August 6, 2010
The Catholic News & Herald 1
www.charlottediocese.org
Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte
AROUND THE DIOCESE New pastors installed in Jefferson, Eden PAGE 5
Established Jan. 12, 1972 by Pope Paul VI AUGUST 6, 2010
Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte
‘Pearl of great price’
vOLUME 19
no. 22
A day in the life of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration Cloistered nuns adore Eucharistic treasure SueAnn Howell Staff Writer CHARLOTTE — Each day before dawn, their prayers for us begin. The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, a cloistered community of seven women who are part of the community Mother Angelica made famous, moved into a monastery on the grounds of St. Ann Church in Charlotte earlier this year from Portsmouth, Ohio. Their aim: to adore Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament and to pray for the universal Church – every day for the rest of their lives. They are the first cloistered community in the Diocese of Charlotte in more than 30 years.
photo by SueAnn
Howell
Poor Clare nun Sister Mary Immaculata prays before the Most Blessed Sacrament in the chapel at St. Joseph Monastery.
See POOR CLARES, page 8
Eucharistic Procession route to change this year 2010
Diocese of Charlotte
Eucharistic Congress
Good Shepherd, Come Feed Us
David Hains Director of Communication CHARLOTTE — Organizers of the Eucharistic Congress have altered the route of the Eucharistic Procession that kicks off the events of Saturday, Sept. 11. The Eucharistic Procession will be three blocks shorter this year because of an event taking
place on Tryon Street. The Blues, Brews and Barbecue festival will take place along several blocks of South Tryon Street. Although that event doesn’t begin until 11 a.m., after the Eucharistic Procession, the street will be closed all day Friday and Saturday to allow vendors to set up booths in the right-of-way. An event coordinator with
FOR MORE
the City of Charlotte contacted the Eucharistic Congress in late July requesting that the Eucharistic Procession route be altered. The parade permit for the Eucharistic Procession was approved by the city in December of 2009. The original route included blocks on Tryon, Third and See CONGRESS, page 11
CULTURE WATCH
IN OUR SCHOOLS Sacred Heart School appoints new principal PAGE 12
Catholic radio host prepares MP3 players for troops PAGE 10
n Read about two of the speakers at the upcoming Eucharistic Congress: Colleen Carroll Campbell, and an interview with “The Donut Man.” See page 6. n More information about the Eucharistic Congress will be published in the Sept. 3 edition.
34 days until the
Eucharistic Congress September 10 & 11
www.goEucharist.com See back page.
August 6, 2010
2 The Catholic News & Herald
InBrief
Current and upcoming topics from around the world to your own backyard
King, pastors launch pro-life freedom rides
U.S. NEWS IN BRIEF
U.S. Bishops: Prop. 8 ruling misuses law
Wuerl: ‘Become heralds to others’
WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNA/ EWTN News) — After U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker struck down California’s Proposition 8 Aug. 4, Cardinal Francis George, president of the U.S. bishops’ conference, and Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, chairman of the bishops’ Committee for the Defense of Marriage, said the ruling was a “misuse of law.” “Marriage between a man and a woman is the bedrock of any society. The misuse of law to change the nature of marriage undermines the common good,” Cardinal George said. “It is tragic that a federal judge would overturn the clear and expressed will of the people in their support for the institution of marriage. No court of civil law has the authority to reach into areas of human experience that nature itself has defined.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNA/ EWTN NEWS) —Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, D.C., encouraged the Knights of Columbus to promote the New Evangelization “in the midst of this much secularized world” during his homily Aug. 3 for the opening Mass of the 128th Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus in the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Mass was concelebrated by eight cardinals, 78 bishops and more than 200 priests. During his homily, Archbishop Wuerl recalled that Pope John Paul II “called the Church to a new evangelization. At the beginning of his pontificate more than 30 years ago, he encouraged Catholics with the words “do not be afraid.”
Diocesan planner CNS photo by Michael Alexander, Georgia Bulletin
Flanked by clergy from several Christian churches, Alveda King, director of African-American outreach at Priests for Life and niece of the late civil rights leader, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., addresses the crowd at the launch of the Pro-Life Freedom Rides July 24 across from the King Center in Atlanta. The new campaign sponsored by Priests for Life recalls the Freedom Riders of the 1960s civil rights movement, and urges all people to support rights for the unborn. The launch caravan traveled from Birmingham to Atlanta. Pictured at left is Father Frank Pavone, founder of Priests for Life.
WORLD NEWS IN BRIEF
Pope begins writing last volume on life of Jesus VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI is dedicating his holiday to writing the third and final volume in his series on the life of Jesus, which will cover his infancy and childhood. The Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, told journalists July 23 that just a few days after the pope arrived at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo July 7, he already showed signs of being fully “restored and beaming.” The pope “immediately began to dedicate himself to reading
and studying which, even though it’s demanding, it doesn’t tire him out,” he said. “It’s clear, therefore, how important it is for him to finish this great project begun years ago,” he added. Pope Benedict started writing the first volume of the work during his summer vacation in 2003, two years before he was elected pope. After his election, the pope said in that volume’s preface that he used all of his free time to complete the book, which was published in the spring of 2007 and covered Jesus’ life from His baptism to His transfiguration. The pope completed the second volume of “Jesus of Nazareth” earlier this summer. Ignatius Press is publishing the book in English and has slated it for release next spring.
August 6, 2010 Volume 19 • Number 33 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 28203 E-MAIL: catholicnews@charlottediocese.org PHONE: 704-370-3333 FAX: 704-370-3382 MAIL: P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, N.C. 28237 PUBLISHER: The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte
EDITOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT: Denise Onativia 704-370-3333, catholicnews@charlottediocese.org ADVERTISING MANAGER: Cindi Feerick 704-370-3332, ckfeerick@charlottediocese.org STAFF WRITER: SueAnn Howell 704-370-3354, sahowell@charlottediocese.org GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher 704-370-3331, tpfaragher@charlottediocese.org
For more events taking place in the Diocese of Charlotte, visit www.charlottediocese.org/ calendarofevents-cn. CHARLOTTE DIOCESAN PASTORAL CENTER, 1123 S. Church St. — Natural Family Planning Class, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 7. RSVP required to Batrice Adcock, MSN, RN, at cssnfp@charlottediocese.org or 704-370-3230. ST. LUKE CHURCH, 13700 Lawyers Road — Anointing of the Sick Mass, 10 a.m. Aug. 21. For more information, contact Virginia Horne at 704-823-0846. ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. — “yoU”niversity will host a summer class, “Vatican Council II: What was it? And Why was it?” by Mercy Sister Mary Hugh Mauldin, New Life Center, room 132, 7 p.m. Aug. 9. For more information, call Pat at 704-541-8362 or e-mail faithform@stmatthewcatholic.org. — “yoU”niversity will host a summer class, “Considering Your Spiritual Life,” New Life Center, room 234, 11 a.m. Aug. 11. For more information, contact faithform@ stmatthewcatholic.org or Pat at 704-541-8362. — Catholic Coffeehouse, Parish Center, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 29, open to adults. To reserve a table for 6 or more, contact Kathy Bartlett at kschwabent@aol.com or 704-400-2213.
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
— 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. ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL, 1621 Dilworth Road East — Barbeque for the Priests and Seminarians of the Diocese, Family Life Center, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 11. RSVP to Nancy Weber at neweber@ charlottediocese.org or 704-370-3327. — Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) for Adults Information Session, Family Life Center, 12:30 p.m. Aug. 22 and 29. For more information, contact Deacon Carlos Medina at cmedina@stpatricks.org or 704-334-2283. — Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, after 12:10 p.m. Mass through 6 p.m. every Wednesday ST. PETER CHURCH, 507 S. Tryon St. — Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) for Adults Information Night, Benedict Hall, 7 p.m. Aug. 9. For more information, contact Doneata Grisdale at dgrisdale2@carolina.rr.com or 704-525-3825. — Jewish Catholic Dialogue Group, 5 p.m. Aug. 22. This year’s theme is “Life Cycles: How Each Faith Celebrates.” ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH, 6828 Old Reid Road — The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Meeting, 7 p.m. third Wednesday of each month. They welcome women who are practicing Roman Catholics, who are Irish by birth or descent, who are the wife of a member of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, or who are the mother of a Junior member. For more information, contact Susan Blanchfield at 704-825-8313 or sblanchfield1@ carolina.rr.com.
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.
August 6, 2010
The Catholic News & Herald 3
DIOCESAN NEWS IN BRIEF
OLC gospel choir competes CHARLOTTE — Our Lady of Consolation Church Perpetual Hope Gospel Choir recently advanced to the next round in the national competition, “Verizon How Sweet the Sound Search for the Best Church Choir in America.” The only Catholic gospel choir in the Charlotte area to compete, they went up against a handful of other small to medium-sized gospel choirs from Charlotte in the competition. The four choirs who received the most online votes will advance to the regional competition Sept. 30 in Charlotte. CHARLOTTE — Nancy McCartan of St. Luke Church in Mint Hill made her final promises June 19 as a Lay Dominican with the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Dominican Laity Chapter
DENVER HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH, 537 N. Hwy. 16 — The St. Brendan division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians invites men who are practicing Catholics and are of Irish birth or descent to contact Joe Dougherty at membership@aohmeck2.org or 704-942-6345 for more information. GASTONIA ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CHURCH, 708 St. Michael’s Lane — Crossroads will speak at the end of all Masses Aug. 7 and 8. They are volunteer Catholic college students who take the Gospel of Life to the streets through prayer and peaceful pro-life witness. — Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary, 7:15 p.m. Aug. 18, 25 and Sept. 1. Total Consecration will be at 6:15 p.m. Sept. 8. GREENSBORO ST. MARY CHURCH, 812 Duke St. — Health Fair, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Aug. 15 ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE CHURCH, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road — Men’s Early Morning Bible Study Group, Parish Library, 6:30 a.m. every Tuesday. For more information, contact gmagrinat@pol.net or jmalmsie@aol.com. ST. PIUS X CHURCH, 220 State St. — National Alliance on Mental Illness Informational Evening, Kloster Center, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 11. For more information, contact Frank or Pat Cleary at 336-286-2603. HENDERSONVILLE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, 208 Seventh Ave. West — St. Francis of the Hills Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order Meeting, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Aug 22. For more information, call Randy Hair at 828-6986466 or Tim Gibson at 828-606-1728.
Episcopal calendar
of Charlotte, one of two such chapters in the diocese. Suanne Then of St. John the Baptist Church in Tryon made her temporary promise, and two candidates also began their novitiates. John Walker of St. Gabriel Church and Tom Mathis of St. Ann Church, both of Charlotte, were welcomed into the chapter during a Mass at St. Matthew Church June 19. Lay Dominicans make promises to follow the Dominican Rule and Directives while living and working in the world, coming together monthly in community to pray, study and support each other in their apostolates. —Submitted by Mary Snow
Two perpetually commit to Dominican laity chapter ASHEVILLE — Madeleine Pflaumbaum and Shelley Glanton were
HUNTERSVILLE ST. MARK CHURCH, 14740 Stumptown Road — 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. MOORESVILLE ST. THERESE CHURCH, 217 Brawley School Road — The St. Brendan division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians invites men who are practicing Catholics and are of Irish birth or descent to contact Joe Dougherty at membership@aohmeck2.org or 704-942-6345 for more information. WINSTON-SALEM HOLY FAMILY CHURCH, 4820 Kinnamon Road — Catholics Returning Home, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. These sessions are for non-practicing Catholics who are interested in returning to the Church. For more information, contact Sean or Kelly Hines at hinesnc@adelphia. net or 336-940-6053. OUR LADY OF FATIMA MISSION, Corner of Cherry and Third St. — Feast of St. Clare Vigil Mass, Chapel, 7 p.m. Aug. 10. Reception to follow, hosted by the Fraternity of St. Clare.
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:
Aug. 8 – 11 a.m. Installation of Father Alejandro Ayala as Pastor St. Mary, Mother of God Church, Sylva
Aug. 15 – 11 a.m. Mass for National Black Catholic Women’s Conference Charlotte Hilton
Aug. 11 – 5:30 p.m. Priests and Seminarians Social St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte
Aug. 17 – 12:30 p.m. MACS Foundation Teacher Awards Pastoral Center, Charlotte
Aug. 13 – 2 p.m. Mass for Pro-Life Youth Retreat Sacred Heart Church, Salisbury
Aug. 23 – 25 Annual Assembly of Bishops and Priests Asheville
received into the St. Martin De Porres Dominican Laity Chapter of Asheville during a rite of commitment at St. Joan of Arc Church in Candler March 13. Pflaumbaum serves as the chapter’s secretary and volunteers with the local St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Homeless Coalition, Hospice, the Basilica of St. Lawrence’s social justice commission, and the VA hospital, among others. She also annually volunteers to help sick pilgrims at Lourdes, France, and assists Catholic Charities in her hometown of
Levittown, N.Y., when not in Asheville. Glanton, a registered nurse who inspects nursing homes, leads retreats in the area for Rachel’s Vineyard, a ministry of healing focused on those who have had or participated in abortions. The ministry is one of the chapter’s two group apostolates. —Submitted by Joe Kraft We welcome your parish’s news. E-mail items to Editor Patricia Guilfoyle at plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org.
NEW WEB SITES TO CHECK OUT n Make plans for World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid Registration to participate in World Youth Day Madrid 2011 is now open at www.wydusa.org. The site includes links to important information regarding the event. Though entry to the main events is free, participants have options regarding meals, accommodations and transportation to Madrid. They also pay according to a fee scale according to the country. World Youth Day, a faith-filled encounter of young people from around the world with Pope Benedict XVI to pray, learn, celebrate and strengthen one another in faith, will be held Aug. 16-21. The week will include Mass with the pope and numerous catechetical and other cultural activities.
n Thank a priest for all he does A new site that posts thank you letters to priests has been launched recently: www.letterstopriests.com. Its purpose is to “promote positive public relations of Catholic priests” and publishes stories written by anyone who wants to thank the priests who have affected their lives in positive ways. The stories range from a heroic, civil rights activist priest, to a priest who expressed tremendous joy even after being imprisoned and tortured in a Nazi concentration camp.
n Promote Catholic social teaching on college campuses A dozen Catholic organizations, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, have introduced www.usccb.org/campus to help college students and campus ministers promote Catholic social teaching. Under the banner “Transforming Our World:
Our Catholic Faith in Action,” the site includes podcasts, videos, prayer materials, small-group resources and basic information on the social doctrine of the Church. The site was developed in response to Pope Benedict XVI’s World Youth Day 2010 message in which he identified several challenges facing the world, such as respect for the environment, the just division of goods, solidarity with poor countries, promotion of dignity in labor, building a culture of life and promoting peace. Visitors to the site can submit resources and features for possible inclusion for others to use.
n Learn about U.S. immigration issues The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services has partnered with Catholic University of America to develop an educational Web site that highlights the role the U.S. Catholic bishops and the Church in the U.S. have played on immigration-related issues, especially since the early 20th century. “U.S. Catholic Bishops and Immigration” can be found at http:// libraries.cua.edu/achrcua/packets.html. The site features access to primary documents that help to highlight U.S. bishops’ efforts. There are also educational tools for students, faculty and researchers to use, as well as diocesan and parish directors of religious education and social concerns.
n Find resources for promoting vocations T h e S e c r e t a r i a t o f C l e rg y, Consecrated Life and Vocations of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C., has launched a new Web site to promote vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. The site, www.ForYourVocation. org, is meant to help people who are discerning a possible vocation and educate Catholics about the need to encourage others to consider a vocation.
CORRECTION In a caption in the July 23 edition, retired Master Chief Petty Officer Ed Gallagher was misidentified. We regret the error.
4 The Catholic News & Herald
AROUND THE DIOCESE
Be Not Afraid retreat brings message of Divine Mercy St. Joseph Church hosts internationally known speakers for healing retreat and prayer SueAnn Howell Staff Writer CHARLOTTE — St. Paul isn’t the only person who had a profound conversion while traveling. Robert Allard, a cradle Catholic who had been away from the faith for 25 years, had a life-changing encounter driving home from a retreat in Conyers, Ga., in 1993. Allard, addressing the crowd at the Be Not Afraid retreat at St. Joseph Church July 15-17, shared the details of his return to the faith. “I was driving along Interstate 81 and I had an encounter with Jesus,” Allard said. “Over the course of about two hours, I was shown all my sin and all the destruction it had left in my life. At the same time Jesus was telling me how much He loves me and how much He needs me, and how much He needs all of us to help Him. And in that time I really came to believe that Jesus is alive because I experienced Him as if He is alive. I went back to church that following Sunday,” he added. After reading the Diary of St. Faustina, a young Polish nun who Jesus appeared to in 1931, and learning about the series of revelations Jesus shared with her about His Divine Mercy, Allard felt called to respond by spreading this message to help save souls.
Allard has established a non-profit organization to distribute the Divine Mercy image, chaplet, books and recordings. These and other educational resources are available at www. DivineMercySunday.com, which also helps parishes establish their own Divine Mercy Sunday observances on the first Sunday after Easter. Father Deogratias Rwegasira, pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Easton, Pa., and a native of Tanzania, Africa, also shared the message of Christ’s mercy at the Charlotte retreat. Father Deo spoke about the seven deadly sins and the importance of confession. “Sin is an offense, deed or desire contrary to the will of God,” Father Deo said. “God has called us to be holy people and reconciliation makes us ‘clean’ to receive the spirit of God.” Adoration of The Most Blessed Sacrament offered participants the opportunity to spend time in prayer asking for mercy, forgiveness and healing. Father Paul Bergeron, who exposed The Most Blessed Sacrament, shared during one of his talks that “spiritual healing is the greatest healing of all.” He added, “Just as God forgives you, you must forgive yourself.” Father Bergeron is a retired priest from the Diocese of Lafayette, La., and has himself experienced many
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photo by SueAnn
Howell
Father Deogratias Rwegasira, pastor of Our Lady of Mercy parish in Easton, Pa., (left) and Father Paul Bergeron, a retired priest of the Diocese of Lafayette, La., (right) concelebrate Mass at the Be Not Afraid retreat at St. Joseph Church in Charlotte July 16. The three-day retreat focused on healing, forgiveness and spreading the Divine Mercy message. physical healings over the years from various types of cancers and other serious health ailments. He believes in the power of prayer and encouraged participants to be constant in prayer and love. Beth Manning, one of the third annual retreat’s organizers, shared that many of the more than 150 people who attended the retreat went to confession – some after shying away from the sacrament for several years. “Many of the people who attended the retreat were really touched,” Manning
said. “They said it was the best retreat they ever attended.” Flor Maria del Rosario Achong, the third speaker, was orphaned as a child on the streets of Costa Rica and adopted by a devout Catholic woman. She shared her gifts of prayer and inner healing over the three-day retreat, tying her talk on reconciliation to the message of God’s mercy. “Faith, hope and trust … we must have them all. They go hand in hand. Trust in God. He will stand by you,” Achong said.
August 6, 2010
around the diocese
The Catholic News & Herald 5
New pastor at St. Francis of Assisi
photo by Patricia Guilfoyle
Bishop Peter J. Jugis recently welcomed Oblates of St. Francis de Sales Father Vincent E. Smith to the diocese, to become pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in High Point. Father Smith will be officially installed as pastor during Mass at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12.
IHM welcomes new pastor Kathy Roach Correspondent HIGH POINT — Oblates of St. Francis de Sales Father Vincent E. Smith has moved to the Diocese of Charlotte to serve as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in High Point. Father Smith succeeds Father Jack Kelley to lead this faith community of more than 1,000 families. Father Smith is already familiar with IHM and the Triad area, having visited his uncle and longtime IHM parishioner, Deacon Joe Smith, over the years. His two fellow priests at IHM, Father Joe Zuschmidt and Father Jim Byrne, are also longtime friends. Father Zuschmidt was his college German teacher, and he met Father Kelley and Father Byrne at various gatherings of the Oblates. Father Smith also has another connection to the Triad: his hometown soccer team, The Philadelphia Union, conducts spring training in Greensboro. “I love all sports, but especially soccer, as I grew up with it in Philadelphia,” he said. A Philly native, Father Smith
attended Northeast Catholic High School and DeSales University before becoming a priest and joining the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. He pursued graduate studies in Rome with other Oblates, and he spent time in the missions in India and in Namibia, South Africa, where he helped in the formation of young Oblates. Prior to his new assignment, Father Smith was president of his alma mater, Northeast Catholic High School. He previously served there in campus ministry and as director of development. “I found it easy to work in development, knowing many alumni myself, and through my father, who is also an alumnus,” he said. Father Smith said he already feels at home in High Point. “I am privileged to be in a parish that has a wonderful reputation for welcoming newcomers,” he said. He added that he looks forward to ministering to parishioners, meeting with the various committees, continuing the capital campaign for the building of a new Parish Life & Education Center at Johnson Street.
photo by Patricia Guilfoyle
Father James Stuhrenberg was installed as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jefferson and St. Frances of Rome Mission in Sparta July 24 by Bishop Peter J. Jugis. He succeeds Father Joseph Long Dinh, who moved to St. Joseph of the Hills Church in Eden. Ordained in 2006, Father Stuhrenberg most recently served as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro. His home parish is St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte, where his parents Maurice and Virginia Stuhrenberg still attend, and he attended St. Ann and Charlotte Catholic High schools. Bishop Jugis said during the installation Mass that the duty of a pastor is to teach, sanctify and shepherd his parish members, guiding everyone to become holy and to be able to spread the Gospel in the community. Father Stuhrenberg told the bishop that he was awed and excited by the opportunity to tend “this portion of your flock,” and he thanked everyone for the warm welcome since his arrival in July. He added later that he looks forward to doing God’s work in the two counties that the parish and mission cover, and to helping to bring people together as one family of God. His overall goal is to love people, he said. “It gives me joy in my life to know how much God loves us all.”
Eden church welcomes new pastor
photo by Patricia Guilfoyle
Saturday August 14 11am - 10pm Uptown Charlotte
Family-friendly event featuring Live Music, Dancing, Cultural Exhibits, Food/Drinks, Wee Folks Area and Vendors $5 for adults - Free for kids
www.CharlotteIrishSummerFestival.com
Father Joseph Long Dinh (far right) was installed as pastor of St. Joseph of the Hills Church in Eden during a bilingual Mass July 31, celebrated by Bishop Peter J. Jugis. Father Dinh most recently served as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jefferson and St. Frances of Rome Mission in Sparta. A native of Vietnam, he entered minor seminary at 11 but later had to postpone his studies after being imprisoned in a forced labor camp for three years. He fled Vietnam in 1989, aided by a priest in Michigan, and entered Divine Word College Seminary in Epworth, Iowa, in 1990. When his family later emigrated to Charlotte, he felt God had called him to become a priest in this diocese. He earned his master’s of divinity from St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Md., and he was ordained in 2000. In remarks following the installation Mass, Father Dinh said he was proud of his new parish, which had been without a pastor for nearly a year, and he asked for everyone’s prayers as he strives to act with faith, love and compassion for the salvation of all of his parishioners.
6 The Catholic News & Herald
Colleen Carroll Campbell
EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS
Colleen Carroll Campbell: Speaking truth to a new generation of Catholics
This is the third in a series of interviews with the featured speakers of the Diocese of Charlotte’s 2010 Eucharistic Congress, coming Sept. 1011 to the Charlotte Convention Center. Full Eucharistic Congress coverage will appear in the Sept. 3 edition of The Catholic News & Herald.
SueAnn Howell Staff Writer Colleen Carroll Campbell is an author, television and radio host, columnist and former presidential speech writer. Her program “Faith & Culture� on EWTN is seen by millions of viewers around the world each week. Campbell began her writing career at Marquette University, serving as editor-in-chief of the campus magazine. She is an awardwinning journalist, writing columns and blogs for publications nationwide. She won the $50,000 Phillips Journalism Award and spent a year researching and writing her book, “The New Faithful: Why Young Adults are embracing Christian Orthodoxy.� CN&H: Your talk is entitled, “Feeding the New Generation: Young adults and the hunger for Truth.� How does the hunger for truth relate to hunger for the Eucharist? Campbell: As children, many young adult Catholics never learned the truth about what – and who – the Eucharist really is. The Catholic teaching that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist is one that has transformed the lives of these “new faithful� Catholics, whose conversions typically are marked by strong devotion to our Eucharistic Lord. The hunger for truth that drove them to learn more about their Catholic faith is, at its core, a hunger for knowledge of God and intimacy with Jesus. They have discovered in the Eucharist a uniquely powerful conduit to both. CN&H: How is “feeding� or speaking the message of the Gospel to the younger generation different from speaking to older adults? Campbell: For starters, young adult Catholics typically need more basic catechesis than their older counterparts, since their childhood religious education often failed to introduce them to core Catholic teachings. Secondly, anyone
seeking to evangelize the young must muster the courage to present the Catholic faith to them in all its specificity and fullness. Too often, older adults assume that young people will be repelled if they hear the Church’s “hard� teachings or the Gospel’s “hard� sayings. I have found that the opposite is true: Young people are repelled by phonies and pitchmen, by people attempting to woo them to the Church by telling them that following Christ is easy. It’s not easy. In our culture today, it’s tough, very tough. But laying down our lives for Christ, as He laid His down for us, is precisely how we find our true joy. That’s the message that changes hearts and lives. And it resonates all the more powerfully when the messenger strives to embody in his own life the ideals of faith, courage and self-sacrifice that he preaches to others. Pope John Paul II exemplified this authentic Christian witness, and he was extraordinarily effective in evangelizing the young. CN&H: Can you share a little bit about what you are going to say in your talk at the Eucharistic Congress? Campbell: I plan to share what I learned from the year that I spent traveling across America, researching the trend toward deepening religious commitment among young adult Christians that I chronicled in my book, “The New Faithful.� I also will delve into how this movement has matured since I first began tracking it, how these new faithful are transforming the Church and the culture today, and what it will take to expand their ranks in the years to come, so more young adults can find in the Church the truth they are seeking. CN&H: What does it mean to you personally to be able to address thousands of people face to face, encouraging them in their Catholic faith? Campbell: It’s always an honor to speak about this hopeful, growing movement of faith to people who are themselves a sign of hope in our challenging times. I am especially pleased to participate in a Eucharistic Congress, as the Eucharist is so central to the conversions I chronicled in “The New Faithful� and to the New Evangelization as a whole. And I look forward to visiting Charlotte. I had wanted to participate in this Congress for several years but the timing never seemed to work. This year, I’m delighted that it finally did.
SIXTH EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS & HOLY ART WORKS INVITATION Authentic and Authorized Framed Prints and Canvases of the Restored Vilnius, Hyla, Skemp Divine Mercy. Our Lady of Guadalupe bears the Seals and Signatures of the Vicar and Cardinal of Mexico. These are now on display at Coffey & Thompson Art Gallery, 109 W. Morehead, Charlotte 28202. (704) 334 4332. Bishops, Pastors, Parish Council, Parents, Principals, Coaches and Teachers: Help spread these copyrighted sacred images across the Americas. Seize the opportunity for your parish to receive the framed canvases at no cost. Open www.HolyArtWorks.com and click on the Parish Participation Program. See you at the Eucharistic Congress. Dick Alsop 1 866 HOLY ART (465 9278)
Rob Evans
Donut Man brings sweet message of the Good Shepherd’s love for His sheep SueAnn Howell Staff Writer
Rob Evans has been The Donut Man for the past 27 years. He is known for his fun, yet instructive, Bible storysongs presented via DVDs, CDs and live concerts. He is a “Donut Repair Man� who uses the tasty pastry to illustrate how something can be good, and yet still have something missing. His message is that we are all made in God’s image and have a “God-shaped empty-place that only God can fill.� CN&H: This is your second appearance at the Eucharistic Congress. What message will you be sharing with the children this year? Donut Man: I am the Donut Repair Man. The repair job that Christ does on our hearts is found in the Eucharist. Every time we participate in the Eucharist, the sacrifice of the Eucharist reminds us that the Good Shepherd laid down His life for His sheep. That is the basic message I am going to share with the children. CN&H: The Eucharistic Congress theme this year is “Good Shepherd, Come Feed Us.� How will you relate your message to the Eucharist? Donut Man: We will be sheep, we’ll “baa� like sheep, we’ll recreate
Psalm 23, we’ll be happy little sheep and praise the Lord. I have songs sung by the Shepherd to the sheep and songs sung by the sheep, and a song called “Little Lambs Prayâ€? and we will stomp our feet and clap our hands and shake our heads as we praise the Lord. From every possible angle, we will present Christ as the Good Shepherd and the real leap that is the miracle of Eucharist is that we are actually eating the Good Shepherd. This is the Lamb of God that gives His Life for the sheep. Because we receive Eucharist, we receive the Good Shepherd, so we become shepherds ‌ shepherds in training. CN&H: What would you like each child to take away from your time with them at the Eucharistic Congress? Donut Man: Through the miracle of the Eucharist we receive grace and we are reminded of God’s incredible shepherding of us. The miracle is then that we become shepherds and we then take care of one another. It is that wonderful truth that God comes to us and we come to God and receive Him in the sacrifice so that now we can take care of each other. That ties back to the Donut Man’s theme. I am a Donut Repair Man and when you join the donut repair club, God gives you grace to fill up the empty place in others.
DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE Bilingual Counselor (English/Spanish) Catholic Social Services seeks full-time, licensed counselor for Charlotte area. Must have master’s degree in counseling or social work and be a North Carolina LPC, LMFT or LCSW. For more information, visit www.cssnc.org/employment. Submit cover letter and resume to ekthurbee@charlottediocese.org by 5pm on September 3, 2010.
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The Catholic News & Herald 7
AROUND THE DIOCESE
Teens go on daylong retreat
WFU students help at Samaritan Inn
photo provided by
Deacon William Griffith
Teens in St. Aloysius Church of Hickory’s LifeTeen group took their first “Mystery Trip” June 26 – a daylong retreat in which they did not know in advance where they were going or what they would do. The young men traveled to Belmont Abbey to visit the Benedictine monks, and the young women visited the cloistered Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Charlotte. They were welcomed by Sister Imelda Marie and spent the day hearing about the sisters’ vocation stories. The Poor Clares threw a pizza party for the visiting teens and then invited them to a Holy Hour during which they prayed for the priests of the Diocese of Charlotte. When the ladies returned to Hickory, they all remarked that their cheeks hurt because they had been smiling so much. More about the teen group can be found online at www.staloysiushickory.org/lifeteen.
Members of Wake Forest University’s Catholic community recently visited Samaritan Inn, a shelter in downtown Winston-Salem for homeless men, where they volunteer several times during the school year and the summer. Volunteers included sophomore Yodeline Guerrier (pictured above), two graduate students and a family of five, who helped prepare and serve meals for the residents and then joined them for a brief prayer service. “It was truly a blessing to witness how the men who live there are working hard to serve and follow God’s ways,” commented volunteer Katie Martucci.
Priests honored at St. Aloysius
Jamming at St. John Neumann
photo by
Brenda Collins, information provided by Katie Martucci and Julie McElmurry
photo provided by Kathy Succop
Parishioners at St. Aloysius Church in Hickory honored their two priests recently with a dinner and reception. Pictured from left cutting their cake are Father Bob Ferris, pastor, and Father Jean-Pierre Lhoposo, parochial vicar.
photo provided by
Mariella Buscaglia
Tony Melendez and his Toe Jam Band played two concerts at St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte July 10-11. Melendez, who was born without arms, has been sharing his message of hope at concerts throughout the world, including a concert for Pope John Paul II in 1987. Pictured at the July 11 concert are Martha Orta, Melendez, and Mr. and Mrs. Enrique Rojas from the Hispanic Ministry of St. Mark Church in Huntersville.
Attention Readers! Have a NEWS Story to Share? Do you have a news story to share with The Catholic News & Herald? Do you know of local people who are living the tenets of their faith? Do you have photos of a parish-, ministry- or school-based event? If so, please share them with us for possible publication. Contact us at (704) 370-3333 or catholicnews@ charlottediocese.org.
8 The Catholic News & Herald
“For wherever your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:34
The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adora Allison. Not pictured is Mother Vicar
POOR CLARES POOR CLARES, from page 1
The women, whose ages range from 21 to 46, have left their homes and families to live this cloistered life with one another. They have chosen to live within St. Joseph Monastery for life – sacrificing a worldly life full of distractions for a simple life filled with prayer, joy and love for Jesus and each other. Their beaming faces show that they don’t miss that outside world one bit – there’s much more to savor in their contemplative life. At the start of every day, the nuns present themselves before Our Lord, chanting the Divine Office with lilting voices conveying the effervescent joy in their hearts. Several times throughout the day they return to their chapel, again singing psalms of praise, interceding for all of us before the throne of God. Their prayers and Eucharistic Adoration form a sweet and steady rhythm. Every day, each Poor Clare is assigned a Holy Hour for Adoration. She takes her place at the feet of Jesus, keeping watch as a sentinel in the night. As the next nun comes in to pray, there is a changing of the guard, so to speak, as they chant the Magnificat together in Latin before the other nun departs. Besides her assigned Holy Hour, each nun performs duties to support the community. Cooking, cleaning, sewing, doing the laundry, filling orders for altar breads, responding to prayer requests, stocking their Catholic gift shop, and training and feeding their two dogs are just some of the tasks they rotate among
each other. They work quietly, steadily, with joy in their hearts for each other and for the Lord, living by a daily routine that is rigorous by any standard. They live in a neat, bright monastery tucked behind St. Ann School. They sleep and study in simple cells adorned only by a crucifix on each pillow. Holy artwork depicting Jesus, Mary, St. Clare and St. Francis of Assisi graces the walls of the monastery, and a tall statue of St. Joseph – their monastery’s patron – smiles down on them in the community room. So how do seven women handle living 24 hours a day, seven days a week under the same roof together? Wonderfully. “We are living under the same roof with Our Lord,” points out Sister Mary Immaculata, whose family is from Haiti. “It’s really a miracle,” says Allison, who left as secretary to Birmingham (Ala.) Bishop Robert J. Baker to discern her vocation with the Poor Clares. Sister Mary Gabriella, who will make her
first profession next year, is originally from Ireland and had a double adjustment entering the monastery. She had to get used to a new country and a cloistered life, all at the same time. “The Lord gives you the grace to live this life. I didn’t miss the world one bit when I entered,” she says. The nuns keep “the world” thoughtfully at bay. There’s no television, and visitors are usually allowed only in the gift shop and reception room. Their families are permitted to visit at certain times. The Poor Clares do have free time each day, though, and on a “free day” such as Sunday where their schedule outside of community prayer time is more flexible, they have even more. The nuns read spiritual works, write letters, talk with the visiting priests who celebrate Mass in the chapel, and play instruments such as the dulcimer, tin whistle, guitar and violin. “The beauty of community life is that as each one lives it faithfully for the love of the Lord, you’re also strengthening each one to live it faithfully. You have to have a support system,” says Mother Dolores Marie, who leads the community. She has been a Poor Clare for nearly 20 years. “We’re called to holiness within the context of community life, and that’s the special grace of religious orders,” she says. That grace will allow the Poor Clares to spend thousands of hours during their lifetimes gazing upon the Lord, that “pearl of great price,” praying for the Church and the whole world outside their monastery door.
Reverend Mother Dolores Marie, a responsible for each of the nuns responsibilities, instructs and guide administrative tasks.
Father Rick DeClue joins the Poor Cla come regularly to celebrate Mass fo
The Catholic News & Herald 9
August 6, 2010
Sister Marie Therese fills orders for altar breads for churches around the country. The Poor Clares supplement their income with proceeds from the St. Joseph Monastery altar bread sales.
ation (from left): Sister Mary Gabrielle, Sister Mary Immaculata, Marissa, Reverend Mother Dolores Marie, Sister Marie Therese and r, also known as Sister Imelda Marie.
abbess of the St. Joseph Monastery, is in the community. She assigns the daily es them in their spiritual lives, and handles
Marissa, a postulant with the Poor Clare community, is shown in her cell. Each cell is furnished exactly the same, containing a bed, desk, chair, lamp and alarm clock.
Allison, who is discerning her call with the Poor Clare community, tunes her guitar during recreation time in the community room.
ares in the refectory for breakfast and an informal talk after he celebrated Mass for them in their chapel July 29. Priests from the diocese or the cloistered community.
Sister Mary Immaculata greets visitors to the monastery and gift shop, and helps stock the shelves and monitor inventory as part of her daily responsibilities.
Marissa prays in the chapel during afternoon prayer. The Poor Clares chant the Divine Office and pray together four times a day in addition to their individual Holy Hours of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.
August 26, 2010
10
Culture Watch
A roundup of Scripture, readings, films and more
Catholic radio host prepares MP3 players for troops Mark Pattison Catholic News Service WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNS) — It has been a year in the making, but the first 1,000 MP3 players prepared by the host of a Catholic radio program are making their way to Catholic troops and wounded soldiers. They’re not just any MP3 players, though. They’re “filled with Catholic content,” according to Cheri Lomonte, host of the Gabriel Award-winning radio program “Mary’s Touch” and the force behind a project she calls “Frontline Faith.” The intent of the distribution program is to provide Catholic inspirational messages and recordings to tide Catholic soldiers over between the infrequent visits of a Catholic chaplain to battle zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lomonte said her radio program had a guest who helped bring wounded soldiers to Lourdes, France. Lomonte said she asked the guest, “What can we do to help?” The answer she got was: “Make sure they don’t get to this point. Do something before they get to this point.” Previously, Lomonte had distributed MP3 players to some of Austin, Texas’ homeless. “We put appropriate things on the player, including snippets from the ‘Mary’s Touch’ radio program,” she said. But this project would prove to be a more exacting effort. The MP3 for use by troops is “packed with Catholic things,” Lomonte said -- seven hours’ worth. “They could listen to a Mass, they could listen to a rosary.” The Mass is a Memorial Day Mass celebrated by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services at St. Matthew
Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The rosary is a “Warrior Rosary” conceived by Lynda MacFarland, the wife of a career military man, using the sorrowful mysteries. Other programming on the MP3 includes “Centurions of Rome,” a presentation made by the late Archbishop Fulton Sheen at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.; children’s letters to soldiers read by the children themselves; an examination of conscience; interview features from “Mary’s Touch”; and two-and-a-half hours of stories about faith in military life, including “The Grunt Padre” about a priest who ministered to infantry soldiers and a tale of a soldier who carried the Eucharist into battle. The military archdiocese is distributing the MP3 players through its chaplains. But that can take some time, with a shortage of Catholic chaplains in the military. “Our troops do not get to see a priest for sometimes seven to eight months,” Lomonte said. “That would be like you and me not being able to receive the Eucharist until Valentine’s Day, or sometime in the spring. ... How can our troops go without the Eucharist for that long when they need it the most?” It costs about $24 to buy the MP3 player, load it and prepare it for shipment. The funds raised have allowed for 1,000 players to be readied for distribution. “We have 330,000 Catholics in our military, and our long-term goal is to have an MP3 player called ‘Frontline Faith’ to every member in our military who wants it,” Lomonte said. More information about the MP3 player project for the troops is available at www.frontlinefaithproject.com.
Live Your Faith Be affirmed in your present ministry. Upgrade your certification as a catechist and religion teacher. Fulfill the prerequisite for the Permanent Diaconate.
Grow in your faith. The Diocesan Office of Lay Ministry offers a two-year program designed to help you understand more fully your baptismal call to minister to your family, to others in the Church, and to those in your daily life. Sites include Arden, Bryson City, Charlotte, Greensboro and Lenoir. We are currently accepting applications for the 2010-2012 program. www.charlottediocese.org/layministry
For more information call
F O R M AT I O N P R O G R A M
Frank Villaronga, 704-370-3274 or E-mail favillaronga@charlottediocese.org
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For information, brochure, and letter from Fr. Almeida with his phone number, call 7 days a week:
YMT Vacations
1-800-736-7300 Seeking healing and forgiveness after an abortion? Experience God’s love and compassion once again –
Upcoming Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat - (open to both men and women) CHARLOTTE AREA: SEPT. 17-19 704-370-3229 or mnadol@charlottediocese.org You may also want to visit Rachel’s Vineyard Web site at www.rachelsvineyard.org.
Respect Life Program Family Life Office Catholic Social Services Diocese of Charlotte
The Catholic News & Herald 11
August 6, 2010
Attention Readers! Have a NEWS Story to Share?
REVIVAL
Do you have a news story to share with The Catholic News & Herald? Do you know of local people who are living the tenets of their faith? Do you have photos of a parish-, ministry- or school-based event? If so, please share them with us for possible publication. Contact us at (704) 370-3333 or catholicnews@charlottediocese.org.
ROAMING REVIVAL OF THE SPIRIT 2010 Mark your calendars and plan to attend this spirit-reviving event - you won't want to miss it! Good news! Great preaching! Spiritual music! Guest revivalist: Reverend Anthony Michael Bozeman, S.S.J.,
pastor of St. Raymond and St. Leo the Great Parish, New Orleans Father Bozeman is a frequently requested leader of revivals for African-American Roman Catholic faith communities across the nation and has been very active with youth, young adult, women’s and vocational awareness retreats.
Sponsored by
African American Affairs Ministry of the Diocese of Charlotte
New procession route this year CONGRESS, from page 1
College streets. The altered route has the procession starting at St. Peter Church on South Tryon Street. It will proceed north on Tryon for one block, then east onto Martin Luther King Boulevard, south on College Street and finally east on Stonewall Boulevard, where the procession will enter the Charlotte Convention Center. The Eucharistic Procession, in which Bishop Peter Jugis carries a monstrance containing a consecrated host, the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, is a highlight of the twoday event. The monstrance is preceded by hundreds of children, recent First Communicants, who drop rose petals along the road. The monstrance is followed by other bishops attending the congress, members of the clergy and religious, and the laity. Lay people first watch as the monstrance passes, then join the procession when a banner representing their parish passes by. The procession normally includes approximately 5,000 people. A map of the altered preocession route is posted online at www. GoEucharist.com.
A “roaming revival” with many meeting sites! Now it’s more convenient for you, your family and your friends to participate!
ALL ARE WELCOME !
Thursday, August 26 through Sunday, August 29 REVIVAL SERVICES AND MASS Thursday, August 26 — 7 pm
St. Mary Catholic Church, Greensboro
Friday, August 27 — 7 pm
St. Benedict the Moor Church, Winston Salem
Saturday, August 28 — 7 pm
Our Lady of Consolation Church, Charlotte
Sunday, August 29 — 10 am
St. Helen Church, Spencer Mountain
Revival of the Spirit has been a Spirit-filled renewal of faith and spiritually enriching experience for the past 12 years! Come and bring your family and friends – ALL faiths are welcome! Looking forward to seeing you there!!!! Mark your calendars – you will be surely blessed!
For more information, call 704-370-3267 or 704-641-3108. Someone will return your call.
UNIVERSAL PICTURES PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH STUDIOCANAL AND RELATIVIT Y MEDIA A WORKING TITLE PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH THREE STRANGE ANGELS PRODUCTIONS EMMA THOMPSON MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL RHYS IFANS AND MAGGIE SMITH EXECUTIVE MUSIC “NANNY MCPHEE RETURNS”WRITTEN BY JAMES NEWTON HOWARD PRODUCERS DEBRA OSBORNE LIZA CHASIN EMMA THOMPSON PRODUCED DIRECTED BY EMMA THOMPSON BY LINDSAY DORAN TIM BEVAN ERIC FELLNER BY SUSANNA WHITE A UNIVERSAL RELEASE © 2010 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
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FAITH BASED PUBS
6-28-10
12 The Catholic News & Herald
in our schools
Summer camps big success
SCHOOL NEWS IN BRIEF
MACS open house dates set for fall
n Charlotte Catholic High School: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24 n Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, and 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3
CHARLOTTE — Open house dates for all MACS schools are as follows: n All elementary schools: 1:303:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17, and 9 a.m.noon Tuesday, Oct. 19
We welcome your school’s news. E-mail items to Editor Patricia Guilfoyle at plguilfoyle@charlottediocese.org.
Sacred Heart School appoints new principal SueAnn Howell Staff Writer
photo provided by Pat
Burr
St. Michael School in Gastonia recently hosted summer camps for Band Camp, Just Desserts, Youth Soccer, Art in Nature, Basketball, Creative Writing, Once Upon a Time Library Camp, Create a Masterpiece, Cool Crafts, “How do you ace the math test?� and Intermediate Soccer. Pictured is teacher Teresa Beck with sixth- and eighth-graders. Students used M&M candies to create bar graphs and pie charts to display the statistics of colors. Then they consumed the “data.� They also learned about geometric formulas, focusing on rectangles, squares and circles, proportions and indirect measurements. Students also had lots of fun using a “smart board.�
SALISBURY — Students and faculty at Sacred Heart School will welcome an old friend in a new role this fall. Frank Cardelle, who has served as the school’s athletics director as well as a Spanish and social studies teacher, will return this fall as principal. Frank Cardelle “I went to St. Peter and St. Paul Catholic School from kindergarten to eighth grade, then to a Catholic high school and college,� Cardelle said. He completed
his education with a master’s degree at the University of Scranton. “The majority of my schooling was in Catholic schools, so it’s an honor to give back.� His appointment comes as former principal, Sister Anastacia Pagulayan, moves to St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte to work with preschoolers in the faith formation program there. “Last year at Sacred Heart School was very exciting and everyone was happy when we moved into the new site,� said Sister Anastacia. “I am really happy for them and I hope they will continue what they started.� Sacred Heart School is located on the Sacred Heart campus on Lumen Christi Lane and offers a Catholic education for students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade.
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August 6, 2010
14 The Catholic News & Herald
Perspectives
A collection of columns, editorials and viewpoints
Altar servers contribute to bringing Jesus closer to us ROME (CNA/EWTN NEWS) — Benedict XVI underscored the importance of the Eucharist on Wednesday as a “treasure whose value cannot be measured.” Illustrating a young thirdcentury martyr’s example of dedication to the Body of Christ, he exhorted altar servers to also give their lives in service to the Lord. St. Peter’s Square was packed with about 80,000 people for the Pope’s first audience after nearly a month of vacation without any public or private audiences. The Holy Father addressed the faithful in German, out of consideration for the native tongue of the great majority of the 53,000 young people present at the audience as part of a pilgrimage of European altar servers. After donning a white pilgrim’s handkerchief himself, he remembered St. Tarcisius in his catechesis. This young boy was martyred in Rome in the year 257 in the act of protecting the Eucharist and is now one of the patron saints of altar servers. Reflecting on this life given in devotion to God, Pope Benedict told the young people in the square that St. Tarcisius teaches us “the profound love and great veneration that we should have toward the Eucharist. “It is a precious good,” he said, “a treasure whose value cannot be measured, it is the Bread of life, it is Jesus who makes himself food, support and strength for our daily path and open road to eternal life; it is the greatest gift that Jesus left us.” Turning to altar servers everywhere, the Pope exhorted generous service to Jesus in the Eucharist. “It is an important task,” he
The Pope Speaks POPE BENEDICT XVI
explained, “which permits you to be particularly close to the Lord and to grow as His true friends.” He went on to ask them to protect this friendship as St. Tarcisius did, “ready to give (their) lives so that Jesus might be brought to all,” and to be courageous and joyful in communicating it to their friends. And, while our calling may not be to martyrdom, he said, “Jesus asks faithfulness of us in the small things, the everyday tasks, the witness of His love, attending Church, and to the many friends with whom we learn to know Him evermore.” Reminded of the significance of their help, present at the altar when the bread becomes Jesus’ body and the wine His blood, the Holy Father told them, “You are fortunate to live this great mystery closely! “Carry out with love, with devotion and with faithfulness your task of serving; prepare yourselves well for the Holy Mass! By helping your priests in the service at the altar you contribute to making Jesus closer, to being evermore present in the world, in everyday life, in the Church and in every place.” He concluded by asking the intercessions of St. Tarcisius and St. John Vianney to aid them in their service.
SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF AUG. 8 – AUG. 14 Sunday, Wisdom 18:6-9, Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19, Luke 12:32-48; Monday (St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross), Ezekiel 1:2-5, 24-28, Matthew 17:22-27; Tuesday (St. Lawrence), 2 Corinthians 9:6-10, John 12:24-26; Wednesday (St. Clare), Ezekiel 9:1-7, 10:18-22, Matthew 18:15-20; Thursday (St. Jane Frances de Chantal), Ezekiel 12:112, Matthew 18:21-19:1; Friday (Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus), Ezekiel 16:1-15, 60, 63, Isaiah 12:2-6, Matthew 19:3-12; Saturday (St. Maximilian Kolbe), Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13, 30-32, Matthew 19:13-15 SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF AUG. 15 – AUG. 21 Sunday (The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary), Revelation 11:19, 12:1-6, 10, 1 Corinthians 15:20-27, Luke 1:39-56; Monday (St. Stephen of Hungary), Ezekiel 24:15-24, Deuteronomy 32:18-21, Matthew 19:16-22; Tuesday, Ezekiel 28:1-10, Deuteronomy 32:26-28, 30, 35-36, Matthew 19:23-30; Wednesday, Ezekiel 34:1-11, Matthew 20:1-16; Thursday (St. John Eudes), Ezekiel 36:23-28, Matthew 22:1-14; Friday (St. Bernard), Ezekiel 37:1-14, Matthew 22:34-40; Saturday (St. Pius X), Ezekiel 43:1-7, Matthew 23:1-12 SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF AUG. 22 – AUG. 28 Sunday, Isaiah 66:18-21, Hebrews 12:5-7, 11, 13, Luke 13:22-30; Monday (St. Rose of Lima), 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12, Matthew 23:13-22; Tuesday (St. Bartholomew), Revelation 21:9-14, John 1:45-51; Wednesday (St. Louis of France, St. Joseph Calasanz), 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18, Matthew 23:27-32; Thursday, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Matthew 24:42-51; Friday (St. Monica), 1 Corinthians 1:17-25, Matthew 25:1-13; Saturday (St. Augustine), 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Matthew 25:14-30
God is calling you – how will you answer Him? We recently finished helping about 50 men who felt a calling to the permanent diaconate. The 20 who continued in the process had to write by hand a letter to the bishop, asking him to accept them into candidacy for diaconate formation. As I was preparing for this homily, I came upon the letter that I had written to Bishop William G. Curlin nine years ago, asking for candidacy. Today’s Gospel message will jump out at you at the end of it. The message is the same to all of us: God is calling each of us every day to pray, to ask, to seek – and we will find our calling: Dear Bishop Curlin, All my life I have wanted to help others. I have always felt called to be a priest and a doctor. When I was younger and we played soldiers, I would be the medic. … I read medical books and watched medical shows. I loved our family doctor, Dr. Dutcher. He was such a large but gentle man. I wanted to be like him, like the old-time family doctor. So as life went on and I was preparing to go to medical school, I worked in a hospital as all good premed students do. There I met Kathy, a registered nurse, and in conversation discovered what I was seeking was holistic health care, and the hospital was not a fit for me …. Now in my chiropractic practice I work to educate patients to take active roles in their health and well being. I love what I do! All my life I also wanted to be a priest. I had dreams of being a priest. I saw myself performing the wedding, the baptism, celebrating the Mass. I knew the words. I said them along with the priest. I was an altar boy. I was and am in awe of the sacrament of holy orders. As I went through Catholic school and college, I continued to feel the call and I continued to snuff out the flame, though, as other things seemed more important. Then a challenge – I fell in love with Kathy, the girl of my dreams …. I prayed and upon much reflection asked for her father’s permission to marry. On Aug. 31, 1979, Kathy and I exchanged wedding vows. It was a very moving experience. Before family and friends and 12 priests at the altar, we were wed. As I humbly took all this in and looked at those 12 priestly men, my first thought was, “Man, Mark, if you mess up you will be dead meat.” Then I saw those 12 men’s arms extended in blessing, sending us out into the world, and I thought, “Man, God has some big plans for us. Through these men we would be sent.” I thought married life was my sacramental calling. Soon God came calling. I said, “God, I’m married.” He said, “You’re to serve as a deacon.” I said, “I’m busy.” He said. “That’s OK.” I said, “We have kids.” He said, “Great.” The harder I tried to ignore the call, the stronger it grew. I came up
Guest Column Deacon Mark Diener
with more excuses …. God said, “Mark! Wake up, I’m calling you! Come follow me and I will make you a fisher of men. Mark! Come to me you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light, Mark! Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. Mark, I am watching over you.” God has watched over me and my family. He has been patient with me and all my excuses … So, I present myself to you. I’m knocking at the door. I’ve answered His call knowing I will be taken care of. We know the road may be rough and there will be challenges. He will be watching over and protecting us … I am in awe of the challenges and rewards that lay ahead. I have prayed and sought counsel and find no reservations. I feel at peace in submitting this application to you. Thank you for your time, Mark S. Diener Back to the Gospel: “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” It is time to stop coming up with so many excuses like I did. May you discern what God has in store for you. I do not know what He is calling you to, but He is calling each and every one of us every day – to be a mom, a dad, a husband, a wife, to be with those He has placed in our lives. He may be calling you to an existing ministry or to a new one. To what is God calling you? We will assist you in discovering those talents, gifts and charisms that God gave you when He created you, so that you may be the best person He wants you to be. May you ask for discernment. Knock at the door, and it will be opened to you.
Deacon Mark Diener serves at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte. This was edited from a sermon he gave July 25.
August 6, 2010
The Catholic News & Herald 15
Give the Eucharist utmost reverence Dear Editor, The Eucharist – Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus – should be revered, respected and adored. The “proper disposition” is to be free of mortal sin. “Active participation” in the sacrifice is helping consume the Victim, physically or spiritually. If in 1965 the bishops realized voting for “Sacrosanctum Concilium” would result in a disobedient cardinal allowing unconsecrated hands to manhandle the Blessed Sacrament, few of them would have voted for it. Before the Novus Ordo in 1969, the majority of Catholics attended Mass every Sunday. Deliberately missing Mass on Sunday is a mortal sin, yet one in three attend Sunday Mass regularly today. How many Catholics believe in the Real Presence? Some seem to believe they are entitled to receive. We should pray to be less unworthy to receive this gift. We are not “becoming what we receive.” That is the heresy of Teilhard de Chardin, whose works were condemned. How will God judge those who fail to give utmost reverence, respect and adoration to His Son who humbled Himself and became man, who suffered and died on the cross for our sins? In 1969, Pope Paul VI proclaimed the Novus Ordo and issued “Memoriale Domini.” The practice of the Church was to receive on the tongue, and he warned of the dangers of familiarizing the Eucharist by touching it. He didn’t condemn the practice, so it became common. However, the current Pope will give Communion only to people kneeling to receive on the tongue. Margaret Nogy Indian Trail, N.C.
What’s in the heart matters the most Dear Editor, I am confounded by the previous letters regarding the reception of Holy Communion in the hand versus on the tongue. Is the faithful who receives the Body of Christ in the palm of the hand less ready or prepared than the faithful receiving it on the tongue? Who can make such a distinction? Only God knows what is in the heart of the faithful. What is most important is the disposition of the communicant. Reception of the Eucharist in the
Letters to the Editor palm of the hand does not make one less grateful, reverential, prayerful, respectful or humble. When one faithful receives Holy Communion on the tongue and another in the palm of the hand, the only comment we can make is that both have received the sacrament. What happens next is between each of them and God. Ismini Frieser Newton, N.C.
Let people choose Dear Editor, When Communion in the hands was first offered, our pastor told us to think of making your hand a “throne for the Lord.” Is that not a lovely thought? Most people will be as reverent as they make up their minds to be. At the very least, let’s give folks a choice. Marilyn S. Krug Arden, N.C.
Capitalism creates wealth, enables charity Dear Editor, I take exception to comments in a letter to the editor in the July 23 edition that capitalism is a selfish way of living, implying that it is inherently evil. Our capitalist system offers the opportunity for individuals to become successful through personal sacrifice, hard work and risk taking. That’s hardly selfish. Successful capitalists, in addition to fueling the economy and providing jobs, have built hospitals, schools, funded foundations, scholarships and charities, which have benefited millions of people. It takes wealth to do those things. A socialist system punishes the wealth that makes these efforts possible. Carolyn Palazzolo Murphy, N.C.
Socialism incompatible with our Catholic faith Dear Editor, With regard to the question of whether some types of socialism are compatible with Catholic doctrine, Pope Pius XI wrote in “Quadragesimo Anno”
(paragraph 120, 1931): “If Socialism, like all errors, contains some truth (which, moreover, the Supreme Pontiffs have never denied), it is based nevertheless on a theory of human society peculiar to itself and irreconcilable with true Christianity. Religious socialism, Christian socialism, are contradictory terms; no one can be at the same time a good Catholic and a true socialist.” Dan Hammond Winston-Salem, N.C.
We should decide how to help people in need Dear Editor, It is not surprising that some people believe socialism is the philosophy taught by Jesus and the Apostles. But did Jesus not tell us to teach a man to fish? The widows and orphans mentioned in Acts were not helped by the government, as a previous letter argued; they were helped by rich people and their generosity. We live in the richest, most generous and Christian nation on the planet, and Americans give more to charity per capita than anyone else. The government does not know how to effectively spend my money to help people in need. I do, and God, not the government, is the only one who should dictate to whom the fruits of my labor should be donated. Jeff Mozgala Hickory, N.C.
First Amendment has been distorted Dear Editor, The original intent of our Founding Fathers was that this nation would be a population of God-fearing individuals. They never intended otherwise. They called for days of Thanksgiving to God often. By the First Amendment, the federal government was prevented from naming a national religion. It was to be left to the individual states to do as they pleased. In the beginning, the courts upheld the First Amendment until 1947, when they, aided by the ACLU, began distorting the First Amendment until today it is unrecognizable. The words “separation of church and state” do not appear there or in any portion of the Constitution. Ilene S. Simoncioni Hickory, N.C.
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View from the Back Pew Rico De Silva Guest columnist
The wrong view from the back pew
Most of us are familiar with the Native American saying: “Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his moccasins.” Well, I have a church version of it: “Don’t pass judgment on your fellow Catholic during Mass unless you’re sitting on the same pew.” Last summer while visiting my brother in Florida, the Lord taught me a lesson about how to look at other people’s actions from His point of view, instead of mine. During Sunday Mass, I sat in the last pew as I typically do. The church was not very crowded, and I had a clear view – or so I thought – of the backs of everyone in the congregation. One of the obvious drawbacks of sitting in the back of the church is my tendency sometimes to get distracted watching people, instead of paying attention during Mass. During the Consecration, I noticed a woman in her late 30s sitting two pews directly in front of me. She sat on the edge of her pew, slouching forward with her head down through most of the Eucharistic prayer. For some reason, I started to get annoyed that she wasn’t kneeling. The priest’s prayers of “This is my Body” and “This is my Blood” did not register in my mind at that moment, and I only vaguely remember praying the Our Father. But I clearly remember when the same woman slowly turned around at the sign of peace. She was very pregnant. As I leaned forward to shake her hand, I was humbled but also relieved that only God can read our minds. I immediately thanked Our Lord for the lesson I’d learned, and I said a quick prayer for the woman and her unborn baby to atone for my self-righteous thoughts. I still sit in the back pew these days, but now I make an effort to keep my gaze fixed on the altar. Everyone knows we’re not supposed to pass judgment on others, but we often fall into that trap because of our human weakness. Sometimes, if we’re fortunate, the Lord makes us aware of it and asks us to remove “the plank” from our eyes. Other times, our neighbor reminds us that we’re human, too. Next time we’re tempted to question someone else, in church or anywhere else, perhaps we should strive to see things from that person’s point of view instead. Better yet, we should ask God for His guidance before we jump to conclusions, because He always has a better view than we do.
Rico De Silva is a member of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte.
August 6, 2010
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The Catholic News & Herald 16
Good Shepherd, Come Feed Us 2010 Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress
returns r Rob Evans, the Donut Man, returns to fo es the 2010 Eucharistic Congress! on los i t c ! a h r Known for his fun stories and songs that explain Bible teachings to st K-8 15t i g s t children, the Donut Man will entertain and teach your K-5 students for FREE — Re ade us but registration is required. g r u g A To register visit the Congress website, www.GoEucharist.com. Support the kids - Volunteer
You can be a great help to the children’s track. Volunteer to be a “guide” in this educational event. (Background check and Protecting God’s Children Program are required.)
Volunteer at www.GoEucharist.com The Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress, September 10th and 11, Charlotte Convention Center