April 30, 2010

April 30, 2010

The Catholic News & Herald 1

www.charlottediocese.org

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

Hear and ‘Know His voice’: Hundreds attend Diocesan Youth Conference PAGE 6

Established Jan. 12, 1972

by Pope Paul VI APRIL 30, 2010

Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte

“I think anybody who has embraced religious life finds that it is very fulfilling, very uplifting and spiritually immense.” – Mercy Sister Mary John Madden

vOLUME 19

no. 23

PART 1

This is the first in a series about women religious in honor of Mary during May.

80 years of sacred service SueAnn Howell staff writer

Howell

BELMONT ― Reaching an 80th birthday is grace enough for most of us, but celebrating 80 years in religious life? Few can count that as an achievement.

For 96-year-old Mercy Sister Mary John Madden – a spry, twinkling blue-eyed and devout Irish woman – reaching this milestone has been a joy.

Sister Mary John Madden, celebrating 80 years as a Sister of Mercy, is pictured in front of the statue of Our Lady of Mercy holding the Child Jesus at the Sister of Mercy Motherhouse in Belmont April 23.

See SISTER, page 16

photo by SueAnn

Marian statue at St. Matthew Church target of hate crime, police say

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES WEEK 2010 Providing help. Creating hope. Changing lives.

As a volunteer, Roy Sears helps with office paperwork and filing on a regular basis at the Winston-Salem office of Catholic Social Services.

Volunteers and donors assist staff in providing a wide range of services across the Diocese of Charlotte. With diocesan and local support, CSS reaches 20,000 people a year from seven sites.

For more images of CSS at work, see pages 8-9.

Pastor calls parishioners to forgive, reflect on violence in society dedicated to the children killed by abortion, were chopped off by someone during the early morning hours of April CHARLOTTE ― Police 24 and placed at the base of are calling the desecration of the pedestal. A parishioner the Our Lady of Peace who had been praying statue at St. Matthew IF YOU CAN HELP in the Adoration Chapel Church last weekend a discovered the damage as he Anyone with information about the hate crime, and t h e was leaving about 4:15 a.m. pastor, Monsignor John act of vandalism at St. Matthew J. McSweeney, is using Church on April 24 is asked to call the vandalism incident to Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

See STATUE, page 11 teach parishioners about

SueAnn Howell staff writer

violence in society and their need to be peacemakers.

The head and hands of the concrete statue, located in the center of a rose garden

AROUND THE DIOCESE Men, Hail Marys and Monday nights PAGE 6

photo provided by Ann Kilkelly

IN BRIEF

PERSPECTIVES

Pope encourages vocations, calls for protection of flock

Christian love means putting others first

PAGES 2-3

PAGE 14

April 30, 2010

2 The Catholic News & Herald

InBrief

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

DIOCESAN NEWS IN BRIEF

Rosary Rally planned for May 2 CHARLOTTE ― The 68th SemiAnnual Rosary Rally will be held starting at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 2, at St. Patrick Cathedral. This 34-year diocesan tradition will include the holy rosary, a eucharistic procession and Benediction.

The homilist will be Deacon Gabriel Carvajal. For details about the event and how you can participate, call Tina Witt at 704-846-7361.

Pro-life students meet KERNERSVILLE ― Triad Students For Life met with N.C. Sen. Peter Brunstetter at Holy Cross Church April 9 to hear him speak about why he became pro-life and the pro-life legislative bills that have been proposed in the state legislature. For information about the pro-life group for students aged 13-19, go online to www.triadstudentsforlife. webs.com. ― Submitted by Matt Curran

Shoes collected for the needy MORGANTON ― The confirmation class of St. Charles Borromeo in Morganton led the parish’s efforts to collect shoes for Haiti as part of the Soles4Souls project, a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes and then distributes them free to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. With the help of parishioners and the community, more than 1,500 pairs of shoes were donated.

Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away more than seven million pairs of new and gently worn shoes. The shoes have been distributed to people in more than 125 countries. ― Submitted by Terri Martino

Holy Angels receives community award BELM O N T ― H o l y A n g e l s President/CEO, Regina Moody, recently accepted the Vision Award presented to Holy Angels by the Community Blood

Center of the Carolinas during their Annual Donor Awards dinner, held in Charlotte. The award is intended to honor individuals and organizations that have shown passion and belief in building the bonds of community both through their support of CBCC as well as other community causes. Holy Angels was commended for the quality of care given to children and adults who have developmental disabilities.

Holy Angels was founded in 1956 by the Sisters of Mercy.

Spanish Catholic store launched CHARLOTTE ― The Catholic Company has launched a Catholic store in Spanish for U.S.-based Hispanic Catholics: CompaniaCatolica.com.

According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the U.S. Census, Hispanics/Latinos(as) compose more than 35 percent of all Catholics in the U.S. and have contributed 71 percent of the growth of the Church in the U.S. since 1960.

The Catholic Company, a leading Catholic store and mail-order catalog, has offered Catholic books and gifts online since 2001.

Mass for priests planned for June 11

SALISBURY ― A special Mass of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, commemorating the culmination of the Year For Priests, will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, June 11, at Sacred Heart Church, 375 Lumen Christi Lane.

The Mass will be offered for the bishops and priests honored through the Te Deum Foundation’s Year for Priests Program. A reception will follow. For details, call 336-765-1815 or e-mail TeDeumFoundation@gmail.com.

We welcome your parish’s news.

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

APRIL 30, 2010 Volume 19 • Number 23 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 28203 E-MAIL: catholicnews@charlottediocese.org PHONE: 704-370-3333 FAX: 704-370-3382

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

MAIL: P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, N.C. 28237

STAFF WRITER: SueAnn Howell 704-370-3354, sahowell@charlottediocese.org

PUBLISHER: The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher 704-370-3331, tpfaragher@charlottediocese.org

from the vatican

Pope encourages vocations, calls VAT I C A N C I TY ( CN S ) ― Pope Benedict XVI called for prayer and encouragement to nourish new vocations within the Church, and reminded priests that it is their job to vigorously defend their flocks from evil. Pope Benedict marked the World Day of Prayer for Vocations by telling the faithful in St. Peter’s Square April

25 that vocations are born primarily through prayer, and that they can be nourished by the prayers of parents and ordained clergy.

Before reciting the “Regina Coeli,” Pope Benedict said “the most important form of witness in inspiring vocations is prayer,” and he invited parents “to pray so that the hearts of your children open

Report: Pope to create Vatican department for ‘new evangelization’ VATICAN CITY (CNS) ― Pope Benedict XVI is planning to create a Roman Curia department charged with overseeing the “re-evangelization” of traditionally Christian countries, an Italian newspaper reported.

The Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization will be announced in an apostolic letter being prepared by the pope and will be headed by Italian Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Il Giornale said April 25. The Vatican had no immediate comment on the report.

The step would represent the first major Roman Curia innovation under Pope Benedict, who has frequently spoken about the need to renew the roots of the faith in European

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

BELMONT

QUEEN OF THE APOSTLES CHURCH, 503 N. Main St. — Stepping into Luke’s Gospel, conference room, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through May 25. Open to middle school youth. For more information, contact Dennis TeallFleming at 704-825-9600 or teallfleming@yahoo.com.

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.

OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CHURCH, 4207 Shamrock Dr. — Vietnamese Mass for Easter season, celebrated by Father Peter Pham, 12:45 p.m. May 2. Reconciliation offered at 12:15 p.m.

ST. ANN CHURCH, 3635 Park Road — Children’s Adoration, 4:15 p.m. May 5. A unique way of introducing children to the Church’s beliefs, practices and traditions.

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 704-335-0253.

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

ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH, 8451 Idlewild Road — The Catholic Mass… Revealed, Parish Hall, 7 to 9 p.m.

May 6. A four-session study about the Catholic Mass. For more information, call 704-535-4197.

ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.

— Spiritual Conversations, NLC room 234-235, 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 4 and June 1. A form of group prayer using Scripture, led by Pat Davies.

— Cancer Support Group, NLC room 204, 10 a.m. to noon May 6. For more information, contact Marilyn Borrelli at 803-547-6181.

— MOMS Alumni Reunion, 9 a.m. to noon May 15. New members are welcome. RSVP by email to stmatthewmoms@ yahoo.com.

— Presentation by Catholic researcher, Dr. Michael New, NLC room 239, 3 to 5 p.m. May 15. RSVP to charlottertl@ bellsouth.net. Dr. New will share his insights on successful pro-life endeavors from his research and involvement at the local level.

— Scripture Studies-Back to Basics, NLC room 203, 11 a.m.

Wednesdays or 7 p.m. Mondays. Bible study led by Mercy Sister Mary Hugh Mauldin.

— 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 ext. 1040 or jhmrlik@stmatthewcatholic.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 — Rosary Rally, 3 p.m. May 2. This event will include the Holy Rosary, a Eucharistic procession and Benediction. For more information, or if children aged 7 to 17 would like to participate in the procession, call Tina at 704-846-7361.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH, 1400 Suther Road — The Rosary According to Pope John Paul II, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday in May, babysitting available. For more information, call Deacon Brian at 704-568-1234.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, 6828 Old Reid Road — Catholics Returning Home, faith formation wing conference room, 7:30 to 9 p.m. May 3 or 4, 10, and 17. This

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.

April 30, 2010

The Catholic News & Herald 3

for protection of flock to listen to the Good Shepherd.”

The pope emphasized the role of the priest in protecting the people they are chosen to lead and steering them to God. Quoting the Gospel of St. John, the pope said, “Only the Good Shepherd, with immense tenderness, guards his flock and defends it from evil, and only in him can the faithful put

High Mass in extraordinary form celebrated at national basilica

their absolute faith.”

Pope Benedict reminded priests and bishops of their responsibility to “adhere totally to their vocation and mission through a severe self-discipline” of abstinence and meditation. They should be ready to listen and forgive the faithful in their care, and should also cultivate priestly fraternity, he said.

and other Western societies.

It was Pope John Paul II who first used the term “new evangelization,” and Il Giornale said a proposal to create a Vatican department to promote this type of activity was made in the 1980s by Father Luigi Giussani, the founder of the Italian lay movement Communion and Liberation.

More recently, the newspaper said, Cardinal Angelo Scola of Venice re-proposed the idea to Pope Benedict, and the German pontiff decided to move ahead with the project.

Archbishop Fisichella has headed the Pontifical Academy for Life since 2008.

CNS photo by Nancy Wiechec is a welcoming program for Catholic adults who have been away from the Church. To register, call 704-554-7088.

— Charlotte Catholic Women’s Group Monthly Reflection, 9:00 a.m. May 3. Speaker Father Timothy Reid of St. Ann Church will speak on “Prudence, the mother of virtues, and a virtue for mothers.” Reconciliation available. For more information, contact Molly Beckert at 704-243-3252 or mvbeckert@carolina.rr.com.

GREENSBORO

OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH, 2205 West Market St. — Mass of Thanksgiving and Celebration of the Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima, 5:30 p.m. Rosary, 6 p.m. Mass May 13.

HAYESVILLE

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHURCH, Highway 64 West — Presentation: Spiritual Direction, by Barbara McGrattan, 5:45 p.m. May 5.

— Bereavement Support Group, the Commons, 10 a.m. to noon every Wednesday through May 19.

HENDERSONVILLE

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 828-693-9014. For widowers interested in an informal gathering of men who have suffered the loss of loved ones, call Greg Savold at 828-702-0129 or Bob Grady at 828-697-2900.

HICKORY

ST. ALOYSIUS CHURCH, 921 Second St. N.E. — Charismatic Mass, Sebastian Chapel, 7 p.m. May 6.

For more information, call Joan Moran at 828-994-0880.

— Small Business Group Meeting, Parish Hall, 7 to 8:30 a.m. May 10. Opportunity to connect with fellow parish business people, share experiences and help each other’s businesses grow. For more information, contact Matt Burkinshaw at 704-399-8708 or mburkinshaw@carolina. rr.com.

KERNERSVILLE

HOLY CROSS CHURCH, 616 South Cherry St. — Anointing of the Sick, 10 a.m. May 1.

— Praise, worship, and Bible study, Salesian Hall, 8 p.m. every first and second Friday of the month.

WAYNESVILLE

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CHURCH, 234 Church St. — Natural Family Planning Class, noon (English) and 6 p.m. (Spanish) May 2. For more information, contact Batrice Adcock at 704-370-3230 or cssnfp@charlottediocese.org.

WINSTON-SALEM

HOLY FAMILY CHURCH, 4820 Kinnamon Road — Charismatic Prayer Group, Chapel, 7:15 p.m. every Monday.

— English/Spanish Conversation Groups, room 7, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays; room 1, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays. For more information contact Enrique Ginocchio at 336-768-1462 or eginocchiob@bellsouth.net, or Tom Rucker at 336-7650777 or ruckertom@earthlink.net.

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

— Eucharistic Adoration, Curlin Center, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. every Thursday.

OUR LADY OF MERCY CHURCH, 1730 Link Road — Praise, worship and Bible study, Chapel, 8 p.m. every third through fifth Friday of the month.

HUNTERSVILLE

ST. MARK CHURCH, 14740 Stumptown Road — National Day of Prayer, Family Center, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 6. Register by May 3 to 704-947-4885 or elderministry@bellsouth.net — The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Meeting, 7 p.m.

May 6. Open to all women who are practicing Catholics and who are Irish by birth or descent, or who are the wife of a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, or the mother of a junior member. For more information, contact Bernadette Brady at 704-210-8060 or berniemac38@live.com.

Episcopal

calendar

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.

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

May 2 – 5 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Charlotte

May 5 – 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. John the Baptist Church, Tryon

May 3 – 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation St. Dorothy Church, Lincolnton

May 7 – 7 p.m.

Sacrament of Confirmation Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bishop Edward J. Slattery of Tulsa, Okla., celebrates a solemn high Mass in the extraordinary form at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., April 24. It was the first time in 50 years that a Mass was held at the shrine in the traditional Latin rite according to the 1962 missal. Sponsored by the Maryland-based Paulus Institute for the Propagation of Sacred Liturgy, the Mass honored Pope Benedict XVI on the fifth anniversary of his election as pope.

More than 3,500 people crowded into the basilica to attend the two-and-a-half hour pontifical solemn high Mass that was sung entirely in Latin.

WORLD NEWS IN BRIEF

Arizona church leaders call for legal responses to new immigration law

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNS) ― Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., one of many religious leaders decrying Arizona’s new immigration law, said he will ask the general counsel of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to become involved in lawsuits expected to challenge its constitutionality.

In his “Monday Memo” posting on the diocesan website April 26, Bishop Kicanas said he believes the law needs to be challenged for reasons beyond the constitutional questions that many opponents of the bill have raised.

Among his objections to the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, signed April 23, is that it “does not address the critical need for border security to confront drug smuggling, weapons smuggling and human trafficking.”

Pope: Church respects freedom of expression

VATICAN CITY (CNS) ― The Church respects everyone’s right to expression but it, too, has a right to make its message known to society, Pope Benedict XVI said. The Church respects people’s freedom to have opinions that are different from the Church’s, but the Church “would like that its right to expression also be respected,” he said

in a speech April 24 welcoming Charles Ghislain, Belgium’s new ambassador to the Vatican.

The Church carries a message that gives meaning to and can guide people’s personal, social and family lives, he said.

“The Church, having the common good as its aim, asks nothing more than to have the freedom to be able to propose this message, without imposing it on anyone, in respect for the freedom of conscience,” said the pope.

Pope receives copy of complete English Missal

VATICAN CITY (CNS) ― Pope Benedict XVI received a final version of the English translation of the complete Roman Missal, the book of prayers used at Mass.

He received the bound missal during a luncheon April 28 with members of the Vox Clara Committee, an international group of bishops established to advise the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments about the translation of the Roman Missal into English.

Committee members expect the missal will be in parishes by the beginning of Advent 2011.

Pope John Paul II promulgated the Latin edition of the Roman Missal in 2002.

The International Commission on English in the Liturgy, a body established by English-speaking bishops’ conferences, translated the Latin text into English.

4 The Catholic News & Herald

April 30, 2010

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Year for Priests Interviews with priests around the diocese

Archival Anecdota Historical Bishops of North Carolina

FATHER MICHAEL J. BUTTNER BISHOP WILLIAM HAFEY, 1924-1937

FATHER MICHAEL J. BUTTNER Pastor – Holy Family, Clemmons Vicar Forane – Winston-Salem Vicariate Place of Birth – Cleveland, Ohio High School – Salesianum, Wilmington, Del. College/University – Belmont Abbey College, Indiana University Seminary – St. Meinrad Seminary Date of Ordination – 1978

What assignments have you had since ordination?

Registrar, Belmont Abbey College St. Francis of Assisi, Lenoir, N.C. Holy Family, Clemmons, N.C. What have been some of the greatest joys for you as a priest?

Trying to serve others Who influenced you most to consider the vocation to priesthood?

Father Joseph Jurgens, pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Covington, Va. What was your background before you entered seminary?

I was a student.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I had a job in the Abbot Vincent Taylor Library at Belmont Abbey College during college.

What are some of your hobbies?

Walking, reading What are some of your favorite books/ spiritual reading/magazines?

The Word Among Us, Magnificat Who is a hero to you?

The men and women of the U.S. armed forces What are some ways that we can help all people/families understand their role in promoting and supporting vocations?

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

Speak to Father Christopher Gober, the vocations director for the diocese.

He is a kind and good man.

BISHOP WILLIAM HAFEY, 1924-1937

The Diocese of Raleigh, the smallest diocese, population-wise, in the U.S., was established Dec. 12, 1924. Its new bishop, Bishop William Hafey, was installed in the nation’s smallest cathedral. Bishop Hafey was reported to have said that Raleigh had the only cathedral where one could stand in the sanctuary and greet the people who entered the front door. On the very day of Bishop Hafey’s installation, Abbot Bishop Vincent Taylor, elected by his monks, received confirmation of his election from Rome.

Aware of the desperate need for money and dedicated personnel, the new bishop immediately began the ceaseless travel that became the hallmark of his tenure. His singlemindedness kept him presenting those needs in any parish that would lend him its pulpit even though they had only a most vague idea of conditions in the land of cotton and segregation. The wonder is that, despite the Depression, Bishop Hafey was able to “beg enough to keep the diocese solvent.”

Recognizing it was a new stage in the development of the Church, one that called for a businessman more than a missionary and one who encouraged respectability rather than

confrontation, Bishop Hafey promoted growth first and societal leadership later. The American bishops agreed with him that patience and reserve were “the best means of winning good will and opening the way for the spread of truth about Catholic faith and practice” in regarding anti-Catholic bigotry. So he turned to growth, and growth meant more parishes.

When Bishop Hafey arrived in North Carolina in 1925, there were 24 churches with resident priests. Twelve years later when he left, there were 52 churches, an average of more than two new parishes per year.

Two of his main contributions were convincing religious orders of men and women to send personnel into the state and maintaining diocesan financial solvency, no mean achievements.

All the while, he managed the entire diocese by himself with no one other than a secretary and occasional meetings with his consultors; there was no diocesan staff.

The Raleigh Times had kind words as he departed: “Bishop Hafey has won complete respect and sympathy of the community in which he has been a force for religion, goodwill, peace and tolerance… a competent executive in a difficult post and a tireless worker for good.”

April 30, 2010

The Catholic News & Herald 5

around the diocese

Volunteer teaches the value of a meal cooked with love Kathy Schmugge Special to The Catholic News & Herald CHARLOTTE ― Preparing a traditional Easter meal can be a daunting task for anyone, but especially for a young mother who has little or no experience in the kitchen.

To the rescue comes Linda Reece of Fort Mill, a volunteer for Room at the Inn in Charlotte who was recently honored for her service. She turned the work into fun to make a traditional Easter meal with common-sense cooking tips, a full menu including deviled eggs, ham steaks, asparagus with lemon butter, potato casserole, and pineapple upsidedown cake for dessert – all for the clients

who belong to the Room at the Inn’s two-year in-house residence program for single mothers. They are learning the skills to take care of themselves and their newborns, and Reece comes once a month with her own supplies and ingredients to teach them cooking skills, listen to them, and be a mentor to them.

“Linda has made such a lasting impression on our clients. The young mothers always look forward to the cooking classes because of the example she sets by bringing her joyful spirit to share with each of the residents,” said Chelsey McRorie, Room at the Inn’s program manager.

How Reece found herself in this volunteer position is a story in itself.

She had run into an old friend at a daily

Deadline to reserve: May 18th Don’t miss out — call today!

SPECTACULAR - UNSPOILED – HISTORICAL

CROATIA

with a visit to Medjugorje

October 18-28, 2010

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

photo by Kathy Schmugge

Linda Reece of Fort Mill, a volunteer for Room at the Inn in Charlotte, puts the finishing touches on a pineapple upside-down cake recently as part of a lesson on preparing a traditional Easter meal. She teaches cooking classes for clients who belong to RATI’s two-year in-house residence program for single mothers.

Mass at St. Peter Church in Columbia.

Her friend, a caterer, had just started cooking classes at Room at the Inn and invited Linda to help her. Soon after a few classes together, her friend could no longer continue and Reece agreed to stay on as the cooking instructor. That was three years ago and she doesn’t show any signs of stopping. In fact, she has incorporated crafts for special occasions as part of the regular activities.

“I am not sure who enjoys it more – me or the girls,” Reece says. She has warm memories of cooking with her grandparents, she says, and she wants these young women to experience the same joy.

Reece comes to Room at the Inn each month with all the ingredients and recipes, and then sets up stations where the foods will be prepared by different people. She gently guides the process from the cooking to the cleanup, making sure everyone gets a chance to learn and participate.

“I like to teach the girls realistic cooking that is budget friendly, and simple enough that they can replicate the meal,” she says.

She tries to alternate the cooking theme each year. Last year, her theme was ethnic cooking, and this year it emphasizes healthy and inexpensive foods. As an organized and innovative instructor, she incorporates problemsolving and money-saving techniques

• 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!

2010

Diocese of Charlotte

Eucharistic Congress

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.

into her sessions.

Ashley, who has been living at the residence for almost two years, has built a friendship with Reece and looks forward to the classes not only as a time to learn but also a time to talk and share.

“After the cooking we come around the table, we can let our guard down and really open up to each other,” Ashley said.

Reece says she is grateful for places like Room at the Inn that give women in crisis pregnancies real options for themselves and their children. She has seen the benefits firsthand in watching the clients become more confident mothers.

Jeannie Wray, executive director of Room at the Inn, is grateful for volunteers like Reece.

“Our gifts are not always very complicated. They can be simple, and it takes imagination to see how you can make them work for others. Linda makes learning fun and helps the girls understand the importance, as a mother, of providing a nutritious meal for their family,” Wray said.

Reece says she gets so much from volunteering at Room at the Inn and helping these young women become self sufficient.

“Young adults are usually on their guard and cooking does help take their guard down. It provides a neutral conversation to break the ice so that they can open up and you can mentor.”

Mark your calendar now for the sixth Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress

Charlotte Convention Center

SEPTEMBER 10 & 11, 2010

Good Shepherd, Come Feed Us

Visit the Web site www.GoEucharist.com for the latest information about programs and speakers.

6 The Catholic News & Herald

April 30, 2010

AROUND THE DIOCESE

photo by Janneke Pieters

Pictured from left are Rosa Velazquez, Kayla Rae Norman, Megan Meyer, Curran Sentilles and Heather Gebhardt, who all attended last weekend’s Diocesan Youth Conference, with the theme “Know His voice.”

Hear and ‘Know His voice’ message taught to youth Local youths deepen communion with God, each other at annual Diocesan Youth Conference Janneke Pieters Special to The Catholic News & Herald BLACK MOUNTAIN ― Two hundred high school youths from 17 area parishes and Haywood County Youth spent their weekend deepening their communion with God and each other at the 33rd annual Diocesan Youth Conference April 23-25 at Ridgecrest Lifeway Conference Center. The theme, “Know His Voice/Conozcan Su Voz,” resonated in the workshops, prayer, activities and the closing Mass with Bishop Peter J. Jugis on Sunday morning. Special guests ApologetiX provided music for the weekend liturgies.

“Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus,” Bishop Jugis urged the youths, challenging them to make a resolution to engage in daily prayer and not to allow anything to distract them from Christ, who should have our “undivided attention.”

While original sin has darkened our vision of God, the bishop said, “prayer helps penetrate that darkness.”

Prayer allows us to “enter directly into the presence of God,” he said. “It is the privilege of the Christian to be with Jesus in prayer.”

Conference workshops discussed how to hear God’s voice through Scripture and the Church’s Tradition, creation and nature, the media, and the lives of the saints like Blessed Mother Teresa. Seminarian Brian Kaup shared

how listening to God’s voice helped him to discern his priestly vocation.

Diocesan Director of Communication David Hains described how he listens to God’s voice as a communication professional in radio, television and public relations. Other workshops focused on responding to God’s voice in prolife and other nonviolent ministries, and discovering and sharing one’s gifts and talents with the Body of Christ.

“Everyone has gotten a lot out of the workshops,” said Zach Carter, an adult council advisor to the DYC. Carter added that the weekend was the “first time we’ve successfully integrated the Anglo and Hispanic youth ministries.”

“There was a new connection with the Anglos and Hispanics,” agreed Hugo Gutierrez, of St. Joan of Arc parish in Candler, N.C. “When we worship God (in the same place) it brings us closer together.”

“It was great. I’m looking forward to next year,” said Angel Aguilar, also of St. Joan of Arc. Bishop Jugis especially thanked the youth for a photo movie shown before Mass that featured diocesan priests.

“I will share with the priests of the Charlotte diocese the youth’s love for their pastors when I meet with them,” the bishop promised. Prior to Mass, the youth also offered an Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus dedicated to the priests of the Diocese of Charlotte.

photo by SueAnn

Howell

Chris Ragusa, a senior at Belmont Abbey College and founding member of the Man Rosary, kneels in prayer before the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes at Belmont Abbey April 26.

Men, Hail Marys and Monday nights Are you ready for some … rosaries?

SueAnn Howell Staff Writer BELMONT ― For four years running, young men at Belmont Abbey College have teamed up to pray the “Man Rosary” every Monday night.

Rain or shine, snow or darkness of night, guys from all across campus meet at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes to pray the rosary for the women on campus, for future spouses and for clarity for their own vocations and growth in holiness.

Seniors Adam Trufant and Chris Ragusa helped start the group when they were freshmen in the fall of 2006.

“It started off small, with just a few freshmen, but over the years expanded to include upperclassmen and has grown to include men from groups who are involved in everything on campus,” Ragusa says. “It has become a steady part of people’s prayer lives.”

Trufant, who will be graduating May 15, says, “It is a way for men to sacrifice just a short time every week to look to Mary, Mother of the Church, and say, ‘Please Mother, for the sake of our future families and for the protection and dignity of women in our world, protect your daughters and pray for us that we may have the courage and willingness to sacrifice to defend them also.’”

“The grotto was created in 1891 with the intent to foster prayers for vocations and was dedicated as a pilgrimage shrine,” Ragusa says. “So it was the perfect place to hold the Man Rosary.”

And how did the name come about?

“Though the name is a little funny, it is meant to be so in an effort to attract young men to come and be a part of this

‘manly’ event,” Trufant says.

“What could possibly be more manly than praying with diligence and great love for our future wives? Than sacrificing for someone you may have not even met yet, out of sincere love for them and deep concern for their needs?” he adds.

In just a couple of weeks the pair will pass the tradition of the Monday night Hail Marys to rising underclassmen.

“Wherever God calls us, He is always asking us to ‘Make ourselves living holocausts,’ like Blessed Mother Teresa said, so that God can take whatever little sacrifices we are able to offer and use them to save souls throughout the world,” Trufant concludes.

April 30, 2010

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Honoring the Year for Priests

The Catholic News & Herald 7

Living Stations in three languages

photo provided by Shannon Cutler

photo provided by

Doreen Sugierski and Kate D’Amato

Approximately 300 faith formation students and their families at Holy Spirit Church in Denver enjoyed intergenerational learning experiences March 21 and March 24 that celebrated the Year for Priests. Pictured are nine students and adults who portrayed priests who became saints during a “Living Museum of Saints” at the event. Shown are Kim Cristino as St. John Marie Baptiste Vianney, CJ Duemmer as St. Maximilian Kolbe, Paula Russo as St. Damien, Jade Loendorf as St. Anthony, Brittany Swift as St. Peter, Alyssa Atwell as St. Gabriel Lalemant, Dennis Atwell as St. Patrick, Irene Brunner as St. John of Cantius and Denise Bowman speaking about St. Padre Pio. Students also learned about the parts of a chapel, priest vestments and the different liturgical colors, and more aspects of a priest’s life. Most importantly, there was a “prayer room” where families could say a prayer for priests and vocations.

St. John Neumann Church of Charlotte held a live Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. Participants were from various communities of the parish including Brazilian, English, Eritrean, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Three languages were read and sung by those present: English, Portuguese and Spanish. Father Patrick Hoare portrayed Jesus.

Girl Scout, classmates help Room at the Inn

Communion family retreat in Asheville

photo provided by

Martha Hannah

Room at the Inn women’s shelter in Charlotte recently received a donation of 1,938 jars of baby food. Katie Walker coordinated the donation as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award Project. Walker, a junior at Charlotte Catholic High School, thought this project would provide a great teaching opportunity for her faith formation class.

As a fourth-grade co-teacher at St. Luke Church in Mint Hill, she decided to help spread the message of respect for life and the obligation to perform corporal works of mercy through a faith formation class challenge. Her class made posters and visited 56 classes, discussing the sanctity of life and hunger. The students challenged other classes to see which class could donate the most baby food. Mrs. Ward and Mrs. Gaffney’s Wednesday afternoon third-grade class won the challenge with a donation of 123 jars. photo provided by Elizabeth Girton

The Basilica of St. Lawrence in Asheville held a Communion family retreat April 11 for the children who will be receiving their First Holy Communion May 2. The children and their families made banners, heard the Gospel story of the multiplication of the loaves as portrayed by their older siblings, enjoyed baskets of matzos, grapes and juice, and then worked on a service project that their families will do together before Communion rehearsal.

Besides the generous donations from the St. Luke faith community, Walker’s local Scout troop contributed to the cause. As another part of her Gold Award Project, Walker planned and led an overnight event that enabled 32 Junior Scouts to earn their child care badges. The girls learned infant and child CPR and babysitting skills, and they made baby blankets that they donated to Room at the Inn. — Submitted by Cindy Walker

8 The Catholic News & Herald

CSS WEEK

Catholic Social Services Week Ninety-six percent of parishes and missions had parishioners participate in CSS programs, services and events last year as attendees, clients or volunteers. These activities include Elder Ministry days of reflection and spring fling, marriage preparation, Respect Life, natural CSS provides educational and enrichment programs available throughout the diocese. An Elder Ministry Spring Fling was held April 20 at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte. Pictured are (from left) Pat Williams, Ruth Kunar and Pat Sniffin of Our Lady of the Rosary in Lexington, participating in the activities. This year the Office of Family Life offers this event at two locations around the diocese and days of reflection at six locations.

The Office of Family Life also provides natural family planning and marriage preparation classes at various sites in the diocese to better accommodate participants. The Office of Justice and Peace also provides a variety of offerings scheduled throughout the year at various locations.

Catholic Social Services is an affiliate of Catholic Charities USA, which celebrates its centennial this year, 2010. Father Larry Snyder, president of CCUSA, keynoted two CSS events within the past three years.

Pictured here, Father Larry joins Lia Terry, CSS staff from Asheville, and participant Anne Woodford in an exercise following his keynote address at the Bishop Begley Conference on Appalachia in October 2009.

The CSS Office of Economic Opportunity, strengthening families and working with local leaders in Clay, Cherokee, Graham and Swain counties, celebrated its 10th anniversary.

OEO has been recognized by CCUSA as a model program working to strengthen families. Collaboration with local officials and community leaders, along with volunteers from the community and monetary support from throughout the diocese, contributes to the success of this program.

Volunteer Rusty Dixon assists Lee Wir from Burma with English vocabulary at one of the CSS English as a Second Language sites, St. Andrew Episcopal Church in Charlotte. The ESL program averages 200 students throughout the year. CSS annually resettles about 400 new refugees and assists recent arrivals until they become independent. This totals approximately 2,000 people served per year.

Since January 2010, donated furniture and household items furnished 25 apartments for new arrivals in Charlotte.

The Western Regional Office in Asheville provides an array of services to a large resettlement of Russian, Ukrainian and Moldovan refugees.

family planning, Office of Justice and Peace p adoptions, counseling, pregnancy support, imm refugee services, youth programs and more. H of Catholic Social Services at work in our dioc

April 30, 2010

The Catholic News & Herald 9

CSS WEEK

2010:

presentations, migration and Here are some images cese.

The love of Christ impels us‌ to protect life and work to reduce poverty Donors and volunteers make it possible for Catholic Social Services to help more than 20,000 people a year resolve crises and change their lives.

Teen moms in the CSS Triad Hand to Hand program make a stop at the Wee Care Shoppe for some free shopping for their babies. Hand to Hand provides up to two years of support and follow-up to help first-time teen parents develop good parenting skills, finish their education and find employment.

The Wee Care Shoppe is stocked and staffed by volunteers so that people with limited incomes can have access to baby needs.

The national average for success of no repeat pregnancy within two years of completion of an abstinence program is 50 percent. Hand to Hand has a 95 percent success rate.

Parishes, schools, some businesses and many individuals in the Asheville, Charlotte and Triad areas are stocking the CSS pantries to meet increased demand. Above, Kylie O’Connor, a kindergartner at St. Patrick School, unloads canned goods for the Charlotte food pantry. Kylie had invited friends to her sixth birthday party to bring food for the pantry rather than gifts for herself. Her 4-year-old brother Brendan had done the same a month earlier. Six-year-old Jack Semke of Winston-Salem gave his snow-shoveling money to CSS for the poor. Children are making a difference, too!

For more information check out www.cssnc.org

In the past nine months CSS provided food for 10,508 people through its food pantries in Asheville, Charlotte and Winston-Salem, and their holiday outreach efforts. This is nearly 2,000 more than all of last year and is the highest number ever recorded in CSS reports. The pantries have been a support for the working poor and people on fixed incomes. In the current recession, however, the agency sees many more families asking for help for the first time. CSS has been able to keep up with demand, for the most part, because parishes, schools, groups and individuals are generously responding to this increased need for assistance.

April 30, 2010

10 The Catholic News & Herald

WHAT’S ON TV

Culture Watch Inappropriate content in the media concerns most parents, but many still say they do not control their children’s use of it.

InapproprIate content in the media concerns most parents, but many still say they do not control their children’s use of it. television

90%

62% websites in general

81%

59%

video games

77%

52%

social networking

35%

cell phones

73%

Those concerned with the content in these forms of media Those who use parental controls for these forms of media

62%

28%

CNS graphic by Emily Thompson

A roundup of Scripture, readings, films and more

The results presented here are based on a national random digit-dial telephone survey Feb. 16-20, 2010, of 500 parents of children ages 2–14.

The margin of error from sampling is plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.

Source: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Š2010 CNS

USCCB poll: Parents express concern over media content WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNS) ― Parents are concerned about the content of the media to which their children are exposed and are eager to exert more control over that exposure.

Those are two principal findings in a national survey commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Parents are right to express concern about their children’s exposure to media but have not historically displayed a willingness to follow through, according to Emory Woodard, an associate professor of communication at Villanova University in Pennsylvania.

In the USCCB survey, dated March 2010 but not released until April 15, more than 80 percent of those who responded said they wanted to be able to control access to media content depicting sex, violence, illegal drug use, alcohol abuse and profane language.

The survey, “Parents’ Hopes & Concerns About the Impact of Media on Their Children,� found that threefourths of respondents say makers of media products should do more to help protect children from inappropriate media content, while 58 percent say government also should do more.

Parents surveyed were asked about TV programs, TV ads, Internet sites in general, social networking sites, video games and cell phones.

Seventy-two percent of respondents cited TV programs as something they were either “concerned� or “very concerned� about, followed by Internet sites (67 percent), TV ads (62 percent), social networking sites (59 percent), video games (57 percent), music (54 percent) and cell phones (43 percent).

The depicted behaviors most objected to by parents were sexual content (84 percent), illegal drugs (78 percent), violence (76 percent), profane language (74 percent), alcohol abuse (70 percent), the marketing of junk food to children (55 percent) and smoking (53 percent).

The study suggested that parents are using control technologies more than

previously thought.

More than half of the parents surveyed said they had moderate or high knowledge of parental controls for TV, the Internet, social networking, cell phones and video games. It added that more than half of the parents report that they “sometimes� or “often� use controls on television, Internet sites in general and video games.

But Woodard, the Villanova professor, said he undertook a study 10 years ago in which 100 parents were given television sets with the v-chip, then a new technology that enabled parents to block shows with certain TV Parental Guidelines, the TV industry’s self-policing ratings system. By the time the study had concluded, according to Woodard, only 10 families had utilized the v-chip. “Parents always have good intentions,� Woodard told Catholic News Service in an April 23 telephone interview. “But they are often so busy with running their own lives, and shuttling the kids back and forth for various activities, that they don’t make it (parental media controls) as high a priority as they say they do.�

The survey did not take films into account. Movies remain the one form of entertainment media that is relatively difficult to access, Woodard said; the only one tougher is live performance.

Wo o d a r d s a i d o t h e r w i s e objectionable content, regardless of the media platform, can be safely viewed at home – but only if parents are watching with their children. “And when you’re watching, you can’t just watch it passively,� he added. “You have to talk about what’s going on and why it’s happening.

That’s how you provide understanding and context.�

The survey was conducted Feb. 1620 by Issues and Answers, a polling firm from Virginia Beach, Va. It interviewed 500 parents of children aged 2-14. The margin of error from sampling is plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.

‘Real Robin Hood,’ ‘Churchill’s Deadly Decision’ set to air week of May 9 composite of several historical figures whose exploits date back to the age of the Crusades. n Tuesday, May 11, 9-10:30 p.m.

EDT (PBS) “The Wounded Platoon.�

Documentary recounting the dark tale of the men of the 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion of the 506th Infantry, and how their traumatic experiences in the Iraq War have followed them home. A “Frontline� presentation. n Wednesday, May 12, 8-9 p.m.

EDT (PBS) “Churchill’s Deadly Decision.� This program, part of the series “Secrets of the Dead,� tells the story of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s agonizing decision to sink the French fleet to prevent its use by the Nazis in the aftermath of France’s capitulation to Germany in the summer of 1940 (TV-PG/V – parental guidance suggested; moderate violence).

John Mulderig Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) ― Here are some television program notes for the week of May 9 with their TV Parental Guidelines ratings if available. They have not been reviewed and therefore are not necessarily recommended by the Office for Film and Broadcasting. n Monday, May 10, 9-11 p.m.

EDT (PBS) “Into the Deep: America, Whaling and the World.� This episode of the series “American Experience� charts the rapid rise and precipitous decline of the American whaling industry, which powered the start of the industrial revolution and laid the groundwork for a truly global economy in the 18th and 19th centuries (TV-PG – parental guidance suggested). n Tuesday, May 11, 8-10 p.m.

EDT (History) “The Real Robin Hood.�

In conjunction with his forthcoming feature film “Robin Hood,� director Ridley Scott explores the myth of the marauding outlaw and his origin as a

Mulderig is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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Classified ads bring results! Over 160,000 readers! More than 56,000 homes!

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.

April 30, 2010

The Catholic News & Herald 11

FROM THE COVER

Damaged statue lesson about violence STATUE, from page 1

photo by SueAnn

Howell

Charlotte police are investigating the desecration of the Our Lady of Peace statue at St. Matthew Church as a hate crime.

Catholic Diocese of Richmond Chief Financial Officer The Catholic Diocese of Richmond seeks a Chief Financial Officer to oversee all financial management of the diocese and the stewardship of fiscal resources in support of the mission and goals of the diocese. Functional areas include budgeting, accounting, auditing, investments, risk management, real estate, payroll and oversight of all financial policy and practices. Minimum requirements include bachelor’s degree, a CPA certificate, advanced knowledge of accounting/financial matters, excellent strategic planning and organizational skills, and strong inter-personnel skills. This is a senior management position requiring ten or more years of senior level experience. The selected candidate must be a practicing Catholic in good standing. Close date for applications is May 14, 2010.

To apply, please send a letter of interest, resume and diocesan application to jobs@richmonddiocese.org, fax to 804-358-9159 or mail to Sarah Fogler, Recruiting & Training Manager, Catholic Diocese of Richmond, 7800 Carousel Lane, Richmond, VA 23294. More information about the role can be found at www.richmonddiocese.org/human.

Detective Milton Harris of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department said he believes a handleedged tool, probably a heavy shovel or a pick ax, was used to sever the head and hands. As of press time Thursday, Harris was still reviewing surveillance videotape from the church’s parking lot in an attempt to identify the attacker or his vehicle.

“When I got there people were expressing fear, anger and frustration,” said Father Patrick Toole, St. Matthew’s parochial vicar. He celebrated the 9 a.m.

Mass the morning the vandalism was discovered. “I told them it is OK to feel those sentiments. It is what you do with them that matters.”

After that morning’s Mass, Father Toole led parishioners in prayer at the rose garden and blessed the desecrated statue with holy water.

“Even amidst destruction we can pray for peace. This is a reminder of why we are here, why we pray. There is someone in the world that needs God’s peace,” he said.

Susie Burgess, a parishioner at St. Matthew who attends daily Mass,

“With all the beauty and serenity of a garden of peace, violence took place.

I’ve asked people to stand and look, to get a sense of their feelings.”

–Monsignor John J. McSweeney commented on the vandalism, “I think maybe it is someone who has a lot of anger lashing out and they need a lot of help, and I think they need our prayers.”

The statue of Our Lady of Peace was placed outside the St. Matthew chapel in 2001 as part of an Eagle Scout project, and it was dedicated in 2003 in memory of the unborn. Lush rose bushes encircling the statue – the colorful blooms symbolizing the beautiful diversity of the parish, the green foliage a sign of hope, and the thorns the trials of life, Monsignor McSweeney said – provide a sweet fragrance and popular backdrop for First Communion photos this time of year. It is also the site of the school’s May crowning, which will still be held sometime in May, he said.

The damaged statue will remain in place for a couple of weeks, Monsignor McSweeney emphasized, so that parishioners may pray for the vandal and reflect on the brutality of abortion, abuse against women and children, and society’s glorification of violence.

“This is the Queen of Peace. We are, as disciples of Christ, called to be peacemakers.”

This isn’t the first act of vandalism at the church of 28,000 people in southeast Charlotte, the largest parish in the Diocese of Charlotte. Last March someone sprayed graffiti on a brick wall.

In another incident in the diocese, a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at St. Ann Church on Park Road was damaged and spray-painted last year during the time the church was being renovated.

PARAPLANNER – Charlotte Paraplanner needed for independent, personal financial planning practice near Charlotte Catholic High School in the Carmel Road/Hwy 51 area of Charlotte. Analytical self-starter with established proficiency in MS Excel and Word as well as the ability to quickly learn financial planning specific software. Requires the ability to understand financial statements, insurance policies and to effectively communicate with both clients and vendors. Flexible scheduling; 15 hours per week. Securities or insurance licensing helpful but not required. Fax resume to 704-540-7763 or email Cindy@AndersonFinancialPlanning.com.

Director or Coordinator of Religious Education – Charlotte St. John Neumann parish is looking for a dynamic self-starter to lead a vibrant Faith Formation department of 400+ students. This full-time position coordinates programs from pre-school to adult, oversees a small staff, and trains/coordinates about 100 volunteers. Looking for energetic candidate who will continue to build upon existing program, including an active High School and Middle School Youth Ministry. Degree in religious studies preferred. Bi-lingual helpful. Salary commensurate with abilities. Please send resume to joanne.klein@realestateideas.net or sbcutler@4sjnc.org or fax to 704-536-3147.

12 The Catholic News & Herald

in our schools

Asheville students meet president

April 30, 2010

‘Pure Fashion’ is a hit in the Triad

photo by Janie Schepker Photography

photos provided by Chris Lenderman and Linda Schilling

These Asheville Catholic School third-graders were setting out for a morning birthday hike for Abbey Ende when they were notified that President Barack Obama was on the golf course at the Grove Park Inn, where the Obama family was vacationing. Their hike quickly turned into a sprint to the end of Charlotte Street where they watched the president tee off. The president left one of the students, Olivia Lenderman, a memento from the encounter, tossing her a golf ball he’d been using that was marked with the presidential seal. She plans to display the ball in a glass case in her room. Pictured are (bottom, from left) Sarah Eckerd, Abbey Ende and Caroline Frisch, and (above) Olivia Lenderman.

Several other Asheville Catholic School children also enjoyed the presidential visit last weekend. Below, sixth-grader Patrick Ende and fifth-grader Mitchell Frisch (second and third from the left), are hanging in a neighbor’s tree to watch the president play golf.

On March 21 the Premier Triad to the Triangle Pure Fashion show took place at Grandover Resort and Conference Center in Greensboro. Fifty-five models from the Triad and Triangle areas took to the runway to show that pretty does not have to be provocative and modesty is beautiful. Mistress of Ceremonies and the National Spokeswoman for Pure Fashion spoke to the more than 400 guests, challenging parents to remain involved in their daughters’ spiritual formation and clothing selections.

The keynote speaker for the event was Tracey McCain, weekend anchorwoman for Greensboro’s WFMY Channel 2 News. Father James Stuhrenberg of Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro offered the blessing. Both Greensboro and Raleigh offered the Pure Fashion training and formation program over the past eight months, joining the models together for the mother-daughter tea, weekend retreat and show finale. This was the first year the program was offered in the Greensboro area. Other training sessions included etiquette, public speaking, make-up application, guidelines for choosing modest clothing and dress design and essay contests. Contest winners delivered their essays during the show and the dress design winners were rewarded with having their designs created and modeled in the show.

To register for the 2010-’11 Pure Fashion Program, which begins in September, visit www.purefashion.com. ― submitted by Trish Klier

Sacred Heart’s very own Thing 1 and Thing 2!

photo provided by

SCHOOL NEWS IN BRIEF

Shred your documents, benefit CCHS

CHARLOTTE ― Charlotte Catholic High School is sponsoring a day for community residents to shred and recycle their personal or confidential business documents, courtesy of ProShred

Security, to raise money for the school’s scholarship fund. Shredding services will be offered on site at CCHS from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 15. The service is free, but a $10 donation per container is suggested.

We welcome your school’s news.

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

Nanette Dillon

March 2 would have been the 106th birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel. And though the children in Tracy Sentilles’ first-grade class at Sacred Heart School in Salisbury were not alive when Dr. Seuss was writing, they certainly know plenty about this children’s author. Sentilles grew up enjoying the imaginative stories that are classic Seuss. “I wanted my students to be as fascinated with the books as I am,” she said. “His books are magical and bringing them to my students not only sparks hidden creativity, it also instills a love for reading.” Students were asked to complete a special Dr. Seuss project of their choosing and they did not disappoint. Posters, collages, multimedia presentations and dioramas were among the projects presented. Some dressed as characters from their favorite Dr. Seuss books and then entertained the class by telling the stories. And future authors took this opportunity to write and illustrate original stories in the style of Dr. Seuss. Pictured above portraying The Cat in the Hat is Zachary Proctor with Virginia Moye Robertson as Thing 1 and Hannah Conway as Thing 2.

April 30, 2010

IN OUR SCHOOLS

Fun to discover

The Catholic News & Herald 13

Lunch with Father Cook

photo provided by

photo provided by Suzanne

T. Beasley and Craig Lynch

A hand-baked cookie factory, retired military jets, flower gardens, and a trip back to 1760 to visit an Indian village? No, that’s not tonight’s lineup on the Discovery Channel, it’s what many young Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools students participated in during Easter break. Discovery Days, open to K-5 students enrolled in the six MAC schools, offer a range of fun and hands-on educational activities for children throughout the school year. During Easter break one of the trips they took was to the Carolinas Aviation Museum at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, where they got “up close and personal” with retired military aircraft.

Throughout the day, they also waved to large commuter jets taking off just

Donna Birkel

Students at St. Leo School in Winston-Salem recently enjoyed “Lunch with Father Cook.” It was a prize won by the family of a student during a silent auction fund raiser last fall. Father Brian J. Cook showed up to the fourth-grade class with a six-foot long sub sandwich plus cookies and ice cream sandwiches for dessert. What he didn’t know was that they had a special “treat” for him as well. Before enjoying lunch with the children, they recited a special prayer for priests and presented him with a framed copy of the prayer.

Author visits St. Ann School

300 yards away from them.

Providing help. Creating hope. Changing lives.

Catholic Social Services — The Diocese of Charlotte Your Local Catholic Charities Agency

Executive Director: Elizabeth Thurbee (704) 370-3227 Associate Director: Gerard Carter (704) 370-3250 Refugee Office: Cira Ponce (704) 370-3262 Family Life: Gerard Carter (704) 370-3228 Justice and Peace: Joseph Purello (704) 370-3225 OEO/CSS Murphy Satellite Office (828) 835-3535 Charlotte Region: 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203 Area Director: Elizabeth Thurbee (704) 370-3262 Western Region: 50 Orange Street, Asheville, NC 28801 Area Director: Jacqueline Crombie (828) 255-0146 Piedmont-Triad: 627 W. Second St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Area Director: Diane Bullard (336) 727-0705 Greensboro Satellite Office (336) 274-5577 Latino Family Center (336) 884-5858

For information on specific programs, please call your local office.

1123 South Church Street, Charlotte NC 28203 www.cssnc.org

photo provided by Lisa

B. Horton

Award-winning author and illustrator Clay Carmichael visited St. Ann School students and faculty in Charlotte April 19. She gave two presentations. The first presentation about her picture books was for the transitional kindergarten through second grades. The second presentation about her young adult novel “Wild Things” was for grades 3 through 5.

“Wild Things” was awarded the ALA Notable Book for 2009.

April 30, 2010

14 The Catholic News & Herald

Perspectives

A collection of columns, editorials and viewpoints

Two Italian saints should be praised for their charity VAT I C A N C I T Y ( C N S ) ― Anticipating his upcoming visit to Turin, Pope Benedict XVI highlighted the lives of two saints from the northern Italian city who as priests devoted their lives to the care of the people who most needed their help.

The two 19th-century priests were “outstanding for their love of God and their devotion to Christ and the Church,” the pope said during the general audience April 28 in St. Peter’s Square.

The pope has been devoting his weekly audiences to a series of talks about the unique mission, duties and responsibilities of priests.

He spoke about St. Leonard Murialdo, the founder of the Congregation of St. Joseph, and St. Joseph Cottolengo. The pope said the two men were “outstanding examples of charity” for their generosity and energetic dedication to the poor.

St. Leonard, who lived from 1828 to 1900, “saw his priestly vocation as a gracious gift of God’s love,” and devoted much of his life to the care and education of orphans by founding the Congregation of St. Joseph, the pope said.

St. Leonard “encouraged his confreres to unite contemplation and apostolic zeal, and to confirm their preaching by the example of their lives,” he said.

St. Joseph, who lived from 1786 to 1842, set up schools, orphanages, hospitals and other institutions in which he could help the poor and disadvantaged.

He founded the Little House of Divine Providence, an organization the pope called “a great charitable outreach which continues today.”

St. Joseph was able to involve many volunteers to help form his family-style communities that helped the most needy, the pope said.

The pope said the two priests lived their ministry “giving their lives totally to the poorest, neediest, and the last ... with the profound conviction that it is not possible to practice charity without living in Christ and in the Church.”

He said he hoped their example would “continue to inspire and sustain the many priests today who generously devote their lives to God and to the service of our brothers and sisters in need.”

Pope Benedict was scheduled to travel May 2 to see the Shroud of Turin, the cloth that tradition holds to be the burial shroud of Christ. The shroud is on public display for the first time since it underwent restoration in 2002. It was previously shown 10 years ago, when more than one million people lined up to catch a glimpse of the cloth imprinted with the negative image of a man.

At the end of the audience, the pope greeted members of the Pave the Way

The Pope Speaks POPE BENEDICT XVI

Foundation, a nonprofit organization that seeks to remove obstacles to interfaith understanding. They were led by Gary Krupp, the Jewish founder of the group who actively supports the cause of sainthood for Pope Pius XII, the wartime pontiff accused by many Jewish groups of failing to speak out against Nazi Germany’s persecution of Jews.

Krupp, reached by telephone, said the group gave the pope a wristwatch with two faces: one showing Rome time and one showing Jerusalem time.

He said the group was made up of rabbi and author Shmuley Boteach; Rabbi Eric Silver of Temple Beth David in Cheshire, Conn.; Rodney Adler, a Jewish businessman from Australia; and David Victor, president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Below is the full text of the pope’s remarks in English: Dear Brothers and Sisters, As the Year for Priests draws to its close, I would like to devote today’s catechesis to the example of two remarkable priests of the 19th century associated with the Italian city of Turin.

St. Leonard Murialdo, the founder of the Congregation of Saint Joseph, devoted his life to the education and pastoral care of disadvantaged young people. He saw his priestly vocation as a gracious gift of God’s love, to be received with gratitude, joy and love. Imbued with a powerful sense of the Lord’s mercy, he encouraged his confreres to unite contemplation and apostolic zeal, and to confirm their preaching by the example of their lives. St. Joseph Cottolengo, who lived a generation before St. Leonard, was another outstanding apostle of charity. Early in his priesthood, after a dramatic encounter with human suffering, he founded the “Little Home of Divine Providence,” involving scores of people – priests, religious and laity alike – in a great charitable outreach which continues today. May the example of these two great priests, outstanding for their love of God and their devotion to Christ and the Church, continue to inspire and sustain the many priests today who generously devote their lives to God and to the service of our brothers and sisters in need.

Christian love means putting others first, not ourselves In December of 1965, Father Joseph Ratzinger preached three sermons to Catholic University students on the topic of what it means to be a Christian. In these reflections, the up-and-coming scholar thought it necessary to remind the students of the essence of being a Christian.

As we continue to reflect on the mystery of the Resurrection during the Easter season, I think it is a great idea to recognize that which should distinguish a Christian from others.

When the future Pope Benedict XVI was addressing those university students in the cathedral of Munster, Germany, he focused on how a Christian has to always be willing to lay down his life for the other. In the wake of the Second Vatican Council, he felt it necessary to return to the fundamentals of our faith.

Father Ratzinger said that before Copernicus, everyone thought the sun revolved around the world and the earth was the center of the universe.

But after Copernicus, people realized the earth orbited the sun. As the age of space exploration dawned, we also realized that our earth and sun were not even at the center of the universe.

This realization is what is needed in our own lives. The future pope said we need a Copernican revolution in our own hearts to remind us that we are not the center of the universe. He gently and kindly reminded us all of a simple fact that hopefully we were all taught by our moms at some point or another: “It’s not all about you – the world does not revolve around you!” I definitely picked that one up from my mom!

If we can accept this reality, then life makes more sense. Instead of putting ourselves in the center of what is happening, we place God at the center. God is the center around which all else turns and we see ourselves as one of the many beautiful parts of His universe. After all, it is love that is the basic cause for why anything other than God exists. God chooses to share existence with all that is created, to experience His life and love.

This Monday, Pope Benedict XVI celebrates his fifth anniversary as the pope, the Bishop of Rome. Our Catholic understanding of his position in the Church is that he is the successor of St. Peter. Yes, that St. Peter who we just heard about in today’s first reading from Acts and the Gospel from St. John! Jesus asks Peter if he loves H.im,

Guest Column Father Patrick Cahill Guest columnist if he is willing to follow Him unto death and Peter says, “You know all things. You know I love you.”

Pope Benedict XVI is the 265th Bishop of Rome. We say as Catholic Christians that St. Peter was the first one who left Jerusalem for Rome to evangelize the center of the known world and was martyred around the year 67. Many years have passed in between these two imperfect men, 263 imperfect Popes fell in between, but

by God’s grace our Catholic Church is still here.

God has blessed the Church with Pope Benedict’s five years as pope, and also in his nearly 59 years as a priest. He was ordained in 1951 and, God willing, he celebrates his 59th anniversary as a priest this June 29. (I am working on big number 3 this June!)

God’s love is one that is pure and dynamic, one that is “ever ancient yet ever new.” It can constantly renew us. The three persons of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Spirit – live in a relationship purely ordered.

Each of the persons of the Holy Trinity is a model of how to live for the other. The most striking example is that of Jesus on the cross. Because He lived a human life in complete service and love until death, we are able to see what it means to live for another. No greater love does one have than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friend.

Jesus is the obvious example of placing God at the center of His world and acting accordingly. What does it mean, then, to be a Christian?

Love should be what distinguishes a Christian. Turning to the Holy Trinity and to the saints can be a great starting point: they show living one’s life completely for God and others.

Father Patrick Cahill is parochial vicar of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte.

This is an excerpt from his homily of April 18.

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 2 – MAY 8

Sunday (Fifth Sunday of Easter), Acts 14:21-27, Revelation 21:1-5, John 13:31-35; Monday (Sts. Philip and James), 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, John 14:6-14; Tuesday, Acts 14:19-28, John 14:27-31; Wednesday, Acts 15:1-6, John 15:1-8; Thursday, Acts 15:7-21, John 15:9-11; Friday, Acts 15:22-31, John 15:12-17, Saturday, Acts 16:1-10, John 15:18-21.

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 9 – MAY 15

Sunday (Sixth Sunday of Easter), Acts 15:1-2, 22-29, Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23, John 14:23-29; Monday (St. Damien of Molokai), Acts 16:11-15, John 15:26-16:4; Tuesday, Acts 16:22-34, John 16:5-11; Wednesday (Sts. Nereus and Achilleus, St. Pancras), Acts 17:15, 22-18:1, John 16:12-15; Thursday (The Ascension of the Lord), Acts 1:1-11, Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23, Luke 24:46-53; Friday (St. Matthias), Acts 1:15-17, 20-26, John 15:9-17; Saturday (St. Isidore), Acts 18:23-28, John 16:23-28.

April 30, 2010

The Catholic News & Herald 15

Gratitude means to offer our lives to God always We gather this morning to celebrate the Eucharist in gratitude to God and deep affection for Sisters Mary John, Josephine Maria, Mary Jerome, Maria Goretti, Mary Anita and Margaret Catherine, who celebrate their anniversaries of profession as Sisters of Mercy. May our prayers and thanksgiving during this holy meal, may the hymns we sing and the gifts we offer upon this altar give praise to God, the giver of all that is good, for these wonderful women whom we honor this day. For this day of jubilee is for us all a celebration of the blessings of God for those whose ministry and witness have enriched our lives and the life of our Church, we who have been so touched by their generosity and love.

On this day of jubilee, we do well to pause in the midst of the busyness and complications of our lives to appreciate the blessings we have received. For each of us knows all too well from experience that blessings can so easily be taken for granted.

And so this morning we give thanks to God for the blessing of the gift of life that has been made holy by the Holy Spirit and empowers us to live as we were created to live, as Jesus taught us

by His example and ministry. We give thanks for the blessing of forgiveness we receive from God when we do not honor the Gospel command to love one another, and for the beauty of life itself, that mirrors the majesty of God and which must be protected by us all. For

Matthew Chapter 25 sheds light on questions raised in previous letters

these and all gifts, we give thanks.

And yet gratitude to God surely must be about more than remembering what has been received. Perhaps gratitude has much more to do with the present and the future than it ever could with the past. True gratitude is shown in love for others and grounded in deep and humble prayerfulness. For if the Lord Jesus taught us anything at all about the glory of God and the goodness of life, it is precisely that we are to continually offer our lives to God through our ministry of kindness and compassion, a ministry that never ends, a ministry that does not coerce, but as did Jesus, gently but firmly reminds us of God’s presence and abiding love for all.

Dear friends, we believe that God is near and active in each of our lives through the Spirit, waiting to be embraced by hearts that long for peace, waiting for us to love each other as God loves us and as Jesus taught and lived.

And so, through our faith in God’s presence and our belief that Jesus is Lord, each of us is called to renew the face of the earth through our unique ministries of love and compassion.

For as good as it is, our world could stand a bit of renewal right now. For there is far too much division among us, too much shouting, too much anxiety, too much suspicion, too much of everything, except mercy and compassion and love.

Yet the task at hand and ahead can seem so daunting for us all, for

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I was intrigued by the three letters about the health care legislation published in the April 16 edition. The basic question of the three authors seemed to be how one might educate someone to be a Catholic.

One would start with the four Gospels and those parts of the various epistles one would wish to use as a basis for a conversation.

I could not lead anyone to knowledge of and belief in Jesus of Nazareth without spending much time with the Gospel of Matthew, especially Chapter 25:31-42. It seems to be a magnificent summary of what He taught and what lessons He wants us to take from His journey to Jerusalem.

Were a person to seek this passage in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, he would find it cited six times. The first is

in Section 544. Just after it, Section 546 contains a stirring sentence speaking of the choice to enter the kingdom: “Words are not enough; deeds are required.”

Deacon Tom Kak High Point, N.C.

Church needs to heal its wounded sheep Dear Editor, I’m sure I am not the only faithful Catholic who is getting tired of the articles proclaiming that the media are persecuting the Church even as more victims of abuse come to light.

Guest Column

Father Frank Pavone Guest columnist

Father Christopher Kirchgessner, O.S.B.

we struggle ourselves with our own troubles. Let us remember that we have been given the Spirit of a loving God to encourage us and strengthen us to rise above our weaknesses and offer our lives to one another in love, so that all may feel and touch the abiding presence of God. Is this not what brings us together this morning?

Six women of goodness and strength and beauty and holiness, who remained faithful to their promise to preach and teach, heal and comfort in the name of Jesus, six ladies who remind us just how fulfilling and good life is when lived for God and others.

On this day of jubilee, we say to God and to you, dear sisters, thank you.

Amen.

Father Christopher Kirchgessner of Belmont Abbey gave this homily April 24 at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte to honor the Sisters of Mercy Jubilee Celebration. For the story, see page 1.

Our current pope may not have been involved in this scandal as archbishop in Munich. He may not have personally known or been involved in this as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In the end, though, that is irrelevant. What is relevant is that there are thousands of wounded Catholic sheep who are being victimized again by a policy of deflection.

The pope did take some steps in acknowledging that the Church needs to do penance for its sins. As the leader of the Church, he has to reach out in whatever way it takes to make things right.

The Church has to do whatever is necessary to heal those wounded sheep.

The number of victims may be low, but as a friend of one of those victims, I can tell you that the effects on those who were abused are massive, often to the point of suicide.

The decimated part of the Body of Christ is crying out for healing, and that can only happen when the diseased part has been cut out.

John Knippel Franklin, N.C.

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Abortion issue valid test for Supreme Court candidates U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens recently announced his retirement. The opening of a Supreme Court seat will again open the ongoing debate in our nation over abortion. Like it or not, a nominee’s stand on this issue will take center stage in the confirmation process.

If you take a tour of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., you eventually reach a relatively small room in the basement. It is the old Supreme Court.

Prior to getting its own building across the street, the Supreme Court used to be housed under the building in which our federal lawmakers represent us. They pass laws; judges don’t. Judges simply judge whether an existing law has been violated in a particular case, by particular parties.

So, in short, the judge’s position on the issues shouldn’t matter. Judges aren’t politicians. There shouldn’t be a tug of war between factions trying to get people confirmed because they take “their position” on particular issues, or because they are “moderate” in their views.

All this is fair enough. People on both sides of major issues say they are not in favor of “litmus tests.”

But if a judge had written an opinion in a law review about why women should not have the right to vote, wouldn’t that single issue be enough to most people to disqualify him or her from being confirmed? Or what if a nominee were known to belong to the Ku Klux Klan?

Wouldn’t that single fact be enough to disqualify him or her from consideration?

The fact is that we use litmus tests all the time. There are certain lines that most people agree should not be crossed.

Supreme Court Justices are not supposed to shape public policy, and their nomination and confirmation should be based on their qualifications, not their views on specific issues.

But there are certain issues so central to the very nature and purpose of government that one’s position on those issues is tantamount to a qualification for the job. The very purpose of government is the protection of human rights, starting with life. No court can legitimize an act of violence, or take away human rights.

Anyone who fails to affirm that does not belong in any public office, much less the Supreme Court.

The U.S. Senate will have the responsibility to vote for or against the president’s nominee. Let’s start now letting our senators know where we stand. And please help us rally support on Facebook as well at http://ow.ly/1xixP. Father Frank Pavone is national director of Priests for Life, based in Staten Island, N.Y. Contact them at 1-888-PFL3448 or mail@priestsforlife.org.

from the cover

Sister marks 80th anniversary SISTER, from page 1

Sister Mary John was among six women religious who were honored during the Sisters of Mercy Jubilee Mass celebrated at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte April 24.

Born in 1914 in Limerick, Ireland, Sister Mary John was one of 11 children, eight of whom survived childhood. She emigrated to the U.S. in 1930 after her mother passed away, in the second wave of siblings coming to America to join their father in search of new beginnings.

Her aunt, a Sister of Mercy named Mother Mary Raphael, was a nurse at Mercy Hospital in Charlotte. Sister Mary John and two of her sisters, who had attended secondary school in Ireland taught by the Sisters of Mercy, came to Belmont to Sacred Heart Academy to finish their education when she was 16.

“I grew up with the Sisters of Mercy. I was with them (at St. John’s School in Ireland) and I knew them very intimately…. I knew what kind of work they did and how they reached out to the poor and the uneducated and took care of the sick. They had a big hospital in Limerick where I grew up,” she says.

“It was just a few months after arriving that I entered the Sisters of Mercy,” she recalls.

North Carolina was ripe for missionaries at that time – only 1 percent of the state’s population was Catholic in those days. She initially served in the state at Newton Grove, Charlotte, Wilmington, Salisbury and Belmont.

The Catholic News & Herald 16

Sister Mary John also spent four years in Guam during the Vietnam War, from 1963 to 1967, serving as regional superior at the Sisters of Mercy mission there.

“I was a coordinator of the community there and also taught sixth grade in St. Anthony’s grade school. We used to watch the planes leaving from Anderson Air Force Base to go bomb Vietnam…. We always knew how many were lost as they flew over the convent, and we would count them going and coming back,” she remembers.

At 52, Sister Mary John was sent to Florida for a year to be re-acclimated to life in the U.S. The following year, she was transferred back to North Carolina, to the state where her life as a religious began.

“Sister Mary John has ministered at most of the schools staffed by the Sisters of Mercy in the dioceses of Charlotte and Raleigh as teacher, and most often as principal,” Sister Mary Hugh Mauldin noted during the Jubilee Celebration last Saturday.

Over the years Sister Mary John also served as novice mistress in Belmont.

Her final assignment before “retiring,” was acting as teacher and principal at Sacred Heart School in Salisbury from 1988 to 1997. She now lives at the Sisters of Mercy Motherhouse on the Sacred Heart Campus in Belmont.

Reflecting on her 80 years as a Sister of Mercy, Sister Mary John says, “I would not give them up for anything!

It has been most enriching. The sisters here are wonderful … very supportive, encouraging and always going out of their way to lift your spirits.”

Sister Kathleen (Kathy) Ann Green, president of the Sisters of Mercy of the

Celebrating their jubilee

photo provided by Sister

Sisters in the Diocese of Charlotte held their annual Jubilee Celebration April 17 with a Mass celebrated by the Rev. Monsignor Mauricio W. West, vicar general and chancellor, and a luncheon at the Pastoral Center in Charlotte to honor the jubilarians. Papal blessings were given to each jubilarian. Sisters honored at the event pictured above are (back row, from left) Sister Maria Goretti Weldon, RSM (60 years); Sister Eileen McLoughlin, MSBT (60 years); Sister Andrea Inkrott, OSF (50 years); Sister Mary Jerome Spradley, RSM (60 years); (front row, from left) Sister Mary John Madden, RSM (80 years); and Sister Josephine Maria Thomas, RSM (75 years). Not pictured are jubilarians Sister Mary Veronica Grover, SHCJ (60 years); Sister Mary Anita Sheerin, RSM (60 years); and Sister Margaret Catherine Williams, RSM (60 years).

Americas South Central Community, addressed Sister Mary John and the five other Sisters of Mercy celebrating their jubilee anniversaries at the Jubilee Mass.

Describing them, Sister Kathy shared, “Their long, loving, prayerful

and God-centered lives are in fact a book of wisdom. And to engage them in conversation about matters of the heart is to receive from them so much graced insight about life’s ultimate mysteries – God and faith, forgiveness and healing, sorrow and joy, life, death and rebirth.”

Thanks, Mom, For The Beautiful Gift of Life To mothers on this day of honor, we thank you for your courageous love in giving us life . . . and to those birth mothers who lovingly choose adoption for their children and those who give the love of their hearts to adopted children, we say to all,

“Happy Mother’s Day!” Respect Life Program 704-370-3229

Mary Timothy Warren

We love you and give you our thanks every day of our lives.

Photos courtesy of Heritage House www.HH76.com

April 30, 2010