May 5, 2000

The Catholic News & Herald 1

May 5, 2000

May 5, 2000 Volume 9 t Number 34

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

Inside

Catholic Daughters

Pope names first saint of the new millennium

Women celebrate at 23rd biennial convention

...Page 2

Local educators participate in NCEA convention ...Page 11

Local News Spirit ignites Diocesan Youth Conference flame ...Page 4

India comes to diocese via women religious ...Page 10

Every Week Entertainment ...Pages 6-7

Editorials & Columns ...Pages 8-9

•SPECIAL•

“Laying New Foundations for Faith and Learning” Update on the new Bishop McGuinness Memorial High School

Photo by Jimmy Rostar

A Pledge of Service Maryann Grabasky of Court Greensboro lights a candle after her installation as state second vice regent during a Mass at the biennial North Carolina Catholic Daughters of the Americas convention in Hickory. Grabasky is one of five new officers who will serve two-year terms.

Cardinal O’Connor dies at 80 NEW YORK (CNS) — John Cardinal O’Connor, New York’s archbishop for 16 years, died May 3, a little more than eight months after undergoing surgery last Aug. 31 for a brain tumor. He was 80 years old.

His funeral was scheduled for Monday, May 8, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

Pope John Paul II mourned the death of U.S. John Cardinal O’Connor, praising his “many years of dedicated and courageous witness to the Gospel.”

“As a deeply spiritual man, a warm and zealous pastor, and effective teach-

er of the faith and a vigorous defender of human life, Cardinal O’Connor modeled his own life and ministry on the figure of the Good Shepherd who, to the end, gives his life for the flock,” the pope said.

The pope expressed his appreciation for the late cardinal’s efforts toward “better ecumenical and interreligious relations” and his work on behalf of the poor, calling him “a source of inspiration in serving God in our less fortunate brothers and sisters.”

See CARDINAL O’CONNOR, page 5

By JIMMY ROSTAR Associate Editor HICKORY — At the close of their 23rd biennial convention, North Carolina’s Catholic Daughters of the Americas heard a message urging them to experience God’s grace and to live their faith for the benefit of others.

“We are all called to a particular share in God’s grace,” said Father Mauricio W. West, vicar general and chancellor, who celebrated Mass on the last day of the April 28-30 convention at the Catholic Conference Center.

“It does no good for us to talk about it.

We have to put it into practice.”

In his homily, Father West reminded the Catholic Daughters that an important responsibility, like that of all Christians, is finding ways to serve God and others.

“Jesus in no way limits his call,” said Father West. “The divine invitation requires every one of us to embrace their responsibilities of discipleship, to put the words of Jesus Christ into action each and every day of our lives.

“Our challenge, our commitment, our motivation must be the living out of the Gospel, no matter how great the odds, no matter how bitter the disappointment or how discouraging or frustrating.”

Father West’s message came at the close of a weekend that celebrated the Catholic Daughters’ commitment to church, country and neighbor. There are a dozen Catholic Daughters courts, or chapters, in North Carolina: six in

See CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS, page 3

2 The Catholic News & Herald newspaper column and used other media to earnestly promote the idea that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. Now, Msgr.

Thomas McSweeney, director of The Christophers in New York City, is preparing to bring the light of his experience and talents back home to the Diocese of Erie. “I really am eager to plug in whatever I’ve learned, contacts I have made, and the gifts (the diocese) has allowed me to accrue,” said the priest, who was named a monsignor earlier this year.

Catholic educators urged to prepare for crisis situations BALTIMORE (CNS) — Catholic school administrators and school boards cannot be naive about the possibility of school violence, said a speaker at the annual National Catholic Educational Association convention in Baltimore. “Unfortunately, it’s only a matter of time before it’s one of us,” said Sister Mary Angela Shaughnessy during a standing-room-only workshop April 26 for more than 200 Catholic school educators. Sister Shaughnessy, a Sister of Charity of Nazareth, Ky., and an education professor at Spalding University in Louisville, said the time to figure out what to do in a crisis situation is before something happens.

Religion coverage by major media grows over decades WASHINGTON (CNS) — A new study has found that coverage of religion by major media outlets has grown over the past 30 years. The study showed a dip in the 1980s, but said it rebounded in the 1990s to levels surpassing that of the 1970s. The study also showed that the Catholic Church figured more prominently than any other religion in news coverage.

It also found that while the number of stories about the Catholic Church stayed the same, the percentage of stories about it decreased because of an overall increase in all stories about religion. The study, issued in April by the Center for Media and Public Affairs and the Ethics and Public Policy Center, two Washington-based think tanks, examined news coverage in the

The World in

CNS photo from Catholic Press Photo

Sister Faustina Kowalska is first saint of new millennium At a canonization Mass April 30 in St. Peter’s Square, the pope said the humble life of the Polish Mercy sister, who died in 1938 at the age of 33 and whose diary account of visions and revelations inspired Divine Mercy devotion worldwide, “is tied to the history of the 20th century.”

Senate committee approves Pain Relief Promotion Act WASHINGTON (CNS) — A Catholic pro-life official said the Pain Relief Promotion Act approved April 27 by the Senate Judiciary Committee shows respect “for dying patients” and “compassion for their suffering.” The bill, approved by a 10-7 vote, “can mark a new beginning in our government’s commitment to the real needs of these patients” and means “a sad chapter in our nation’s history may be nearing an end,” said Richard Doerflinger, associate director for policy development in the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities. “The full Senate should take up and approve this bill at its earliest opportunity,” he said in a statement. No date for a Senate vote has been set.

Msgr. McSweeney to step down as director of The Christophers ERIE, Pa. (CNS) — For the past four years, he has hosted scores of television programs, written a weekly

Episcopal May 5, 2000 Volume 9 • Number 34

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

May 5, 2000

c a l e n-

Bishop William G. Curlin will take part in the following events: May 3 — 10 Annual pilgrimage with Knights of Malta to Lourdes May 12 — 7 pm Confirmation St. Aloysius, Hickory May 13 — 11 am Diocesan Lay Ministry Graduation Mass St. Gabriel, Charlotte 5 pm Confirmation, St. Piux X and blessing of pro-life monument May 14 — 9 am Confirmation St. Peter, Charlotte 4 pm Groundbreaking St. Joseph, Kannapolis

ABC, NBC and CBS nightly newscasts; reports in The New York Times and The Washington Post; and articles in Time, Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report magazines.

Bishop: Zimbabwe’s land crisis is flag for South Africa CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) — The crisis in Zimbabwe, where white-owned farms have been invaded by blacks demanding land, raised concerns that a similar situation could arise in neighboring South Africa, where 80 percent of land is still controlled or owned by whites. “There is great expectation of land restitution, and we need to be careful that slowness in settlement does not lead to a situation like Zimbabwe,” said Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg, who heads the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference justice and peace department. According to government statistics, less than 13 percent of land in South Africa is controlled by black people.

Diocesan

plan -

holding their annual Roman Gabriel Sports Benefit and Raffle tonight from 7-9 p.m. at St. Ann Church, 3635 Park Rd. The evening’s festivities include a silent and live auction and a raffle for two PSL’s (permanent seating licenses) to the Carolina Panthers’ Stadium.

All proceeds raised from the event will benefit the clients of Room at the Inn. For more information, contact Christine Lively at (704) 521-2774.

19 GREENSBORO — “Living the Jubilee Year” is the theme for the annual Catholic Renewal Conference being held at Greensboro College, 815 West Market St. All are invited to share in this jubilee year gathering filled with music, praise and worship, speakers and morning Mass. A dorm lodging and meal package are available along with a weekend bookstore. The opening session starts tonight at 7:30 p.m. with sessions all day May 20. For more

Salvadoran prelate asks pardon for U.S. churchwomen’s killers SAN SALVADOR (CNS) — Archbishop Fernando Saenz Lacalle of San Salvador supported the request for a pardon from two ex-soldiers in jail for the 1980 killing of three U.S. nuns and a lay worker. “Let’s show mercy and pity. They (the jailed soldiers) have shown repentance, and that’s the correct conduct,” Archbishop Saenz told reporters after Easter Mass April 23 in the capital. In March, former national guardsmen Carlos Palacios and Francisco Contreras petitioned Congress for a reconsideration of their cases.

Major abortion, First Amendment cases in court’s final round WASHINGTON (CNS) — Two major cases in the final week of the Supreme Court’s argument calendar raise significant questions about abortion law and about the competing issues of anti-discrimination law and an organization’s right to define its own membership. On April 25, the court was to consider whether Nebraska’s law prohibiting partial-birth abortion is constitutional. The next day, it was scheduled to hear arguments over a New Jersey Supreme Court ruling that said because of anti-discrimination laws the Boy Scouts may not reject participation by homosexuals.

Vatican releases collection of papal writings on social teaching VATICAN CITY (CNS) — To whet Catholics’ appetite for the church’s social teaching, the Vatican released a book of quotes from papal documents over the last hundred years. The book gathers quotes from Pope Leo XIII to the current pope, said Archbishop Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, at a press conference April 27. Titled “The Social Agenda: A Collection of Magisterial Texts,” the 225-page book contains nearly 370 quotations, most a paragraph’s length, from some 75 church documents.

information, call Bette Steinkamp at (336) 882-9717 or e-mail for return message at Rstienkamp@infoave.net.

Upcoming MAGGIE VALLEY — Augustinian Father Anthony M. Genovese is the facilitator of a retreat, “Take Courage and Be a Man,” emphasizing male spirituality and how this experience has an influence on societal values, the pursuit of goals, dealing with failures and being open to God’s call. For further information on the retreat being held from June 9-11, call the Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center, 103 Living Waters lane, at (828) 926-3833.

Please submit notices of events for the Diocesan Planner at least 10 days prior to publication date.

May 5, 2000

Around the

Catholic Daughters, from the Diocese of Charlotte, and six in the Diocese of Raleigh. Each is involved in a variety of religious, charitable and educational efforts on the local, state and national levels.

Headquartered in New York, the national Catholic Daughters of the Americas organization has about 115,000 members in the United States, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

The national organization was founded in 1903 by the Knights of Columbus in Utica, N.Y. Since 1956, the state’s Catholic Daughters have met every other year for a conference that is part business meeting, part spiritual retreat. Deceased members are memorialized, officers are elected and installed, committee members are appointed, reports are given, awards are bestowed.

It is a time to remember the past, celebrate the present and look forward to the future as an organization dedicated, as its motto states, to unity and charity.

“Each convention has the potential of becoming a great learning experience,” said Dolly Peña, national director and national supervisor of Catholic Daughters of the Americas, in a letter to the state organization. “It is a time to renew acquaintances, visit with friends, reminisce over past achievements and concentrate on plans for future CDA accomplishments.”

Maryann Grabasky, the state court’s second vice regent, agreed that the convention is an opportunity to reflect on the work of the Catholic Daughters.

“I feel like I’m contributing to the church and to my country,” added Grabasky, who is a member of Court Greensboro. She spoke of the diverse charitable and spiritual outreach the organization provides, from feeding the hungry to fund-raising for Alzheimer’s and AIDS patients, from supporting vocations to promoting a strong spiritual life.

“We’re living out the Gospel by doing these things,” Grabasky said.

“This is our role; this is what our orga-

nization does.”

During the closing Mass, the new officers were installed into their twoyear terms, promising their fidelity and service to God, the church, the organization and the nation.

The new state officers are: Doreen Warren of Court Children of Mary in Elizabeth City, state regent; Joyce Rachid of Court Msgr. Michael A. Irwin in New Bern, first vice regent; Maryann Grabasky of Court Greensboro, second vice regent; Sheila Storey of Court Durham, secretary; and Ruth

ans,” taking place at St. Eugene Church, 1 Culvern St., tonight from 6-9 p.m., sponsored by the Gay and Lesbian Commission of the Diocese of Charlotte. The evening includes prayer, fellowship and discussions. For May 9 registration details and other information, call Jerry Edwards at (828) 252-2652 or e-mail: PhubbyOne@aol.com.

13 LEXINGTON — Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 619 South Main St., is having their annual spaghetti dinner and fund-raiser tonight from 5-8 p.m. The food includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, garlic bread, dessert and beverages. Proceeds are to benefit the church renovation fund. For details, call the church office at (336) 248-2463.

15 HENDERSONVILLE — Natural family planning classes are beginning tonight from 7-9 p.m. For directions, registration and further information, call Ann Dowling at (704) 696-2357.

17 CHARLOTTE — Room at the Inn, a Catholic-sponsored home for unwed mothers providing a structured environment for pregnant women, is

May 7 CHARLOTTE — St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Rd., is having its 48th Semi-Annual International Family Rosary Day at 3 p.m. this afternoon, with Legionaries of Christ Father Peter Devereux from Atlanta, Ga., as the speaker for the event. The day includes a procession, homily, the rosary, hymns and Benediction. For more information, call Kathleen Potter at (704) 366-5127 or the church office at (704) 554-7088.

CHARLOTTE — St. Ann Church, 3635 Park Rd., invites everyone to participate in the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during the Forty Hours of Devotion Services today through May 9. Today’s 12:15 p.m. Mass is being followed by Adoration from 1:30 p.m.-midnight. On May 8 and 9, Adoration lasts throughout the day with early morning sessions from 5-8 a.m., a second session from 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. with 7:30 p.m.

Mass and a nighttime session from 8:30 p.m.-midnight on May 8 only. For more

Photo by Jimmy Rostar

Father Mauricio W. West shares a smile with present and past officers of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas following the closing Mass.

Carlisle of Court Charlotte, treasurer.

Just as the new officers affirmed their resolve, Father West urged all of the members to live out that commitment to faith, charity and evangelization.

“We who gather in this room this morning must commit ourselves to share in God’s Word, relieving those who find themselves in need,” he said during his homily. “We must strive to be authentic signs of the truth, the reality and the beauty of God’s love.

“We know the path along which the Lord, Jesus, leads us is not always an easy one, but it is the one of loving service to humanity. ... Our commitment to him requires us to reach out in love, care and concern to all of our brothers and sisters whom we encounter on our journey.” t

The Catholic News & Herald 3

New Catholic Daughters Court continues tradition of charity,

By Dianne Riggs Correspondent ASHEVILLE — The largest organization of Catholic women in the United States recently added its newest court in North Carolina.

On March 4 of this year, during a Mass at St. Joan of Arc Church in Asheville, Court St. Joan of Arc #2471 was officially instituted and officers installed. It is the sixth court, or local chapter, to be established in the Diocese of Charlotte.

“It is a blessing to be a Catholic Daughter,” said Marjorie Thomas, Court St. Joan of Arc’s regent, or president. “It has added to my selfesteem.”

Thomas, a member of St. Joan of Arc, had been a part of the first CDA Court in North Carolina, at the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Asheville, for “about 22 years.” That original court, Court Asheville #412, was established in 1920, she said.

Court St. Joan of Arc, which currently has 29 members, held its first meeting on April 22. While the gathering was organizational in nature, the attending members began at once with what is most characteristic of the CDA: charity.

Members will begin making “fidget aprons” for the Alzheimer patients in the nursing home at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Asheville. The aprons contain sewn-in keys, zippers, fringe and such for the patients to “work their hands,” said Thomas.

Thomas anticipates that the new court will be involved in many charitable projects, as well as doing things at the church “at the request of the priest.”

According to Doreen Warren, state regent, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas is basically a chari-

table organization, concentrating on the seven spokes of a program called “Circle of Love”: quality of life, youth, spiritual enhancement, legislation promoting a Catholic perspective, education, national charitable projects and leadership.

Court St. Joan of Arc enters a rich legacy of service, both here in North Carolina and in the nation.

Among numerous projects, the national CDA has recently built five houses for Habitat for Humanity and given $3,000 to the Diocese of Raleigh for flood victims, Warren said.

Historically, the national organization’s works included supporting the efforts of both World Wars at home and abroad, helping the poor, working with youth, assisting the blind, securing funds for seminarians, doing literacy work and spreading the faith. All this and much more was done in addition to raising funds for numerous charities.

The Catholic Daughters have also been active locally and legislatively in attempting to protect the sanctity of the home and the right to life.

Any Catholic woman age 18 or above is eligible to become a Daughter, said Marjorie Thomas, who with Court St. Joan of Arc Vice Regent Ginny Eldreth attended the CDA State Convention April 28-30 at the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory. Members do not need to be parishioners of the sponsoring parish.

In addition to the two courts in Asheville, the Charlotte Diocese has courts in Lenior, Salisbury, Greensboro and Charlotte. t

details, call the church office at (704) 523-4641.

TRYON — The Jubilee Parish Mission at St. John the Baptist Church, 600 Laurel Ave., continues through May 11 with services at 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., conducted by Redemptorist Father Rudolph Papes from Grand Rapids, Mich. For more information, call the church office at (828) 859-9574.

10 CHARLOTTE — The St. John Neumann Church 50+ Club is meeting this morning at 11 a.m. in the church hall, located at 8451 Idlewild Rd. The members are honoring those couples celebrating their 50th anniversaries this year. The regular meetings take place every second Wednesday of the month, and for details about this month’s or upcoming meetings, call Gloria Silipigni at (704) 821-1343.

11 CHARLOTTE — All Irish Catholic men are invited to join the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Mecklenburg County Division, for their May membership meeting and First Degree ceremony for new members and a

social hour at St. Gabriel Church in the ministry building at 3016 Providence Rd. tonight at 7:30 p.m.

For details, call Bill McDade at (704) 333-3371.

12 ASHEVILLE — The members of the Caring Hearts AIDS Ministry of St. Joan of Arc Church, 919 Haywood Ave., are having their special “Book-Tique Sale and More” this weekend starting today from noon-8 p.m., May 13 from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and May 14 from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Hardback and paperback books, cookbooks, children’s greeting cards, CD’s, videos, audiobooks and miscellaneous household items are on hand for all patrons. The sale is being held in the school building adjacent to the church. For donations and other information, call Mary Henderson at (828) 254-2773 or the church office at (828) 252-3151.

ASHEVILLE — There is a gay and lesbian retreat, “A Place at the Table: A Jubilee Retreat for Gays and Lesbi-

4 The Catholic News & Herald

May 5, 2000

Around the Di-

Thunderous spirit ignites Diocesan Youth Conference

first time, said later. “In fact, I ended

By Deb Hartrum up going to the workshop the group Correspondent presented the next day, and it was my LAKE WYLIE, S.C. — Camp favorite.”

Thunderbird lived up to its name last When the music stopped, a short weekend, when thunder from the sky prayer service sent the teens to their joined with the thunder of 350 joycabins, where keeping warm was a ous voices as diocesan teens gathered challenge. for the 23rd Annual Diocesan Youth Saturday morning, teens brimConference. ming with expectations began their The theme for this year’s event quest for spiritual renewal and new was “Generation Christ: New Beginfriends. nings.”

“I love when the kids come to the Paul Kotlowksi, the diocesan diconference and mingle with kids from rector of Youth Ministry, shared his other Catholic Churches,” said Ruth expectations for this year’s conference Morrissey, youth minister from St. and noted the growth process that can Eugene Church in Asheville. “I think occur even within the timeframe of a this is a valuable experience.” Morweekend. rissey accompanied 18 members of her “My hope is that the youth of the youth ministry group diocese gather in felthis year. lowship, coming to a Among the high- “Please say to yourself, greater appreciation of lights of the conference their participation of ‘God is interested. are the workshops that Christ’s generation,” lift up the connection God put me here in this said Kotlowski. all youth have to each Friday evening beother as Catholics. One world, and he allows me gan with prayer for a workshop, presented by to be here ... to make it weekend of spirit and religion teacher Tony a better place.’ Be there fun. Icebreakers that O’Meara, gave new set the stage for fellowmeaning for many to the for others, and your life ship were followed by suffering of the Lord. a dynamic presentation will have meaning.

“In the real world, from Franciscan Father one cannot expect to — Bishop William G. Curlin Jude DeAngelo. avoid suffering. Instead, With a reverent pasthey should learn to sion, Father DeAngelo, love others through suffering moa campus minister in Winston-Salem, ments, just as Jesus did,” said O’Meara, reminded the youth that it is not enough whose workshop was called “By His to say “I believe” and expect salvation. He Stripes.” said that one must live that faith every Diocesan Youth Council members, day with every choice that is made. who are elected after interviews with His talk made an impact on teens former members, united to provide and adults alike. leadership and glean experience in the “Father Jude emphasized our Cathrunning of a large youth conference. olic identity as a conversion experience The conference had a tier effect for that is present in everyday life,” said Caryn Raming of Our Lady of the AnAdriana Macciavello, a chaperone from nunciation Parish in Albemarle. RamSt. Michael Church in Gastonia. ing, who is a new youth minister and The evening moved from a visioncame to DYC with two teens. ary keynote presentation to a night of “Our youth program is in its growmusic with the Christian rock band ing stages,” she said. “I hope the kids Clear on the main stage. get pumped up and excited so they “I really like the music,” 15-yearcan go home and inspire others in the old John Paul Dunning, a youth from church to join youth ministry.”

St. Pius X Church in Greensboro who As the conference headed towards was attending the conference for the

Photo by Jimmy Rostar

Bishop William G. Curlin greets a participant in this year’s Diocesan Youth Conference while Matthew Horvath, diocesan youth council chairman, looks on. the anticipated Saturday night dance, thunderous showers finally made their presence known. The rain did not dampen the spirit of the conference, however, and the sun returned as the teens heard a special presentation by Bishop William G. Curlin.

His spirit-filled words focused on this year’s theme, pointing out the responsibilities this young group of Catholics has in the world’s future.

“You’re young, and you can say ‘the world is mine.’ And it is yours,” Bishop Curlin said. “Maybe you will cure AIDS or cancer. Maybe you will discover how to find peace on earth.

Maybe one of you will be another Mother Teresa. Maybe one of you will be the bishop of Charlotte.”

“Please say to yourself, ‘God is interested. God put me here in this

world, and he allows me to be here ... to make it a better place.’ Be there for others, and your life will have meaning.

“This is what it means to be a Christian. We are people who believe that Jesus Christ is alive within us, and through us, he brings his love, his joy and his hope.”

Saturday evening’s dance illuminated the energy of teen-age identity seen everywhere on the camp’s grounds, while Catholic singer-songwriter Anne Trufant’s Sunday keynote address enlightened the teens about the challenges and the impact today’s media make.

The closing Mass, celebrated by Capuchin Father Stan Kobel of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, was an emotional and profound moment bringing this year’s DYC to a close. The sea of teens walked towards their cabins, arms linked with new and old friends, ready to take on the world.

Brian Fortune, a senior, has been attending the conference since his freshman year. The parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Brevard is also youth council member this year.

“The conference is great fun, and the experience of helping out with the charities and people the conference benefits has been a wonderful experience,” he said. “Each time I leave DYC, I come away with a renewed sense of faith.” t Associate Editor Jimmy Rostar contributed to this story.

May 5, 2000

The Catholic News & Herald 5

In the

Cardinal O’Connor, from page

John Joseph O’Connor was born in “Through the years he has been of Philadelphia Jan. 15, 1920. He attended great support to me in the service of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in suburthe universal church,” said the pope. ban Overbrook and was ordained a priest “It is time of mourning for the of the archdiocese Dec. 15, 1945.

Church,” said Father Mauricio West, He became a Navy chaplain during vicar general and chancellor of the the Korean conflict in 1952 and served Diocese of Charlotte. “We join the on vessels in the Atlantic, Caribbean world and pause to remember the life and Mediterranean, ashore in various of John Cardinal O’Connor.”

U.S. posts, and overseas in Korea, Ja“His articulation of Catholic docpan and Vietnam. trine and belief was exceedingly clear,” He was then named to the writing said Father West. “His voice will be committee for the bishops’ statement, missed, but his message will continue.” headed by Cardinal (then Cincinnati A plain-speaking public figure, Archbishop) Joseph L. Cardinal O’Connor often Bernardin. The 1983 pasaddressed current controA memorial Mass toral letter that resulted, versies in his weekly newsin honor of John “The Challenge of Peace: paper column, in homilies Cardinal O’Connor God’s Promise and Our at St. Patrick’s Cathedral will be celebrated and in frequent contacts by Bishop William G. Response,” was a carewith news media.

Curlin at St. Patrick fully nuanced critique of U.S. defense policy. It New Yorkers learned Cathedral drew wide international of the feisty side of his in Charlotte. attention and provoked character within the first At the time of printing this newspaper, the date and times similar efforts by other few months of his arrival were still to be determined. religious bodies in the in 1984 when he became United States and Cathoembroiled in several conlic bishops’ conferences in troversies that made naseveral other countries. tional headlines.

During the special meeting in ChiWhile uncompromising on church cago at which the bishops approved the teachings, he reached out to the larger pastoral letter, Bishop O’Connor, then non-Catholic community. He devel63, learned by telephone that Pope oped strong relations with Jewish John Paul had chosen him to be bishop leaders and was noted for his efforts to of Scranton, Pa. bring healing and reconciliation to situHis appointment was announced ations of racial or ethnic conflict.

May 10, 1983, and he was installed A native of Philadelphia and priest in the Scranton Diocese June 29. He of that archdiocese, he devoted 27 immediately set out to visit every paryears to the military chaplaincy. He reish in the diocese, began preparations tired as Navy chief of chaplains with for Scranton’s first diocesan synod in the rank of rear admiral in 1979, when more than a century and made several he was made an auxiliary bishop of the other changes.

U.S. Military Vicariate.

New York John Cardinal O’Connor visited Ethiopia in 1985, where he saw feeding programs for the population starving in a famine. The cardinal died at his home in New York on May 3.

CNS photo by Chris Sheridan, Catholic New York

But less than a year later, on Jan. 31, 1984, he was named archbishop of New York. He was installed there March 19. On May 25, 1985, he became a member of the College of Cardinals.

Within his first few months in New York it became clear that he was not afraid of taking stands that would provoke controversy.

In June he and Cardinal Bernardin testified jointly before Congress, opposing the deployment of U.S. Pershing and cruise missiles in Western Europe, questioning the MX missile system and challenging Reagan administration proposals for massive new expenditures on nuclear weaponry and space-based defense systems.

Also that June, he said he did not see “how a Catholic in good conscience can vote for a candidate who explicitly supports abortion.”

He also said, in a separate statement, that he has “absolutely no tolerance” for politicians who “try to sit on the fence” on abortion by saying they personally oppose it but will not impose their views on others.

In October Archbishop O’Connor, with Mother Teresa at his side, answered with a speech, “Human Lives, Human Rights,” in which he called on politicians to commit themselves to changing the permissive abortion laws of the United States.

He also made a memorable pledge that any woman considering abortion could come to his archdiocese to receive whatever help she needed to bring her pregnancy to term.

For most of his 16 years in New

York, Cardinal O’Connor enjoyed good health. But he never recovered fully after surgery to remove a brain tumor last August. He resumed celebrating Sunday Mass in St. Patrick’s but cut back substantially on public appearances and began celebrating weekday Masses in his private chapel instead of at the cathedral.

In mid-October he was rehospitalized briefly for treatment of a blood clot in his leg and was unable to attend the annual Al Smith dinner, long one of the most notable annual events in the archdiocese.

In December, after weakness prevented him from celebrating Mass in the cathedral on two successive Sundays, plans for public Mass or other events were evaluated on a day-to-day basis.

He regained some strength at the beginning of the year and visited Pope John Paul and other officials at the Vatican Feb. 9-11. But he then became markedly weaker, and Zwilling told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview April 24 that Cardinal O’Connor was no longer involved in the work of the archdiocese.

In Washington, both the House and Senate approved legislation earlier this year to give the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor awarded by Congress, to Cardinal O’Connor. t Editor Joann S. Keane contributed to this story.

6 The Catholic News & Herald Book Review

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May 5, 2000

Word to Life

May 7, Third Sunday of Easter, Cycle B Readings: 1) Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 Psalm 4:2, 4, 7-9 2) 1 John 2:1-5a 3) Gospel: Luke 24:35-48

By Dan Luby Catholic News Service Peace. Terror. Doubt. Joy. Disbelief. Wonder. “Mixed feelings” hardly describes the dizzying roller coaster of emotion that rocketed the disciples in this week’s Gospel from the stomach-churning descent into doubt to the neck-snapping curve around the edges of fear, to the awe-inspiring pinnacle of joy which was their encounter with the Easter Jesus.

I used to imagine, as a child, what I would do if the Lord appeared to me. I pictured myself happy, eager to display my virtuous deeds like some vain Boy Scout showing off a particularly impressive array of merit badges.

I imagined Jesus smiling kindly at me.

And though I knew it wasn’t likely — I’d never seen it in pious pictures or heard of it at home or church — I harbored the hope that, if I kept being a good boy, there might be a pony in my future soon. I did not imagine

mixed feelings.

Now, with many more miles on my heart and soul, with flesh that’s been bruised a time or two, and bones that sometimes creak and ache for no good reason, I find the picture of that emotionally volatile scene in the Upper Room compelling and real.

The fact is that when things have gone disastrously awry, when someone we love has been brutally hurt, and our hopes have been dashed and our shallowness and inconstancy mercilessly revealed, the unexpected arrival of the wounded loved one is bound to provoke a storm of emotion.

The good news is that, having failed our friend, our friend does not fail us. Patient, persistent forgiveness heals us of our fear and empowers us to be truer, more compassionate, more willing to risk our comfort and safety in the service of demonstrating not our brittle virtue, but the mercy of God. Questions: What part of the Gospel message do you occasionally hear with mixed emotions? What’s one concrete way you can testify to the power of forgiveness?

Weekly Scripture Readings for the week of May 7 - 13, 2000 Third Sunday of Easter, Acts 3:13-15, 17-19, 1 John 2:1-5, Luke 24:3548; Monday, Acts 6:8-15, John 6:22-29; Tuesday, Acts 7:51-8:1, John 6:30-35; Wednesday, Acts 8:1-8, John 6:35-40; Thursday, Acts 8:26-40, John 6:44-51; Friday (Sts. Nereus & Archilleus, St. Pancras), Acts 9:1-20, John 6:52-59; Saturday, Acts 9:31-42, John 6:60-69 Readings for the week of May 14 - 20, 2000 Fourth Sunday of Easter, Acts 4:8-12, 1 John 3:1-2, John 10:11-18; Monday (St. Isidore the Farmer), Acts 11:1-18, John 10:1-10; Tuesday, Acts 11:19-26, John 10:22-30; Wednesday, Acts 12:24-13:5, John 12:44-50; Thursday (St. John I, pope, martyr), Acts 13:13-25, John 13:16-20; Friday, Acts 13:26-33, John 14:16; Saturday (St. Bernardine of Siena), Acts 13:44-52, John 14:7-14

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Entertain-

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PBS special “Moms” rerun

By Gerri Pare Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) — Mothers of all ages and backgrounds have their say about the joys and terrors of being a parent in “Moms,” to be rerun Friday, May 12, 9-10 p.m. EDT on PBS. Filmmakers Louis Alvarez and Andrew Kolker talk with dozens of women across the country who relate — sometimes with unexpected candor — what pregnancy, childbirth and then the decadeslong adventure of raising children has meant to them. As one sums it up, “Nothing compares to having kids.”

Most are upbeat, such as the mother of a retarded boy who originally envisioned her son graduating from Harvard, but has learned to enjoy his uniqueness without setting difficult goals for him.

Another mom of six runs her household with military efficiency and is proud of how Tyler, Taylor, Turner, Tanner, Tucker and T.K. are all subject to daily duties and discipline.

A bittersweet clip shows a recovering alcoholic who lost custody of her son when he was a toddler and is now steadily rebuilding the relationship on weekend visits.

Surprisingly, a few mothers mention how it wasn’t love at first sight of their newborns, but over the course of a year or two the mother-child bond-

“Moms” May 12 9-10 p.m. EDT on PBS

ing rooted and blossomed.

Different stages in the parenting process are covered, with special attention given to adolescence and the advice moms passed on about sex.

As might be expected in this patchwork-quilt format, the opinions of some moms prove interesting while others are overly familiar. One woman’s conclusion that motherhood forces you to confront the best and worst in yourself is one of the more insightful remarks made, while another effuses, “There’s no love like this; it’s intense!”

Shots of adorable babies and moms singing lullabies seem, if not manipulative, then just padding to fill the documentary’s hour length.

However, the end credits in which the crew members’ actual mothers appear to announce their contributions, does make a fitting finale to this pleasant salute to the moms of America. t Pare is director of the U.S. Catholic Conference Office for Film and Broadcasting.

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The Pope Speaks

POPE JOHN PAUL II

Pope, at audience, tells faithful to contemplate Transfiguration

By Benedicta Cipolla Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Contemplation of the Lord’s transfiguration represents an opportunity to live out Scripture in daily life, Pope John Paul II said.

“In Christ’s resurrection, what was mysteriously concealed in the transfiguration on (Mount) Tabor becomes reality,” the pope said April 26 at his weekly general audience.

Speaking to some 40,000 pilgrims on a warm spring morning in St. Peter’s Square, he urged the faithful to ascend spiritually up Mount Tabor to immerse themselves in the light of God’s mystery, “to listen to the word of Scripture and put it into practice.”

Continuing a cycle of reflections on the Trinity at his weekly catechesis, the pope emphasized the threefold dimension of Jesus’ transfiguration.

“The presence of the Father, with his revelatory voice, is explicit,” he said. “Christian tradition also sees implicitly the presence of the Holy Spirit.”

As the spirituality of the Eastern Church suggests, said the pope, “the liturgy of the Transfiguration presents, in the three apostles Peter, James and John, a human triad that contemplates the divine Trinity.”

While the transfiguration foreshadows Christ’s glorious coming, “it also reminds us that it is necessary to overcome many obstacles in order to enter into the Kingdom of God,” he said.

Among those at the audience were prisoners on special leave from a jail in Palermo, Sicily.

In an April 24 press release, Palermo Mayor Leoluca Orlando said the unusual pilgrimage marked the first time prisoners would attend a papal audience.

“It seems to me a sign of civility and sensitivity on the part of the overseeing judge who granted authorization and the prison workers who will accompany (the prisoners) on this pilgrimage,” he said.

Following the audience, the pope flew by helicopter to his holiday residence in Castel Gandolfo, where he had been resting since April 24. He was expected to return to Rome for the April 30 canonization of Blessed Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who inspired the Divine Mercy devotion.

May 5, 2000

Editorials & ColConsidering the source You’ve probably noticed that a whole lot of people seem to have an interest in your life and your decisions.

Everyone has an opinion about what you should do with your time, your money and your entire life.

Parents, teachers, religious figures, advertisers, magazine writers and even the people who dream up those motivational posters that paper the wall of your classroom: They all know, they all have the secret, they all will fill your ear with advice if you just let them. How do you know whose advice to listen to?

It’s really not so difficult to figure out. Just remember this simple phrase and slip it into an easy-toreach spot in your conscience: Consider the source.

Think about who’s talking and why.

For example, print, broadcast and billboard advertising don’t come right out and order you to hand over your money for alcohol or cigarettes, but what they do is much more powerful. They employ experts in human behavior to figure out what combination of images and sounds will get you to associate their products with happiness.

From the time you could see, you’ve been surrounded by these images, and for some of you they’ve worked: You associate holding a stick of tobacco between your fingers with sophistication. Think of beer, and you think, in general terms, of good times, friends and relaxation.

It’s the same with any product, even those less directly harmful than alcohol and tobacco: Product manufacturers who make everything from shoes to movies, from cars to soft drinks, work hard to get you into the habit of assuming that a part of your happiness and even more of your coolness depends on buying their stuff. Consider the source.

Next case: sex. You’re surrounded by voices yelling, screaming and, of course, seductively whispering the message that sex is OK, no matter when or with whom. They tell you that sex isn’t much more than one more casual pastime in this universe of fun things to do, and there’s no harm that will come as

Letters to the Editor Send your Letters to the Editor to Joann S. Keane, 1123 South Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28203 or e-mail to jskeane@charlottediocese.org.We reserve the right edit all letters.

Opinions expressed in letters or guest columns do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper or its publisher.

Jim Donnelly Greensboro, NC P.S. I was particularly struck by the contrast of Navarro’s comment with the “Tikkun Olam: ‘Repairing the World’” article on Page 7, same issue, which very much seems to celebrate the success of the interfaith housing blitz held recently in Greensboro.

Picture of violence?

While it is necessary to report the religious war going on in Indonesia against Christians, I do not believe the picture you printed on (World Briefs — April 14) is very helpful.

The picture in question depicts a Muslim brandishing a daggar and seemingly full of rage. The picture may be accurate. However, in my opinion it lends to stereotyping, which in turn feeds prejudice, which in turn continues to feed the cycle of violence.

Our response must always be the gentle and humble Christ, who teaches us to love our enemies.

Encouraging stereotypical thinking, whether intentional or not, should not be what we are about in our diocesan newspaper.

Rev. Joseph Zuschmidt, OSFS Immaculate Heart of Mary Church High Point, NC

Coming of Age Amy Welborn CNS Columnist

long as you’re “safe.” Consider the source.

Think what would happen if, by some amazing miracle, every teen and young person decided to embrace chastity, not only in terms of their bodies, but in relation to their inner lives as well. What would happen if all of us chose to surround ourselves with sounds, images and words that help us shape our best selves rather than appeal to our basest instincts? Who’d lose?

The list of those who would lose is pretty long: condom companies; pharmaceutical corporations that manufacture birth-control pills; abortion clinics; Planned Parenthood; lots of record companies and movie studios; television networks, especially MTV, UPN and the WB; countless magazines.

Now, just for a moment, go over the messages from the other side: Be responsible, treasure sexuality as a sacred gift, treat your body with care and use your resources — talents, time and money — as if they’re gifts. Who tells you all that stuff? Parents. Teachers. The church.

Do they have anything to gain if you buy it? Do they make any money or get rich? No. So why are they so anxious for you to take it seriously? Maybe because they know it’s true. Maybe because they want you to be the best person you can be. Maybe because they want you to find lasting, true happiness and peace. Maybe because they love you.

Like I said, consider the source.

“Keeping the Faith” I am writing to express a concern about the review of the movie “Keeping the Faith” by Anne Navarro in your April 14 issue. To use the author’s word, I find one of the paragraphs in her article rather “troubling.”

I am the Catholic partner in a Jewish/Catholic interfaith marriage and my wife and I have had the opportunity to see (and thoroughly enjoy) the movie.

Overall, I think the movie is a fine celebration of the richness in life that comes with interfaith dialogue and relationships. While I understand the concerns raised by Anne Navarro about how a Catholic priest is portrayed, another concern she expressed stopped my reading in my tracks. At the bottom of the second column, Navarro writes that “[Anna’s] willingness to leave behind her implied Christian roots is troubling even though it is clear that she has only become interested in her own spirituality through Jake’s influence.”

I assume that the source of her comment is the storyline that Anna is taking classes about Judaism at the synagogue. The desire to learn about another’s faith does not necessarily imply a desire to convert, or even a dissatisfaction with one’s own faith. Learning about the things that are important to a significant other can be a tremendous sign of respect that should be encouraged. It is also the first step toward meaningful dialogue about differences in belief, whatever those beliefs may be.

Even if that learning leads to a spritual awakening and a conversion to another faith, I have a very difficult time labelling that process as troubling, as Navarro claims. If Navarro is standing in judgment of this kind of personal conversion as a representative of the Catholic Church, I would even say that I am offended. While I place tremendous personal value in the beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church, I find it disrespectful to assume that another person cannot lead an authentically good and spiritual life simply because they follow another, nonChristian faith tradition.

May 5, 2000

Editorials & Col-

Light One Candle FATHER THOMAS J. McSWEENEY Guest Columnist some people in every generation feel that way, whatever they call it.

No. I am talking about two things: first, appreciating and using the God-given qualities that make us what we are; second, exercising our intellects to form critical judgments rather than merely accepting others’ opinions. These things are not easy. Building a keen sense of self-worth that allows us to stand up for ourselves and our beliefs without trampling on the rights of others can be a challenge. Going that extra step in getting both reason and conscience to be our guides demands even more. It calls for character. And after parents have taken care of the basics of food, clothing and shelter, nothing is as necessary as developing a child’s character.

Let me share a Chinese proverb that says a lot about the importance of what parents do: “If you are planning for one year, grow rice. If you are planning for twenty years, grow trees. If you are planning for centuries, grow individuals.”

If you want to see the face of the future, you’re looking at it every time you say: Don’t forget your lunch. ...Pick up your clothes. Do I look like a maid? ...Because I say so, that’s why. . . .

Happy Mother’s Day!

man history.

Perhaps something similar was in mind when the major Christian creeds were formed.

Interestingly, Pilate comes off in the Gospels with a much better reputation than in other more official Roman records. He had an unenviable reputation as one of the cruelest, obstinate and harsh Roman officials.

He seems to have had a particular antipathy toward Jews and Samaritans. Because of Jewish religious objections to images, Roman authorities generally did not bring images of Caesar into their territory.

Once, however, Pilate sneaked some of these images into Judaea during the night. After five days of protest by a large number of Jewish authorities at his residence in Caesaria, Pilate assembled them in the stadium and released his soldiers to slaughter them.

When something similar happened to a religious procession in Samaria, Pilate was called to Rome, and we never hear of him again.

The apparent budding concerns he had about justice and personal integrity which we read of in the passion stories of the Gospels seem to have been out of character, unless his reactions at that time grew out of his resentment against the body of Jewish leaders.

A free brochure in English or Spanish answering questions Catholics ask about baptism practices and sponsors is available by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Box 325, Peoria, IL 61651.

Questions may be sent to Father Dietzen at the same address, or e-mail: jjdietzen@aol.com.

Lessons from Mom School Don’t talk with your mouth full.

I don’t care what they do at your friend’s house.

We don’t do that here.

Be careful with that thing. You’ll poke your eye out.

Go ahead. Have your own way. But don’t blame me if you get hurt.

Let me kiss it and make it better.

I don’t care what your brother/sister did/ said.

You’re older and should know better.

You probably recognize these as classic Mom lines. You have probably noticed that it makes no difference what cultural background or generation to which you belong. Some things just transcend personal differences. You could be in a grocery store or walking down the street and suddenly you hear a conversation between mother and youngster that transports you to your own childhood.

I don’t quite understand it, but it’s almost as though a new mother wakes up with a baby in her arms and sounding as though she just got an ‘A’ in Mom Talk 101. And, yes, dads often say the same things, and even have a few lines of their own. But there is still something about the way Mom says it ...

My favorite: I don’t care if everybody’s doing it. If everybody jumped off a cliff, would you do that, too?

Many mothers and fathers are legitimately concerned that peer pressure makes it too hard for their sons and daughters to resist going along with the crowd. After all, more than a few adults can’t seem to help trying to keep up with those Joneses. Nobody ever said moms and dads have all the answers.

Speaking as a person who sees parenting only from a distance, it still strikes me that among the many things moms and dads have to worry about, encouraging youngsters to value their uniqueness and to think for themselves has to be high on the list.

This is not to be confused with an “I’ve got to be me” attitude which can make individuality synonymous with insensitivity and selfishness. Unfortunately,

Question Corner FATHER JOHN DIETZEN CNS Columnist

How important was Pontius Pilate?

Q. Why is Pontius Pilate so singularly featured in the Apostles’ Creed? He certainly has received more than his 15 minutes of fame.

He’s not that important, is he? Why this personal identification, rather than a generic “governor” or “Roman authority?”

A. I used to be greatly puzzled by this, too. He was a relatively minor, though obviously influential, figure in the earthly life of Jesus. Yet, in the Nicene creed as well, apart from Jesus and Mary, he is the only human being referred to by name.

One reason may be to affix the earthly life and death of Jesus firmly in human history. He did not drop into the story of the human family in some vague time or place. He had a mother and family, he ate, walked and lived among fellow humans, and he died in the clear context of, and involved in, the political and religious and military chaos that characterizes so much of the human story.

In this we would have something similar to Luke’s listing (Chapter 3) of specific civil authorities, including Pontius Pilate by the way, at the beginning of Jesus’ public life. Though Luke’s dates for these officials were not entirely accurate, he obviously wished to situate the public presence and preaching of Jesus in a specific time frame of Jewish and Ro-

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Family Reflections ANDREW & TERRI LYKE Guest Columnist Marriage and community We’ve been ministering to the engaged for very long time, about eighteen years. Because our program is diocesan based, it’s not common to reconnect with those we serve. Sometimes priests report to us that our program is well received. Rarely do we hear from the couples.

However, when we do, they truly enrich us.

At a Lenten presentation Andrew gave at a parish a woman approached him and handed him a letter. In it she wrote that the PreCana she and her husband attend before their wedding, one that we facilitated, has positively affect their marriage. She thanked us for sharing our stories and inspiring them to seek adventure in their marriage. She said that we had been mentors for them.

That letter really made our day.

This got us thinking more about the relationship our marriage has with the community.

Because of our work in marriage ministry, it’s easy to see ourselves as mentors to the married and engaged we serve in the Church. But what about the other many marriages in our lives, in our families, our neighborhood, our parish, our workplaces? Does our light shine with them?

We thought about the many couples who have been mentors to us. Those that have touched us most deeply are those who resisted advice-giving, even when we asked for it. They were simply open and inviting. They opened their lives to us so that we could observe them; they invited us into their intimacy by sharing their faith, their trials and triumphs.

As we advance through the stages of family life, we find ourselves recalling notes from lessons learned from these mentors who allowed us to walk with them through their stages. It’s like having a template ready for us to input our own unique story. We are better able to transition each phase with confidence, hope and faith because of what we have witnessed in them.

Thinking about how much we appreciated the woman’s letter, we realized that we too have some letters to write, emails to send and phone calls to make.

None of us knows we are mentors until someone tells us. Mentors can neither volunteer nor be assigned. They are chosen.

Some questions to consider: Is your marriage open so others may see your light? Do you invite others into your intimacy to witness your broken-ness as well as your strengths? Do others have reason for confidence, hope and faith because of what they’ve witnessed in you?

Who are the marriage mentors in your life?

Whose marriages have given you a template into which you have or will put your story? Think about them... then write or call them to say “Thank you.”

You’ll really make their day.

Andrew & Terri Lyke are coordinators of marriage ministry in the African-American community for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

10 Catholic Ne & wsHerald & Herald 1 4 The The Catholic News

Around the Di-

May 5, 2000

India comes to diocese via women religious perior, Sister Molly Jose, Sister Liza,

By Alesha M. Price Sister Pushpa, Sister Archana and Staff Writer Sister Maria Celine, superior, have HIGH POINT — Guests, disettled into their new home in High ocesan officials and parishioners all Point with Father Philip Kollithanath, squeezed into the quaint chapel in the pastor of Christ the King Church. The newly renovated St. Vincent’s Convent five sisters had flown from India with on the grounds of Christ the King Sister Primosa, superior general, earChurch on April 27. Those in attenlier in the month to join Sister Maria dance were able to catch a glimpse of Celine who has been livthe sisters in full habit in High Point since who are now living in “We have felt very ing October to help with the High Point. Bishop Wilwelcomed by the establishment of the Hisliam G. Curlin traveled panic center at Christ the to celebrate Mass and people here, and King Church. bless the convent where we have positive “We have felt very women religious from the Congregation of the feelings about the welcomed by the people here, and we have positive Sisters of Charity of St. work that needs feelings about the work Vincent de Paul from to be done for the that needs to be done for Kerala, India, have come to serve the needs of the people in this area,” the people in this area,” said Sister Primosa.

Catholic community and The sisters will be people of other denomi- said Sister Primosa. working with primarnations in the area. ily with the church’s HisThe bishop addressed panic center and the growing Hispanic the sisters during his homily: “Sisters, population at the church and throughwe welcome you to the Diocese of out the city. They will branch off Charlotte, and we want to show you into their specific jobs after they have our love and support. You have given become more familiar with the comup your own country to travel many munity and the city. Their areas of miles to help alleviate the hunger for specialization include education, math, God in this world. You bring with social work, counseling and others. you a rich history of traditions and “There is serious work to be done, customs from your native land. I know and the sisters will experience comthey will become blessings for all of us munity life before deciding what to through your devoted ministry.” do,” said Father Kollithanath. “The From the bishop’s invitation, the parish is excited and happy to have five sisters, Sister Philo, assistant su-

ClassiEMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Computer Teacher: K-8, for 2000-2001 at St. Leo Catholic School, 333 Springdale, Winston-Salem, NC 27104. NC certification required (or in process). Call (336) 748-8252 for application and information. Submit resume to Georgette Schraeder, principal.

Director of Life Teen Ministry: Vibrant, 4,000-family parish seeks a full-time Director for one of the largest Life Teen programs in the country, serving 200-300 high school teens weekly. Director works in collaboration with two other full-time staff members devoted to youth ministry and manages a wonderful team of 25-30 adult volunteers. Responsibilities include liturgical preparation for the Teen Mass, directing the “Life Night” program that provides teens with creative faith formation, and Confirmation preparation.

Preferred candidates have education in ministry or theology, experience in youth ministry, and a heart for sharing Christ’s love with young people.

Contact Liz Riegel, St. Michael Catholic Church, 804 High House Road, Cary, NC 27513 (919) 4686134; Fax: (919)468-6130, lizreigel@hotmail.com.

Teachers: Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School in Charlotte has openings beginning in August for a Pre-School Teacher and a Transitional Kindergarten Teacher. Part-time positions. NC

teacher certification required. Call (704)531-0067.

Teachers, Campus Minister and Library/Media Director: Charlotte Catholic High School has the following full-time teaching positions open for the 2000-2001 school year: Math, Chemistry, English, Religion, Social Studies, Spanish, and Drama. Must have NC Teaching Certification. Also, part-time Library/Media Director and part-time Campus Minister are needed. Call (704)543-1127.

Youth Minister: Our growing parish community of 1900 families is seeking a full-time Youth Minister for our established Total Youth Ministry program for youth grades 6 through 12. Responsibilities include spiritual and program development while working together with a committed team of 50 adults. Candidate should be: faith-filled, enthusiastic, organized, creative and team-oriented. Experienced with a B.A. in Theology or related field. Salary and benefits commensurate with degree and experience. Send a resume and a statement of your vision of Youth Ministry to: Search Committee, St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Rd., Greensboro, NC 27410 or fax to (336)294-6149.

Youth Minister: A half-time position as a Youth Minister is available at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in High Point, NC (1000 households). The parish has a Total Youth Ministry Program, which includes the Confirmation Program, for middle and high school youth. Applicants must be a practicing Catholic and a member of a Catholic parish. Experience in Youth Ministry and Religious Education is desirable. Send resume and references to Search Committee, IHM Church, 605 Barbee Ave., High

Photo by Alesha M. Price

Women religious from the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul from Kerala, India, are living in St. Vincent’s Convent on the grounds of Christ the King Church in High Point and will be working within the community. them here.”

Sister Maria Celine, who is also the director of the Hispanic center, said, “We will work wherever we are needed in the parish and also in the community — whoever needs our help. We want to do the best work we can and provide our resources to everyone.” t

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

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Rates: $.50/word per issue ($10 minimum per issue) Deadline: 12 noon Wednesday, 9 days before publication date How to order: Ads may be faxed to (704) 370-3382 or mailed to: Cindi Feerick, The Catholic News & Herald, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203.

Payment: Ads may be pre-paid or billed. For information, call (704) 370-3332.

Point, NC 27262. Fax (336)884-1849. For more information call (336)884-5212.

Youth/Young Adult Ministry Director: A triparish (including one Hispanic) Catholic community of 1800 families in a university setting is seeking a full-time Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry to implement comprehensive youth ministry as described in “Renewing the Vision.” Candidate should have prior ministry experience, and be able to work collaboratively with staff and members of parish community. Background in Theology, Christian Formation, and/or certification in youth ministry desired. Please contact Rev. Bernard Campbell, CSP, P.O. Box 112, Clemson, SC 29633 or (864)654-1757.

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May 5, 2000

In the

The Catholic Catholic News News && Herald Herald 15 11 The

Catholic educators gather in Baltimore for annual NCEA

By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service BALTIMORE (CNS) — More than 12,000 Catholic educators spent four days of their spring break in Baltimore April 25-28 getting ideas on how they could do their jobs better.

At workshops and general sessions, participants in the 97th annual National Catholic Educational Association convention delved into the range of challenges they encounter now in their daily routines and those they will face in the future of Catholic education. Fifty-one administrators and teachers from 14 schools in the Diocese of Charlotte attended the convention.

They also received some recognition for their work.

“You do change lives, and I have no doubt you have saved lives,” said the convention’s opening speaker Tim Russert, Washington bureau chief of NBC News and moderator of the weekly program “Meet the Press.”

“The secret of your success,” he told the educators, “is that you believe in something — in your God, your values, yourselves, your students.”

Russert said his father, who never finished high school, worked two jobs all his life so his four children could go to Catholic schools. And when Russert attended Canisius High School in Buffalo, N.Y., he said Sister Mary Lucille, founder of the school newspaper, appointed him as editor and had a major impact on his life.

Dr. Benjamin Carson, director of

pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Medical Institution in Baltimore, also credited teachers, along with his mother, for enabling him to be where he was today.

During the April 27 general session, Carson praised the fifth-grade science teacher who took an interest in him and “made a huge difference.”

“Sometimes God puts us in people’s live to reach out to them,” he told the Catholic educators, encouraging them to always help their students realize their academic talents and live up to their God-given potential.

The closing keynote address, given by Patricia McGuire, president of Trinity College in Washington, emphasized the need to bring Catholic social teaching alive in today’s classrooms.

Saying “social justice is at the heart of who we are,” McGuire urged the educators not to merely pass on church teachings, but to instruct their students to be effective advocates for the poor and vulnerable.

She said students particularly need to understand the church’s teaching on solidarity, the very opposite of what was experienced by the two teen-agers who shot down their classmates and teacher last year at Columbine High School. Those two young men, she said, felt the extremes of isolation and alienation.

McGuire was not the only one to mention the Columbine shooting during the convention.

At least 10 workshops focused on

school safety and violence prevention.

Some offered suggestions for school safety plans and pointed out potential warning signs for violence or gang and cult involvement. Other workshops emphasized how to teach students conflict resolution and the urgent need for students to respect those who are different.

“Unfortunately, it’s only a matter of time before it’s one of us” who will have to handle an outbreak of violence in school, said workshop presenter Sister Mary Angela Shaughnessy.

Sister Shaughnessy, a Sister of Charity of Nazareth, Ky., and an education professor at Spalding University in Louisville, said the time to figure out what to do in a crisis situation is before something actually happens.

During her workshop, a majority of hands went up when participants were asked how many had a crisis plan. The number was a noticeable shift from the previous year, she said, when only about half the participants acknowledged having such a plan.

Another big topic at this year’s convention was technology. At least 25 workshops featured some aspect of what’s out there, such as how to build a school Web page; using the Internet, video cameras or laptops in the classroom; and training teachers to become proficient in all of this.

Delegates could also not avoid technology at the convention’s exposition hall.

This year’s NCEA convention drew its largest number of exhibitors — 2,684. At least 80 booths sold some kind of technological wares — everything from computer hardware and software to Internet providers, online fund raisers, every range of equipment for the classroom, and the ever-necessary programs for teacher training.

Other groups that met during the NCEA convention included the National Association of Catechetical

Directors, or NACD, and the Catholic Library Association.

At a banquet sponsored by the NCEA Department of Elementary Schools, Lorraine Malphurs, a teacher at St. Pius X School in Greensboro, received the NCEA Distinguished Teacher Award. She is the representative of the South Atlantic States Region.

Religious educators were urged to seek out help of families, teachers, pastors and others in the community in their work of forming people in the faith.

“We have to stop thinking we can do this all by ourselves,” said Thomas Groome, Boston College theology professor, in a keynote address to the NACD. Although how to best train people in the faith was the topic of many a workshop, some more practical issues were also raised during the convention.

Dr. Michael Skube, superintendent of schools, presented a session on “regional school boards and how they can be effective.” Also, Joseph Marinello, diocesan school board member, attended workshops dealing with issues under discussion by the board.

NCEA officials released annual figures on Catholic school enrollment, showing a pattern of “slow and steady growth” in the 1999-2000 school year with an increase of 4,600 students over the previous year.

That increase came despite a net loss of 36 schools, with the closing or consolidation of 73 schools and the opening of 37 new schools. More than 3,700 of the nation’s 8,144 Catholic schools currently have waiting lists for admission. t

12 Catholic Ne & wsHerald & Herald 1 6 The The Catholic News

Living the

Bruce Springsteen dedicates song to PFADP, supports moratorium

RALEIGH — At two concerts in North Carolina over Easter weekend Bruce Springsteen encouraged, 44,000 fans to sign a petition for a moratorium on executions. At each concert he dedicated his song “Dead Man Walking” to People of Faith Against the Death Penalty, based in Chapel Hill.

During his acoustic set he encouraged the audience at Charlotte Coliseum Friday night to visit PFADP’s table in the hall. “They have a petition for a moratorium on executions. No matter how you feel about the death penalty, this is your opportunity to be heard,” Springsteen told his fans.

“They can answer your questions....

This is for People of Faith Against the Death Penalty.”

He repeated the dedication at Raleigh’s Sports and Entertainment Complex on Saturday night. On both nights when he made the dedication, voices from the crowd cheered.

Volunteers with People of Faith Against the Death Penalty met members of the E Street Band backstage Saturday night. PFADP Executive Director Stephen Dear met with Springsteen backstage Saturday night and discussed the group’s work and thanked him for his support. Dear gave Springsteen and his manager copies of the book “Unjust in the Much: The Death Penalty in North Carolina,” PFADP t-shirts and other literature.

More than 500 people signed the

petition. After Springsteen mentioned it each night people lined up to sign the petition.

“We are very grateful to Mr. Springsteen and his management for their support and hospitality this past weekend,” Dear said. “He has helped to inform North Carolinians about this important issue.”

Since 1984 Springsteen has plugged local food banks at all of his shows.

Although he reportedly does not like to tell his fans what to believe, he agreed to support PFADP after the group requested his help and familiarized him with its work to inform North Carolinians about problems with the death penalty.

PFADP is leading the NC Moratorium Now campaign to call for a moratorium on executions in recognition of widespread evidence of racial and class bias in the administration of the death penalty and the fact that so far 87 have been released from death row after being proven innocent.

PFADP is a statewide interfaith program of the N.C. Council of Churches and is supported by individual and congregation member dues and contributions. t

Song and Praise Parishioners of Sacred Heart in Wadesboro believe, “a church without embrace is only a shadow of a church.” This philosophy was part of an Afternoon of Song, Praise and Fellowship, a shared community celebration in Anson County.

Teresa Yackley and Bonnie Stovall, choir members from St. James in Hamlet, raise their voices as participants in the April 30 celebration. The music feast included gospel music from Voices of Harmony, a family trio from Charlotte; and Notes of Praise, from Lilesville.

Rounding out the afternoon was the children’s choir

May 5, 2000

Photo by Joann S. Keane