Feb. 8, 2002

The Catholic News & Herald 1

February 8, 2002

February 8, 2002 Volume 11 t Number 21

S e r v i n g C a t h o l i c s in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte

Inside Diocese consults on national catechesis directory ...Page 7

Immaculate Heart of Mary in High Point dedicates new parish ...Page 8

Local News Clergy, women religious gather in Triad to celebrate call to service ...Page 17

Vietnam vet focuses on faith and ministry ...Page 24

Every Week Entertainment ...Pages 18-19

Editorials & Columns ...Pages 20-21 Bishop William G. Curlin greets fifth graders Chris Riley and Alisa Renten at Sacred Heart parish in Salisbury, as Pastor John Putnam looks on. Bishop Curlin celebrated a Catholic Schools Week Mass for students of Sacred Heart School.

Photo by Joann S. Keane

Celebrating Catholic See stories pages

2 The Catholic News & Herald education. “The Catholic education I received provided me with the tools to not only forge success in life, but gave me an unending desire to serve my fellow man,” said Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-N.J., Jan. 29 on the House floor prior to passage for the third year in a row of a resolution honoring Catholic schools.

Irish women’s group seeks to make St. Brigid Day a national holiday DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) — An Irish women’s group is campaigning to make St. Brigid’s feast day, Feb. 1, a national holiday. Women in Media and Entertainment said St. Brigid of Kildare’s feast day should be made a national holiday in recognition of the contributions made by women to Irish society. The group took their request to Irish President Mary McAleese Feb. 1, presenting her with a straw cross, a sword and a cloak — three symbols of the sixth-century saint. The Feb. 1 event was part of a three-year campaign that began on International Women’s Day in March 2000, when the Irish Senate passed a motion for the holiday to be created. The motion has received support from all political parties. Veneration of St. Brigid in Ireland is second only to that of St. Patrick, according to “Butler’s Lives of the Saints.”

Nation’s youngest Catholic bishop ordained in Houston HOUSTON (CNS) — Before a crammed arena that swayed with song, Father Joseph S. Vasquez was ordained the new auxiliary bishop of GalvestonHouston Jan. 23. The 44-year-old priest of the Diocese of San Angelo became the nation’s youngest active Catholic bishop when he was ordained to the episcopacy at the Catholic Charismatic Center in Houston. More than 2,500 from the dioceses of Galveston-Houston and San Angelo squeezed into the center for the two-hour ordination liturgy, joining 100 of Bishop Vasquez’s family members from west Texas, Oklahoma and California at the event.

For Blessed Juan Diego’s descendants, canonization will be justice MEXICO CITY (CNS) — With his high forehead and cheekbones and receding hairline, Raymundo Yebra

CNS photo from Reuters

Afgan girl recieves food from distribution center An Afghan girl carries her share of food with care at a food distribution center in the Maslakh refugee camp outside Herat, Afghanistan, Jan. 31.

Millions of Afghans have been forced from their homes after more than 20 years of war and four years of severe drought. Catholic Relief Services and Caritas International are among the agencies providing food and other assistance to displaced people and Afghan refugees.

House passes resolution honoring Catholic schools’ contributions WASHINGTON (CNS) — As schools across the nation observed Catholic Schools Week Jan. 27-Feb. 2 with thousands of open houses, service projects, special assemblies, guest speakers and school Masses, a handful of U.S. representatives spoke publicly about the benefits of their own Catholic school

Episcopal February 8, 2002 Volume 11 • Number 21 Publisher: Most Reverend William G. Curlin Editor: Joann S. Keane Associate Editor: Kevin E. Murray Staff Writer: Alesha M. Price Graphic Designer: Tim Faragher Advertising Representative: Cindi Feerick Secretary: Sherill Beason 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203 Mail: P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237 Phone: (704) 370-3333 FAX: (704) 370-3382 E-mail: catholicnews@charlottediocese.org The Catholic News & Herald, USPC 007-393, is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203, 44 times a year, weekly except for Christmas week and Easter week and every two weeks during June, July and August for $15 per year for enrollees in parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte and $18 per year for all other subscribers. Second-class postage paid at Charlotte NC and other cities. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to The Catholic News & Herald, P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237.

February 8, 2002

The World in

c a l e n-

Bishop William G. Curlin will take part in the following events: February 17 — 2 p.m.

Rite of election Our Lady of Grace, Greensboro February 19 — 20 Guest speaker at Newman University Wichita, Kan. February 23 — 2 p.m.

Rite of election St. Thomas Aquinas, Charlotte February 24 — 3:30 p.m.

Rite of election St. Barnabas, Arden

Soriano is described as the spitting image of a 16th-century painting of Blessed Juan Diego. The 70-year-old shopkeeper smiled at this thought and the project to use him as the model for a monument to the Nahuatl Indian chosen by the Virgin of Guadalupe to be her messenger as he was walking up a rocky hill north of Mexico City in 1531. But the pride in his facial and familial ties with Juan Diego soon was replaced with humility. “What

Diocesan

plan -

Franciscans, Carmelites, Jesuits and Benedictines will be presented at the 6:30 p.m. sessions held every Wednesday beginning tonight and continuing until March 20. For further information, call Sheryl Peyton at (828) 6846098, Ext. 302 or e-mail stbardre@ bellsouth.net.

21 BELMONT — The Abbey Players/ Belmont Community Theatre will be performing Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” opening tonight at 8 p.m. in the Haid Theatre, 100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Rd. The play will run Feb. 22, 23 and 28 and March 1 and 2. For tickets and other information, call the theatre at (704) 825-6787.

25 CHARLOTTE — A support group meeting for caregivers of family and friends suffering from Alzheimer’s/ dementia will be held today and every fourth Monday from 10-11:30 a.m. in room E of the ministry center

we, the descendants, want is for him to be canonized. We ourselves are not important,” said Yebra, expressing satisfaction at Pope John Paul II’s plans to make Juan Diego a saint, probably when the pontiff visits Mexico in late July.

Catholic leaders seek to improve AIDS programs for Hispanics WASHINGTON (CNS) — National Catholic leaders in Hispanic ministry and in AIDS prevention are joining together to develop AIDS educational materials and training programs for Hispanics. There is a need for them because of the growing number of Latinos infected with the HIV/AIDS virus, said Ronaldo Cruz, executive director of the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat for Hispanic Affairs. “Hispanic ministry has been very silent about this and not much involved in AIDS work,” he said.

Cruz made the comments in an interview with Catholic News Service after he attended a mid-January meeting in Daytona Beach, Fla., with officials of the National Catholic AIDS Network to discuss formation of a joint task force geared to the needs of the Hispanic community.

Diverse voices heard at church-convened conference on globalization WASHINGTON (CNS) — The very diversity of voices at a high-powered conference on globalization convened by the bishops of the Americas highlighted how pervasive the impact of the global economy is on human life. Participants ranged from the heads of the world’s two most powerful international monetary institutions to a Peruvian-born priest serving Canada’s native people in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland. Among topics discussed were international trade, aid and investment, environment, agriculture, health, education, workers’ rights, cultural diversity, the effects of corruption, corporate ethics, development, poverty, immigration and poor countries’ external debts.

at St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd. With advanced notification, activities for the memory-impaired can be provided. For more information about the support group or the Shining Stars Adult Day Respite Program for the memory-impaired, which meets every Monday and Wednesday at St. Gabriel from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and every Thursday at Sardis Presbyterian Church from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., call Suzanne Bach at (704) 376-4135.

Upcoming CHARLOTTE — All married couples are invited to participate in the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter the weekend of Mar. 1-3 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel. Marriage Encounter is a 44-hour period when couples can take time off from families, work and other responsibilities to focus on each other to grow spiritually and emotionally as one. For more information or reservations, call Tom and Emilie Sandin at (336) 274-4424.

February 8, 2002

Vatican denies Pope Paul VI sought to sell Pieta for world’s poor VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican denied a report that Pope Paul VI wanted to sell the Pieta, the famous sculpture by Michelangelo, and give the proceeds to the world’s poor. The Italian magazine Diario reported that a month before his death in 1978, the pope met with a French antiquities dealer, Daniel Wildenstein, to explore the possibility of such a sale. Wildenstein, now dead, described the meeting is his recently published memoirs. During their meeting, the pope allegedly expressed his anguish at global poverty and worried that people thought he and others at the Vatican were living in opulence. Diario said the episode, recounted in the French edition of Wildenstein’s memoirs, was omitted from the Italian edition because of Vatican pressure. “The report is without foundation,” Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said Feb. 1.

Polish church shocked at funeral home kickbacks for hastened deaths LODZ, Poland (CNS) — Polish church leaders expressed shock after revelations that doctors and ambulance workers in Lodz allowed patients to die in order to profit from deals with local funeral homes. Several health workers in Lodz have been arrested on suspicion of speeding the deaths of patients in return for kickbacks from funeral companies.

Archbishop Jozef Zycinski of Lublin warned against blaming the whole medical profession for the crime and allowing the outrage to generate a “black vision of society.” The archbishop told a Jan. 28 meeting of priests in Chelm, “We should condemn this evil and thank the journalists who exposed these barbaric abuses. But we shouldn’t claim that’s how everyone acts or injure the innocent with uncontrolled aggression.”

Catholic leaders support decision to insure unborn children WASHINGTON (CNS) — Catholic leaders praised the Bush administration’s Jan. 31 announcement to expand health coverage to unborn children of low-income formation, call Carl Whitesel at (704) 987-9420 or (888) 310-9040 or e-mail eeregistration@yahoo.com.

18 BELMONT — Queen of the Apostles Church, 503 N. Main St., will be hosting an education series on religions of the world including Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism from 7-8:30 p.m. continuing tonight and every Monday until March 4 in the Family Center. Facilitator Dennis Teall-Fleming, parish director of faith formation, will discuss the religions’ origins and how they have impacted the world. Also, during Lent, beginning Feb. 20 and continuing every Wednesday until March 20 at 6 p.m., a Lenten program will take place at the parish. Childcare is available. For details, call Teall-Fleming at (704) 825-9600, Ext. 26 or e-mail teallfleming@yahoo.com.

20 ARDEN — St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Dr., will be having a Lenten soup and substance series entitled “Prayer: Doorway to the Kingdom.” Prayer traditions from the

The World in

Photo by REUTERS/Paul McErlane

Relative of a Bloody Sunday victim holds a cross before the 30th aniversary march in Londonberry Annie Ward (6), a relative of John Young, one of those killed on Bloody Sunday, holds a cross during the 30th anniversary march to the Bogside, Londonderry, Feb. 3, 2002. Relatives and friends of those killed on Bloody Sunday gathered in Londonderry on Sunday to mark the 30th anniversary of the day in 1972 when British soldiers shot dead 13 civil rights marchers.

women, saying it was a good decision to protect mothers and their infants. But groups that support keeping abortion legal criticized it as step toward making abortion illegal. Under the plan, announced by Secretary Tommy Thompson of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, states could provide prenatal care by classifying the developing fetus of a low-income woman as an unborn child eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP.

Churches worried after news that Canadians gave prisoners to U.S. OTTAWA (CNS) — Canadian Defense Minister Art Angleton’s revelation that Canadian troops were turning over Afghan prisoners to the United States has drawn fire from political and church quarters. Angleton confirmed in the House of Commons Jan. 29 that Canadian special forces captured two or three fighters in Afghanistan and handed them over to the

February 12 BELMONT — The New Century Saxophone Quartet will be performing tonight at 8 p.m. at Belmont Abbey Basilica, 100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Rd., as part of the Belmont Abbey College/ Monastery Performing Arts and Guest Artist Series. The program will feature music from Bach to Leonard Bernstein. For more information about the free concert open to the public, call Karen Jacob at (704) 334-3468 or email kjacob@vnet.net.

12 CHARLOTTE — Because of Ash Wednesday, the 50+ Club of St. John Neumann Church, 8451 Idlewild Rd., will be conducting a meeting this morning at 11 a.m. with a program and lunch in the parish center. Donations are being accepted during the meeting. The next meeting will be held on the regular second Wednesday date of March 13. For more information, call Bobbe Conlin at (704) 643-1376 or Gloria Silipigni at (704) 821-1343.

12 CHARLOTTE — The St. Gabriel

Church Arthritis Support and Education Group will meet this morning from 10-11 a.m. in Room D of the parish ministry center, 3016 Providence Rd. Speaker Dr. Don Joyce, retired orthopedic surgeon, will speak on knee and hip replacements. For further details, call (704) 362-5047, Ext. 217.

12 HICKORY — Pastoral care training, a branch of diocesan volunteer ministry, is designed to train parish volunteers to provide pastoral care to the elderly in retirement facilities, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and memory-impaired facilities and the homebound. All training sessions will be held at St. Aloysius Church, 921 2nd St. NE, tonight and Feb. 19 from 7-9 p.m. For registration and information, call Jenny Robinson at (828) 438-0774 or Sandra Breakfield at (704) 370-3220.

12 LEXINGTON — Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 619 S. Main St., will be celebrating the following events: a special liturgy honoring married couples with the renewal of vows, a special

The Catholic News & Herald 3

United States, which does not recognize al Qaeda and Taliban fighters as prisoners of war. The next day, he admitted he had known about the incident since Jan. 21, but did not inform Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien until after Chretien called the Canadians’ capture “hypothetical” Jan. 29.

International law states that such prisoners should receive “fair and humane treatment” whether they are called unlawful combatants or prisoners of war. But the Church Council of Justice and Corrections said it was worried that, without guarantees of due process, the prisoners could receive the death penalty, which has been abolished in Canada.

Church official says Angolan government more open, but no talks set CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) — Although the government and main rebel group in Angola have expressed willingness for the church to facilitate negotiations to end the 27-year-old civil war, no date or venue for talks have been set. “Things have changed in recent months, in that there are more statements by government leaders saying that they are in favor of dialogue,” Father Francisco Eurico, executive secretary of the Angolan bishops’ conference, said in a late-January telephone interview from Angola’s capital, Luanda. “The government has indicated that it will accept the facilitation of the church and other parts of civilian society,” he said, noting that the government and rebel movement UNITA are “more open to talks and want it to be made possible for dialogue.”

Kansas health care conscience act could serve as national model KANSAS CITY, Kan. (CNS) — Can pro-life pharmacists be compelled to fill prescriptions they know will result in a chemical abortion? Can Catholic nurses be forced to choose between their job or their conscience?

Not if proponents of the Health Care Providers’ Rights of Conscience Act have anything to say about it. The bill, now before the Kansas Legislature, faces considerable opposition from Planned Parenthood and others, but its importance cannot be exaggerated.

blessing and a social tonight at 7 p.m.; distribution of ashes at noon Mass and at 7 p.m. bilingual Mass on Feb. 13; and a 6:30 p.m. meal, Salesian studies, Stations of the Cross and Benediction starting Feb. 15 and continuing Fridays during Lent. For further details, call the church office at (336) 248-2463.

15 HICKORY — Engaged Encounter is for couples planning marriage, who desire a richer, fuller life together. Although the encounter weekend is Catholic in origin and orientation, it is open to couples of any faith. Couples are encouraged to attend the weekend three to six months prior to their wedding date.

Engaged couples may take part in one of several Engaged Encounter weekends, which will take place at the Catholic Conference Center, 1551 Trinity Lane: today through Feb.17, Mar. 22-24, April 5-7, May 10-12, Aug. 23-25, Sept. 20-22 and Oct. 25-27. For registration and other in-

4 The Catholic News & Herald

Around the Di-

February 8, 2002

Quaker Peace Testimony given at Franciscan

BY REV. MR. GERALD POTKAY Correspondent

Associate editor joins staff of The Catholic News & Herald B Joann S. Keane y

Editor CHARLOTTE - The Catholic News & Herald welcomed Associate Editor Kevin Murray to the editorial staff Feb. 4.

As associate editor, Murray fills a position that calls for many skills. In addition to writing, photography, and editing, he will supervise the network of freelance writers who contribute to the diocesan newspaper.

“This opportunity is a wonderful way to incorporate my faith while utilizing the talents and skills God has blessed me with ... in a way that gives something back to the community,” said Murray Murray, whose byline appears in this edition for the first time, comes to Charlotte from Gaston County by way of Tampa.

Although they were living in the sunshine state, Murray and his wife, Jeannette still considered North Carolina home. “As a former resident of North Carolina with family near Charlotte, we were eager to return to the area.”

He wrote for several newspapers in the Gaston County area before moving to Tampa where he worked in production and development for Visual Communications International. Additionally, Murray is an independent web site designer.

Murray received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a journalism minor from UNC-Charlotte in 1999.

Murray fills the associate editor position previously held by Jimmy Rostar, who accepted a news position in Greenville, N.C., this past November.

“I am eager to take on new assignments and to get to know the wonderful people in the Diocese of Charlotte,” said Murray.

Murray and his wife have settled back into Gaston County, specifically in Belmont.

Contact Associate Editor, Kevin Murray at (704) 370-3336, or email kemurray@charlottediocese.org

GREENSBORO — A group of over 40 Catholics gathered on their lunch hour at the Franciscan Center to listen to Dr. Max Carter, director of campus ministry and the Friends Center at Guilford College. Carter’s topic was “The Quaker Peace Testimony: A Personal Perspective.”

Carter earned a bachelor’s degree from Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Ind., and holds doctorate in American religious history from Philadelphia’s Temple University.

Raised as a Quaker, Carter, like all adults in the “Community of Friends,” went through a process of “convincing.”

The “Friends” must be personally convinced of the peace ethic promoted by Jesus through the Bible, an ethic that must be lived out in everyday life. Although the Friends do not have a sacramental structure, this personal conviction is similar to the profession of faith professed by Catholic young adults in confirmation.

Founded in 1652, the Quaker community “abolished the laity by claiming all are members of the clergy,” said Carter. By 1668, the Friends had published a public protest against slavery, and under the direction of John Woolman, Quakers no longer owned slaves by 1672. Woolman started the Quaker Abolitionist Movement two years later.

A large part of Quaker belief is active pacifism. Carter stressed that this was not “passive-ism” but a pacifism that “elicits the fury and indignation from the world at large because Friends must be totally immersed in the world in order to change it.”

Whereas the Quakers do not believe in the “real presence” of Christ in the sacramental Eucharist, which is an article of faith in the Catholic Church, they do have an understanding of the Eucharist as a “communion of silence.”

“A silence during which Christ is

present and leads, guides and directs the believer.” Therefore, stressed Carter, “the Community of Friends come together to do business and to worship as they commune with the real presence of God, oftentimes for hours until a unanimous consensus is reached.”

The only authority at these meetings is Jesus, said Carter. Therefore, “there must be a period of ‘discernment’ in which each participant must wrestle with weighty matters while determining whether a particular message is for him or her or the community and whether it is from God or from ego.”

As Dorothy Day, Gandhi, and King believed, the Friends believe that the Kingdom of God exists on earth. “Friends consider their community the ‘Body of Christ’ living the Kingdom of God on earth,” said Carter. “Life then, is to bear the cross of Christ. This is what it means to be Christian: to take up an inward cross, which leads to Crucifixion to the world.”

According to Carter, the Friends live by four tenets: integrity, in which the believer preaches the life of Christ by cheerfully integrating it into the believers life; simplicity, through which the believer removes all obstacles and impediments which will block one from the knowledge of God; equality, which means all are children of God; and peace, which is rooted in the Sermon on the Mount.

“When Jesus disarmed Peter (in the Garden), he disarmed us all,” Carter added.

“Therefore, the Friends have taken on the same pro-life positions proposed by the Catholic Church, which includes the areas of abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment and the whole range of peace topics.”

Carter explained that the Quakers have an oral tradition, which was passed on through shared stories. He told of the Quaker pacifist movement in the Revolutionary War wherein both the British and the Colonials overran the farms of the Friends.

In the 1800s, “during the Irish Potato

Photo by Rev. Mr. Gerald Potkay

Famine, it was the Quakers who provided the Irish Catholics food relief without requiring religious conversion as did the other Protestant Sects,” said Carter.

Carter also told how he “was drawn between peace and war during the Vietnam conflict” until his sophomore year in high school. He had been talking to three Japanese women, one of whom was the only one in her family to survive the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945. A cement abutment was the only thing that had saved her life.

It was this story that convinced Carter not to participate in any action that promoted destruction. And he has totally immersed himself in the peace ethic since then by giving talks and seminars and educating the public about the faith tradition and its effect on society.

February 8, 2002

Around the Di-

Seminarian embraces faith with family

By ALESHA M. PRICE Staff Writer CHARLOTTE — For Patrick Cahill, the Catholic school experience has been most gratifying. It was in that setting of learning and faith that he first heard the call to the priesthood. The Charlotte Catholic High School (CCHS) graduate is a seminarian at Theological College, the national seminary of The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C., and is studying at The Catholic University of America.

His parents’ support, a strong grounding in faith and family and the love of Christ have characterized his life. Born in Richmond, Ind., the oldest of six filled the shoes of secondary caretaker with little fuss.

“Growing up in a large family,” Cahill said, “I had to accept a lot of responsibility at a young age, to help out at home and set a good example for my younger siblings. But it came pretty naturally. Being a big brother was one of the roles I had to fill and did so willingly.”

With his parents as role models, he mapped a course early in life that was filled with faith and scholastic development. His mother ministering in the parish inspired him. “Her constant attempt

in raising us to have good Christian morals made a big impression on me.

(Having that) strong foundation and close family was of primal importance in keeping a solid faith life.”

When Cahill’s parents told him that the family would be moving to North Carolina, he was excited at the prospect of starting over in a new state. They moved to Concord and later to Charlotte, and Cahill began attending CCHS. While North Carolina held great promise for him, Catholic school was not at the top of his list.

“I wasn’t looking forward to it at first, but my parents wanted me to go. It required great sacrifice to go — a 45-minute drive each way. I didn’t know anyone, but the people were very welcoming. By the end of my freshman year, I really felt like I had found my place.”

Cahill blossomed in his new environment by becoming student council president and playing varsity football and baseball. A meeting with Bishop William G. Curlin set him on his path toward ordained ministry.

“He was so incredible and kind,” said Cahill, “and when I met him for the first time, he told me...that he didn’t regret becoming a priest. I was thinking about what I wanted to do after high school, and I wanted to have his kind of assurance, conviction and happiness.”

He grew interested in daily Mass and confession and nurtured thoughts of priesthood. He spoke with his parish priest and prayed about his life decision. “I think that my calling con-

sisted of a series of many instances in my life where the priesthood had come up. The idea of it wasn’t weird to me because I wasn’t closing doors to anything else. I kept the idea of priesthood as an option.”

He graduated from CCHS in 1998 and received a scholarship to Belmont Abbey College where he studied philosophy and theology. After his sophomore year, he decided that he had to go to seminary. “Belmont Abbey was a good place for me because I had two outstanding years there, and I felt like it did a lot for me in the pursuit of my vocation. The examples of my parish priest and the monks made the priesthood a more realistic path for me to follow.”

His parents and friends were shocked at his decision, but he reassured them that he was making the best choice for his life: “Initially, everyone was surprised that I would enter at such a young age, but ultimately, they realized that one doesn’t enter the seminary and immediately get ordained.

The seminary is a time for prayer and discernment.”

Cahill transferred to The Catholic University of America in the fall of 2000 with a Basselin scholarship. His graduation is scheduled in 2002, and he will become a diocesan priest in 2007 after another year of study in philosophy and four years of theology.

“I think my goals for the priesthood are to encourage young men to consider a vocation to the priesthood and to reach out to those in need and console them with the love of Christ.”

Vocations is one of 35 programs and ministries that receives funds from the Annual Diocesan Support Appeal.

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Pastoral counseling professor to discuss spirituality and psychology ROCK HILL, S.C. — The Rock Hill Oratory: Center for Spirituality invites all to participate in the 22nd Cardinal John Henry Newman Lecture Series as a yearly gift to the church and in tribute to Cardinal Newman, 19thcentury scholar and Oratory priest in England. This year’s speaker; Dr. Robert Wicks, professor in the graduate programs in pastoral counseling at Loyola College in Maryland and a visiting scholar at Stritch Medical College in Chicago; will present two talks entitled, “The Simple Care of a Hopeful Heart.”

The presentation will include information about maintaining a healthy perspective, the importance of unlearning, elements in self-nurturance, appreciating the “enemies” of balance and compassion, the role of reflection and the types of friends necessary for a rich, supportive, interpersonal network.

There is no charge or pre-registration for the lecture. Because of limited parking, carpooling is encouraged. Beverages will be provided, but participants must supply their own brown-bag lunch. The Newman lecture begins at 10 a.m. on Feb 23 at the Oratory: Center for Spirituality, 434 Charlotte Ave. For further details, call Sarah Morgan at (803) 327-2097 from 8 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday.

6 The Catholic News & Herald Florida Catholic man named to head White House faith-based initiative WASHINGTON (CNS) — Jim Towey, a Florida Catholic man who has worked for both Democrats and Republicans in political life — and for Mother Teresa at one time — was named the director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives by President Bush Feb. 1. Towey has spent the last six years as the founding director of Aging With Dignity in an effort to provide better care for people nearing the end of life. Last year, he moved from Florida to Washington to expand the group’s reach nationwide. An attorney, Towey was legal counsel for 12 years to Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and he lived for one year as a full-time volunteer at the Gift of Peace Home in Washington, which is run by the Missionaries of Charity and ministers to people with AIDS. Annette Kane retires as NCCW executive director WASHINGTON (CNS) — Annette Kane, executive director of the National Council of Catholic Women for the past 16 years and part of the organization’s staff for 23 years, retired Feb. 1. “NCCW opened me to an incredible network of women who support one another in times of sickness and loss, when confronted with harsh realities like family separations, domestic violence or drugs,” said Kane in a statement. She said the women she has worked with have embodied “Gospel values for their families and parishes,” and that beyond the “boundaries of their own lives, they stand in solidarity with women and children around the world who live in much more difficult circumstances.” Kane first worked as program director and then executive director with the organization that is a federation of 7,000 Catholic women’s organizations representing millions of Catholic women across the country.

Indianapolis second-graders make wine, trappings for first Communion AURORA, Ind. (CNS) — It started in the school cafeteria with a mound of grapes and a group of second-grade students who couldn’t wait to get their hands slimy. The children, who attend St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception School in Aurora or participate in the parish’s religious education program, mashed the grapes their parents and teachers would then help them turn into wine for their first Com-

February 8, 2002

People in the

CNS photo from Reuters

Speedskater practices on Olympic ice track A Ukrainian speedskater speeds past a Salt Lake City 2002 banner during practice on the Olympic ice oval in Kearnes, Utah. Athletes from around the world were arriving in Utah for the Winter Games that start Feb. 8

munion May 5. “It was fun,” said Alex Abrams, a second-grader enrolled at St. Mary. The practice used to be an annual event at the school, dating back about 30 years, but over time the tradition faded. Parents who remembered the event brought it back three years ago and hope to restore it as a parish tradition.

Cardinal sees missed opportunity at latest World Economic Forum NEW YORK (CNS) — Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington said religious leaders could play a useful role in the World Economic Forum but that this potential was not realized at this year’s Jan. 31-Feb. 4 meeting in New York. The role of religious leaders is to “get ethical and religious points of view into these dis-

cussions” with business and political leaders, he said. Many business and political leaders “would be open to that,” he added. The cardinal said that because forum organizers had “a special track” for religious leaders, they spent much of their time talking with each other. An interreligious panel at one plenary session was the only formal opportunity for interchange, he said.

Suburban Chicago churches shelter homeless, but not

without a fight INVERNESS, Ill. (CNS) — The first night Holy Family Parish provided emergency shelter, about 15 homeless people in the northwest suburbs of Chicago looked forward to having a more comfortable place to sleep. But after an outcry from some of the church’s neighbors, the homeless did not sleep there. Instead, Holy Family parishioners had to operate the shelter out of the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, near Inverness. The church opened its doors after hearing about the reaction the Catholic church received. The Inverness parish joined “The Journey from PADS to Hope,” a shelter and social service program that relies on a coalition of churches to provide the homeless with a roof overhead, a meal and a pad on the floor. “PADS” stands for Public Action to Deliver Shelter.

Is the end near? Catholicism doesn’t speculate on apocalypse MILWAUKEE (CNS) — Speculation that the end of the world is near “is a recurring theme in American religion and has given birth to entire denominations,” according to author and religious scholar Paul Thigpen. “Jesus says specifically in the Gospel that ‘you do not know the hour of my return.’

Yet even with that in the Gospel, people keep trying to set a date,” Thigpen said in an interview with the Catholic Herald, Milwaukee archdiocesan newspaper. The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 may have spurred new interest in apocalyptic topics, judging from high sales for the “Left Behind” series of novels about the end times. “These books push the misguided ‘secret rapture’ agenda, and their teaching can be seductive because they are packaged as entertainment,” Thigpen wrote in his book, “The Rapture Trap,” a look at end times from a Catholic perspective.

February 8, 2002

From the

Charlotte Diocese consults on new

By KEVIN E. MURRAY Associate Editor HICKORY — If you draft it, they will come to critique it.

The Diocese of Charlotte’s Consultation on the National Directory for Catechesis was held at the Catholic Conference Center Jan. 28. Approximately 65 people representing diverse demographics of the 46-county diocese met to provide input on the first draft of the new directory.

“There was a beautiful mosaic of people there,” said Cris V. Villapando, diocesen director of faith formation programs.

“It was the kind of diversity that the bishops were looking for in consultation.”

The draft is currently being studied and evaluated in a nationwide consultation of those involved in catechetical ministry.

The U.S. bishops voted in 1999 to develop the new National Directory for Catechesis in light of the General Directory for Catechesis, issued in 1997. The National Directory for Catechesis is intended to be an improved and expanded version of “Sharing the Light of Faith,” the National Catechetical Directory published in 1979.

Villapando, who was designated by Bishop William G. Curlin to assist with the diocesan consultation, noted that the new directory is more than a simple revision of the National Catechetical Directory.

“It’s not just an editorial update,” he said. “The whole direction has changed.”

Lifelong faith formation and the cultural diversity of American Catholicism are among the new themes emphasized in the draft. The nationwide consultation is intended to better represent the multiethnic reality of the U.S. church.

Diocesan consultants consisted of religious and lay people, educators and program directors, professionals and parents.

There were representatives from Hispanic Ministry, Native American Ministry, dis-

abilities ministry, Catholic schools, faith formation, RCIA, and many others.

The diverse group rated the draft on readability, tone and content. For six hours, they discussed the draft’s theological soundness and merit, respectfully debated one another on various issues, and offered changes and suggestions to improve the draft’s content.

Villapando was very gratified by the results. “The consulters were very knowledgeable, intelligent and discerning in their remarks,” he said. “They were very generous of their time. We covered a lot of ground.”

The next step is to “collate and synthesize all of the major comments and suggestions,” said Villapando.

The material is then submitted to Bishop Curlin for his approval before going to the Editorial Oversight Board of the National Directory for Catechesis. Once all the diocese’s feedback is collected, the board will determine if there is need for a second national consultation. The goal is for catechists to have the finished National Directory for Catechesis by 2004.

Villapando believes the consultation process will produce great results. “The more diverse the group, the more likely we are to experience the diverse gifts of the Holy Spirit,” he said.

Catholic News Service contributed to this story.

Contact Associate Editor Kevin E. Murray by calling (704) 370-3334 or email kemurray@charlottediocese.org

The Catholic News & Herald 7

Chicago Archdiocese announces Catholic school closings, openings

By Michelle Martin Catholic News Service CHICAGO (CNS) — Three new Catholic elementary schools will open and 14 will close in the Chicago Archdiocese this summer.

The schools to be opened will be the first new Catholic schools in the city of Chicago in 13 years.

The plan, designed to make the archdiocesan school system stronger and more efficient, if a bit smaller, has been in development since the arrival last year of the archdiocese’s new schools superintendent, Nicholas M. Wolsonovich.

It also calls for the consolidation of two elementary schools, St. Matthias on Claremont Avenue and Transfiguration of Our Lord on Rockwell Avenue, forming one school with two campuses.

The changes come in response to changing demographics throughout the archdiocese, Wolsonovich said.

“Parishes and populations are always changing, and we as an organization have to adapt to those changes,” he said. “That means the schools have to change, too.”

Archdiocesan officials announced the changes Jan. 14 after working with all schools to assess their viability, based on criteria such as their Catholic identity, enrollment pattern, financial resources, academics and availability of nearby Catholic schools.

Many of the schools slated to close have six-digit annual deficits. “If we had all the money in the world, we wouldn’t have to close any schools, but that isn’t the case,” Wolsonovich said. “These schools have a rich legacy of service to their communities over a long period and provided excellent faith-based education to generations of students. But today’s fiscal realities mean they cannot remain open.”

He said efforts are being made to accommodate all the children and teachers affected.

In fiscal 2001, schools across the archdiocese lost $49.6 million. The archdiocese provided $9 million in grants to schools — an investment that will continue at $6 million a year.

In addition, the Big Shoulders Fund is providing $2.5 million in operating grants to inner-city schools this year, along with $6 million in scholarships, Wolsonovich said.

Next school year, the archdiocese expects to have 249 elementary schools, down from 261 this year and 267 last year.

The Office for Catholic Schools is studying the feasibility of opening more elementary and high schools in the southwest suburbs and in Lake County, north of Chicago. It also is looking at expanding existing schools in Chicago neighborhoods that are growing.

To help remaining schools stay

viable, the Office for Catholic Schools hopes to get more schools to use the “Tuition Covenant” plan, a two-step process that bases tuition on the actual cost of educating each student but provides financial aid for families that need it.

“Parents tell us cost is the number one reason they do not send their children to Catholic schools,” Wolsonovich said. “Parents also tell us they believe that a Catholic school education is a good investment in their children.”

One of the three new elementary schools is a specialized middle school, not yet named, in Our Lady Help of Christians Parish on the West Side.

To be run by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, it will serve the African-American community. Like San Miguel Middle School, a similar Chicago school for Hispanics run by the same order, it will have three teachers per 25-student class and provide tutoring, mentoring and scholarship support to prepare its students to succeed in a rigorous high school learning environment.

Both the other schools are coincidentally named Immaculate Conception.

One, at Immaculate Conception Parish on North Park Avenue, will open in the fall to preschool and kindergarten students only, with plans to add one new grade a year.

The other, on Exchange Street, has been operating as a primary-grade campus of nearby St. Michael School for the past three years, starting with kindergarten and first grade and adding a grade each year.

St. Michael’s principal, Dominican Sister Judine Hilbing, said both neighborhoods have a high demand for Catholic schools. The Immaculate Conception campus is 100 percent Hispanic, 100 percent Catholic and filled to capacity with an average of 25 students in each of its four grades. St. Michael’s 319 pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students are a mix of African-American, Hispanic and other racial and ethnic groups, she said.

Of the 14 schools slated to close, 11 are in the city of Chicago and three in suburbs.

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Around the Di-

February 8, 2002

Immaculate Heart of Mary opens

By KEVIN E. MURRAY Associate Editor HIGH POINT — By building a new church, one community is building in size.

Bishop William G. Curlin presided over the dedication Mass for the new Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on Feb. 2. The new church symbolizes the growing Catholic population in the High Point area.

“I salute you because you have joined me today to dedicate this wonderful church,” said Bishop Curlin, which drew applause from the congregation.

The church, built to accommodate 800 worshipers, was full to capacity.

According to parishioners, the church has been full every week since the first Mass held on Christmas Eve last year.

“It’s a beautiful church,” said Bob Lodding, a parishioner. “People are very excited.”

The new Immaculate Heart of Mary was built to replace its smaller predecessor. Al Guecia, a member of the dedication committee, noted that the congregation was growing “tremendously.”

“We were so crowded for so long.

It was standing room only,” said Guecia. “Now you can come in and sit down without being squeezed.”

Plans for the larger church began a decade ago said Perry Kairis, chairman of the planning and building committee. “It’s been a long journey, but it was worth every minute of it. There’s so much love in this project and this building,” Kairis said.

Oblate Father Joseph C. Zus-

chmidt, pastor, told the congregation that the undertaking was successful due to “all the people of faith who planned, designed and built this church...all the people of this parish labored so long and diligently.”

In a letter to the parishioners, Father Zuschmidt wrote, “To all of you who worked on the various committees and who contributed in any way to our church, I thank you...I am proud of all of you who played various roles, large and small, but all of them significant in doing something beautiful for God and for this parish.”

A unique design theme within the church has helped to incorporate the “concept of life,” according to Rev. Mr. Thomas Kak, parish permanent deacon. The design runs through the stained glass windows, the altar, the tabernacle and so on.

Within the altar, he said, “we have not only the concept of sacrifice, but we have visually added the concept of the meal, of Jesus’ sharing himself with us,” said Rev. Mr. Kak. Another unique feature of the church is a crucifix that can be closed to conceal the body of Christ. The concept of life is included in the cover’s design.

Closing the crucifix at Easter and revealing this design will “serve as a reminder of Jesus’ victory on the cross,” said Rev. Mr. Kak. “(which is) a continuing symbol of life coming from the cross.”

The bishop’s dedication included the blessing and sprinkling of water, anointing of the altar and walls and lighting of the altar and church.

“In the years to come, when you gather to celebrate, you’ll feel the presence of Jesus here,” said the bishop.

Many were moved by the dedication Mass. “It was very exciting,” said Lodding.

“It was just beautiful,” said Guecia.

“It was more than I expected.”

Kairis was equally pleased with the growing congregation. “It’s nice to see a lot of young people coming here,” he said. “This building will serve

many generations to come.”

As Father Zuschmidt told the congregation, “We will be building here for decades to come.”

Contact Associate Editor Kevin E. Murray by calling (704) 370-3334 or email kemurray@charlottediocese.org.

Photo by Joann S. Keane

February 8, 2002

Around the Di-

Photos by Joann S. Keane

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Catholic Schools

Immaculata wins big with new sports

By JOANITA M. NELLENBACH Correspondent HENDERSONVILLE — An infusion of money and lots of parent and student participation have created a new sports program for middle schoolers at Immaculata School, a preschool through eighth-grade facility with about 180 students.

The teams are called the Immaculata Stars. Girls play volleyball in the fall, and boys and girls play basketball in the winter. There’s co-ed golf in the spring, and the school hopes to add soccer to its program in the fall. In Henderson County, boys play soccer in the fall, and girls play in the spring.

The school has joined the Western Carolina Middle School conference, which is for private schools. However, the Stars also play nonleague teams.

“When we started, it was nice to be able to get into something that was ongoing,” said Bill Mann, Immaculata principal. “They’ve had intermittent sports, but not anything as highly organized and ongoing as this. It’s done a lot for the spirit of the school, the involvement, the identity.”

The desire for an organized sports program surfaced in January 2001 at a town meeting at the school. A sports committee of parents and the principal, with Lu Ann Welter as chair, soon formed to address the situation.

“It’s really a nice meshing of people working together,” Welter said.

“Really, we just saw a need for it in the middle school. Before this, our kids had to go through the parks department to play.”

Funding comes from the $3,000 in donations that Immaculata added to its budget to seed the program and from admission charges for adults to attend games. The school has purchased equipment, including a volleyball net, wall pads and uniforms, and a scoreboard was donated.

A four-week boys-and-girls’ basketball clinic held after school several days a week in March last year prepped the players for the upcoming season. Teams are open to all Immacu-

lata middle schoolers.

“We don’t have tryouts,” Welter said. “We have a no-cut policy. Any kid who wants to play can play. We want our middle school athletes to learn the game if they want to play it in high school. Maybe they’ll find a sport they never would have thought of.”

Girl cheerleaders are present during the girls’ games. Then some of the girl players rush to change to cheerleader uniforms and join the cheering squad to root for the boys. Other students operate the concession stand, where they learn skills like handling money.

Everyone’s enthusiastic with players’ parents and siblings cheering during the games, and the players driving hard up and down the court.

Katie Patterson’s son, Jonathan, a fifth grader, is on the basketball team.

“They have the best spirit; they really do,” she said.

OLG School celebrates with GREENSBORO — Our Lady of Grace School celebrated Catholic Schools Week in a variety of ways.

Student council members provided all ministries for the Jan. 26 Mass with the faculty and staff all in attendance.

Several community speakers, including an environmental biologist for

February 8, 2002

the city of Greensboro and a first class marine science technician, visited the school on Monday.

Other events during the week included eighth graders visiting the Greek Orthodox Church, and kindergarten through third-grade students collecting books for the Pathways Shelter. Students also participated in a park and school grounds cleanup and a pep rally recognizing honor roll students, contest winners, athletes and cheerleaders.

Contact Correspondent Joanita M. Nellenbach by calling (828) 627-9209 or e-mail jnell@dnet.net.

Photo by Kevin E. Murray

Books offer something for everyone Popular children’s character Clifford, the Big Red Dog, joins librarian Deirdre Stevens and students at the St. Michael School Book Fair in Gastonia Feb. 1.

Photos: by Joanita M. Nellenbach

February 8, 2002

Catholic Schools

The Catholic News & Herald 11

Spanish teacher broadens minds

By Mary Marshall Corresponent CHARLOTTE — Spanish class at Our Lady of the Assumption School is fun and exciting thanks to Gladys Silva, the Spanish teacher.

“I love teaching. It’s in my blood.

All my life I wanted to be a teacher,” said Silva.

Silva, who is originally from Chile, has been teaching all her life.

She earned a degree in education at a private college in Chile, run by the Salesian order. Arriving in the United States, she attended classes to become certified. She has taught at Our Lady of the Assumption for the past seven years.

Visiting her fourth grade class, one senses a love for the students and for teaching.

“I try to make class fun as I introduce words, sentences and concepts through art, songs, dance, reading and writing along with a few games and videos,” said Silva. “No child is ever embarrassed in my classroom. We are all learning together.”

Today’s class is exciting as Silva introduces different foods in Spanish to the students. Using blackboard magnets representing glasses of water or milk, sandwiches or pasta, she identifies the food. The students take turns coming to the board to place them in food groups, writing their Spanish name next to them. Silva then challenges students to create a sentence in Spanish for a breakfast, lunch or dinner menu. Hands shoot up as students put together soup and sandwiches or pasta and milk.

Silva introduces concepts according to the students’ ages.

“For example, kindergarten students learn numbers and family members with the aid of booklets, which show a mother— mama—or a father—papa,” said Silva. “By second grade, students are writing and speaking days of the week, months, years and learning objects within a home or classroom. Third-grade students study Latin American countries and their capitals.”

The students play various versions of Spanish bingo — animal bingo, fruits and vegetables bingo, or clothing bingo. They also play Spanish tic-tac-toe, and learn about Latin American countries by watching videos.

“These are wonderful teaching aids, and the children learn through fun activities,” said Silva.

Photo by Kevin E. Murray

Teachers and students take to the court A faculty member at Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School in Charlotte shoots for the basket during the school’s faculty vs. students basketball game Feb. 1.

“Silva is loved by our students, families and teachers,” said Patricia Murphy, principal of Our Lady of the Assumption School. “Her kindness, gentleness and respect of each of us permeate her classroom. She integrates subject matter with Spanish as students learn language and culture interspersed with geography and the fine arts.”

Silva is creative and talented. She leads fourth graders in a meditation song, which they will present at an upcoming Mass. Her classes are community oriented. At Christmas time, students made Spanish cards with English translations on the back for Asbury and Epworth Place nursing home. Second graders visited the nursing home, giving the cards to residents and singing “Nanita Nana” and “Feliz Navidad”.

Silva’s classes begin with a prayer in Spanish. Kindergarten students recite, “Thank you, Lord Jesus, for all your blessings.” The level of prayer increases with the upper grades reciting the Our Father or Hail Mary. Each day, one of the Spanish classes recites a Spanish prayer for the entire school as the dismissal prayer.

Within the past year, Silva’s responsibilities expanded to include working with ESL students who need a little extra help understanding the American culture.

“I work with them on basic academic skills: writing, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and phonetics,” said Silva. “I meet with the students one-on-one and have great respect for their culture. It’s a learning experience as we learn from each other. The program is wonderful, one that is vital as we familiarize these students with the American ways.”

Silva’s love for teaching also reaches out to second grade faith for-

mation students.

“The Lord gave me the talent to teach,” said Silva. “I feel compelled to use this talent to help students as they prepare for their first Communion. Second graders are so anxious to learn. I enjoy working with these little children. It’s an honor for me to help them prepare to receive the Lord.”

CCHS students join hands for service project

CHARLOTTE — During Catholic Schools Week Charlotte Catholic High School students participated in Hands Around Our School, a project that was designed at the request of Belmont Central Elementary School in March 2001.

Through the project, the students raised money to support the innovative programs and services that Holy Angels provides to children and adults with mental retardation and physical disabilities, many of whom are medically fragile. These services include residential services, education, social work, physical therapy, medical services, creative arts, spiritual growth and recreation.

The Hands Around Our School Project began with the showing, in homeroom, of the video, “Surely the Presence” which gives an overview of the programs and services of Holy Angels, as well as images of the residents who live there. Money was collected on a homeroom basis. The students, staff, faculty and families at the school collected monetary donations for the programs and services of Holy Angels during the week.

For every donation of one dollar, there was a paper hand with the student’s name written on it. The hands were placed around the halls and classrooms of the school, creating “Hands Around Our School” and celebrating the wonderful deeds of the students.

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By MARY MARSHALL Correspondent CHARLOTTE — No computers, no TVs, no videos, no talking while changing classes and no snacks — this was a new experience for St. Ann School students as they reverted to the 1950s on Jan. 29, to celebrate their 45th anniversary during Catholic Schools Week.

It was a real learning experience as boys wore ties, and girls were clad in jumpers, blouses and knee socks with long hair in ponytails or pigtails. What happened if a boy forgot his tie? According to the rules of the day, he had to make one out of paper and wear it.

Students asked if they wore tennis shoes. No, girls wore saddle shoes, and boys wore black shoes. What did they do for recess? Students jumped rope, played hand clapping games, hopscotch and dodge ball.

Teachers also donned clothes popular in the ’50s. First-grade teacher Denise Heskamp borrowed her neighbor’s grandmother’s three-piece dress, which was made of wool and metallic thread. Her accessories included pearl earrings, bracelet and necklace and white gloves.

Principal of St. Ann School, Sister of St. Joseph Helene Nagle, delighted students by changing to several different habits throughout the day. One student’s response to her veil was, “I like your curtain, Sister.” Another quipped, “I like your costume, Sister.”

They learned and practiced protocol of the day — students stood when called upon and sat with their hands folded the remainder of the time. When the principal entered the classroom, students responded, “Good morning, Sister Helene.” She, in turn, responded, “Praise be Jesus and Mary.” The students answered, “Now and forever.”

Catholic Schools

February 8, 2002

St. Ann students get a blast from the

Photos by Mary Marshall

First-grader Alex Blunt, dressed in a shirt and tie, sits with the wax paper wrapping from his sandwich.

One teacher remembered her teacher using a yardstick placed over the heads of the students to perfectly line them up in the hall.

When St. Ann School opened, the entire faculty was comprised of nuns. A year later, two lay people were hired. Every class began with religion, and all teachers were Catholic. Curriculum was different in those days, as well. There were no foreign language classes until high school, and not every school had a library. St. Ann School always had a music teacher and a library but did not have a librarian in the early years. Physical education classes focused on exercises, running

Sister Helene Nagle, principal of St. Ann School, wears one of the habits she wore during the day.

Sister Helene also participated in the school-wide “back in time” theme for the day. and relay races. Many schools did not have physical education.

One student asked what happened if you didn’t do your homework. Sister Helene answered, “You did your homework. Your parents saw to it that it was done. And you didn’t lose it because it was packed up and put by the door the night before.”

Students were encouraged to ask questions relevant to school, home and expenses in the 1950s. Classroom teachers went over trivia from the 1950s such as: the average income was $3,216; a new car cost $1,511; a new home was $8,450; bread was 14 cents a loaf, and a gallon of gasoline was 18 cents. During the 50s, RCA began making a three-inch color picture tube, and Cadillac introduced a one-piece glass windshield.

Students were amazed to learn that families ate dinner together every night, and the only outside evening

activity was scouting. Students walked to school and went home for lunch, as there were no cafeterias in the schools.

After school, they changed clothing and roller-skated, rode bikes or played games outside.

Students loved Wednesday — better known as Sunshine Day — a day of teachers showing appreciation for students as they spoiled them with treats and freed them of homework assignments. The theme was, “If you weren’t here, we wouldn’t be here.”

Faculty and staff were treated to dinner during the week, compliments of the Parent-Teacher Organization.

Father Mark Lamprich, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, celebrated Mass with the faculty volunteering for all the lay parts. Throughout the week, students collected food for Charlotte Has Heart.

Other activities highlighting the week were visits from alumni including: Nancy West, a student during the first years of the school; a band concert

by Charlotte Catholic High School; a faculty student basketball game where students celebrated in the Olympic spirit by carrying in an Olympic flag; and a talent show followed by parents joining or taking their student out for lunch.

“Catholic Schools Week is a wonderful way for us to relate to the students in a different way,” said Sister Helene. “We have a good time; many of the activities are unstructured. It makes all of us appreciate a Catholic education.

Staff, faculty and student alike love it.

Faculty and staff do all the planning. It brings them together in a special way.”

February 8, 2002

St. Leo School doubles enrollment during Catholic

By Susan deGuzman Correspondent WINSTON-SALEM - Extra students, and lots of them, lined the lockers of St. Leo School in celebration of Catholic Schools Week. With the spirit of welcome, these “locker people” wore paper constructed look-a-likes created by students and teachers under the design of art teacher, Stephanie Iauco.

Approximately 300 four-foot tall cardboard locker people with personalized facial markings were made. Each student colored in “himself” or “herself.” Renditions of teachers were also hung in the halls, many very close in resemblance to their live models.

Science projects and artwork were also displayed, as well as notes from each family telling what they liked about St. Leo’s and what improvement they would like to see in the school.

Other decorations and expressions of the school’s spirit hung in the halls for visitors who attended open house and registration.

President Bush visited Winston-Salem on Wednesday of Catholic Schools Week.

Several students accompanied eighth grade teacher Mary Lou Schline to the event.

During that day, which happened to be Celebrate the Nation Day, students gathered around the flagpole in front of the school for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Boy scouts and girl scouts played a role in the ceremony. Later in the day the students wrote letters to soldiers and veterans of our country.

Celebration of teachers, students, fami-

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Catholic Schools

Photos by Susan deGuzman

lies, volunteers and the local community were also part of Catholic Schools Week.

Specially designated masses were held at St. Leo Parish, Holy Family Parish in Clemmons and Bishop McGuinness High School.

Other festivities during the week included a teachers’ luncheon, a Math-AThon to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, “Vittles for Volunteers” breakfast, pizza and bingo for families, and a student talent show.

“We had a wonderful celebration of our school during the week,” said Principal Georgette Schraeder. “Catholic schools are the best because we are communities for life, and we have a love of learning and a desire for God.”

Mother finds inspiration

By KEVIN E. MURRAY Associate Editor CHARLOTTE — Whether she’s directing a program, a classroom or traffic outside the school, it’s apparent that Martha Hutson is All Saints School’s most precious volunteer.

“She does everything,” said Trish Hazel, school secretary.

Substituting for teachers, working the front desk, running the carpool and everything in between, Huston — a nurse by vocation — started volunteering at All Saints when her oldest child joined the original kindergarten class. Ten years and four children later, Hutson has become an integral part of the school.

“You’d need a 100 of her to replace her.

When parents find out Martha’s a volunteer, they say ‘We could never do all that,’” said Betsy DesNoyer, All Saints’ principal.

“She does our carpool every single day.” “(She volunteers) rain, shine or ice,” said Hazel.

Hutson doesn’t get what all the fuss is about. “I don’t work here,” she said, “I play here.”

It was the carpool situation that triggered Hutson’s call to action. With the parents of over 600 students cramming the school’s parking lot, Hutson offered to create a more effective pickup system.

“If there’s a problem, don’t be a part of it. Be part of the solution,” said Hutson.

The carpool now begins every day at 2:30 p.m. “By 3:15 p.m., we’ve safely placed every child in his or her car,” she said.

“She’s ultra-concerned for the students’ safety,” said DesNoyer. “She’s willing to go the extra mile.”

Hutson said her involvement with the school was a “domino effect.” “The more you get to know people, the more you want to help out. I’ll do anything that they’ll let

me.”

Hutson’s devotion to the school hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“Martha is a true angel,” said Shayne Brannon, a parent at All Saints. “She’s the most giving person I’ve ever met.”

“She has true love for this school — the children, the teachers,” said Hazel. “We just love her.”

It’s that love that inspires Hutson to continue doing all that she can for All Saints.

“Everyone here is so gracious and giving,” Hutson said. “Everyone thinks of ways to improve their programs. It’s such a great environment for our children. It didn’t take Benny (her husband) long to see why I like it here.

“If people could see a tenth of what I see, they’d all want my job,” she said. “I’ve learned more about my faith here. This is my sanctuary in life. It feeds my soul.”

While Hutson considers those at the school as her inspiration, many — faculty, staff, students and parents alike — feel the same about Hutson.

“She’s so much fun. She’s always full of laughter,” said DesNoyer.

“In the 10 years I’ve known her, she’s never had a negative thought,” added Hazel.

Reflecting on her decade of service, Hutson said, “I can’t think I’ve ever questioned this. The appreciation of the people around here is just tremendous.”

“Every school needs a Martha Hutson,” said Hazel. “But we don’t want to share her. We want to keep her for ourselves.”

Contact Associate Editor Kevin E. Murray by calling (704) 370-3334 or email, kemurray@charlottediocese.org.

Photo by Kevin E. Murray

Martha Hutson shares a laugh with students while substituting in a kindergarten class at All Saints School in Charlotte. Hutson has been a volunteer for the past 10 years.

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Catholic Schools

February 8, 2002

Asheville Catholic School celebrates with worldly

By Joanita M. Nellenbach Correspondent ASHEVILLE - Students at Asheville Catholic School are studying the world this year, and that focus was evident when Bishop William G. Curlin arrived for a Catholic Schools Week visit. Displays the students had created about various countries were prominent along hallways and in classrooms. Bishop Curlin talked about prayer in his homily, and the students sang prayers in Spanish and Swahili during the Mass.

Second and third graders led the Mass entrance procession into the school gymnasium. The second graders carried flags; behind each flag walked the third graders attired as saints from those countries.

Concelebrating with Bishop Curlin were Father Francis T. Cancro, pastor of St. Eugene; Father Wilbur Thomas, Basilica of St. Lawrence, Asheville; Father Andrew J. Latsko, St. Margaret Mary, Swannanoa; and Jesuit Father Edward M. Ifkovits, St. Andrew the Apostle, Mars Hill. The Rev. Mr. Michael Zboyovski, St. Eugene, proclaimed the Gospel.

“Do you believe in prayer?” the bishop asked during his homily. “Do you pray for your parents? Do you pray for your brothers and sisters? I was told many years ago that you live like you pray. Prayer makes your heart joyful.

Prayer is the fuel that keeps the heart burning. It feeds your soul.”

He spoke the prayer that Mother Teresa of Calcutta had taught him to say first thing each day: “Good morning, Jesus.

Come to me today. Live in me today.” Then he added, “Prayer is like a bell ringing, saying that God is here.”

Students Natalie Burns, Allie Plouffe, D’Andrea Evans and Alicia Funderburk led the offertory procession with liturgical dance.

Later, the student choir sang the postCommunion hymn, “Lord, When You Came.” The song, “Pescador de Hombres” in Spanish, is based on the Gospel story of Jesus calling his first disciples. It’s refrain, which the students sang in Spanish, talks about going into the world for love of God. The words: “O Lord, in my eyes you were gazing, kindly smiling, my name you were saying; all I treasured, I have left on the sand there; close to you, I will find other seas.”

Before Mass ended, students held before the congregation a banner, bordered with flags of the world and displaying a picture of Mother Teresa and her words “Peace begins with a smile.” Then students stepped up to the lectern to quote from Mother Teresa’s sayings. There were gifts for Bishop Curlin. Maggie Gross, a second grader dressed as Mary, Queen of Scots, presented a picture she had drawn of the fifth glorious mystery of the rosary. J. P. McQuilling offered the bishop a worldmission rosary.

The recessional hymn was the Swahili “Bwana Awabariki”-”May God Grant You a Blessing”).

Bishop Curlin toured the school, stopping in each classroom to visit with the students.

Contact Correspondent Joanita M. Nellenbach by calling (828) 627-9209 or e-mail jnell@dnet.net.

Photos: by Joanita M. Nellenbach

Photo by Alesha M. Price

Parade of nations Students at St. Gabriel School in Charlotte participated in the school’s International Fair, held Jan. 29 and 30. The students had the option to dress in clothing representing their ethnicity or in red, white and blue gear. Parents posed as “ambassadors” to various countries as they offered facts and stories and created international displays. Pictured from left to right, fifth-graders Jessica Walsh O’Sullivan, 11; Gabriela Sevillano, 11; Sarah Yosief, 11; and Rachel Decker, 11, look at the South Africa display on Jan. 30. The girls represented Ireland, Peru, Eritrea (NE Africa) and France. Principal Sharon Broxterman said, “Most of the children from other countries were able to give the other children some background so that they could learn more about their different heritages and origins.”

February 8, 2002

Catholic Schools

The Catholic News & Herald 15

Our Lady of Mercy honors distinguished

Students celebrate Catholic Schools Week in Triad

GREENSBORO — Saint Pius X Catholic School spent a week celebrating Catholic Schools Week that included special events for the students and staff. The students read special prayers during morning announcements each day. They also wrote and read stories to honor their teachers at a luncheon for the faculty and staff members on Feb. 1. The week’s most unique event took place at the student Mass on Jan. 31 when Principal Mark Akerman’s daughter, Emma Frances Akerman, was baptized by Father Marcaccio before a full St. Pius X Church.

“I had seen how excited the children in the parish were one Sunday to see a Baptism, so I suggested to Father Marcaccio that Emma be baptized at a school Mass,” said Akerman. Father Marcaccio agreed that it would be a wonderful way to conclude Catholic Schools Week. Participants of the baptism included Akerman and his wife, their son Cole, godparents Bob and Teresa Scheppegrell and their son Andrew.

McMonagle said that it never stays still and is always active, and that is what Renegar exemplifies — for she is never still and is always doing anything she can for others.

After the presentation, the volunteers served a special luncheon for the teachers and staff.

On Jan. 28, the school held an open house with sixth- through eighthgrade students providing visitors with guided tours of the school. Some of the week’s other events included a thank-you day for the students, complete with demonstrations, games and bowling.

Father Mauricio W. West, vicar general and chancellor, engaged the students during his homily, asking them why they thought Catholic education was so special. Answers ranged from “learning about God” and “beliefs” to “learning to look for God in other places.” When asked how these truths were put into place, the students responded with “helping,” “praying,” “sharing” and “loving each other.”

Father West gently stressed that not only must they learn, they must also work at putting these things into practice in school, at home and with siblings. “That’s why Catholic schools are so important,” he added, “because they teach you how to put it into practice.”

Photos by Rev. Mr. Gerald Potkay

BY REV. MR. GERALD POTKAY Correspondent WINSTON-SALEM — During Catholic Schools Week, Our Lady of Mercy School found time to celebrate and honor one of their own.

After Mass on Feb. 1, a day for honoring the teachers, Principal Sandra McMonagle presented the school’s most distinguished alumni award to Susan Nitz Renegar. Not only is Renegar involved with the school, but also is heavily involved with parish life.

Renegar is the coordinator of the Parish-Life Commission. She plans receptions for priests who are reassigned. She coordinates the annual parish picnic as well as the evening celebration for the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy. She planned and assisted in the Catholic Schools Week luncheon serving over 40 people and in the athletic banquet serving over 300 guests.

Renegar is also extremely active at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School (BMHS), especially during the theatrical shows.

A 1971 graduate of Our Lady of Mercy School, Renegar went on from BMHS to obtain a nursing degree so she could continue to serve others.

Married with two sons, her involvement with Our Lady of Mercy intensified after one of her sons arrived at the school.

Comparing Renegar to the school’s logo, McMonagle pointed that Mary is also known as “Our Lady of Kindness.” It is this kindness that sets Renegar apart from the rest as she follows the example of what Jesus wants us to be, said McMonagle. Then, pointing out the school mascot, the mustang,

1 6 The Catholic News & Herald

In the

Family sacrifices much

BY REV. MR. GERALD POTKAY Correspondent MOORESVILLE — Robert and Barbara Cella place Catholic education above their own time and comfort. They are not only willing to sacrifice financially to pay the tuition for their three children to attend Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, but they are also willing to sacrifice time as they travel an hour and 15 minutes each way from Mooresville to Kernersville.

Of the three children — Michelle, a junior, and Kevin and Carolyn, both freshmen — only Carolyn didn’t originally want to attend Bishop McGuinness. Now, she says, “I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.”

As parents, the Cellas prefer the Catholic parochial school system because the curriculum is much more of a challenge than the local schools and there isn’t the overcrowding found in public schools.

Michelle agreed, “Both teachers and students at Bishop McGuinness are more focused on academics,” she said.

“The teachers want you to learn more so the work is harder and we will be better prepared for college,” said Carolyn.

Carolyn believed Catholic education was a positive force in their family life as it brought the faith alive for them. “It is good for the children to hear about the Catholic beliefs so that they can in turn support and defend those beliefs to others,” she said.

“We already know a lot about the faith, but the teachers concentrate on the actual beliefs and practices as well as the morality and church teachings surrounding topics like abortion, sex, and euthanasia,” said Michelle.

Kevin agreed with Michelle, adding that he is “glad the teachers are strengthening his beliefs.”

Barbara and Robert felt as though the tuition is especially fair for the high school education their children received.

“One of the things we really appreciate is the paying for all books and materials up front,” said Barbara. “Even though it is a large expense at the beginning of

the year, it’s easier to have it taken care of ahead of time.”

The biggest reason Bishop McGuinness was chosen over Charlotte Catholic was the traffic problem. Even though the Cellas live geographically closer to Charlotte, time-wise, Bishop McGuinness is much closer. Barbara said the I-77 and I-40 traffic was much less than expected and the drive to and from school was working out much better than anticipated.

“Michelle helps drive on occasion,” said Barbara. “The travel time has become a blessing in disguise, as it is a time for good communication between all of them as a family unit.”

“In the morning we listen to music or sleep but on the way home, when not studying, we like talk,” added Michelle.

To help fray the expenses and to pass the time while the children are in school, Barbara has found a job with flexible hours.

The Cellas are also pleased that Michelle, Kevin and Carolyn have been able to fit in so nicely with the school population and gain many new friends. They added that they are always informed about their children’s needs for help both academically and with discipline.

“The teachers are always willing to offer extra help when it is needed,” said Kevin.

The biggest problem for all concerned revolved around extracurricular activities.

All three children miss that part of their education, because, as Kevin said, “They are important events that open up friendships.”

“Although difficult, to say the least, some of the problem is taken care of through sleepovers,” said Barbara.

Robert Belcher, director of admissions at Bishop McGuinness, said, “The Cellas are a remarkable family. They must be admired for the total self-sacrifice each of them is making to give and/or receive a faith-based education. It is a very important part of their lives and it speaks well for the whole family.”

February 8, 2002

St. Patrick students box up care and love for others

By ALESHA M. PRICE Staff Writer CHARLOTTE — Shopping for toiletries like toothpaste, soap, shampoo and similar items sounds like an everyday task for many. But, for families at St. Patrick School, the common household goods meant something special. More than 200 families participated in a service project that involved decorating shoeboxes and filling them with hygiene items for Montagnard parishioners at St. Patrick Cathedral.

On Jan. 29, in conjunction with Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27 through Feb. 1, the students assembled for a presentation from Mar Bris, a Montagnard community leader. He thanked the student body for their efforts and spoke about Vietnam, his people and their trek from the Communistoccupied country to the United States and the Diocese of Charlotte. The shoeboxes will be distributed to families in Charlotte and surrounding areas.

Angela Montague, principal, said the Catholic Schools Week committee and parish council decided that the shoebox project would benefit her students. “(This represented) cultural diversity for our children to see how other communities live by doing outreach service projects,” Montague said.

“We figured that this would be a good way to start because the parish is so involved with the community. Church and school is a very good combination.”

Faye Almon, one of the Catholic Schools Week chairpersons, said that the

project helped to teach the students about race relations and fellowship. “This community outreach project was so important to these young kids because it made them think about tolerance and compassion for people who are different. (I hope) it planted a seed in their minds as far as volunteering so that as adults, they’ll know to give back to the community.”

Students decorated the boxes, added the personal items and included a letter about their families, school and faith. Montague said that the children seemed to enjoy the voluntary project because it was something that the family could do together.

“I was happy that we were doing something for other people,” said first-grader Julia Richardson, 6, who drew a large heart on her box decorated with white paper and glitter glue.

Fifth-grader Hannah Foltz, 10, said that she appreciated being able to participate in a service project during Catholic Schools Week. “I felt like we were doing something special for someone who could actually use it. This (project) really showed how giving the Catholic community really is.”

Contact Staff Writer Alesha M. Price by calling (704) 370-3354 or email amprice@charlottediocese.org.

Photo by Alesha M. Price

First-graders Julia Richardson, 6, and Henry Reed, 6, look at the shoeboxes decorated and filled with hygiene and personal items for members of the Montagnard community in Charlotte. The students took part in the family service project during Catholic Schools Week.

Photos by Rev. Mr. Gerald Potkay

February 8, 2002

In the

Clergy, women religious gather in

By REV. MR. GERALD POTKAY Correspondent HIGH POINT — Women religious from all over the diocese congregated at Maryfield Nursing Home for the sixth annual celebration of the World Day for Consecrated Life Feb. 1.

This gathering was in response to the call of John Paul II in 1997 stating this celebration “is intended to help the entire Church to esteem even more greatly the witness of those persons who have chosen to follow Christ by means of the practice of the Evangelical Counsels. And, at the same time, is intended to be a suitable occasion for consecrated persons to renew their commitment and rekindle the fervor which should inspire their offering of themselves to the lord.”

In addition to the Poor Sisters of the Mother of God, the program drew religious from the Sisters of Mercy, the Sisters of St. Francis, the Sisters of St. Joseph from Rochester, N.Y., the Sisters of Christian Charity, lay associates, those in formation to become associates, as well as members of the laity and the diaconate.

Mass was celebrated by Franciscan Father Louis Canino, director of the Franciscan Center in Greensboro.

During the homily, Father Canino said that religious vocations are an awesome gift, that God has chosen them to the consecrated life. “We who have been consecrated, refined,

purified, retested, further refined and retested over and again are hopefully the ‘Faithful Remnant.’ We are in a crucial climate that calls for a vibrant religious life without a clear sense of personal limit,” he said.

“When permissive ministers think they can handle every problem, they loose the effectiveness of ministry.

Therefore,” Father Canino warned, “each of us needs to avoid the ‘Messiah Syndrome.’ At the same time, there must be a sense of joy in our lives. For, if religious do not have mirth, they will have madness. To be authentic, we religious need to lead a life of prayer, compassion, and love.”

Giving an example, Father Canino said, “If I were a concert musician and failed to practice for one day, I would notice. If I failed to practice for a week, the music critics would notice. And, if for a month, the public would notice.

The same applies to an active prayer life.”

Father Canino explained that three factors were affecting both clergy and religious today: existentialism, the philosophy that regards human existence as unexplainable and the freedom of choice and responsibility for one’s actions which have no objective standards; hedonism, the devotion to pleasure; and power.

“Christian religious leadership requires resistance to possessions and

security,” said Father Canino. “That we religious must live lives of poverty, chastity, obedience, solitude, justice, simplicity and compassion. All of which is foolishness to the eyes of the world.”

Father Canino noted that the religious sometimes feat what their own communities might say. “But, we are called to be prophetic. We need to take the risk. That is what we are called to do,” he said.

“The mark of a saint,” Father Canino concluded, “is not that one has reached perfection. But even after having fallen, one still has the burning desire to please God.” St. Joseph Sister Phyllis Tierney, pastoral associate at St. Pius X Church in Greensboro, said she thoroughly enjoyed Father Canino’s presentation and was glad she came.

Sister of St. Francis Bernadette Svatos, diocesan Northern Regional Coordinator for Faith Formation, agreed and expressed her hope of attending next year’s celebration.

After Mass, those in attendance gathered for a reception.

The Catholic News & Herald 17

Young adult Catholics like religious but know little about them WASHINGTON (CNS) — Young

adult Catholics generally have a positive opinion of men and women religious, but many do not know a great deal about them, according to a new national study. Only one-third of those surveyed, for example, said they knew the difference between diocesan priests, who do not take vows, and religious order priests, who do take vows. Fewer than two-thirds said they knew the difference between a priest, who is ordained, and a religious brother, who is not. A report on the study was released in connection with the World Day for Consecrated Life Feb. 2-3. Commissioned by the Conference of Major Superiors of Men and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, the study was conducted last year by sociologist Dean Hoge of The Catholic University of America.

1 8 The Catholic News & Herald Book Review

Interfaith read for all denominations Reviewed by Eugene J. Fisher Catholic News Service The Jewish writer Cynthia Ozick likened Yossi Klein Halevi’s “At the Entrance to the Garden of Eden” to Thomas Merton’s “The Seven Storey Mountain” —

AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE GARDEN OF EDEN: A JEW’S SEARCH FOR GOD WITH CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS IN THE HOLY LAND, by Yossi Klein Halevi. William Morrow (New York, 2001). 315 pp., $25.00.

the story of a profound spiritual journey made accessible to anyone who reads it with the eyes of faith. I do not think that is an exaggeration.

I have for many years admired Halevi’s writing as an Israeli journalist in The Jerusalem Report and The New Republic. I did not realize that he is Orthodox, from Brooklyn, N.Y., and a journalist of the soul no less than he is of the tangled skein of Middle Eastern politics.

Here, Halevi visits — as a Jewish pilgrim — Christian and Muslim men and women who have surrendered themselves to God. He follows a path opened by the small but courageous group of interreligious activists who devote their lives to the vision of Jerusalem as the meeting place of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

This story of a Jew’s search for God in Christianity and Islam has even greater urgency today when ideologues of both left and right are trying to turn the terrorist crisis into a war between Islam and its sibling Abrahamic faiths.

This book reassures that God can be found — or rather that God will find us despite the violence that has shattered the peace of the Holy Land — if only we search. Halevi finds the quiet of humble openness with Christian nuns and monks who invite him into their convents and monasteries. He listens to the divinityinfused cadence of the songs of the Sufi Muslim sheiks — mystics — who invite him to their houses of prayer, and who patiently respond as he asks them the most basic (and therefore most difficult) spiritual questions.

Even while he asks for their guidance in his Jewish quest for God, Halevi struggles with his own fears and anger: fear and anger with Christianity’s dismal history of hatred for and persecution of Jews throughout the centuries; fear and anger with Islam’s current rejection of his people’s need for liberation in their own land and security for the future.

Through the people he meets, he is able to understand their suffering and the

February 8, 2002

Read-

integrity of their search to be at one with the God of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar.

This is especially true, I think, of his experience with Armenian Orthodox Christians, with whom he shares a spiritual landscape marked by 20th-century genocides, committed by the Turks against Armenians early in the century and by the Nazis against Jews a few decades later.

The sense of ultimate loneliness and loss that is shared by Armenians and Jews enables Halevi to attend Holy Week services, especially Good Friday, a day when Jewish fear of Christians — for tragic historical reasons over the centuries — is normally at its peak.

Halevi has organized his book around the great Muslim and Christian liturgical feasts he attends with his spiritual mentors, often after months of interrelating. Catholic readers will learn something of the meaning of Ramadan, Id el-Adha, and Lailat al-Miraj for Muslims, just as they will learn new aspects of the meaning of our own liturgical seasons of Lent, Easter and Christmas.

Likewise, the reader will be introduced to many truly remarkable individuals and religious communities. Halevi has long conversations and shared meditation, for example, with Catholic nuns, conversations at once theological, historical and spiritual.

One European-based, Catholic religious community of men and women, the Beatitudes, has dedicated itself to restoring to Christianity its Jewish heart, that of its founders, Jesus, Mary and the Apostles.

And a Catholic Melkite monk has dedicated his life and monastery (built by his own hands) to maintaining living links with Jews and Muslims equally.

The Holy Land, a land occupied in uneasy co-existence by Israelis and Palestinians, has for four millennia been a God-besotted place, a land of strife and sorrow where God’s presence ironically has been most intensely showered. Here, an Israeli journalist shows us that the presence of God still hovers over the Holy Land. And he introduces us to some of the people who, in the quiet melodies of their lives and liturgy, have opened themselves to the divine presence, and been immensely enriched by it, thereby enriching us.

Fisher is associate director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Word to Life

Sunday Scripture Readings: Feb. 10, 2002 Cycle A Readings: February 10, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 1) Isaiah 58:7-10 Psalm 112:4-8a, 9 2) 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 3) Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16

By BOZENA CLOUTIER Catholic News Service I was an adult when I first heard the phrase “the lights went out over Europe.”

Hearing it I immediately was taken back to my childhood in wartime London.

That phrase fit so well. All our windows were hung with thick, ugly curtains so that no light showed outside. Wardens patrolled the neighborhood every night to see that strict blackout was enforced.

Not only were houses dark, but so were streets, cities, indeed whole countries. Going out at night was not undertaken lightly. It was dark out there, and the only lights were the straight, probing beams of searchlights crisscrossing the night sky. Sometimes there was the bright, quick burst of anti-aircraft fire or, more ominously, the fires set off by fallen bombs.

It was in those years that I learned to love and appreciate the light. One of my favorite things is flying into a city at night and seeing the lights below me shimmering like jewels. I know now that those bright lights represent freedom and life.

Light is a theme in this Sunday’s Scriptures. Isaiah in the first reading exhorts us to acts of compassion, to caring

for others, and promises that light shall shine within those who live this way, and any gloom they encounter will be turned to brightness.

Jesus tells us that we “are the light of the world” and that we must act in such a way that others may see and recognize that light for what it really is.

Many times we discount our own power to influence others. We are keenly aware of the mixed motives with which we act and shrug off our impact on the outside world as insignificant. Yet, as we look back on our own life stories and faith journeys, we so often stop to remember a grade school teacher, a particular neighbor or a passing stranger who somehow, in some small but profound way, deeply marked our character and destiny.

In the prayer group to which I belong, my friend Judy often says this prayer: “Lord, may your light shine through us so that others may see it and want what we have.” I have learned to say this prayer frequently, particularly at the beginning of the day.

We often forget that this light is not of our making. It is the Lord’s. And the Lord multiplies and transforms our small acts of goodness so that they too shimmer like jewels in the darkness.

QUESTIONS: Recall a scene of light in your life. What are your associations with this light? What did it mean to you?

Think of someone you know who carries the light of Christ within.

What makes that person so attractive and inviting?

Weekly Scripture Scripture for the week of Feb. 10 - Feb. 16 Sunday (Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time), Isaiah 58:7-10, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Matthew 5:13-16; Monday (Our Lady of Lourdes), 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13, Mark 6:53-56; Tuesday, 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30, Mark 7:1-13; Wednesday (Ash Wednesday), Joel 2:12-18, 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18; Thursday (Lenten Weekday), Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Luke 9:22-25; Friday (Lenten Weekday), Isaiah 58:1-9, Matthew 9:14-15; Saturday (Lenten Weekday), Isaiah 58:9-14, Luke 5:27-32 Scripture for the week of Feb. 17 - Feb. 23 Sunday (First Sunday of Lent), Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7, Roman 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11; Monday (Lenten Weekday), Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18, Matthew 25:31-46; Tuesday (Lenten Weekday), Isaiah 55:10-11, Matthew 6:7-15; Wednesday (Lenten Weekday), Jonah 3:1-10, Luke 11:29-32; Thursday (Lenten Weekday), Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25 or 4:17 (Esther’s prayer), Matthew 7:7-12; Friday (Chair of Peter), 1 Peter 5:1-4, Matthew 16:13-19; Saturday (Lenten Weekday), Deuteronomy 26:16-19, Matthew 5:43-48

February 8, 2002

Video Reviews

By Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) — The following are home videocassette reviews from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office for Film and Broadcasting. Each videocassette is available on VHS format.

Theatrical movies on video have a U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification and Motion Picture Association of America rating. All reviews indicate the appropriate age group for the video audience.

“Atlantis: The Lost Empire” (2001) Imaginative animated adventure set in the early 1900s in which a young cartographer (voiced by Michael J. Fox) becomes the key to unraveling an ancient mystery when he leads a group of intrepid explorers to find the lost city of Atlantis. Although the fanciful narrative becomes muddled, directors Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise’s edgy, angular animation and distinctive characters voiced by a fine cast compensate for some of the film’s shortcomings. Intermittent action violence. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. (Disney) “Blue Moon” (2000) Slender romantic fantasy in which a long-married couple (Ben Gazzara and Rita Moreno) on a weekend away to recharge their relationship magically encounter themselves 40 years earlier (Brian Vincent and Alanna Ubach) when they were contemplating marriage, and each couple is able to help the other move forward. The veteran actors outshine their counterparts in writer-director John Gallagher’s sweet but sluggish story that more resembles a staged play. An implied affair, minimal profanity and an instance of rough language. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-III — adults.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

(Fox Lorber) “Bubble Boy” (2001) Mean-spirited spoof in which a young man (Jake Gyllenhaal) who has lived his entire life in a bubble to protect

Entertainhis weak immune system constructs a mobile bubble and travels to Niagara Falls to stop the wedding of his childhood sweetheart (Marley Shelton). Director Blair Hayes’ forgettable road-trip comedy crawls along with one-note, foolish characters and base, unfunny jokes that mock human frailties. Recurring slapstick violence and mayhem with some sexually suggestive dialogue and crass language. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (Touchstone) “The Curse of the Jade Scorpion” (2001) Enjoyable 1940s romantic comedy in which an ace insurance investigator (Woody Allen) and the agency’s newly hired efficiency expert (Helen Hunt) are used by a hypnotist in a jewel heist.

Writer-director Allen’s often funny film capitalizes on the era’s fascination with hypnotism, though it runs into trouble wrapping up its otherwise entertaining narrative. Several sexual references and an extramarital affair. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (Dream Works) “Glitter” (2001) Pathetic musical drama set in the 1980s New York City club scene that tracks the rise of a young singer (Mariah Carey) from a childhood spent in foster homes to her discovery by a disc jockey (Max Beesley) and on to ultimate fame.

Along with indistinguishable original songs, a pitiful narrative and contrived camera work, director Vondie Curtis Hall’s leading lady has no charisma to pull off the vanity vehicle. An implied sexual encounter, brief violence and some crass language. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG13 — parents are strongly cautioned.

Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (Columbia TriStar Home Video) “Kiss of the Dragon” (2001)

The Catholic News & Herald 19

CNS photo from Miramax

Scene from Miramax film ‘Birthday Girl’ Nicole Kidman and Mathieu Kassovitz star in a scene from the movie “Birthday Girl.” The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-IV — adults, with reservations. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted.

Brutal action film in which a top Chinese government agent (Jet Li) travels to Paris to assist the chief of police (Tcheky Karyo) in busting a gangster ring, but finds himself framed for murder in a foreign land. Despite a few well-choreographed martial arts scenes, director Chris Nahon’s vicious, negligible narrative degenerates into nonstop bloodlust with the value of human life disregarded.

Excessive, gratuitous violence, a sexual encounter, some drug use and recurring rough language. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. (Fox Home Video) “Pavilion of Women” (2001) Lushly photographed melodrama adapted from the Pearl S. Buck novel set in 1938 China where a middle-aged wife (Luo Yan) gifts her brutish husband with an innocent concubine whom her son (John Cho) comes to love, even as the wife and an American missionary (Willem Dafoe) struggle with mutual feelings of love. Director Yim Ho contrasts East-West cultures against the backdrop of the imminent Japanese inva-

sion in a romanticized depiction of broken vows leading to heroic redemption.

Brief wartime violence and numerous but discreetly handled sexual situations.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. (Universal) “Tortilla Soup” (2001) Pleasing comedy about a MexicanAmerican widower (Hector Elizondo) and his three grown daughters (Jacqueline Obradors, Elizabeth Pena, Tamara Mello) who experience unexpected romances and discover their true passions while their chef father cooks elaborate gourmet meals for them each Sunday. Director Maria Ripoll’s spicy story about family, food and romance entices the taste buds while tugging on the heartstrings with visually succulent dishes, delightful characters and an engaging narrative. A sexual encounter and a few sexual references with brief profanity and crass language. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (Columbia TriStar Home Video)

2 0 The Catholic News & Herald

The Pope Speaks

POPE JOHN PAUL II

Trust in God’s victory over evil in world, pope says B J N y ohn

February 8, 2002

Editorials & Col-

orton

Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope John Paul II said believers who are overwhelmed by evil and suffering in the world could look forward with joyful hope to God’s ultimate victory.

Even when God seems distant, he never forgets those who trust in him in the midst of their trials, the pope said Feb. 6 at his weekly general audience.

“Dwelling amid evil and suffering, they know with absolute certainty that the goal of history is not the emptiness of death, but a joyful encounter with the God of our salvation,” he said.

In his talk, the pope focused on Psalm 43, a poetic prayer for deliverance and perseverance in the midst of suffering. He was continuing a series of reflections on the Liturgy of the Hours, daily prayers based on the psalms.

The pope said the psalm’s author, exiled from Palestine, “feels a solitude created by misunderstanding and even aggression from unbelievers, aggravated by the isolation and silence of God.” “But the psalmist reacts against the sadness with an invitation to himself to trust and with a beautiful affirmation of hope: He relies on still being able to praise God,” the pope said.

The pontiff, who turns 82 in May, spoke slowly but clearly and broke into a broad grin when about 1,000 scarf-waving members of an Italian youth group cheered him.

Pope calls for legal protection of human embryos, disabled VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope John Paul II called for legal protection of the human embryo, saying society should recognize its rights as a human being with an individual identity. The pope also called for legal measures to guarantee rights for other categories of persons unable to fully defend themselves, including the mentally disabled and the terminally ill. He made the remarks at a Sunday blessing at the Vatican Feb. 3, which marked the 24th annual Day of Life promoted by the Italian church. The pope said the embryo, like all human beings, should be guaranteed “the right to develop according to its own potential.”

The Catholic School: Where Faith and Knowledge Meet You may be familiar with the long running Broadway musical of yesteryear entitled, “South Pacific.” One of the central characters, Bloody Mary, an elderly Polynesian lady, captures in song her thoughts and feelings as one who has been effected personally by racism and discrimination. Her experiences as a minority take a seemingly tragic toll as she expresses in the memorable melody, “You have to be taught how to hate.”

Yet, regardless of the sadness of her situation, having been marginalized by some and rejected by others, Bloody Mary never lost her spirit of self-worth and self-esteem. She did not hesitate to name and oppose those manifestations of evil that were catalytic in debilitating or destroying the lives of so many good but fragile people. Bloody Mary, within the sublimity of her simplicity, was such a passionate prophet of peace and justice. Unlike others, she neither gave up, nor did she give in.

As is so apparent in the Gospel accounts, Jesus reaches out again and again to the rejected, abandoned or marginalized. His care and compassion are manifested in his words and actions. Integral to his teaching is the truth that each human being is made in the image and likeness of God. All are to be the beneficiaries of his love.

The theme of Catholic Schools Week, “Where Faith and Knowledge Meet,” is rather intriguing and worthy of reflection. Keep in mind that the word knowledge can be viewed from two legitimate, through analogous, perspectives. On the one hand, it is the result of gaining information about someone or something. On the other, the word refers to a much richer experience. In this instance a person not only “knows about” from an intellectual point of view, but manifests a much more extensive degree of personal involvement. Intimacy and enthusiasm are integral to this interpretation of knowledge.

In this latter instance, then, knowledge is not simply a matter of the head, but of the heart.

When Jesus called the disciples his intention was that they would not only know about him, but be intimate with him. The achievement of that reality is the essence of faith.

Economy of Faith GLENMARY FATHER JOHN S. RAUSCH Guest Columnist since the time of St. Augustine, never envisioned the horrors of modern warfare. Just war advocates today must whittle away the square corners of the theory to fit today’s global reality. Modern warfare means non-combatants suffer more losses than soldiers, the environment sustains widespread and ongoing problems and impoverished countries must postpone economic development until the clearing of buried munitions. Wars are never over with the secession of hostilities. They endure until personal trauma and the devastation of God’s creation find healing.

“The War Against Afghanistan Must Stop,” a statement signed by some 70 U.S. Catholic leaders in December, plainly calls for “a new paradigm for judging questions of war and peace today.” At the same time Catholic theology affirms the legitimate stance of those professing “a position of principled nonviolence.” While pacifism may not represent a call for all, its prophetic spirit acts in dynamic tension with accepting the inevitability of war.

Father Gardner preached tirelessly against the Gulf War shortly before his death in 1991. He joined John Paul II in questioning the war’s morality. While Father Gardner never declared himself an absolute pacifist, he looked for creative solutions beyond the theory of just war. That spiritual journey took him from the experience of his own torture to imagining a world where disputes could be resolved more creatively.

Guest Column FATHER JAMES HAWKER Guest Columnist

On one occasion when Jesus said sadly, “How long have you been with Me, yet you don’t know Me.” He challenged his disciples to grow in intimacy with him and to appropriate and assimilate his vision and values while exemplifying the virtues that are integral to living his way.

The Catholic school is a graced environment within which the participants should not only know about the Lord but come to know him. The Catholic school is a graced environment within which learning and living are viewed through the prism of faith. Were the Catholic school not committed to assisting the children and youth to appreciate and cultivate the relationship between these integrated realities, it would be unfaithful to its mission.

Bloody Mary, who represents the plight of all who suffer injustice, must be heard and heeded by the maturing believer. The vision and values of Jesus must teach and transform the person of Faith. The unenviable experiences of the marginalized, the ignored, the violated and the forgotten cry out for the presence of Jesus. Then too they depend upon the active altruistic involvement, in one way or another, of those who know Jesus because knowledge and Faith are one in their lives. Being committed to social justice is an essential task of the Catholic school whose foundation is the person and message of Jesus.

Father James Hawker is the diocesan vicar for education and pastor of St. Luke Church in Mint Hill.

Beyond Just War Frank Gardner, a navy radioman, rode his modified B-24 into the Sea of Japan after it was hit by enemy fire two months before WW II ended. Most of the crew were killed in the crash, but Gardner with his life jacket bobbed in the water desperately clinging to a wheel till his capture a few hours later. For two months he faced the grim life of captivity and privation. In the prison camp, one guard beat him daily with a crude wooden baton the size of a baseball bat, and with bad food and poor treatment, he developed a stomach problem that lasted until his death.

Weeks later when the war ended, the Japanese guards surrendered to their American prisoners. In a plea for mercy, Gardner’s guard gave him the baton used in the daily beatings. It became one of the mementos Gardner brought home from the war.

Afterwards Gardner became a Glenmary priest assigned over the years to small parishes in Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. To each assignment he brought his baton. The wood of his torture became for him a sacramental. Reflecting on the baton he gradually grew more non-violent as he recognized the hideous cycle of violence and the futility of war.

Father Gardner’s spiritual journey took him past unquestioned patriotic duty to a meditation on the spirit of Jesus. “You have heard it said...’You shall not kill’...But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment” (Matt. 5:21.) “Offer no resistence to one who is evil” (Matt. 5:39.) As simplistic as some Gospel sayings appear, they command the conversion of heart, ever journeying from an instinctive violent response to the graced light of compassion and forgiveness.

“No peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness,” said Pope John Paul II at this year’s World Day of Peace. He did not mean that forgiveness overlooks the need to right a wrong. Rather, forgiveness represents the opposite of resentment and revenge. It “heals and rebuilds troubled human relations from their foundations.” To John Paul II, forgiveness is the fullness of justice, and both justice and forgiveness flow together to heal the human spirit.

The just war theory, part of the church’s tradition

February 8, 2002

Editorials & Col-

Guest Column FATHER JOHN AURILIA, OFM Cap Guest Columnist It needed to be touched by the light ...as much as we need to be touched by Love (God) to experience love. Love can be experienced in many different ways.

In a light-hearted play called “The Curious Savage,” one of the characters, named “Fairy May,” is feeling mighty low because, as she says, “no one has said they love me this live-long day.” To which a character named “Mrs. Savage” replies, “yes, they have, Fairy. I heard Florence say it at the dinner table.

She said, “Don’t eat too fast, Fairy.” “Was she saying that she loved me?” Fairy asks. “Of course,” Mrs. Savage replies. “People say it when they say, “Take an umbrella, it’s raining; or hurry back, or even watch out, you’ll break your neck.” There are hundreds of ways of wording it — you just have to listen for it, my dear.” Fairy May then says, “My dentist said I had perfect occlusion. Do you think he was telling me that he loved me?” Mrs. Savage answers, “What else?” Fairy May, all aglow with that refreshing good news, says, “Oh, thank you. I’ve been missing so much. Oh! My dentist loves me!”

shortly after World War II by German and French Catholics, with the purpose of reconciling the enemies of that war.

The movement spread quickly to Poland, Italy and other countries, including the United States.

Since then, perhaps most notably since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, it has become a major voice urging the search for and use of nonviolent, peaceful methods for resolving international disputes.

Pax Christi’s mission and message appear to be twofold. First, in the end, violence, including military violence, can only breed more violence, never real peace. Thus, one major objective is to explore and articulate in the public forum alternatives to war for conflict resolution.

We too easily and immediately, says Pax Christi, fall into the language and behavior of armed conflict before genuine alternatives are even considered.

They contend there are such alternatives, which could bring criminals to justice without devastating nations and peoples.

Second, true peace will never happen, Pax Christi holds, until the world addresses the colossal social injustices which engender the hatred which explodes into violence.

Archbishop Renato Martino, Vatican nuncio to the United Nations, reminded the United Nations last year of the growing gap between rich and poor in most affluent countries and in the world.

The Northern Hemisphere contains a fifth of the world’s population, and consumes 80 percent of its wealth and resources. Countries of the Southern Hemisphere, with 80 percent of the population, have only 20 percent of its wealth and resources.

That is not only unjust, it is a threat to the stability of the planet, he said; the unjust status quo will continue fueling conflicts.

In a few words, I believe that pretty much defines the Pax Christi message.

Obviously, it is not a secret society; and it is thoroughly Catholic, at least in that it reflects the hopes and constant pleas of Pope John Paul II and

Touched by Love People all over the world are fascinated by St. Valentine, patron of lovers. Legend and history are intertwined regarding this subject. However, love is a reality, which cannot be defined, but can be definitely lived, and indeed is an everyday experience. I believe that love is “being touched” by the one who is the Creator of Love. We are talking about Love with a capital L. Let me explain this truth by way of a nature story. Here is what Mr. X experienced: “We were hiking in the mountains out West when I saw the stone, a small one, about the size of a half-dollar, with smooth rounded edges. Ordinarily I would have passed it by, not being a rock hound. It would have remained there for another 1000 years perhaps, a mere pebble among the larger stones on the trail. But this one instantly caught my eye. It was special. Glinting in the sunlight, it seemed to reflect all the surrounding colors, as though trying to mirror nature. Into my pocket went the rare find. All the way home to the East Coast, I thought about where I should display it, so its beauty could be most enjoyed.

I finally placed it in a curio cabinet, next to some jade and carved ivory. I forgot about it for a while.

Then one day, while dusting, I was surprised to see that the stone had completely lost its luster. It sat on the shelf among the other lovely objects, a hard, gray chunk of nothing, downright ugly. I was shocked. What had happened to the prize I had so carefully brought back with me across the continent?

Where was the sparkle and the colors that had attracted me so much? Disgusted, I snatched it up and started for the kitchen door to throw it out. Then, just as I opened it, a beam of light struck the stone.

As though by magic, it began to shimmer and glow again. In an instant, the beautiful jewel tones shone brilliantly. Had they returned? Or had they always been there, dormant, waiting to be released? Wondering, I glanced up the sky. Sunlight — that was the answer. The rays from the sun were all my stone needed to come alive.”

Question Corner Father John Dietzen CNS Columnist

Is this remarriage valid?

Q. After 10 years of marriage I found myself facing a divorce, something I never thought would happen. We had problems for years which my husband would not admit or discuss. Later we had counseling together and now are happily remarried. I’m worried, however, that we were remarried by a judge. My husband says we were and still are married by church law. Is this true? Even some of our family is questioning us about this. (Oklahoma) A. Your husband is right; no “remarriage” in the church was needed. Husbands and wives with painful experiences like yours, however, need every possible grace of healing and strength to fulfill their renewed commitments.

In my experience, renewing their marriage vows with a priest, perhaps in connection with a Mass, can be a wonderful and encouraging experience. You, and other couples in your circumstances, might speak with your parish priest and consider doing that.

Confusion about validity of Pax Christi Q. During the past few months, we have read much in our Catholic and daily papers about an organization called Pax Christi. Is it some sort of secret society or a group approved by the Catholic Church? Can you explain who it is, and what it does? (Ohio) A. Pax Christi (Peace of Christ) is an international Catholic agency, created in Lourdes, France,

The Catholic News & Herald 21

Guest Column Dr. Michael Skube Superintendent of Schools Guest Columnist “Since the time of the Second Vatican Council, ... the Catholic school has had a clear identity, not only as a presence of the Church in society, but ... as a genuine and proper instrument of the Church. It is a place of evangelization, of authentic apostolate and of pastoral action — not through complementary or parallel or extracurricular activity, but of its very nature: its work of educating the Christian person.”

This quote emphasizes the importance of our schools as stated by the bishops of the United States in the document entitled, “The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School,” 1988, para. 33.

Catholic schools in the United States have educated hundreds of thousands of children and young adults and have educated them well. At the heart of the Catholic school’s existence is the school’s ability to assist in forming a people of faith and to hand down the sense of Catholic tradition. As stated in the United States bishops’ document entitled, “To Teach As Jesus Did,” Catholic schools are “the most effective means available to the Church for the education of children and young people.”

With great consistency, studies of Catholic schools in the United States have shown a strong correlation between religious attitudes and behaviors of Catholic adults and the number of years they attended Catholic schools. Adults who studied eight or more years in Catholic schools were more actively involved in their church and contributed to the parish more generously. They were more apt to be hopeful people, trusting and tolerant of others, aware of the complexity of moral decision making, and supportive of the equality of women. No other educational effort of the church has been able to show these types of results.

Also, it has been validated by research that seniors in Catholic high schools expressed more positive social attitudes and values than other students studied. They expressed great racial acceptance, greater concern for others, greater willingness to participate in community affairs and to volunteer their time, and they valued more highly the importance of making a difference in society.

For over 100 years, Catholic schools have been an enduring and reliable resource of the Catholic Church.

Catholic schools have increased in importance in times of unrest. In the years since the second Vatican Council, the direct positive relationship between years spent in Catholic schools and adult religious practices such as attendance at Mass, involvement in parish life, attitude toward vocation and belief in life after death has actually increased.

In previous times, Catholic schools formed and protected the faith commitment of immigrant children against the attitudes of religious bigotry and secondclass citizenship. Today, Catholic schools nurture the faith of a people who will encounter new challenges: people who will be moral in the face of demeaned values; people who will speak out with compassion to oppose inhuman acts; people who will be a voice of conscience to a world which is at times indifferent to economic and social injustice.

Our Catholic schools provide the basic values that have always been emphasized: respect for God, for country, for self and for each other. Now is a time to renew this commitment to the quality of faith formation and in values as they come together with knowledge in Catholic schools in an appreciation of academic preparation conducted in a safe, secure environment.

2 2 The Catholic News & Herald

In the

New Vibrations reach audiences around Each student is welcomed and appreciated for the talent they bring, such as singing, playing a musical instrument, dancing, signing and helping with setup.

“The kids bond and draw close to each other,” said Wallace. “I enjoy getting to know them. We put together a new concert each year and a new group of students about every three years.”

Seven adults make up the support staff. They serve as advisors to the students as well as help with sound and lighting. Melissa Withers, who has had three children and two godchildren in the choir since 1988, enjoys being around the choir and helping out as needed. Donna Shenoha, who attends St. Matthew Catholic Church, doesn’t have any children in the choir but loves music and the opportunity to be in a ministry.

Concerts are every Sunday evening between February and May in churches within a 100 mile radius of Charlotte. Students tour for a week in the summer presenting performances in several states.

BY MARY MARSHALL Correspondent CHARLOTTE — The New Vibrations, an ecumenical touring youth choir sponsored by Idlewild Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, began 29 years ago with 18 young people who enjoyed making music.

Since that time, 472 teens from seven nations have participated in the choir. Forty-four high school students, 33 females and 11 males, compose this year’s choir.

They represent nine towns, 17 schools and 23 churches.

Twelve of these students are members of Charlotte Catholic parishes: Meghan Morrison and Catherine Stallings from St. Matthew; Anne Diener from St. Vincent de Paul; Maggie Alter and Nina Stewart from St. Ann; Lisa Banta, Chris Cosentino, Courtney Cosentino, Stephanie DuBois, Katrina Leister, Michael Rupp and Katie Wall from St. Luke.

Dr. Bob Wallace, minister of Idlewild Presbyterian Church and coordinator of the choir, enjoys watching each teen’s confidence grow as they assume responsibilities and perform with the group.

“One student was terrified of performing in front of a group,” said Wallace.

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“Overcoming this fear, he became a soloist and today is one of the top sales representatives for his company.”

Marsha Colbert-Smith, who currently co-produces and performs with Colbert and Company, a professional cabaret company, directs the musical program, which offers an uplifting message to people of all ages. The repertoire of sacred music ranges from contemporary to traditional to toe-tapping gospel. Linda Booth’s choreography and Michael McIver’s accompaniment energize each concert.

The prayer circle is a tradition before each concert. Wallace leads the students in prayer giving each an opportunity for prayer requests. His kind, gentle, fatherly manner strengthens them. Adding valuable words of advice he says, “Remember you are going to make mistakes; just remain composed, smile and go on.”

The choir is well organized and very professional including their performance clothing. Girls wear black palazzo dresses with sequined tops, and boys wear tux pants and shirts with bright blue bow ties and cummerbunds.

Drummer and soloist Chris Cosentine said, “It’s a lot of fun to do something you enjoy with those who also enjoy spreading the news of Jesus Christ.”

Following each performance, students shake hands with the audience, thanking them for coming.

Ann Diener, who signs as well as sings, especially likes the friendships she has made. “I love to sing,” she said. “There is a lot of energy and smiles in this group.

We are praising God and having fun doing it.”

There are no auditions for the choir.

February 8, 2002

Applications invited for local poverty grants CHARLOTTE — The Office for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is accepting grant applications for the 2002 funding year.

CCHD makes small grants from $500 to $5,000 to organizations without regard to religious affiliation. Applications must be postmarked by February 15, 2002.

Established in 1970 as the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ domestic anti-poverty program, CCHD is a response to the Biblical call for justice for the poor. The Diocese of Charlotte CCHD Committee will consider programs and projects that: seek to affect the root causes of poverty in the target community; involve genuine participation of the people served in the planning and decision-making of the sponsoring organization; and indicate potential for institutional change, empowerment of the people and community involved, and the development of local leadership.

For an application, contact Terri Jarina, diocesan director, CCHD, Office of Justice and Peace, 1123 South Church Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28203-4003; (704) 370-3234; FAX (704) 370-3377.

To obtain the application as an email attachment in a MS Word document, send an email request to thjarina@charlottediocese.org. The application is also available on our website at www.cssnc. org/justicepeace.

February 8, 2002

In the

Deacons and wives ascend mountains for continuing

By REV. MR. GERALD POTKAY Correspondent LENOIR — Deacons and wives from around the diocese made the trek — some as long as three hours — through the mountains of Lenoir to attend a continuing education class on homiletics at St. Francis of Assisi Church Feb 2.

Upon completion of the morning prayer, Rev. Mr. Arthur Kingsley, coordinator for continuing education of deacons, introduced Father Francis T. Cancro, pastor of St. Eugene Church, who gave three sessions on homiletics.

Prior to coming to the Charlotte diocese, Father Cancro taught the art of preaching for six years at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. “The three key aspects of preaching,” said Father Cancro, were “the word, the preacher and the context.”

Using the perspective of the Vatican Council II document “Dei Verbum” (“The Word of God”), Father Cancro revealed how the word of God lives and breathes in the life of the church. “In this context” he said, “the word of God is big and broad. It is not narrow and limited to only a single interpretation.”

Referring to encyclical “Evangelii Nunciandi” (“On the Evangelization of the People,” written by Pope Paul VI), Father Cancro said, “The word of God is a living,

active, dynamic reality that must be proclaimed, read, and acted upon. It is a process that must be internalized, proclaimed and actualized by the church.”

To achieve this goal, using historical criticism, we must understand the authorship and culture of the times in which the Gospels were written, as well as the theological context of the authors.

With the Christmas narratives as an example, Father Cancro showed the different approaches of Luke and Matthew. “The preacher must be sensitive to all of these theological overtones presented in the Gospels. This, with an openness that can only come from a disposition of prayer, which includes the Liturgy of the Hours and the Lectionary,” said Father Cancro.

“The preacher must also know when to stop. There needs to be a balance between church and society. Secular holidays are not liturgical,” he stressed.

With a quote from ordination: “Believe what you read. Preach what you believe.

And practice what you preach.”

Other sessions focused on the practical such as good hygiene, testing eyesight and hearing regularly and becoming aware of those annoying chronic physiological preoccupations. In addition, preachers must become sensitive to stresses because of family or workplace situations.

Another important aspect was for the preacher to push the extroversion button as much as possible, for without proper socialization, a preacher would tend to loose credibility. But Father Cancro also warned about spreading oneself too thin.

“When preaching, we should avoid anything that interferes with the delivery of the message.” Those distractions Father Cancro considered as “noise.”

Father Cancro sanctioned the use of props if they fit personality, are big enough, are used correctly, and are put into the right context.

Most importantly, “practice your homily ahead of time,” Cancro urged. “Time it so that it falls into the comfort range of the listener — between eight to 10 minutes without ever going over 12 minutes.”

“The preacher must also be very sensitive when preaching to multi-ethnic populations,” Cancro said. “At the same time, we must be in tune with the social vocabulary of all the people, young, old, new and old Catholics, the disabled, those with alternate life styles and people with various income levels.”

Augustinian Brother Bill Harkin,

The Catholic News & Herald 23

regional representative of the Augustinian province, said of the presentation: “I think Father Cancro is very practical and theological. He knows what he is talking about and gave me new methods on how to preach with reference to other people.”

Elizabeth Steinkamp and Rev. Mr. Vincent Shaw discuss the program during the Continuing Education Class on Homiletics at St. Francis of Assisi Church Feb. 2.

Photos by Rev. Mr. Gerald Potkay

Deacons and their wives mingle during a break at the Continuing Education Class on Homiletics at St. Francis of Assisi Church Feb. 2.

2 4 The Catholic News & Herald

Living the

Vietnam vet places focus on faith and hearing discussions. He had always been

By ALESHA M. PRICE interested in the religion and seized an Staff Writer opportunity to attend Mass at Our Lady THOMASVILLE — Hearing gunof the Highways Church (OLH) with a fire pierce through the air became comcompany employee. He did not undermonplace for David King. Even while stand the Mass, but his casual interest playing football, the sounds of fighting in the faith tradition grew into a serious did not cause alarm. The location was quest for knowledge and answers.

Vietnam, and the shots were from battles “I was intrigued with Catholicism between American troops and the Viet because of what I had seen in the media,” Cong. King had been drafted into service Rev. Mr. King said. in 1967 like many “I realized that someother young men. thing was missing in “You get acmy faith — a sense of climated to it after history and ritual. It while,” Rev. Mr. made me wonder why King said of the gunwe didn’t do some of fire. “The first time the same things in the something happens, Baptist Church. I didn’t you are scared to want to convert at the death. The second time but wanted to find time, you are angry. out what made the reliMy faith brought me gion tick.” through that. In situMany years would ations like that, your pass before King fully faith doesn’t come dedicated himself to out until things hapCatholicism. However, pen. People look to he began meeting with God for answers the pastor at OLH and during difficult took classes at the partimes.” ish. Church ministry Rev. Mr. David King His busy schedwas his focus, and he ule did not allow him said that he began to to attend church serhave a “longing for the vices regularly while Eucharist.” That longing was satiated in the service, but Baptist-born-andwhen he converted in 1989 on Easter raised King remembered the words of with several other people. his mother, who told him to “always seek King’s faith grew with time, care and the Lord.” Thoughts of his home life in dedication. He made his Cursillo a few Thomasville, N.C., comforted him as he months after coming into the church and was exposed to sights and sounds foreign attended RCIA classes. “I didn’t have to to his childhood experience. (attend the classes), but I wanted to learn He was born in Virginia and had more,” he said. “I became an RCIA team moved to North Carolina at the age of member the following year, and (over seven with his parents and four siblings. time) a eucharistic minister, faith forHis mother, a Methodist, had converted mation teacher, parish council member to the Baptist religion, while his father, a and Boy Scout leader. Things just kept butcher, became a member of the Church going; I was getting more involved with of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints parish life and with other people’s lives.” later in life. Although they did not attend Some of those people included perchurch as a family, King’s baptism when manent deacons, and he grew increashe was 12 was significant to his faith life. ingly aware of a need to further serve “I remember going in white and the church. He entered the lay ministry coming out orange because the water program, a requirement of the diocesan was muddy. My life began to head in a diaconate program, and set his sights on particular direction because of baptism,” the ordained ministry. “I thought ‘what said Rev. Mr. King, who became more more can I do?’ I had talents to share and involved with ministry during his teen thought that it (the diaconate) would be and young adult years. one way I could do it.”

Lack of college funds after high He applied to the diaconate program school graduation in 1966 led him into and was accepted. He found that he had the working world until he was drafted. much in common with his classmates He signed up for four years of active duty except for one thing — he was single. in the Army and became a military intelHe had dated as a teen and as an ligence specialist. adult but never found the right one.

His time in the service was overshad“I am not sure why I never married. I owed by his mother’s bout with cancer. In thought it would happen, but it never 1972, when his active service was almost did,” said Rev. Mr. King, who helped over, he went home on leave to be with his raise his two nephews for over 10 years. mother. However, he returned too late; If a single man is ordained a permashe had died the day before. “I hate that I nent deacon, he is not allowed to marry. didn’t get to see her before she passed,” he For married deacons, if their wives pass said solemnly. away, they are not allowed to remarry.

After his discharge in 1972, King Thoughts of the single life had sunk in spent nine years in the Reserves. He his mind and would surface at various began working at Henredon Furniture, times. “If you are single, you have to do took night business classes and attended everything else while going to classes,” Baptist services on Sundays. said Rev. Mr. King, ordained in 2001.

While moving up the ranks of the “No one is there, no wife or family memfurniture business and becoming acbers to help. quainted with his co-workers, he devel“When you come into the church oped a curiosity about Catholicism after with your faith, you know how you are

supposed to behave — as a single person and not as a married person. That means practicing celibacy. The idea of not being able to marry did cross my mind... but other things take the place of those thoughts, all of your work and prayer... . There are big decisions to make, but there comes a point when you turn everything to God.” Although Rev. Mr. King was recently laid off, he has not wavered in his commitment to faith and ministry: “I am thankful that God has given me the opportunity to do this. In whatever state we are in, we have so many blessings.

You have to evaluate them and share them with others as Scripture tells us.”

Contact Staff Writer Alesha M. Price by calling (704) 370-3354 or e-mail amprice@charlottediocese.org.

February 8, 2002

Pope John Paul II Cultural Center drops admission charge

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington dropped by the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center Feb. 6 to help it inaugurate a new admission-free policy.

The cardinal ceremonially contributed the first voluntary offering that will replace entrance fees and met with children from a nearby Catholic school who were touring the center. As he was leaving Cardinal McCarrick did not rule out the possibility that Pope John Paul may personally visit the center during a trip to North America in late July. “We always invite him to come,” he said in response to a Catholic News Service question about such a trip.

“The Holy Father is always welcome — at the JP II Cultural Center, the Archdiocese of Washington. ... We’d always love to have him. He knows how wonderfully welcome he’d be.”