehensive procedures for addressing abuse allegations and includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability and prevention of abuse.

Senate fails to advance bipartisan tax bill with povertyfighting child tax credit

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate on Aug. 1 failed to advance a bill that would have expanded the child tax credit, a provision some Catholic organizations have long sought as a pro-family and anti-poverty effort.

The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act was approved by the House in January in a 357-70 vote. But the bipartisan bill failed in a 48-44 vote to clear a procedural vote necessary to proceed. The legislation would have made more families eligible for the child tax credit.

Reports from the U.S. Census Bureau, academic institutions and other nonprofit research organizations found a significant decrease in child poverty as a result of a COVID-19 pandemic-era expansion of the tax credit that has since expired.

New Ohio law requires schools to ‘reasonably’ accommodate students’ religious beliefs

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine July 24 signed into law the Religious Expression Days Act, requiring public schools to adopt a policy that reasonably accommodates students’ sincerely held religious beliefs and

practices. The new law also allows K-12 students to be absent for up to three school days for religious expression per school year, so that they may celebrate major religious holidays that are not already school holidays, without those days counting against their attendance record.

U.S. sisters call

on

Big Tech to help end human trafficking

CHICAGO — An anti-trafficking group founded by U.S. Catholic religious sisters is calling on leaders of Big Tech firms to counter human rights abuses that allow human trafficking to fester. The Alliance to End Human Trafficking issued an open letter July 30 to Tim Cook, CEO of Apple; entrepreneur Elon Musk, owner of the X (formerly Twitter) platform; Google CEO Sundar Pichai; Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Meta, which among other platforms owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp; and other leaders in the technology sector.

The letter was released on the 10th annual World Day against Trafficking in Persons, established by the United Nations to highlight exploitation estimated to impact some 50 million victims, 27.6 million through forced labor, and another 22 million through forced marriage. One in three trafficking victims is a child, with girls particularly at risk.

The alliance urged tech leaders to take several steps, including ensuring exploitationfree supply chain practices, offering fair wages and safeguarding fair labor practices, and exploring alternatives to high-risk mining of materials used in electronic devices.

70 ½ years or older?

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

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

of the Diocese of Charlotte

New Knoxville Bishop Mark Beckman with Charlotte Bishop Michael Martin (left)

Pope: Jesus’ Presence in Eucharist helps faithful be truly present for others

VATICAN CITY — Thanks to Jesus’ promise to be with His disciples always, the faithful can be fully present for others, especially those in need, Pope Francis recently told thousands of altar servers from around the world.

“Thanks to Jesus, always and only thanks to Him – you also can say to your neighbor, ‘I am with you,’ not in words, but in deeds, with gestures, with your heart, with concrete closeness,” the pope told the young people July 30. The faithful can show their closeness concretely, he said, “by weeping with those who weep, rejoicing with those who rejoice, without judgment or prejudice, without selfishness and excluding no one.”

This closeness is to be extended “even with those we might not like; with those different from me; with foreigners; with those whom we feel do not understand us; with those who never come to church; with those who say they do not believe in God,” he said.

The pope presided over an evening meeting of prayer, song and sharing experiences with nearly 50,000 altar servers from 20 countries making

an international pilgrimage to Rome. The last such international pilgrimage was in Rome in 2018.

Vatican says it was ‘saddened’ by Olympics’ opening ceremony

VATICAN CITY — A week after the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games, the Vatican joined people who complained that a segment of the show featuring drag performers offended Christians. “The Holy See was saddened by certain scenes in the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Paris and can only join the voices that have been raised in recent days to deplore the offense caused to many Christians and believers of other religions,” said the Aug. 3 statement published by the Vatican press office.

The Vatican statement did not specifically identify the July 26 performance, which featured drag performers, including one wearing a crown, seated at a table in a scene that reminded many people of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting of the Last Supper. Event organizers denied the allusion, stating that the performance was a nod to the Olympics’ Greek origin – featuring Dionysius, the Greek god of festivities and wine and the father of Sequana, the goddess of the Seine River.

Vatican:

Diocesan Holy Doors will not be a feature of Jubilee 2025

VATICAN CITY — While bishops around the world are asked to designate their cathedrals or other significant churches as special places of pilgrimage and prayer for the Holy Year 2025,

Our world

the Vatican is not asking them to dedicate and open a “Holy Door” at those churches. The Dicastery for Evangelization, which is coordinating the celebration of the Jubilee, issued a note Aug. 1 praising “the pastoral and devotional motivations” of bishops who wanted to designate a local Holy Door but saying the only Holy Doors will be at the basilicas of St. Peter at the Vatican, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome and, perhaps, at a prison.

In “Spes Non Confundit” (“Hope Does Not Disappoint”), the papal bull officially proclaiming the Holy Year for 2025, Pope Francis wrote that “in order to offer prisoners a concrete sign of closeness, I would myself like to open a Holy Door in a prison, as a sign inviting prisoners to look to the future with hope and a renewed sense of confidence.”

Pope: Political leaders should be at service of people, not power

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has called on political leaders to be at the service of the poor, the unemployed and the common good. The world cannot promote “universal fraternity” without good politics, the pope said in a video message released July 30 by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. The network posts a short video of the pope offering his specific prayer intention each month. For the month of August, the pope dedicated his prayer intention to political leaders.

“Today, politics doesn’t have a very good reputation: corruption, scandals, distant from people’s day-to-day lives,” Pope Francis said. Good politics, as St. Paul VI defined it, is “one of the highest forms of charity because it seeks

the common good,” Pope Francis said. “Let’s be grateful for the many politicians who carry out their duties with a will to serve, not of power, who put all their efforts toward the common good. ”

300

religious leaders call on State Department to address religious persecution in India

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bishop Joy Alappatt of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Chicago is among more than 300 signatories of an open letter to the U.S. State Department, asking Secretary Antony Blinken to designate India as a “country of particular concern,” or CPC, due to significant violations of religious freedoms against Christians, Muslims, Dalits and Indigenous peoples. Such designations are made under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act, which requires the president to review the status of religious freedom in each of the world’s nations, and to flag those whose governments engage in or tolerate particularly severe violations of religious freedom. News of the open letter was announced Aug. 1 in a press release issued by the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations.

Based in Washington, the nonprofit FIACONA advocates on behalf of some 1 million Indian American Christians across the U.S. and Canada, while working to reduce violence against Christians in India.

FIACONA and other human rights groups have tracked an alarming rise in violence against India’s religious minorities, with attacks stoked by radical elements embracing Hindu nationalism. — Catholic News Service and OSV News

Abundant amenities and a unique way of life

e Pennybyrn lifestyle is packed with amenities. Living here, you’ll swim laps in a stunning, indoor heated saltwater pool, stay t in a well-equipped facility and power walk, bike or stroll along scenic walking trails. Even membership at Jamestown Park Golf Course is included!

ere’s also the Pennybyrn di erence… and this is what truly sets us apart. You’ll nd a lovely Peace Chapel, a not-for-pro t mission to serve all faiths,

a smaller population for personalized service and inclusiveness that means your voice will always be heard.

A thoughtfully designed home

Your private residence at Pennybyrn—chosen from among a variety of oor plans and prices— will feature a bright, open design with plenty of natural light, a well equipped, modern kitchen, washer and dryer, high ceilings and a private porch, balcony or patio.

Most cottages include an attached garage or carport, and many o er a cozy replace. Inspiring lifestyle choices

In a friendly neighborhood, and among sociable friends, you’ll explore a wealth of programs that are planned and shaped by fellow residents. Quiet times will nd you gathering in beautiful outdoor areas and inviting indoor spaces— including world-class dining choices and a true Irish Pub.

A secure future

Our purpose at Pennybyrn is to make sure that your vibrant lifestyle is enjoyed with the lifelong support, assurance and bene ts of a Life Plan Community.

ViewPoints

The benefits of Catholic higher education go beyond financial

What are the benefits students receive through Catholic higher education compared to secular education? This is the question Jason King, the Beirne Chair and director of the Center for Catholic Studies at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, explored in a recent study. He recently spoke with OSV News’ Charles Camosy about the non-financial benefits they found that Catholic higher education had on students.

CHARLES CAMOSY: How did you come to do a study like this? Who were your partners?

JASON KING: I have been thinking about Catholic higher education for a while. I have worked for over 20 years in Catholic colleges and universities, mostly teaching core classes to students with all sorts of majors. It’s been fantastic, watching students think through ideas and their future, reflecting on the Catholic intellectual tradition.

This joy, though, is mixed with worry these days. When I look at higher education, one concern that has been weighing on me is the reduction of college to a simple cost-benefit analysis. Just see the numerous studies on the economic value of a college degree from the Bureau of Labor Statistics or the New York Times’ podcast episode “Is College Worth It?” based on Paul Tough’s “Americans Are Losing Faith in the Value of College.”

This monetary focus is not just a truncated view of education. It causes schools to rework their curriculums accordingly and, in effect, forms students into worker drones. Catholic colleges and universities hold that, while jobs are important, life is more than a job.

I thought that Catholic higher education might be different and, if it was, it might be useful for a broader conversation on the value of higher education. First though, I had to get the data. This was where the

‘Catholic colleges and universities hold that, while jobs are important, life is more than a job.’

Jason King

study came from. It was done with YouGov. I wanted to ensure the validity of the survey and results.

It was also done with the support of St. Mary’s University and the Center for Catholic Studies. The university had done lots of work to establish and fund the center. It enabled me to do the study.

FOSTERING A MEANINGFUL LIFE

CAMOSY: What were some of the key results of the study? Did you expect them? Were they surprising?

KING: When the results came back, we were thrilled. They were positive across the board (something that was not guaranteed). Moreover, the findings pointed to a pretty good vision for higher education: fostering a meaningful life rooted in community and ethical behavior. The key results are:

On a meaningful life –

n Catholic graduates are 10% more likely to report that their life is close to ideal.

n Catholic graduates are 9% more likely to have a clear sense of direction in life.

On community life –

n Catholic graduates are 15% more likely to feel fulfilled in their social life.

n Catholic graduates are 13% more likely to feel fulfilled in their community involvement.

n Catholic graduates are 9% more likely to be civically engaged.

Protecting God’s Children

We proclaim Christ to the world around us by our efforts to provide a safe environment for all people, especially the young and the vulnerable.

The Catholic Church is absolutely committed to the safety of children. Together we can make a Promise to Protect and a Pledge to Heal.

Suspect sexual abuse or misconduct?

If you have information about possible sexual abuse or misconduct by any clergy, employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Charlotte, report concerns safely, securely and anonymously 24/7 over the phone using the diocese’s new hotline, 1-888-630-5929, or online: www.RedFlagReporting.com/RCDOC

Please note: If you suspect a child is in danger, please contact 9-1-1 or your local law enforcement agency.

Safe Environment training

Every Church worker must go through abuse prevention and education training. Find more information about the Diocese of Charlotte’s Safe Environment program, sign up for Protecting God’s Children training and more: Go to www.charlottediocese.org and click on “Safe Environment”

For more information or questions, please contact the diocese’s Safe Environment Office: www.safeenvironment@rcdoc.org or 704-370-3222

On a moral life –

n Catholic graduates are 19% more likely to say that the various aspects of morality surveyed are extremely important in decision making.

Two interesting aspects that also link these outcomes to Catholic schools are:

n Catholic graduates are 9% more likely to say that their university, its curriculum and its community has had a major influence on the overall alignment of goals and values in their life.

n These findings are observed across demographics, ideologies, political affiliation, and location.

These are the highlights.

LESSONS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

CAMOSY: This study comes at a key moment for thinking and debating about Catholic higher education in the United States. Are there any lessons suggested by the results for us?

KING: There are two lessons that immediately jump out to me.

First, backing off on Catholic identity seems mistaken. There are lots of challenges in Catholic higher education right now. I know weakening or abandoning Catholic identity, like cutting theology and philosophy departments and weakening the liberal arts core curriculum, has been tried by a few places in hopes of addressing their problems. The results of my study suggest this is wrongheaded. It would eliminate the value of a Catholic education, weaken its distinctiveness and more likely jeopardize the school than save it.

Second, more broadly, the results suggest values for all of higher education. Catholic colleges and universities foster a meaningful life, one that is ethical and engaged in the community. These three values – meaning, ethics and community – are not bad values for all of higher education. Wouldn’t we want more people who have a sense that their life is meaningful, believe that community engagement is important and make decisions based on ethical principles? Catholic colleges and universities could point the way for other schools trying to foster these outcomes.

CAMOSY: Obviously Catholic institutions of higher education serve many non-Catholic students. Has there been interest in your study outside of Catholic circles?

KING: The outcomes noted in the study hold for graduates of Catholic colleges and universities, including graduates who are not Catholic. It looks like the schools help everyone, and all of these graduates then help others. That seems positive not just for Catholic higher education but for all of society.

Right now, the interest has been from Catholic media. I am hoping it will make its way beyond these circles and push the public conversation on the value of higher education beyond cost-benefit outcomes. I don’t know if it will get a hearing. Positive news about Catholic institutions is often overlooked. But I think this work is so important. It points to the value of life being more than economic productivity. Education can open people up to life’s broader purposes and values, and Catholic education, rooted in the Gospel’s demand that we love others as God loves us, can be a model for how to do this.

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

Rev. Henry J. Becker – 1992

Rev. William M. Evans – 2012

Rev. Frank R. Gardner – 1991

Rev. Nicholas F. Gibilisco, OSB – 1994

Rev. Martin W. Hayes, OSB – 1992

Rev. Msgr. Felix R. Kelaher – 1998

Rev. Richard T. McCue – 2013

Rev. John F. Parsons – 1993

Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus www.kofcnc.org

CHARLES CAMOSY is professor of

medical humanities at the Creighton School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska, and moral theology fellow at St. Joseph Seminary in New York.

Camosy King

Kathryn Evans Heim

Sibling differences in Narnia mirror those in our families

Inever tire of revisiting certain authors and books, especially C.S. Lewis and his Chronicles of Narnia. In fact, the older I get, the more I find to love in these books. It makes me appreciate the dedication that Lewis wrote for the first book, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” in which he tells his goddaughter that “someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.”

During my latest reading, I was struck in a new way by the characters of Lucy and Edmund Pevensie. Though close in age and coming from the same family, Lucy and Edmund have very different experiences and reactions to the enchanted world of Narnia, and this seems very analogous to so many real-life families when it comes to faith.

In “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” Lucy Pevensie finds her way into an incredible land through a magic wardrobe. Soon, all four of the Pevensie children have found their way into

SAME UPBRINGING, DIVERGENT PATHS

‘If we have loved ones whose faith has lapsed, we must continue to pray for them and be willing to welcome them back with open arms.’

Narnia, where they encounter all kinds of fantastical creatures, including the evil White Witch and the good lion, Aslan. But not all of the children react in the same way. Edmund is the second of the children to find his way through the wardrobe. While Lucy’s first meeting is with a kind, well-meaning faun, Edmund’s encounter is with the White Witch herself. She speaks endearingly to him, giving him treats and enchanted candy, promising to make him a prince and one day a king. She sets herself in Edmund’s eyes as the rightful ruler of Narnia, and one who has given him special favor.

Edmund’s initiation to Narnia is one of deception and sweet lies, which his heart tells him are false but which he still gobbles down.

Later, once all the siblings have entered Narnia, this poison in Edmund’s heart is revealed to the reader when the children first hear the name of Aslan, the great Lion who represents Jesus Christ in Lewis’ mythology. Upon first hearing this name, Peter, Susan and Lucy all respond with reactions of inexpressible delight. Edmund, on the other hand, “felt a sensation of mysterious horror.” This corruption of Edmund’s character culminates in his betrayal of his siblings to the White Witch; though ultimately, he does repent and is redeemed though the mercy and sacrifice of Aslan.

It would be easy to dismiss these reactions among the children as a literary device, but how many of us know families, perhaps even our own, where a sibling or two (or more) have left the faith, despite all having received the same upbringing? They’ve received the same education, witnessed the same examples, and yet at some point their paths diverge. It’s made clear that Edmund is not a bad type by nature, but neither his siblings nor the readers are given his full story. The other children at first know nothing about his meeting with the Witch, the lies she told him and the promises she made, and so they couldn’t understand how his perception of Narnia and of Aslan had already been tainted. Toward the end of the book, readers are given just a tidbit more about how Edmund had started behaving poorly after beginning to attend a new school. What happened to him at this new school? What was he exposed to? What lies were fed to him there? In real life, even more than in fiction, every person’s history is unique, and we can never know the entirety of anyone’s story. Perhaps your own sibling or child has stopped attending church and you don’t understand why. Perhaps you have tried to talk to them about Christ and share your love of the faith with them, but it only seems to drive them further away. In his book “Life of Christ,” Fulton Sheen discusses how Jesus even in His own time could create such disparities: “He would act on one soul in one way, and another in another way, as the sun shines on wax and softens it, and it shines on mud and hardens it. There is no difference in the sun, only in the objects on which it shines.”

WHY DO SOME HARDEN, OTHERS MELT?

We can never know the lies that someone has been told or the impressions they’ve been given; lies that have settled in their hearts and caused them to harden rather than melt when exposed to Christ’s light. Edmund began to change with something that must have happened at his new school, something the rest of his siblings were not exposed to and were never told about, and perhaps this is what made him vulnerable to the deceptions and bribery of the Witch that caused his heart to recoil at the name of Aslan. But just as Edmund was redeemed and forgiven by Aslan, we also live with the reality of Christ’s mercy and forgiveness. If we have loved ones whose faith has lapsed, we must continue to pray for them and be willing to welcome them back with open arms – the way that Lucy, Peter and Susan welcomed Edmund back without hesitation.

KATHRYN EVANS HEIM is an author and wife living outside Salisbury, where she gardens, raises chickens, experiments with cooking and reads too many books. Find her work at www.evanswriting.com.

Most-read stories on the web

‘At the National Eucharistic Congress, one could see that the Church is alive. The Church is one, the Church is together.’

Father Kevin Gregus of the Archdiocese of Chicago

From online story: “Priests say ‘edifying’ Eucharistic congress has called the Church ‘to something more’”

The Catholic News Herald reached the Facebook and Instagram feeds of more than 575,000 people in English and Spanish last month. The most talked about post? Coverage of Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio’s passing. Join the conversation: www. facebook.com/CatholicNewsHerald.

On YouTube over the past month, videos produced by the Catholic News Herald have been viewed more than 22,000 times. The most popular video? Charlotte bishop preaches about Trump shooting

The Diocese of Charlotte has a new Instagram channel. Follow the page at @ CharlotteDiocese.

During the past 30 days, 64,000 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of 92,000 pages. Top trending headlines include:

n Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio passes away, leaving ‘living legacy’

n Bishop Martin joins calls for revival, unity in the Eucharist

n ‘Let us take this moment to reflect on how we must act in our own lives’

Letters policy

n Holy Spirit Parish breaks ground for new, larger church in Denver

Join the conversation online

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.

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.

The Catholic News Herald does not publish poetry, form letters or petitions. Items submitted to The Catholic News Herald become the property of the newspaper and are subject to reuse, in whole or in part, in print, electronic formats and archives.

E-mail: catholicnews@rcdoc.org

Mail: Letters to the Editor Catholic News Herald 1123 S. Church St. Charlotte, N.C. 28203

Eucharistic Congress &

Adult Adult

Friday, Aug. 30

Doors open 4:30 p.m. | Concert 5:15 p.m.

Scan QR code for times and other details

2 0 2 4

Meet & Greet with Bishop Michael Martin

Kickoff Concert: Sarah Kroger Band

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

Meet former soccer pro Fr. Chase Hilgenbrinck, Adoration Ultra runner Jimmy Coleman, and much more!