March 23, 2007

March 23, 2007

The Catholic News & Herald 1

www.charlottediocese.org

Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

Perspectives Bishop Jugis discusses knowing Christ; David Hains examines Bible literacy | Pages 14-15

Established Jan. 12, 1972

by Pope Paul VI march 23, 2007

Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte

‘The Sacrament of Charity’

Bonds of faith and family

Pope reflects on Eucharist, makes concrete suggestions for Mass

vOLUME 16

no. 23

Faith helps family cope with sons’ autism by

KAREN A. EVANS staff writer

CHARLOTTE — When David Piñuera was about 3-and-a-half years old, his parents noticed his speech didn’t seem to be at the same level as that of other children his age.

“Our oldest son had had some speech delay, and we thought it was the same with David,” Maritzabel Piñuera, David’s mother, said.

The Piñueras took David to see a doctor, who evaluated him for autism. That’s when bad news became even worse.

“When the doctor was asking about David’s symptoms, I began to realize Alex might be autistic, too,” Maritzabel Piñuera said.

by CINDY WOODEN catholic news service

VAT I C A N C I T Y — Catholics must believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, celebrate the liturgy with devotion and live in a way that demonstrates their faith, Pope Benedict XVI said.

“The celebration and worship of the Eucharist enable us to draw near to God’s love and to persevere in that love,” the pope said in his apostolic exhortation, “Sacramentum Caritatis” (“The Sacrament of Charity”).

The 131-page document, a papal reflection on the discussions and suggestions made during the 2005 world Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist, was released March 13 by the Vatican.

Photo by Karen A. Evans

See EUCHARIST, page 7

David, Alex, Luis and Maritzabel Piñuera relax in their Charlotte home March 20. David and Alex both have autism, a neurological disorder affecting language, socialization and learning skills.

See AUTISM, page 4

Green Charlotte

A life-altering mission of love Dominican Republic trip benefits all involved by

KEVIN E. MURRAY editor

MINT HILL — For Melissa Platko, the experience will stay with her for a long time to come.

“I am consumed with the thoughts and visual memories of the people and sites of my past week in the Dominican Republic,” she said. “I had imagined what could and might happen to me spiritually and emotionally on this journey, but I clearly had no idea or control.”

Platko was one of 17

people, mostly from the Diocese of Charlotte, who took part in a mission trip to the Dominican Republic Feb. 26-March 3.

The group spent the week building latrines, providing health care and taking family photographs in the Batey Lecheria, a mission in a ghetto north of Santo Domingo.

The trip was part of St. Luke Church’s ministry “Agape Missions to the Islands,” which coordinates and supports two See MISSION, page 5

Courtesy Photo

Pictured are children who are residents of the Batey Lecheria in the Dominican Republic. Members of a recent mission trip, organized by St. Luke Church in Mint Hill, assisted residents with construction and health care needs.

CHARLOTTE — Catholic schools and other local Catholic organizations marched in the 11th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Charlotte March 17.

The parade was followed by a community festival featuring Irish food and live entertainment.

MORE COVERAGE See photos on pages 8-9

Around the Diocese

Culture Watch

In search of hope

Parishes hold retreats, missions on faith

Books on late pope; Christopher Awards

Parishioners pray for peace

| Page 6

| Pages 10-11

| Page 12

March 23, 2007

2 The Catholic News & Herald

InBrief

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

To better Brazil

CNS photo courtesy of U.S. Consulate in Sao Paulo

Sister Angela Mary Carey (right) dialogues with U.S. President George W. Bush at a round-table discussion March 9 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, during the president’s trip to Latin America. The Holy Cross nun, a native of Chicago who has worked in Brazil since 1965, is known for her work with underprivileged youths in a Sao Paulo slum.

U.S. nun working in Brazil part of round-table event attended by Bush SAO PAULO, Brazil (CNS) — A U.S. Holy Cross nun known for her work with underprivileged youths in a Sao Paulo slum participated in a March 9 round-table discussion that drew U.S. President George W. Bush during his five-country trip to Latin America.

Sister Angela Mary Carey was invited to take part in the discussion by Christopher J. McMullen, U.S. general consul in Sao Paulo.

She was the only American, the only woman and the sole member of a religious congregation among the representatives of the nongovernmental organizations involved in the round table, which was held at a community center.

U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Clifford Sobel and his wife, Barbara, also were in attendance.

Bush, accompanied by first lady Laura Bush, sat down for 40 minutes with the nongovernmental representatives, all of whom work in a variety of arenas to encourage the observance of human rights and improve the welfare of the disadvantaged.

Bush told those seated around him, “Laura and I are so thrilled to be in Brazil. ... I love the fact that there are people who are deeply concerned about the plight of the least of us ... being part of that social fabric that helps heal the broken heart and provides hope for the future.”

Sister Carey, whose congregation is based in Notre Dame, Ind., described the mission of her organization, known in Portuguese as Projeto Sol (Project Sun).

“Mr. President, Project Sun is based

on the objective to transform the lives of young people — imbued with a profound faith in God — through exposure to the fine arts, theater, dance and sports,” she said. “This experience of beauty leads to the ultimate beautiful, which is God.” The president asked the missionary nun about funding for the work she does with more than 200 youngsters.

“We rely totally for support from donations,” she replied. “In God we trust,” she added, a reference to the motto on U.S. currency.

Bush replied, “Thank you for the life you give. I’m so honored to be with you all. We’re all members of God’s family. ... When one of us hurts, we also hurt.

The people of the United States care.”

A Chicago native, Sister Carey has worked in Brazil since 1965. She first was a teacher at a high school run by her order in an upper middle-class neighborhood, then in 1976 began working in youth ministry at a parish in a poor area.

Project Sun is an umbrella organization for the Center for the Guidance and Education of Youth, founded in 1978 by Sister Carey and a sociologist in a Sao Paulo slum.

The center helps children stay away from violence and drugs by offering ballet classes, theater workshops and a soccer program.

In 1998 Sister Carey received the honorary title of citizen of Sao Paulo in recognition of her ministry.

After the round-table discussion with Bush concluded, the group was joined by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Study: Women having abortions more likely to engage in child abuse WASHINGTON — According to a report on LifeNews.com, a new study finds that women who have a history of abortion are more likely to abuse children born from subsequent pregnancies.

The study, published in the Internet Journal of Pediatrics and Neonatology, confirms previous research that suggests a link between abortion and child abuse.

The study is based on an analysis of data on 237 low-income women in Baltimore who had physically mistreated or neglected at least one of their children or allowed someone else to do so.

While all the women in the study had some connection with child maltreatment or neglect, the authors found that those who reported a history of abortion reported significantly more frequent acts of physical violence, such as slapping, hitting or beating, directed at their children.

Dr. Priscilla Coleman, a researcher at Bowling Green State University in Ohio and lead author of the new report,

Diocesan planner ASHEVILLE VICARIATE HENDERSONVILLE — Faithful Stewards of God’s Creation will take place March 31, 9 a.m.4:15 p.m., in the St. Francis Room of Immaculate Conception Church, 208 Seventh Ave. West.

The conference will include presentations on church teaching on environmental justice, recent scientific findings, energy saving ideas and how to become more effective advocates. Attendance is free. Call (704) 370-3228 by March 26 to register and reserve a lunch. Sponsored by the Catholic Social Service’s Office of Justice and Peace through a grant from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Environmental Justice Program. Visit www.cssnc.org/justicepeace for a flyer and schedule.

ARDEN — The St. Martin de Porres Dominican Laity Chapter meets the fourth Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Academy, 564 Long Shoals Rd. Inquirers are welcome. For more information, contact Joe Kraft at (828) 648-1036 or jebkraft@juno.com.

BOONE VICARIATE SPRUCE PINE — A Rosary of Intercession for Priests is recited each Friday at St. Lucien Church, 695 Summit St., before the 9 a.m. Mass. Prayers are offered for bishops, priests and deacons, and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood. For more information, call the church office at (828) 765-2224.

CHARLOTTE VICARIATE CHARLOTTE — St. Matthew Church and the Autism Society of North Carolina will offer a presentation titled “Autism 101” March 29 at 7

cited many possible explanations for the association — including “unresolved bereavement, disruption of mother-child attachment mechanisms, feelings of abortion-related guilt, and/or negative mental health effects of the abortion.”

The study found that pressure from others to have an abortion may also impact later cases of child abuse.

Dr. David Reardon, director of the Illinois-based Elliot Institute and a leading researcher who has been involved in more than a dozen studies on the impact of abortion on women, said Coleman’s study confirms the general findings of previous studies linking abortion with a higher risk of abuse or neglect.

Other research conducted in New Zealand found that young women who had abortions were significantly more likely to experience subsequent depression, suicidal behavior and substance abuse, even after the researchers controlled for previous mental health problems. p.m. in the banquet room of the New Life Center, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. A representative from the Autism Society will provide an overview of the Autism Spectrum Disorder and will answer questions associated with autism. Speakers will provide information on community resources and the Special Religious Development program (SPRED). For more information, call (704) 3418978.

CHARLOTTE — A meeting to establish a Core (Continuing our Retrouvaille Experience) Group in Charlotte will take place March 31 at 7:30 p.m. Core Group is a monthly support group for couples who have attended Retrouvaille weekends. Retrouvaille is a program to help couples heal and renew their marriages.

For directions and more information, e-mail minivicky79@yahoo.com.

CHARLOTTE — St. Peter Church, 507 S. Tryon St. will have eucharistic adoration Fridays during Lent following the 7:30 a.m. Mass until 12 p.m.

Benediction will follow with Mass at 12:10 p.m. and Stations of the Cross at 12:45 p.m. A sign-up book will be available in the church narthex. Call (803) 517-2600 with questions.

CHARLOTTE — All Polish-speaking Catholics are invited to attend a Mass in Polish at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., April 1 at 3 p.m. The celebrant will be Father Bernard Potepa, a Franciscan retreat master from Poland. Confession will be available from 1:30 pm. For more information, please call Elizabeth Spytkowski at (704) 948-1678.

CHARLOTTE — The St. Matthew Columbiettes will be awarding a $1,000 scholarship in memory of Gene Marie Alfaro to a graduating high school senior who will pursue a career in the nursing or health care field. The application deadline is April 10 and the scholarship will be awarded in May. For more information, call Diana Congdon at (704) 814-0624.

CHARLOTTE — St. Matthew Church, 8015

March 23, 2007 Volume 16 • Number 23

Publisher: Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis Editor: Kevin E. Murray Staff Writer: Karen A. Evans Graphic DESIGNER: Tim Faragher Advertising MANAGER: Cindi Feerick Secretary: Deborah Hiles 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 $23 per year for all other subscribers. The Catholic News & Herald reserves the right to reject or cancel advertising for any reason deemed appropriate. We do not recommend or guarantee any product, service or benefit claimed by our advertisers. 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.

March 23, 2007

The Catholic News & Herald 3

FROM THE VATICAN

Iraqi bishop: Four years of war brought increased spiral of cruelty VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Four years of war have brought an increasing spiral of cruelty and killing to Iraq, and left the country in a state of chaos, said Chaldean Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni of Baghdad, Iraq.

The war also has prompted a massive flight of Catholics and others from the country, leaving behind a shrinking Catholic minority, he said.

Bishop Warduni made the comments to Vatican Radio March 19, the fourth anniversary of the U.S.-led bombing and invasion of Iraq.

“The cruelty and the killing have increased from day to day. Children, youths, the old, the sick, we are all suffering, because the world is not thinking of what’s good for the Iraqi people,” said Bishop Warduni.

“Everyone is thinking of their own interests and so the Iraqis have been forgotten. Terrorism is increasing, and

with it the number of orphans and widows,” he said.

Asked about estimates that more than 60,000 people have died in the conflict, Bishop Warduni said the number could be much higher. No one knows the real number, he said.

“So often we go out of our homes uncertain whether we’ll return safe and sound.

The kidnappings, the kamikazes, the car bombs, the missiles: You cannot eat calmly, study calmly or pray calmly,” he said.

“So many people are afraid to come to church, and so many children are afraid to go to school,” he said.

With Iraq’s infrastructure nonexistent and electricity outages that last most of the day, everyone who can leave the country does so, he said.

The church tries to encourage those who remain, asking them to pray.

“Only the Lord can do something for Iraq,” the bishop said.

Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., will celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday with a traditional solemn Benediction and recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet April 15 at 3 p.m. The sacrament of reconciliation will not be offered prior to the celebration.

For more information, call the church office at (704) 543-7677.

and Heart religious education series for adults meets in the library at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, 1725 NC Hwy 66 South.

Martin Mata will speak about “Forming Youth for Leadership” March 29 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call Loretta Bedner at (336) 564-1040.

CHARLOTTE — St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Rd., will celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday April 15 with a Holy Hour at 3 p.m. including Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Reconciliation will not be offered.

For more information, call Gail Abraham at (704) 786-0709.

WINSTON-SALEM — The Spirit of Assisi hosts a Wednesday Lunch & Speaker Series each Wednesday, 12:30-1:15 p.m., at the Fatima Chapel, 211 W. Third St. Teresa Radomski, professor of voice and consultant for the Center for Voice Disorders at Wake Forest University, will speak on “Praying Twice” at the March 28 program. The sacrament of reconciliation will be offered at 12 p.m. in the chapel. For more information and to RSVP, call Sister Kathy Ganiel at (336) 624-1971 or e-mail kganiel@ triad.rr.com. Walk-ins are welcome.

GREENSBORO VICARIATE GREENSBORO — Our Lady of Grace, 2205 W. Market St., invites all parishioners and friends to participate in a Divine Mercy Holy Hour and Benediction April 15 at 3:30 p.m. For more information, call the church office at (336) 2746520.

GREENSBORO — If you have a special need for prayers, or would like to offer your time in prayer for others’ needs, please call the Prayer Chain at Our Lady of Grace Church. The Prayer Chain is a sizable group committed to praying for your needs and the needs of your family and friends on a daily basis. To request a prayer or to participate in the Prayer Chain, call the church office at (336) 274-6520, ext. 10 and leave your name, address and phone number.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN VICARIATE MURPHY — Rev. James Johnson, rector of Episcopal Church of the Messiah, will lead the reflection for the Ecumenical Lenten Service at St. William Church, 765 Andrews Rd., March 28, 12-12:30 p.m. This series is designed to strengthen ecumenical bonds within the community. For more information, call Joan Kennedy at (828) 837-8519.

WINSTON-SALEM VICARIATE KERNERSVILLE — The Catechism of the Head

Episcopal

calendar

Vox Clara advisers urge quick completion of English Mass translation VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments and a committee of congregation advisers have urged the quick completion of the new English translation of the Mass.

The Vox Clara Committee, a group of English-speaking bishops who advise the Vatican on English translations, met March 12-15 at the Vatican.

A press release about the meeting repeatedly referred to hopes that the translation of the Roman Missal, promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 2002, would be completed quickly.

The International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) is preparing the translation in several sections. When individual bishops’ conferences approve the texts translated into English from Latin, they request Vatican permission to use them.

The new translation of the Order of the Mass, which contains the main prayers used at every Mass, has been approved by all the English-speaking bishops’ conferences.

The Vox Clara press release said Vatican permission to use the text is expected “in the near future,” although most bishops’ conferences have said they would wait until the entire Missal has been approved to begin using the new translation.

Vox Clara members also said they discussed a report on “musical considerations” involving the translation of the Order of the Mass and proposed “appropriate revisions” to the texts.

The Vatican had asked musicologists to evaluate how easily and smoothly the translation of the people’s parts of the Mass — for instance the Gloria and the Sanctus — could be set to music.

It was expected that in granting permission for the new translation to be used the Vatican could make minor changes to the translation or word order to facilitate singing the texts.

Vox Clara also called for the preparation of “accurate and accessible formational materials” to introduce the new translation to priests and congregations before the new Mass prayers are used.

In reference to the principles used for liturgical translations, Vox Clara members conducted their final review of the congregation’s proposed translation style guide, the “’Ratio Translationis’ for the English Language.”

“The ‘Ratio Translationis’ was first proposed in draft form to all conferences of bishops in June 2005,” the Vox Clara statement said. “Following widespread consultation, it is anticipated that the congregation will promulgate the ‘Ratio’ in its final form in the near future.”

Crystal memorial

WINSTON-SALEM — St. Benedict the Moor Church, 1625 East 12th St., hosts a 12:15 p.m. prayer service, Veni Sanctus Spiritus, the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. All are welcome to reflect on God and refresh the spirit in the middle of a day. For more information call Sister Larretta Rivera-Williams at (336) 7259200.

WINSTON-SALEM — The Compassionate Care-Givers meet the first, third and fifth Thursdays of each month at St. Benedict the Moor Church, 1625 East 12th St. This group provides affirmation, support and prayer for people who have cared for and are caring for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s and any other chronic illnesses. For more information, call Sister Larretta Rivera-Williams at (336) 725-9200.

Is your parish or school sponsoring a free event open to the general public? Deadline for all submissions for the Diocesan Planner is 10 days prior to desired publication date (Fridays). Submit in writing to Karen A. Evans at kaevans@charlottediocese.org or fax to (704) 370-3382.

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

March 24 — 5 p.m.

Boy Scout Camporee Mass Clear Creek Scout Camp, Midland

March 27 – 1:30 p.m.

Building Commission meeting Pastoral Center, Charlotte

March 25 – 2:30 p.m.

Youth Pilgrimage Belmont Abbey College, Belmont

March 31 – 11 a.m.

Jubilee Mass for women religious St. Gabriel Church, Charlotte

CNS photo by Octavio Duran

Franciscan Father Jerome Massimino looks at the 20-pound, 2-by-3-foot sculpture an Irish sculptor created using Waterford crystal that shows Franciscan Father Mychal Judge, a chaplain with New York Fire Department, being carried out of the World Trade Center rubble. The sculpture was dedicated March 14 at Engine 1, Ladder Co. 24. Father Judge died Sept. 11, 2001, while giving last rites to a firefighter in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the center’s twin towers.

Bishop Peter J. Jugis announces the following pastoral assignments: Effective Feb. 20: Augustinian Father Anthony Tomasulo as parochial vicar at St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte.

Effective March 19: Deacon Richard Voegele as permanent deacon at the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Asheville.

4 The Catholic News & Herald

March 23, 2007

from the cover

Family uses faith to cope with sons’ autism

Fortunately, parishioners have been accommodating of David and Alex’s disruptions. “A man sitting in front of us a few weeks just laughed about their talking,â€? said Maritzabel PiĂąuera.

The PiĂąueras feel it’s worth the extra effort their sons’ religious education requires. “Now, they’re starting to pray, and they follow the Mass better than they used to,â€? Maritzabel PiĂąuera said.

Every other Sunday, David and Alex attend religious education classes through St. Matthew Church’s Special Religious Development (SPRED) program.

SPRED is a network of services that assists people with developmental disabilities to realize their own giftedness and dignity and become more integrated into their parishes. “They love their SPRED lessons and this is the first time they’ve been in such classes,â€? said Maritzabel PiĂąuera, who hopes her sons will be able to receive their first Communions this year.

Luis and Maritzabel Piùuera don’t deny the emotional and financial toll having two autistic sons has taken on them. Both boys are in special education classes in Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools; receive speech and occupational therapy; and Maritzabel Piùuera works with the boys at home.

Health insurance doesn’t cover any of the therapy costs.

Still, the PiĂąueras are grateful for their faith. “The church gives us a lot of comfort,â€? Maritzabel PiĂąuera said.

AUTISM, from page 1

Alex, the PiĂąueras youngest son, was about 18 months old at the time of his diagnosis.

Autistic children have problems with language, socialization and learning.

Those with severe problems are referred to as “low-functioning.�

David and Alex are both considered to be high-functioning, as they have less severe problems.

Seemingly simple undertakings such as sitting through an hour-long Mass can be difficult for an autistic child. “When we lived in Miami, we couldn’t go to Mass,â€? said Luis PiĂąuera, David and Alex’s father. “It was too noisy, and the boys didn’t like it.â€?

When the family moved to Charlotte in 2003, they attended Mass at nearby St. Matthew Church. Luis and Maritzabel PiĂąuera were surprised to find that David and Alex now liked attending Mass. “We’re not sure why we can go to Mass here, but we’re glad,â€? Luis PiĂąuera said. “It’s been wonderful.â€?

Although they enjoy Mass, “The boys like to sit together, and sometimes will talk loudly to each other,â€? Maritzabel PiĂąuera said.

WANT MORE INFO?

St. Matthew Church and the Autism Society of North Carolina will offer “Autism 101� March 29 at 7 p.m. in the New Life Center, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. An Autism Society representative will provide an overview and will answer questions about autism. Speakers will provide information on community resources and SPRED. For more information, call (704) 341-8978.

Facts about autism • Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. • 1 in 150 children is diagnosed with autism • 1 in 94 boys is on the autism spectrum • More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined • Autism costs the nation over $90 billion per year, a figure expected to double in the next decade • Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism; girls appear to manifest a more severe form of the disorder • There is no medical detection or cure for autism • Autism knows no racial or ethnic boundaries.

Incidence vs. Private Funding • Leukemia: Affects 1 in 25,000; funding: $310 million • Muscular Dystrophy: Affects 1 in 20,000; funding: $175 million • Pediatric AIDS: Affects 1 in 8,000; funding: $394 million • Juvenile Diabetes: Affects 1 in 500; funding: $130 million • Autism: Affects 1 in 150; funding: $15 million National Institutes of Health Funds Allocation • Total 2005 NIH budget: $29 billion • $100 million of NIH budget, or 0.3 percent, goes towards autism research Source: Autism Speaks, Inc.

Early signs of autism

• No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by 6 months or thereafter • No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions by 9 months or thereafter • No babbling by 12 months • No back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving by 12 months • No words by 16 months • No two-word meaningful phrases (without imitating or repeating) by 24 months • Any loss of speech or babbling or social skills at any age Source: First Signs, Inc.

Contact Staff Writer Karen A. Evans by calling (704) 370-3354 or e-mail kaevans@charlottediocese.org

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Meet at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes

3 PM Take the stairway down the hill behind the Monastery and Basilica

For more information please contact Ruth Payne, Director of Campus Ministry, 704-829-7196 or email RuthPayne@bac.edu

March 23, 2007

The Catholic News & Herald 5

from the cover

Mission trip benefits all involved MISSION, from page 1

established missions in the Caribbean — the Missionaries of the Poor in Kingston, Jamaica, and the Batey Lecheria mission run by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus in the Dominican Republic.

The term “agape,” which appears many times in the Greek translation of the New Testament, indicates the selfgiving love of one who looks exclusively for the good of the other.

The mission group included 13 people from St. Luke Church in Mint Hill; one from Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Charlotte; Father Edward Sheridan, pastor of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte; and two people from Phoenix, Ariz.

“Whether it was building the latrines, working in the clinic, the family photo project or simply embracing these people, I have seen our faith community at work in a way I didn’t know possible,” said Platko, a 23-year-old nurse and parishioner of St. Luke Church.

Bateys are rural “ghettos,” originally communities of Haitian workers brought in to work the sugar cane fields in the early 1900s. The Haitian government wouldn’t allow them to return to Haiti, and the batey residents are descendants of the original workers.

Although they were born in the Dominican Republic, they have no birth certificates and no established citizenship in either country. They have very limited access to health care, education, employment or proper housing.

The Batey Lecheria is a community of one-room, cement block dwellings and metal shanties with limited electricity and no running water. Most residents

“I went with the impression ... that I was helping the people ... but, ironically, they helped and inspired me.”

— Melissa Platko cook over open fires and gather water from a river more than a mile away.

The river is the same water they drink, bathe in and wash their clothes in. Many people are ill with parasitic diseases from the lack of clean water.

“Children walk around with huge bellies from bacteria in the water and naked because their families — if their parents are even alive — are too poor to afford clothes,” said Matt Riffle, a student from Corona del Sol High School in Phoenix.

“The elderly often have very poor dental heath ... and their bones and muscles are in such poor condition that each move is the greatest labor,” said Riffle.

Platko was one of three nurses from the group who worked on a hypertension project through Faye Allegria, a clinic and school at the edge of town run by Society of the Holy Child Jesus sisters and volunteers.

The school serves about 100 children who are taught through the Montessori Method. The clinic provides health care for AIDS, tuberculosis and other medical conditions suffered by the locals.

“There is so much hope surrounding Faye Allegria, but also much desolation,”

Courtesy Photo

Melissa Platko, a parishioner of St. Luke Church in Mint Hill, performs a blood pressure check on a resident of the Dominican Republic during a mission trip Feb. 26-March 3. said Riffle.

Two members of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, Sisters Jay McCann and Veronica Grover, serve as pastoral associates at St. Luke Church. They first introduced the parish to Sister Ann Joyce Peters in Santo Domingo, whose “Latrine Project” was established to improve the batey’s sanitation conditions.

St. Luke Church parishioners began raising money and sending members to the batey to build latrines. Locals help dig the 15-foot-deep holes and contribute 100 pesos to the construction of each latrine. To date, more than 35 latrines have been built and there is a waiting list for about 105 more.

“I am proud to have been a part of such a great group in helping make their home a little safer and more sanitary by virtue of our latrine construction project,” said Tim Somers, a parishioner of St. Luke Church.

Although they were assisting the locals, members of the mission trip felt as if they were the ones being helped.

“I went with the impression that in some small way, I was helping the people of this community,” said Platko, “but ironically, they helped and inspired me.”

“I went down there with the intention of putting some blisters on my hands doing ‘the Lord’s work,’ but found so much more to take away from it all,” said Somers.

“I was touched at how beautiful the children were despite having nothing, and how grand their smiles were just to have an ‘Americano’ to stand beside as we did our work,” he said.

“They had such a sense of hope and it was contagious — it made me think of how fortunate I am and how much I take for granted at home,” said Riffle.

While Platko said she “witnessed hunger, disease and death,” she also “witnessed compassion, love and the work of God’s hands … a community that took care of each other.” The experiences were life-altering, she said.

“I’ve learned I take for granted the simplicities in my life and rely too much on the irrelevant for happiness,” said Platko. “I’ve learned the value of a simple touch and the power and necessity of faith. I cannot change the world, but by changing myself I am changing how I affect the world.”

Contributing to this article was Greg Platko.

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Keeping the Faith in a Violent Age

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St. Gabriel Parish Mission March 26, 27 and 28 Very Reverend Father Dennis M. Corrado, c.o., Provost of the

Oratory of St. Philip Neri, Brooklyn, will lead this annual event. Fr. Corrado will focus on how to sustain our faith in the violent times we face. He has preached retreats and missions in New York, New Jersey, California, Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida, and North Carolina.

Daily schedule – 11 a.m. – Mass followed by Mission presentation (Light luncheon follows in the Ministry Center) 7 p.m. – Evening service in the Church Babysitting by reservation is available for the evening services. Call 704-362-5047, ext. #210 to reserve childcare.

St. Gabriel Catholic Church 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte

6 The Catholic News & Herald

around the diocese

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Exploring ‘Who We Are’

2/21/07

3:30 PM

March 23, 2007

Page 1

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Courtesy Photo by Rosemary Hyman

Father Fred Pompei, a priest of the Diocese of Syracuse, N.Y., speaks about “Who We Are” during an annual parish mission held at St. Therese Church in Mooresville March 12-14. Approximately 300 people attended the mission each night, which began with a prayer service followed by presentations on Catholic identity. Topics included how to be a merciful, forgiving and just family of God. Father Pompei wrote, “As Catholics, we have much to share about life and freedom, forgiveness and healing. However, in order to do this, I believe we must first know who we are, why we are who we say we are and what is at the core of our goodness, greatness and joyfulness as followers of Jesus Christ who call ourselves Catholic.”

Faith and forgiveness

Courtesy Photo by Dorice Narins

Joan Peterson of Little River Baptist Church in Penrose, N.C. leads women in song during the Second Christian Women’s Day of Reflection at Sacred Heart Church in Brevard March 10. More than 300 women from 28 area churches attended the event, which featured Kathy Saint Down of Asheville speaking about forgiveness, the theme of the event.

Women from five churches worked together to plan the day. Debbi Felker of Sacred Heart Church welcomed the attendees and Karen Hanegar of Brevard Community Church said an opening prayer. Peterson, accompanied by Donya-Kaye Merrill of Little River Baptist Church, led the group in singing hymns focusing on forgiveness.

Saint Down, who runs womens’ retreats in Central and South America, spoke about forgiving the men who murdered her missionary father, Nate Saint, in Ecuador in 1956.

She reminded the audience that love keeps no record of every wrong and that in the Lord’s Prayer we are told to forgive as we will be forgiven.

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The Catholic News & Herald 7

from the cover

Pope makes suggestions for Mass EUCHARIST, from page 1

When Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper, he did not simply thank God for the ways he had acted throughout history to save people, the pope said. Rather, Jesus revealed that he himself was the sacrifice that would bring salvation to fulfillment.

“The institution of the Eucharist demonstrates how Jesus’ death, for all its violence and absurdity, became in him a supreme act of love and mankind’s definitive deliverance from evil,” Pope Benedict wrote.

Celebrating the Eucharist, he said, “the church is able to celebrate and adore the mystery of Christ” who is present in the bread and wine through the power of the Holy Spirit.

In addition to offering a spiritual reflection on the meaning of the Eucharist, the liturgy and eucharistic adoration, Pope Benedict made several concrete suggestions for further study and for celebrating the Mass in the Latin rite: — While he encouraged wider knowledge and use of the Mass prayers in Latin and of Gregorian chant, he also repeated the synod’s affirmation of the “beneficial influence” of the liturgical changes made by the Second Vatican Council on the life of the church.

However, he also endorsed the synod’s suggestion that at Masses with a large, international congregation, the liturgy be celebrated in Latin “with the exception of the readings, the homily and

the prayer of the faithful.”

— He encouraged bishops’ conferences, in collaboration with the Vatican, to examine their practices for the order and timing of the sacraments of Christian initiation: baptism, confirmation and Eucharist.

— In expressing his concern for the number of Catholics unable to receive Communion because of irregular marital situations, Pope Benedict confirmed church teaching that those who have been divorced and civilly remarried without having obtained an annulment are not to receive Communion.

However, the pope encouraged bishops to ensure they have fully trained and staffed marriage tribunals to deal with annulment requests “in an expeditious manner.”

— Pope Benedict said the sign of peace at Mass “has great value,” especially in demonstrating the church’s responsibility to pray for peace and unity in a world too often troubled by division, violence and hatred.

While Catholics at Mass should exchange a sign of peace with those near them, he also called for “greater restraint” to ensure the moment does not become one of irreparable distraction.

— The pope also said the church should consider providing new texts for the rite of dismissal at the end of Mass so that Catholics would understand better the connection between what they have just celebrated and the fact that they are sent out in a mission to bring God’s love and truth to the world.

CNS photo by L’Osservatore Romano

Pope Benedict XVI signs a 131-page apostolic exhor tation “Sacramentum Caritatis” (“The Sacrament of Charity”) at the Vatican March 13.

— Pope Benedict said in order to help Catholics “believe, celebrate and live ever more fully the mystery of the Eucharist,” several Vatican offices are preparing a compendium of texts, prayers and explanations of the church teaching on the Eucharist and of the eucharistic prayers used at Mass.

— He called for a general improvement in the quality of homilies and said bishops have a particular responsibility to ensure that the liturgies they celebrate provide an example for the whole diocese of a liturgy celebrated with dignity, beauty and fidelity to the approved rites.

— The pope asked Catholics to pay more attention to how their postures and gestures at Mass communicate their faith in the Eucharist, particularly by

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“kneeling during the central moments of the eucharistic prayer.”

“Amid the legitimate diversity of signs used in the context of different cultures, everyone should be able to experience and express the awareness that at each celebration we stand before the infinite majesty of God, who comes to us in the lowliness of the sacramental signs.”

— As for church architecture, Pope Benedict encouraged parishes to ensure their facilities are fully accessible to people with disabilities and that the tabernacle containing the Blessed Sacrament is “readily visible to everyone entering the church.”

In the letter, Pope Benedict also formally reaffirmed the obligation of celibacy for priests in the Latin rite and the fact that, in most cases, Catholics and other Christians should not share the Eucharist, which is a sign of full unity in faith.

He reminded Catholics of the obligation to be in a “state of grace,” free from serious sin, before receiving Communion, and of the fact that by receiving Communion they are publicly proclaiming their unity with the teaching of the church.

Politicians and lawmakers must introduce and support laws inspired by those values, the pope said, adding, “bishops are bound to reaffirm constantly these values as part of their responsibility to the flock entrusted to them.”

The pope reminded bishops that they must call all Catholics, particularly politicians, to coherence of faith and action, “but he cannot substitute himself for the pastoral prudence of the bishop,” said Cardinal Angelo Scola of Venice.

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8 The Catholic News & Herald

ST. patrick’s day

March 23, 2007

Catholic parishes, schools, o

Photos by Kevin E. Murray

Members of Belmont Abbey College’s alumni (above), St. Patrick School in Charlotte (below left) and St. Ann School in Charlotte march in the 11th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in uptown Charlotte March 17.

Photo by Kevin E. Murray

Knights of Columbus lead the 11th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in uptown Charlotte March 17. Thousands of spectators viewed the parade, which made its way along Tryon Street past St. Peter Church.

Voices and Places of The People of God

the publication of a ating history.

the diocese as well as . Curlin, and Arch-

The Very Rev. Paul Gary Rector

Rev. Robert Conway Parochial Vicar

facts about the

Rev. Mr. Nicholas Fadero Deacon

Rev. Mr. Carlos Medina Deacon

andling. Allow 2

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

do not

Tuesday of Holy Week, April 3, 11 a.m.

Chrism Mass: Blessing of the Holy Oils have Internet Bishop Peter Jugis, celebrant Holy Thursday, April 5, 7:30 p.m.

Mass of the Lord’s Supper Bishop Peter Jugis, celebrant

Easter Sunday Masses 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., Bishop Peter Jugis, celebrant 12:30 p.m.

The Diocese of Charlotte is commemorating its 35th Anniversary with the publication of a special volume of beautiful photographs, spiritual reflections and fascinating history.

You will enjoy more than 35 spiritual reflections from laity throughout the diocese as well as from clergy including Bishop Peter J. Jugis, Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin, and Archbishop John F. Donoghue.

Plus, the book is filled with numerous historical photos and interesting facts about the growth and development of the Diocese of Charlotte.

Good Friday, April 6, 3 p.m.

Stations of the Cross Good Friday, April 6, 7:30 p.m.

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion Bishop Peter Jugis, celebrant Easter Vigil Mass, April 7, 8:30 p.m.

Bishop Peter Jugis, celebrant 1621 Dilworth Road East Charlotte, NC 28203 (704) 334-2283 Visit our Web site at www.stpatricks.org

Cost of this beautiful book is $25.99 plus tax and $4.85 shipping and handling. Allow 2 weeks for delivery.

Order your copy at www.Diocesebook.com.

If you do not have Internet access, call 704-370-3333.

* the breathtaking countryside * the traditions of our Catholic faith * the legends of her people March 23, 2007

st. patrick’s day

The Catholic News & Herald 9

organizations participate in St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Photos by Kevin E. Murray

Taking part in the 11th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in uptown Charlotte March 17 are members of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (above left), the Ancient Order of Hibernians (above right), St. Matthew Church in Charlotte (below left) and Cub Scout Pack 174 at St. Gabriel School in Charlotte (below right).

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airfare from Charlotte, all ship meals, accommodations, Seattle hotel and city tour, transfers, port charges and taxes (which may be subject to change).

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brochure: Cindi Feerick at the diocese (704)370-3332 or Corporate Travel Service (800)727-1999, Ext. 116.

Photo by Kevin E. Murray

Above: Members of St. Mark School in Huntersville march past St. Peter Church during the 11th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in uptown Charlotte March 17.

March 23, 2007

10 The Catholic News & Herald

Culture Watch

Two inside views of late pope’s life don’t make for redundant reading VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As Pope John Paul II’s sainthood cause rolled forward, two people close to him have offered quite different insider accounts of his life and times.

Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz of Krakow, the late pope’s personal secretary for 39 years, has produced a conversational memoir called “A Life with Karol.” In anecdotal fashion, it sketches many of their major and minor experiences together.

Pope Benedict XVI has meanwhile released “John Paul II: My Beloved Predecessor,” a more analytical look at the philosophical and theological impact of his pontificate.

Although the books focus on the same subject, they don’t make for redundant reading. That says something about the breadth of Pope John Paul’s 26-year pontificate.

The volumes arrived in European bookstores just as church officials announced that the diocesan phase of Pope John Paul’s sainthood cause would end April 2, the second anniversary of his death. The cause now goes to the Vatican.

Cardinal Dziwisz’s more or less chronological account in “A Life with Karol” begins with the day Archbishop Karol Wojtyla of Krakow asked him to be his personal secretary.

When Pope John Paul II’s election was announced in 1978, Father Dziwisz was under the main balcony in St. Peter’s Square with a crowd of Romans, most of whom didn’t recognize Cardinal Wojtyla’s name. “That’s my bishop!” was the incredulous secretary’s first thought. “It happened!”

The book reveals some private papal moments with the world’s powerful and powerless. In Chile in 1987, shortly after being constrained to appear with Gen. Augusto Pinochet on his presidential balcony, the pope told the dictator it was time to think about handing back power to a civilian government.

After visiting Blessed Mother Teresa at her home for the dying in Calcutta in 1986, the pope whispered to her: “If I could, I’d be pope from here.”

Frequently, Cardinal Dziwisz wrote, the pope would direct his motorcade to pull over so he could visit poor families in between official stops on foreign travels to Third World countries.

The pope’s visits to his native Poland helped spark a spiritual-political revolution, and Cardinal Dziwisz tells the story from the pope’s perspective. The book recounts that when the government allowed the pope to meet in 1983 with Solidarity leader Lech Walesa in a mountain hut, the pope figured the place must be bugged and so led Walesa outside for their talks.

Pope Benedict’s book is a collection of previous talks and essays, so there are no real revelations. Perhaps because Popes John Paul and Benedict were so much in synch on nearly every issue, press reports have focused on one minor disagreement: the Bob Dylan concert of 1997.

As news, it’s recycled — from a paper he wrote as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in 1998, for the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul’s election. The concert closed out the World Eucharistic Congress in Bologna, Italy, and Cardinal Ratzinger said he had been skeptical of the idea of an increasingly frail and ailing pope sharing the stage with a group of rock and pop stars (“Bob Dylan and others whose names I don’t remember.”).

“They had a message that was completely different from the one the pope was committed to,” then-Cardinal Ratzinger wrote. He said he wondered whether “it was really right to let these types of ‘prophets’ intervene.”

His comment was probably aimed more at a genre of music than at Dylan, who played a short but great set for the pope and 300,000.

Pope John Paul listened, chin in hand, and then capitalized on the moment to give a sermon based on the lyrics to “Blowin’ in the Wind.” It was a characteristic effort by someone who was always trying to build bridges to younger generations.

In response, Dylan sang an encore that seemed intended for the aging pontiff: “Forever Young.”

IMMACULATA CATHOLIC COMPANIES 1st Holy Communion Celebrations Coming Soon!

We’re ready to help with gifts and holy reminders for your loved ones as we celebrate with you their continued growth in our faith.

Come visit our Cornelius store or one of our scheduled parish visits: St. Mark, Huntersville - Monday, March 26 — 4-7pm St. Philip, Statesville – Sat. & Sun., April 21-22 after Masses SPECIAL PARISH VISITS: If you’d like to arrange a parish visit, ask your pastor to call me, manager Allen Bond, and we’ll make every effort to meet his schedule.

May God Bless you all as we approach Easter.

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WORD TO LIFE

A roundup of Scripture, readings, films and more

NEW CHARLOTTE STORE LOCATION to be announced very soon! Watch this space as we unveil our new location.

Sunday Scripture Readings: april 1, 2007

April 1, Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion Cycle C Readings: Procession: Luke 19:28-40 1) Isaiah 50:4-7 Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18a, 19-20, 23-24 2) Philippians 2:6-11 3) Gospel: Luke 22:14 to 23:56

Holy Week a time to appreciate all the bodies of Christ by

SHARON K. PERKINS catholic news service

Body consciousness: It’s been around since Adam and Eve first discovered they were naked.

The human body has been the subject of Greek sculpture, Renaissance paintings and modern science. In our time it’s the great concern of the fashion, diet and health care industries.

In today’s readings, references to specific human body parts occur no less than seven times in Isaiah and eight times in the psalm; the epistle to the Philippians speaks at length about Jesus and his human form, and the Gospel is one long narrative about Jesus’ giving over his body — not once, but twice — for the life of the world.

The resurrection of that same body will be the focus of the anticipated great

feast of Easter.

An Irish professor in one of my theology courses loved to quote Latin in his rich brogue, and his most frequent saying was “caro est cardo salutis,” which translates, “the flesh is the hinge of salvation.” It’s a concise way of saying that the saving act of Jesus hinges upon bodies — his and ours — surrendered in self-gift.

Yet Catholic Christians have had a long, unfortunate and dualistic tendency to separate the “body” from the “soul,” often deeming the body a mere vehicle of human activity, a “necessary evil” from which one must escape for salvation of the soul to truly take place.

We pummel our bodies into submission or ignore them altogether; abuse them with substances or obsess about their appearance. Then when death comes, it is often welcomed as a release from a body that has betrayed us through disease or the ravages of age.

We rarely reflect upon the crucial role of the human body as the means through which God has chosen to love us.

At the beginning of this holiest of weeks, I resolve to reflect on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus without softpedaling or spiritualizing their physical aspects. Jesus didn’t take on human flesh only at his birth; he embraced what being “enfleshed” means.

My body, your body, the bodies of the poor, the abused, the unborn and the neglected are all holy and worthy of love and care. The Eucharist, the gift of Jesus’ body as food, reminds us of this truth.

That’s the sort of “body consciousness” that Christians are to practice.

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Scripture for the week of March 25-31 Sunday (Fifth Sunday of Lent), Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:8-14, John 8:1-11; Monday (The Use1:26-38; regular format Annunciation of the Lord), Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10, Hebrews 10:4-10, Luke Tuesday (Lenten Weekday), Numbers 21:4-9, John 8:21-30; Wednesday (Lenten Weekday), Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95 Daniel 3:52-56, John 8:31-42; Thursday (Lenten Weekday), Genesis 17:3-9, John 8:51-59; Friday (Lenten Weekday), Jeremiah 20:10-13 John 10:31-42; Saturday (Lenten Weekday), Ezekiel 37:21-28, John 11:45-56.

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Scripture for the week of April 1-7 Sunday (Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion), Luke 19:28-40, Isaiah 50:4-7, Philippians 2:6-11, Come visit our Luke 22:14—23:56; Monday (Monday of Holy Week), Isaiah 42:1-7 John 12:1-11; Tuesday (Tuesday of Holy Week), Isaiah 49:1-6, John 13:21-33, 36-38; Wednesday (Wednesday of St. Ma Holy Week), Isaiah 50:4-9 Matthew 26:14-25; Thursday (Holy Thursday), Exodus 12:1-8, St. Phillip Ne 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-15; Friday (Good Friday), Isaiah 52:13—53:12, SPECIAL PARISH VISITS: If you Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1—19:42; Saturday (Easter Vigil), Exodus 14:15—15:1, Allen Bond, and we’ll make Exodus 15:1-6, 17-18, Romans 6:3-11, Luke 24:1-12.

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11 Days Pilgrimage to Poland and Prague. Aug 27–Sep 6, 2007. $2950 pp. Includes 2 nights in Warsaw, 2 nights Czestrochowa, 3 nights each in Krakow & Prague. Fr. Price fromSTORE OKC LOCATION to b NEW Oswalt CHARLOTTE 11 Days Italian Shrines. Sep 22-Oct 3, 2007. $2990 pp. Includes 2 nights each in Venice & Assisi, 3 nights each in Florence & Rome. Visit Padua, Ravenna & Siena. Fr. Krempa from Winchester, VA 12 Days Fatima & Spain. Oct 8-19, $2750 pp. Includes 3 nights each Fatima & Madrid, 2 nights Santiago de Compostela, 1 night each in Burgos & Avila. Visit Toledo. Fr. That Son from WV. Includes air from Raleigh, Charlotte and Greensboro; daily breakfast and dinners. Call John Tagnesi at 888-544-4461.

(These are privately-sponsored trips, not affiliated with the Diocese of Charlotte.)

The Catholic News & Herald 11

March 23, 2007

‘Gates’ worth unlocking

Christopher Awards honor the best in films, TV/cable, books Awards recognize works that affirm the highest values of the human spirit

CNS photo by IFC

John Hurt (foreground) and Hugh Dancy star in “Beyond the Gates,” a gripping dramatization about the 1994 siege of a Rwandan secondary school at the height of the genocide. As a dedicated Catholic priest and an idealistic young British teacher, they attempt to protect some 2,500 Tutsi citizens from the machete-wielding Hutus hovering just outside the school gates. This important film is acceptable for mature teens. Much disturbing if discreetly handled violence, description of atrocities, images of dead and wounded, some rough language and mild profanity uttered under duress, a childbirth scene. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

NEW YORK (CNS) — Seven films, five television/cable shows and 11 books were honored March 15 with Christopher Awards in New York.

The Christophers, sponsor of the awards, estimated that 114 writers, directors, producers and illustrators in all were honored. The organization recognizes works that affirm the highest values of the human spirit.

Films receiving awards were “Akeelah and the Bee,” “Charlotte’s Web,” “Miss Potter,” “Sophie Scholl: The Final Days,” “The Nativity Story,” “World Trade Center” and “Water.”

The TV/cable programs honored were HBO’s “Baghdad ER,” “A Simple Twist of Fate” from ABC’s “20/20,” TNT’s “The Ron Clark Story,” Cinemax’s “Cinemax Reel Life: Favela Rising,” and “Chimpanzees: An Unnatural History”

‘What a blessing my sponsored child is’ Mary L., who lives in New Jersey, chose to sponsor a child through Christian Foundation for Children and Aging so she could help make the world a better place. In particular, she liked the opportunity CFCA offered to build a friendship with someone in a developing country. The letters and photographs she exchanged with Bridget in Kenya allowed her actually to see the difference her sponsorship was making in the 8-year-old’s life: “All you have to do is look at her picture for yourself. This girl’s soul radiates. What a blessing she is.” Mary also had a chance to visit Bridget on one of CFCA’s mission awareness trips.

“CFCA is confident enough to show us the projects and that so much of the donations go to the children and aging,” Mary said.

Bridget, 8, from Kenya, and sponsor Mary L., U.S.A.

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from PBS’ “Nature.”

Six books for adults and five books for young people also were honored.

The six books for adults were all nonfiction titles: “Barefootin’: Life Lessons From the Road to Freedom” by Unita Blackwell with JoAnne Prichard Morris; “Enrique’s Journey” by Sonia Nazario; “The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief” by Francis S. Collins; “Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust” by Immaculee Ilibagiza with Steve Erwin; “My Life With the Saints” by Jesuit Father James Martin; and “The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East” by Sandy Tolan.

The five winners in books for young people were in different age categories: — Preschool: “Hero Cat” by Eileen Spinelli and illustrated by Jo Ellen McAllister Stammen.

— Ages 6-8: “How We Are Smart”

by W. Nikola-Lisa and illustrated by Sean Qualls.

— Ages 8-10: “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline.

— Ages 10-12: “Listen!” by Stephanie S. Tolan.

— Young adult: “Bread and Roses, Too” by Katherine Paterson, author of the perennial favorite children’s novel “Bridge to Terabithia.”

Also presented during the ceremony was only the fourth Christopher Leadership Award in the 58-year history of the Christopher Awards to longtime television executive William Baker, and a Special Christopher Award to NBC’s long-running “The More You Know” public service announcement campaign.

The Christophers, founded in 1945, goes by the credo “It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.”

12 The Catholic News & Herald

March 23, 2007

around the diocese

In search of peace

Lectures, prayer service mark ‘month of peace’ by

JOANITA M. NELLENBACH correspondent

MURPHY — At noon, just as the sun briefly lit the gray clouds, the procession made its way from St. William Church’s parish hall for a prayer service on the church’s labyrinth.

In a world that often seems immersed in war and other forms of violence, parishioners at St. William Church in Murphy and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hayesville paused in January to “Celebrate a Month of Peace.”

Parishioner Mike Kauffman, carrying the processional crucifix, led the group Jan. 15. Some 16 members of St. William and Immaculate Heart of Mary churches followed, each carrying a candle to light from the peace candle carried by another parishioner.

“I think (the peace-month idea) probably started with Pope Benedict’s message for the World Day of Peace (Jan. 1),” Kauffman said after the service. “(St. William Church parishioner) Michelle Calascione and I started to talk about it.”

“Meanwhile,” he continued, “a couple came over from Immaculate Heart of Mary —Mary Joyce and Vernon Dixon — who have done workshops on centering prayer. They were very enthusiastic that we had installed a 3,000-paver labyrinth and said, ‘Let’s do a prayer service at the labyrinth.’”

Peace month began with Mass at St. William Church on Jan. 5.

On Jan. 8, Notre Dame Sister Patricia McCarthy, associate provincial for the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame and a lecturer on peace and nonviolence, gave presentations at the churches on “Peace: More Than Just a Word on a Christmas Card.”

The morning of Jan. 15, the Texana Community Development Club in Murphy

was packed for its 14th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast. Members of St. William and Immaculate Heart of Mary churches attended, and Notre Dame Sister Terry Martin of Hayesville led a prayer to end world hunger.

At noon, the prayer service at St. William Church began as the participants assembled on the labyrinth.

Mary Ann Schwane read the opening prayer, which affirmed that, “In a world marked by darkness of terrorism, war and injustice, we boldly proclaim that Jesus Christ … has the power to overcome this darkness.”

“We are called, in our own life situations, which can often be marked by conflict, to welcome Christ, the light, into our hearts, marriages, families, neighborhoods and parishes,” the prayer continued. “As we begin, let us pray that the light of Christ will radiate from within us to change our own lives and radiate out to change the world.”

Everyone lit his or her individual candles from the peace candle.

Colossians 3:11–17 was read, a reminder that all are equal in God’s sight and that we must “put on … heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience ….”

After silence and reflection, and the church’s bell tolling for peace, more candles were lit as the group prayed for peace “in our hearts … Church … nation … world — the peace of your will, the peace of our need.”

Father George Kloster, pastor of St. William and Immaculate Heart of Mary churches, also asked God to “bless all those today who are working for peace.”

After the bell tolled again three times, many stayed to walk the labyrinth in silent prayer for peace.

Pope Benedict XVI’s World Day of

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People walk a labyrinth in silent prayer for peace during a prayer service held at St. William Church in Murphy Jan. 15.

Peace message wasn’t the only impetus for a month devoted to promoting peace.

The month of peace celebration continued with four showings of the film “Gandhi” at St. William and Immaculate Heart of Mary churches.

A few months ago, Augustinian Father Bob Dueweke, who is involved in Hispanic ministry in the Smoky Mountain Vicariate, gave a presentation on the just-war doctrine, Kauffman said.

“The Gandhi film kind of worked its way into the program because of Father Dueweke’s presentation,” Kauffman said. “We hoped the film would clarify the difference between nationalism and patriotism.”

“Nationalism — my country right or wrong — could get into idolatry,” Kauffman explained. “Patriotism is

support of righteous ideals but not just any policy.”

The film tells the story of Mohandas K. Gandhi (honorific title, Mahatma), who, as the peace-month brochure explained, “developed a method of action based upon the principles of courage, nonviolence and truth called Satyagraha (passive resistance). He believed that the way people behave is more important than what they achieve.

Peace month ended Jan. 31 with a Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. The date was chosen to be as close as possible to the anniversary of Gandhi’s assassination, Jan. 30, 1948.

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

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March 23, 2007

around the diocese

Mercy Sister Mary Emmanuel Blasi dies at 94 Sister Blasi remembered for strong faith, sweet demeanor

BELMONT — Mercy Sister Mary Emmanuel Blasi died March 19 at Sacred Heart Convent in Belmont. She was 94.

Received as a Sister of Mercy Jan. 5, 1935, she was in her 73rd year as a Sister of Mercy.

Born Catherine Florence Blasi in Brooklyn, N.Y., March 13, 1913, she took the name Sister Mary Emmanuel upon entering the Sisters of Mercy in August 1934. In 1937, Sister Blasi began her ministry as a substitute teacher at both St. Patrick School in Charlotte and Sacred Heart School in Salisbury.

In 1938 she began another type of service when she was assigned to the dietary department at Nazareth Orphanage in Raleigh. She remained there until 1940, when she transferred to the dietary department of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Asheville. She ministered there until 1945.

“Each day was a new challenge.”

— Mercy Sister Blasi

Mercy Sister Mary Emmanuel Blasi The mid-1940s also saw her serving in the dietary departments of both St. Leo’s Boarding School and Sacred Heart Junior College. In 1947, she became director of the dietary department at Mercy Hospital in Charlotte, where she remained until 1968.

That year, Sister Blasi took over management of the coffee shop at

Mercy Hospital, where she ministered until 1972. Not one to relax, she also volunteered as a Sister Visitor at Mercy Hospital while serving as local superior of Mercy Hospital Convent.

Following her return to Belmont in 1974, she managed the Sacred Heart College bookstore while serving as local superior of the motherhouse until 1976.

Sister Blasi was very involved in the charismatic renewal movement within the Diocese of Charlotte, faithfully attending monthly charismatic Masses and a weekly prayer group.

The movement “meant everything to me. It really opened up a whole new way of thinking, loving and caring … a personal relationship with Jesus, the Holy Spirit and Father God,” she once said.

It was her loving relationship with the Lord that once drew her to undertake a month-long mission to Juarez, Mexico, where she helped distribute food and clothing to needy families.

“The best thing about my trip was the peace I found in understanding how you can live without all the comforts of life and be at peace and enjoy every moment of life,” she said upon her return. “Each

The Catholic News & Herald 13

Sisters of Mercy foundation gives grants

CHARLOTTE — The Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation recently announced grant awards totaling $1,480,385 to 35 nonprofit organizations in North and South Carolina.

The grant funds will be used for a wide variety of purposes by the organizations.

Supported programs include affordable housing, crisis assistance, education, food distribution, health care, immigration assistance, job training, legal services and social services.

Since 1996, the foundation has awarded 720 grants totaling more than $34 million to organizations serving unserved or underserved populations.

day was a new challenge.”

There were two things almost guaranteed to bring a smile to her face.

The first, frequently done in solitude, was fishing; the second was often a group event. Whenever children would visit Marian Center, you could be assured that Sister Blasi’s sweet demeanor would draw them to her side.

Sister Blasi is survived by her religious community; one sister; three sisters-in-law; a niece; and her close friend, Brother James Toman of the Beloved Disciples of El Paso, Texas.

A Mass of Christian burial was held at Cardinal Gibbons Memorial Chapel March 22, with internment following at Belmont Abbey Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, Sacred Heart Convent, 100 Mercy Drive, Belmont, N.C. 28012.

March 23, 2007

14 The Catholic News & Herald

Perspectives

A collection of columns, editorials and viewpoints

‘To Know Jesus Christ’ Eucharistic Lord is present, waiting for From the Bishop us in Eucharist Plans are underway for our next diocesan Eucharistic Congress, to be held Sept. 21-22, 2007 at the Charlotte Convention Center. Please reserve the dates on your calendar and make plans to participate.

This will be our third Eucharistic Congress for the Diocese of Charlotte.

At this annual event, the whole diocese comes together as one family to celebrate our faith and our love for Jesus.

The encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist The theme for this year’s congress is taken from St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians: “To Know Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 2:2).

After an apparently unsuccessful attempt to evangelize the Athenians through a philosophical presentation of Jesus (Acts 17), St. Paul resolved to present a different Jesus when he went to preach to the Corinthians. He decided to preach the Christ whom he knew personally: the Christ who suffered, was crucified, died, was buried, and whom he met as risen from the dead.

Thus St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Cor 2:2). This is the real Jesus whom St. Paul knew through a personal encounter on the road to Damascus.

How does this encounter of St. Paul with the risen Lord relate to the Holy Eucharist? The living Christ whom St. Paul knew and proclaimed to the Corinthians is the same living Christ whom we meet in the Eucharist: the Christ who suffered, was crucified, died, was buried and who rose from the dead.

In the Eucharist, we encounter Jesus Christ who is really and substantially present in his body, blood, soul and divinity. In the Eucharist, the risen Lord brings us into sacramental communion with himself and draws us into the paschal mystery of his suffering, death and resurrection.

Thus we come to know him as St. Paul did in the fullness of his paschal mystery. Pope John Paul II wrote in his encyclical on the Eucharist: “At every celebration of the Eucharist, we are spiritually brought back to the paschal Triduum: to the events of the evening of Holy Thursday, to the Last Supper and to what followed it.

“The institution of the Eucharist sacramentally anticipated the events which were about to take place, beginning with the agony in Gethsemane. Once again we see Jesus as he leaves the Upper Room, descends with his disciples to the Kidron Valley and goes to the Garden of

BISHOP PETER J. JUGIS bishop of charlotte

Olives…. Christ in prayer was filled with anguish ‘and his sweat became like drops of blood falling down upon the ground.’

“The blood, which shortly before he had given to the Church as the drink of salvation in the sacrament of the Eucharist, began to be shed; its outpouring would then be completed on Golgotha to become the means of our redemption…. The agony in Gethsemane was the introduction to the agony of the Cross on Good Friday: the holy hour, the hour of the redemption of the world” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia 3, 4).

The events of the paschal mystery of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection are made present to us in the Eucharist.

The Eucharist is thus Jesus’ “gift of himself, of his person in his sacred humanity, as well as the gift of his saving work” (Eccl. de Euch. 11).

The desire to know Jesus Our faith in Jesus allows us to know him and to recognize his real presence in the Eucharist. Our faith in Jesus also moves our hearts to want to be with him whom we have met.

Like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, our eyes are opened and we recognize him because of the gift of faith.

Our hearts are enkindled and we long for his presence.

Pope John Paul II wrote: “Whenever the Church celebrates the Eucharist, the faithful can in some way relive the experience of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus: ‘their eyes were opened and they recognized him’ (Lk 24: 31)” (Eccl. de Euch. 6).

Jesus is really present and we can know him in the Eucharist. We recognize his presence, and our hearts desire to draw close to him.

Our reverence for the Blessed Sacrament is a sign that we do know that Jesus is really present in the Holy Eucharist and that we love him. Through our devotion to our Eucharistic Lord, may our union with Jesus deepen and intensify. May we bring this living knowledge of Jesus with us into all our parish activities, and into the celebration of our next Eucharistic Congress.

To know Jesus Christ we turn to the Eucharist, where Jesus is really present and waiting for us.

I look forward to seeing you at the congress, filled with love for our Eucharistic Lord.

Going green

Catholics are stewards, not masters of creation

Our parish is going green.

Not just for St. Patrick’s Day. Not just for spring. We are going green for good.

This Lent we took on a new spiritual discipline. In addition to the usual disciplines, we are trying to become better stewards of God’s creation.

It is something that is long overdue — for the church and for our society.

This year our parish council set up a committee to look at all aspects of our parish life in relation to the environment.

I had read about a parish in Michigan that set up a similar committee. They had even started producing wind power and using solar panels to heat water.

We are an average-size Catholic parish with about 1,100 families (around 3,300 people).We are not “Big Foot” in our environmental impact, but we are nonetheless significant.

Our activities generate a lot of trash.

We fill a dumpster every week. We use hundreds of Styrofoam cups and plates every week. Our five buildings use thousands of dollars worth of electricity and heating fuel every month. Sometimes we overheat and air-condition.

We have run-off water from our parking lots, lawns and fields that pollute the local watershed. We could cut down on fertilizer. We have a lot of land in forest and wetlands (more than 60 acres).

We could plant more trees and protect the ones we already have.

I do not think we are major polluters, but we are typical Americans. And being typical Americans means we use more of the earth’s resources than most people.

It is time for us to do something to counter this.

So we put together a committee of parishioners who have a concern for the environment and real expertise. The chairman, Dr. Bob Ulanowicz, is a wellknown biologist.

We gave them a commission that includes some short-term and long-term tasks: They are to look into ways to reduce our energy consumption and thereby our carbon “footprint” (including our vehicles).

Parish Diary FATHER PETER DALY cns columnist

They are to address recycling of paper and other waste, and explore ways to avoid generating nonbiodegradable waste.

They are looking for alternatives to chemical fertilizers and ways to preserve our wetlands and forest lands.

For the long term they will recommend changes to our heating and cooling plants. We might even put in solar panels to heat water and exhaust vents to cool buildings.

We will look at ways of educating the parish to be better stewards of the environment. One suggestion we already have is to sell canvas tote bags to parishioners so we don’t have to use so many plastic bags at the store.

Why should a Catholic church do this?

Our theology tells us about our relationship to nature. While Genesis says that we should “fill the earth and subdue it,” we do not have a license to ruin it.

Each of us is just “passing through” this earth. Our true home is in the next life.

That makes us the “stewards” (temporary custodians) of the environment, not the “masters” (owners) of creation.

So we are going to try our best to go green. There are some folks who are disturbed by this, but not many. Most parishioners see the wisdom and the necessity of being better stewards.

One happy bonus of going green is that it will save some green. Just adjusting our thermostats and replacing incandescent light bulbs with cool fluorescent bulbs will save a few thousand dollars in the first year.

From now on our parish is wearing green.

‘Fanatic’ about good stewardship Recent letters to the editor about global warming and related environmental issues suggest an alarming and embarrassing degree of ignorance, as well as an inexplicable blindness towards the Christian duties of loving stewardship for all of God’s creation.

The authors of these letters would be well served to educate themselves quickly. They could attend conferences such as “Faithful Stewards of God’s Creation,” sponsored by the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace at Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville March 31.

There are many of us who are proud to be called “fanatics,” because we “fanatically” worship God our creator, the God who created all living things. And “God looked at everything he had made, and He found it very

good” (Genesis 1:31). He gave us these unbelievable gifts. He gave us the duty to care for it all. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.

— Suzanne Konopka Asheville

Write a Letter to the Editor The Catholic News & Herald asks that letters be originals of 250 words or less, pertain to recent newspaper content or Catholic issues, and be in good taste. To be considered for publication, each letter must include the name, address and daytime phone number of the writer for purpose of verification. Letters may be condensed due to space limitations and edited for clarity, style and factual accuracy.

Send letters to Letters to the Editor, The C a t h o l i c N e w s & H e r a l d , P. O . B o x 37267, Charlotte, N.C. 28237, or e-mail catholicnews@charlottediocese.org.

March 23, 2007

The Catholic News & Herald 15

Swords drawn for the Good Book Bible literacy is key to living the faith My wife Debbie is a convert to the Catholic faith. Over the years she has learned a great deal about the religion into which I was born and I have gained knowledge of the Baptist faith that nurtured her early life.

One thing I admire about many of the Baptists I’ve met is their easy fluency with the Bible. Debbie tells stories of her Sunday school classes where she participated in “sword drills” — students would hold a closed Bible between their hands, waiting for the teacher to announce a citation that would start the young students searching. The first to read the passage would win.

Obviously to be good at sword drills, you had to be familiar with the Bible.

I thought of sword drills recently when I came across an essay on Bible literacy. Most of us have Bibles in our homes, but how many know what the Pentateuch is? (It is the first five books of the Old Testament.)

In addition to being the “textbook for salvation,” the Bible is a great old work of literature that is a common reference point for the western world. The Bible is used to justify and/or condemn the death penalty, homosexuality, war and illegal immigration, to name a few of the more caustic issues of our time.

Being Bible-literate is to know the Good Book well and understand how influential it is in our lives outside of church.

Without Bible literacy, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 “I Have a Dream Speech” is simply poetic. But if you are Bible literate, you appreciate the authority of statements like, “I have a

dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low ….”

The quote, derived from the 40th chapter of Isaiah, imbues the speech with an eternal power that touches the hearts of people 44 years after it was delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

The only way to become more Bible literate is, of course, to read the Bible on a regular basis. Will listening to the Bible readings at Mass provide you with enough to make you Bible literate? Perhaps, but you need to listen carefully, because there is going to be a quiz — really.

Do you think you are Bible literate?

Try answering these 10 questions.

1. How many books can be found in the Catholic Bible?

2. Two people walked on water in the Bible. Can you name them?

3. What is the Golden Rule?

4. What is the root of all evil?

5. How many people were on Noah’s ark?

6. Who is the woman with whom David committed adultery?

7. Who is the female judge of Israel?

8. How many words are in the shortest verse of the Bible?

9. Who gave up his birthright for a bowl of stew?

10. Name the first person to see the resurrected Christ?

Answers: 1. 72 — 45 in the Old Testament, 27 in the New Testament.

2. Jesus and Peter (Matthew 14).

Catholics & the Media DAVID HAINS communications director

3. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12).

4. The love of money (1 Timothy 6:10). You got this one wrong if you simply answered “money.”

5. Eight. Noah and his wife; his three sons Shem, Ham and Japheth; and their wives (Genesis 7:13, 2 Peter 2:5).

6. Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11).

7. Deborah (Judges 4:4).

8. Two — “Jesus wept” (John 11:35).

9. Esau (Genesis 25:33).

10. Mary Magdalene (John 20:16).

How did you do? Mark yourself a sword drillin’ Bible scholar if you scored 8-10. You are a researcher if you got 5-7 correct.

Don’t be tempted to do something drastic with that sword if you got fewer than five correct. Plan instead to spend a few minutes a day with the Good Book.

You will amaze your friends and yourself as you recognize the connection between a book thousands of years old and life in the year 2007.

D a v i d H a i n s i s d i re c t o r o f communications for the Diocese of Charlotte. Contact him at dwhains@ charlottediocese.org. A podcast of this column is available at www. charlottediocese.org.

Temptation: A blessing or a curse?

Faith, courage can help see illusions through the false promises In Luke 4:1-13, the evangelist opens our minds to the understanding of the word temptation, which in the Greek language means “test.” The truth is that we experience temptations from birth to death without interruption.

Temptations involve promises and illusions. When we are tempted, we are given the promise of something that looks good to us, or something disguised as good. The devil made all kinds of promises to Jesus, if Jesus would do certain things in return. The promises were all seemingly good things (food, power, glory), but Jesus rejected them because they were not really promises — they were illusions.

Temptations come in different shapes and forms. Sometimes they involve someone quoting the Bible to you; we learn in the Gospels that the devil used this technique, but without success.

There is no doubt Satan knew Scripture well, but Jesus counteracts with the same technique by quoting the Bible and dispelling Satan’s illusions. We may not be as strong as Jesus was, and we may not know the Scriptures as Jesus did, but we are assured by God that our temptations are

never stronger than we are. They do not control us, we control them.

Temptations, in fact, may be good for testing how strong or how weak we are. We know, for instance, that temptations made good people and the saints stronger.

And all temptations have something in common — they all begin with an “if.”

When the devil tempted Jesus, he said, “If you are the son of God ....”

Children use it often: “If you think you are so fast, then ….” Salespeople use the technique frequently: “If you need a comfortable sofa, then this is the one for you.”

If we start to rationalize the “if,” then we will probably lose. So here is a simple way of handling temptations: don’t panic. The devil loves to make you fearful and insecure; he always promises happiness. He can make heaven out of hell. But again, his promises are illusions.

But we can’t blame the devil for all our temptations; we create many of our own temptations. Many times we presume that we can jump in the water and not get wet.

Guest Column CAPUCHIN FATHER JOHN C. AURILIA guest columnist

An example: A woman called the police because some teenagers were skinny-dipping in the river next to her house, so the cops came and chased the kids away. She called the police the next day, saying the teens were skinnydipping half a mile away. Again, the cops came and put a stop to it, warning to lock up the kids.

A few days later, the woman called the police again. “If I go on the roof and use my strong binoculars, I can still see the youngsters swimming in the river, miles away.”

My friends, do we use microscopes to find faults, or a big heart to love? With faith, courage and conviction, we can overcome any test.

Capuchin Father Aurilia is pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville.

Pope: Truth, not trend, must guide Christians in dialogue with others

The Pope Speaks POPE BENEDICT XVI VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Truth, and not what is “merely fashionable,” must guide Christians as they enter into dialogue with those who hold different philosophies or religious beliefs, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Creating men and women with the gift of reason, God ensured that they could recognize the truth about God, creation and life, he said March 21 during his weekly general audience.

The pope’s audience talk focused on St. Justin, the philosopher and martyr decapitated in Rome in 165 for being a Christian.

Pope Benedict explained that Justin spent his life pondering truth, particularly through Greek philosophy. His search led him to prayer, the study of the Jewish prophets and ultimately to Christianity.

He opened a school in Rome where he “initiated his students in the new religion, which he considered the true philosophy, the place where he found the truth and, therefore, the art of living justly,” said the pope.

The truth introduced to the Jews and partially explained in philosophy finds its completeness in Christ, he said.

Here is the Vatican text of Pope Benedict XVI’s remarks in English at his weekly general audience March 21.

Dear brothers and sisters, Continuing our catechesis on the fathers of the early church, we consider today St. Justin, philosopher and martyr.

St. Justin was born in Samaria, Palestine, around the year 100. During his youth he ardently sought the truth. After a meeting with an old man, who directed him to prayer and the study of the prophets, the saint converted to Christianity.

He eventually established a school in Rome where he taught the new religion; he was denounced as a Christian and decapitated in the year 165.

Of his written works, only his two apologies and his “Dialogue With Trypho” remain. These emphasize God’s project of creation and salvation, which find fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the “logos,” or word of God. Before the birth of Christ, the “logos” allowed men and women to come to know part of the truth about God and man.

The full truth, however, has been given to Christians with the incarnation of the Word of God. Our dialogue with philosophy and other religions, inspired

by St. Justin, must remain firmly rooted in truth, while always avoiding that which is merely fashionable.

March 23, 2007

living the faith

The Catholic News & Herald 16

Daughter of Charity to accompany man to execution

by MALEA HARGETT catholic news service

CNS photo by Malea Hargett, Arkansas Catholic

Sister Doris Moore displays a drawing made for her

by Vincent Gutierrez, an inmate on death row who is scheduled to be executed in Texas March 28.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Sister Doris Moore has experienced the personal side of the death penalty. While some people are against capital punishment for legal reasons, the Daughter of Charity is against the state killing inmates for personal and religious reasons.

Her friend, Vincent Gutierrez, is on death row in Texas and is scheduled to be executed March 28. Sister Moore plans to be there.

“I’ve been with him on the whole journey,” said Sister Moore, who began corresponding with Gutierrez in 1998 when he had just arrived on death

row at age 19.

After an initial letter to introduce herself, Sister Moore — then working at one of her order’s wellness centers in San Antonio — committed to driving four hours to Livingston, Texas, to visit Gutierrez at least twice a year.

The distance has become even greater in the years since. Sister Moore now works at a food pantry in Little Rock, but she has remained a consistent presence in Gutierrez’s life.

In addition to letters, she has mailed him art supplies to foster his talents, and he gave her a pen and ink drawing of praying hands that hangs in her bedroom.

She said his guilt or innocence is not

something they discuss. According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Gutierrez was sentenced to death for killing a 40-year-old Air Force captain during a carjacking in 1997.

“To this day I don’t know if he is guilty or not,” she said. “I felt my role was to just accompany him.”

Sister Moore has always been against the death penalty because it discounts redemption for the inmate.

“It’s a sign to the person who is executed that there is no hope for you; you cannot change,” she said, adding that she really believes he “has turned his life around.”

Sister Moore said she tries to help Gutierrez, who was raised Catholic, by reading Scripture and praying with him during their two-hour “minister visits.”

She told him she wanted to serve as his minister during the execution, she said.

“It’s going to be horrible, but I am on this journey with him and I will be with him until the end. With God’s help I can do it,” she said.

On Feb. 28 Sister Moore made her last visit to Gutierrez, who is now 28. She read to him about the death of Jesus from the Gospel of St. Luke.

“I chose that one because it is the one where he (Jesus) says, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,’” she said, and she tells Gutierrez, “He is our teacher and we have to learn from him. You will learn from Jesus how to die. I want you to repeat that line as you are ready to die.”

She will see Gutierrez one more time, for 30 minutes, March 27. It will be the first time the two will not be separated by glass.

In her death-row ministry, Sister Moore has relied on Daughters of Charity who have formed “a wall of prayer” for Sister Moore and Gutierrez, and some have written to Gutierrez and Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

“We have done everything we can (to save his life). It’s in God’s hands,” she said.

She is asking everyone she meets to pray for the situation, but to especially pray Psalm 27 (“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear?”)

March 28.

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