March 26, 2010

March 26, 2010

The Catholic News & Herald 1

www.charlottediocese.org

Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

Perspectives The Annunciation: The Angel’s words ‘Hail Mary’ speak loudly to us today PAGE 14

Established Jan. 12, 1972

by Pope Paul VI march 26, 2010

HEALTH CARE Legislation

Catholics greet health care votes with mix of emotions WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNS) ― As the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops quietly expressed d i s a p p o i n tm e n t , s o m e Catholic groups reacted with enthusiasm to the passage of health care reform legislation in Congress and the pending presidential executive order on taxpayer-funded abortion.

On Tuesday President Barack Obama signed into law the Patient Protection a n d A ff o r d a b l e C a r e Act, after the House of Representatives had approved it by a 219-212 vote March 21, followed by a vote of 220-211 for a package of legislative fixes which has now gone to the Senate for its approval.

The U.S. bishops called on Congress and people in the Catholic community to make sure promises are kept that the legislation will not expand abortions in the U.S. Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, president of the USCCB, See REFORM, page 16

For more

Read the U.S. bishops’ full statement at www.charlottediocese.org.

Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte

“We come to a holy place today to recommit ourselves to Jesus.”

vOLUME 19

no. 19

Sunshine, sacraments and song mark spring youth pilgrimage

– The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis, bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte

Hundreds of youth celebrate ‘Good Shepherd, Come Feed Us’ SueAnn Howell Special to The Catholic News & Herald

BELMONT ― Under a bright Carolina blue sky, surrounded by a sea of turquoise T-shirts, Our Eucharistic Lord came and dwelt among more than 400 youth gathered on the front lawn of Belmont Abbey College for the Bishop’s Lenten Youth Pilgrimage March 20.

See PILGRIMAGE, page 9

photo by SueAnn

Howell

More than 400 youth gathered on the front lawn of Belmont Abbey College for the Bishop’s Lenten Youth Pilgrimage March 20, an event culminating with the Eucharistic Procession led by Bishop Peter J. Jugis and Abbot Placid Solari.

New EC logo honors priestly vocation SueAnn Howell Special to The Catholic News & Herald CHARLOTTE ― There is a new look for the 2010 Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress.

David Hains, director of communications for the diocese, unveiled the new logo and Web site, www.goeucharist.com, this week.

“The new logo was selected by Bishop Peter J. Jugis in honor of the Year for Priests.

It reflects the 2010 Eucharistic Congress theme ‘Good Shepherd, Come Feed Us,’” Hains said Bishop Jugis explained the theme saying,

“The Good Shepherd feeds His flock on His Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. Through our priests, who share in the office of Christ the Shepherd, the Good Shepherd continues to feed His flock on his sacraments and His teaching.

The prophet Isaiah refers to God as the Shepherd of Israel, and praises God’s loving care for His people with the words: ‘Like a shepherd He feeds his flock’ (Is 40:11). These words of the prophet Isaiah are brought to fulfillment in an amazing way in Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who feeds His flock with the precious gift of Himself – His Body and Blood – in the Eucharist.”

Get more

Go to www.goeucharist.com to view more pictures from the Bishop’s Lenten Youth Pilgrimage 2010, listen to Bishop Jugis’ address to the youth, and hear an interview from the retreat with Doug Barry, co-host of EWTN’s Life on The Rock.

2010

Diocese of Charlotte

Eucharistic Congress

Good Shepherd, Come Feed Us

See CONGRESS, page 16

Around the Diocese

In Brief

Coming Next Week

Campus Ministry students mark Lent with prayer, fasting, almsgiving and service during ‘alternative spring break’

Celebrate Holy Week at the Vatican with EWTN programs

The Way of the Cross: Prepare spiritually for Easter with our special Holy Week edition featuring Belmont Abbey College’s ‘Meditations on the Stations of the Cross’

PAGE 5

PAGE 3

March 26, 2010

2 The Catholic News & Herald

InBrief

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

Pope apologizes to Irish abuse victims, urges spiritual rebuilding civil authorities. Although the pope VATICAN CITY (CNS) ― In a referenced several factors that led to letter to Irish Catholics last week, Pope acts of abuse and their mishandling by Benedict XVI personally apologized Church authorities, his main focus was to victims of priestly sexual abuse on the future. He encouraged continued and announced new steps to heal the wounds of the scandal, including a Vatican investigation and a year View the Diocese of Charlotte’s policy about of penitential reparation. The pope safe environments at charlottediocese.org/ also promised to meet privately with protectinggodschildren. victims.

“You have suffered grievously vigilance, and announced a program of and I am truly sorry. I know that prayer and penitence designed to revive nothing can undo the wrong you have trust among Irish Catholics. endured. Your trust has been betrayed The letter came in response to the and your dignity has been violated,” he disclosure last fall that Irish Church told victims in his 4,600-word letter, leaders had often protected abusive released March 20 and distributed at priests over the past 35 years. Similar Masses across Ireland March 20-21. allegations have since come to light The pope said Irish bishops had in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria made serious mistakes in responding to and Switzerland, and earlier this week abuse allegations, and he encouraged abuse cases were also reported in Brazil them to implement new Church norms and India. against abuse and cooperate with

WORLD NEWS IN BRIEF

Diocesan planner CNS photo by Tim Hunt, Northwest Indiana Catholic

Protesters hold signs during a march and rally for immigration reform March 19 in East Chicago, Ind. An estimated 100 people participated in the march and some of them went on to Washington to participate in a national immigration rally in Washington March 21.

Immigration reform advocates flock to D.C.

Audit shows decline in sexual abuse reports

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNS) ― By bus from across the country and on foot from across town, an estimated 200,000 people flocked to the National Mall March 21 to press Congress and the president – with signs, banners, T-shirts, chants and prayers – to make good on promises to fix the immigration system.

U.S. citizens, legal immigrants and some who admitted they are in the country illegally covered a six-block stretch of the Mall to make their case for reforming a system that keeps families apart, limits students’ education prospects and causes millions of people to exist “in the shadows,” because they lack legal papers.

A videotaped message of support from President Barack Obama brought a hush to the crowd, turning to cheers as he pledged “to do everything in my power to forge a bipartisan consensus this year on this important issue.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNS) ― Reported cases of child sexual abuse in U.S. dioceses and religious institutes declined between the 2008 and 2009 audits to evaluate how church institutions are complying with the U.S. bishops’ 2002 “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.” The 2009 annual report also showed that costs to dioceses and religious orders for lawsuits and other allegation-related expenses also decreased.

According to the 2009 report released by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops March 23, a total of 513 victims came forward with 513 credible allegations against 346 people who were under the authority of dioceses or religious orders. That represents a decline from 2008 in all three figures of between 33 and 36 percent. The vast majority of those allegations related to incidents dating back decades, the report said.

march 26, 2010 Volume 19 • Number 19

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

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

CHARLOTTE

CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRY, 9408 Sandburg Road — Dinner, 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday during the semester. Open to college students. For more information, contact Peg Ruble at ccmpeg@aol. com or visit the Campus Ministry Web site at www.sco.uncc.edu/catholic.

— Discussion Group, 8 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays during the semester. Open to college students.

ST. ANN CHURCH, 3635 Park Road — ProLife Mass, 9 a.m. March 27, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament immediately after Mass. For more information, contact Danielle Mathis at tmathis3@carolina.rr.com.

ST. GABRIEL CHURCH, 3016 Providence Road — Adult Day Respite Caregivers Support Group, Ministry Center room E, 10 to 11:30 a.m. the last Monday of each month. For more information, call Suzanne Bach at 704-3350253.

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

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.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: $15 per year for parishioners of the Diocese of Charlotte and $23 per year for all others. For all circulation inquiries and orders, contact Denise Onativia at 704-370-3333.

POSTMASTER: Periodicals class postage (USPC 007393) paid at Charlotte, N.C. Send address corrections to The Catholic News & Herald, P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, N.C. 28237.

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

narthex. For more information, contact Heather King at hking@stmatthewcatholic.org.

— Mass in Polish, 3 p.m. March 28. For more information, call Elizabeth Spytkowski at 704948-1678.

— Welcome Home for Returning Catholics, support and friendship to guide the returning individual to full communion with the Body of Christ, ministry tailored to meet individual needs and schedules. For more information, contact Deacon Jim Hamrlik at 704-543-7677 or jhmrlik@ stmatthecatholic.org, or Julie Jahn at 704-5609202 or urblessed@carolina.rr.com.

— Support Group: Coping with Economic Stress. If you would be interested in joining with others traveling this difficult journey, sharing experiences, identifying resources, and finding healthy ways to weather the storm, call the parish office at 704-543-7677.

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.

— Chrism Mass, 10 a.m. March 30.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS, 1400 Suther Road — Support for Unemployed, Aquinas Hall, 10 a.m.

Mondays. For more information, contact Brother Doug Soik at dsoik@stacharlotte.com.

— Pro-Life Rosary, Chapel, 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, followed by Mass at 7 p.m.

— Charismatic Prayer Group, Chapel, following 7 p.m. Mass Wednesdays.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, 6828 Old Reid Road — Catholics Returning Home, Faith Formation Center, 7:30 to 9 p.m. six-week program starting April 12. Program is an outreach for non-practicing Catholics. To register, call 704554-7088.

GREENSBORO

ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE CHURCH, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road

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 26, 2010

The Catholic News & Herald 3

Pope earmarks Holy Thursday collection for rebuilding Haiti’s seminary

Celebrate Holy Week at the Vatican with EWTN Irondale, Ala. – EWTN Global Catholic Network will cover all aspects of Holy Week at the Vatican. Highlights include:

― “Chrism Mass with Pope Benedict XVI”: Live from the Vatican Basilica in Rome. Airs 3:30 a.m. EDT Thursday, April 1. ― “Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper with Pope Benedict XVI”: Live from The Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome. Airs 11:30 a.m. EDT Thursday, April 1. ― “Celebration of the Lord’s Passion with Pope Benedict XVI”: Live from the Vatican Basilica. Airs 11 a.m. EDT Friday, April 2. ― “Way of the Cross with Pope Benedict XVI”: Live from The Colosseum in Rome. Airs 8 p.m. EDT Friday, April 2. ― “Easter Vigil Mass with Pope Benedict XVI”: Live from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Airs 3 p.m. EDT Saturday, April 3. ― “Solemn Mass of Easter Sunday with Pope Benedict XVI”: Live from St. Peter’s Square. Airs 4:30 a.m. EDT Sunday, April 4. ― “‘Urbi Et Orbi’ Message and Blessing”: The Holy Father gives the traditional Easter message and blessing “to the city of Rome and to the world” live from St. Peter’s Square. Airs 6 a.m. EDT Sunday, April 4.

For more information about EWTN’s Holy Week programming, visit www.ewtn.com.

Vatican announces Pope’s Holy Week schedule VATICAN CITY (CNS) ― Pope Benedict XVI has decided the collection taken up at his Holy Thursday evening Mass will be used to help rebuild Haiti’s major seminary in Port-au-Prince. The seminary was reduced to rubble by the magnitude 7 quake that struck Jan. 12.

Each year the pope chooses where to send the collection taken up during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome.

Pope Benedict’s decision to use the collection from the Mass April 1 to support the rebuilding effort of the Catholic Church in Haiti was announced by the Vatican March 22.

Jim Cavnar, president of Cross International Catholic Outreach, which has been supporting Church programs in Haiti for years and is responding to the postquake needs of Haiti, was meeting with Vatican officials when the announcement was made.

“The Haitians have always been very religious, even

— A New Earth/Eckhart Tolle Study Group, Monday evenings beginning March 15. For more information, contact Kevin Haggerty at 336-6160668 or khaggerty@triad.rr.com.

— Men’s Early Morning Bible Study Group, parish library, 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays beginning March 23. For more information, contact gmagrinat@pol.net or jmalmsie@aol. com.

— Wild and Wooly Knitters invite you to knit and crochet, room L, 10 a.m. to noon April 6, making baby caps for newborns at hospital, and hats and scarves for parish outreach programs.

— Calling All Seniors! Earl Lewis Center, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursdays. Parish nurses will offer blood pressure screenings, chair exercises, educational discussions, and a walking program. Wear comfortable clothing.

call Jan Hitch at 336-884-5097 or the parish office at 336-869-7739.

HENDERSONVILLE

SACRED HEART CHURCH, 375 Lumen Christi Lane — Day of Reflection, following 8 a.m. Mass March 27, Father Matthew Buettner will speak about “Liturgy and Life.” This event is rescheduled from March 20.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, 208 Seventh Ave. West — Widows Support Group, room 2, 10 a.m. third Tuesday of each month. For more information, call Jane Lombardo at 828693-9014. For widowers interested in an informal gathering of men who have suffered the loss of a loved one, call Greg Savold at 828-702-0129 or Bob Grady at 828-697-2900.

HICKORY

ST. ALOYSIUS, 921 Second St. N.E. — Ancient Order of Hibernians Informational Meeting, Holy Family Hall, 6:30 p.m. March 27. Open to men aged 16 and older of Irish birth or descent. For more information, contact Joe Dougherty at 704-942-6345 or uniteire@yahoo. com.

— Charismatic Mass in Spanish, Sebastian Chapel, 7 p.m. April 8. For more information, call Joan Moran at 828-994-0880.

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,

Episcopal

HUNTERSVILLE

ST. MARK CHURCH, 14740 Stumptown Road — The Networking Event, Parish Hall, 7 to 9 p.m. April 6, opportunity to share your interests with people in similar situations, bring business cards and resumes. RSVP to workinghands@ stmarknc.org.

KERNERSVILLE

HOLY CROSS CHURCH, 616 South Cherry St. — Seven Last Words of Christ, 1 to 3 p.m. April 2, Series of meditations on the seven last words of Christ. Father Paul Dechant, Deacon Gene and Deacon Tim will lead this bilingual service.

SALISBURY

SYLVA

ST. MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, 22 Bartlett St. — Bereavement Support Group, living room area of church conference center, Wednesdays during Lent 6 to 7:30 p.m.

WINSTON-SALEM

HOLY FAMILY CHURCH, 4820 Kinnamon Road — Eucharistic Adoration, Curlin Center, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. every Thursday.

— English as a Second Language, Family Center, 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, for ages 18 and over, basic and advanced classes available.

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.

calendar

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

March 30 Chrism Mass, 10 a.m.

St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

April 9 – 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. Paul the Apostle Church, Greensboro

April 7 – 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. James the Greater Church, Hamlet

April 11 – 12:15 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation Our Lady of the Annunciation Church, Albemarle

though they are very poor, and their faith has remained remarkably strong in the face of such tragedy,” Cavnar said after meeting with Cardinal Paul Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum.

Cavnar, who visited Haiti in February, said, “The Church in Haiti was hit very hard” by the earthquake, which killed dozens of Church workers and severely damaged churches, schools, hospitals and seminaries.

Still, he said, even the day after the quake, walking through the streets of the city, one would come across groups of people praying and singing hymns.

Cor Unum coordinates and encourages Catholic charitable giving, but it also is responsible for distributing funds in the name of the pope and for identifying Catholic projects that need special help.

In announcing the pope’s decision to use the Holy Thursday collection for Haiti, the Vatican also published the pope’s Holy Week schedule (refer to listing to the left).

DIOCESAN NEWS IN BRIEF

Belmont Abbey College’s Lenten Meditations to be featured in print and on TV, radio BELMONT ― To mark Holy Week and our journey toward Easter, The Catholic News & Herald will showcase in its April 2 edition “Meditations on the Stations of the Cross,” written

by Belmont Abbey College theology professor Dr. Ronald Thomas and featuring the 114-year-old, hand-crafted Stations that grace the nave of the abbey basilica.

In addition, a new 28-minute audio recording of “Meditations on the Stations of the Cross,” recorded in the abbey basilica by the author and several Belmont Abbey students, will be aired on EWTN’s worldwide radio network during Holy Week: EWTN’s Holy Week schedule for airing Dr. Thomas’ meditations is: ― Monday, March 29: 9 p.m.

― Tuesday, March 30: 9 p.m. ― Wednesday, March 31: 10 p.m. ― Good Friday, April 2: 3 p.m.

Two regional Catholic radio stations are also airing the 28-minute “Meditations.”

Their schedules are: ― Radio Maria: 8 a.m. daily during Lent ― Guadalupe Radio: 4:30 a.m. daily during Lent The 28-minute radio program, “Meditations on the Stations of the Cross,” is produced and distributed by the Kennedy Brownrigg Group, which also produces and distributes the “The One-Minute Monk” radio program.

To order a CD copy of “Meditations on the Stations of the Cross,” plus the companion booklet, go to www. belmontabbeycollege.edu/stations/ stations.aspx.

Easter holiday coverage, CN&H office closing CHARLOTTE ― The Diocese of Charlotte Pastoral Center and the office of The Catholic News & Herald will be closed Friday, April 2, through Monday, April 5, for Easter. Offices will reopen Tuesday, April 6.

Readers, please note The Catholic News & Herald will not publish Friday, April 9. Look for our special Holy Week coverage in the April 2 edition, and Easter coverage in the April 16 edition.

If you have an idea for our Easter coverage, please send an e-mail to Editor Patricia Guilfoyle plguilfoyle@ charlottediocese.org. Put “Easter Coverage” in the subject line.

We welcome your parish’s news.

E-mail items to Editor Patricia Guilfoyle at plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org.

4 The Catholic News & Herald

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Prayers, support offered during vigil for families facing Down syndrome prenatal diagnosis

March 26, 2010

Renovations at St. Leo the Great

to term following a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.

“We hope that one outcome of the prayer vigil is that we increase awareness regarding the availability of support for parents given a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome,” Pettler said.

The vigil concluded with a candlelighting ceremony in the darkened garden. Fifteen people were asked to come forward and their candles were lit first. A hush fell when Pettler noted those 15 lit candles reflected the 10 percent of babies carried to term following a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.

Tracy Winsor Special to The Catholic News & Herald

CHARLOTTE ― Families marked World Down Syndrome Day last week with an emotional evening candlelight prayer service in the prayer garden at St. Gabriel Church March 19.

A group of mothers whose young children have Down syndrome organized the ecumenical service, where about 150 people gathered to pray and learn.

“We felt we had to do something to address the 90 percent abortion rate associated with the prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome,” said Kristin Pettler, a parishioner at St. Resources Matthew Church in Charlotte and ― Be Not Afraid: Sandy Buck, 704-948-4587, a founding member of the support benotafraidnc@live.com group Designer Genes, which ― Designer Genes: Kristin Pettler, 704-242-1641 ― The National Adoption Awareness Program, planned the vigil.

“This is a message that we Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati: want to take to our communities of www.dsagc.com/programs_adoption.asp faith,” added Stacey Cunningham, another co-founder of Designer “We would like to let the world see Genes. “God sees the worth and value how bright it could be if all of God’s of every human life and the fact that as children with Down syndrome were many as 9 out of 10 babies are aborted allowed to walk among us,” Pettler said. following a prenatal diagnosis of Down Then the light was passed to everyone, syndrome is silent eugenics.” and the light in the garden increased Designer Genes was founded four ten-fold. years ago by Pettler and Cunningham “Tonight all of us represent a person along with Nancy Plascyk and Beth with Down syndrome. Look around and Beard. The group provides support to remember the few flames we started parents of children with Down syndrome with. See the difference we can make. and other special needs. Last year, they God needs you to carry His light into the joined with Be Not Afraid, a ministry darkness, to welcome all of us children,” sponsored by St. Mark Church in she said.

Huntersville, to support parents carrying

Seeking healing and forgiveness after an abortion?

Experience God’s love and compassion once again –

Upcoming Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat - (open to both men and women) ASHEVILLE AREA: APRIL 23-25 704-370-3229 or mnadol@charlottediocese.org You may also want to visit Rachel’s Vineyard Web site at www.rachelsvineyard.org.

Respect Life Program Family Life Office Catholic Social Services Diocese of Charlotte

photo provided by

Donna Birkel

St. Leo the Great Church in Winston-Salem recently completed five weeks of extensive renovations. Wood doors and pews were stripped and restained; all of the flooring was replaced with new carpet, tile and wood; the original terrazzo tile floor in the sanctuary was uncovered and restored; and additional inlaid wood flooring was installed at the altar steps. Masses were held again in the church March 13. Pictured above, fifth-graders from St. Leo School helped out with the final efforts, sprucing up the area when the renovations were finished and returning all of the missalettes and hymnals to the pews. For a slideshow of the church’s renovation progress, check out www.st-leothegreatw-s.org/SlideShow/ Church%20Renovations/index.html.

March 26, 2010

around the diocese

Catholic college students go on ‘alternative spring break’

Prayer, fasting and almsgiving mark Lent on campuses

Julie McElmurry Special to The Catholic News & Herald

Matthew Newsome Special to The Catholic News & Herald

MURPHY ― College students from across the Diocese of Charlotte skipped the typical spring break trip in favor of Catholic Campus Ministry’s “Alternative Spring Break,” giving their time and energy for manual labor in the service of others.

Students and campus ministers from Wake Forest University, Appalachian State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro traveled together to Murphy to share their time and talents with those in need.

They began the week with members of Murphy’s St. William Parish Men’s Group, installing laminate wood flooring in their future religious education building. They spent most of three days on their hands and knees hammering wood flooring, grouting tile and refinishing an old set of cabinets.

They also worked with First Methodist Church in Hayesville, using tools provided by the Duke Endowment through a “Thriving Rural Communities” grant, to remove layers of worn out carpet and linoleum from a single-wide trailer which will become home to a man with disabilities.

CULLOWHEE ― Lent is a time for almsgiving, prayer and fasting, and Catholic students in colleges across the Diocese of Charlotte are participating in many ways.

The diocese has an active campus ministry, supported through the Diocesan Support Appeal, which serves students, faculty and staff at 16 institutions, both public and private.

On March 30, the grotto of the Highsmith Student Union at UNCAsheville will be transformed into a public place of prayer as students from four Christian denominations join together to present the Living Stations of the Cross. Students involved in UNCA’s Catholic campus ministry have spearheaded the effort.

“Performing the Scriptural Stations of the Cross ecumenically on campus is a dream come true for me,” says Gloria Schweizer, Asheville area campus minister.

Molly Sanford, a UNCA sophomore, is one of 28 students who will present the stations through tableau scenes, prayer, Scripture and music.

“The Stations of the Cross are very meaningful to me personally, so to be able to share this Lenten devotion with my non-Catholic friends is

photo provided by Julie

The Catholic News & Herald 5

McElmurry

Jose Cor tes Guzman, an exchange student from Mexico studying at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, assembles a laminate floor during the diocesan Campus Ministrys’ “Alternative Spring Break” in Murphy.

The organizer for the week was Claudie Burchfield, director of Murphy’s Office for Economic Opportunity. Collaboration made this trip possible as many people came together to work for the good, providing the group with meals, tools, instruction and direction.

Julie McElmurry is diocesan campus minister for Wake Forest University and Salem College.

amazing,” Sanford says.

Meanwhile, campus minister Julie McElmurry is leading students from Wake Forest and Salem College in a food-drive effort, by assisting Our Lady of Mercy Church in its “Provide an Easter Dinner” program.

Students at UNC-Charlotte, under the guidance of campus minister Peg Ruble, are volunteering with the Urban Ministry Center, an interfaith agency serving the poor and homeless. Students involved at Thea House, a ministry serving Bennett College and N.C. A&T State University, are sponsored a yard sale March 20 to raise money for Catholic Relief Service’s Haiti relief.

Campus minister Alberta Hairston says, “In the tradition of Sister Thea Bowman, we are trying to do our ‘little bit.’”

UNCC students are also fasting, Ruble adds. “We have discussed various forms of fasting, including from things other than food.”

It is about building the discipline of self-denial, she says.

College students are also participating in CRS’s Operation Rice Bowl. This annual Lenten fundraising effort helps CRS provide essential services and it raises awareness and solidarity for the poor around the world.

Matthew Newsome is the diocesan campus minister at Western Carolina University.

6 The Catholic News & Herald

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Receiving devotional scapulars

March 26, 2010

Easter collection planned to help fund seminarian, priest education SueAnn Howell Special to The Catholic News & Herald CHARLOTTE ― On Easter Sunday, April 4, the annual second collection to raise money for seminarian education and continuing education for diocesan priests will be taken up in all churches in the Diocese of Charlotte.

The diocese hopes to raise the critical funds necessary for the education, housing and training of its seminarians and ongoing education for priests.

The diocese has 16 seminarians in three seminaries throughout the northeast and one seminarian in Rome.

Four seminarians, presently transitional deacons, will be ordained June 5 at St. Mark Church in Huntersville. They include: Rev. Mr. John Eckert and Rev. Mr. Lucas Rossi, both at Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio; Rev. Mr. David Miller at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa.; and Rev. Mr. Gabriel

Carvajal-Salazar at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte.

“The formation of priests for a long time has been of concern to the Church.

There is a great need for well-educated, holy men. In order for the diocese to educate us, we need to raise the funds necessary,” said Deacon David Miller.

“I am keenly aware of the fact that the people of the Diocese of Charlotte have graciously given to this fund so that I have been able to receive an intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral education. I am very grateful,” he added.

The second collection is also used to fund the continuing education of diocesan priests. Seminars, workshops, programs on theology and pastoral practices, as well as graduate studies, are all funded by the annual collection.

“Since 1998, there have been 37 priests ordained in the Diocese of Charlotte who have directly benefitted by this collection,” said diocesan Director of Development Jim Kelley, whose office oversees diocesan collections.

Workshop discusses barriers to faith photo courtesy of

Bob Miles

Father Peter L. Fitzgibbons of Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Albemarle recently revived a Church tradition for scapular devotion, for the benefit of the parish’s First Communion class. Small scapulars (from the Latin scapula, for shoulder) are rectangular patches of cloth featuring religious images that are worn around the neck as signs of devotion. The sacramental evolved from the monastic habits worn by monks and nuns. First Communicants received devotional scapulars from Father Fitzgibbons during Mass March 14.

Prayer uplifts Immaculata school’s staff and parish Joanita Nellenbach Special to The Catholic News & Herald HENDERSONVILLE ― Teacher Maria Ashbrook of Immaculata School believes in the power of prayer.

For the past few years Ashbrook, who teaches religion and Spanish, has united eighth-grade students with prayer partners as they begin their final year at Immaculata. Hoping to extend this popular program throughout the school, this year she initiated a second prayer partner program.

Relying on the structure of the original prayer partner program, Ashbrook instituted a “Spiritual Sponsor for School Personnel Program.” Teachers, administrators and other school staff were held in prayer every day as they worked to manage their jobs and lives, knowing that someone in the community was praying for them. Each participant was paired with a member of the parish who stayed in touch through letters, cards and daily prayers for the employee, providing a sense of

communion between the workers and the parishioners as spiritual partners.

“This is a demonstration and manifestation of the power of prayer,” Ashbrook said. “Some of our teachers are facing issues with ailing parents, and to find the strength to go through this, it provided a continuous strength.”

Recently the school hosted a tea in the auditorium for all of its prayer sponsors and employees, and it was the first time the prayer participants had met each other.

“It was a joyful event,” Ashbrook said, that brought together people as friends in Christ.

Knowing someone was praying for them as they went through their daily lives provided strength during some difficult times for the employees, Ashbrook said. As they dealt with family illnesses, crises, or simply everyday events, the staff at Immaculata relied on the prayers that helped provide strength to face obstacles and problems, secure in the knowledge they were not alone spiritually.

The prayer program will be continued next school year, Ashbrook said.

Janneke Pieters Special to The Catholic News & Herald HENDERSONVILLE ― Incorporating persons with disabilities into a church community was a highlight of an adult faith formation and catechist workshop (offered in English and Spanish) at Immaculate Conception Church March 13.

“I want to learn all I can and be part of as many groups as possible,” said Michael Nash, a recent Catholic convert and parishioner at St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville who attended the workshop. “We are brothers and sisters, and we all have dignity in Christ.”

Jan Clemens, volunteer coordinator of the SPRED program at St. Matthew parish in Charlotte, was the morning keynote speaker on “Barriers to Catechesis and Sacramental Access for Persons with Developmental Disabilities – Real or Perceived.” SPRED, or Special Religious Development (www. spred.org), is a catechetical program for persons with developmental disabilities developed by the Archdiocese of Chicago. It is a small group ministry (6-8 participants), led by a speciallytrained catechist and catechist helpers, that is designed to remove barriers so that disabled people can participate more fully in the liturgy.

People with disabilities, Clemens said, need others to recognize and preserve their dignity as being made in God’s image. The disability is part of who they are; it is not who they are, she emphasized.

Clemens, who has worked with the special needs population for 10 years, led the group in a brainstorming exercise to identify the barriers to inclusion in parish life. Participants suggested a lack

of funding, resources and materials in the parish or diocese; a general lack of awareness and compassion on the part of the community; a lack of training and confidence on the part of catechists; and disabled people’s fears of disrupting Mass or not being welcomed.

Clemens shared the story of the mother of a 9-year old autistic girl named Megan. In a video testimony, the mother shared her experiences of frustration and isolation when she brought Megan to Mass with the family.

The family had decided to leave the parish when her pastor told her about SPRED. The family stayed in the parish, and Megan is now learning and growing in her faith.

Workshop participant Marian Congdon, resource teacher at Immaculata School and parent of a child with a disability, said she related to Megan’s mother’s experience.

Congdon cited two new non-profit programs affiliated with Immaculata School: the Autism Center and St. Gerard House. Both will provide professional resources for families of children with disabilities, including the services of a speech-language pathologist and an occupational therapist.

“It’s exciting that all this is going on at the same time,” Congdon said.

“SPRED can dovetail nicely with these programs.”

The goal of SPRED is for each participant to “be a full, participating member of the Catholic Church, to have that relationship with Our Lord and to receive His many graces,” Clemens said.

“It can bring out the nurturing side of people” when persons with special needs are actively included, said participant Bob Stosich, parishioner at St. Lawrence Basilica. After all, he said, “we’re all really on different journeys in our faith.”

March 26, 2010

AROUND THE DIOCESE

The Catholic News & Herald 7

Finding the spirit on retreat Special volunteers for the special needs community at conference center

photo provided by Kate

Confirmation candidates at Holy Spirit Church in Denver enjoyed an overnight retreat at the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory Feb. 27-28, an annual tradition for the church’s faith formation program.

Twenty-nine confirmation candidates spent the weekend learning about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and reflecting on where those gifts are found in today’s world. Speakers helped students connect the presence of the Holy Spirit in their own lives, and small group activities built strong bonds among classmates.

photo provided by

D’Amato

Brian Sternecker

The volunteer team behind the Forsyth County LAMB Foundation recently held its annual community dinner in Clemmons. Councils 2829, 9499, 10504 and 8509 invited all local LAMB (Least Amongst My Brothers) agencies to a free dinner and an evening of celebration. More than 150 people attended from about 29 agencies, and $26,990 was given out to the special needs community. Over the past six years, more than $250,000 has been distributed, thanks to the successes of fundraisers such as the Tootsie Roll giveaways, a golf tournament, a Valentine dinner dance, and an annual charity dinner and auction.

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photo provided by Jason

Murphy

The Knights of Columbus Council 770 teamed up with Kappa Sigma Fraternity members from Johnson & Wales University to host pancake breakfasts at St. Patrick School’s cafeteria Feb. 7 and March 21. The menu included blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes, homemade grits and even a live violinist. More than $1,000 was raised to support Knights charities. Pictured are St. Patrick’s pastor Father Christopher Roux, Grand Knight Jason Murphy, Advocate Tom Mathis, fraternity representatives, and a hungry observer.

8 The Catholic News & Herald

FROM THE COVER

March 26, 2010

Hundreds of y ‘Good Shepherd

Youth from around the diocese participate in the Bishop’s Lenten Youth Pilgrimage 2010, sponsored by Bishop Peter J. Jugis as a warmup to the Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress to be held Sept.

10-11. Belmont Abbey College hosted the daylong event on what turned out to be the perfect beginning of spring.

March 26, 2010

FROM THE COVER

youth celebrate d, Come Feed Us’

PILGRIMAGE, from page 1

The middle school and high school youth loaded into buses, vans, cars and SUVs that morning, arriving with their youth ministers and adult chaperones by 10 a.m. to begin their pilgrimage.

Our Eucharistic Lord came to meet them in a sparkling gold monstrance, carried in the hands of Bishop Peter J. Jugis.

“Jesus says in the Gospel, ‘I am the Good Shepherd.’ He is going to shepherd His people and lay His life down for them. That is the sign of His love for us,” Bishop Jugis said as he addressed the youth during Adoration.

Another sign of His love was the gift of a picture-perfect day, the first day of spring.

The birds chirped. A gentle breeze blew the bright blue “Jesus Forgives” flags planted in the grass. And every now and then a soft cloud passed overhead.

Preparation and prayer were necessary, too, to ensure the day was as faith-filled as it was beautiful.

Belmont Abbey College students began working diligently to organize the retreat last August. They handled every detail – the schedule of events, booking motivational Catholic speakers and musicians, setting up the stage, creating the outdoor altar, organizing the small group talks and inviting religious sisters and brothers to host vocations tables.

The monks at Belmont Abbey Monastery also offered their prayers for a meaningful encounter with Christ for all those who would make the pilgrimage.

Belmont Abbey College seniors Adam Trufant and Chris Ragusa, were the cochairs of the retreat and worked tirelessly all day. Adam even sang throughout the day, helping to provide much of the music. They also cultivated and directed a small army of enthusiastic volunteers.

So what has been their motivation?

“The thought that if even one young person looks up and says, ‘Wow, Christ is really here and He loves me so intimately, every moment of every day.

He wants to lead me and guide me and be in conversation with me in prayer. ‘That even one of them can walk away with the realization of the reality of Jesus Christ in their lives … that’s enough to work for a thousand years for this,” Trufant said.

Father Roger Arnsparger, chair of the steering committee for the 2010 Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress and diocesan vicar of education, was impressed with their hard work.

“The Belmont Abbey students have done a very fine job organizing the event.

We thank Bishop Jugis, Abbot Placid (Solari), the monks of Belmont Abbey and Dr. William Thierfelder for this great ecclesial event,” Father Arnsparger said.

Anthony Rivera, a high school teen from St. Mark Church in Huntersville, said, “I hope to learn more about my faith. I think my soul needs this. I just want to get closer to God. That’s why I’m here.”

Billy Griffith, youth minister at St. Aloysius Church in Hickory, brought 12

The Catholic News & Herald 9

teens to the retreat.

“I hope my youth bring back a renewed spirit of zeal and the reality that the spiritual world is a part of our reality, and that we need to always be aware of Our Lord and keep striving toward Him,” Griffith said.

Brother Gabriel Lewis, a seminarian with the Legionaries of Christ in Atlanta, encouraged the teens: “Find time to be quiet during the day, during the week.

When you get up say, ‘Lord, this day is for you. I don’t know what’s going to happen today but I put it in your hands.’”

Other speakers included Trish Metgzer from F.O.C.U.S. (Fellowship of Catholic University Students), who spoke to the high school girls about John Paul II’s Theology of The Body. Brad Doyle, a visiting seminarian, spoke to the middle school students about the dignity of the human person and proper social behaviors to live according to the faith.

Doug Barry, co-host of EWTN’s Life on the Rock, was the keynote speaker.

He shared his impassioned witness to the Catholic faith, urging the teens to engage fully in their faith, armed by the power of God. He also spoke to the high school boys candidly about what it means to be a faithful man in a fallen world, protecting and defending their faith and the women who are part of their lives.

Got spring?

Bishop Jugis dons “Got Monks?” ball cap at the Lenten youth pilgimage

“The hope is that the youth will take away from this an opportunity to reorder their lives … they will be reinvigorated, rejuvenated, and that all of us will grow a step deeper in our conversion,” Barry said.

Live music by Brother,Brother, Covenant 7 and Brother Gabriel Lewis, L.C., created a relaxed and prayerful atmosphere during the talks, Mass and Adoration. Praise and worship music as well as some other upbeat songs during the breaks gave the teens an opportunity to dance and sing throughout the day.

Thierfelder, president of the college, shared these sentiments: “Hopefully people feel they have been welcomed like Christ because that is what we try to do. My hope is that every year it will continue to increase in size and more people from around the state will come together.”

The retreat culminated with Adoration, an address by Bishop Jugis and a candlelit Eucharistic Procession around the campus directed by Abbot Placid of the monastery.

“It is a blessing for us to have this event here,” Abbot Placid said.

As everyone packed up to leave, a spectacular sunset bid goodbye to the pilgrims – God’s final blessing on a beautiful blessed day.

10 The Catholic News & Herald

SCHOOL NEWS IN BRIEF

Diocesan schools get accreditation nod CHARLOTTE ― The Diocese of Charlotte’s Catholic schools are being recommended for district-wide accreditation through AdvancEd/ Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, following a site visit from accreditation representatives March 14-17 (see the March 12 edition of The Catholic News & Herald).

The AdvancEd/SACS team is recommending the school system as an ‘exemplary program,” diocesan superintendent Linda Cherry noted in an e-mail last week following the team’s departure. AdvancEd will review the recommendation in June, and once the final accreditation is officially awarded, the full report will be posted on the diocese Web site, she added.

Celebrating St. Pat’s Day Schools across the diocese celebrated St. Patrick’s Day last week in style.

Besides the flight of “Kinder Air” at Our Lady of Mercy in Winston-Salem (see photo, at right), students at St. Ann School in Charlotte and Sacred Heart School in Salisbury learned more about the life of St. Patrick and his teaching of the Holy Trinity using shamrocks.

At St. Ann School, “St. Patrick” visited the school and told students how he explained the Trinity, how God is one God in three Persons. He held up a shamrock and challenged his audience, “Is it one leaf or three?” “It is both one leaf and three,” was the reply. “And so it is with God,” he said.

Seminarian Paul McNulty, depicting St. Patrick, visited kindergarten through second-grade classes at Sacred Heart School also to explain the Trinity and tell stories from the saint’s life. ― Submitted by Lisa B. Horton of St. Ann School and Nanette Dillon of Sacred Heart School

BMHS has two reasons to cheer KERNERSVILLE ― Bishop McGuinness High School’s girl’s basketball team won the State 1A Division Basketball Tournament on March 13.

Also, BMHS students Aidan Ganzert and Dominique Preudhomme have

March 26, 2010

IN OUR SCHOOLS been named N.C. Junior Elon Scholars.

Students selected must have an “A” average and a combined critical reading, math, and writing SAT score of 1,870 or higher. In addition, those selected must demonstrate achievement in an academic area of interest, leadership, community service, international or intercultural experiences, the arts, athletics, or entrepreneurial endeavors. ― Submitted by Jeff Stoller

OLM students fly ‘Kinder Air’

CCHS Band named grand champion at music festival CHARLOTTE ― The CCHS Marching and Concert Bands performed in Florida last weekend as part of the All-Star Music Festival. As a result of the total scores, the CCHS Band was recognized as the “Grand Champion” with the highest overall score of all band participants. The Concert Band also performed literature in the Grade VI class, the highest class of music difficulty.

The band is next slated to perform for assessment this week at Shelby High School as part of the annual N.C. State Band Association Festival Program. ― Courtesy of Stan Michalski

Salisbury mayor joins Sacred Heart to celebrate SALISBURY ― Mayor Susan Kluttz attended the kickoff for Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 31- Feb. 5) at Sacred Heart School and issued a proclamation marking the week.

Pictured right with Kluttz at the reading of the proclamation is Student Body President Bobby Cardelle. ― Submitted by Nanette Dillon We welcome your school’s news.

E-mail items to Editor Patricia Guilfoyle at plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org.

photo provided by

Margaret Dickson

Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students at Our Lady of Mercy School in Winston-Salem “flew” to Ireland on “Kinder Air” for St. Patrick’s Day, in what has become an annual tradition for the school. Their classrooms were transformed into Kinder Air Airlines (pictured above) complete with clouds made from dry ice. Teachers and parents, dressed as the flight crew, passed out snacks and drinks while the students watched an in-flight movie. Once they “landed” in Ireland, the students were greeted by a leprechaun and crossed a drawbridge into Ireland. There they were treated to a tour of the country and learned more about St. Patrick’s Day, met St. Patrick (as performed by one of their dads), kissed the Blarney Stone, learned to do an Irish jig, made rainbows, and searched for leprechauns and pots of gold.

Sacred Heart School takes ‘Leap of Faith’ When Sacred Heart School’s campus was completed in August, “academic” necessities had to come first. But thanks to the determination of an organized mom fueled by the pleas of a few dozen small children, the “fitness” (that is, fun) necessities were not far behind.

On March 5, students and parents, teachers, donors and volunteers celebrated along with Father John Putnam during a ribbon-cutting at the school’s new playground. Mom Michelle Jones and school grants director Frances Rash headed the effort to fund, design and build the playground, and help was enlisted from residents and businesses across Rowan County.

Guests during the “Leap of Faith”- themed dedication event enjoyed treat bags filled with chocolate frogs, inspirational tokens, and frog-embellished thank you cards made by the children who enjoy the playground each day. photo provided by

Nanette Dillon

March 26, 2010

IN OUR SCHOOLS

Outreach at SLS

The Catholic News & Herald 11

OLG celebrates history, books

photo provided by

Donna Birkel

St. Leo School students have weekly collections of food, which they bring up with the Offertory during their school Mass each Friday, to benefit the needy and for other projects. Students collect items at both Easter and Christmas. For their Easter outreach items, they were given a certificate of appreciation from Catholic Social Services for their ongoing collections of food, clothing and more.

Pictured are students Eduardo Ramirez, Stefano Alessio and Angelina Pierre.

photo provided by Gary Gelo

Retired Brigadier General Ted Crichton recently visited Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro, sharing stories about his service during World War II. As part of the school’s month-long “One School – One Author” project, every class read books by one author, Laura M. Elliott. Middle-school students read Elliott’s book “Under a War-Torn Sky.” Pictured with Crichton are (from left) sixth-graders Cammie Holland, Will Cunane, Carl Klier, Fitz Flood and Kate Revels. Laura M. Elliott, also known as LM Elliott, is the author of a series of picture books for children and a number of award-winning young adult novels. She is a graduate of Wake Forest University and the University of North Carolina, and she will visit the school on March 30. “One School – One Author” is sponsored by the school’s PTO.

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24th ANNUAL

SPRING FLING FOR SENIORS!

sponsored by CSS Elder Ministry Are you ready for a day filled with

FUN! EXCITEMENT! FELLOWSHIP! LAUGHTER! Look no further …

Two dates and locations to choose from!

Tuesday, April 20 — St. Matthew Catholic Church, Charlotte 9:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Closing Mass with Msgr. John McSweeney Deadline for Registration: Wednesday, April 7th

Tuesday, May 11 — Catholic Conference Center, Hickory 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Closing Mass with Father Conrad Hoover Deadline for Registration: Tuesday, April 27th

Your day will be filled with home repair tips, reverse mortgage info, bingo, yoga, healing touch, wellness activities, computer class, crafts, door prizes, Mass and so much more!

Cost is $14 per person – includes lunch. Please make checks payable to Catholic Social Services.

You may register as a group or individually by sending your check and the name of your parish to: Catholic Social Services, 1123 S. Church Street Charlotte, NC 28203-4003; Attention: Sandra Breakfield.

For Additional Information: Contact Sandra Breakfield @ 704-370-3220 or Sherill Beason @ 704-370-3228.

photo provided by Valerie Exar

Asheville Catholic School recently held its 2009-2010 National Geographic Geography Bee. The following students represented their classes: (Grade 8) Will Cole and Neal Exar, (Grade 7) Hayden Gould and Orlando Nieves-Lugo, (Grade 6) Patrick Ende and Sarah Michalets, (Grade 5) Tesa Aguilar and Mitchell Frisch, and (Grade 4) Ben Greever and McKenna Sivore. The school winner was Neal Exar, and the runner-up was Hayden Gould.

March 26, 2010

12 The Catholic News & Herald

Culture Watch

A roundup of Scripture, readings, films and more

Easter-season special about Shroud of Turin set for TV John Mulderig Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) ― In 1988, a team of scientists who had conducted carbon-dating tests on a portion of the Shroud of Turin – one of the most significant of Christianity’s relics since it has been revered for centuries as the burial cloth of Jesus – announced that the shroud dated to no earlier than 1260, marking it as a medieval forgery.

Yet, as “The Real Face of Jesus?” – a timely and intriguing Easter-season special premiering on cable’s History Channel Tuesday, March 30, 9-11 p.m. EDT – reveals, many scientific mysteries about this badly damaged 14-foot-long cloth, and the faint image of a tortured corpse imprinted on it, endure. The program follows the painstaking efforts of computer graphics artist Ray Downing and a circle of his associates to extract a 3-D portrait of the man of the shroud – and therefore, perhaps, of Jesus Himself – from the blurry, bloodstained original.

The story of their work serves as a springboard to explore the history – both documented and speculative – of this unique piece of fabric, and to examine the many questions about it that exhaustive scientific research has yet to answer.

How is it, for instance, that the wound marks and bloodstains on the head and body of the dead man correspond – in the light of contemporary medical knowledge – so precisely to the details of Jesus’ scourging, crowning with thorns and death by crucifixion as described in the Gospels? And how was his figure

– which penetrates only to the most superficial level of the shroud’s fibers – created, since scientists have established that it is neither a painting, nor an etching nor a photograph?

There is an incidental treatment of early gnostic Christians that dubiously attempts to present their cosmic speculations about unperceived dimensions lurking behind the perceptible world – ideas which the early church fathers resoundingly rejected – as a foreshadowing of today’s most advanced theoretical physics. And historical conspiracy theorists will be delighted to discover that the Knights Templar may have played a role in preserving the shroud during one of the more obscure passage of its history.

But on the whole this respectful, indeed reverent, presentation – which traces the relic’s possible journey from the empty tomb in Jerusalem to the ancient Kingdom of Edessa to Constantinople to Athens and eventually on to medieval France – raises fascinating issues about what the narrative early on identifies as “the most enigmatic artifact the world has ever known.”

The shroud is scheduled to be displayed in public for the first time in a decade between April 10 and May 23 of this year in Turin’s Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, with Pope Benedict XVI making a pilgrimage there on May 2.

Mulderig is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. More reviews are available online at www. usccb.org/movies.

CNS photo by Paul Haring

A bronze statue, titled “The Body of the Man of the Shroud,” is seen in a permanent exhibit about the Shroud of Turin at Regina Apostolorum University in Rome Jan. 21. Although the Shroud of Turin has been studied from virtually every scientific angle, no one has been able to fully explain how the image was transferred to the linen cloth. “The Real Face of Jesus?” is a timely and intriguing Easter-season special that will premier on cable’s History Channel Tuesday, March 30, 9-11 p.m. EDT.

Director of Operations -- St. Mark Catholic Church Huntersville, North Carolina

St. Mark Catholic Church, Huntersville, North Carolina is seeking a Director of Operations who will be responsible for the overall management of the business operations of the church. This includes financial matters, facilities management, information technology, communications and human resources.

Candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree and extensive business management experience that would assist in the performance of this position.

Strong organizational, interpersonal and leadership skills are critical.

Resumes should be submitted by April 18th to Search Committee, St. Mark Catholic Church, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville, NC 28078 or email to eileen.gallagher@stmarknc.org.

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ELEMENTARY TEACHER Garden City, SC

Seeking teacher for Catholic elementary school in Garden City, SC, for 2010 2011 school year. Qualifications: practicing Catholic, Bachelor’s Degree in Education, state teacher certification, five years teaching experience preferred.

Contact: Miriam Jones at (843) 651-6795 or email principal@saintmichaelsc.org

by April 9, 2010

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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 26, 2010

ADVERTISEMENT

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March 26, 2010

14 The Catholic News & Herald

Perspectives

A collection of columns, editorials and viewpoints

The archangel’s words ‘Hail, Mary’ speak loudly to us today Annunciation of Our Lord celebrated March 25 In the Old Testament, the standard protocol for angelic appearances is as follows: First, the angel appears. Then, the person to whom he appears often melts into a puddle of terror. This impels the angel to say, “Fear not!” followed by sundry efforts to calm the person down and deliver the Lord’s message.

After some preliminary “Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips living among a people of unclean lips!” selfreproaches or some “Could you give me a sign. . . or two. . . or three because I’m really unsure of myself” delays, the person is sufficiently calmed down so he can listen to the angel and begin stumbling through his chosen mission.

That’s the background behind the astonishing story of the Archangel Gabriel’s annunciation to the Blessed Virgin. For in Luke, what we see is the archangel humbled before the woman, while the woman is not afraid of him. It’s as though she knows the One who sent him so well that she’s not dazzled by the presence of this lesser spiritual being. It’s like Gabriel isn’t kidding when he says, “The Lord is with you!” (Lk 1:28). So we do not get from Mary the normal breastbeating over her sinfulness. Indeed, it’s as though she has nothing to be abashed about. She is, to be sure, surprised and a bit fearful at the message, but not at the messenger.

Gabriel, for his part, does not greet her with the usual “Fear not!” Instead, he says, “Hail!” A creature vastly superior to men, Gabriel bows to this young peasant Jewish girl and speaks with the utmost reverence and courtesy – in language reserved for greeting a monarch.

This superhuman being who has perhaps existed since before time began has come to this little shack of sticks and stones in Nazareth to declare to this delicate girl that she is to give to Gabriel’s God what Gabriel will never have: the flesh and blood of a man.

And, even more astonishingly, she consents – without three years of continual training like Peter, without getting knocked to the ground like Paul, without any of the long preliminary hesitations and backpedaling that characterize Moses, Gideon, Isaiah or even her cousin Zechariah. She hits the ground running: ready, willing and able to say, “Be it done unto me according to thy word!”

The name of this girl was Mary. It’s a name with a long and honorable pedigree

Guest Column Mark P. Shea Guest columnist in the Jewish tradition, harking back to Moses’ sister Miriam and to Naomi, the mother-in-law of Ruth, an ancestor of David. Curiously, the word means “bitter,” and her life was destined by divine prophecy to be bitter, indeed.

Mary’s surrender to God leads to the mystery of total dependence on God – and the paradox of happiness through the bitter cross. The Son before whom she will kneel is not some selfish boor of this fallen world, but the second Adam who undergoes a defeat far more profound than her own self-surrender so that He may exalt her to a glory above all other creatures. In Him alone, power and love are reconciled and we find not servility crushed by domination, but humility crowned with glory.

That’s why Gabriel bows to her.

For, as Padre Pio said, angels envy us in this alone: that they cannot suffer with Christ as we can. Mary is hailed because the strange favor of God is with her, bestowing on her the bitterness of the Mother of Sorrows, whose heart will be pierced by the same lance that pierced the heart of her Son – and who will receive a glory second only to His when she sees Him risen and, in due time, herself share in His risen life in the Assumption and takes her place above even Gabriel – who already sees and rejoices over it as he announces the Incarnation to her astonished ears.

That’s why Tradition teaches us in the Hail Mary to first look at her with the eyes of the angels and see the holy envy she ignites in them. For where she is, we too will one day be, if we continue in faith in her Son as she did to the very end of ends.

Mark P. Shea is a senior editor for www.CatholicExchange.com and a columnist for InsideCatholic.com. Visit his blog at markshea.blogspot.com. He is the author of the “Mary, Mother of the Son” trilogy (Catholic Answers), available at www.mark-shea.com/books.

WORD TO LIFE

Sunday Scripture Readings: APRIL 4, 2010

Easter Sunday Cycle C Readings: 1) Acts 10:34a, 37-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 2) Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8 Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

The Eucharist helps us see God’s presence Sharon K. Perkins CNS columnist I am at an age where I need to wear glasses for reading but not for driving.

That means if I forget to take off my glasses while walking down a flight of stairs, I run the risk of misjudging the distance, missing a step and falling. If I don’t wear them when I need to sign my name on a sales slip, I sometimes write on the wrong line. I’d prefer not to wear glasses at all – but as I’ve learned the hard way, when I can’t see clearly what’s right in front of my face, it’s time to seek optical assistance.

The readings for Easter are about things hidden and things visible, about people thinking that they see things clearly while completely missing what is right in front of them. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus had envisioned the redemption of Israel until Jesus’

crucifixion turned their hope to an illusion. Although women from their group had reported a “vision of angels,” they themselves saw nothing at the empty tomb to reassure them.

Cleopas and his friend took their unidentified traveling companion to task for being ignorant of recent events in Jerusalem – yet they were blind to their true significance. It was only when Jesus interpreted the Scriptures and broke the bread in their presence that they recognized Him. Why do we observe the feast of the Resurrection year after year? What is the purpose of commemorating every Sunday as a “little Easter”? And why is frequent celebration of the Eucharist essential to Jesus’ followers? Because, as St. Paul reminds us, our lives are “hidden with Christ in God,” and it is by repeatedly sharing the deeper meaning of the Scriptures and breaking bread in communion with one another that Jesus and the ultimate purpose of our lives in Him become visible once more.

Left to the limitations of physical sight, we cannot see the risen Lord in our midst, nor can we perceive His presence in the people he has placed directly in our line of vision. But in Jesus’ precious gift of Eucharist, we are given all of the “optical assistance” we need to see Him clearly – and as the psalmist proclaims, “It is wonderful in our eyes.”

QUESTIONS: When have you been blind to the presence of the risen Lord directly before your eyes? How can this Easter celebration bring you to a deeper commitment to Jesus in the Eucharist?

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 28 – APRIL 3 Sunday (Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion), Luke 19:28-40, Isaiah 50:4-7, Philippians 2:611, Luke 22:14—23:56; Monday, Isaiah 42:1-7, John 12:1-11; Tuesday, Isaiah 49:1-6, John 13:21-33, 36-38; Wednesday, Isaiah 50:4-9, Matthew 26:14-25; Thursday (Holy Thursday), Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-15; Friday (Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion), Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42, Saturday (Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil), Exodus 14:15-15:1, Exodus 15:1-6, 17-18, Romans 6:3-11, Luke 24:1-12 SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 4 – APRIL 10 Sunday (The Resurrection of the Lord), Acts 10:34, 37-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-9; Monday (Easter Monday), Acts 2:14, 22-33, Matthew 28:8-15; Tuesday, Acts 2:36-41, John 20:11-18; Wednesday, Acts 3:1-10, Luke 24:13-35; Thursday, Acts 3:11-26, Luke 24:35-48; Friday, Acts 4:1-12, John 21:1-14; Saturday, Acts 4:13-21, Mark 16:9-15

March 26, 2010

The Catholic News & Herald 15

OEO provides tax prep assistance to those in need in western N.C. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Money often costs too much.” These words still ring true in 2010. In a tough economy where every penny counts, families are looking for all the ways possible to stretch a dime.

Across the country, volunteers working at IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites are helping those who meet certain income guidelines (this year a cap of $49,000 for a family of four) save between 700 and 800 of those dimes.

An average 1040, even the EZ form, costs between $70 and $80 to file through a paid preparer. When you consider that some people may not be getting much more than that in return, Emerson’s words start to ring very true.

Even for those who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit and who may receive several thousand dollars from the EITC program, the tax preparation fee is still significant. What can they do with that money? With gas averaging $2.79 per gallon, that equates to nearly 28 gallons of gas; or 28 gallons of milk; a monthly insurance premium; a power bill; a phone bill; a rainy day or slush fund; or a much-needed “staycation” such as a movie night and pizza for a family. Thought of in those terms, money really does cost too much and every penny earned is truly a penny gained, especially for those living in poverty.

The Office of Economic Opportunity

of Catholic Social Services works to support sustainable development and family empowerment in the four farwestern N.C. counties of Cherokee, Clay, Graham and Swain. OEO has joined to work collaboratively with a variety of community partners (such as the Nantahala Regional Library System, First Citizen Bank, State Employees Credit Union, Hinton Rural Life Center, Clay County Legal Aid, United Community Bank, Nantahala Regional Bank, Qualla Financial Freedom, AARP and a number of individual volunteers) to help staff VITA sites in this fourcounty area.

Every Wednesday beginning in early January and running through April 15, OEO personnel along with volunteers and two representatives from First Citizens Bank in Robbinsville, provide free tax preparation services at the Graham County Public Library.

Graham County is listed by the Department of Commerce as one of the most economically distressed counties in the state of North Carolina and is listed as a Tier I (I indicating the most distressed) county by the Appalachian Regional Commission.

To date, more than 90 people have been served at this site in Graham County. The majority of the people seen have been the working poor – from young, first-time job workers to the elderly who must continue to work to

Guest Column

Letter to the Editor

Claudie M. Burchfield Catholic Social Services

make ends meet.

The same question always ends each appointment – “what do I owe you?”

Although the word “free” is clearly stated on all advertised material, people have a hard time believing something is truly free. They are most appreciative of the service and are so happy to have been given an opportunity to save a few extra dollars.

With free electronic filing and electronic deposits to individual checking accounts, one really can’t go wrong. We are grateful to be able to do our little part to help families during these difficult times, one tax return at a time.

Claudie M. Burchfield is the program director for Catholic Social Services’ Office of Economic Opportunity in Murphy. The CSS Office of Economic Opportunity is funded in part by the Diocesan Support Appeal.

who stood up to complain about people receiving Communion without having gone to confession, was correct in pointing out the lack of reverence by many Catholics for Church teachings.

The question is not one of judgment but one of condemnation of evil in our Church.

I love my fellow man and his soul and feel it is important to point out an important evil that does exist in our Church: the sin of sacrilege.

Joseph F. McGrath Troutman, N.C.

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

Write a Letter to the Editor

POPE BENEDICT XVI

Science and faith can be partners in truth

Have reverence for the Eucharist and for our faith Dear Editor, It was sad to read “Jesus offers constant welcome to sinners,” an opinion column by Jean Denton (March 12, The Catholic News & Herald).

It sent a strong message that it is OK to receive Our Lord in the Eucharist even if you are not in the state of grace and in union with the teaching of the Church.

I would like to stand up and make the same statement to Catholics who knowingly or unknowingly lead other souls straight to Hell by their examples and by deciding their own rules and ideas for receiving the Blessed Sacrament.

The person described in this column,

The Pope Speaks

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.

The Catholic News & Herald does not publish poetry, form letters or petitions. Items submitted to The Catholic News & Herald become the property of the newspaper and are subject to reuse, in whole or in part, in print, electronic formats and archives.

Send letters to Letters to the Editor, The Catholic News & Herald, P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, N.C. 28237, or e-mail catholicnews@charlottediocese.org.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) ― Science and faith are not at loggerheads, but are two distinct paths that together can lead to the truth, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Many scientists, in fact, have carried forth their research inspired by the wonder and gratitude they feel for God and his creation, thus turning “scientific study into a hymn of praise,” he said March 24 during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square.

The pope’s audience talk focused on the life and teachings of St. Albert the Great, a 13th-century Dominican, Doctor of the Church and patron saint of the natural sciences. St. Albert, who also taught St. Thomas Aquinas, was a prolific scholar and theologian and immersed himself in the study of chemistry, astronomy, geology, botany and zoology, the pope said.

At the end of his general audience, the pope presented a wooden statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, patron saint of Chile, to a delegation of Chilean political and religious leaders, including Cardinal Francisco Errazuriz Ossa of Santiago. The papal gift was to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Chilean independence, to be celebrated Sept. 18. The Chilean ambassador to the Vatican, Pablo Cabrera, told Vatican Radio that the gift would help bring spiritual comfort to the country, which is still recovering from a strong earthquake on Feb. 27.

Here is the full text of the pope’s remarks: In our catechesis on the Christian culture of the Middle Ages, we now turn to Saint Albert, better known as Albertus Magnus, Albert the Great. A universal genius whose interests ranged from the natural sciences to philosophy and theology, Albert entered the Dominicans and, after studies in Paris, taught in Cologne. Elected provincial of the Teutonic province, he served as bishop of Regensburg for four years and then returned to teaching and writing. He played an important part in the Council of Lyons, and he worked to clarify and defend the teaching of Saint Thomas Aquinas, his most brilliant student. Albert was canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI, and Pope Pius XII named him the patron of the natural sciences. Saint Albert shows us that faith is not opposed to reason, and that the created world can be seen as a “book” written by God and is capable of being “read” in its own way by the various sciences. His study of Aristotle also brought out the difference between the sciences of philosophy and theology, while insisting that both cooperate in enabling us to discover our vocation to truth and happiness, a vocation which finds its fulfilment in eternal life.

March 26, 2010

The Catholic News & Herald 16

FROM THE COVER

Catholics greet health care reform with mixed emotions of excitement, regret REFORM , from page 1

made the statement March 23, moments after President Obama signed the bill into law.

“We applaud the effort to expand health care to all,” Cardinal George said.

“We and many others will accompany the government’s implementation of the health care reform and will work to ensure that Congress and the Administration live up to the claims that have contributed to its passage.”

Cardinal George added, “We are apprehensive as we look to the future, even as we applaud much of the increased care that will be available. So we will watch basically and try to continue to enter into conversations as a moral voice – never as a political voice.”

Cardinal George acknowledged that “the unity of the church has been wounded” in various political actions and conversations surrounding the health care reform debate. The USCCB opposed the Senate bill that passed the House March 21, while some Catholic groups and members of Congress supported it.

“We are certainly concerned about division in the church, because bishops have to be the people who are concerned about its unity, about keeping people together around Christ,” he said.

“The bishops know that they don’t speak for every one of the 61 million Catholics in the country, but what we do is we speak for the Catholic faith itself,” he said. “And those who share the faith will gather around.”

In their last public comment before the House votes, the heads of the USCCB’s pro-life, migration and domestic policy committees said the legislation still fell short in the areas of abortion funding, conscience protections and treatment of immigrants, and they urged House members to vote against it.

However, Sister Carol Keehan, a Daughter of Charity who is president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association, said that “while not perfect, the reform law significantly expands coverage, especially to low-income and vulnerable populations, and is a tremendous step toward protecting human dignity and promoting the common good.”

Sister Carol said the legislation “represents great progress in the long effort to make health care available and affordable to everyone in the United States.”

Patrick Whelan, president of Catholic Democrats, said the legislation’s passage was “an exhilarating accomplishment for us as Catholics.”

“Our Church has been at the forefront of the movement advocating universal health care for nearly a century,” Whelan said. “We salute the courageous Catholic members of Congress who worked so

hard to craft and pass this landmark legislation.”

Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, said passage of the legislation showed that “you can’t pass the right kind of laws without the right lawmakers in office.”

“America has spoken to its lawmakers about their concerns.

The lawmakers have spoken back.

Now it’s our move again,” Father Pavone added. “This law will be challenged in many ways. And it’s time to prepare for November’s elections, so that the changes the American people see fit to make can be made.”

Chris Korzen, president of Catholics United, called the votes “an unmitigated victory for Catholic values, which hold that health care is a fundamental human right, not a privilege only to be enjoyed by the few.”

House Votes Catholic Democrats comprised 84 of the 219 total votes in favor of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Democrats CatholiC: 84 for 219

CatholiC: 9 against

34

republicans

for

0 CatholiC: 37

against 178

Sources: Catholic News Service and U.S. house of Representatives

©2010 CNS

SPECTACULAR - UNSPOILED – HISTORICAL

CROATIA

with a visit to Medjugorje

October 18-28, 2010

Eucharistic Congress set for Sept. 10-11 CONGRESS, from page 1

Tim Faragher, graphic designer for the diocese and The Catholic News & Herald, created the new logo and redesigned the Web site.

“The design and production of this logo and Web site really followed the ideas and input that I received from Bishop Jugis, Father Arnsparger (chair of the steering committee for the Eucharistic Congress), and David Hains.

It was finished through a little sprinkling

of divine inspiration,” Faragher said.

The redesigned www.goeucharist. com will make preregistration for the congress easier. Key upcoming dates to remember are April 1, the date vendors can apply for space at the event, and May 1, the date registration opens for the K-12 children’s tracks.

The Eucharistic Congress will be held Sept. 10-11 at the Charlotte Convention Center and will feature sacred music, nationally known Catholic speakers, Adoration, a Eucharistic Procession through the streets of uptown Charlotte, Mass and children’s programs.

The Very Rev. Christopher A. Roux Rector Rev. Mr. Nicholas Fadero Deacon

Rev. Mr. Carlos Medina Deacon

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE CHRISM MASS - TUESDAY, MARCH 30 10:00 am – Blessing of the Holy Oils Celebrant: Bishop Peter Jugis

EASTER VIGIL - APRIL 3 8:00 pm - Easter Vigil (no 5:30 PM Mass) Celebrant: Bishop Peter Jugis

HOLY THURSDAY - APRIL 1 No Daily Mass 7:00 pm - Mass of the Lord’s Supper 8:00 pm - Midnight: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Family Life Center)

EASTER SUNDAY — APRIL 4 8:00 AM; 9:30 AM; 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM

GOOD FRIDAY - APRIL 2 No Daily Mass Noon: Stations of the Cross 3:00 pm - Veneration of the Cross Celebrant: Bishop Peter Jugis

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

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 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 small village where we’ll have 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!

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.