March 5, 2010

March 5, 2010

The Catholic News & Herald 1

www.charlottediocese.org

In the News

Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

Caritas struggles to reach victims of Chilean earthquake; How you can help relief efforts | PAGE 2

Established Jan. 12, 1972

by Pope Paul VI march 5, 2010

Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte

no. 16

One family’s mission equals thousands of rosaries

Lenten retreat

Service, prayer, vocations focus of diocesan youth weekend SUEANN HOWELL Special to The Catholic News & Herald

Rosary Makers’ Ministry thrives, thanks to one mom and her two special sons

CHARLOTTE ― Taking more than 50 teenagers “Into the Wild” would be a daunting task for most people. But for Paul Kotlowski, director of youth ministry for the Diocese of Charlotte, it’s all in a weekend’s work.

Last weekend more than 50 young people from 10 parishes around the Diocese of Charlotte spent a weekend being “Led by the Spirit” at St. John Neumann Church under Kotlowski’s direction. He has been leading youth retreats in the

SUEANN HOWELL Special to The Catholic News & Herald HUNTERSVILLE ― When the Wild family moved to the Charlotte area three years ago, they didn’t know a soul. Now after feeling the call to start a ministry at their parish, they have no shortage of friends.

Susan, her husband Gerald, daughter Kristen, and two sons, Jason and Jon, relocated here from Delaware when Gerald took a job transfer with one of the banks. Susan quickly joined the newcomers group at St. Mark Church to get acquainted, and she found a photo by

See RETREAT, page 7

vOLUME 19

Heather Bellemore

Virginia Wiese of St. Mark Church in Huntersville threads beads while making rosaries at the monthly ministry meeting.

14th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Charlotte set for March 13

See ROSARY, page 7

ACS Shamrock Run approaches

Churches, groups and schools from around the diocese to participate CHARLOTTE ― The Irish and notso Irish will don the official color of the Emerald Isle and its native people at the 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Uptown Charlotte March 13.

The parade starts at 11 a.m. at the corner of Tryon and Ninth streets and continues south on Tryon Street, to the corner of South Tryon and Third streets.

Floats, marching bands, Irish dancers, bagpipers and groups representing associations, Catholic schools and churches in the Diocese of Charlotte will all take part

in the parade.

The Charlotte Goes Green Festival is held in conjunction with the parade. It features live music, food and entertainment.

The festival will be located on South Tryon Street between First and Third streets. Both the festival and the parade are free.

FOR MORE Check out www.charlottestpatsday.com for more about the 14th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Charlotte Goes Green Festival.

Asheville Catholic School families will take to the streets March 13 for the fourth annual Shamrock Run, presented by the Sisters of Mercy Urgent Care. Everyone is invited to join in the fun.

The race will start with a 1K Fun Run at 9 a.m., followed directly by 5K and 10K runs.

Pictured (front, far right) training recently for the big event is Father Ed Sheridan, pastor of St. Eugene Church, who will participate in the 5K. For registration and info on joining: shamrockrun @gmail.com. photo by Linda Schilling

Around the Diocese Year for Priests profile: Father James Duc Duong | PAGE 4

Perspectives

Culture Watch

True meaning of Lent is ecclesial pilgrimage toward radical conversion

Visitation nuns mark 400 years of life of prayer

| PAGE 10

| PAGE 6

March 5, 2010

2 The Catholic News & Herald

InBrief

Current and upcoming topics from around the world to your own backyard

cns photo/Enrique

Marcarian, Reuters

A resident pushes her son in a wheelbarrow past destruction in La Pezca, Chile, March 1. About 800 people were killed when a massive earthquake struck the country’s central coast Feb. 27.

Caritas struggles to reach victims of Chilean earthquake LIMA, Peru (CNS) ― While media attention focuses on looting in Concepcion, the largest city near the epicenter of the magnitude 8.8 earthquake Feb. 27, Catholic Church workers struggle to reach quake victims in rural areas who are far from the spotlight.

“We are receiving funds to help the poorest people, who are in the countryside,” Father Waldo Alfaro, head of the Caritas Chile office in Linares, told Catholic News Service March 1.

Linares is in the Maule region, where most of the quake deaths occurred.

“The entire coast was hard-hit, but this is an area where the poorest rural residents live,” Father Alfaro said. “Aid is not reaching them because these are very small villages.”

Three trucks left Linares early March 2 to distribute supplies, especially food and water, to residents of far-flung villages in the farming region.

Meanwhile, buckled and cracked highways complicated aid distribution.

The national government is sending aid to the region by ship to bypass the buckled roads, damaged bridges and crowds of people who swarm vehicles

arriving in urban areas, he said.

Between 30 and 40 churches and chapels in the Linares Diocese were badly damaged or destroyed, along with two orphanages. In coastal villages, churches that remain standing have been turned into makeshift morgues.

The official death toll as of press time was about 800, with 542 of the confirmed deaths in the Maule region.

But “many people are still missing,” Father Alfaro said. “There are many bodies that have not been identified.”

The earthquake, which struck at 3:34 a.m., triggered a tidal wave that was more than 30 feet high in places and which swept more than a mile inland.

President-elect Sebastian Pinera, who was to take office March 11, faces the task of reconstruction, which he estimated could cost between $15 billion and $30 billion. Up to 500,000 houses were badly damaged or destroyed.

In a statement issued March 1, Bishop Goic said the church was “praying for the eternal rest” of those who had died and asking “the God of life for consolation and hope” for their families.

march 5, 2010 Volume 19 • Number 16

1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 28203 E-MAIL: catholicnews@charlottediocese.org PHONE: 704-370-3333 FAX: 704-370-3382 MAIL: P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, N.C. 28237

PUBLISHER: The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte EDITOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle, 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT: Denise Onativia, 704-370-3333, catholicnews@charlottediocese.org ADVERTISING MANAGER: Cindi Feerick, 704-370-3332, ckfeerick@charlottediocese.org GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher, 704-370-3331, tpfaragher@charlottediocese.org

Pope prays for victims of massive earthquake in Chile and courage in this adversity. I am sure VATICAN CITY (CNS) ― Pope solidarity will be shown by many, in Benedict XVI prayed for the victims particular by church organizations,” of the massive earthquake in Chile and he said. pledged the assistance of Catholic relief Chile was moving about 10,000 organizations. troops into affected cities to maintain The pope made the remarks at his order and prevent looting. Many noon blessing Feb. 28, the day after a magnitude 8.8 quake struck the South American country, triggering giant waves and How you can help • If you would like to donate to relief efforts in leaving at least 700 dead.

Chile, go to Caritas Internationalis’ Web site, www.

“My thoughts are with Chile and with the populations caritas.org. • Catholic Relief Services is supporting stricken by the earthquake, relief efforts of the local Church through Caritas which caused great loss of Chile, the social service arm of the Church in Chile, life and terrible damage,” the which is responding with food and other assistance. pope said from his apartment Go to www.crs.org for details. window above St. Peter’s Square. stricken towns in central Chile, the “I am praying for the victims and worst-hit area, were still cut off, so am spiritually close to those affected authorities feared the death toll could by this serious catastrophe. For them, climb much higher.

I ask God to grant relief of suffering

Diocesan planner For more events taking place in the Diocese of Charlotte, visit www.charlottediocese.org/ calendarofevents-cn.

ARDEN ST. BARNABAS CHURCH, 109 Crescent Hill Dr. — Women’s Lenten Program: “St. Mary Magdalene: God’s love and mercy,” 9 a.m. March 20, open to females aged 14 and older. RSVP to Marcia Torres at 828-697-1235 or johnandmarciatorres@yahoo.com.

BELMONT QUEEN OF THE APOSTLES CHURCH, 503 N. Main St. — Whole community catechesis, MAK Center, 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. March 7 and 14. For more information, contact Dennis Teall-Fleming at 704-825-9600, ext.

26, or teallfleming@yahoo.com.

— “High Seas Adventure” Summer Vacation Bible School Planning Meeting, MAK Center, 7 p.m. March 15. Volunteers are needed. Vacation Bible School will be 5 to 8:15 p.m. Aug. 8-12. For more information, contact Dennis Teall-Fleming at 704-825-9600, ext.26, or teallfleming@yahoo.com.

CHARLOTTE ST. GABRIEL CHURCH, 3016 Providence Road — “Why YOU will be hired for the job,” presented by St. Gabriel in Transition (SGIT), a ministry for those who are, or may soon be, facing job layoffs or transitions, Ministry Center, 7 to 9 p.m. March 18. To register, contact Bill Conwell at SGIT@bellsouth.net.

ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH, 8451 Idlewild Road — The Faith We Profess, adult education class exploring the meaning of the Apostles’ Creed, Parish Hall, 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, March 9-23.

The Catholic News & Herald is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte 44 times a year, weekly except Christmas week and Easter week and every two weeks during June, July and August.

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

ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.

— StrengthsQuest – a program designed to help teens discover the gifts God gave them and how to use them most effectively, 4 to 5:15 p.m. Sundays, March 7-28 or 7 to 8:15 p.m. Tuesdays, March 9-30. Registration forms available in the narthex. For more information, contact Heather King at hking@stmatthewcatholic.org.

— Year of the Priest Lecture Series, NLC banquet room, 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 11.

— Discovery, a four-hour ‘Strengths Journey,’ 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 20. Sign up after each Mass March 6, 7, 13 and 14. For more information, contact Frank Colunga at 704-877-8241 or frank@frankcolunga.com.

ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL, 1621 Dilworth Road East — Solemn vespers of Lent, 6 p.m. every Sunday during Lent. Vespers will include a reflection on the seven last words of Christ.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH, 1400 Suther Road — Lenten Reflection Series on early Christian writings (the Didache), 7 to 9 p.m., Feb. 16 through March 16.

— Circle of Friends grief support group, office conference room, 7 p.m. Thursdays until March 25. For more information, contact Robyn Magyar at 704-7075070 or rmagyar42@aol.com.

— The Maximilian Kolbe Secular Franciscan Fraternity is starting a new Formation class. The inquiry class will be 10 a.m. to noon March 20. For more information, contact Don Baker at 704-525-4031 or mcdempsey7@ yahoo.com.

— Support the Unemployed meetings, 10 a.m. Mondays.

For more information, contact Brother Doug Soik at 704549-1607 or dsoik@stacharlotte.com.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, 6828 Old Reid Road — Charlotte Catholic Womens Group monthly reflection — Prayer: From beginner to mystic, presented

by Father Matthew Buettner, pastor of St. Dorothy Church, 10 a.m. March 8. Reconciliation will be available. For more information, contact Molly Beckert at 704-243-3252 or mvbeckert@carolina.rr.com.

GASTONIA ST. MICHAEL CHURCH, 708 St. Michael’s Lane — Movie showing: The 13th Day, 6:30 p.m. March 13.

editions. Please e-mail information, attaching photos in JPG format with a recommended resolution of 150 dpi or higher, to catholicnews@charlottediocese.org. Deadline is 10 days before requested publication date. We do not publish poetry, form letters or petitions. All submitted items become the property of The Catholic News & Herald and are subject to reuse, in whole or in part, in print, electronic formats and archives. For inquiries, contact Editor Patricia Guilfoyle at 704-370-3334 or plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org.

ADVERTISING: For advertising rates and information, contact Advertising Manager Cindi Feerick at 704-370-3332 or ckfeerick@charlottediocese.org. The Catholic News & Herald reserves the right to reject or cancel advertising for any reason, and does not recommend or guarantee any product, service or benefit claimed by our advertisers.

March 5, 2010

The Catholic News & Herald 3

Be fufilled, listen to God, says Pope after Lenten retreat VATICAN CITY (CNS) ― To realize their full potential, people need to listen to others and especially to God, Pope Benedict XVI said.

“Man is not perfect in himself; man needs relationships, he is a being in relation” to others, he said Feb. 27 at the end of his annual Lenten retreat.

The pope and top Vatican officials took part in a weeklong retreat at the Vatican, which was led this year by Salesian Father Enrico dal Covolo. The priest offered talks and meditations on the priesthood in the 21st century.

At the end of the spiritual exercises, held in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Benedict said people need the capacity to listen to others, especially to God. “Only in this way can one know oneself, only in this way does someone become himself,” he said.

A perfect example of how to listen GREENSBORO OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH, 2205 West Market St. — Devotions to the Virgin Mary, musical performance, 7:30 p.m. March 18.

ST. MARY CHURCH, 812 Duke St. — Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus Yearly Retreat, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 6. All adults are welcome. RSVP to Elaine McHale at 336-292-1118.

— Lenten Retreat: Getting along with each other,” 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 6. Light lunch provided. For more information, contact Hannah Hammer at 336-2739205 or Elaine McHale at 336-292-1118.

ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE CHURCH, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road — Lenten Series: Getting More out of Mass, with Father Benjamin Roberts, Library, 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. weekly, Feb. 23 through March 23.

— The Habitat/Catholic Partnership Workdays, 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 11 (cabinets). To register, or for more information, contact Trudy Menzzentto at 336510-1015 or tmenzzentto@yostandlittle.com.

ST. PIUS X CHURCH, 220 State St. — A matter of balance: Managing concerns about falls, Kloster Center, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Wednesdays and Fridays Feb. 24 through March 19. Program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels of older adults. Space is limited. For more information, call 336-272-4681.

HIGH POINT IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHURCH, 4145 Johnson St. — Hope of Seeing Everyone Again (HOSEA), 7:15 p.m. beginning March 3, meeting weekly. Opportunity for bonding and discussion. For more information or to register, call Jan Hitch at 336-884-5097 or the parish office at 336-869-7739.

— Lenten Simplicity Meals of soup and bread, Gathering Space, 7:30 p.m. March 5, 12, 19 and 26.

HUNTERSVILLE ST. MARK CHURCH, 14740 Stumptown Road — Small Business Group Networking Meeting, Parish Hall, 7 to 8:30 a.m. March 9. For more information, contact Matt Burkinshaw at 704-399-8708

Episcopal

fully to God with one’s heart is Mary, who was immersed in God’s word, reflected upon it and carried it safely in her heart, he said.

By listening to God, “she conceived the eternal Word and gave her flesh to this Word,” thereby showing what it means to have a heart that listens, he said.

The pope said the Lenten retreat renewed a sense of what it means to be a priest and reconfirmed that if individuals cut themselves off from others, they cannot “truly listen to the Word: only in the ‘we’ of the church and in the ‘we’ of the communion of saints” can God’s word be heard,” he said.

In his Angelus address Feb. 28, Pope Benedict said the transfiguration of Jesus shows the faithful that “life’s joys sown by God are not the goal, but are lights that God gives along the earthly pilgrimage.” or mburkinshaw@carolina.rr.com.

— On the Road to Calvary, live dramatization by sixthand seventh-graders, Parish Hall, 6 p.m. soup and salad, 7 to 8 p.m. dramatization March 19. RSVP to Katie Herzing at 704-948-1306, ext. 117, or katie.herzing@gmail.com.

NEWS IN BRIEF Local Haitian relief assistance tops $426,000 CHARLOTTE ― A total of $426,545.39 has been raised through the Diocese of Charlotte for Haiti earthquake relief, comprised mostly of donations from parish collections conducted since January. (Local donations sent directly to Catholic Relief Services are not included in this tally.)

As of Feb. 25, CRS reported it had received nearly $80 million from the U.S. CRS is working with Caritas Haiti, the local Church charitable agency, and the dioceses in Haiti. As of the end of February, CRS had provided food to 597,989 people and medical care to an average of 300 people per day.

The diocese will continue to forward all earmarked donations to CRS. Give checks payable to your parish, marked “Haiti Disaster Relief,” or send a donation to: Diocese of

Charlotte, Attn: Haiti Disaster Relief, 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203-4003. All contributions will be forwarded to CRS.

Winston-Salem churches donate baby gifts WINSTON-SALEM — Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church and Our Lady of Fatima Mission recently delivered 30 gift bags filled with baby items to three local organizations as a part of the parish’s Spiritual Adoption Program.

Items were collected at a January baby shower by Our Lady of Mercy and Our Lady of Fatima parishioners, then delivered to the Hand-to-Hand program at Catholic Social Services, Imprints and My Aunt’s House.

The Spiritual Adoption Program was started last year by the churches’ Respect Life Committee to support mothers and their babies. ― Submitted by Mary Horan and Bernadette Murphy

SPECTACULAR - UNSPOILED – HISTORICAL

CROATIA

with a special visit to Medjugorje

October 18-28, 2010

MINT HILL ST. LUKE CHURCH, 13700 Lawyers Road — Lenten Seminars with Sister Veronica Grover, Family Life Center, 3 to 4:30 p.m. March 6 and 20. Sign up in the brick area or by e-mail to amber.ockerbloom@ yahoo.com.

— Lenten Retreat: Table for Five Thousand, presented

by Bishop William Curlin, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

March 20. Open to children and adults.

MOORESVILLE ST. THERESE CHURCH, 217 Brawley School Road — Liturgical Ministers’ Retreat, 9 a.m. March 13. RSVP to 704-664-3992.

MURPHY CAMPUS MINISTRY — Alternative Spring Break Service Week. March 6-13. A week of recreation and service. For more information, contact Peg Ruble at ccmpeg@aol.com.

ST. WILLIAM CHURCH, 765 Andrews Road — Ecumenical Lenten worship, noon to 12:30 p.m. each Wednesday during Lent. The reflection will be given by a local preacher and an offering will be taken for a local charity. A soup and sandwich luncheon will be served following the service. For more information, call Joan Kennedy at 828-837-8519.

SYLVA ST. MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, 22 Bartlett St. — Bereavement Support Group, living room area of church conference center, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays during Lent. For more information, contact Colleen Hayes at 828-586-0217 or colleen.hayes@yahoo.com.

Is your parish or school hosting a free event open to the public? Deadline for all submissions for the Diocesan Planner is 10 days prior to desired publication date. Submit in writing to catholicnews@charlottediocese.org or fax to 704-370-3382.

Bring family and friends to join with the Diocese of Charlotte as we experience Croatia – lying just across the Adriatic Sea from Italy! We’ll see breathtaking natural beauty, significant places of European history and 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites! Plus, a spiritual visit to Medjugorje -- making this trip a definite favorite for all!

Highlights of these 11 days include: • Zagreb, the capital city with rich cultural and governmental history, and Roman settlements from the 1st century • beautiful, old-world Bled, Slovenia – a “pletna boat” will glide us across glacial Lake Bled with the majestic, snow-tipped Julian Alps as the backdrop • a tour of the world-famous Lipizzaner horse farm where we’ll witness an actual training session of these magnificent Slovenian treasures!

• charming seaside Opatija, nestled in beautiful woods with elegant villas and a seaside promenade to bring the Adriatic right up to your feet!

• the spectacular, breathtaking phenomenon of Plitvice Lakes national park – 16 terraced lakes connected by magnificent waterfalls and free-flowing cascades. A lake cruise reveals the underwater life thriving in this natural wonderland!

• the ancient seaside city of Split (once the most important Mediterranean port in then-Yugoslavia) where we’ll explore the Old City, the markets, Diocletian’s Roman Palace and much more of its charm and fascinating history • Medjugorje, the village which promises to inspire and enrich us as we learn about Our Lady’s appearances there since 1981 – personal time for prayer, reflection and Mass at beautiful St. James Church • exciting Dubrovnik offers us its fascinating Old City, world-famous Franciscan Monastery, exceptional architecture, seaside promenade and more!

• unforgettable home visit and culinary feast with a Croatian countryside family sharing their culture and customs to enrich our total experience!

calendar

Bishop Peter J. Jugis will participate in the following events:

March 7 – 6 p.m.

Lenten Vespers St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

March 12 – 10 a.m.

Mass for Asheville Catholic School Asheville

March 9 – 11 a.m.

Presbyteral Council Meeting Pastoral Center

March 14 – 12:30 p.m.

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

Unparalleled beauty, fascinating history and more await you on this trip!

Check out these highlights on the Internet and you’ll see why Croatia is becoming a must-see destination, still unspoiled by “too many tourists.”

Price per person (double occupancy) is only $3,379 and includes: roundtrip airfare from Charlotte; all hotels and transfers; most meals; fulltime professional Tour Manager; local guides. Not included are cancellation waiver/insurance ($200 per person) and air taxes/surcharges ($150).

For a brochure or questions, call Cindi Feerick at the diocese (704) 370-3332 or e-mail ckfeerick@charlottediocese.org.

4 The Catholic News & Herald

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Year for Priests Interviews with priests around the diocese

March 5, 2010

Outstanding community service

FATHER JAMES DUC DUONG

FATHER JAMES DUC DUONG Pastor St. Benedict Church in Greensboro Place of Birth & Home Parish – Born in Saigon, Vietnam; Our Lady of Assumption Church in Saigon High School – Public high school in Saigon, Vietnam College/University/Seminary – St. Joseph Seminary College in New Orleans, La., for philosophy Seminary – Catholic University of America for theology.

Date of Ordination – June 2, 2001

What assignments have you had since ordination?

Parochial vicar at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte; parochial vicar at St. Pius X Church in Greensboro What have been some of the greatest joys for you as a priest?

To be with God’s people on their journeys of faith, from birth to death; to celebrate Mass every day; to baptize my nieces and nephew; to celebrate weddings for my brothers and sisters Who influenced you most to consider the vocation to priesthood?

My pastor at Our Lady of Assumption in Vietnam and my parents What was your background before you entered seminary?

I was an altar server before entering

high school seminary in Vietnam. I worked at a textile company in Gastonia when I came to this country.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I look too young for my age. I also have two other brother priests in my family.

What are some of your hobbies?

Photography, computer science, reading and running What are some of your favorite books/ spiritual reading/magazines?

“Priest,” “Liguorian” and books on Church history

photo provided

Lucia M. Leahy (left) has been honored with a Distinguished Finalist medallion in the 2010 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, which honor outstanding community service by young Americans. Leahy is a Girl Scout in Mecklenburg 19’s St. Ann Church Troop 216, a member of St. Ann parish and a senior at Charlotte Catholic High School. She also received the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Who is a hero to you?

Andrew Dung Lac and other Vietnamese martyrs

Crystal Lee, Girl Scouts Hornets’ Nest Council membership specialist,

What are some ways that we can help all people/families understand their roles in promoting and supporting vocations?

Pray for vocations every day and at every Mass. I must be willing to share my priestly joys with young people. We must also give the youth a chance to participate in the church’s life even when they are still young.

program that focuses on good health, physical fitness, goal setting and

What advice would you give a young man who is contemplating a vocation to the priesthood?

Discern, pray, participate in a parish, and respond. Come to understand the priesthood as a vocation and not as a secular job.

presented Leahy with the honors Feb. 9. Leahy developed and led a self-esteem for pre-teen and teen girls with learning differences at Dore Academy, a K-12 college preparatory school in Charlotte.

She developed the program with the help of a psychologist as her Gold Award project last year, and she said she hopes to turn over the program to another student leader when she leaves for college next year.

March 5, 2010

around the diocese

The Catholic News & Herald 5

Rite of Election

photos by Cris Villapando

Bishop Peter J. Jugis recently presided over the Rite of Election at Holy Family Church in Clemmons (above left), St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, and St. Joan of Arc Church in Candler (above right) for catechumens and candidates wishing to enter into full communion with the Church. During the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion, the bishop declares on behalf of the Church

that God has indeed elected these candidates and catechumens to become part of his family, the Church. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA, will culminate for candidates across the diocese during the Easter Vigil Saturday, April 3, when they will receive Confirmation and Holy Communion for the first time.

K of C thanks wives

Spiritual Exercises

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The Knights of Columbus Council 8509 of Holy Cross Church in Kernersville treated their wives to an appreciation dinner Feb. 14. The host was head chef Jean Dion and first cook was Fred Schaefer. Pictured above are Knight Mike Asher and Joseph Belline, 11, who volunteered for kitchen duty. Joseph is the son of Grand Knight Tony Belline and his wife Brenda.

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-ILES #HRISTI 2ELIGIOUS /RDER s 0 / "OX s 0LYMOUTH -) s INFOUSA MILESCHRISTI ORG s WWW MILESCHRISTI ORG For more information and to register for these Exercises please contact Nancy Calvin at northcarolina@spiritualexercises.net or at (443) 928-0235.

“Patience is needed with everyone, but first of all with ourselves.�

St. Francis de Sales

Susan G. King, MA, MFTA

Individual, Couples & Family Counseling Across from St. Matthew Church 7810 Ballantyne Commons Parkway • Suite 300 Charlotte, NC 28277 (704) 319-2255

March 5, 2010

6 The Catholic News & Herald

Culture Watch

A roundup of Scripture, readings, films and more

photo by Elizabeth

Weber, The Catholic Observer

Visitation nuns pray in the chapel of their monastery in Tyringham, Mass., last August. The order, which was founded in 1610 by St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal in Annency, France, is marking its 400th anniversary.

Visitation nuns mark 400 years of life of prayer TYRINGHAM, Mass. (CNS) ― Four hundred years ago the Visitation nuns didn’t have a Web site. Nor did they release a musical CD. Many things have changed throughout the four centuries of the community’s existence, yet so much has remained the same.

The habit the nuns wear is identical to that of the first women who began the order in Annecy, France, in 1610. They write their vows in a “vow book” every Nov. 21 as did the nuns who came before them. In fact, three Visitation nuns who visited France last year were able to write their names in the order’s original vow book.

And the community’s Salesian spirituality, based on the teachings of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal, still influences its members.

The order’s 400th anniversary is being marked with special celebrations and events. For example, Visitation Nuns and their associates from throughout the United States joined with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and other to create an anniversary CD, “Live Jesus.”

But most days, the nuns at the Mont Deux Coeurs monastery in Tyringham follow the same rhythm of prayer, recreation and work that has been the life of their community since it began.

“We know other communities have been around even longer. For instance, the Springfield Dominicans have had 800 years,” said Mother Mary Ruth Dolch, superior of the community.

“I am proud to belong to this order, simply because I am very devoted to the founder, Francis de Sales, and most particularly, the foundress, St. Jane de Chantal,” she said.

St. Jane was married and the mother

of six children, two of whom died at birth. She became a widow, endured mistreatment by her father-in-law and his mistress, and found comfort and inspiration in her faith. Eventually, with the guidance of St. Francis de Sales, she began the Visitation order with her two daughters.

At Mont Deux Coeurs, there are 19 nuns – seven are in formation, while 12 are professed.

Their response to God’s call lately has been drawing a lot of interest from outside the community.

“It goes in waves and right now we are onto a wave where a lot of people are inquiring about our life,” said Mother Mary Ruth.

Film ratings for March from U.S. bishops’ office NEW YORK (CNS) ― Here is a list of recent films that the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has rated on the basis of moral suitability.

The first symbol after each title is the USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification. The second symbol is the rating of the Motion Picture Association of America.

Office for Film & Broadcasting classifications: A-I ― general patronage; A-II ― adults and adolescents; A-III ― adults; L ― limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling; O ― morally offensive.

MPAA ratings: G ― general audiences. All ages admitted; PG ― parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children; PG-13 ― parents strongly cautioned.

Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13; R ― restricted.

Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian; NC-17 ― no one 17 and under admitted.

Alvin And The Chipmunks:

The Squeakquel, A-I (PG) Armored, A-III (PG-13) Astro Boy, A-II (PG) Avatar, A-III (PG-13) Bandslam, A-I (PG) The Blind Side, A-III (PG-13) The Book of Eli, L (R) The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story, A-I (no rating) Brothers, A-III (R)

Capitalism: A Love Story, A-III (R) A Christmas Carol, A-I (PG) The Collector, O (R) The Crazies, O (R) Daybreakers, O (R) Dear John, A-III (PG-13) Did You Hear About the Morgans?, A-III (PG-13) Edge of Darkness, L (R) Extraordinary Measures, A-III (PG) Fantastic Mr. Fox, A-I (PG) The Fourth Kind, A-III (PG-13) From Paris With Love, O (R) House, A-III (R) Invictus, A-III (PG-13) It’s Complicated, L (R) Leap Year, A-III (PG) Legion, O (R) The Lovely Bones, A-III (PG-13) The Men Who Stare at Goats, A-III (R) Nine, O (PG-13) Ninja Assassin, O (R) Old Dogs, A-II (PG) Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, A-II (PG) Planet 51, A-I (PG) Ponyo, A-I (G) A Previous Engagement, O (no rating) The Princess and the Frog, A-I (G) The Road, L (R) Sherlock Holmes, A-III (PG-13) Shutter Island, O (R) The Spy Next Door, A-II (PG) The Stoning of Soraya M., L (R) Tooth Fairy, A-II (PG) Transylmania, O (R) 2012, A-III (PG-13) The Twilight Saga: New Moon, A-II (PG-13) Up in the Air, L (R) Valentine’s Day, O (PG-13) Where the Wild Things Are, A-II (PG) The Wolfman, A-III (R) Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg, A-II (no rating) Youth in Revolt, O (R)

March 5, 2010

from the cover

Full catering menu online!

Rosary Makers’ Ministry thrives ROSARY, from page 1

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The Catholic News & Herald 7

welcoming group. Not long afterward she inquired about a rosary makers’ ministry because her twin sons, who have autism, enjoy making rosaries.

“The boys cannot do a lot of things, but they can share their love with many in crisis by making rosaries,” Susan says. Though he cannot talk, her son Jason has told her through pictures and his computer that helps him communicate, “I love making rosaries.”

After contacting Connie Andrews, S t . M a r k ’s d i s a b i l i t y m i n i s t r y chairperson, Susan organized and taught a class in rosary making to a group of parishioners, some of whom who are affected by various disabilities.

Now, two years later, St. Mark’s rosary makers’ ministry has expanded to 25 members. They meet in the parish activity center every month for two hours to string rosary beads, pray and enjoy each other’s company.

“We all share our gift from the heart in

honor of Our Blessed Mother,” Susan says.

The plastic bead rosaries are made in a rainbow of colors. Prayer cards in both English and Spanish accompany them, courtesy of the Knights of Columbus.

St. Mark’s rosaries go to people in homeless shelters, servicemen and women, patients at Levine Dickson Hospice, nursing homes, clients of Catholic Social Services, prison ministries, and Ronald McDonald Home residents, just to name a few. St. Mark confirmation candidates also receive rosaries. More than 1,200 rosaries were handed out last year alone.

Last Sunday, the rosary makers brought in packs of diapers to donate to Catholic Social Services. They also donated 200 rosaries to be given to people in Asheville and Winston-Salem who come to CSS for direct assistance and to the food pantry.

Says Susan, “We receive not only friendship from our ministry, but experience the peace, joy and blessings that come from teaching and sharing the powerful prayers of these handmade, blessed rosaries, for our brothers and sisters around the world and in our own community.”

Teens learn about service, vocations RETREAT, from page 1

diocese for 16 years.

“The retreat theme is taken from Luke 4: 1 and Luke 4:14. The first verse of this passage talks about Jesus going into the wild led by the Spirit, and the last verse talks about Him going out from the wild armed with the Spirit,” Kotlowski said.

“We spent time looking at the reality of temptation and sin and how Jesus as our model was able to overcome His temptation. That is what we are called to do always, but Lent is a special time for us to focus on that to make ourselves ready for the high holy days of the Triduum and Easter,” he added.

Besides attending Mass, Adoration and listening to spiritual talks, the youth participated in service projects: sorting items at Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Free Store; playing with children at Hope House, a transitional shelter for homeless mothers and their children; and sorting food at Second Harvest Food Bank.

Sue VanZomeren, youth minister at St. Mary’s Church in Shelby, brought seven teens to the retreat and took them to the women’s shelter for their service project.

“On the way back in the car, I asked the teens to share with me what their favorite parts of the project was.

They were really impressed with how the children interacted with them,” VanZomeren said.

Samantha “Sam” Frye, one of those teens, shared her experience on the retreat. “It’s been awesome. The people

here are so friendly and I am having a great time. The service project was really cool.”

Teens also heard from others at the retreat about vocations.

Father Patrick Hoare, pastor of St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte, told retreat participants that he was a “late vocation,” meaning he heard the call to the priesthood later in life.

“I grew up much like you are.

I went to high school and college. I was an altar server at my parish, was involved in different things in school, had friends, and hung out with my friends. Never during that time do I ever remember thinking about the priesthood. I loved altar serving. I was always around the church helping out with things, with youth ministry – but I never thought about the priesthood,” Father Hoare said.

After a successful career, he eventually discerned his priestly vocation, entering the seminary in 2002.

He was ordained five years later.

A teen parishioner at St. Mark Church, Mary Kate Reid spoke about her desire to pursue a religious vocation.

“When I was born my mom thought that I was going to be a nun. Over the years I was almost afraid to pray because I was like, ‘God, I don’t want to be a nun, I want to be a mom and a wife.’

Then when I was 14 a friend asked me to go to visit some religious sisters in a convent in Tennessee. Once I started talking to the sisters, I realized how they have given their lives to God and that’s exactly what they were supposed to do and they are so happy. So I decided then that I am going to do what God wants me to do, no matter what.”

8 The Catholic News & Herald

March 5, 2010

in our schools

St. Gabriel boys fifth-grade basketball champs

Championship girls basketball team at St. Gabe’s

photo provided

photo by sueann howell

The St. Gabriel boys basketball fifth-grade champions celebrate after the season-ending championship game. The second place team in the championship was coached by Dan McArdle and Bob Fontana, while the winning team was coached by Pete McArdle and his father Ed McArdle.

Celebrating the 100th day of school

BMHS senior earns Best of High School Press award

St. Gabriel School’s fifth-grade girls basketball team won for their division in the recent Interfaith Basketball League championship. Pictured are (top row) Coach Christine Roper, Beth Griffin, Ellie Scanlon, Kelsie Roper, Coach Loretta Hintze, Nicole Cruz, Kathryn Hintze and Coach John Hintze; (bottom row) Sara Kellogg, Abby Stapleton and Kendall Quigley.

FREE BOOK about

“The Passion” You have seen the movie, now read what Jesus says about the meaning of His Passion as dictated to Catalina Rivas.

This 48 page book has the “Imprimatur” and is recommended for meditation.

Mrs. Rivas was featured in the recent FOX-TV special “Signs from God” that was broadcast worldwide.

To receive this book, send your name and address with $2 for shipping & handling to:

Love and Mercy Publications P O Box 1160 ~ Hampstead, NC 28443

photo provided

photo provided

Kindergartners at Our Lady of Mercy School in Winston-Salem celebrated the 100th day of school by making items featuring 100 pieces of something. Gabriella Role decorated the brim of her hat with 100 safety pins. Other students made such things as a pirate ship out of 100 sponge cubes, a picture frame made from 100 strips of wood, a planter made using 100 popsicle sticks, and a poster with 100 lipstick kisses. Another student donated 100 cans of food to a local food bank.

Bishop McGuinness High School senior Sarah Jo Hewett was recently featured and published in the latest edition of the National Scholastic Press Association’s Best of the High School Press, a national competition for the most outstanding yearbook spreads in the U.S. Only two other North Carolina schools were featured. The Bishop McGuinness Blueprints yearbook staff won AllNorth Carolina honors in the state competition for the 2008-’09 yearbook and first place at the Walsworth Publishing Showcase Competition for the 2009-’10 yearbook, of which Hewett and Katie Bially are co-editors.

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Rates: $.80/word per issue ($16 minimum per issue) Deadline: 12 noon Wednesday, 9 days before publication How to order: Ads may be E-mailed to ckfeerick@charlottediocese.org, faxed to (704) 370-3382 or mailed to: Cindi Feerick, The Catholic News & Herald, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203.

Payment: For information, call (704) 370-3332.

March 5, 2010

in our schools

St. Pat students create mosaic with McColl Center artist

The Catholic News & Herald 9

St. Gabe students have talent

photo provided

St. Gabriel School held a talent show Feb. 26. Pictured are fifth-graders Elizabeth Bradford, Isabel Weaver, Peyton Alvino, and Keegan O’Boyle performing a song and dance skit to the tune “EBay.”

Leprechauns with hearts of gold photo provided

The McColl Center for Visual Art has partnered with St. Patrick School to create a permanent sculpture for the school’s garden using materials provided by students, faculty and the Charlotte community. The project artist, Tom Thoune, has asked participants to collect china, glass and similar items that will be combined with handmade ceramics to create an eclectic mosaic sculpture.

Over the past few weeks, students have been visiting the McColl Center to work with Thoune to begin creating the sculpture that will become a lasting monument to the history of the school. The purpose of this project is to increase the students’ knowledge of community and environment while allowing them to learn how to create imagery and work with a variety of materials.

Students will be involved at every step with making and installing the sculpture. The project was made possible by a grant from the Arts & Science Council. For more, check out mccollcenter.org/blog/view/24/pitter-patter-offeet-welcome-st.-patrick-school.

photo provided

St. Patrick students and their families pulled together to raise $12,879 earlier this month for the American Heart Association by participating in Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart. The theme this year was “Be a Heart Hero.” Top fundraisers for the school (pictured above) were Luke Dorrian, Katie Koesters, Wilson Rose and Anthony Boscia. Students raised money in honor of family members and friends who have suffered with heart disease or strokes. A display case in the school’s main hallway features a collage of pictures of those people. One teacher has personally suffered the loss of a child to heart disease, and that strengthened students’ commitment to the cause. During their physical education classes, students not only develop cardiovascular fitness, but are also learning heart-healthy tips to prepare them for a lifelong awareness of cardiovascular health.

PRINCIPAL POSITION AVAILABLE Our Lady of Peace is a K3 to 8 Catholic school drawing students from the Central Savannah River Area, four counties in South Carolina and Georgia. The school is currently seeking a principal for next school year.

The successful candidate must be a practicing Catholic, hold at least a master’s degree in educational administration or the equivalent, and have a minimum of five years’ teaching experience. A knowledge of Spanish would be helpful.

Submit resume by March 15, 2010 to: Search Committee Our Lady of Peace P.O. Box 6605 North Augusta, SC 29861

Pastoral Associate – Roanoke, Virginia St. Andrew’s Parish, an active Catholic faith community of 1700 households in Roanoke, Virginia, is seeking a Pastoral Associate who will work alongside the Pastor and staff in addressing a variety of ministerial needs requiring skills in pastoral presence, recruitment, organization and communications. A master’s degree in religious studies and previous related experience are desirable.

Full job descriptions are available by sending a resume to Kathy McDaniel at St. Andrew’s, 631 N. Jefferson St., Roanoke, VA 24016 or kmcdaniel@standrewsroanoke.org. Please respond by March 15, 2010.

March 5, 2010

10 The Catholic News & Herald

Perspectives

A collection of columns, editorials and viewpoints

WORD TO LIFE

Sunday Scripture Readings: MArch. 14, 2010

The true meaning of Lent is an ecclesial pilgrimage toward radical conversion, Pope says

Fourth Sunday of Lent

The richness, depth and clarity of the homilies and catecheses Pope Benedict XVI has given during his first five years as the successor of St. Peter have provoked several experts in Church history to start comparing them to the works of the greatest Fathers of the early Church. There’s a growing chorus that is predicting that in future centuries, his words will be studied and read right alongside those of Sts. John Chrysostom, Augustine and Leo the Great.

On Ash Wednesday, Pope Benedict gave a catechesis on the real meaning of Lent that bore all the traits for which his discourses have quickly become renowned. We can break down his insights into four parts.

The first is that Lent is not meant to be primarily an individual journey of self-discipline, sacrifice and personal prayer. It is an ecclesial pilgrimage. “We are not alone in this spiritual itinerary,” Pope Benedict clarified, “because the Church accompanies and sustains us from the start with the Word of God, which encloses a program of spiritual life and penitential commitment, and with the grace of the sacraments.”

Lent is not a solitary hike from a dark valley up a high spiritual mountain, but a journey together with the whole Church in which God’s Word and very life in the sacraments guide, strengthen and sustain us. The Pope is calling us all to rediscover this communal dimension of Lent – in families, parishes, dioceses and beyond.

Second, the conversion asked of us in Lent is not something small, but radical and total. Commenting on Jesus’ words, “Repent and believe in the Gospel,” which constitute one of the two formulas used for the imposition of ashes, the Holy Father said they call us to “conversion, a word that must be taken in its extraordinary seriousness.” In many places, he said, conversion is not treated with sufficient gravity, being viewed as something minor rather than major.

“The call to conversion, in fact, uncovers and denounces the easy superficiality that very often characterizes our way of living.”

The Holy Father’s third insight was that this process of conversion is not a one-time event, but a continual process and way of life. Repenting and believing in Christ the Gospel incarnate does not happen “only at the beginning of the Christian life,” he stated, “but accompanies all its steps…. Every day is a favorable moment of grace, because each day invites us to give ourselves to Jesus, to have confidence in him, to remain in him, to share his style of life, to learn from him true love, to follow

Story of the prodigal son resonates on many levels

Guest Column father

ROGER LANDRY Guest columnist him in daily fulfilling of the will of the Father, the only great law of life – every day, even when difficulties and toil, exhaustion and falls are not lacking, even when we are tempted to abandon the following of Christ and to shut ourselves in ourselves, in our egoism, without realizing the need we have to open to the love of God in Christ, to live the same logic of justice and love.”

Every day is part of our training in holiness, our turning away from sin and embracing Christ.

Finally, the Pope said this process of continual conversion is meant to lead to nothing less than our death and rebirth within the death and resurrection of Christ Himself. The second formula for the imposition of ashes, “Remember, man, that you are dust and unto dust you shall return,” the Pope declared, “reminds us of our frailty, including our death, which is the extreme expression of our frailty. In face of the innate fear of the end, … the Lenten liturgy on the one hand reminds us of death, inviting us to realism and to wisdom, but on the other hand, it drives us above all to accept and live the unexpected novelty that the Christian faith liberates us from the reality of death itself.” The way that liberation occurs is in the passage from the “old Adam,” who returned to the dust from which he came, to the “new Adam,” Christ Jesus.

Lent, therefore, is the time for a “more conscious and more intense immersion in the Paschal Mystery of Christ, in His death and resurrection, through participation in the Eucharist and in the life of charity, which stems from the Eucharist and in which it finds its fulfillment. With the imposition of ashes we renew our commitment to follow Jesus, to allow ourselves to be transformed by His Paschal Mystery, to overcome evil and do good, to have the ‘old man’ in us die, the one linked to sin, and to have the ‘new man’ be born, transformed by the grace of God.” Father Roger J. Landry is pastor of St. Anthony of Padua in New Bedford, Mass., and executive editor of The Anchor, the weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River.

Cycle C Readings: 1) Joshua 5:9a, 10-12 Psalm 23:1-6 2) 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

By Jeff Hensley CNS columnist The abundant passion of God for each of us shouts out in this week’s reading of the story of the return of the prodigal son.

Depending on our circumstances, we sometimes relate to the role of the prodigal; other times to the father running out to greet him and celebrate; at others we recognize ourselves in the jealous older brother.

Last week I had a roller coaster experience of both sons in a short span of time.

My wife, a teacher, has been experiencing heart problems and had set an appointment with a cardiologist to interpret the results of a heart scan.

But Friday, as we had breakfast together before she headed to a stressful day at school, she said she felt an odd pressure in her chest and her neck.

I asked her if she should go to the

emergency room to have it checked out.

“No,” she said, she had pressing duties at school. Perhaps later ....

Once at school, though, the woman who works with her in her classroom, a strong-willed saint, didn’t give her a choice and insisted she go to the emergency room of a nearby hospital.

The hospital staff took appropriate measures: a nitro patch to thin her blood, four baby aspirin to the same end. We spent most of the day together awaiting test results. No indication of a heart attack; no shadows on the X-ray of her heart. Unspecified chest pain was the final diagnosis.

Today, the previously scheduled cardiologist appointment brought the explanation that the high blood pressure readings in the ER would explain her symptoms. But if I hadn’t been up for a car repair appointment; if her classroom partner had not urged her to seek treatment, she might have had a stroke.

She’d have received no blood thinners.

She’d have had more of the job-related stress that had pushed her numbers so high in the first place. Who knows what the outcome might have been.

Last Friday night, I tried to feel like the neglected son – “why has this happened to us?” – as I worried that she might have had a small stroke, only to realize how all these things had to line up just so, for my wife’s health to be protected. And suddenly, I was the grateful prodigal, receiving so much more than I could ever deserve – and from the hand of a loving Father.

QUESTIONS: Have you questioned God with the perennial “why me?” In contrast, can you recall times when God’s unmerited mercy has come to your aid?

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 7 – MARCH 13 Sunday (Third Sunday of Lent), Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15, 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12, Luke 13:1-9; Monday (St. John of God), 2 Kings 5:1-15, Luke 4:24-30; Tuesday (St. Frances of Rome), Daniel 3:25, 34-43, Matthew 18:21-35; Wednesday, Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9, Matthew 5:17-19; Thursday, Jeremiah 7:23-28, Luke 11:14-23; Friday, Hosea 14:2-10, Mark 12:28-34; Saturday, Hosea 6:1-6, Luke 18:9-14.

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 14 – 20 Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent), Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32; Monday, Isaiah 65:17-21, John 4:43-54; Tuesday, Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12, John 5:1-16; Wednesday (St. Patrick), Isaiah 49:8-15, John 5:17-30; Thursday (St. Cyril of Jerusalem), Exodus 32:7-14, John 5:31-47; Friday (St. Joseph), 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16, Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22, Luke 2:41-51; Saturday, Jeremiah 11:18-20, John 7:40-53.

March 5, 2010

The Catholic News & Herald 11

Listen carefully this Lenten season to find the joy God wants for you My favorite blog widget is a live feed. A couple of years ago, I wouldn’t have known what a widget is – or a blog or a live feed, for that matter. Today, these things are part of everyday life.

The live feed is a great tool. At just a click of a button, I can see where online readers live and what topic brought them to my web-log (blog). The most popular articles include an article about Bathsheba and another one entitled “Farmtown Games and St. Teresa of Avila.” I can guess why those two posts draw readers, but the thing that really interests me is why people are clicking on the third most popular post, the one entitled “What does God want me to do?”

I realized that I spend a lot of time thinking about that question – and that’s where it usually ends – with thinking. I toy with ideas, only to do none of them.

What if God wants me to work with the poor? Would that mean I might be too busy to say yes to writing? What if the writing is just a phase? What if God has something else for me? So what is it that God wants, anyway?

What about taking some religion classes? That sounds great. But what if I get too busy with coursework, and I can’t say yes to the real thing when it does come around?

The over-thinking is a bit ridiculous.

Here’s what I finally decided. It’s time to stop thinking and start saying yes. Yes to the poor. Yes to writing. Yes to classes. Yes to every little bit of grace that comes along. And if I find myself sitting in front of the television too long or on Facebook too long, or eating snacks and thumbing through magazines too much, I create an opportunity.

I bag some things up for the poor.

Dig out the list for the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry and go to the store. I write. I read. I register for a class – actually two.

I send a letter to someone just to let them know how important they are to me.

And you know what? Something terrific is happening.

These past four and a half years since my conversion to the Catholic Church I’ve wanted the joy I feel during Holy Communion to last when I pass through the narthex and out the parish doors.

Why was I happiest on my knees after receiving the Eucharist? Why couldn’t I feel that same joy three hours later or three days later?

And now I understand. The joy comes when Jesus Christ is present. And He is always present when we let Him be our hands and feet – when we start saying “amen” to Eucharistic living.

Guest Column DENISE BOSSERT Guest columnist

Sometimes, we can think our way out of joy. Maybe one of the most basic lessons in discernment is to ask ourselves this question: where is that joy showing up during the week?

Because that just might be the thing God wants you to do.

Here’s the catch. There’s a prerequisite to this discernment strategy.

First, you must be able to recognize the joy of receiving the Eucharist, and then you will begin to recognize the difference between fun-filled diversions and joyfilled moments of grace on the other side of narthex doors.

Denise Bossert, who converted to Catholicism in 2005, is a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in New Melle, Mo.

All life is to be protected and treated with dignity Dear Editor, Regarding the Catholic News Service article printed in the Feb. 26 issue, “Couple celebrates birth of twins doctors had advised they abort,” I wish to make an observation regarding a quote attributed to the babies’ father. The line read, “Abortion wasn’t an option. These babies had a fighting chance.”

While I completely understand his sentiment and rejoice in the happy, healthy birth of his twin daughters, I must affirm that the lives of these twin girls were to be protected and treated with dignity not because of their viability or strength, but simply because they were created by God. Although perhaps not germane to this story, it is an important distinction

to be made because most often the issue of prenatal diagnosis involves a medical condition associated with the unborn baby and because so often babies diagnosed prenatally with disabling or lethal conditions are aborted because they are characterized as having something less than a “fighting chance,” as if that alone was to be the defining factor of the value of a life.

I know something about this issue first-hand, having carried a son with a lethal prenatal diagnosis to term despite a medical perspective which encouraged me to end his life precisely because he would not survive the pregnancy. We have to be clear in stating a Catholic perspective because so many parents will face the same arguments I faced and so many remain confused. When it

Letter to the Editor comes to prenatal diagnosis, abortion is never an option because all human life, no matter how brief or frail the life, and no matter the disability, is sacred.

Sandy Buck Be Not Afraid Ministry Coordinator Be Not Afraid supports parents carrying to term following a poor prenatal diagnosis.

For information, call 704-948-4587 or email benotafraidnc@live.com.

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Write a Letter to the Editor

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The Pope Speaks POPE BENEDICT XVI

Simple lives of Sts. Francis, Bonaventure remain examples today VATICAN CITY (CNS) ― Pope Benedict XVI praised a 13th-century theologian and saint for emphasizing that the faithful should hold Christ and his teaching of poverty, chastity and obedience as a model for their lives.

In his weekly audience at the Vatican March 3, the pope talked about the spiritual and intellectual vigor of St. Bonaventure, an early follower and biographer of St. Francis of Assisi.

The saint and doctor of the Church was exemplary because of the way he managed to use wisdom and moderation to mitigate violent conflicts within the Church regarding the mendicant religious orders that were influential at the time, the pope said.

Born in central Italy around 1217 as Giovanni da Fidanza, the saint wrote that he had been saved from a probably fatal illness through the intercession of St. Francis. He became a Franciscan friar in 1243 and changed his name to Bonaventure.

Later Pope Alexander IV called on Bonaventure to become the master general, or superior, of the Franciscans, a position he held for 17 years.

Here is the text of the Pope’s audience remarks in English: In our catecheses on the Christian culture of the Middle Ages, we now turn to St. Bonaventure, an early follower of St. Francis of Assisi and a distinguished theologian and teacher at the University of Paris.

There Bonaventure was called upon to defend the new mendicant orders, the Franciscans and the Dominicans, in the controversies which questioned the authenticity of their religious charism.

The Friars, he argued, represent a true form of religious life, one which imitates Christ by practicing the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Elected Minister General of the Friars Minor, he served in this capacity for 17 years, at a time of immense expansion accompanied by controversies about the genuine nature of the Franciscan charism. His wisdom and moderation inspired the adoption of a rule of life, and his biography of Francis, which presented the founder as alter Christus, a passionate follower of Christ, was to prove most influential in consolidating the charism of the Franciscan Order.

Named a bishop and cardinal, Bonaventure died during the Council of Lyons. His writings still inspire us by their wisdom penetrated by deep love of Christ and mystical yearning for the vision of God and the joy of our heavenly homeland.

March 5, 2010

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