Aug. 12, 2011

August 12, 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

Conquering Kilimanjaro

‘Do this in memory of Me’

Holy Spirit parishioner to climb 20,000 feet in effort to provide clean water to the poor, 11

Bishop Jugis reflects on the upcoming Eucharistic Congress and invites all of the faithful to participate,

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FUNDED by the parishioners of the diocese of charlotte

Called & De Cerca installed, 12 too

THANK YOU!

¡Conozca y únase a los Promotores de la Fe!

Andrews joyfully welcomes Father Jones as pastor,

3 Calendar 4 Diocese 3-15

FAITH 2

mix 20

Other News

Asheville priest pleads guilty in obstruction case, 3 Needs grow for social services across the diocese, 9 Diocesan foundation awards $41k in grants, 7

nation & World 22-25 Schools 16

Viewpoints 26-27

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

Our faith

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 12, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

St. Maximilian Kolbe: Martyred in a concentration camp in 1941 Feast day: Aug. 14 St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Polish Franciscan priest, missionary and martyr, is celebrated throughout the Church on Aug. 14.

The saint, who died in the concentration camp at Auschwitz during World War II, is remembered as a “martyr of charity” for dying in place of another prisoner who had a wife and children. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II on Oct. 10, 1982.

St. Maximilian Kolbe is also celebrated for his missionary work, his evangelistic use of modern means of communication, and for his lifelong devotion to the Virgin Mary under her title of the Immaculate Conception.

All these aspects of St. Maximilian Kolbe’s life converged in his founding of the Militia Immaculata. The worldwide organization continues St. Maximilian Kolbe’s mission of bringing individuals and societies into the Catholic Church, through dedication to the Virgin Mary.

St. Maximilian Kolbe, according to several biographies, was personally called by the Virgin Mary, both to his holy life and to his eventual martyrdom. As an impulsive and badly-behaved child, he prayed to her for guidance, and later described how she miraculously appeared to him holding two crowns: one was white, representing purity, the other red, for martyrdom.

When he was asked to choose between these two destinies, the troublesome child and future saint said he wanted both.

Radically changed by the incident, he entered the minor seminary of the Conventual Franciscans at age 13, in 1907.

At age 20 he made his solemn vows as a Franciscan, earning a doctorate in philosophy the next year. Soon after, however, he developed chronic tuberculosis, which eventually destroyed one of his lungs and weakened the other.

On Oct. 16, 1917, in response to antiCatholic demonstrations by Italian Freemasons, Father Kolbe led six other Franciscans in Rome to form the association

they called the Militia Immaculata. The group’s founding coincided almost exactly with the Bolshevik revolution in Russia, and the Marian apparitions at Fatima, Portugal.

As a Franciscan priest, Father Kolbe returned to work in Poland during the 1920s. There, he promoted the Catholic faith through newspapers and magazines which eventually reached an extraordinary circulation, published from a monastery so large it was called the “City of the Immaculata.”

In 1930 he moved to Japan, establishing a Japanese Catholic press by 1936, along with a similarly ambitious monastery.

That year, however, he returned to Poland for the last time. In 1939, Germany invaded Poland, and Father Kolbe was arrested.

Briefly freed during 1940, he published one last issue of the Knight of the Immaculata before his final arrest and transportation to Auschwitz in 1941.

At the beginning of August that year, 10 prisoners were sentenced to death by starvation in punishment for another inmate’s escape. Moved by one man’s lamentation for his wife and children, Father Kolbe volunteered to die in his place.

Survivors of the camp testified that the starving prisoners could be heard praying and singing hymns, led by the priest who had volunteered for an agonizing death. After two weeks, on the night before the Church’s feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the camp officials decided to hasten Father Kolbe’s death, injecting him with carbolic acid.

St. Maximilian Kolbe’s body was cremated by the camp officials on the feast of the Assumption. He had stated years earlier: “I would like to be reduced to ashes for the cause of the Immaculata, and may this dust be carried over the whole world, so that nothing would remain.”

A saintly life

Find out more As a member of the Militia Immaculata, a Catholic consecrates himself or herself to Jesus and seeks the conversion of sinners through the intercession of Mary and the wearing of the Miraculous Medal. This international evangelization movement, founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe in 1917, aims to bring about spiritual renewal and is open to all Catholics. It employs prayer and apostolic action as the main weapon in the spiritual battle with evil.

Go online to www.consecration.com or www.fisheaters.com/ totalconsecrationkolbe.html to learn more.

The facts of faith Why are Catholic and Protestant Bibles different?

This question raises the issue of the biblical canon.

Originally, a canon (from the Greek “kanon”) meant a rod or stick that one used to measure length – hence a criterion or standard.

Catholics and Protestants accept the same 27 inspired books of the New Testament. But some significant differences emerge over the Old Testament.

The decision finally determining the exact number of books accepted as inspired Scripture for Catholics was not made until the Council of Trent in 1546. The Council accepted 46 Old Testament books, following what appeared to them as a firm tradition of the Church from ancient times.

Leaders of the Protestant Reformation, on the other hand, rejected seven of those books: Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch and 1 and 2 Maccabees. There are also some sections of Esther and Daniel not considered inspired Scriptures by Protestants.

Protestants call these seven books the apocryphal books. Catholics, however, call these same disputed books deuterocanonical.

When selecting a Catholic Bible, look for an imprimatur – the assurance from a Catholic bishop that the text is in line with Church teaching.

– AmericanCatholic.org

— Catholic News Agency

Your daily Scripture readings SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF AUG. 14 - AUG. 20

Sunday, Isaiah 56:1, 6-7, Romans 11:13-15, 29-32, Matthew 15:2128; Monday (The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary), Revelation 11:19, 12:1-6, 10, 1 Corinthians 15:20-27, Luke 1:39-56; Tuesday (St. Stephen of Hungary), Judges 6:11-24, Matthew 19:23-30; Wednesday, Judges 9:6-15, Matthew 20:1-16; Thursday, Judges 11:29-39, Matthew 22:1-14; Friday (St. John Eudes), Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14-16, 22, Matthew 22:34-40; Saturday (St. Bernard), Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11, 4:13-17, Matthew 23:1-12

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF AUG. 21 - AUG. 27

Sunday, Isaiah 22:19-23, Romans 11:33-36, Matthew 16:13-20; Monday, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8-10, Matthew 23:13-22; Tuesday (St. Rose of Lima), 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 23:23-26; Wednesday (St. Bartholomew), Revelation 21:9-14, John 1:4551; Thursday (St. Louis of France and St. Joseph Calasanz), 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13, Matthew 24:42-51; Friday, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, Matthew 25:1-13; Saturday (St. Monica), 1 Thessalonians 4:911, Matthew 25:14-30

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF AUG. 28 - SEPT. 3

Sunday, Jeremiah 20:7-9, Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 16:2127; Monday (The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist), 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Mark 6:17-29; Tuesday, 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 9-11, Luke 4:31-37; Wednesday, Colossians 1:-18, Luke 4:38-44; Thursday, Colossians 1:9-14, Luke 5:1-11; Friday, Colossians 1:15-20, Luke 5:33-39; Saturday (St. Gregory the Great), Colossians 1:2123, Luke 6:1-5

Our parishes

August 12, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Priest pleads guilty in obstruction case

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief New deacon assigned

David Hains Diocesan Director of Communication

MARS HILL — Deacon Richard J. Zandy has been assigned Zandy to serve as a permanent deacon at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Mars Hill to assist Father Fred Werth, pastor.

Father Brandon Jones was installed

by Bishop Peter Jugis as pastor of Holy Redeemer Church in Andrews and Prince of Peace Mission in Robbinsville July 31.

New seminarians CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte announces that Paul McNulty is re-entering Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, as a seminarian for the diocese, where he will begin secondyear theology courses. Peter N. Ascik will also begin studies as a seminarian for the diocese at Pontifical College Josephinum this fall.

‘Choose Life’ license plate now available State legislators recently approved a law allowing drivers to purchase “Choose Life” specialty license plates. Specialty plates cost a premium above the normal license plate fee. Funds raised through the sale of these plates will be distributed by the North Carolina Pregnancy Fellowship to promote adoption and other compassionate alternatives to abortion and to raise funds to assist women experiencing crisis pregnancies.

To order this new license plate, go online to http://catholicvoicenc.org/ ChooseLifeApplication.pdf.

— David Hains

Correction The July 29 article “Natural Family Planning Week takes spotlight July 24-31” misstated the Web site address for NFP information from the diocese.

Go online to www.cssnc.org/nfp to learn more.

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Photos by Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald

Andrews joyfully welcomes Father Jones as pastor Patricia L. Guilfoyle Editor

ANDREWS — Father Brandon H. Jones was installed as pastor of Holy Redeemer Church in Andrews and Prince of Peace Mission in Robbinsville during a joyful and prayerful Mass July 31 celebrated by Bishop Peter J. Jugis.

The small mountain church in Andrews – which happens to be the smallest parish in the diocese – was filled to capacity with parishioners, guests and well-wishers to welcome Father Jones in his first assignment as pastor. Father Jones is former administrator of St. Joseph Church in Asheboro and former parochial vicar of St. Mark Church in Huntersville.

In the installation ceremony during Sunday Mass, Father Jones took an oath of fidelity to the Church and to the bishop, and publicly signed documents officially taking over as pastor of the parish.

Following his homily, Bishop Jugis walked with Father Jones around the little church, pointing out the places where he would exercise his duties to administer the sacraments and teach the faithful: the front door – providing generous access to the faithful to come and pray; the baptismal font and the confessional – administering the sacraments of baptism and reconciliation, enabling the faithful to receive new life in Christ and restore their relationship to God; the tabernacle and the altar – celebrating

the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to nourish the faithful with the Body and Blood of Christ; and the presidential chair – symbolizing Father Jones’ role as leader and teacher for the parish.

Because of the standing-room-only crowd at Mass inside the small church, the attending Knights of Columbus sat inside the confessional. As Bishop Jugis and Father Jones approached the place where Father Jones would administer the sacrament of reconciliation, the congregation erupted in laughter as Bishop Jugis quipped, “I see you have three candidates already waiting!”

At the end of Mass, Father Jones thanked parishioners for their warm welcome and asked for their prayers as he begins his ministry in western North Carolina.

“This morning I am reminded of a poem attributed to St. Norbert: ‘O priest, who are you? Not through yourself, for you are drawn from nothing. Not for yourself since you are mediator of men. Not to yourself, for you are married to the Church. Not your own, for you are the servant of all. You are not you, for you are God. Who are you then? You are nothing and everything.’

“I ask your prayers that I may be the shepherd you deserve and that, by God’s grace, I might live up to those words of St. Norbert and truly be your servant as we walk the path of discipleship in the way of the Lord Jesus Christ. Please pray that I may be faithful to the mission entrusted to me. May God bless you always.”

Father John Schneider, the former pastor of St. Eugene Church in Asheville, pleaded guilty June 30 to a misdemeanor in connection with a church worker sexual abuse case.

Father Schneider was fined, ordered to perform community service and placed on probation.

The plea is connected to the arrest in May of 2009 Schneider of Paul Berrell, the former music minister at St. Eugene. He was charged and later pleaded guilty to taking indecent liberties with a minor.

SCHNEIDER, SEE page 17

Woman’s Right to Know Act becomes state law David Hains Diocesan Director of Communication

CHARLOTTE — By the slimmest of margins, both houses of the N.C. General Assembly voted to override Gov. Beverly Perdue’s veto of the Woman’s Right to Know Act in late July.

The measure, which goes into effect Oct. 1, requires abortionists to give women information that will allow them to make informed choices about the lives of their unborn children.

The vote to pass the legislation originally was largely along partisan lines and was not close. It was a different story on the override.

Legislators in favor of the act needed to pick up one vote in each house for the bill to become law.

RIGHT TO KNOW, SEE page 17

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 12, 2011 OUR PARISHES

Diocesan calendar of events BELMONT

DENVER

belmont abbey college, 100 Belmont-Mt.Holly Road

Bishop Peter J. Jugis Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following events over the next two weeks: Aug. 13 – 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Installation of father John F. Starczewski St. Francis of Assisi Church, Mocksville Aug. 14 – 12:30 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. Joseph Church, Charlotte Aug. 16 – 12:30 p.m.

MACS Teacher Luncheon St. Gabriel Church Ministry Center, Charlotte Aug. 21 – 12:30 p.m.

Scroll Mass: Equestrian Order of Holy Sepulchre St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

— Arts at the Abbey Extra: Dorian Consort from Europe, Basilica, 8 p.m. Aug. 12 QUEEN OF THE APOSTLES CHURCH, 503 n. main st.

— Play and Pray: A Woman’s Retreat, MAK Family Life Center, 5-8:30 p.m. Aug. 28. RSVP by Aug. 21 to Tricia Vasil at pavasil@carolina.rr.com or 704-648-7878, Cam Tracy at 704-853-0654, or Barbara Parker at 704-8254404.

CHARLOTTE charlotte convention center, 501 s. college st.

— Seventh Eucharistic Congress, Sept. 23 and 24. The theme is “Do This in Memory of Me.” The Congress will include a procession of the Eucharist through the streets of uptown Charlotte. The keynote speaker on Friday will be Cardinal Francis Arinze. Visit www. goeucharist.com.

— Great Vespers for the Feast of the Dormition/Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 4 p.m. Aug. 14. Visit www. stbasil.weebly.com.

ST. GABRIEL CHURCH, 3016 PROVIDENCE ROAD

ST. john neumann CHURCH, 8451 idlewild road — “Why do Catholics do That?” Parish Hall, 6-6:30 p.m.

Sept. 11. Contact Karen Polce at kmpolce@gmail.com or 704-545-7580.

— Alzheimer’s Support Group, library, 9:45 a.m. third Tuesdays ST. luke CHURCH, 13700 Lawyers Road — Anointing of the Sick at Mass, 10 a.m. Aug. 20.

Refreshments served after Mass. Contact 704-545-1224.

— Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Information Meeting, Family Life Center, 7 p.m. Sept. 6 ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, 8015 BALLANTYNE COMMONS PKWY. — “Moments Matter in Lectio Divina!” 10-11 a.m. and 7-8 p.m. Aug. 18. Adults interested in seeking a deeper relationship with God are invited to learn more about this practice. Contact Pat Donlevy at patldonlevy@gmail. com or 704-541-8960.

Volume 20 • Number 29

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

“Catholics and Cherokees: Healing the Soul Wound,” with featured speaker Patty Grant, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and founding member of Healing and Wellness Coalition. Registration requested to stjohn23@charter.net or 828-456-6707.

EDITOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Denise Onativia 704-370-3333, catholicnews@charlottediocese.org ADVERTISING MANAGER: Kevin Eagan 704-370-3332, keeagan@charlottediocese.org STAFF WRITER: SueAnn Howell 704-370-3354, sahowell@charlottediocese.org HISPANIC COMMUNICATIONS: Carlos Castañeda 704-370-3375, cmcastaneda@charlottediocese.org GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher 704-370-3331, tpfaragher@charlottediocese.org

HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH, 537 N. HWY. 16 — Healing Mass, 7 p.m. Aug. 31

GREENSBORO OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH, 2205 W. MARKET ST. — Children’s Summer Adoration, 10-10:30 a.m. Thursdays through Aug. 18. Contact Meg Foppe at 336-510-4218.

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CHURCH, 234 Church St., Waynesville, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 11.

— “The Catholic Faith and The Holy Bible,” 7-8:30 p.m.

Sept. 8

ST. WILLIAM CHURCH, 765 Andrews Road, Murphy, 7 p.m. Aug. 25.

— Walking with Purpose Women’s Bible Study, 8 a.m.

Sept. 17. Contact Patty Disney at pdisney@ridgewoodnc. net. Visit www.walkingwithpurpose.com.

st. mary, mother of god church, 22 Bartlett St., Sylva, 6 p.m. Aug. 26 st. jude mission, 3011 U.S. Hwy. 64 E., Sapphire, 6 p.m. Aug. 30

ST. BASIL UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC MISSION, Charlotte Catholic High School’s chapel

— Shining Stars Support Group, 10 a.m.-noon last Mondays.

Visit www.stgabrielchurch.org.

August 12, 2011

This week’s spotlight:

— St. Peregrine Healing Prayer Service, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 25 — “You’re Only the Co-Pilot, So Buckle Up!” Program geared towards those who have experienced transitions including moving to a new place. NLC Banquet Room, 8:30-11 a.m. Sept. 9. Registration required by Aug. 25 to welcomeministries@gmail.com.

— Our Lady of Perpetual Help Group Inquiry Meeting, NLC Room 132, 2-3 p.m. Sept. 11. Contact dominican3op@ gmail.com. Visit www.charlottelaydominicans.org.

— Charismatic Prayer Group, Choir Room, 7:30-9 p.m.

Mondays. Contact Barbara Gardner at chlt5nc@aol.com.

— Centering Prayer Meeting, NLC Room 211, 7-8:30 p.m. second and fourth Wednesdays. Contact Bruce Hassett at 704-641-9041 or Janie Normile at 803-396-8016. the CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY, 3500 SHAMROCK DR. — “SINGGALOT: The Ties That Bind,” the story, culture and contemporary issues of Filipino Americans, Free Family Days sponsored by the Philippine Cultural Legacy Project: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 13, Sept. 10 and Oct. 1. Contact Dr. Nini Bautista at ninibautista@aol.com or 704-5839421. Visit www.facc-charlotte.com.

The Catholic News Herald is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte 28 times a year.

NEWS: The Catholic News Herald welcomes your news and photos. Please e-mail information, attaching photos in JPG format with a recommended resolution of 150 dpi or higher, to catholicnews@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.

ADVERTISING: Reach 165,000 Catholics across western North Carolina! For advertising rates and information,

st. paul the apostle CHURCH, 2715 horse pen creek road — “safeTALK: Suicide Alertness for Everyone,” 6-9 p.m.

Aug. 18. Registration required to cassal@stpaulcc.org or 336-294-4696, ext. 226.

HUNTERSVILLE st. mark church, 14740 stumptown road — Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novenas, following 6:30 p.m.

Mass Wednesdays — Hora Santa en Español, 7:30-8:30 p.m. terceros jueves

MOUNT AIRY HOLY ANGELS CHURCH, 1208 N Main st.

— Solemnity of the Assumption Missa Cantata, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 15 — Mass in the Extraordinary Form, noon Sundays. Contact holyangelsmountairy@charlottediocese.org or 336-7868147.

SWANNANOA ST. MARGARET MARY CHURCH, 102 andrew place — Lectio Divina, 1 p.m. Wednesdays. Contact Deacon Ralph Eckoff at reckoff@bellsouth.net or 828-299-7359.

Is your PARISH OR SCHOOL hosting a free event open to the public? Deadline for all submissions for the Diocesan Calendar is 10 days prior to desired publication date. Submit in writing to catholicnews@charlottediocese.org or fax to 704-370-3282.

contact Advertising Manager Kevin Eagan at 704-370-3332 or keeagan@charlottediocese.org. The Catholic News Herald reserves the right to reject or cancel advertising for any reason, and does not recommend or guarantee any product, service or benefit claimed by our advertisers.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: $15 per year for all registered parishioners of the Diocese of Charlotte and $23 per year for all others.

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

facebook.com/ catholic news HERALD Diocese of Charlotte

August 12, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com

OUR PARISHESI

Taking center stage

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MATTHEW WEAVER

BILL WASHINGTON | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Matthew Weaver, music director at Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury, recently performed at the Grand Ole Opry.

Sacred Heart’s music director plays Grand Ole Opry Cindia G. Leonard Correspondent

SALISBURY — It was the weekend of Palm Sunday – one of the most important times of the year for a parish music director. And Matthew Weaver, Sacred Heart’s music director, could not lead the choir during Mass.

Instead, Weaver had an invitation to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. It was a dream eight years in the making – years of performing country and bluegrass music, recording albums, and struggling to get a foothold on the country music scene. He just couldn’t miss this chance.

Fortunately, his pastor, Father John T. Putnam, knew all about Weaver’s budding professional music career and understood how important this opportunity was to him. He told Weaver it would be OK to bow out as music director that weekend, and go to Nashville and try his luck on stage.

“Father John is very supportive of me and my music,” Weaver said. “He knew I was pursuing that dream for many, many years and how important it was for me to go. I had to go. I couldn’t turn down the opportunity of a lifetime after trying for eight years.”

So on Palm Sunday weekend, Weaver traveled to Nashville and took his place on one of the most famous stages in the world, standing on the same eight-foot “sacred circle” of oak flooring where every country music legend since 1943 has stood and crooned or strummed their tunes. Roy Acuff. Hank Williams Sr. Patsy Cline. Ralph Stanley. Johnny Cash. Loretta Lynn. Reba McEntire. Ricky Van Shelton. Brad Paisley. Vince Gill. Alan Jackson. Every country, bluegrass and Gospel singer worth his or her salt over the past 50 years has played the Opry.

Weaver was finally joining them, and all he could think about was his idol, Dolly Parton.

Weaver has always admired Parton’s music and social activism, he said.

While attending and teaching music at Appalachian State University, his respect has only grown for her work, which highlights the social issues

that mountain residents still struggle with in their lives today.

“Dolly is true and genuine,” Weaver said. “She came from nothing and was born into poverty. She’s one of the biggest influences in my life.”

Weaver comes from a musical family, and his first love was the piano – learning to play when he was just 3. It was the first of many instruments he learned to play by ear; now he can play 19.

In 1984 his family moved to Salisbury, and his love of country music grew as he heard the unique music of the Appalachian mountains. The different styles of bluegrass, hillbilly and old-time mountain music are some of his favorites, he said.

In 1999 he took a job as the music director at Sacred Heart Church and School. He wasn’t Catholic, but he loved having the chance to play music, he said.

“The music director at the time was leaving. They asked me to just come in and see if I would be the interim music director until they hired someone. They had no one else to play. I said, ‘sure.’ It was a whole new learning experience for me because I wasn’t raised Catholic.”

It didn’t take long for Weaver to learn the musical settings for Mass, and the beauty of the faith captured his attention. In 2002, he converted to Catholicism. Thirteen years after first coming to Sacred Heart Church, he is at home, yet he is yearning to stretch his musical career.

“I’ve had people at church threaten to kill me if I leave. They say I’m the best music director they’ve had in over 30 years,” Weaver joked.

Now that he has played the Opry, Weaver said he is even more determined to continue building his professional music career.

He has been invited to come back and play at the Opry this fall. He will also headline a special Country Christmas show in December in Salisbury that will be recorded for a live-performance album. Eventually, Weaver will graduate from ASU, and then his plans will probably take him away from Sacred Heart Parish.

“I love everyone at church, but my heart and my fingers belong on the stage,” he said.

Hear Matthew Weaver’s music Check out the music of Matthew Weaver, including his Grand Ole Opry performance, at www. matthewweavermusic. com.

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 12, 2011 OUR PARISHES

Capuchin friar Frantz takes solemn vows

Some artful dodging Zachary Martin (far right), a teen from St. Mark Church participating in Vocation Awareness Day at St. Ann Church on Aug. 3, crouches on all fours to avoid being struck during the dodge ball games.

Priests, deacons, seminarians and young men gathered for the annual event, which gives young men an opportunity to find out what the priestly vocation is and enjoy some recreation time with Bishop Peter J. Jugis, diocesan clergy and seminarians.

Mary Adams Special to the Catholic News Herald

sueann howell | catholic news herald

Holy man’s birthday coincides with start of new young adult ministry Mary B. Worthington Correspondent

WINSTON-SALEM — After more than a year of prayer in response to a request by his pastor, newly ordained Father Lucas Rossi recently felt confirmation in forming a young adult ministry in Winston-Salem under the intercession of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.

Father Rossi, parochial vicar at St. Leo Church in Winston-Salem, was approached by young adults in his parish about four months ago, asking if they could start a group under Blessed Pier Giorgio’s patronage. That date – April 6, 2011 – happened to be exactly 110 years since the birth of the man who was destined to lead young people to sanctity.

In June the “Frassati Fellowship” held its first gathering with about 70 young adults from three Winston-Salem area parishes. It aims to engage young adults in the same spiritual activities that Blessed Pier Giorgio was known for: fellowship, prayer and devotion, service and catechesis. “Frassati Fellowship” has been developed by Frassati USA, one of the advocates for the young Italian man’s cause for sainthood.

Blessed Pier Giorgio, who died suddenly at age 24, “would go to daily Mass, spend long moments in Adoration, and, filled with the love of God, would then serve the poor,” Father Rossi explained. “Frassati also was constantly bringing his friends with him to Mass and Adoration. He would even make arrangements for a priest to have Mass for him and his friends while they were away on ski trips.”

The newly formed group in Winston-Salem seeks to imitate the life of this young man through a rotating schedule of activities under the direction of the parish.

“The priest’s presence is not essential to Frassati (Fellowship) but highly encouraged for a variety of reasons,” Father Rossi said, “especially for devotion evenings when there will be Adoration, and to promote vocations

to the priesthood. Several young men have not readily embraced a specific vocation yet.”

Participant Amanda Dillard, a member of St. Leo Church, praised the spiritual support she receives from attending.

“It’s whatever on Saturday night as long as you go to church on Sunday” for many people, she said, but attending a Bible study with members of the “Frassati Fellowship” changed all of that for her.

“There is something awesome about waking up and not feeling bad about what you did last night,” she said. This fellowship “brought me back to church and completely saved my life.”

Participant Riley Matheson added, “It is important to have fellowship because the random people you meet in life and develop friendships with won’t be the ones to help you get to heaven. But here, you’re highly more likely to find that!”

Matheson was a member of St. Leo Church throughout his childhood, but now he teaches Latin in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and he said he has found it difficult to meet other young Catholics there.

Since June, attendance at the Winston-Salem “Frassati Fellowship” has thrived.

“The fruits have been amazing to see!” Father Rossi said. “I am moved each Thursday night at what the Holy Spirit is doing here in WinstonSalem. The young people are so hungry for holiness and the Catholic faith. We simply desire to offer them the role model of Pier Giorgio, who gave himself to Jesus, and give them the spiritual tools they need, and let God do the rest!”

Learn more To attend the Winston-Salem area Frassati Fellowship, call St. Leo Church at 336-724-9596. The group meets on Thursdays at 7:15 p.m.; locations change weekly.

Mary Beth Worthington | Catholic News Herald

A “Frassati Fellowship” group has been started in the Winston-Salem area for young adults who want to deepen their spiritual lives and spend more time in prayer, Adoration and service to the poor. Above, Danny Covas, a St. Leo parishioner, diligently takes notes and follows along at the Scripture study held July 14 for the Frassati Fellowship attended by 38 Winston-Salem area youths.

Want to start a Frassati Fellowship for your parish?

Frassati USA has helped parishes throughout the U.S. begin similar groups for young adults aged 20-40. There is no charter or cost. More information is online at www. frassatiusa.org.

DETROIT — Mitchell Frantz made his solemn perpetual profession of vows as a Capuchin friar Aug. 6 at the site of the first permanent foundation of the Capuchin Order in North America, St. Lawrence Seminary High School in Mount Calvary, Wis. Frantz is the son of Patricia and Kevin Frantz, Frantz parishioners of St. Luke Church in Mint Hill.

The provincial minister of the Detroit-based Capuchin Province of St. Joseph, Father John Celichowski, OFM Cap., said, “This is an exciting day for our province. Mitch is well-regarded among his Capuchin brothers as a gifted student and a dedicated servant of others.

“We look forward to his continued growth as a friar as well as his service to the people of God, especially our brothers and sisters who are poor and troubled.”

Frantz became interested in the Capuchins while attending St. Lawrence Seminary High School.

“I continue to learn humility and living in the moment,” Frantz said. “It has been a long journey, but I feel that it has been worth it.”

Frantz will continue his academic formation at Loyola University in Chicago, where he has been studying psychology and theology.

The Capuchins are an international community of friars modeling themselves after St. Francis of Assisi.

The brothers of the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph, headquartered in Detroit, serve in a variety of ministries including social service, schools, chaplaincies, retreat houses and parishes in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, Arizona, California, Nicaragua and Panama.

Established at Mount Calvary, Wis., in 1857, there are currently 184 members in the St. Joseph province.

August 12, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com

Diocesan foundation awards $41,000 in community grants SueAnn Howell Staff writer

CHARLOTTE — Food pantries, faith formation and tuition assistance programs are just some of the recipients of the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation grants awarded recently at the close of the 2010-’11 fiscal year.

The grants range from $1,000 to $3,500 – a total of $41,000 given away to 19 churches, schools and agencies this year.

“The foundation focuses its efforts on programs that effectively support evangelical initiatives, as well as programs that support the poor and minority communities,” said Judy Smith, director of planned giving for the diocese.

The foundation consists of 194 endowments benefitting various parishes, missions, schools, agencies and organizations annually, Smith said.

Four of those endowments provide funding for these 19 grants.

One of the grant recipients is the GPS4Life program at St. John Neumann Church in

Charlotte, receiving a $2,500 grant.

GPS4Life is the church’s middle school faith formation program, but it has a customized, youth ministry “twist,” Father Pat Hoare said, and it is inspiring youths to get excited about the faith. About 125 middle school students participated in the program last year.

“We are very grateful for the diocesan grant,” said Meredith Magyar, the parish’s religious education director. “This money has allowed us to build an engaging and inspiring program for our middle school youth. In addition, it has allowed us to fund our middle school camp (at Camp Thunderbird), which has been a huge benefit to our program and provides an amazing faith experience for our students.”

Since the foundation began providing these grants in 2001, more than 190 have been awarded, Smith said.

The next grant cycle will begin in the spring of 2012, with requests due by the end of March. For more information about these grants, contact Judy Smith at 704-370-3320 or jmsmith@charlottediocese.org.

Diocese of Charlotte Development Grants 2011 St. Thérèse Community Outreach

Food Pantry Services

$1,000

St. Francis of Assisi

Faith Formation

$2,000

St. Benedict the Moor

Faith Formation

$3,000

St. John Neumann

GPS4Life Faith Formation Program

$2,500

St. Andrew the Apostle

Hispanic Ministry

$1,500

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Food Pantry Services

$2,000

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Crisis financial assistance

$1,500

St. Leo the Great School

Tuition assistance

$3,500

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Crisis financial assistance

$2,000

Ministero Catolico Hispano-Greensboro vicariate

$2,500

CSS-Western Regional Office

Immigration assistance

$3,000

St. Aloysius

Home Improvement Ministry

$1,000

Ministerio Catolico Hispano-Winston-Salem vicariate

$2,500

Lilies of St. Joseph Preschool

Tuition assistance

$1,500

Our Lady of Lourdes

Faith Formation

$2,500

Holy Trinity Middle School

Rediscovering Catholicism

‘Living an Authentic Catholic Life’

Program $2,000

Gastonia vicariate

Hispanic Ministry Faith Formation

Second Level (SEPI) Course

St. Joan of Arc

Education for Faith Formation Ministry $2,500

Our Lady of the Americas

Faith Formation

TOTAL

$2,000

$2,500

$41,000

OUR PARISHESI

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 12, 2011 OUR PARISHES

SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Talking about Scripture, learning about our faith More than 200 people from all over the U.S. gathered in Charlotte Aug. 5-7 for a three-day conference sponsored by Catholic Scripture Study International that featured some of the biggest names in Catholic theology, apologetics and evangelization.

Keynote speakers included Jesuit Father Mitch Pacwa, a Biblical scholar well known for his regular appearances on the Eternal Word Global Catholic Network (EWTN), hosting both television and radio programs; (pictured above) Patrick Madrid, publisher of Envoy Magazine, director of the Envoy Institute at Belmont Abbey College, and a well-known apologist; Hector Molina, a bilingual lay Catholic evangelist; Dr. William Thierfelder, president of Belmont Abbey College in Belmont; Father Patrick Winslow, pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Tryon and a CSSI author and lecturer; and Gail Buckley, founder and president of CSSI and a Catholic convert.

Bishop Peter J. Jugis celebrated Sunday Mass for the participants of the conference, reflecting on the Gospel of Matthew in which St. Peter asks Jesus to allow him to come to Him on the water but then panics and begins to sink before Jesus reaches out to help him.

“We are reminded by the proclamation of this Gospel today of the greatness of our faith in Jesus,” Bishop Jugis said, “and not to fear when confronted with seemingly impossible obstacles which are arranged on every side against us.”

The Perpetual Hope Gospel Choir from Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte also performed a rousing concert during the annual conference.

To request taped copies of the conference talks or get more information, call 877-228-7830 or go to www.cssprogram.net.

August 12, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com

Needs grow for Catholic Social Services across the diocese SUEANN HOWELL STAFF WRITER

CHARLOTTE — The three regional offices of Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Charlotte saw a flood of requests for help this past fiscal year that ended in July.

The greatest area of need? Requests for food assistance.

In the Charlotte regional office, more than 109,258 pounds of food were distributed to 2,476 adults and 1,951 children. The Piedmont Triad regional office distributed 106,039 pounds of food to 1,751 adults and 2,114 children.

In Asheville, the local regional office provided 75,492 pounds of food to 1,641 adults and 901 children. The need for food has increased by more than 25 percent from last year.

Pregnancy support and adoption services are also an integral part of Catholic Social Services. Twenty-five families and babies were served by programs designed to help develop healthy children and healthy families.

The Hand to Hand first-time teen parenting program in the Winston-Salem area assisted 63 birth mothers and four fathers, spending hundreds of hours training and counseling them on parenting skills and helping them to achieve educational and employment goals.

Counseling services are another important aspect of Catholic Social Services. The CSS Host Homes program helped 71 at-risk youth deal with personal and family crises by providing 406 hours of counseling and guidance.

In all, more than 2,614 hours of counseling were also provided to 369 individuals, couples and groups this past year.

Couples preparing for marriage, 502 of them, came through the Marriage Preparation program and received instruction in natural family planning.

Seniors in the community also benefitted, as across the diocese 750 seniors participated in 11 events of prayer and renewal.

The Refugee Resettlement Office provides services to the larger community, resettling more than 257 refugees from 14 different countries last year. A total of 3,473 hours of English language instruction was provided to them to assist them in their resettlement into American culture. Legal immigration services were provided to 544 people.

Catholic Social Services employs more than 60 fulland part-time employees who work tirelessly to use the resources given to them to assist all those who come to them in need.

“We literally couldn’t assist the community the way we do if we didn’t have the mix of the donations from the Diocesan Support Appeal, donated materials and financial support, and the help of volunteers,” said Dr. Gerard Carter, executive director of Catholic Social Services. “We couldn’t do it. It simply wouldn’t happen.”

For more information about Catholic Social Services, the diocesan affiliate of Catholic Charities, go to www. cssnc.org.

OUR PARISHESI

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In Brief Bishops attend CLI training session CHARLOTTE — Under the direction of the Catholic Leadership Institute, a non-profit lay association founded in 1991 to help clergy and lay leaders maximize their potential and fulfill their God-given purpose, bishops from around the country gathered in Charlotte for several days last month for a conference at the Ballantyne Lodge. This was the second year that the conference was held in Charlotte, a site chosen because it was a convenient and central setting for the attending bishops.

Matthew Manion, CLI’s president and CEO, has been working in this ministry for almost 15 years.

“We’re humbled and honored to be able support the bishops in their ongoing formation. It is inspiring to know that our shepherds are committed to lifelong learning and are making this investment of time in service to the leadership of their people and their dioceses,” Manion said.

— Doreen Sugierski

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 12, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief

Come to the Water Conference held for catechists in Sylva SYLVA — More than 45 catechists and other adults participated in the Come to the Water Conference June 25 at St. Mary, Mother of God Church in Sylva. The bilingual conference featured workshops about the sacraments and Sacred Scripture, as well as Protecting God’s Children training. Pictured are Sister Joan Pearson, SSJ, the Hispanic faith formation coordinator of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Lenoir; Juan Antonio Garcia, the Hispanic Vicariate coordinator of Asheville; Belle Harcourt, the faith formation leader of St. Mary Church; and Betsy McLeod, faith formation leader of St. Margaret Mary Church of Maggie Valley.

92-year-old Sister of Providence honored LEXINGTON — Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Lexington recently held a luncheon in honor of Sister Petra, SP, who celebrated her 92nd birthday and more than 72 years professed as a Sister of Providence. A large group of parishioners came out to celebrate with her July 14, as well as Sister Katherine Francis, SP, Sister Betty Paul, SP, and (pictured with Sister Petra above) Father Albert J. Gondek, O.S.F.S.

Knights elect new leaders KERNERSVILLE — Knights of Columbus Council 8509 of Holy Cross Church in Kernersville elected new leaders July 11, in a ceremony presided over

by District Deputy Larry D’Amelio. Pictured from left are: (front row) Wayne Miller, advocate; Jacky Jones, recorder; (second row) Herb Pennington, grand knight; Mike Karn, chancellor; Bob Yusuik, warden; D’Amelio; Fred Schaefer, outside guard; (third row) Jean Dion, deputy grand knight; Tony Belline, trustee second year; David Shepherd, treasurer; Matt Henze, inside guard; Bruce Baden, financial secretary; and (back row) Tom Fitzgerald, standing in for Guy Harley, trustee third year; and Steve Salvitti, trustee first year.

— Fred Hogan

– Dr. Cris Villapando

Abbey Players kick off season with ‘More’

IHM parishioner receives Golden Knight award

Teens volunteer with Missionaries of Charity

CHARLOTTE — Bishop Mario Busquets Jordá of the Prelature of Chuquibamba, Peru, recently visited St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte for a mission appeal for the Propagation of the Faith.

— Father Mark Lawlor

Celebrating their confirmation KING — The following parishioners of Good Shepherd Mission in King recently received the sacrament of confirmation: Alex Rodriguez, Michael Fournier, Stephanie Gutierrez, Elizabeth Flores, Roberto Perez, Jacqueline Alonzo, Pedro Cisneros, Eduardo Gutierrez, Benjamin Martin, Alexiz Alvarez, Rosa Mendieta, Monserrat Mendieta, Kyla Mathon, Briana Exline, Austin Shumate, Yuleima Alvarez, Yesogba Alvarez and Jacob Gupton.

— Annie Fournier

CLEMMONS — The Columbiettes of Bishop Greco 9499 Auxiliary recently held a Western Chapter major degree exemplification at Holy Family Church in Clemmons for 10 of its members.

The Western Chapter consists of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte, Holy Angels Church in Mount Airy, Holy Cross Church in Kernersville, and Holy Family. Pictured are (from left): Aleena DePinho, Katie Hauser and Renee Baumgarner of Holy Family; Michelle Gilley of Holy Angels; Natalie Herbstritt of Holy Family; Marilyn Hinson, Loraine Veto and Terri Peluso of Holy Cross; Susie Calhoun and Cissy Thompson of St. Matthew; and Mary Winfrey of Holy Family.

The Columbiettes are a national charitable service organization that works through the Knights of Columbus and with Catholic churches. This year the Holy Family Columbiettes were able to give $2,000 to Birthright Inc. and to the Brunson Backpack Program, which supplies needy children with food for weekends in backpacks.

— Maggie Herbstritt

— Linda McAdam

Special visitor comes to diocese

Columbiettes hold major degree exemplification

CHARLOTTE — During three weeks in July, a group of 10 to 12 high school youths and parents from St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte volunteered with the Missionaries of Charity summer camp in east Charlotte. The teens helped children at the camp learn about faith through songs, hands-on activities and crafts as well as served them dinner each night. St. John Neumann teens also helped chaperone the camp’s weekly outing, including going to the zoo and a group swim day.

— Meredith Magyar

HIGH POINT — Joe Deering, a parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in High Point, was recently awarded the highest state honor the Knights of Columbus can bestow: the Golden Knight award.

A member of Bishop Hafey Council 4507 with more than 33 years of service to the Knights of Columbus, Deering has served as deputy knight and grand knight, and has served on several degree teams and successfully organized many council events. Currently he is the commander of the honor guard.

Pictured with Deering is David R. Jones, past state deputy, at the awards ceremony in May.

Picking corn for charity

— Annette Tenny

KERNERSVILLE — Four members of the Knights of Columbus Council 8509 of Holy Cross Church in Kernersville recently picked 200 dozen ears of corn from the farm of Mike Shields and donated the crop to the American Soup Kitchen and the Salvation Army. Shields, Mike Karn (committee chairman and organizer), Frank Ovnie and Harry Sasser picked all that corn in less than two hours.

— Fred Hogan

Family game night held CHARLOTTE — St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte hosted its annual family game night July 30. The game enjoyed this year was “To Tell the Truth...No Confession Required.” A group of 35 participants came out to enjoy an evening of fellowship, food and wholesome family fun.

— Meredith Magyar

BELMONT — “More,” a one-man play about St. Thomas More, written and performed by Simon Donoghue, opens the Abbey Players’ new season at Belmont Abbey College at 8 p.m. Aug. 25-27 in the Haid Theatre. In the play about the English politician and martyr of the Church during the reign of King Henry VIII, More contemplates his life on the eve of his execution. For ticket information, go online to www.belmontabbeycollege.edu and click on the calendar icon.

Holy Spirit program helps with ‘moving on’ DENVER — Holy Spirit recently offered a new program called “Moving On After Moving In.” This new group is open to all women in the community who are “new/feel new” or are going through a life transition such as retirement, divorce, widowhood, etc. Classes are based on Susan Miller’s book “After the Boxes Are Unpacked,” about the spiritual, emotional and practical needs of making a transition. This program will be offered twice a year (in the spring and fall), meeting at the activity center on Thursday mornings for 10 weeks. The spring session encompassed 21 women aged 27-88 from Denver and surrounding areas. The fall session will begin in September. For details, call Candy at 704-4891691 or Maureen at 704-489-0544.

— Doreen Sugierski

August 12, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI Kraig Kern is pictured during a training climb overlooking a Colorado valley 14,000 feet below.

He and his team took part in a training climb in Colorado in early May as a way to help simulate the conditions they will face on Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Photo provided by Kraig C. Kern

Climbing to great heights to help save lives

I

n the wake of recent global disasters such as the tsunami in Japan, flooding in Pakistan, and the earthquake in Haiti, we are reminded that even the most basic human needs can be lacking for many people. According to the World Health Organization, 80 percent of all diseases on earth come from a lack of safe water and basic sanitation, and every 15 seconds a child dies from a waterborne illness. In fact, water-related diseases kill more people each year than all forms of violence including war. This is becoming a global crisis, yet most Americans do not realize just how large the problem is.

Kern I hope to help change that in some small way.

Earlier this year, I began a grassroots campaign called “Climb for Water” in an effort to raise awareness and financial assistance of the water and sanitation issues facing the developing world.

I wanted to fulfill a life-long dream to climb one of the tallest mountains on earth – Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania – and it quickly evolved into a desire to use my experience to help save lives. Through my work as the marketing director for WK Dickson & Co. Inc., a water resources engineering firm, I identified the charitable organization, Water for People, as the beneficiary of my efforts.

Water for People was recently named as one of the top 1 percent of all charities worldwide and is a global organization that helps people in developing countries improve quality of life by supporting the development of locally sustainable drinking water resources and sanitation facilities.

On Aug. 25 three other climbers and I will journey to Tanzania to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. At just under 20,000 feet, it is the world’s tallest free-standing mountain.

My goal is to raise the equivalent of $1 for every foot in elevation we achieve. That means when I reach the summit, the hope is to have gathered close to $20,000; we have

Follow the climbers To learn what you can do to help Water for People or follow the Climb for Water team’s progress, go to www.climbforwater.org. They can also be followed on Facebook by searching “Climb for Water.”

raised $15,000 so far. According to the cost of a typical water project in underdeveloped countries, just the goal of the Climb for Water campaign alone has the potential to raise enough money to give more than 1,000 people clean drinking water for life through the use of wells, rain capture devices, and advanced water filtration.

The potential to save lives in the generations who follow is incalculable.

Most of us have never really been thirsty.

We’ve never had to leave our houses and walk three hours just to fetch water. We simply turn on the tap, and water comes out ... clean. Yet there are a billion people on the planet who don’t have clean water. That’s nearly one out of every seven people.

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is dangerous – altitude sickness, lack of oxygen, pulmonary edemas, below-zero temperatures – and the trek itself has been compared to running a marathon uphill with a bag over your face.

But when asked why I am attempting a climb of this magnitude, I tell people that it is a small price to pay to know that many more lives will be saved if clean water and a clean toilet are made available to the people who need them most.

After experiencing the affects of a waterborne illness first hand, I have never been more passionate about anything in my life. I really feel like I can make a difference.

Kraig C. Kern is a parishioner of Holy Spirit Church in Denver and resident of Charlotte.

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 12, 2011 12

De

Cerca

Carlos Castañeda | Catholic News Herald

Izquierda: El Padre Gabriel Salazar-Carvajal dictando una clase más al grupo de los Promotores de la Fe. Arriba: Las parroquias trabajan en grupos para desarrollar sus propuestas y poner en marcha la promoción y defensa de nuestra fe Católica.

Promotores de la fe carlos castañeda Catholic news herald-español

Cada lunes de las últimas semanas, miembros de varias parroquias de Charlotte se han reunido en la Parroquia San Vicente de Paul, para desarrollar y profundizar sus conocimientos en la fe Católica. El n´yumero ha ido creciendo y desde la inicial cantidad de 30 personas, ha llegado a cerca de 70, en sólo tres semanas.

Miembros de las parroquias de San Vicente de Paul, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, San Lucas y San Gabriel en Charlotte, San Marcos en Huntersville, Nuestra Señora de Lourdes en Monroe, y Nuestra Señora de la Gracia en Greensboro, se congregan bajo la dirección del Padre Gabriel Carvajal-Salazar, para conocer y profundizar en nuestra fe.

“La gente llama a este curso como uno de Apologética. Como bien sabemos este término define la ciencia que expone las pruebas y fundamentos de la verdad de la religión Católica. Aunque este curso profundiza en uno de los puntos débiles de nuestra fe, que es la falta de preparación, de ninguna manera pretende ser

confrontacional, sino más bien promueve la solidez de la fe y la tolerancia desde el conocimiento de que somos parte de la única Iglesia que Cristo fundó.”

El curso hace distinciones claras entre lo que se denomina Protestantismo, movimiento que surge de la escisión de la Iglesia con Lutero, Calvino y otros teólogos, y el movimiento que conocemos como sectarismo, movimiento menos orgánico, surgido de lo multi-denominacional.

“El notable aumento de Católicos que se han unido a las sectas o a las organizaciones protestantes, se debe primordialmente a la falta de preparación de muchos hermanos nuestros. Es por eso que este curso busca preparar y fortalecer las bases y fundamentos de nuestra fe. Muchos de estos hermanos que hoy son forman parte de las organizaciones evangélicas, incluso llegaron a este país siendo católicos, viviendo una fuerte tradición familiar católica,” señaló el Padre Carvajal-Salazar, mientras preparaba su guitarra para entonar unas canciones junto a los fieles interesados en conocer más de su fe.

Mariella Deccaro, peruana y miembro de San Marcos, es parte del grupo que viene

participando, semana a semana. “Este curso me ha ayudado mucho, no solamente a conocer un poco más mi fe y reforzar los fundamentos que la sostienen, sino que además me ha dado una herramienta concreta para organizar comunidades de base que puedan a su vez capacitar a otros en este amor por la fe. Justamente hemos hablado de cómo poder difundir una preparación de nosotros, como laicos. Siento que ésta es una magnífica herramienta para eso.”

Jorge Gómiz, coordinador del vicariato Hispano de Charlotte, acompaña al grupo cada semana. “La cantidad de participantes ha venido creciendo progresivamente, semana a semana. Esto ha generado que aun cuando el Padre Carvajal-Salazar no pueda continuar con nosotros cada semana, continuemos reuniéndonos para aprender más sobre los fundamentos de nuestra fe y la Iglesia. La parroquia San Vicente de Paul generosamente nos ha ayudado en estas semanas. Esperamos que pueda continuar facilitando el espacio para nuestras reuniones,” acotó.

Durante el curso y luego de una discusión en grupos, cada parroquia pudo exponer sus conclusiones al respecto de cómo canalizar

de forma concvreta la difusión de este curso. Un representante de cada grupo tuvo oportunidad de exponer esas conclusiones concretas, generando lluvia de ideas útile sy prácticas para organizar diversas iniciativas, desde células de estudio hasta Centros de Capacitación parroquiales para laicos.

“Esperamos que este tipo de cursos puedan darse más a menudo, así podríamos instruir y formar más miembros de nuestros grupos.

El Padre Carvajal-Salazar hace las clases llevaderas y hasta entretenidas, a pesar que a veces el tópico pareciera aburrido o denso,” afirmó Nataly García, miembro de la Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.

Ella forma parte de los veinte miembros de esa parroquia que participan del curso.

“Es momento que nos organicemos en el propósito de ser más activos para defender nuestra Iglesia. Este curso busca proveer las herramientas y motivación para la organización de los laicos en ese propósito,” afirmó el Padre Carvajal-Salazar. Esta es, definitivamente, una de las iniciativas que merece ser promovida y alentada por todos.

Si desea participar de este curso, comuníquese con Jorge Gómiz al 704-4584757.

August 12, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

Aqui

estamos!

Medicina para todos El programa Medicina para Todos, de la Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte anuncia las próximas consultas médicas gratuitas. Consultas gratuitas de oftalmología el martes 16 de agosto, con el Dr. Clement, de 6-8 p.m. Consultas gratuitas de medicina general, con el Dr. Dulin, el domingo 21 de agosto, de 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Las consultas son en la parroquia.

Congreso Mariano del Rosario 2011 Conozca más del Rosario y de Nuestra Santísima Madre, a través de reconocidos conferencistas internacionales y regionales.

Tambien disfrute de música contemporánea católica con cantantes locales. El Congreso Mariano del Rosario se llevará a cabo el viernes 30 de setiembre y 1 de octubre, en el Cabarrus

nuestra

Retiro de Hombres en Guadalupe La parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Charlotte realiza un retiro para hombres a partir de 18 años, este 12, 13 y 14 de agosto. Se inicia a las 6 p.m. del viernes 12 y termina con la Misa de 2 p.m. el domingo 14 de agosto. Si no pudiste inscribirte, únete en oración para que el Señor toque los corazones de los participantes, para Su gloria.

El dia 11 de setiembre se cierran las inscriciones para el curso de formación de fe de la Parroquia San José de las Lomas en Eden (St. Joseph of the Hills). Para inscribirse, es necesario ser miembro de la parroquia, así como el Acta de Bautismo de su hijo. Mayores informes al 336-623-2661 (llamar los martes y miércoles).

Olga Núñez (centro), muestra agradecida el Certificado de Aprecio que en nombre de Monseñor Jugis le entregó Cris Villapando, Director de Educación Religiosa de Charlotte, (izq.). Junto a ellos el Padre Alvaro Riquelme, párroco de la Iglesia San José en Kannapolis. La entrega se efectuó durante la ceremonia de su retiro, el pasado 31 de julio. Olga se desempeñó como Directora de Educación Religiosa de la parroquia San José, desde el 2006. foto: jorge nunez

En

contacto

Envíenos sus noticias o anuncios y forme parte de esta sección 704-370-3375.

Si desea participar escribiendo o formando parte del ministerio de comunicaciones, no dude en unirse! Contáctenos por email o visite: www. catholicnewsherald.com (Sección Español) e ingrese su información. Nosotros le contactaremos tan pronto como sea posible.

Fe

P. Gabriel Carvajal-Salazar

Curso de formación de fe en San José de las Lomas

Ceremonia de retiro de Directora de Educación Religiosa de la Parroquia San José

Este espacio y sección es para promover y conectar a nuestra comunidad. Todos los comentarios y sugerencias son bienvenidas. Si desea escribirnos, dejar sus comentarios, sugerencias u opiniones, así como para enviar alguna noticia o promover algún evento de su parroquia o grupo, por favor contáctenos: Carlos Castañeda (cmcastaneda@charlottediocese.org,

Conociendo

Arena & Events Center. La entrada es de $30 para adultos, $15 para jóvenes y $10 para niños. Mayores informes al 704-706-3369.

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Un sacramento que debe valorarse

a Confesión es uno de los sacramentos que se ha visto devaluado no sólo por las objeciones que vienen del protestantismo y las sectas, sino además por la actitud indiferente de algunos católicos. Muchos desconocen las gracias que Dios concede en este sacramento, las cuales se pueden resumir básicamente en dos: el perdón de los pecados cometidos y el aumento de la gracia santificante. Esa gracia es la que impulsa a la persona a hacer el bien y rechazar el mal. Cuando una persona se deja guiar por los impulsos de la gracia, encuentra paz y alegría y es Dios mismo quien lleva a cabo su obra de santificación.

Quizá la siguiente analogía ayude a ilustrar la valoración del sacramento en cuestión: un paciente tiene que ir al médico y confesarle todos los malestares que le aquejan al médico para que éste prescriba la medicina adecuada.

Cuando el pecado convierte a la persona en penitente, ésta tiene que ir donde el presbítero (sacerdote) y decirle todo lo que le quita la paz y la salud espiritual. De ahí que a los presbíteros se les diga curas, ya que tienen la cura de las almas enfermas.

Es importante anotar la importancia de acercarse al sacerdote y exponer su caso, ya que muchas veces éstos casos pueden tener fácil solución, pudiendo así recibir la Comunión sacramental. No siempre hay que confesarse antes de recibir el Cuerpo del Señor; solamente si usted ha cometido pecado mortal (faltas graves) después de la última Confesión. En los casos de pecados veniales (faltas leves), se le puede pedir perdón a Dios al empezar la celebración Eucarística y recibir del ministro la absolución general.

Normalmente, son cinco pasos a seguir para hacer una buena Confesión: 1. Examinar la conciencia: Se empieza por recordar el tiempo que se tiene sin confesarse. En seguida, se examina la conciencia a la luz de los Diez Mandamientos, los cinco Mandamientos de la Iglesia y los Mandamientos de Jesús (ámense unos a otros, coman mi cuerpo y beban mi sangre, oren en todo tiempo, que el más grande se haga pequeño, etc.).

2. Arrepentirse: Esto es, sentir tristeza y dolor de haber ofendido a Dios que es bondad infinita.

3. Propósito de enmienda: Es decir, tener el deseo de ser mejor.

4. Decir los pecados al confesor: Se dice cuándo fue la última confesión y en seguida

se dicen los pecados.

5. Cumplir la penitencia: Quiere decir, rezar o hacer lo que el confesor haya impuesto.

El Sacramento de la Confesión ha sido blanco de todo tipo de objeciones. Algunos dicen que se confiesan directamente con Dios; otros se preguntan para qué confesarse con el sacerdote si éste un pecador. Además, no tiene poder para perdonar. ¿Qué decir al respecto?

Primero, es necesario reconocer que en este mundo sí hay personas que ejercen una autoridad. Por ejemplo, si manejas borracho o te pasas una luz roja, alguien te va a poner una luz azul. Y ese se llama policía, al cual no le podrás decir: “Señor oficial, ¿acaso usted nunca se ha emborrachado?” “A poco su conducta personal es muy buena” Es importante aceptar que en este mundo sí hay personas que tienen autoridad para mandar a alguien a la cárcel, o por ejemplo ejercer justicia, sin importar la conducta personal del que ejerce la autoridad.

Ahora bien, los presbíteros (sacerdotes) y obispos tienen un poder especial que Cristo confirió a los Apóstoles y a sus sucesores: perdonar los pecados: “Dicho esto, sopló sobre ellos: Reciban el Espíritu Santo; a quienes perdonen, queden perdonados, y a quienes no libren de sus pecados, queden atados.” (Jn 20, 22-23). Comprende, querido hermano, que los sacerdotes son seres humanos que pueden comprender y ayudar a avanzar en la propia santificación.

una sabrosa historia

En un autobús lleno de pasajeros iba un sacerdote y un pastor protestante. De repente al autobús le explotó una llanta y los pasajeros se tuvieron que bajar mientras cambiaban el neumático. El padre aprovechó para recitar las oraciones de su liturgia. De pronto, se le acercó un burro como queriendo olerlo y el padre empezó a acariciarle las orejas. El pastor protestante lo observaba fijamente y cuando ya subían al autobús para continuar el viaje le dice al sacerdote en tono burlón: “Oiga, padrecito, ¿el burro se confesó?” El sacerdote lo mira sereno y le dice: “No, hijito, los burros no se confiesan, no creen en la confesión, creo que son protestantes.” el Padre Gabriel Carvajal-Salazar es el Vicario Parroquial de la Iglesia de St. Aloysius en Hickory.

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iiiAugust 12, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com

FROM TH

A day THE KNEELING BUS TOUR

3 cities, 4 churches, 1 great road trip SueAnn Howell Staff writer

GASTONIA — For Catholics pining to go on pilgrimage to faraway lands to visit holy sites but lack the time or resources to do so, there is only one thing to say: “There is no place like home.”

On July 12, a group of more than 45 Catholics from the Diocese of Charlotte realized this for themselves as they loaded onto a chartered bus, appropriately equipped with hydraulics to make it a “kneeling bus,” and set out for nearby Catholic churches on a day-long “Catholic Culture Camp.”

Father Roger Arnsparger, pastor of St. Michael Church in Gastonia and diocesan vicar of education, led the pilgrimage which began with Mass at St. Michael Church and continued on to three other churches throughout the day.

Deacon Art Kingsley and his wife Rosemary served as bus captains for the pilgrimage, providing the pilgrims with prayer books and rosaries.

The day-long pilgrimage was a great success, with many participants asking for another tour around the diocese in the future. photos by sueann howell | catholic news herald

Father Roger Arnsparger, vicar of education, addresses the pilgrims on the Catholic Culture Camp tour at St. Joseph Vietnamese Church in Charlotte on July 12.

Father Trih Vin Troung, pastor of St. Joseph Vietnamese Church in Charlotte, gives a brief talk about the history of the parish to the visiting pilgrims.

Pilgrims pray the Stations of the Cross around the outer perimeter of St. Joseph Vietnamese Church in Charlotte. The life-sized stations, the largest in the diocese, were installed earlier this summer.

Craig Lewis (center), parishioner and parish council member at St. Ann Church in Charlotte, explains the details and religious significance of the church’s architecture. St. Ann Church was remodeled and dedicated in December 2009.

HE COVER

August 12, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

y of Catholic Culture Louis Guidetti, the artist from Winston-Salem who created the Immaculate Conception painting in the partially-completed chapel at St. Ann Church, points out some of the details in his artwork. Guidetti made an unplanned visit to the church on July 12 to the delight of the pilgrims.

Sister Marie ThÊrèse (center) of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration welcomes the group to the St. Joseph Monastery on the St. Ann campus on the day of the tour. Pilgrims were able to join the Poor Clares in the refrectory for a brief talk, tour the gift shop and spend a moment in Adoration in their chapel.

More than 45 people participated in the day-long tour that began and ended at St. Michael Church in Gastonia.

Seminarian Jason Barone leads a talk on Blessed Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, England, at Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury on July 12.

Blessed Margaret was a Catholic woman of royal descent who was jailed in the Tower of London and ultimately martyred for her faith.

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Our schools

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 12, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

High schools introduce new religion textbooks SueAnn Howell Staff writer

CHARLOTTE — All three high schools in the Diocese of Charlotte will begin using a new religion textbook series when the 2011–’12 school year begins Aug. 24. The Didache Semester Series, published by Midwest Theological Forum, teaches the curricula outlined in recent documents released by the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops.

According to Father Roger Arnsparger, diocesan vicar of education, the process of searching for new curricula for our Catholic schools began soon after the USCCB approved two documents: “Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age” and “Catechetical Formation in Chaste Living: Guidelines for Curriculum Design and Publication.”

Father Arnsparger then arranged for an education vicariate training led by Dan Mulhollen, a former staff member at the USCCB Catechetical Office, who now is a representative for the Catholic publishing company RCL Benziger. During the training Mulhollen focused on the history, development and content of the USCCB documents to help diocesan vicariate staff understand how to align the high schools’ curriculum to the new USCCB directives.

The USCCB documents were then shared with high school principals and religion teachers at a meeting with Father Arnsparger so they could review them and share them with their staffs.

“We began to discuss how these two documents could be the basis for a holistic and comprehensive Catholic high school TEXTBOOKS, SEE page 17

Diocesan schools welcome two new principals the School District of Colfax in Colfax, Wis., for two years.

“My mission as a Catholic school principal is to educate the whole child, and to encourage all CHARLOTTE — Asheville Catholic School students to develop their God-given gifts and talents in Asheville and Our Lady of Grace Catholic to the fullest,” Rosello said.

School in Greensboro have announced the Cheryl Whitaker, recently appointed principal at hiring of two new principals who will greet Our Lady of Grace School, is from Ohio. She earned students as they begin the 2011-’12 school year her undergraduate degree in music and history and on Aug. 24. her master’s degree in secondary education and Cecilia Rosello, the new principal at Rosello Whitaker administrative licensure from Indiana University Asheville Catholic, was born in Havana, in Fort Wayne. She served in the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese Cuba, and moved to the U.S. early in her childhood. She grew up in many leadership roles over the past 10 years and was most in Miami and taught in schools in the Miami-Dade Public Schools recently the principal of a parish school in New Haven, Ind. for 10 years. She received a master’s degree in administration and “I view the role of a principal in the same light as the National supervision from Edgewood College in Madison, Wis. Catholic Education Association, which includes being a spiritual Rosello was the principal of St. Joseph Catholic School in leader, instructional leader and administrative leader,” Whitaker Menomonie, Wis., for four years and was also director of special said. education and pupil services and district reading coordinator for SueAnn Howell Staff writer

Camp SOAR has another successful year CHARLOTTE — More than 300 campers and more than 250 volunteers took part in Camp SOAR 2011 June 13-17 at the Levine Jewish Community Center in Charlotte.

Camp founder Bob Bowler expressed his gratitude to the nearly 100 students and several alumni from Charlotte Catholic High School who served in a variety of positions during the week-long summer camp for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. In addition to providing a significant percentage of vital manpower as “buddies,” the high school also coordinated the volunteer effort of their students and again administration donated the use of buses and drivers so that campers could bowl at Carolina Lanes in Matthews.

“We could not operate the camp without the large number of volunteers we get from many organizations and the Catholic High students, serving as group leaders, medical

and support staff, and buddies to the campers provide invaluable assistance,” Bowler said.

Several members of the Charlotte Catholic Lady Cougars state champion women’s soccer team, and other members of Charlotte Soccer Academy, led campers in learning soccer skills. CSA program director Jamie Luckie said this was the seventh year his program has been involved with Camp SOAR. Luckie indicated the CSA partnership with the camp is important and noted his players look forward to it every year.

A similar view was offered by SwimMAC Carolina head coach Patty Waldron. Twenty of their swimmers came out again this year and, Waldron said, they always enjoy working with the campers.

Photo provided by Al Tinson

Charlotte Catholic High School senior Jimmy Webster is pictured with his buddy Neville Reynolds at the — Al Tinson annual Camp SOAR.

August 12, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

RIGHT TO KNOW: FROM PAGE 3

In the house, Rep. James Crawford, a Democrat from Vance and Granville counties, changed his vote against the bill and joined the push to override the governor’s veto. The tally in the House was 72-47, exactly three-fifths as required to override.

In the state Senate, Sen. Stan Bingham of Davidson County, a Republican who originally voted against the bill, had an excused absence when the vote was taken on July 28. Sen. Richard Stevens of Cary was also absent. Those two absences meant that supporters of the override needed 29 votes. The final tally was 29-19 in favor of the override.

Within minutes of the vote, followers of the Catholic News Herald and the Catholic Voice NC Facebook pages got the message that the veto had been overridden. Catholic Voice North Carolina, the non-partisan public policy Web site of the state’s two Catholic bishops, has tracked the vote of all legislators on this issue. Results can be found online at www.CatholicVoiceNC.org.

Beginning in October a woman who seeks an abortion will have to wait for 24 hours after first going to an abortion clinic. During that time, the doctor performing the abortion is required to: n Make available to the woman a real-time ultrasound with the sound of the heartbeat n Explain the medical risks of an abortion n Explain the medical risks of carrying the child to term n Reveal whether the abortionist has medical malpractice insurance

SCHNEIDER: FROM PAGE 3

In April of this year, Berrell was sentenced to 28 years in prison.

Father Schneider originally faced a felony charge of obstruction of justice after he destroyed hundreds of pornographic images from Berrell’s home computer. Police said Berrell called Father Schneider from the county jail after his arrest and asked him to delete the files.

Father Schneider was fined $250, ordered

TEXTBOOKS: FROM PAGE 16

curriculum program in an interdisciplinary manner,” Father Arnsparger said.

He has been spearheading an effort in the education vicariate to help strengthen the Catholic identity of the diocesan schools, meeting with educators and creating an evangelization committee.

“This past spring, we had meetings at both

n Tell the location of the nearest hospital. n Inform the woman if the abortionist does not have admitting privileges to the nearest hospital.

The new law also requires that women considering an abortion be given information about support for them and their unborn children during the pregnancy and after birth including: n State and federal assistance programs available for women and children n The fact that the father is liable to assist in the support of the child, even if he has offered to pay for the abortion n A signed document indicating that the woman has been given all of this information

‘We would like to thank you for all of your efforts on behalf of life...’

— Bishop Peter Jugis and Bishop Michael Burbidge North Carolina’s Catholic bishops

Bishop Peter Jugis of the Diocese of Charlotte and Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Raleigh expressed thanks for the override.

Through Catholic Voice NC they sent an e-mail to nearly 4,000 registered participants, stating, “We would like to thank you for all of your efforts on behalf of life, and we would like to thank the legislators who originally voted in favor of this important act and those legislators who supported the override.”

to perform 100 hours of community service and placed on probation for one year.

He resigned from St. Eugene in June of 2009 and has not been in active ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte since then.

On Monday, he issued the following statement: “After 25 months of my life on hold, I am glad to have a settlement the D.A. agreed to, by pleading to misdemeanor obstruction of justice. Since the court date of June 30, 2011, I have paid the fine and completed the community service hours.

The clock continues to click on the year of unsupervised probation.”

A civil lawsuit filed by Berrell’s victim against the Diocese of Charlotte is still pending.

Charlotte Catholic High School and Bishop McGuinness High School with the entire faculties to present the curricula and discuss how teachers in each discipline could use the curricula in their own fields and, at the same time, accent the religion program from their particular discipline. There are continuing staff discussions and planning to create an interdisciplinary curriculum which will include all areas of formation,” he added.

For more information about the USCCB documents, go to www.usccb.org/education/ framework.pdf. The Didache Semester Series can be viewed at www.theologicalforum.org.

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 12, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Matthew Buettner

The Offertory: What is being offered at Mass?

The collection

T

o support the financial needs of the clergy and the material needs of the Church is one of the six precepts of the Church.

But more than an obligation, we have the opportunity to participate in the missionary efforts of the Church by the funds collected at each Mass. Our hard-earned money pays the bills to keep the parish open, supports the clergy, contributes to the work of evangelization and charity, and most notably, buys the bread and wine needed for Mass.

The money represents our own time and talent given at work.

And so the collection symbolizes the more important gift of ourselves given to God.

Bread and wine

Along with the collection, bread and wine is offered by the faithful. These elements are so essential for the celebration of the Mass that without bread and wine, a priest is unable to offer the sacrifice of the Mass.

Why do we use bread and wine at every Mass? Because the Church faithfully imitates Jesus Christ. At the Last Supper – the first Mass – Jesus commanded His Apostles, His first college of bishops: “Do this in memory of Me,” thus giving them the power to offer the Sacrifice of the Mass. The Church faithfully follows the command of the Lord since she has no authority to change the essential elements This is part 24 of the sacrament. of a year-long In instituting the sacrament on Holy series featuring the Thursday, Jesus accepted the gifts revised translation presented at the Passover – namely, the of the Third bread and wine – blessed them, gave them Missal. Previous to His Apostles, and fulfilled the meaning articles in this of the Passover with His perfect sacrifice. series are archived Here Our Lord delivered the blueprint for online at www. perfect worship. catholicnewsherald.

Let’s look a little deeper into the mystery com. For more of the sacrament: resources, check out n On the natural level, bread and wine the U.S. bishops’ link have nourished mankind for centuries. at www.usccb.org/ They are common ingredients in the romanmissal. human diet almost since the beginning of time. As Pope Benedict XVI comments, “[the host is] the most simple type of bread and nourishment, made only of a little flour and water. In this way, it appears as the food of the poor, those to whom the Lord made Himself closest in the first place.” n On the symbolic level, both bread and wine symbolize the work of God and man: God provides the wheat and grapes, but man must labor to produce bread and wine. n On the theological level, bread and wine are first mentioned in Genesis in reference to the mysterious priest and king

Learn more

Melchizedek. Melchizedek offered bread and wine as a gift pleasing to God. His sacrifice foreshadowed the one, true and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the definitive High Priest and King. Further, since many grains of wheat compose the bread and many grapes are crushed to produce wine, the bread and wine also theologically represent the Church, composed of many members. n And on the spiritual level, since grains of wheat must be ground into flour and baked and grapes must be crushed into liquid and fermented, the actual process represents the agony, the suffering, and the passion of Christ that brought about our redemption.

prayers, sacrifices and intentions

The collection, bread and wine are offered and presented to the celebrant during the Offertory. But more importantly, we also bring our spiritual offerings. During the Offertory, we are invited to collect and present our unique prayers, sacrifices and intentions. We are given the opportunity to unite our own prayers, the many small sacrifices that we offered throughout the day or the week, and the many intentions we bring with the perfect sacrifice of Christ in the consecration.

Ourselves

These prayers, sacrifices and intentions are the spiritual form of the offering. When combined with the material offering of money, bread and wine, they collectively represent the meager gift of ourselves, generously presented to God for sacrifice.

The priest

All of these are collected and presented to the priest, physically and spiritually, in the offertory of the Mass. And on behalf of the entire Church, he accepts them and offers them to the Father in union with the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

Christ

Here, we discover that ultimately, the Offertory of the Mass does not primarily answer the question, “What is being offered?” but rather, “Who is being offered?” And through the eyes of faith, with the light of reason, and expressed through the liturgy of the Mass, we see it is Christ, the High Priest, who presents Himself as a victim to the Father. And because we are members of His Mystical Body through the sacrament of baptism, we are also offering ourselves, presenting ourselves for sacrifice in union with Christ. As He freely sacrificed Himself to the Father on the cross, so we are invited and encouraged to follow His perfect example. There we will find salvation.

What is being offered in the offertory of the Mass? It is Christ, the head of the Church, in union with His Mystical Body, you and me.

Father Matthew Buettner is the pastor of St. Dorothy Church in Lincolnton. This is excerpted from “Understanding the Mystery of the Mass – Revisited,” available for purchase online at www.tedeumfoundation.org. Previous columns are at www.catholicnewsherald.com.

Young adults grow in faith during study group Mary B. Worthington Correspondent

CHARLOTTE — Preparation for the introduction to the revised translation of the Mass isn’t just about getting used to saying “I believe” instead of “We believe.” For young adults at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte, it’s about studying and understanding the Mass in the context of better understanding our faith.

“I would have to say no, I never really noticed (the errors in the English translation),” Luis Vallhonrat, a St. Patrick parishioner, admitted.

“What we learned growing up about the faith was really watered down.”

But now, many young people realize there is something more that they missed out on, and they are eager to learn.

Armed with a copy of Father Matthew Buettner’s “Understanding the Mystery of the Mass - Revisited” and an accompanying studying manual from Catholic Scripture Study International, the parish study group is in the middle of a six-week course led by diocesan seminarian Jason Christian.

“Does the Church just re-promulgate new versions of the liturgy?” Christian began. “Is it like a new software update, a new patch, version 1.2 or something?”

Quite the contrary, he said. When the “Novus Ordo” (“New Order”) of the Mass was translated from Latin to vernacular following the reforms of Vatican II, some translations – Italian, Spanish and German, for example – “got it right the first time around to reflect what the Latin actually says,” he said. This begs the question: how did a disconnect with Engligh occur? Christian explained that the translation was done using the theory of “dynamic equivalence.” Rather than express the meaning of the original Latin text more closely, translators crafted a more colloquial version. That meant the loss of some beauty in the language, not to mention specific Scriptural references critical to understanding the Mass prayers.

Christian emphasized that it’s important to be exact in how we pray. He cited, for example, the difference in the formula used by priestexorcists between the Latin and the English translations, noting that priests generally acclaim the Latin to be more powerful in the midst of an exorcism.

“If a demon responds different to a priest based on what language he uses, then it should make a difference for us,” he said.

Participant Christina Hinton, a member of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte, noted, “There is a reason that we are using the words that we are using. We need to be aware of participating in the supernatural.”

August 12, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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Mix 20

charlottediocese.org/catholicnews | August 12, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com

Carmelite Sister Wendy Beckett poses with an unidentified admirer during a book signing at St. Pauls Bookshop in London in mid-July. Sister Wendy is an art historian and writer.

In theaters

CNS | Jo-Anne Rowney, courtesy of St. Pauls Bookshop

‘The Smurfs’ The famous blue elves return in a 3-D mix of animation and live action as the evil wizard who has long been their nemesis chases a sextet of them from their enchanted forest village through a wormhole that leads into real-life New York City. Moderately intense action sequences, mild scatological humor, some slapstick violence.

CNS: A-I (general patronage), MPAA: PG

‘Cowboys & Aliens’ Genre bender in which a posse of perplexed Old West townsfolk, led by an amnesic ex-outlaw, a ruthless local cattle baron and a mysterious stranger, track the extraterrestrials who attacked their ramshackle village and kidnapped numbers of its citizens.

Intense, sometimes gory violence, including torture, brief partial nudity, ritual drug use, and profanity.

CNS: L (limited adult audience), MPAA: PG-13

Seeing God in the Work of Artists Simon Caldwell Catholic News Service

MANCHESTER, England — After decades of studying iconic paintings and hundreds of works of fine art, British art historian and author Sister Wendy Beckett said her two recently published books are her most explicitly Catholic works to date.

Sister Wendy, 81, a Carmelite, has simultaneously published “The Iconic Jesus,” a study of icons of Christ’s life, death and resurrection, and “The Art of the Saints,” which reflects on the religious significance of the images of 16 saints. Sister Wendy said the books are important personally because they mark the point when she speaks unashamedly as a Catholic.

“When I began writing many years ago, it was simply about art itself because I didn’t want the people who never looked at art and thought it was beyond them to be deprived of such a wonderful gift given us by our artist brothers and sisters,” she said. “And I never used religious language (so as) not to put off the atheists and the non-Christians.

“But I knew that if they really looked at art they would see it drew them to something greater than themselves,

something beyond, something other, and that something is God. They would be looking at God anonymously.”

After decades of studying and writing about art, Sister Wendy said she has “come out of the closet and now I can feel I can write about God in His own name.”

“That is what I have done with these books. I write as a Catholic,” she said.

“The Art of the Saints,” published by the United Kingdom-based Redemptorist Publications, is a collection of meditations on religious art written for weekly Mass.

The book includes pictures and stories about such figures as St. Francis of Assisi, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Benedict of Nursia, the father of Western monasticism and patron saint of Europe. She also focuses on lesser known saints such as St. Dorothy.

“The Iconic Jesus,” published by the Society of St. Paul, features 42 icons of Jesus, each of which was “painted as an act of prayer,” she said.

Sister Wendy contended that reading icons is also an act of prayer.

“You cannot possibly really speak about the mystery of Jesus. It’s too deep. You can just try to point people in His direction and that’s what I tried to do,” she said.

On TV n Monday, Aug. 15, 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. (EWTN) The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mass (Live). n Monday, Aug. 15, noon-2 p.m. (EWTN) “Solemn Mass of the Assumption (Live).”

This Eucharistic liturgy for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be broadcast live from Washington’s Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. n Tuesday, Aug. 16, 1:30-3:30 p.m. (EWTN) “World Youth Day 2011: Opening Mass (Live).”

World Youth Day begins with a Mass in Madrid’s Cibeles Square, presided over by the archbishop of Madrid and concelebrated by the bishops and priests participating in the global event. n Friday, Aug. 19, 9:3011 p.m. (PBS) “Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert.” In this episode of the series “Great Performances,” the world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic presents an open-air concert in the scenic gardens of Austria’s Imperial Schonbrunn Palace.

August 12, 2011 | charlottediocese.org/catholicnews

catholic news heraldI

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Our nation

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 12, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Across political spectrum, HHS action draws religious liberty protests Nancy Frazier O’Brien Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Catholics across the political spectrum are criticizing the Department of Health and Human Services’ Aug. 1 announcement that contraceptives and sterilization will be among the mandated preventive services for women under the new health reform law.

HHS is recommending eight “preventive services” that must be included in any health plan under the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. One of the mandated services is coverage of “all Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling for all women with reproductive capacity.”

HHS is proposing that only religious employers meeting four criteria would be exempt from providing contraceptives and

female sterilization through their health plans. Those requirements are that the organization “(1) has the inculcation of religious values as its purpose; (2) primarily employs persons who share its religious tenets; (3) primarily serves persons who share its religious tenets; and (4) is a nonprofit organization” under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code.

The announcement of the narrow “religious exemption” proposed by HHS – and subject to a 60-day comment period – has drawn strong criticism from Catholics who supported as well as opposed the health reform law approved in 2010, all of whom fear for the Church’s continued ability to provide health care services yet not violate Church teaching against the practices of contraception, sterilization and abortion.

The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, said that under the rule, “our institutions

would be free to act in accord with Catholic teaching on life and procreation only if they were to stop hiring and serving nonCatholics.”

Writing in the Aug. 1 issue of America magazine, Catholic University President John Garvey recalled U.S. President George Washington’s letter to a group of Quakers in 1789, in which he wrote, “In my opinion the conscientious scruples of all men should be treated with great delicacy and tenderness: and it is my wish and desire that the laws may always be as extensively accommodated to them, as a due regard for the protection and essential interests of the nation may justify and permit.”

“I worry that this distinguished record of liberal toleration might soon come to an end,” Garvey said.

Mercy Sister Mary Ann Walsh, director of media relations for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said on the USCCB media blog that the HHS regulation “conveniently

For more For more about the HHS rule and how state laws compare, see page 27.

ignores the underlying principle of Catholic charitable actions: We help people because we are Catholic, not because our clients are.”

“There’s no need to show your baptismal certificate in the hospital emergency room, the parish food pantry or the diocesan drug rehab program,” she wrote. “Or any place else the Church offers help, either.”

“Whatever you think of artificial birth control, HHS’ command that everyone, including churches, must pay for it exalts ideology over conscience and common sense,” she said.

August 12, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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In Brief Crash another reminder ‘of terrible tragedy of war,’ says archbishop WASHINGTON, D.C. — The deaths of 30 U.S. service members and eight Afghanis in the crash of a U.S. military helicopter in Afghanistan are a “reminder of the terrible tragedy of war and its toll on all people,” said the head of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services. “No person of good will is left unmoved by this loss,” Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio said. The U.S. service members, who included about 20 Navy SEALs, along with seven Afghan soldiers and an interpreter, were killed as insurgents shot down a NATO helicopter early Aug. 6. It is the single deadliest loss for U.S. troops in the 10-year-old war.

did not violate the Dickey-Wicker Amendment.

The amendment has been approved annually by Congress since 1996 to prevent federal funding of research in which embryos are harmed or destroyed. Lamberth said his court “has become a grudging partner in a bout of ‘linguistic jujitsu’” and was compelled to conclude, as a federal appeals panel had in April, that the amendment’s wording was ambiguous about research involving embryonic stem cells created using private funds.

Alliance Defense Fund senior counsel Steven H. Aden had been among the attorneys representing researchers Theresa Deisher of AVM Biotechnology in Seattle and Dr. James Sherley of the Boston Biomedical Research Institute, who said the Obama administration’s decision to expand federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research would harm their chances of obtaining funding for their own adult stem-cell research.

“Americans should not be forced to pay for experiments that destroy human life, have produced no real-world treatments and violate federal law,” Aden said. “The law is clear, and we intend to review all of our options for appeal of this decision. In these tough economic times, it makes no sense for the federal government to use taxpayer money for this illegal and unethical purpose.”

Church leaders: New immigration Delaware bishop invites law makes Christian charity illegal abuse survivors to meeting MOBILE, Ala. — Alabama’s new immigration law will affect “every part” of undocumented immigrants’ lives and make “the exercise of our Christian religion” illegal, Mobile’s archbishop said in an Aug. 1 letter to Catholics. “Both supporters and opponents of the law agree that it is the broadest and strictest immigration law in the country,” he said.

Mobile Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, Bishop Robert J. Baker of the Diocese of Birmingham, Bishop Henry N. Parsley Jr. of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama and Methodist Bishop William H. Willimon joined together Aug. 1 in a lawsuit challenging the law, which is supposed to take effect Sept. 1. The U.S. Justice Department filed suit the same day to stop the law.

Provisions of the law, among other things, allow police to detain anyone they suspect is undocumented and mandates criminal penalties for people who transport undocumented migrants. Rep. Mike Hubbard, speaker of the state House of Representatives, said in a statement the law will be enacted despite the legal action taken against it. If changes are needed in the law, they will be made, he said, “but Alabama is not going to be a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants.”

Judge dismisses lawsuit against funding embryonic stem-cell research WASHINGTON, D.C. — Attorneys for two scientists who use only adult stem cells in their work said they were “weighing all of their options for appeal” after a Washington, D.C., judge ruled July 27 that federal funding of embryonic stemcell research may continue. Chief Judge Royce C. Lamberth of U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed a lawsuit that had briefly ended all federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research in August 2010. The ban lasted only until late September and was permanently overturned in April.

In his latest decision, Lamberth said using federal money to pay for research involving embryonic stem cells derived using private funds

WILMINGTON, Del. — Bishop W. Francis Malooly of Wilmington is inviting survivors of clergy sexual abuse to meet with him to discuss further healing and reconciliation following a U.S. bankruptcy judge’s July 28 confirmation of a settlement plan that calls for the diocese to fund a $77.4 million trust to compensate about 150 survivors. Under the plan the diocese will distribute a total of $101.4 million to its creditors. In addition to the $77.4 million, the Lay Employees’ Pension Trust will be funded with $10 million, Allied Irish Bank will receive $9.1 million, and about $5 million will pay professional fees.

Bishop Malooly said he was pleased that the judge approved the Diocese of Wilmington’s reorganization plan “enabling us to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It is my hope and prayer that this plan will give survivors of clergy sexual abuse another means toward the healing that they so need and deserve, and enable us to live up to our commitments to our lay employees and creditors.”

Bishop Malooly also apologized “for the innocence that was stolen from our brothers and sisters at the hands of men who were supposed to be looking out for their best spiritual interests.

I invite any and all survivors to meet with me to discuss how I as bishop and we as Church can promote further healing and reconciliation.”

Memorial Mass for nuncio to be celebrated Sept. 14 WASHINGTON, D.C. — A memorial Mass for Archbishop Pietro Sambi, who died July 27, will be celebrated Sept. 14 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, will be the main celebrant of the noon Mass. The 73-year-old Italian archbishop, apostolic nuncio to the U.S. since 2006, died at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore from complications related to lung surgery performed approximately three weeks earlier.

— Catholic News Service

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Our world

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 12, 2011 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

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In Brief Pope: Summer novels are fine, but pick up the Bible, too CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy — While there’s nothing wrong with a bit of light reading in the summer, reading a book or two of the Bible also can be a relaxing – as well as enlightening – vacation activity, Pope Benedict XVI said.

“Naturally, many of the books of literature we pick up during vacation are for a diversion, and this is normal,” he said during his weekly general audience Aug. 3. With some 4,500 visitors and pilgrims present, the audience was moved to the town square at Castel Gandolfo.

The human need to relax is something to be thankful for, the pope said, because “it tells us that we were not made only to work, but also to think, reflect or simply to follow, with our mind and heart, a story we can identify with or even lose ourselves in and so find ourselves enriched.

“The Bible is a little library born over the course of a millennium,” and some of the books inside are very short. They would be a great place to start for someone who has never read an entire book of the Bible. The short ones the pope suggested were Tobit, “an account which contains a very elevated sense of family and marriage,” Esther “in which the Jewish queen – with faith and prayer – saves her people from extermination,” or Ruth, the story of “a foreigner who knows God and experiences His providence.”

CNS | Karen Callaway, Catholic New World

Above: young people hold hands in prayer during Mass July 29 at St. Mary Church in Buffalo Grove, Ill., for a send-off for those from the Archdiocese of Chicago attending World Youth Day in Madrid. World Youth Day will be held in Madrid Aug. 16-21.

At left: Young people display flags from around the globe and World Youth Day banners as they prepare for the international gathering in Madrid Aug. 5. World Youth Day kicks off Aug. 16 in Spain’s capital city. Pope Benedict XVI will join the celebration beginning Aug. 18.

CNS | Cristina Pascual Fernandez, courtesy of World Youth Day 2011

WYD pilgrims’ task: Help pope revive faith in Spain VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI will visit Spain next week celebrating the youthfulness and vigor of Catholic faith in a country where the Catholic majority often seems to have little or no impact on modern public life.

The primary focus on the pope’s trip Aug. 18-21 will be on Catholic youths from around the globe participating in World Youth Day. But Pope Benedict also will meet with Spain’s royal family and with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, whose government has promoted several policies opposed by the Church, including relaxing Spain’s divorce laws, easing restrictions on abortion, legalizing same-sex marriage and allowing gay couples to adopt.

Welcoming a new Spanish ambassador to the Vatican in April, Pope Benedict expressed concern that in certain sectors of Spanish society, “religion is considered socially insignificant, even troublesome,” with the result that faith is marginalized “through defamation, ridicule (and) even indifference to obvious cases of profanation” of religious objects and monuments.

The situation is particularly worrying because more than 92 percent of Spain’s 46

Keep up with WYD news The Catholic News Herald will be following events in Madrid each day during World Youth Day Aug. 16-21. Go online to www. catholicnewsherald.com for complete coverage. For more inside information about WYD, go to the official WYD Web site at www. madrid11.com/en.

Want to know how World Youth Day began? Check out the history of World Youth Day on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch ?v=J9unuP24IX0&feature=youtu.be.

million citizens are baptized Catholic and because the country has a long and proud Catholic history. Spain has given the Church some of its greatest saints and mystics, and Spanish members of religious orders continue to serve as missionaries around the world, particularly in Latin America.

The organizers of World Youth Day 2011, which kicks off Aug. 16, hope the one million-plus of young Catholics descending

on Madrid not only will energize each other’s faith, but that they’ll also be powerful witnesses to the lukewarm among Spain’s Catholics.

“I think the impact will be huge, at least I hope so,” Yago de la Cierva, WYD Madrid director, said. “Spain is suffering through a process of secularization that is very deep and moving very fast.”

— Catholic News Service

August 12, 2011 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news heraldI

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In Brief Attackers plant car bombs in front of churches in Kirkuk, Iraq VATICAN CITY — A car bomb exploded outside a Syrian Catholic church Aug. 2 in the northern Iraq city of Kirkuk leaving at least 20 people injured. The early morning attack was the first time Holy Family Syrian Catholic Church had been a target, Vatican Radio said. Police defused two other car bombs – one in front of a Christian school and another in front of a Presbyterian church.

Chaldean Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk said the blast set nearby cars on fire and damaged not only the church, but also about 30 surrounding homes. Most of those injured were in their homes at the time of the blast. Victims were both Christians and Muslims, and the injured included a nun and two priests.

Catholic agencies part of aid campaign in Horn of Africa LUSAKA, Zambia — Catholic agencies are among the leading organizations providing humanitarian aid to the drought- and famineravaged Horn of Africa. The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa reports that Jesuit Refugee Service, Catholic Relief Services, Caritas Ethiopia and Caritas Kenya have helped thousands of refugees in northern Kenya and internally displaced people in Somalia since the water crisis hit in November.

AMECEA spokesman Father Chrisantus Ndaga said Catholic humanitarian agencies also have worked in Djibouti and Ethiopia, running programs that address agricultural and water needs. Despite the efforts, Father Ndaga expressed concern that the drought’s severity and insufficient funding are overwhelming the agencies’ ability to make much progress against what the U.N.’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs calls the region’s worst

food crisis in 60 years.

About 12 million people across Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya are in dire need of food, clean water and basic sanitation, while about 3.7 million people are at risk of starvation in southern Somalia, the worst hit area.

Father Ndaga said teams from Catholic organizations are on the ground, particularly in eastern Kenya, home to the sprawling camp at Dadaab that houses about 390,000 refugees and sees 1,300 people arrive each day from drought-stricken Somalia. The agencies also are working in collaboration with international aid organizations such as the World Food Program.

Chinese priest released from jail, urged to join ‘open’ church BEIJING — A young priest in northern Hebei province was released to his hometown after more than three months in detention, Church sources said. Father Joseph Chen Hailong of Xuanhua, who has served in the Yanqin parish on the outskirts of Beijing since his ordination in 2009, had been detained since he was seized by plainclothes police April 9, reported the Asian Church news agency UCA News.

In recent years, government officials in the Zhangjiakou area have cracked down on priests not affiliated with the government-sanctioned Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association. Two young Catholics taken away with Father Chen were released two days later.

Local church sources said authorities held Father Chen to question him about the whereabouts of Bishop Thomas Zhao Kexun of Xuanhua, who is in hiding from the government.

Chinese officials do not recognize the Xuanhua Diocese. Bishop Zhao, who is in his 80s, has headed the diocese since 2007 but has remained underground throughout much of his tenure.

Father Chen was held in isolation for nearly two months, during which time he suffered malnutrition, sources told UCA News. They added that the priest’s spirit nearly broke during his detention. To dispel loneliness and hunger, Father Chen drew the Eucharist on the wall of his room in a guesthouse and adored the Blessed Sacrament, the sources said.

— Catholic News Service

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ViewPoints

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Reader poll Reconciliation: It’s one of the most beautiful sacraments that Jesus instituted, yet people may at times be loathe to seek it. Yes, frank recognition of one’s sinfulness is humbling, even terrifying. Examining our consciences to discover our failures and weaknesses, and then describing the ugly truths to a priest, certainly isn’t easy. But the process is a healing one, in which we experience repentance and receive pardon and peace.

This month we’re asking readers:

Bishop Peter J. Jugis

‘Do this in memory of Me’ I

look forward to welcoming you next month to the Eucharistic Congress. Our seventh annual Eucharistic Congress will be held Sept. 23-24 at the Charlotte Convention Center. I hope you have already reserved these dates on your calendar and that you are planning to attend.

Preparations have been underway for more

‘In the Eucharist Jesus Himself is really present, and at the same time He takes us up into the saving event of His suffering, death and resurrection.’ than a year, and many volunteers have already been working countless hours for this year’s Congress.

The theme for our Congress is taken from Jesus’ words to His Apostles at the Last Supper: “Do this in memory of me.” (Luke 22:19) During the Last Supper Jesus instituted the memorial of His sacrificial death and resurrection. He gave His Body and Blood to His disciples, but He also did more. In addition to giving Himself to His disciples, Jesus also instructed them, “Do this in memory of Me,” indicating that He wanted His disciples to repeat what He did at the Last Supper.

In his book “Jesus of Nazareth (part II),” Pope Benedict XVI writes: “We may ask: what exactly did the Lord instruct them to repeat? Certainly not the Passover Meal....

The instruction to repeat refers simply

to what was new in Jesus’ actions that evening: the breaking of bread, the prayer of blessing and thanksgiving accompanied by the words of consecration of bread and wine.”

What the disciples were told to do, they did in fact carry out, and as a result the Eucharistic sacrifice Jesus instituted at the Last Supper has continued to remain present in the Church through the centuries.

“Do this in memory of Me”: What blessed words those are, and what fortunate words they are for us! They express the Lord’s desire to remain really present among us, and His desire to continue His work of redemption.

In the encyclical “Ecclesia de Eucharistia,” Blessed John Paul II reminded us of this double gift that comes to us in the Eucharist: “It is the gift of Himself, of His person in His sacred humanity, as well as the gift of His saving work…. When the Church celebrates the Eucharist, the memorial of her Lord’s death and resurrection, this central event of salvation becomes really present and the work of our redemption is carried out….

Each member of the faithful can thus take part in it and inexhaustibly gain its fruits.”

In the Eucharist Jesus Himself is really present, and at the same time He takes us up into the saving event of His suffering, death and resurrection. He thus continues the work of redemption, transforming us through His paschal mystery.

In the Eucharistic hymn “O Sacrum Convivium,” we praise the Lord’s gift of Himself and the gift of our being taken up into His redemptive act: “O sacred Banquet, wherein Christ is received; the memory of His Passion is renewed, the mind is filled with grace, and the pledge of future glory is given unto us.”

Abundant grace is available to us through the Eucharist because of the Apostles’ faithful fulfillment of the Lord’s command: “Do this in memory of Me.” May the Eucharistic Congress be for each one of us a joyful celebration of faith in our Eucharistic Lord, and an occasion of growth in holiness.

Bishop Peter J. Jugis leads the Diocese of Charlotte.

How often do you seek the sacrament of reconciliation? n Weekly n Monthly n Whenever I realize I’ve committed a mortal (grievous) sin

n Once a year n Less than once a year n Never

So far readers have responded:

Go online to www.catholicnewsherald.com to cast your vote. We’ll publish more results in the Aug. 26 edition of the Catholic News Herald.

— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor

Most-read stories on the web From Aug. 1 to 10 at press time, 150 page titles www.catholicnewsherald.com were viewed a total of 2,341 times. The top 5 local headlines so far in August are: n Lawsuit filed against Charlotte diocese stemming from abuse allegation......................................749 n Vocation Awareness Day Aug. 3: One young woman’s story of hearing God’s call.......................724 n Woman’s Right to Know Act becomes North Carolina law................................................................... 374 n St. Matthew Church hosts an ‘exceptional’ event to help stop hunger............................................ 350 n Online registration now open for 2011 Eucharistic Congress in Charlotte.......................................333

Letters policy The Catholic News Herald welcomes letters from readers. We ask that letters be originals of 250 words or fewer, pertain to recent newspaper content or Catholic issues, and be in good taste.

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

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By the numbers

CONTRACEPTION COVERAGE BY EMPLOYERS is required in 28 states, with 17 of them having religious exemptions.

REQUIRES CONTRACEPTION COVERAGE

REQUIRES CONTRACEPTION COVERAGE WITH RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION

NO REQUIREMENTS

Peggy Bowes * **

Three powerful words

ALASKA

T

HAWAII

* Nevada’s exemption applies to religious insurers only. ** Missouri allows any employer, religious or secular, to seek an exemption.

State mandates widespread but not as broad as HHS plan Source: Guttmacher Institute

©2011 CNS

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In more than half of the states, Catholic officials have been living for years with mandates that health insurance plans must cover FDA-approved contraceptives in their prescription drug plans.

Seventeen of the 28 states that require contraception coverage have some sort of religious exemption for employers, but few of the exemptions are quite as narrow as the one proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services when it announced Aug. 1 that contraceptives and sterilization will be among the mandated preventive services for women under the new health reform law.

North Carolina is one of 28 states requiring contraception coverage to be included in prescription drug plans, and it is one of 17 states with a religious exemption for employers.

The Diocese of Charlotte claims the religious exemption.

Under the proposal, only religious employers meeting four criteria would be exempt from providing contraceptives and female sterilization through their health plans. Those requirements are that the organization “(1) has the inculcation of religious values as its purpose; (2) primarily employs persons who share its religious tenets; (3) primarily serves persons who share its religious tenets; and (4) is a nonprofit organization” under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code.

An HHS spokeswoman said all four criteria must be met for the religious exemption to apply.

Religious freedom experts say the HHS exemption could leave out faith-based social service agencies, health care providers and even Catholic schools and colleges with majority nonCatholic enrollment.

Church teaching holds that artificial contraception is sinful and prescription insurance coverage for employees of Church institutions routinely exempts coverage for birth control pills, just as employee health insurance exempts coverage for abortion, sterilization and other procedures the Church considers immoral.

Of even greater concern to Church officials in recent years has been the fact that drugs labeled contraceptives by the Food and Drug Administration now include “emergency contraception” drugs ella and Plan B, which can cause an abortion.

— Nancy Frazier O’Brien, Catholic News Service

“

Team Christopher

Guess what your son did today!” my husband Chip says to me over the phone recently. He really is “our son,” but I realize there is a more important point I am about to hear from him. I was at a week-long conference out of town, and Chip was on his own with our 11-year-old son Christopher.

In a moment of inspiration (or madness, I am never sure what the spirit really is about) Chip had decided to fly to Florida with Christopher for a little beach vacation. Our vacations usually involve a lot of planning and an exhausting trip through the airport.

It helps to be able to tag team so that we can negotiate bathroom needs and Christopher’s non-existent attention span through the oddities of air travel. This time, it was just Chip and Christopher – a boys’ weekend! I was holding my breath, wondering what our son had gotten into.

“OK, so what did our little beach bum do?” I ask.

They had two days of perfect weather and good beach time, he tells me.

The afternoon flight back home went smoothly. They got off the plane and went to pick up their baggage. While Chip stood at the baggage carousel, Christopher disappeared. As Chip frantically searched for him, a big grizzled old man grinned at Chip and gestured to the baggage carousel. Chip looked where the man pointed.

Christopher was sitting on the conveyor belt. It had jolted to a stop just before going back into the loading dock and he was eagerly awaiting another ride – proud as he could be. Ever since he became mobile, he had tried to ride the baggage carousel. He finally got his wish!

Fortunately, the baggage carousel had stopped moving. The guy who pointed Christopher out to Chip told him, “I was keeping my eye on him – I wasn’t going to let anything happen to him.”

Sacred traditions all have parables, stories that hint of a larger reality.

I like to think of this family story as a parable, one where you look at each character in the story and see what truth they might reveal.

First, Chip: I couldn’t decide if he was more like the father of the prodigal son who went dashing out to welcome his lost son, or like the woman busy about many things and not noticing what was most important. Perhaps he is both. He certainly put a lot of energy into a weekend for some good fatherson bonding time. And yet, despite his best intentions, he ran smack into that terror-filled moment of “I lost my child!” which every parent dreads. He thought Christopher was on his own in a big, busy airport, but he really wasn’t. There are lots of good people all around us. We often do not realize we are surrounded by more good than evil.

Then there was the guy watching Christopher. Was he an angel, or just a man who paid attention to others around him, especially the most vulnerable? Not wanting to intrude but ready to step in if there were any signs of trouble. Is that how we think of God? Watching over us, ready to step in if things get out of hand?

According to Chip, this man delighted in watching Christopher. What a great way to think of the Divine Mystery of God! Then there is Christopher, who for years has been looking at and longing for a ride on the baggage carousel at the airport. He never appeared aggravated or impatient with us for redirecting him, yet he also never gave up. He wanted to ride!

I think of how I often do not set my sights high enough, limiting my thoughts to what appears possible in my narrow little world. Maybe I should stop giving up so easily. I have my own carousel on which I have wanted to take a ride. If I just remember Christopher (whose self expression is both enhanced and limited by the extra chromosone identified with Down syndrome) and his commitment to joy, perhaps then I could let go of my own personal baggage and jump on, too!

Terri Bolotin is a member of Queen of Apostles Church in Belmont and the wife of Deacon Chip Wilson.

She works as a clinical pastoral education director in the Pastoral Care Department at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

hings were not going very well at our table in the crowded restaurant. Our food had arrived sporadically, forcing my family to eat in shifts. When our harried server appeared with yet another dish we hadn’t ordered, she threw up her hands and stomped off to the kitchen. I was just about to ask for the manager when she reappeared with the rest of our food. Lowering her head, she humbly begged, “Please forgive me. This is only my second day working here, and I’m still not sure what I’m doing.”

The mood at our table instantly changed, our irritation melting to sympathy as a result of those three little words: “Please forgive me.” They are certainly not easy words to say, as they require putting aside pride and turning to humility.

When I married my husband 18 years ago this month, my matron of honor shared a bit of wisdom she had received on her own wedding day. Her pastor told her there are three simple sentences that are critical to the success of a marriage: “I was wrong.”

“I’m sorry.” “Please forgive me.” That advice frequently popped into my head over the past 18 years, but humility is a difficult virtue for me to embrace. I often gritted my teeth and thought, “But I’m not wrong!” Fortunately, my wonderful husband was usually the one to put aside pride and ask for forgiveness.

As my faith has deepened and matured over the past few years, I have worked harder to practice humility. Praying a daily rosary certainly helps. As I meditate on the mysteries, I ponder the examples of humility exemplified by the Blessed Mother and her Divine Son. The rosary is not an ancient prayer, no longer relevant to our modern world. It is a rule of life, challenging us to practice the virtues embedded in each mystery. Frequent rosary prayer helps us to become more Christ-like.

As God Incarnate, Jesus never had to ask for forgiveness because He never committed a sin.

As we meditate on the fifth sorrowful mystery, the Crucifixion, He shows us the importance of forgiveness. From the cross, He pleaded for mercy and forgiveness for all of us when He cried out, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) My journey toward humility is a difficult one, but those three powerful words, “Please forgive me,” are becoming a bigger part of my vocabulary. They can evoke sympathy and result in a generous tip, as the case with our restaurant server. More importantly, they unite us with Christ as we grow in virtue. As we pray five times in every rosary: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Peggy Bowes is a member of Holy Angels Church in Mount Airy and author of “The Rosary Workout” (www.rosaryworkout.com).

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