March 25, 2011

March 25, 2011

catholicnewsherald.com charlottediocese.org S E RV I N G C H R I ST A N D C O N N EC T I N G C AT H O L I C S I N W E ST E R N N O R T H C A R O L I N A

‘Ex Corde Ecclesiae’ The 1990 papal document was written to guide Catholic universities. Is John Paul’s vision being fulfilled? Inside, Belmont Abbey College leaders share their thoughts,

19-20

‘With my whole heart’

The beer-brewing BROTHER You can’t tell him, ‘Beer me, bro,’ but a Belmont Abbey monk continues an ancient monastic tradition,

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FUNDED by the parishioners of the diocese of charlotte THANK YOU!

Sister Mary Gabriella of the Annunciation (CENTER) took her first vows as a Poor Clare of Perpetual Adoration March 19, the feast of St. Joseph, 3 ALSO INSIDE: The feast days of St. Joseph and St. Patrick were filled with events, 5, 7 and 9

Calendar 4 Diocese 3-9

FAITH 2

mix 12

nation & World 16-17 Schools 14

Viewpoints 18-20

Call us: 704-370-3333 E-mail us: catholicnews@charlottediocese.org

Our faith

charlottediocese.org/catholicnews | March 25, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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Pope Benedict XVI

Transfiguration shows Jesus’ divine glory

T

he Transfiguration reveals Christ’s divinity and shows that He alone is the true home of the Christian, Pope Benedict XVI told thousands of the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Sunday Angelus March 20.

Speaking from his apartment balcony, the pope discussed the passage from Matthew 17 in which Jesus leads Peter, James and John up a high mountain where Jesus was transfigured before them. “His face shone like the sun and His garments became white as light,” the Gospel said.

“According to the senses, the light of the sun is the most intense ever known in nature,” the pontiff noted. “But according to the Spirit, the disciples saw for a short time a brightness more intense: that of the divine glory of Jesus, which illuminates the whole history of salvation.”

Citing the first volume of his work “Jesus of Nazareth,” the pope said the Transfiguration reveals that in His oneness with the Father, Jesus is Himself ‘light from light.’”

St. Maximus the Confessor saw the change in Jesus’ clothes as symbolic of the words of Scripture which become clear, transparent and bright, the pope added.

Moses and Elijah, representing the law and the prophets, also appeared at the Transfiguration. This prompted Peter to suggest that the disciples set up three tents for them and Jesus.

But Moses and Elijah vanished. St. Augustine once commented that this shows that the Christian has only one home: Christ. “He is the Word of God, the Word of God in the Law, the Word of God in the Prophets,” St. Augustine wrote.

“Dear friends, we too share this vision and this supernatural gift,” he continued, urging Catholics to make space for prayer and contemplation.

— Catholic News Agency

The facts of faith

“The Annunciation” by He Qi, a modern Chinese Christian artist who is renowned for his efforts to change the “foreign image” of Christianity in China by blending together Chinese folk customs and traditional Chinese painting techniques to recreate Christian art. During the Cultural Revolution, He Qi (pronounced “ho-chee”) painted images of Mao Zedong. One day he saw Raphael’s “Madonna and Child” in an old magazine. “I was very moved by the softness of the Virgin’s smile. Everywhere around me people claimed to be seeking truth but had their knives out.” He converted to Christianity, and now he paints his own images of the Biblical story and continues to live in China. Artwork and posters featuring the Resurrection are now available on his gallery’s Web site, heqigallery.com.

What’s the difference?

The virgin birth of Christ and the Immaculate Conception are sometimes confused as meaning the same thing, but that is incorrect. The dogma of the virgin birth states that Mary was a virgin before, during and after the conception and birth of Christ. The Immaculate Conception, however, concerns Mary’s conception without original sin. The Nicene Creed states Christ “came down from Heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.”

Mary co-operated in the formation of Christ’s body as every mother co-operates in the formation of her child. This took place by the influence of the Holy Spirit. The Immaculate Conception refers to the belief that Mary was conceived free from original sin.

In 1854, Pope Pius IX’s solemn declaration, “Ineffabilis Deus,” clarified this dogma.

— Christopher Lux Source: newadvent.org

reprinted courtesy of heqigallery.com

The Annunciation Feast day: March 25 The Solemnity of the Annunciation celebrates the coming of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary to announce to her the special mission God had chosen for her in being the mother of His only Son. The feast of the Annunciation began to be celebrated on this day during the fourth and fifth centuries, soon after the date for celebrating Christmas was universalized throughout the Church. This feast celebrates the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Trinity and the salvation of all mankind.

From all eternity God had decided that the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity should become human. Now, as Luke 1:26-38 tells us, the decision is being realized. The God-Man embraces all humanity, indeed all creation, to bring it to God in one great act of love. Because human beings had rejected

God, Jesus will accept a life of suffering and an agonizing death: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).

From all eternity God destined Mary to be the mother of Jesus and to be closely related to Him in the creation and redemption of the world. We could say that God’s decrees of creation and redemption are joined in the decree of Incarnation. Because Mary is God’s instrument in the Incarnation, she has a Godgiven role to play with Jesus in creation and redemption. It is God’s grace from beginning to end. Mary becomes the eminent figure she is only by God’s grace. She is the empty space where God could act. Everything she is she owes to the Trinity.

She is the virgin-mother who fulfills Isaiah 7:14 in a way that Isaiah could not

have imagined. She is united with her Son in carrying out the will of God (Psalm 40:8-9; Hebrews 10:7-9; Luke 1:38).

Together with Jesus, the privileged and graced Mary is the link between heaven and earth. She is the human being who best, after Jesus, exemplifies the possibilities of human existence. She received into her lowliness the infinite love of God. She shows how an ordinary human being can reflect God in the ordinary circumstances of life.

She exemplifies what the Church and every member of the Church is meant to become.

She is the ultimate product of the creative and redemptive power of God. She manifests what the Incarnation is meant to accomplish for all of us.

— Catholic News Agency, americancatholic.org

Your daily Scripture readings SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 27 - APRIL 2

Sunday, Exodus 17:3-7, Romans 5:1-2, 5-8, John 4:5-42; Monday, 2 Kings 5:1-15, Luke 4:24-30; Tuesday, Daniel 3:25, 34-43, Matthew 18:21-35; Wednesday, Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9, Matthew 5:17-19; Thursday, Jeremiah 7:23-28, Luke 11:14-23; Friday, Hosea 14:2-10, Mark 12:28-34; Saturday (St. Francis of Paola), Hosea 6:1-6, Luke 18:9-14

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 3 - APRIL 9

Sunday, 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41; Monday (St. Isidore), Isaiah 65:17-21, John 4:43-54; Tuesday (St. Vincent Ferrer), Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12, John 5:1-16; Wednesday, Isaiah 49:8-15, John 5:17-30; Thursday (St. John Baptist de la Salle), Exodus 32:7-14, John 5:31-47; Friday, Wisdom 2:1, 12-22, John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30; Saturday, Jeremiah 11:18-20, John 7:40-53

Our parishes

March 25, 2011 | charlottediocese.org/catholicnews

In Brief

Solemn vespers for Lent CHARLOTTE — St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte invites everyone to solemn vespers during the season of Lent, featuring a series of talks about the Seven Sorrows of Mary. The remaining talks, beginning at 6 p.m., are: n March 27: Bishop Peter J. Jugis – Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple n April 3: Father John Putnam – Meeting of Jesus and Mary on Via Crucis n April 10: Father Roger K. Arnsparger – Crucifixion n April 17: Father Christopher Roux – Taking Down and Burial of Jesus

Rite of election held at St. Mark Church HUNTERSVILLE — The rite of election was held at St. Mark Church in Huntersville March 19 for 422 catechumens and candidates from 20 parishes in the Diocese of Charlotte who are in the process of joining the Catholic Church. More than 1,050 people attended the ceremony, celebrated by Bishop Peter J. Jugis. In this rite, those preparing to enter the Church take the first of their final intense preparations to receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil.

— Dr. Cris Villapando

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Deluxe book set to endow Poor Clare monastery

Castañeda hired to new Hispanic media position CHARLOTTE — Carlos Castañeda, a native of Lima, Peru, and parishioner of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, has joined the diocesan communications office as Hispanic communications specialist – a new position designed to lead the diocesan communications office and the Catholic News Herald in developing news media about and for the growing Hispanic community in western North Carolina.

Castañeda will be responsible for creating new print and multimedia news coverage in Spanish, Castañeda as well as news in English for the Catholic News Herald about the Hispanic community.

His 20-year career in communications brings extensive knowledge and expertise to help in promoting and assisting all the media needs for the Hispanic community. He also served as Hispanic Ministry coordinator at St. Gabriel Church from 2007 to 2008.

“This is a blessing and a challenge to me, serving not only as a Hispanic to communicate with my brothers and sisters in my language, but also to be able to serve as a bridge in creating awareness about the richness of the Hispanic culture to the English-speaking community,” Castañeda said.

catholic news heraldI

sueann howell | catholic news herald

Sister Mary Gabriella of the Annunciation is pictured with her parents, Jimmy and Marie Kelly, and her siblings after her first profession of vows at Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury March 19. For more photos from the first profession, go to charlottediocese. org/catholicnews.

‘I give myself with my whole heart’ Sister Mary Gabriella takes first vows at Sacred Heart Church SueAnn Howell Staff writer

SALISBURY—With a smile as bright as the sun beaming through the stained glass windows at Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury, Sister Mary Gabriella of the Annunciation, P.C.P.A., made her first profession of vows March 19.

The first profession takes place after a woman has spent three years in the religious community, first as a postulant for one year, and then as a novice for two years, adhering to the rule of the community. During the ceremony, Sister Mary Gabriella vowed “to live for one year in obedience, in poverty and in chastity, observing papal enclosure, according to our Constitutions based on the Rule of St. Clare and approved by the Holy See. And I dedicate myself to Perpetual Adoration of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament on behalf of Holy Church.”

Mother Dolores Marie, abbess of the St. Joseph Monastery, received Sister Mary Gabriella’s vows and assisted her during the ceremony as she exchanged her novice’s white veil for a black veil.

Sister Mary Gabriella also received the signature monstrance pendant that is the hallmark of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration’s habit, and her profession crucifix as a reminder that she is a spouse of the crucified Christ.

“It is a great privilege for me to receive the

vows of each sister, and it is remarkable to me that we have been blessed with three ceremonies just since this past October,” said Mother Dolores Marie. “With each of these celebrations there are special graces that Our Lord grants, not only to the one making her vows and to the community, but to all those who participate by being present at the Mass.

This time, in particular, we as a community noticed the joy of the priests who were present and how it seemed to rejuvenate Sister Mary their priesthood. This in turn Gabriella brings new joy to our life of prayer, knowing that we are supporting them by our hidden life of sacrifice.”

Sister Mary Gabriella is a native of County Mayo, Ireland. She is the third oldest of seven children. She joined the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in 2008 at their former monastery in Ohio after learning about the community while watching EWTN. Her parents and her siblings traveled to Salisbury to witness her making her first profession.

“Words cannot express the joy I have of belonging totally to Christ,” said Sister Mary POOR CLARE, SEE page 15

CHARLOTTE — The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration are partnering with Saint Benedict Press/TAN Books of Charlotte to produce a five-volume series of Catholic classics, with net proceeds going to fund the new St. Joseph Monastery in the Diocese of Charlotte.

The leather-bound, goldembossed set will include “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas à Kempis, “Introduction to the Devout Life” by St. Francis de Sales, “Abandonment to Divine Providence” by Jean-Pierre de Caussade, “Interior Castles” by St. Theresa of Avila, and “Story of a Soul” by St. Thérèse of Lisieux – all personally selected by Mother Dolores Marie and the Sisters of St. Joseph Monastery. These classics will feature original frontispieces and prefaces, commissioned from contemporary Catholic artists and writers, along with historical illustrations and content of particular interest to the Poor Clare community.

“One reason that we like this idea of presenting spiritual classics to people as an incentive to help us build is that it is another means that Our Lord will use to form souls and help them to grow in holiness,” said Mother Dolores Marie. “We called the collection the ‘Cor Amoris’ collection because it is our prayer that it will draw souls closer to the heart of God, that they will fall in love with Him, and that their desire to grow in holiness will blossom.”

Conor Gallagher of St. Benedict Press, a parishioner of St. Ann Church in Charlotte, said his company is happy to be supporting the Poor Clares in building a permanent home and assisting the faithful in strengthening their prayer lives through reading these books.

“It’s extremely beneficial to our diocese, with everything going on, for there to be such a prayerful place before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament,” Gallagher said of the nuns’ new presence in Charlotte and their prayerful presence amidst the fast-growing diocese. “That’s why it’s so important for us as a diocese to support the Poor Clares.”

The set will be released this fall. For details and pre-ordering, go online to tanbooks.com or call 1-800-437-5876.

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charlottediocese.org/catholicnews | March 25, 2011 OUR PARISHES

Diocesan calendar CHARLOTTE DIOCESAN PASTORAL CENTER, 1123 S. CHURCH ST.

Bishop Peter J. Jugis Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following events over the next week: March 25 – 10 a.m.

Diocesan Finance Council Meeting Pastoral Center, Charlotte March 27 – 6 p.m.

Solemn Vespers for Third Sunday of Lent St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

— Natural Family Planning Introduction and Full Course, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 2. RSVP required to Batrice Adcock, MSN, RN at cssnfp@charlottediocese.org or 704-3703230.

ST. GABRIEL CHURCH, 3016 providence road — Letting Go of a Grudge- “The Big Question: A Film About Forgiveness,” with Paulist Father Frank Desiderio, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. April 4. Childcare available for evening sessions with prior reservation. Contact Susan Krasniewski at 704-362-5047 ext. 210. Visit stgabrielchurch.org.

— Letting Go of a Grudge- “The Five Steps of Letting Go,” with Paulist Father Frank Desiderio, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

April 5. Childcare available for evening sessions with prior reservation. Contact Susan Krasniewski at 704362-5047 ext. 210. Visit stgabrielchurch.org.

— Letting Go of a Grudge- “The Healing Result,” with Paulist Father Frank Desiderio,” 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. April 6. Childcare available for evening sessions with prior reservation. Contact Susan Krasniewski at 704-3625047 ext. 210. Visit stgabrielchurch.org.

ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, 8015 Ballantyne Commons pkwy.

— Back to Basics Catholicism 101: The Sacraments, NLC Room 203, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. March 30 — Teaching Children With Autism, presented by Special Religious Development Program (SPRED), NLC Banquet Room, 7-9 p.m. March 31. RSVP to Jan Clemens at 704-246-7102.

— Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 2. Information and registration at cpcharlotte.org.

— End of Life Issues Seminar, NLC Banquet Room, 2-4 p.m.

April 3. Contact Rita at 704-543-7677 ext. 1007 ST. pATRICK CATHEDRAL, 1621 DILWORTH ROAD E. — Solemn Vespers and Reflections on the Seven Sorrows of Mary: The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple, with a reflection by Bishop Peter J. Jugis, 6 p.m. March 27 — Solemn Vespers and Reflections on the Seven Sorrows of Mary: The Meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross, with a reflection by Father John Putnam, 6 p.m. April 3 ST. peter CHURCH, 507 s. tryon st.

— Conferencia sobre Procedimientos de Inmigración, presentado por abogados/as y representantes autorizados de inmigración, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 26 de marzo.

ST. THOMAS aquinas CHURCH, 1400 suther road — Lenten Parish Mission – “Holiness: A Journey Into Love,” with Conventual Franciscan Father Jude Michael Krill, 7 p.m. March 27, 28 and 29 — “I Thirst- The Crucifixion Story,” musical portrayal of our Lord’s Passion performed by musician and songwriter Tatiana Cameron, 7 p.m. April 13. Childcare will be available in the nursery. Visit idobelieve.com.

FORT MILL, S.C. ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH, 292 MUNN ROAD — Lenten Passion Concert, 2 p.m. April 3. Contact Jayne Adams at jayneadams@comporium.net or 803-548-0273.

HUNTERSVILLE ST. MARK CHURCH, 14740 STUMPTOWN ROAD — “Benefits and Necessity of Perpetual Adoration,” presented by Father Joseph De Luca, 7 p.m. March 27

KERNERSVILLE HOLY CROSS CHurch, 616 S. CHERRY ST. — Blood Drive, Salesian Hall, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. March 27.

Appointments recommended. Bring photo ID. Contact Melanie Feeney-Lewis at 336-996-5109 ext. 12 or parishcareholycross@triadbiz.rr.com.

MOORESVILLE st. therese of lisieux CHurch, 217 brawley school road — Parish Mission, with Father Paul McCarren, S.J., 7 p.m.

March 28, 29 and 30

MURPHY ST. WILLIAM CHurch, 765 ANDREWS ROAD — Ecumenical Lenten Worship Service, noon-12:30 Wednesdays. Soup and sandwiches will be served following the service.

SALISBURY sacred heart church, 375 lumen christi lane — Lenten Series: Getting more out of Mass and a look at the New Translation,” Brincefield Hall, 5:45-6:45 p.m.

Tuesdays through April 12

This week’s spotlight: Lenten Reconciliation Services IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, 208 SEVENTH AVE. W., HENDERSONVILLE, 7 p.m. April 4

sacred heart church, 100 BRIAN BERG LANE, BREVARD, 7 p.m. March 29

ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, 108 ST. JOSEPH ST., KANNAPOLIS, 7 p.m. March 29 (English and Spanish)

ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, 8015 BALLANTYNE COMMONS PKWY., CHARLOTTE, 7:30 p.m. March 29

our lady of the assumption church, 4207 SHAMROCK DRIVE, CHARLOTTE, 6-7 p.m. April 7 (Spanish), 6-7 p.m. April 9 (Spanish) and 3:30-5 p.m. April 16 (English)

ST. ANN CHURCH, 3635 PARK ROAD, CHARLOTTE, 4 p.m. April 3

ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, 720 W. 13TH ST., NEWTON, 6:30 p.m.

March 29

st. philip the apostle church, 525 CAMDEN DRIVE, STATESVILLE, 6:30 p.m. March 30

OUR LADY OF THE HIGHWAYS CHURCH, 943 BALL PARK ROAD, THOMASVILLE, 7 p.m. March 28 (English and Spanish)

ST. DOROTHY CHURCH, 148 ST. DOROTHY’S LANE, LINCOLNTON, throughout Lent- 5-5:45 p.m. Wednesdays, 6-6:45 p.m. Thursdays, 4-4:45 p.m. Saturdays and 10:3011:30 a.m. Sundays

ST. LEO THE GREAT CHURCH, 335 SPRINGDALE AVE., WINSTON-SALEM, 7 p.m. March 29

st. therese of LISIEUX CHURCH, 217 BRAWLEY SCHOOL ROAD, MOORESVILLE, 7 p.m. March 29

ST. LUKE CHURCH, 13700 LAWYERS ROAD, CHARLOTTE, 7:30 p.m. April 5

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CHURCH, 619 S. MAIN ST., LEXINGTON, 7 p.m. March 28

st. joan of ARC CHURCH, 768 ASBURY ROAD, CANDLER, 7 p.m. April 7

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, 6828 OLD REID ROAD, CHARLOTTE, 7 p.m. April 6 Note: This is only a partial list – for additional information, contact your parish’s office.

March 25, 2011 Volume 20 • Number 17

1123 S. Church St. Charlotte, N.C. 28203-4003 catholicnews@charlottediocese.org 704-370-3333 PUBLISHER: The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte

EDITOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Denise Onativia 704-370-3333, catholicnews@charlottediocese.org ADVERTISING MANAGER: Cindi Feerick 704-370-3332, ckfeerick@charlottediocese.org STAFF WRITER: SueAnn Howell 704-370-3354, sahowell@charlottediocese.org GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher 704-370-3331, tpfaragher@charlottediocese.org

st. mary, mother of god church, SYLVA, following 9 a.m. Mass Fridays

The Catholic News Herald is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte 35 times a year.

NEWS: The Catholic News Herald welcomes your news and photographs for publication in our print and online PDF editions.

Please e-mail information, attaching photos in JPG format with a recommended resolution of 150 dpi or higher, to catholicnews@ charlottediocese.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.

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OUR PARISHESI

March 25, 2011 | charlottediocese.org/catholicnews

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PROFILE OF LIFE

In Brief

During 40 Days for Life, the Catholic News Herald is featuring people across our diocese involved in the pro-life movement who serve as examples for what we can all do to help protect the rights of the unborn.

‘God gives us the grace to choose life’ Georgianna Penn Correspondent

STA parishioners celebrate feast of St. Joseph CHARLOTTE — St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte celebrated the feast of St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, March 19 with a special liturgy prepared by the ItalianAmerican community and the parish’s liturgy and worship commission. Mass was celebrated

by Father Remo DiSalvatore, OFM Cap., pastor.

Parishioners enjoyed a reception afterwards that featured authentic Italian breads and pastries. A presentation of the history and Sicilian tradition of the St. Joseph altar was also prepared by the community. According to a traditional story, Sicilians prayed to St. Joseph to bring an end to a severe famine and drought. When their prayers were answered, in gratitude they paid homage to St. Joseph and distributed food from their harvest to the less fortunate. Pictured with Father DiSalvatore and Deacon Witulski are members of the ItalianAmerican community: Ann Marie Smith, Elaine Martin and Heather Stadler.

— Annette Morales

Louisville judge addresses tribunal advocates STATESVILLE — Jacqui Rapp, a judge for the Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Louisville, Ky., presented the annual advocate in-service training for staff of the Charlotte Tribunal March 5 at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville. Rapp, who holds a canon law degree from St. Paul University, Ottawa, and a civil law degree from Regents University in Virginia, serves tribunals all over the U.S. in a variety of roles in the annulment process: advocate, defender of the bond, assessor and judge. She is a well-known speaker and author.

The Diocese of Charlotte has at least one volunteer advocate assigned to every parish and mission and 12 student-advocates in training. Advocates meet with people in their own parishes to explain the law and the annulment process, help them prepare their applications for nullity, assemble witnesses and testimony, and make the strongest case possible. They assist clergy and lay leaders to explain the annulment process to parishioners and RCIA candidates or catechumens. An annulment is required for any Catholic who is divorced and wishes to remarry, as well as divorced and remarried non-Catholics who wish to become Catholic or marry a Catholic.

For information, contact Joy M. Barnes, SIM, at 704-370-3343 or jmbarnes@ charlottediocese.org.

— Joy Barnes

GREENSBORO — David and Meg Foppe, who have coordinated the Respect Life Ministry at Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro for nearly five years, have inspired many pro-life endeavors in the Greensboro area.

This ministry is dear to their hearts. Meg has a long history with the pro-life movement herself. Her mother organized the Life Chain in Burlington for many years. Meg also remembers, “We’d always hand out flyers when it was time to vote … and when I arrived at college, I’d often see the Right to Life vendor booth at school events and think, ‘I should really get involved, like my mother.’”

Carried by the Holy Spirit, David’s mother was also a strong influence in his spiritual life. David’s family moved frequently when he was a child and they had to find a new church quite often. At one point David remembers telling his mother he didn’t need church anymore. On that note, his mother quickly rushed him to Mass the very next Sunday.

That Mass was celebrated by the visiting Father Daniel McCaffrey of NFP Outreach in Oklahoma. They talked after Mass, and David remembers Father McCaffrey’s kind words gently nudging him, “But, my son, you need to grow spiritually.”

“Something happened that day,” David said. “The Holy Spirit spoke through Father McCaffrey and changed my life.”

Years later, David heard Father McCaffrey speak about Natural Family Planning and once again Father McCaffrey’s words inspired him and his strong desire to “grow spiritually.”

David and Meg met while attending swing dance lessons in Greensboro, and God has called them to this ministry as a team.

They are happily married and are proud parents of three: Frank, Maggie and Nathanael. Natural Family Planning is a way of life for the couple, and they have shared the Church’s teaching on God’s natural plan for life and love with others for many years.

David and Meg have a passion for spreading the Good News of life for mothers and their unborn children. They have led many pro-life endeavors and are strong supporters of Room at the Inn of the Triad.

They feel there are many ways people can get involved in the pro-life movement. Whether someone prays privately or takes

Georgianna Penn | Catholic News Herald

Meg and David Foppe of St. Pius X Church in Greensboro, with their three children: Frank, Maggie and Nathanael God’s message into the public sphere, Our Lady of Grace Church’s Respect Life Committee has opportunities to be active in the pro-life movement.

The Foppes also host a spiritual adoption program every other year and coordinate efforts annually for the Battleground Life Chain, the Washington, D.C. March for Life, and the Right to Life Rally in Raleigh. The couple “would love to see someone start a ‘40 Days for Life’ campaign right here in Greensboro, like years past.”

David and Meg feel, like in their own lives, “we need to influence one another with hope and Christ’s love.” They feel “it is God who gives us the grace to choose life.”

The Foppes are organizing “A Call to Prayer” on Saturday, May 14.

Please RSVP or get more details by calling 336-510-4218.

Founding pastor of St. Gabriel Church passes away SOUTHERN PINES — Father J. Paul Byron, 89, died March 15, 2011, in Pinehurst.

Father Byron spent most of his priestly ministry in what is now the Diocese of Raleigh. He also served in several parishes in the Diocese of Charlotte before it was created out of the Raleigh diocese in 1972.

Father Byron was born in Cohoes, N.Y., May 2, 1921, to the late William J. Byron and Theresa English Byron. Father Byron was preceded in death by his three brothers, Frank Byron, William Byron and the Rev. Joseph Byron.

Before he was ordained a Catholic priest, Father Byron attended the Vincentian Institute and Niagara University in Niagara, N.Y. After discerning a vocation to the priesthood, he entered St. Bonaventure College in Olean, N.Y., for studies in philosophy and then St. Joseph’s Seminary

in Yonkers, N.Y., and Christ the King Seminary in Olean for studies in theology and for priestly formation. Father Byron was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Raleigh on June 15, 1946.

During his priestly life, Father Byron served in many parishes throughout North Carolina including: the Missionary Apostolate at Sacred Heart in Whiteville, with its missions in Delco Byron and Tabor City; St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville; the Missionary Apostolate, Motor Chapel; St. Catherine of Siena Church in Wake Forest; Sacred Heart Cathedral; St. Joseph Church in Asheboro; St. Egbert Church in

Morehead City; Immaculate Conception Church in Durham; Infant of Prague Church in Jacksonville; Sacred Heart Church in Brevard; St. Joan of Arc Church in Asheville; St. Peter Church in Greenville; and St. Thomas More Church in Chapel Hill.

Father Byron was also the founding pastor of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, serving there from 1957 to 1967. His last parish was St. Raphael Church in Raleigh, from which he retired in 1996.

Following retirement, Father Byron continued to generously serve many parishes in priestly ministry.

The funeral Mass for Father Byron was celebrated March 19, 2011, at St. Raphael Church in Raleigh, with Raleigh Bishop Michael F. Burbidge as the principal celebrant. Interment was at St. Matthew Cemetery at St. Matthew Church in Durham.

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charlottediocese.org/catholicnews | March 25, 2011 OUR PARISHES

Divine Mercy cenacles flourish at St. Matthew More than 83 parishioners join faith sharing groups SueAnn Howell Staff writer

CHARLOTTE — At St. Matthew Church in south Charlotte, the new year has brought a renewed commitment to the message of Divine Mercy. For years the church has hosted a special Divine Mercy service at 3 p.m. on Divine Mercy Sunday, the first Sunday following Easter.

Last year on Divine Mercy Sunday, a papal blessing installation took place, honoring all those at St. Matthew Church who promulgate the message of Divine Mercy. That event served as a catalyst for the formation of Divine Mercy cenacles at the parish, and three cenacles began at that time.

Cenacles of Divine Mercy are small faith sharing groups that meet weekly to discuss the message of Divine Mercy, using Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the writings of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska.

St. Faustina, known as the apostle of Divine Mercy, lived in Poland and entered the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy in the early 1900s. She was entrusted by Our Lord with His message of mercy and He revealed to her the pattern of Christian perfection based on trust in God and on the attitude of mercy toward one’s neighbors.

“The whole idea of this is to bring the Divine Mercy message and way of life to all people,” said Ralph Sullivan, coordinator of the Cenacles of Divine

Mercy at St. Matthew Church. “The initial program consisting of three cenacles was 13 weeks. We took a sabbatical while the ‘Why Catholic’ program ran. We went to the Eucharistic Congress (in Charlotte in September) and told people we would start again in January 2011.”

More than 83 people are now participating in the seven cenacles that formed at the beginning of this year.

Twenty-five participants from the first set of cenacles are now in the second phase of their formation – “which is probably more than any other parish in the country,” Sullivan said.

Ana Gomiz, a parishioner at St. Matthew Church, is one of the participants from the initial cenacle group who has gone on to facilitate a cenacle for the second 13-week session.

“I first heard of the cenacles while attending a Sunday morning Mass at St. Matthew. Although I was very familiar with the Divine Mercy movement for a long time now through EWTN, I had never been a part of a group,” Gomiz said. “This year I felt called to sign up and participate in the cenacle because for the last several years I had attended Divine Mercy Sunday at St. Matthew and found it to be very moving. I felt that becoming involved in this program would help me grow spiritually and at the same time share my faith with others.”

Sullivan agrees, adding, “People who have participated have had a major impact on their spirituality. There are so many materials that you can go on forever.”

Shirley Malach, a participant in the cenacle that meets at Laurels Assisted Living in Pineville, where she is a resident, said, “Participating in the Cenacle of Divine Mercy here brings you closer to your faith and to the Lord, especially when CENACLES, SEE page 15

Priest marks his golden jubilee Kathy Schmugge Correspondent

CHARLOTTE — “We were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well,” (1 Thess 2:8).

In this Scripture verse, St. Paul perfectly describes Father Joseph Ayathupadam, who has shared himself for 50 years as a priest in various countries and parishes — and almost half of that time serving the Diocese of Charlotte.

At St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte March 12, the anniversary of his ordination, Father Ayathupadam was congratulated by his brother priests – Fathers Cherian Thalakulam, Philip Kollithanath, Jacob Vadakkekudy and Benny Ayathupadam (his cousin) — along with hundreds of relatives and friends during a Mass and reception.

“We are thankful to God for this special gift of the priesthood shared with Father Joseph through Jesus Christ,” said Carmelite Father Cherian Thalakulam in his homily. Father Thalakulam, pastor of St. Edward Church in North Augusta, S.C., added, “Father Joseph accepted the call of Christ to follow. He took the challenge, believing in the providence and care of God.” Father Thalakulam explained that the great joys of the ministerial priesthood are celebrating the Mass, praying for the community, giving time, talent and treasure to people, sanctifying people through the sacraments, proclaiming the Word of God, and leading the way of communion and service to God. He commented on how Father Ayathupadam has done all these tasks with love and commitment.

For half a century, Father Ayathupadam went with trust to wherever God called him. Born in Kerala, India, in 1934, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1961. He began his priestly ministry in India, serving there for 13 years. He then served as a missionary in Africa for three years – a time that he describes as one of his most memorable as a priest.

“The poverty and simple faith of the people in Africa inspired me,” he said. “During Mass, you would hear them speak and sing in three different languages, yet they came together as one community.”

From Africa he traveled to Canada, and after spending 10 years as a hospital chaplain, he applied for a job as hospital chaplain in the warmer climate of Asheville.

He continued to serve the Charlotte diocese

Kathy Schmugge | Catholic News Herald

Father Joseph Ayathupadam (left) is congratulated by some of his fellow priests on the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination March 12. in various parishes from 1987 to 2006: St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte, St. Leo Church in Winston-Salem, Our Lady of the Mountains Church in Highlands, St. Joseph Church in Eden, and Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Albemarle. Before he retired, he served as pastor of Holy Spirit Church in Denver. Since his retirement, he continues to be active from his home in Fort Mill, helping parishes in South Carolina.

“I am grateful for Father Joseph and for his work. He has shown us that you may retire from being a pastor, but you never retire from being a priest,” said Father John Giuliani, pastor of St. Philip Neri Church in Fort Mill, who briefly spoke at a reception for Father Ayathupadam after Mass.

Father Philip Kollithanath, pastor at Christ the King Church in High Point, also spoke about his mentor and friend.

“Father Joseph never says ‘no’ to anyone.

He is the model priest in everything. He knows what to do, and if he doesn’t know he will find out,” said Father Kolithanath, who concluded with the blessing, “May you live long and serve the Lord.”

Father Ayathupadam said the greatest part about being a priest is “to serve the people as my brothers and sisters.”

“There is no retirement for a priest because the vocation is life, and we are priests forever until the last breath. And hopefully after that moment we’ll be at the altar in heaven,” he said with a gentle smile.

March 25, 2011 | charlottediocese.org/catholicnews

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St. Matthew couple makes $50,000 challenge gift Matching donations accepted through March 31

Christopher Lux | Catholic News Herald

Father Frank Cancro, pastor of Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont, Monsignor Anthony Kovacic and Father Kieran Neilson concelebrate Mass on the feast day of St. Joseph March 19, at old St. Joseph Church in Mount Holly.

SueAnn Howell Staff writer

CHARLOTTE — Joe and Carol Gigler have a challenge for you. For every dollar that you give to Crisis Assistance Ministries through the end of this month, they will match your gift, up to $50,000.

The Giglers have long been supporters of Crisis Assistance Ministries in Charlotte, a non-profit agency that assists families in immediate need.

“The Giglers first became aware of our agency several years ago when their youngest daughter, Maggie, volunteered here with a school group,” said Michelle Hamilton, development officer at Crisis Assistance Ministries. “Over the years our relationship with them has grown out of their passion for helping families in need and their strong endorsement of the way our agency uses charitable dollars.

“Our overhead is very low in comparison with most non-profits; we spend more than 94 cents of every dollar we receive on programs that directly benefit families who have nowhere else to turn,” she added.

Joe Gigler is an active volunteer at Crisis Assistance Ministries, serving on the development committee. Joe also served as the past chair of the MACS Education Foundation Board and is now on the Diocesan Foundation Board. He and his wife Carol are among the founding members of St. Matthew Church in south Charlotte.

“Crisis Assistance Ministries does so much good for so many people in time of sudden financial crisis,” said Carol Gigler. “People are living paycheck to paycheck. When something happens it becomes a sudden emergency; something like a sick child or someone gets laid off. Crisis Assistance helps keep people from being evicted, or pay utility bills – especially with the economy being the way it is right now.”

The challenge gift offered by the Giglers will match, dollar for dollar, the contributions made to the agency during the month of March.

For more information about making a donation to the challenge gift and Crisis Assistance Ministries, contact Hamilton at 704-227-2795 or e-mail MHamilton@ crisisassistance.org.

sueann howell | catholic news herald

Abbot Placid Solari, abbot of Belmont Abbey (center), elevates the Precious Blood and the Holy Eucharist during Mass at Belmont Abbey on the Solemnity of St. Benedict, March 21. Father Christopher Kirchgessner (left) of Belmont Abbey and Monsignor Mauricio W. West (right), vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte, concelebrated Mass along with other priests from the abbey and the diocese. For more photos, go to charlottediocese.org/catholicnews.

‘Today we celebrate with St. Benedict’ Christopher Lux Intern

BELMONT — This past Monday, the monks of Belmont Abbey celebrated the solemnity of St. Benedict. More than 100 people attended, including Bishop Peter J. Jugis. The Mass was celebrated by Abbot Placid Solari and 15 concelebrants.

Among the concelebrates were Monsignor Mauricio W. West, the chairman of Belmont Abbey College’s board of trustees and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte, and Father Frank Cancro, pastor of Belmont Abbey monastery, Belmont Abbey College and Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont.

Abbot Placid showed great appreciation for all those who joined with the monastic community in celebrating the solemnity.

He particularly thanked Bishop Jugis, the concelebrants, the Sisters of Mercy, Dr. William Thierfelder, president of the college, Dr. Robert Preston, former president of the college, and the Belmont Abbey College students.

While “all of us enjoy a good celebration,” Abbot Placid pointed out, it is important to know what is being celebrated.

The Mass on the solemnity of St. Benedict was not merely a celebration of a significant person in history, of the establishment of monasteries, or of the Rule of St. Benedict that has endured for centuries. The people gathered, instead, to “celebrate the day that

our Lord called St. Benedict to heaven to live among the saints.” In fact, the congregation gathered “to join in praise with St. Benedict, who is living with Christ.”

The Gospel reading for the day’s Mass told of St. Peter’s remark to Christ, “We have given up everything to follow you.”

Abbot Placid reminded the congregation that while we like to think that we are like St. Peter, we are not: “We are attached to many things – things we ought to give up, but we’re afraid.” So, Abbot Placid tasked the faithful to live “trusting in God alone, placing all our trust in God – not just some of it.” We must be ready to live like St. Peter, who gave up everything to follow Jesus, and like St. Benedict, who abandoned his possessions and education to live a life of seeking God alone.

Located in Belmont, Belmont Abbey was founded in 1876 as a monastery of the Benedictine Order. The monastic community prays and works together according to the Rule of St. Benedict.

The saint from Nursia wrote his Rule as a directory for the government, administration, recruitment and daily life, temporal and spiritual, of a monastic community.

The solemnity of St. Benedict on March 21 marks the day that St. Benedict died. It is the former feast of St. Benedict, but it was later moved outside of the Lenten season to July 11. Benedictines continue to observe the feast on March 21.

Old St. Joseph Church is ‘alive and always will be’ Christopher Lux Intern

MOUNT HOLLY — God was especially kind to old St. Joseph Church last week. The 168-year-old church in Mount Holly was built with only six windows for lighting and a large door for air conditioning, yet the sunny skies and mild weather made the oldest standing Catholic church in North Carolina the perfect setting for Mass – actually, two Masses.

On March 17, the four divisions of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians in the Charlotte area honored their Irish heritage and Catholic faith with the celebration of a St. Patrick’s Day Mass at the church. Then, last Saturday, the 82-year-old caretaker, Carl Heil, opened the door and shutters again so Mass could be celebrated on St. Joseph’s feast day.

Preceding the St. Patrick’s Day Mass, a ceremony honoring Father T.J. Cronin took place. Father Cronin, the first priest assigned to the church, is buried in the church cemetery.

After the ceremony, Mass was celebrated

by Father Patrick Hoare of St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte. Father Hoare was assisted in the celebration by Deacon Robert Murphy of St. Mark Church in Huntersville. Old St. Joseph was filled with people wearing green sweaters, shirts and ties, even one man wearing a kilt. Father Hoare reminded the congregation that “we can sense the presence of those first Irish families” in old St. Joseph’s – “they are close to us here.”

The Gospel which proclaims “knock and you shall receive” was appropriately read, as it reminded the congregation of those six Irish families who built the church so long ago. The Irish immigrant gold miners not only “received” their church, but St. Joseph ST. JOSEPH, SEE page 15

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charlottediocese.org/catholicnews | March 25, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Beer brewing over time 7,000 B.C.

Chinese brew fermented alcoholic drinks

480 A.D.

St. Benedict is born. Later in his life he writes his Rule which warns monks of alcohol: “let us agree to this, at least, that we do not drink to satiety, but sparingly; because ‘wine maketh even wise men fall off.’”

600 A.D.

Brother Tobiah bottles his most recent batch of beer in the kitchen of Belmont Abbey. His brews range from pale ales to porters.

Monasteries in Europe are brewing beer for consumption in the monastery and also for commerce. Beer brewing will later become one of the leading monastic industries.

770 A.D.

Emperor Charlemagne, the ruler of the Christian kingdom, considers beer to be an important part of living, and is often thought to have trained Christian brewers himself.

822 A.D

A Carolingian abbot writes about the use of hops in beer for flavoring.

1200-1400 A.D.

Beer making is gradually changing from a family-oriented activity to an artisan one; pubs brew beer for mass consumption and monasteries develop into innovators in beer making. By this time most monasteries have breweries. Some brew for themselves, while others are generating a good source of income by selling their product.

1857 A.D.

The discovery of yeast’s role in fermentation allows for the prevention of the souring of beer.

— Christopher Lux

The beer-brewing brother at Belmont Abbey Christopher Lux Intern

BELMONT — Crafting of homemade beers within monastery walls dates back to the Middle Ages. Monks drank the filling, grain-based beverage with their meals to make up for limited amounts of food or to ease their hunger pangs during fasting.

Today the ancient tradition continues at Belmont Abbey, where Brother Tobiah, a Benedictine monk, crafts and bottles limited quantities of the brew in the monastery’s basement or kitchen late into the evenings.

Brother Tobiah began brewing beer in 1987 after talking with his uncle, who had brewed in the 1970s: “The passion continued – it’s a passionate art,” he says.

Some monasteries have brewed beer for commercial purposes, but the main purpose has been for the monks’ own consumption. The Rule of St. Benedict, which consists of the precepts for St. Benedict’s monks including those at Belmont Abbey, lays out the appropriate amount of beer to drink, while reminding the monks “to drink moderately, and not to the point of excess.”

Brother Tobiah is a quiet, down-to-earth South Carolinian with a quick wit. When asked

about his life before he entered the monastery, he responds: “I could sum it all up in one paragraph.”

He came to the Catholic faith and his monastic calling at a late age. For years he served in the U.S. Coast Guard and lived in Alaska, New York, Japan and Hawaii. He grew up Baptist, yet he was drawn to the Lutheran Church as an adult because of its more liturgical feel.

Within a few years, however, he began looking for something different because, he says, “it was nice, but something was missing.” He looked into Catholicism, and he entered the Catholic Church in 2002. Within three years after that, he became a monk at Belmont Abbey.

Brother Tobiah briefly left the monastery with the intent of finding, perhaps, a more contemplative monastery. He visited the Abbey of Gethsemani, a Trappist monastery in Kentucky.

He then “had, you might say, a mid-life crisis,” and drove across the country to Las Vegas for a Coast Guard reunion. Upon his return to South Carolina, he began working 10-hour shifts on the BMW assembly line in Greenville. But he could not forget his former home at Belmont Abbey, and he soon returned.

The principle external work of the monks is Belmont Abbey College, a Catholic liberal arts

institution. Brother Tobiah, however, tends to focus on the monks’ primary vocation: praying and working together according to the teachings of the Gospel and the wisdom of St. Benedict. He has taken temporary vows and recognizes that he is still discerning his vocation.

Brother Tobiah makes about two batches of beer a year, and his brews range from pale ales to porters. However, he brews only ales since lagers require a maintained temperature of 55 degrees during fermentation. Lagers are more difficult to make, he says, but he may attempt to make a batch of it in the future. A taste of his beer is assurance that he takes his beer-making seriously. Still, when asked to describe the taste of one of his beers, he simply says, “It tastes like beer.”

Besides brewing, Brother Tobiah enjoys photography, caring for the monastery’s bushes, plants and trees, and “sitting on the porch of the monastery’s lake house, watching the waves come in.”

Some monks, like those of Scourmont Abbey (the brewers of Chimay beer) produce their beverages commercially. Unfortunately, though, Brother Tobiah’s beer cannot be purchased. If you are looking to get a taste, your best bet is to make this monk your friend.

March 25, 2011 | charlottediocese.org/catholicnews

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Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in style SEE MORE PHOTOS ONLINE AT CATHOLICNEWSHERALD.COM

PHOTOS BY Patricia Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald

Thousands of people turned out for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Charlotte March 19. Parade participants included students, parents and teachers of St. Patrick School, St. Matthew School, St. Gabriel School, St. Ann School, Holy Trinity Middle School and Belmont Abbey College, along with representatives of the Ancient Order of Hibernians/ Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of Columbus.

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charlottediocese.org/catholicnews | March 25, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Louie Verrecchio

The Liturgy of the Eucharist: How should we prepare?

Learn more W

e continue our examination of the Liturgy of the Eucharist at the Ecce Agnus Dei. After once again receiving the Lord’s blessing, “The peace of the Lord be with you always,” and responding, “And with your spirit,” the next revision that we encounter takes place when the priest elevates the Host and chalice and says: “Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.”

The revised translation for the priest refers to the Lamb’s supper – language found in the Book of Revelation. One will also notice that “blessed” replaces the adjective “happy” – a noteworthy upgrade with regard to sacred significance that should be apparent to anyone who has ever given his kid a Happy Meal.

Our response will also change: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”

This response calls to mind the words spoken by the Roman centurion to Jesus when he begged the Lord to heal his sick servant in Matthew 8. In this instance, however, we are asking the Lord to heal not our servant, but our very soul. We are acknowledging that we are about to receive Him under the “roof of our mouths” and thus to welcome Him into our physical abode – into our bodies, the dwelling place of the souls.

We ask that our souls be healed so that the Lord may indeed enter in spite of our unworthiness, so that He may abide in us and we in Him. The imagery of the Lord entering under the roof of our physical bodies should naturally lead our thoughts to the Bread of Life discourse found in John 6: “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in Me, and I in him.”

While some people have commented that the unusual language employed here, though Biblical, feels uncomfortably distant when compared to the incredible intimacy of Holy Communion, it’s important for us to realize that our response is the lead-up to the divine encounter that awaits us. It is not the moment of intimacy itself.

Our response, in other words, is meant to

orient our thoughts in such a way as to help us embrace the breathtaking reality of what is about to happen. This is important!

Let’s take a closer look at the Scriptural roots of this response as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew to discover how we might make the centurion’s words and sentiments our very own, inspiring the kind of awe that should accompany our union with Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist: “And He said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ But the centurion answered Him, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, “Go,” and he goes, and to another, “Come,” and he comes, and to my slave, “Do this,” and he does it.’” (Matthew 8:7-9) What is the centurion saying here? In comparing himself to his own servants as “a man under authority,” the centurion is suggesting some very important truths.

One, he realizes that in Jesus’ presence he is really no more than a servant himself.

Secondly, his words also suggest that he recognizes that Jesus is more than just an ordinary man; rather, he indicates an awareness that Jesus is one with true authority.

In describing how his own underlings obey him even though he is but a servant to another as well, the centurion is saying, “If those under me do what I command at my word, surely You who have ultimate authority can command anything – including something as incredible as the miracle of healing – by your very word alone.”

The end result? “And Jesus said, ‘Go; be it done for you as you have believed.’ And the servant was healed at that very moment” (Matthew 8:13).

Now let’s make these words our very own.

Consider just how fitting the sentiment being expressed truly is – we are telling Jesus that we recognize Him as Lord, and that we know how unworthy we are of having Him join Himself to us not only spiritually, but sacramentally in an intimacy that exceeds our comprehension.

As we prepare for this incredible

encounter with Christ, the time is truly fitting to express the degree to which we are awed by the very thought of such intimate union with our Lord. He is, after all, the One through whom all things were made and we are but creatures.

Here’s an analogy to help: Imagine your telephone ringing and the voice on the other end says, “The Holy Father is coming to your house for a visit. He’ll be walking through the front door in five minutes.” How would you feel? Besides being excited and thrilled at the prospect, you’d probably think, “Oh my! Not me! Not now! I’m not prepared! The house isn’t clean enough, the furniture isn’t good enough, I’m not dressed well enough... .”

When we prepare to receive the Lord Jesus Christ in an infinitely more profound manner in the Most Holy Eucharist, it is absolutely right that we should take on similar sentiments, filled with anticipation and awe at the very thought, yet also with a sense that we are utterly unprepared for such a privileged encounter. The interior of our abodes – our bodies – are not quite clean enough, our holiness is not yet refined enough – in the words of the centurion, we simply are not worthy.

But the centurion didn’t stop there, and neither do we. We recognize that because Jesus is Lord, all that it takes is His word and our souls – dwelling within our bodies, our inmost being – can be healed of all unworthiness such that He can, and indeed will, enter. He only needs to say the word: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me,” says the Lord (Revelation 3:20).

In our response at Holy Mass, we are proclaiming before God and one another that we truly are unworthy of the Holy Communion that is about to come, but we then accept in faith that Jesus will respond to us just as He did to the centurion, “As thou hast believed, so be it done to thee.”

At this, we accept in faith: that our souls are thus healed and we are prepared by grace to “open the door,” so that the Lord who knocks may enter under the roof of our mouths, into our bodies, that we may receive Him in a way the centurion couldn’t even

This is part 12 of a year-long series featuring the revised translation of the Third Missal. Our series will be compiled online at catholicnewsherald.com.

For even more resources, check out the U.S. bishops’ extensive material online at usccb.org/ romanmissal.

begin to imagine.

There is indeed infinite distance between the Holy One of God and ourselves, but the Lord by His awesome power, His infinite love and His unfathomable mercy, breaches that distance in response to our faith, a faith reflected in the words that we say from the depths of our hearts.

This recognition of our unworthiness and our acceptance of the healing that makes intimate union with Christ in the Eucharist possible are essential, because when those are lost, we run the risk of losing the sense of awe that should accompany our participation in this great and glorious mystery of God’s sacrificial love for His people.

The Concluding Rites Finally, we return in the Concluding Rites to those familiar words that we first encountered in the Introductory Rite: “The Lord be with you,” followed by “And with your spirit.” In this way, all are reminded that we go forth from Holy Mass newly fortified, yet also just as we entered: in Christ who dwells within us.

All glory, praise and honor to Almighty God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Louie Verrecchio is a Catholic speaker and Catholic News Agency columnist. For more information, go to harvestingthefruit.com. This series was excerpted from the book “And with Your Spirit – Recovering a sense of the sacred in the English translation of the Roman Missal – 3rd Edition.”

March 25, 2011 | charlottediocese.org/catholicnews

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charlottediocese.org/catholicnews | March 25, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

On TV

In theaters

n Saturday, March 26, 8 p.m. (encore part 1), Wednesday, March 30, at 1 p.m. (part 2), Saturday, April 2, at 8 p.m. (encore part 2) (EWTN) “Karol: The Pope, The Man.” This two-part dramatic mini-series, starring Piotr Adamczyk, presents the life of John Paul II from the time he was elected pope in 1978, until his death in 2005.

‘Battle: Los Angeles’ Aliens are on the attack, mounting an invasion of Earth.

And, for no very apparent reason, Los Angeles is the last hope for humanity, the only city left to mount a counterattack. So it’s time to call in the Marines, led by a decorated combat vet (Aaron Eckhart) who is also fighting demons of his own. Relentless action violence, gory images of carnage, crude language.

CNS: A-III (adults), MPAA: PG-13

n Sunday, March 27, 1:30-2:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Haydn’s ‘The Seven Last Words of Christ.’”

The Ottawa Chamber Music Society performs Joseph Haydn’s music about the final seven words Christ uttered as He was crucified. As a narrator explains, this was Haydn’s attempt to express these moments of the Passion instrumentally.

‘Limitless’

n Monday, March 28, 5:30 a.m. (EWTN) “Feasts and Seasons – Lent and Eastertide.”

English journalist Joanna Bogle continues her reflection on the relationship between the seasons and the liturgical calendar, with an examination of the Church’s teachings on fasting and abstinence and some great recipes for Lenten fare. n Tuesday, March 29, 6:30-7 p.m. (EWTN) “Heart Speaks to Heart From Heaven: The Newman Miracle Story.” Special focusing on the life of Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890), the cardinal recently beatified

by Pope Benedict XVI, and on the testimony of Deacon Jack Sullivan, who was healed by the late cardinal’s intercession.

International superstar to perform free concert ‘I Thirst – The Crucifixion Story’ coming April 13 SUEANN HOWELL STAFF WRITER

CHARLOTTE — It’s not every day that a worldrenowned singer/songwriter comes to perform at a parish in your diocese. For parishioners in the Diocese of Charlotte, that opportunity will come Wednesday, April 13, at 7 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte when Tajci (also known as Tatiana) will perform a powerful musical adaptation of “The Crucifixion Story.”

Tajci (pronounced TY-chee) grew up in Croatia and became an international pop star in her teens in the late 1980s and early ’90s. She enjoyed a huge following and a successful musical career before she abandoned it all at the age of 21 and moved to the U.S., fleeing her fans and notoriety.

She turned to a life of prayer and rekindled her Catholic faith. After spending time at a Carmelite retreat house in Los Angeles, she met her husband, Matthew Cameron, who encouraged her to tell the story of her quest for spiritual healing. The two married and have traveled extensively around

the U.S. so that Tajci could perform her uplifting concerts in hundreds of churches over the years.

They now have three sons.

Tajci sings in nine languages, so requests for her performances are now coming in from around the world. Her Lent Tour 2011 is titled “I Thirst –The Crucifixion Story,” which is an original musical adaptation of the Passion. She performs with Los Angeles-based producer Denny Bouchard. The two collaborated on the wide array of musical styles, traditions and ethnic origins which have been combined into this one, mesmerizing musical piece.

The performance to be held on April 13 will feature contemporary Christian favorites such as “Via Dolorosa,” Tajci’s orginal songs, Hebrew and Gregorian chants and classic hymns such as “Were You There” and “O Sacred Head Surrounded.”

The concert is free and open to the public.

An offering will be taken. St. Thomas Aquinas Church is located at 1400 Suther Road in northeast Charlotte.

For more information, contact Dina Wilson at dwilson@stacharlotte.com, call 704-549-1607, or go to Tajci’s Web site at Idobelieve.com.

This cynical thriller, based on Alan Glynn’s 2001 novel “The Dark Fields,” has an uninspired novelist (Bradley Cooper), aided by a secretive mindenhancing pill, conquering the stock market and getting away, literally, with murder. Skewed moral values, considerable violence, implied premarital situations.

CNS: O (morally offensive), MPAA: PG-13

‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ Vibrant but frequently seamy thriller about a slick Los Angeles attorney (Matthew McConaughey), used to defending petty criminals, who gets more than he bargained for when he takes the highprofile case of a Beverly Hills playboy (Ryan Phillippe) accused of attempted murder.

Considerable violence, including scenes of rape, vigilantism, brief nongraphic marital lovemaking, fleeting rear nudity, crude language.

CNS: L (limited adult audience), MPAA: R

‘Paul’ Anti-religious satire from director Greg Mottola in which two sci-fi-loving British visitors to the U.S. help the alien of the title (voice of Seth Rogen) escape government custody.

Explicit rejection of Christian morals, endorsement of homosexual acts, non-marital sex and petty theft, pervasive crude language.

CNS: O (morally offensive), MPAA: R

March 25, 2011 | charlottediocese.org/catholicnews

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charlottediocese.org/catholicnews | March 25, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

In Brief Girls b’ball team wins 6th straight state title KERNERSVILLE — Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville recently won the NCHSAA Class 1-A girls basketball state championship title – the team’s sixth straight championship win. Only one other school holds a similar record for most state championships in North Carolina history. Senior Megan Buckland won the Most Valuable Player award, and freshman Julia Brown led the team in scoring.

Debate team racks up wins Debaters from the Albertus Magnus homeschool debate club won first and second place in team policy debate at the Catholic Forensic League of Charlotte national qualifier March 5. The debaters will represent the Diocese of Charlotte in team policy debate at the National Catholic Forensic League Grand

National Tournament in Washington, D.C. The CFL of Charlotte consists of 16 public and private high schools (and one homeschool club) throughout western North Carolina.

— John Walker

Junior varsity cheerleaders win spirit award GREENSBORO — The junior varsity cheerleading team from Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro was recently awarded the Spirit Sportsmanship Award at the 2011 Piedmont Elementary Catholic Schools Athletic Association Conference.

Angela Pollina is coach.

— Karen L. Hornfeck We welcome your school’s news. E-mail items to Editor Patricia Guilfoyle at plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org.

photo provided by Debbie Mowrey

Battle of the Books champs Asheville Catholic School recently placed first in Battle of the Books, in which students read 27 books over the past six months and practiced weekly for this local competition. Other private schools competing this year were Asheville Christian Academy, Carolina Day School, Forsyth Country Day, and St. Stephen’s Lutheran School. The team will next travel to Concord to compete in the regional competition. Team members include Melissa Cavagnini, Claire Cole, Lana Camille, Amelia Etheridge, Kurt Hill, Hailey Judson, Jake Lambrecht, Annalise Mangone, Elizabeth Mangone, David Mathews and Sarah Michalets.

March 25, 2011 | charlottediocese.org/catholicnews

ST. JOSEPH: FROM PAGE 7

was the only one of the first four Catholic churches in the state to have an altar. They received more than what they had asked for, and placed above that altar a celebration inscription: “Habemus Altare,” meaning “We have an altar.”

Mass for St. Joseph’s feast day was celebrated by Monsignor Anthony Kovacic and concelebrated by Father Frank Cancro and Father Kieran Neilson. About 70 people attended, including the Sisters of Mercy of Belmont and the Knights of Columbus. At the noon service, Father Neilson recognized the durability of the wood in the old church, comforting the congregation by opening his homily with, “These benches are hard, and so I’ll have pity on you.”

The church was originally named the Church of St. Joseph and Mary. However, after the Civil War it became known as St. Joseph Church. For this reason, an annual Mass is held on the feast day of St. Joseph.

Saturday’s celebration praised the faith of the foster father of Christ and husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“St. Joseph,” Father Neilson said, “didn’t doubt; he had tremendous faith. So let us pray that we might have a portion of the

CENACLES: FROM PAGE 6

you offer up the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy for those in need.”

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a rosarylike devotion based on the visions of St. Maria Faustina.

That sentiment echoes what Sullivan asserts is the purpose of the cenacles.

“The whole idea is that when you come to the end of the 13 weeks, you come to the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. The ultimate goal is to multiply the number of

POOR CLARE: FROM PAGE 3

Gabriella. “He has been so good to me!”

Father John Putnam, pastor of Sacred Heart Church, was the main celebrant and homilist for the Mass that took place on the Solemnity of St. Joseph – a special day for the nuns, as St. Joseph is the patron saint of their monastery.

Father Anthony Mary, M.F.V.A., a friar from the Eternal Word Television Network in Birmingham, Ala., concelebrated the Mass with other priests from the Diocese of Charlotte. The friars and the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration are closely associated through Mother Angelica, who created EWTN. “We are especially grateful to Father

beautiful faith that he had.”

After the celebration of the Eucharist, the Knights of Columbus joined Father Cancro in thanking Monsignor Kovacic for all he had done for Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont, the Knights of Columbus, and old St. Joseph Church. The Knights honored him, presenting a gift and saying, “We will always remember you for being with us and for all you have done for us. But it is you who we will miss most of all.” Monsignor Kovacic served at Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont and for past years, he has presided over the Mass at old St. Joseph Church on the special feast day.

Liturgical activities were suspended in the small church in the late 1800s. The building was restored in the mid-1970s under the direction of Bishop Michael J. Begley of the Diocese of Charlotte. Today, old St. Joseph Church is used for special occasions such at the feasts of Sts. Patrick and Joseph. The U.S. Department of the Interior and the State of North Carolina declared the church a national historical site in 1979.

Mass is celebrated at the historic church two or three times a year and tours are available upon request through Queen of the Apostles Church.

Heil, the church’s historian and caretaker, assures visitors that the church is “alive and always will be. They may say it’s boarded up and no one comes here, but don’t you believe it!”

works of spiritual and corporal works of mercy, so you have a real impact on people and on communities,” Sullivan explained.

Sullivan has admittedly caught the missionary spirit in spreading the message of Divine Mercy.

“This year Divine Mercy Sunday is May 1.

We intend to have sign-ups (for the cenacles) three times a year and invite other parishes to sign up for facilitator trainings,” he said.

“Since John Paul II and Benedict XVI both kind of mandated that we spread it, we have to respond.”

For more about the Divine Mercy Cenacles at St. Matthew Church, contact Sullivan at 704-849-9748 or by e-mail to rscsm@aol.com.

Putnam for allowing us to have the ceremony at his beautiful church of Sacred Heart, and for all the priests and laity who came to celebrate this day with us,” Mother Dolores Marie added.

View more pictures of the first profession of Sister Mary Gabriella online at charlottediocese.org/interactive.

Classified FREE PUBLICATION Interested in our military? Subscribe to FREE online newsletter published by St. Mark parishioner. CharlotteMilitaryNews.com.

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Our nation

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charlottediocese.org/catholicnews | March 25, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Arizona Senate rejects immigration crackdown bills; Utah does opposite J.D. Long-Garcia Catholic News Service

PHOENIX — The Arizona Senate voted down five immigration bills March 17 that proponents argued would crack down on illegal immigration even further than last year’s S.B. 1070, which is still hung up by court challenges.

Meanwhile, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert March 15 signed a series of bills that have been described as a state equivalent of comprehensive immigration reform being sought at the national level. They step up enforcement, but also create a guest worker program that itself is likely to face court challenges.

Among the bills Arizona’s legislators rejected were those that would have required hospitals to verify patients’ legal status before admitting them for nonemergency care, required schools to collect data on immigration status and challenged the 14th Amendment’s provision for birthright citizenship.

“All of the most problematic bills were

CNS | J.D. Long-Garcia, Catholic Sun

A few dozen protesters rally against proposed legislation dealing with illegal immigration March 17 outside the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix. Senators voted down five proposed bills, including one so-called “birthright” measure to end automatic citizenship for children of illegal immigrants born in the U.S. defeated soundly on the Senate floor,” said Ron Johnson, executive director of the Arizona Catholic Conference, which

represents the state’s bishops in public policy matters. “Clearly we have significant immigration problems facing this country, but these bills do nothing to solve them.

They actually make things worse for a vulnerable population.”

After the vote, Republican State Sen. Rich Crandall explained his opposition to the bills. “If you ask anybody what we need to do to solve the immigration crisis, they tell you, ‘Secure the border,’” he said. “Well, these five bills had nothing to do with the border.”

In Utah, Salt Lake City Bishop John C. Wester lauded the efforts “to adopt humane solutions in the face of the federal government’s failure to act on immigration reform.” He particularly praised the governor’s willingness to sign immigration bills despite opposition, but said he feared the bills would be unenforceable and unconstitutional.

“One may hope that Utah’s political strategy of passing a law first and seeking federal approval after will be successful.

However, on a human level, this political strategy poses severe risks for vulnerable immigrants within our state,” he said. For example, different effective dates of the laws mean that “for the next two years undocumented immigrants will be pushed further into the shadows while awaiting a chance for legal status.”

He reiterated the position of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, the National Immigration Law Center and others that “piecemeal immigration reform at a state level does not and cannot adequately address the needs of those who seek to live with basic human dignity and respect within our borders.”

In Brief Archbishop Dolan assures Japanese prelate of prayers WASHINGTON, D.C. — New York Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan has assured Japanese Archbishop Leo Jun Ikenaga of Osaka, head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan, of the prayers and solidarity of the U.S. Church amid the ongoing rescue and relief efforts in his nation. “We commend the Church and the people of Japan to the intercession of Mary, the mother of Jesus, asking her to care for all of those left in conditions of suffering because of the quake and the aftershocks,” Dolan wrote in a letter to Archbishop Ikenaga March 16. Japanese church officials have set up an emergency center to coordinate humanitarian aid operations in Sendai, the area most devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

U.S. bishops: New Ways Ministry not Catholic WASHINGTON, D.C. — The publication of a recent booklet about a “Catholic approach” to same-sex marriage by New Ways Ministry prompted the chairmen of two bishops’ committees to reaffirm a year-old statement that the organization is not a Catholic group.

“Marriage Equality: A Positive Catholic Approach” is written by Francis DeBernardo, the organization’s executive director. New Ways Ministry of Mount Rainier, Md., describes itself as a “gay-positive ministry of advocacy and justice for lesbian and gay Catholics and reconciliation within the larger Christian and civil communities.” Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, D.C., and Bishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of Oakland, Calif., issued a statement March 11 reaffirming a February 2010 statement by Chicago Cardinal Francis E. George, then president of the U.S. bishops, “and assure Catholics that in no manner is the position proposed by New Ways Ministry in conformity with Catholic teaching.”

Father Corapi put on leave CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Father John Corapi, a popular author and preacher, has been placed on administrative leave from priestly ministry over an accusation of misconduct. “We have received an allegation that Father Corapi has behaved in a manner unbecoming of a priest,” said Father Gerard Sheehan, a spokesman for Father Corapi’s community, the Texas-based Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, March 18. “It is important to keep in mind that this action in no way implies Father Corapi is guilty of the allegation. It is equally important to know that, based on the information we have received thus far, the claim of misconduct does not involve minors and does not arise to the level of criminal conduct.” “All of the allegations in the complaint are false, and I ask you to pray for all concerned,” Father Corapi said.

— Catholic News Service

Our world

March 25, 2011 | charlottediocese.org/catholicnews

Dancing with the saints: Retreat master says that’s the key to Lent Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — The saints aren’t just people to turn to when something is lost or a situation seems hopeless; they are examples to follow in prayer and in efforts to reform and renew the Church, said the priest who was preaching Pope Benedict XVI’s Lenten retreat.

Carmelite Father Francois-Marie Lethel, secretary of the Pontifical Academy of Theology, led the pope and his top aides in their Lenten reflections March 13-19. His 17 talks during the week focused on the saints and Pope John Paul II. Besides helping Pope Benedict and Vatican officials prepare for Easter, Father Lethel said he wanted to help them prepare for the beatification May 1 of Pope John Paul.

“This beatification, which will be an event of immense importance for the Church and the entire world, requires deep spiritual preparation involving the entire people of God and, in a particular way, the Holy Father and his closest collaborators,” Father Lethel wrote in the introduction to the retreat program.

The tradition of having weeklong, preached “spiritual exercises” for the pope and members of the papal household began with Pope Pius XI in 1925. But for more than 35 years it was an Advent, not a Lenten retreat.

Pope John XXIII broke the Advent tradition in 1962 when he spent a week in September on retreat to prepare for the Second Vatican Council. His successor, Pope Paul VI, made the retreats a Lenten staple in 1964 and hugely broadened the list of preachers, who almost always had been Jesuits.

Father Lethel is the first Carmelite to be chosen to preach the pope’s retreat, and three famous Carmelites figured prominently in his meditations: Sts. Therese of Lisieux, Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross.

The three were chosen, though, not because they were Carmelites, but because of their influence on Pope John Paul, Father Lethel said in an interview with L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper. He told the newspaper that the late pope is both an example of holiness and a reminder of how much Catholics today need the courage of the saints.

In the booklet for participants, Father Lethel wrote that two of the profiles in courage he would offer them would be St. Catherine of Siena and St. Joan of Arc. “Catherine, with her commitment to the reform of the church profoundly wounded by the sin of its members, and Joan, in her passion and death caused in part by priests and theologians” who disagreed with her politically and so helped her be condemned as a heretic, “give us a profound lesson on the

Pope Benedict XVI prays during the opening of his Lenten retreat in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel at the Vatican March 13.

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In Brief Pope: Protect, allow aid for civilians in Libya VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI made an urgent appeal to political and military leaders to protect the safety and security of civilians and guarantee the free flow of humanitarian aid inside Libya. He said the “worrying news from Libya” in the past few days caused him “deep trepidation and fear.”

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square March 20 for the Angelus, the pope said, “I address a pressing appeal to those who have political and military responsibilities” to ensure the safety and security of defenseless citizens as well as guarantee those offering emergency assistance have access to those in need. He prayed that “peace and concord would soon reign over Libya and the entire North African region.”

Irish Church leaders pledge millions more to help abuse victims CNS | L’Osservatore Romano

mystery of the Church that is always holy and always in need of purification,” he wrote.

“With their voices, which are strong and dramatic, yet also sweet and maternal,” the two women saints would point retreatants toward “the urgency of conversion and holiness,” Father Lethel wrote.

The Carmelite noted that in January, Pope Benedict himself pointed to Sts. Catherine and Joan of Arc as “examples of ‘strong women’ in the midst of great suffering and crises for the Church and society.”

“With these saints, the light of Christ comes to face the darkness of sin – found even within the Church – to purify it, to reform it.

Obviously this is very relevant today,” he said in an interview published March 16 in the Vatican newspaper.

While the Second Vatican Council emphasized how every single Catholic is called to holiness, he said, it was Pope John Paul who really made Catholics – and others – aware of the fact that people in every culture and walk of life have answered and continue to answer that call.

During the more than 26 years he was pontiff, Pope John Paul beatified 1,338 individuals and canonized 482.

The number of saints he proclaimed exceeded the total number of saints created by all his predecessors together since 1588 when the modern sainthood process began.

“The beatification of John Paul II is the crowning of an extraordinary pontificate carried out under the sign of holiness,” the Carmelite said.

For the cover of the retreat booklets, Father

Lethel chose a detail from Fra Angelico’s “Last Judgment.” The selected scene, sometimes described as “the dance of the saints,” shows the holy ones holding hands and moving up toward heaven.

He said Pope John Paul’s pontificate was filled with reminders that “the saints give each other and give us a hand to guide us on the path of holiness. This is the meaning of Lenten conversion: to commit ourselves even more to engaging in this ‘dance of the saints.’”

DUBLIN — Ireland’s Catholic leaders have pledged a further $14.2 million to provide support services for victims of clerical abuse and announced plans for spiritual support to people whose faith has been damaged.

In a pastoral letter, “Towards Healing and Renewal,” the bishops also acknowledged, “The inadequate response (to abuse) by some Church leaders has left a deep wound that may never be fully healed.”

Church leaders agreed to fund the “Towards Healing” counseling service for five more years, unveiled a program of spiritual support for survivors, and set aside the first Friday of every month to pray and fast in reparation.

— Catholic News Service

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charlottediocese.org/catholicnews | March 25, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Letter to the editor

The joyful season of Lent Mother Dolores Marie

Full body armor: A life of grace Editor’s note: This is the second in a five-part series about spiritual warfare and our call to holiness.

W

hether you realize it or not, if you are trying to live your life as a faithful Catholic, you are on the front lines of spiritual warfare. If you make the effort to embrace the fullness of the Christian faith, to let the teachings of the Church permeate each area of your day-to-day life, you are, in a sense, painting a bull’s eye on yourself. But rest assured, you are in good company! We are called “The Church Militant” for a reason.

So what are the weapons we utilize to win the battle over sin and temptation? What tools are given to us to not only preserve lives of virtue, but to grow in union with God? How do we map out our lives here on Earth so that one day we may enjoy eternity with God and with those blessed souls who have “fought the good fight” before us?

Our holy Mother, the Church, has put together a survival kit that has all the essential elements to sustain life – a life of grace. We have the means at hand that have been tested through the ages and have caused ordinary men, women and children to be numbered among the saints. Why then would we not choose the same path?

Our first weapon against the enemy of our souls is to remain in the state of grace, or if we have fallen, to quickly regain the ground we have lost. When we choose to cut ourselves off from our heavenly Father, we distance ourselves from His loving protection and we risk being cut off from Him for all eternity. Yet, His love for us is so great that He longs for our return and He readily gives His pardon when we humbly approach Him in the sacrament of penance.

One time when the plague was raging through Italy, St. John Bosco and his boys went into the city to assist those who were sick and dying. He assured his boys that if they remained in the state of grace while doing these works of mercy that they would be preserved from death. They heeded his advice and his promise was fulfilled – not a single boy was lost. They were protected by the armor of grace.

Can you imagine what the world would be like if each soul was in the state of grace? Or even if this were true of just one city? In effect, this would mean that each soul would desire only what God desires, and each soul would will and do only what God wills. And since we know that God wills only our good and our happiness, peace and harmony would reign – along with a notable lack of strife.

So, the first and most obvious of all of our weapons is to approach the throne of God’s mercy on a regular basis. By a humble and sincere confession of our sins, we are literally clothed in God’s protective armor and strengthened with His grace. When we determine to sin no more, but to make every effort to conform our lives to the life of Jesus, we begin a whole new day in the chapter of our lives. This gives us the strength and courage we need to be able to face life’s daily challenges. It arms us for combat. God is eager to have each soul enrolled in His service, and He is always ready to arm us with all we need to keep us close to Him. “We become like a soldier who rids himself of excess baggage in order to have greater freedom of movement in battle.” said Francis Fernandez in “In Conversation With God.”

‘By a humble and sincere confession of our sins, we are literally clothed in God’s protective armor and strengthened with His grace.’

Mother Dolores Marie leads the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration at St. Joseph Monastery in Charlotte.

Subscribe to their newsletter and learn more about the Poor Clares online at stjosephmonastery.com. Coming next week: “The Battle Plan.”

When most people begin to prepare their minds and hearts for Lent, joy is probably not one of the more prominent consequences of their planning. Our Holy Mother the Church, in her great wisdom, sets aside 40 days each year for the prayer, fasting and almsgiving that will assist us in our spiritual preparations for the glorious feast of Easter.

The voluntary spirit of sacrifice that we adopt each Lent, though certainly needful and virtuous, can also be quite hard to maintain as a result of our fallen human nature. Thus, the announcement of the approaching penitential season is unlikely to result in cries of joy from either children or adults.

Nevertheless, among all the penance and fasting of the season, I recently heard my parish’s priest mention the “joyful season of Lent” within the sacred confines of the holy Liturgy. How odd that phrase can seem to our modern ears! And yet, Lent can – and should – be observed with a firm happiness and peace that makes our sacrificing all the more worthwhile. We can never hope to achieve this lofty victory by ourselves. It is only through Christ that we can transform our Lenten observances into the true Christian contentment that will last long after the close of Holy Week.

It is quite important to remember, particularly during Lent, that we are not denying ourselves merely to separate ourselves from the world, or to cause suffering for ourselves.

Rather, the purpose of this demanding commitment is to become better able to unite ourselves to the Lord and His holy will. In the Gospel, the rich young man may have gone away saddened because of his many possessions, but we – if we truly adopt a real spirit of loving sacrifice – will be able to detach ourselves from temporal things with the trust and satisfaction that Our Lord’s followers strived to attain.

The next time you wince while giving up a particularly enticing piece of candy or television program this Lent, be sure to remember the eternal words of our Savior: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt 11:28-30).

Joseph Bruck, 17, is a parishioner of St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte.

Letters policy The Catholic News Herald welcomes letters from readers. Items submitted become the property of the newspaper and are subject to reuse. E-mail letters to: catholicnews@charlottediocese.org.

March 25, 2011 | charlottediocese.org/catholicnews

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‘Ex Corde Ecclesiae’ under review

A CLOSER LOOK AT ‘EX CORDE ECCLESIAE’ Abbot Placid Solari

Dr. Lucas Lamadrid

‘Ex Corde Ecclesiae’ and the Church O n Aug. 15, 1990, Pope John Paul II issued his apostolic constitution “Ex Corde Ecclesiae” (“From the Church’s Heart”). An apostolic constitution is an official document issued by the pope concerning a matter of importance for the whole Church.

In this instance, “Ex Corde Ecclesiae” gave the general norms governing Catholic colleges and universities throughout the world.

The Church has cultivated a concern for education from the beginning, as the Christian community sought to develop a more profound understanding of the Gospel message through its own experience and understanding of the world. Early Christian thinkers and the Fathers of the Church rank among some of the most formative influences on the development of Western culture. Their work and legacy gave rise to that distinctive character of the Catholic intellectual tradition, which is a search for truth through the mutual interaction of faith and reason.

The most recent impetus for “Ex Corde Ecclesiae” was provided by Vatican II. In the “Declaration on Christian Education,” the bishops of the council stated, “For her part, Holy Mother Church, in order to fulfill the mandate she received from her divine founder to announce the mystery of salvation to all people and to renew all things in Christ … has therefore a part to play in the development and extension of education.” It was in continuity with this teaching of the Council that Pope John Paul sought to provide guidance and direction for Catholic institutions of higher education.

The Church in the U.S. has the most highly developed system of Catholic higher education in the world. Beginning with the establishment of Georgetown University in 1789, the number of Catholic colleges and universities has grown to well over 200 institutions today. Founded for the most part by religious orders, these schools have made an immense contribution over the years to

the Church and to the larger community. This system is unique in the Church, too, regarding the variety of systems of institutional governance and the relationships with the larger society.

Since it is directed to Catholic universities and colleges throughout the world, “Ex Corde Ecclesiae” outlines the general characteristics and mission of a Catholic institution of higher learning, and leaves the specific applications to be worked out by the colleges and universities in different regions, in cooperation with the local episcopal conferences.

It is divided into two principal parts which concern the identity of a Catholic university and the mission of service of a Catholic university. It gives four “essential characteristics” of a Catholic university: “1. A Christian inspiration not only of individuals but of the university community as such; 2. A continuing reflection in the light of the Catholic faith upon the growing treasury of human knowledge, to which it seeks to contribute by its own research; 3.

Fidelity to the Christian message as it comes to us through the Church; 4. An institutional commitment to the service of the people of God and of the human family in their pilgrimage to the transcendent goal which gives meaning to life.”

Because it is intended to direct the life of institutes of higher learning, it explicitly affirms proper academic freedom and locates this freedom within the search for truth and for the common good. It states: “The Church, accepting ‘the legitimate autonomy of human culture and especially of the sciences,’ recognizes the academic freedom of scholars in each discipline in accordance with its own principles and proper methods, and within the confines of the truth and the common good.”

A closing section of the constitution sets out the norms for implementing “Ex Corde Ecclesiae” and how Catholic colleges and SOLARI, SEE page 20

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‘Ex Corde Ecclesiae’ and today’s college students

he promulgation 21 years ago of “Ex Corde Ecclesiae,” launched an intense debate and conversation among Catholic colleges and universities across America. Somehow in all the furor, pundits got into the weeds and forgot the beauty of the forest.

The beauty of a Catholic higher education The Holy Father’s letter primarily seeks to share his vision of the beautiful landscape of Catholic colleges and universities.

There is a beauty about a college whose faculty, staff and students gather with the common purpose to seek the truth and to celebrate that truth revealed by Christ and His Church. There is a poetic symmetry between faith and reason. There is a masterpiece in a college that views all its members, with special attention to its youngest – the students – as whole human persons on a journey of discovery, growth and joy, who come from God and travel to God. Other schools compartmentalize.

If you want to be an engineer you enter the engineering school, with precious little room to study anything that is not related to engineering. If you want to talk about rules or the roommate, you call Student Affairs. If the student wants to go to Mass, there might be a Newman Center on the edge of campus. But parents do not send their children to become compartmentalized students; instead they want their children to prepare to seek happy, successful and whole lives.

An authentic Catholic college pledges to mentor students as they prepare for careers, for negotiating relationships, for being people of character, for leading happy and fulfilling lives. And for Catholics, that should mean that the

students’ faith lives are essential and integrated with the whole of their lives.

The wholeness of the human person The Holy Father again and again returns to a view of the human person as a whole person and the role of all at a Catholic institution of higher learning is to seek a whole life. A Catholic institution of higher learning is marked by a common dedication to truth and a common vision of the dignity of the human person.

The wholeness of the human person is found in the person and message of Christ. It is thus a truly inspired campus that assists all of its members “to achieve wholeness as human persons” (section 21).

Thus teachers are called to be “witnesses and educators of authentic Christian life” (section 22). Students are “challenged to continue the search for truth and for meaning throughout their life” (section 23). Directors and administrators are to promote the growth of the institution “through a leadership of service” (section 24).

A college president once told me that the loneliest person on this earth is a college freshman. If you think about that observation, it is somewhat daunting.

Traditional college freshmen are about 18 years old. Until they go to college, they are under the supervision of parents and usually lead pretty structured lives. Then they are thrown into a culture where they must figure out when to study and when to rest, who their true friends are and which friends are not true, how their writing and reading and calculating and praying and socializing all fit into LAMADRID, SEE page 20

“Ex Corde Ecclesiae” outlines the relationship between Catholic bishops and Catholic colleges and universities, and its implementation in the U.S. has been characterized by a “take it slow” approach.

The document calls for “close personal and pastoral relationships … between university and Church authorities, characterized by mutual trust, close and consistent cooperation and continuing dialogue.” The U.S. bishops spent nearly 10 years reviewing the papal document before approving “The Application of Ex Corde Ecclesiae for the United States,” which became effective in 2001.

Now, a decade later, bishops are reviewing how “Ex Corde Ecclesiae” is working.

The review will consist of a conversation between a bishop and each college president in his diocese, concentrating how they are implementing Catholic identity and mission, ecclesial communion, service rendered by the college, and continued cooperation between the bishop and college president.

“Dialogue between bishop and president provides an important means to foster a mutually beneficial relationship,” said Bishop Thomas J. Curry of Los Angeles, the USCCB’s chairman of the Committee on Catholic Education.

Following the local conversations, bishops will share their reflections with one another at USCCB regional meetings during the General Assembly in November 2011.

The presentations will then be complied and presented to the USCCB’s president, Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York.

“I was pleased and grateful that the bishops invited university presidents to help shape the instrument that will guide these conversations,” said Father Dennis Holtschneider, C.M., president of DePaul University and chair of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.

“This review will help us appreciate the positive developments and remaining challenges in the collaborative efforts of bishops and presidents to ensure the implementation” of the apostolic constitution, Bishop Curry said.

— Christopher Lux and David Hains

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charlottediocese.org/catholicnews | March 25, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

SOLARI: FROM PAGE 19

universities are to safeguard their identity, how such universities are established, and certain norms governing the life and work of Catholic colleges. This section received the most publicity, as these norms required that Catholics teaching theological disciplines receive a mandatum from the local ordinary.

This provision was actually application of Canon 812 of the revised Code of Canon Law, promulgated in 1983.

Although some expressed concern that such a mandatum would limit the academic freedom of theologians teaching at Catholic colleges, the mandatum recognizes, on the part of the Church, that the theologian “is a teacher in the full communion of the Catholic Church.” On the part of the theologian, it “recognizes the professor’s commitment and responsibility to teach authentic Catholic doctrine and to refrain from putting forth as Catholic teaching

anything contrary to the Church’s magisterium.” If a theologian is exercising a critical function, based on his own learning and research, in questioning and critiquing the Church’s teaching, the requirement is that the professor make it clear that, in such an instance, he is proposing his or her own ideas and not the official Church doctrine.

The madatum is requested from the diocesan’s bishop when a Catholic theologian first receives an appointment in a Catholic college. It is personal and remains valid as long as the theologian teaches, even if the theologian takes a position at a college or university in another diocese. It cannot be withdrawn except by competent ecclesiastical authority, for cause, with due process.

In our own diocese, Belmont Abbey College has publicly stated its intention to be a Catholic college according to the provisions and direction set out by Pope John Paul II in “Ex Corde Ecclesiae.”

Abbot Placid Solari has served as the spiritual leader of the Benedictine monks at Belmont Abbey Monastery since 1999. He acts as chancellor of Belmont Abbey College.

LAMADRID: FROM PAGE 19

the greater purposes of their lives.

This is a vulnerable time filled with many new freedoms, responsibilities and temptations. There are so many questions at this time of life: Who am I? Where am I headed? What is success? Who will I be in 10 years? What do I want to do with my life? How does that relate with who my parents want me to be?

At many colleges and universities, students must connect the dots on their own. Some succeed. Many do not. They drift. They play video games. They spend hours on Facebook – the modernday harbor of the lonely. They send text messages constantly. They go to parties.

If they are at the wrong college, they are left on their own.

A call for support from all Catholics The Catholic vision for life is one of community. We are in this together. We are responsible for and to each other. “Ex Corde Ecclesiae” is a vision for what a Catholic college is and should be. It calls upon the entire Catholic community to support Catholic institutions of higher education through prayer, through economic funding, and through sending their students to such an institution (section 11).

In return, those students will become adults who are living testaments to the Good News, who are faithful to the Church, who are inspired by Christ, who are well educated, who are successful in the world while also bearing witness to that world, who are intelligent and moral and happy, whole persons.

Dr. Lucas LAMADRID is vice president for enrollment management and student affairs at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont. He is a member of Queen of the Apostles Church in Blemont.