Sept. 7, 2001

The Catholic News & Herald 1

September 7, 2001

Septembe r 7, 2001 Volume 10 t Number 44

Inside Adults key in passing on faith, says speaker

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

NCEA sets “Catholic Schools: Where Faith Knowledge Meet” as theme of new school year

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People ‘excited’ about new BMHS, principal says

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Local News Students study technology at Salisbury school

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Diaconate provides comfort to family

Photos by Alesha M. Price

“Where Faith & Knowledge Meet” is the National Catholic Educational Association’s theme for the new school year. Pictured clockwise from St. Leo School in Winston-Salem is second-grader Kaitlin Jones busy matching color words with crayons. Pictured above left is Noel Bien Carlos, kindergarten, pausing from drawing to smile, and during recess, first-graders Isabel Wilson and Jacqueline Lee pose below with stuffed animal Brittany the cat. See stories throughout this issue on Catholic schools in the diocese.

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Every Week Entertainment ...Pages 14-15

Editorials & Columns ...Pages 16-17

“Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” — Luke 14:27

By JIMMY ROSTAR Associate Editor As a new year begins for students, the 17 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte join with other Catholic schools nationwide in celebrating a yearlong theme: “Catholic Schools: Where Faith & Knowledge Meet.”

“Whether in the chapel or classroom, the children and youth are reminded that each person is unique and valuable, that all have a promise hidden within them, that knowledge is integral to the living of faith, that studies are to lead to service,” said Father James Hawker, vicar for education for the Diocese of Charlotte.

“Day after day, (teachers) stress to those in their care that expanding their knowledge and cultivating their skills are never ends in themselves,” he said.

“The discipline of learning is related directly to the devotion of living as a faith-filled child of God.” While the landscape and structure of the diocese’s 17 schools may differ,

they are united in one focus, said Dr. Michael Skube, diocesan superintendent of schools.

“Our schools have placed a maximum emphasis on the Catholic identity of the school and constantly emphasize it through programs and in everything we do at the school,” he said.

“Attending a Catholic school also assists children to learn that the practice of religion is not just a private or family matter,” Skube said. “A Catholic school says to the student, ‘Our faith is meant to be carried into the everyday world and lived there.”

The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) announced the theme this summer as part of a yearlong campaign to promote Catholic education.

Daniel Curtin, executive director of the NCEA’s Chief Administrators of Catholic Education, said the theme

of the campaign to illustrate Catholic school life underscores the importance of faith-based education.

“The new campaign message continues to celebrate the vital role Catholic schools play in our communities,” said Curtin. “Our schools are a shining light in this country because we graduate individuals who are welleducated, good citizens and have a strong commitment to their faith.”

More than 250 Catholic schools have opened in the past 10 years, including, most recently in this diocese, the new Bishop McGuinness High School in the Triad. Enrollment in Catholic schools has steadily increased, with a notable rise in early childhood programs, according to the NCEA. The yearlong celebration of Catho-

See THEME, page 18

2 The Catholic News & Herald important roles in God’s plan, Pope John Paul II said. Speaking at his weekly general audience Aug. 29, the pope said the story of Judith also reveals God’s inclination to use those who are considered weak to manifest his power. Vatican officials moved the audience into the blazing sunshine of St. Peter’s Square to accommodate some 12,000 pilgrims from around the world. Summer audiences usually are held in the air-conditioned Paul VI Audience Hall.

Irish missionary shot dead by kidnappers in Philippines CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines (CNS) — An Irish missionary was shot dead Aug. 28 while returning by motorcycle to his parish in the southern Philippines. Columban Father Rufus Halley, 57, was shot in the head when he refused to leave with three kidnappers from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels, police told UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. The son of a rebel commander has been implicated in the priest’s death, police said. Father Halley was a parish priest in Malabang, about 500 miles southeast of Manila.

Austrian cardinal says tensions due to diverse nature of church WARSAW, Poland (CNS) — An ongoing discussion between Austria’s laity and church officials represents the diversity among Catholics and not serious tensions among the hierarchy and laity, an Austrian cardinal said. “There’s a great diversity of nations, cultures and even rites in the Catholic Church, and this is appropriate and even good,” said Vienna Cardinal Christoph Schonborn during a late-August visit to Poland. “Diversity and differentiation are elements of the order of creation and belong in the church as well,” the cardinal said. In an interview with Poland’s Catholic Information Agency, KAI, Cardinal Schonborn said the Catholic Church faced “new challenges” all over Europe and should ensure the continent’s “economic and political mechanisms” were backed by a secure “cultural and religious identity.”

Downpour greets day of prayer for rain in West Texas SAN ANGELO, Texas (CNS) — The drought in West Texas was hurting crops and community water supplies, so Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer of San Angelo decided it was time to appeal to a higher authority.

CNS photo by Debbie Hill

Mother, children walk street in Beit Jalla Iman Nicola Alam walks with her children near an Israeli tank outside her home in the West Bank town of Beit Jalla Aug. 29. Residents referred to the town as a war zone after Israeli armored vehicles moved in to curtail fire from Palestinian gunmen aiming at the Jewish settlement of Gilo.

Lay ministry programs form as well as inform, survey finds WASHINGTON (CNS) — U.S. Catholic lay ministry formation programs form their students spiritually while preparing them for ministry intellectually and pastorally, according to a national survey of directors of those programs. A summary of the results of the study, commissioned by the U.S. bishops’ Subcommittee on Lay Ministry and conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, was sent to the bishops in August. “This report is a quite positive one,” said Bishop Joseph P. Delaney of Fort Worth, Texas, chairman of the subcommittee. He said the results indicate “that spiritual formation is being taken very seriously by the programs that are preparing our future lay ecclesial ministers.”

Women are called to fulfill unique role in church, pope says VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Old Testament story of a woman who saved the Jews from annihilation demonstrates that women are called to fulfill unique and

Episcopal September 7, 2001 Volume 10 • Number 44

Publisher: Most Reverend William G. Curlin Editor: Joann S. Keane Acting Editor: Jimmy Rostar Staff Writer: Alesha M. Price Graphic Designer: Tim Faragher Advertising Representative: Cindi Feerick 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.

September 7, 2001

The World in

c a l e n-

Bishop William G. Curlin will take part in the following events: September 15 — 12:45 p.m.

Speaker at diocesan Justice and Peace Conference St. Paul the Apostle, Greensboro September 16 — 11 a.m.

Installation of Father James Hawker as pastor St. Luke, Charlotte 4 p.m.

Rosary Makers’ Mass St. Patrick, Charlotte September 20-23 NACDLGM Conference September 22 — 6 p.m.

NACDLGM Eucharistic celebration with Bishop Walter Sullivan St. Peter, Charlotte

On Aug. 10 he wrote to San Angelo Mayor Rudy Izzard and 22 other mayors in the region asking them to declare Sunday, Aug. 26, a day of prayer for rain. He also wrote to all Catholic parishes in the diocese asking them to offer special prayers that day. The local weather forecast Aug. 25 was hot and sunny with only a slight chance of rain. But a storm front moved down from Oklahoma during the night, and heavy rains hit San Angelo between 2 and 3 a.m. Aug. 26. The day’s rainfall officially measured .94 inches, nearly doubling the city’s total for the whole month.

Lectionary volumes renumbered; two volumes to become four WASHINGTON (CNS) — When the new weekday Lectionary for the United States comes out, the traditional numbering of the entire set of Lectionary books will be changed. The Lectionary contains the Scripture readings for Masses throughout the year. The August newsletter of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Liturgy reported that the bishops’ conference has issued pub-

Diocesan

plan -

Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 1 Mecklenburg County-St. Brigid, an Irish-Catholic social and charitable inter-parish group, will meet tonight at 7:30 p.m. at St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd. Anyone interested in exploring their Irish-Catholic roots, call Jeanmarie Schuler at (704) 5540720 for further information.

20 CHARLOTTE — The women’s Cursillo weekend will take place today through Sept. 23 at St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Pkwy., with the closing occurring at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 23For more information, call Aliceann Coon at (704) 540-8696 or Dan Hines at (704) 544-6665.

23 CHARLOTTE — The Pathfinders, a separated and divorced peer support group, welcomes all to a 10th anniversary Mass with Father Richard Bellow today at 2:30 p.m. at St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd. A reception will follow in the fellow-

lishing licenses for the recently approved weekday Lectionary “and publication is anticipated before the first-use date of Ash Wednesday, 2002.” The newsletter noted that traditionally the Lectionary has been published in two volumes. “Due to the large amount of text, what was previously referred to as Volume 2 will be published in three separate books, bringing to four the total number of volumes in the Lectionary for Mass,” the newsletter said.

After apartheid, xenophobia emerges as new South African scourge DURBAN, South Africa (CNS) — Some seven years after the collapse of apartheid, a new form of racism has emerged in South Africa, affecting immigrants from other African countries.

Refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants have been victimized by various forms of racism, from rude comments to violent attacks, said participants in the World Conference Against Racism’s forum for nongovernmental organizations. “A lot of the discrimination and xenophobic attacks in South Africa are against other Africans,” Rachael Reilly, director of refugee policy for the New York-based Human Rights Watch, told a workshop organized by the International Catholic Migration Commission.

ship hall where participants can learn more about the group. For details, call Nancy Cardo at (704) 752-0318.

23 GREENSBORO — Tom Franzak, a contemporary Christian musician, will bring “Saints: In Their Own Words,” his musical celebration, to St. Pius X Church, 2210 N. Elm St, today at 3 p.m. The proceeds from this presentation, sponsored by the Franciscan Players, will benefit local charities in the Triad area. Call Irene Czarnomski at (336) 855-9001 or e-mail iczarnomski@prodigy.net for ticket reservations.

24 CHARLOTTE — A support group meeting for caregivers of family and friends suffering from Alzheimer’s/ dementia will be held today from 10-11:15 a.m. in room E of the ministry center at St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd. With advanced notification, activities for the memoryimpaired are also being provided. For more information about the support group or the non-profit Shining Stars Adult Day Respite Program for the memory-impaired, which meets every Monday and Wednesday and begin-

September 7, 2001

Vatican accepts bishops’ decision on U.S. confirmation age WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Vatican has accepted the U.S. bishops’ decision to set the normal age range for conferring confirmation “between the age of discretion and about 16 years of age.” Within that range, each bishop can set a more specific policy in his own diocese. In the Diocese of Charlotte, policy states the sacrament of confirmation should be conferred by the end of a child’s eighth-grade school year. The age of discretion is usually considered to be about 7. Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, communicated Rome’s action to the U.S. bishops in late August and decreed that the new U.S. norm will take effect July 1, 2002. It changes the current temporary norm, which is to confirm children ordinarily between the age of discretion and about 18. The norm affects only the Latin Church in the United States.

Announcement of embryonic stem-cell lines prompts new controversy WASHINGTON (CNS) — New controversy over human embryonic stem cells broke out after the federal National Institutes of Health said Aug. 27 that it had identified 64 stem-cell lines eligible for use in federally funded research. Researchers at Goteborg University in Sweden, identified as having 19 of those lines, said only three were ready for research. Officials at some laboratories named by NIH said their stemcell lines are currently ready to be used for research, but others said some or all of their lines still need further testing or analysis before they can be made available for research.

Four of the labs identified are in the United States, two each in Sweden and India, and one each in Australia and Israel.

Pope discusses elderly, disabled, immigrants with Rome mayor CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) — Pope John Paul II discussed the problems of the elderly, the disabled and immigrants in Rome during a private meeting with the city’s mayor, Walter Veltroni. Veltroni, a leader of Italy’s Democratic Party of the Left, spoke with the pontiff for 30 minutes Aug. 30 at or e-mail vpaul@madison.main.nc.us.

14 MAGGIE VALLEY — All are invited to the Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center, 103 Living Waters Lane, for an ecumenical experience with Dr. Barbara Nelson, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. She will explore the interpersonal relationship between God and the individual through dreams, prayer, meditation and contemplation. For further explanation, call the center at (828) 926-3833.

16 CHARLOTTE — St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Pkwy., is hosting its Christian Coffeehouse tonight from 7-9 p.m. Join parishioners and others for spiritual messages with live Christian contemporary music provided by Kathy and David with Redeemed, fellowship and refreshments.

Proceeds will benefit Brian Couture who recently had liver transplant surgery. For further information, group reservations and sponsorship opportunities, call Kathy Bartlett at (704) 614-9100.

17 CHARLOTTE — The Ladies

The Catholic News & Herald 3

The World in

risk of “unhealthy rivalry” among scientific researchers, fueled by financial ambition.

Australia church agency calls for acceptance of asylum seekers SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) — The Australian Catholic Social Justice Council has called on the government to allow entry of more than 430 asylum seekers stranded on a freighter off Christmas Island. Australia should receive the asylum seekers because the country “has a special duty to extend hospitality to those in need or danger,” said Bishop William Morris of Toowoomba, acting chairman of the council. “There are over 50,000 illegal residents in Australia. Our infrastructure has coped with these people. Surely, we can cope with 400 people in need,” Bishop Morris said in an Aug. 31 statement. The 433 mostly Afghan refugees have been stranded on the Norwegian freighter Tampa since Aug. 26, after being rescued from a sinking Indonesian boat.

CNS photo from Reuters

Brothers carry casket of priest killed in Phillippines Brothers of Irish Father Rufus Halley carry his casket during funeral services in the Philippine city of Cagayan de Oro Sept. 1. The Columban priest was shot and killed Aug. 28 in the Philippines when he refused to go with three kidnappers from an Islamic rebel group.

the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, outside Rome. Veltroni told reporters afterward that the talks focused on the social conditions of the most vulnerable groups in the Eternal City. “We spoke in particular about the loneliness of the elderly, the problems of families with disabled children and the type of welcome given immigrants,” he said.

Pro-life ad campaign faces problems in Philadelphia WASHINGTON (CNS) — The city of Philadelphia was refusing to allow a scheduled display of bus shelter advertisements for a new “second look” campaign about abortion. The Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops had planned to launch the “Second Look Project” in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey Sept. 4. The campaign was to use a combination of ads on five radio stations, signs inside buses and trains, and posters at 34 bus shelters around the city. But a few days before the September 9 CHARLOTTE — A charismatic Mass will be held at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Rd. East, this afternoon at 4 p.m. with prayer teams at 3 p.m. and a potluck dinner at 5 p.m. in the school cafeteria. For further information, contact Josie Backus at (704) 527-4676.

10 CHARLOTTE — A bereavement support group facilitated by Ruth Posey, CSS counselor, for those grieving the death of a loved one will begin tonight from 6-7:30 p.m. and will continue every Monday in the family room of St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd. For further information, call (704) 370-3238 or the church office at (704) 364-5431.

11 CHARLOTTE — The St. Gabriel Church Arthritis Support and Education group will meet every second Tuesday of the month from Sept.-May from 10-11 a.m. in Room D of the parish ministry center located at 3016 Providence Rd. This month’s program will focus on fibromyalgia and Oct.’s program will be focus on strength

campaign was to be announced Aug. 28, the secretariat was notified by the city that the posters would not be permitted because they were considered controversial and because “issue ads” are prohibited, said Cathleen Cleaver, spokeswoman for the secretariat.

Scientific researchers must answer to moral limits, pope says CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) — Pope John Paul II warned that scientific researchers must answer to the moral limits of good and evil, not just to the financial laws of the free market. Unless science is carried out with a sense of service to humanity, its advances can become the focus of “competitive bidding” that places financial gain above the common good, he told a group of Polish university rectors Aug. 30. Speaking in the courtyard of his summer residence outside Rome, the pope said globalization had helped increase the training for fall prevention. For further details, call (704) 362-5047, Ext. 217.

12 CHARLOTTE — The 50+ Club of St. John Neumann Church, 8451 Idlewild Rd., will be conducting a meeting this morning at 11 a.m. with a program and lunch in the parish center. Donations are being accepted during the meeting. For more information, call Louise Brewer at (704) 366-9592 or Gloria Silipigni at (704) 821-1343.

12 CHARLOTTE — A session for those who are grieving and those who are in bereavement ministry entitled “Grief as Rehabilitation” will be held at St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd., tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. in the parish ministry center. In this session Larry Dawalt will review different impacts of loss, ways to create a grief rehabilitation plan and setting realistic goals for the grief process.

For details, call the church office at (704) 364-5431.

14 CHARLOTTE — A renewal conference, sponsored by the Charis-

matic Renewal Service Team of the Diocese of Charlotte, will be returning to Charlotte area thoday and tomorrow at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Rd., with liturgies and music from the Perpetual Hope Gospel Choir of Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte and Rev. Mr. Keith Kolodziej. Father Patsy Iaquinta, chairman of the National Service Committee of the Renewal, and Dr. Richard Collings from the Share God’s Love ministry of Greensboro will be presenting at the conference. For more information, call (336) 760-1110 or e-mail jmanna@triad.rr.com.

14 HOT SPRINGS — Mercy Sister Soledad Aquilo will be presenting “Beads, Beads, Beads,” a weekend retreat for women focusing on bead jewelry as a way to express one’s spirit and prayer, today through Sept.

16 at the Jesuit House of Prayer, 289 NW Hwy 25/70. The weekend begins at 7 p.m. tonight and closes at 11:45 a.m. Sept. 16 after the liturgy.

For more details, call (828) 622-7366

4 The Catholic News & Herald

September 7, 2001

Back to School

Saint Leo teachers bolster skills in summer

By SUSAN deGUZMAN Correspondent WINSTON-SALEM — As school rolled to a close and summer break began last June, many teachers from St. Leo the Great Catholic School in Winston-Salem put their vacations on hold to attend a variety of enrichment workshops.

The middle-school math and science teachers attended a science workshop, and two of the primary grade teachers attended a workshop in mathematics.

Four teachers from both the primary and middle grades attended one in computers.

Hands-on laboratory experiments in food chemistry, polymers, chemical reactions and probeware technology were the focus of “Operation Chemistry,” a two-week science workshop funded by the Eisenhower Group.

The workshop was held at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro.

In its second year, the workshop was broken into two groups, OpChemI and OpChemII. St. Leo math teacher Pat Mathews explained that OpChemI, for first-year students, taught a lot of hands-on laboratory work. Most interesting to Mathews was the utilization of graphing calculators in conjunction with laboratory technology.

Given a stipend of $150 each, Mathews and fellow science teacher Mythily Isaac, who attended OpChemII, pooled their money to purchase a lab probe. The lab probe can be hooked up to graphing calculators, a set of which Mathews received last year through the school’s Parent/ Teacher Organization funds.

Mathews is excited to teach her students about measuring temperature and motion with the new equipment, as well, she says, “to incorporate some math and science lessons together (with Isaac) from the information and technology we acquired through the workshop.”

OpChemII focused on nutrition.

Isaac reports, “There was a lot of food

chemistry in OpChemII. It will help me teach the children about calories and how to read food labels.”

Isaac received a 1,000-page binder filled with activities and procedures for the classroom in addition. Another part of the OpChemII curriculum required each participant to plan and teach a day’s lesson to the OpChemI students. Isaac says of the program, “Every year I learn a lot. It’s wonderful.”

OpChemII students also took part in a one-and-a-half day session with NASA scientists where they were asked to evaluate how a new design-engineering program would work with middle school students. The teachers performed mock teaching sessions and experiments of the program, “Earth to Orbit,” which is sponsored by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center Education Programs.

Isaac hopes that the Eisenhower Group will be able to secure funding next year. The organizers feel it would be valuable to offer a third session, OpChemIII, for the returning students.

A final requirement of both workshops will be presentations by each teacher at the North Carolina Science Teachers’ Association Conference in November.

First- and second-grade teachers Sister of St. Joseph Emma Yondura and Wendy Piazza gained many new ideas from the workshop entitled “Mathematics Their Way.” Piazza tells that she learned activities to teach sorting, patterning, comparing and graphing. She also learned how use everyday materials to enhance these skills with the students.

She says, “It inspired me to utilize the things I already have or can easily gather in new ways.”

Piazza found information about patterning to be most insightful. “The more that children work with patterns, the better problem-solvers they most likely will be,” she said. “Kids who do more patterns tend to stick with prob-

Statement of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students and Personnel Schools in the Diocese of Charlotte, mindful of their primary mission as effective instruments of the education ministry of the church, and witnesses to the love of Christ for all persons, shall not discriminate on athe basis of race, color, sex, age, physical condition, national or ethnic origin in the employment of personnel and administration of the educational policies, admission policies, loan programs, athletic and other school-administered programs.

Dr. Michael Skube Superintendent of Schools Schools

Office of Catholic Schools 1123 South Church Street Charlotte, NC 28203 lotte 704-370-3270

Charlotte Catholic High School, Charlotte Holy Trinity Middle School, Charlotte All Saints Catholic School, Charlotte Our Lady of the Assumption School, Char-

St. Ann School, Charlotte St. Gabriel School, Charlotte St. Patrick School, Charlotte Asheville Catholic School, Asheville Bishop McGuinness High School, Kernersville Immaculata School, Hendersonville Immaculate Heart of Mary School, High Point Our Lady of Grace School, Greensboro Our Lady of Mercy School, Winston-Salem Sacred Heart School, Salisbury St. Leo School, Winston-Salem

lem-solving questions, particularly when they are difficult, for a longer period than those who haven’t done as much patterning.”

Other areas covered in the workshop were free exploration (how letting kids first approach new materials by seeing and playing with them is beneficial), measuring, money, number operations and place value.

Piazza and Sister Emma also learned many fun games to play with the children to teach these skills and received numerous materials, as well as the course book, which contains a multitude of pictures and exercises.

Four other teachers attended a weeklong computer class offered by Forsyth Technical Institute in Winston-Salem.

Middle-school teacher Mary Lou Schline, fourth- and fifth-grade teachers Patty Eiffe and Beth Newton, and French teacher Karyn Galiger learned how to use their classroom IBM compatible PC’s with greater efficiency, which will be particularly helpful with grading work. They also learned the Power Point program to aid with presentations.

St. Leo’s has a computer connected to a television monitor in each of its classrooms. Eiffe explained, “A parent helped me with a science presentation on the body last year. She brought in a MRI (magnetic resonance image) on

disk, plugged it into the computer, and showed it to the class on the monitor.

It was very interesting.”

Each computer is also connected to a main system run from the library.

The school utilizes this technology to broadcast live addresses by student council officers to the homerooms every month. The administration also used this system for the first time this year to present information to parents at their opening meeting.

Another extremely beneficial advance has been the connection of each of these computers to the library catalogue. During the summer of 2000 the majority of the library was inventoried on computer, a huge project accomplished by librarian Christine Hurley. The remainder was completed this past summer.

Eiffe explains that all her students last year had learned how to use the computer to search for library books right from the classroom.

In addition, each computer is connected to the Internet for the teachers’ uses. The school principal, Georgette Schraeder, hopes that one benefit of this will be easier staff communication as teachers will be able to e-mail her and each other directly from their classrooms. The credit for these technological accomplishments goes to the foresight and planning of the school’s Parent/Teacher Technology Com-

September 7, 2001

In the

Student leaders discuss ethics during orientation

By Catholic News Service ARLINGTON, Va. (CNS) — During orientation week, more than 100 student leaders at Marymount University in Arlington discussed a lot more than upcoming events on campus.

Instead, the group — which included athletic team captains, residence hall advisers and leaders of campus student organizations — took on some of the ethical questions students might face during the year.

“How will you respond to the freshman who asks you, ‘Who are the toughest professors in the English department and should I avoid taking classes with them?”’ Jason King, assistant professor of theology and religion, asked the group.

“Any time you’re asked an ‘ought,’ or ‘ought not,’ that’s about ethics,” he said.

The ethics seminar was taught by professors who work with the university’s Center for Ethical Concerns, which also sponsors a faculty ethics seminar each spring to examine ways to incorporate ethical issues in the curricula.

The seminar for student leaders aims to support them in their role as informal advisers to underclassmen. A

number of the student participants also assist faculty members in presenting ethical case studies during a fall ethics seminar that freshmen are required to take.

Marymount’s president, James Bundschuh, described the orientation week seminar as a “cram-course review” of the freshman seminar on ethics.

During the 90-minute program, students were told that the working definition of ethics is “the critical reflection on the moral meaning of an action.”

“That means you can’t resolve an ethical dilemma simply by what feels right. Feelings change, after all,” said Robert Draghi, professor of theology and religion and first holder of the school’s John S. McDonnell Jr. endowed chair of ethics.

Draghi told students there were some basic principles involved in this kind of “critical reflection,” including equal respect for persons, preservation of community, and the development of a person’s character.

Giving more weight to some principles over others will lead to different solutions to a given dilemma, students discovered.

The students debated three cases

— a freshman writing assignment on a topic some students find morally objectionable; students protesting a required seminar on contemporary social problems; and the issue of student overload.

The overload topic presented the common dilemma of a student who lacks the time to study for exams, report to a campus job, compete on the swim team, and go out on a date.

“I would try to remind the student of why he came to college in the first place,” said Kristy Davis, a senior. “The student’s girlfriend should understand his studies come first. I guess I’m suggesting he put character growth and community first.”

“But his swim team is counting on him,” said another student. “So even trying to be responsible about his homework, he’s still going to let some people down.”

“Exactly,” King replied. “And those are the kinds of choices we face all the time, aren’t they?” he told the group.

He suggested that by becoming more conscious of ethics and critically reflecting on the principles served by different choices, students will better navigate the many demands of college life.

The Catholic News & Herald 5

In brief. . . .

Greensboro Council of Catholic Women Fall Luncheon GREENSBORO — The Greensboro Council of Catholic Women invites all ladies to its Fall Luncheon at the Greensboro Country Club Pavilion Sept. 26 at noon.

The speaker will be Franciscan Father Louis Canino, director of the Franciscan Center. For information on how to support the luncheon and council, directions and the Sept. 21 registration deadline, call Janet Law at (336) 288-6022.

Catholic Relief Services Program MORGANTON — All are invited to St. Charles Borromeo Church, 714 West Union St., on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. for presentations, sponsored by the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace, on the advocacy and educational initiatives entitled “Africa Rising: Hope to Healing” from Catholic Relief Services and “Africa: Hunger to Harvest” from Bread for the World. These initiatives are a joint effort to focus renewed U.S. attention and development assistance on Africa and raise awareness on both the needs and opportunities in Africa. Materials to facilitate parish involvement in these initiatives will be provided. Call Joe Purello, diocesan director, at (704) 370-3225 or Linda Franks at (704) 370-3231 for more information.

6 The Catholic News & Herald Pope, screening ‘Quo Vadis,’ says believers can learn from past VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Hosting the world premiere of “Quo Vadis,” a major Polish film about Christian persecution in Roman times, Pope John Paul II said contemporary believers have much to gain by recalling their forebears’ ordeals. “It’s necessary to return to that drama to give birth to the question: Does something of that drama take place in me?” the pope said at the end of the Aug. 30 viewing, attending by 6,000 guests in the Paul VI audience hall. The pope said the movie’s title — a Latin phrase attributed to St. Peter, meaning “Where are you going?” — should prompt modern Christians to ask the question of themselves.

“Are you going toward Christ, or are you following other paths that carry you far from him and yourself?” he said.

‘It’s a Miracle’ host says skepticism on miracles has dissipated HOLLYWOOD (CNS) — After three years of hosting “It’s a Miracle,” actor Richard Thomas says his skepticism about miracles has dissipated. Not that he didn’t believe in miracles. But Thomas didn’t know whether viewers were “really interested in an hour’s worth of good news.” The fact that “It’s a Miracle” is going into its fourth season and is the longest-running original series on the fledgling Pax network’s lineup gives evidence that Americans indeed like good news. “The word ‘miracle’ of course is complicated. You know, it can be highly circumscribed to a specific definition,” Thomas told TV writers in Hollywood.

“For the purposes of our show, if the people to whom these stories happen consider them a miracle, then that’s what they are, as far as I’m concerned.”

New U.S. ambassador to Holy See arrives to take up post FIUMICINO, Italy (CNS) — The newly appointed U.S. ambassador to the Holy See arrived in Rome in late August, pledging his government’s commitment to work with the Vatican in promoting freedom, justice and peace in the world. In a low-key reception in the VIP lounge of Leonardo da Vinci Airport outside Rome Aug. 30, Jim Nicholson told reporters he felt “delighted” and “privileged” to be representing the United States at the Holy See. Nicholson, a 63-year-old Catholic, and his wife,

September 7, 2001

People in the

CNS photo by Bill Wittman

Young people enjoy World Youth Day Expo Young people enjoy a performance at the World Youth Day Expo at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto Aug. 29. It was one of many events the World Youth Day 2002 organization is sponsoring leading up to the international Catholic youth festival in Toronto in late July next year.

Suzanne, were welcomed by U.S. Embassy staff and a Vatican diplomatic official, Msgr.

William V. Millea.

Cardinal Maida bags first-ever hole-in-one NORTHVILLE, Mich. (CNS) — Aug. 27 began as a typical day for Cardinal Adam J. Maida of Detroit. He started with early-morning meetings at his residence, moved on to a television studio for a special interview program, traveled across town to celebrate Mass for a deceased brother priest, and then headed west to the suburb of Northville for a charity golf outing. Playing alongside a foursome in a Catholic Youth Organization fund-raiser at the Northville Golf Club, Cardinal Maida made a hole-in-one on the eighth hole. The eighth hole is a par 3, 125 yards. “Never had one in 50 years of playing golf,” Cardinal Maida said. “It was a great thrill.”

Bishop Aquila ordained as coadjutor bishop of Fargo FARGO, N.D. (CNS) — Bishop Samuel J. Aquila stepped into his role as coadjutor bishop of Fargo during a solemn ordination ceremony that also highlighted the down-home friendliness of North

Dakota Catholics. Bishop Aquila was ordained Aug. 24 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fargo. More than 700 priests, religious and invited guests filled the cathedral for the ceremony. Overflow crowds of 100 in the cathedral basement and 250 at First Lutheran Church across the street from the cathedral watched a video simulcast.

Archbishop Harry J. Flynn of St. Paul and Minneapolis presided and gave the homily, and Bishop James S. Sullivan of Fargo and Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver, where then-Msgr. Aquila had been rector of St. John Vianney Seminary, served as co-consecrators.

Vatican: Milingo meets

with Korean wife to say he’s leaving her VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Zambian Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo met the Korean woman he married in May to say he was leaving her, the Vatican announced. In a statement late Aug. 29, the Vatican said the archbishop gave 43-yearold Maria Sung a letter telling her, “My commitment in the life of the church, through celibacy, does not permit me to be married. “The church’s call to me to return to my first commitment is right,” he said in the letter, which the Vatican released. The two were married May 27 in a New York hotel ceremony performed by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon.

Bishop vows to bring Iraq sanctions issue to full body of bishops NEW YORK (CNS) — Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton of Detroit said Aug. 29 that he would insist on getting attention for the issue of Iraq sanctions at the general meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops this November. In an interview in New York, he said he had submitted a proposed resolution for consideration as a “varium” under a special procedure of the bishops’ conference that allows individual bishops to seek action without going through the normal committee process. If the bishops’ Administrative Committee does not agree to put the resolution on the agenda, he will consider bringing supporters to the meeting site for a protest action outside demanding attention to the issue, Bishop Gumbleton said. “I’m determined,” he said.

September 7, 2001

From the

The Catholic News & Herald 7

Parents, teachers key in passing on faith to children, speaker says at CSO training

By JIMMY ROSTAR Associate Editor The Gospel challenge of authentic moral living is one of vital importance to parents, teachers and the children whom they raise and teach, an expert on Catholic family life told religion teachers in the Diocese of Charlotte’s Catholic schools.

The president of Benziger publishers, Irene Murphy speaks to teachers nationwide about the catechesis for the contemporary Catholic family. She addressed all of the Charlotte Diocese’s religion teachers in Charlotte Aug. 15 and in Greensboro Aug. 16.

During a presentation filled with prayer and reflections, Murphy shared insights on the “Benziger Family Life” program designed by that widely used publisher of catechetical materials.

Murphy said the basic challenge for all principals and teachers in Catholic schools is to bring an honest love for God into the school community — to “enkindle that passion and that love

for the Lord, that you go and you share with the ones who are sent to you this year, whether you are a beginning teacher or you have been teaching for many years.”

She explained the family life program, which is taught in the Diocese of Charlotte, as a comprehensive moral catechesis for students from kindergarten through the eighth grade.

The program is designed to reflect the teaching of the church documents the “Catechism of the Catholic Church,” “The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality” and “The Gospel of Life.”

The newest edition of the program is based on the moral principles described in the catechism.

Murphy urged the teachers to continually educate themselves in those church documents that are the foundation of the program “so that you become knowledgeable yourself in relationship to what the church teaches” and that “you become informed about the church in teaching

Photo by Jimmy Rostar

Mercy Sister Maureen Meehan, left, chats with Irene Murphy, far right, and St. Gabriel School religion teachers Ted Morgan and Jamie Suddeth in Charlotte.

religion and (understanding) the imthe positive gifts that God has given portance of family life education.” you. When you do that, if you are a The program weaves five themes principal, it will spill over to the teach— God’s gifts of family, self, life, love ers that you are with. It will spill over and community — through subjects to the parents. taught in each grade. More than a “For the teachers, it will spill over human-sexuality or parent-education to all those youngsters who are given program, its designers say the famto you to guide and watch this year.” ily life program fosters partnerships Also addressing teachers at the between the parish, gat h e r i n g s w a s the school and the John Stack, nationfamily. al field consultant “Benziger for publisher WilFamily Life” inliam H. Sadlier, Inc. corporates churchStack offered a grounded explanalively presentation tions that answer on how educators children’s quescan connect with tions — from bastudents based on sic themes such as life experiences. He adult authority and suggested devotfamily traditions, ing some classroom to more complex time to such methsubjects like sexual ods as storytellabstinence and subing, puppetry, the stance abuse. use of props and “We have to models, and other give our young creative means.

John people the truth — Those methStack what it means, the ods, he said, can importance of the lead to students’ solid value system reacting to lessons more personally that the church, that the parents, that and making what they learn part of the schools can give to help a young themselves. person in terms of questions that are The Aug. 15 and 16 in-service sesdefinitely in their young minds,” said sions were part of an ongoing series Murphy. of training sessions presented by the T o d o t h a t Religious Education Office of the dieffectively, Murphy reiterated the need ocesan Catholic Schools Office. for educators to be strong witnesses Mercy Sister Maureen Meehan, of Christ to all they encounter — esdirector of religious formation for dipecially in the classroom. ocesan schools here, invites nationally “Compare this room to a library, recognized speakers to address a range and each of us as a book,” she told her of educational issues throughout the audience in Charlotte. “For all of us school year. in the book of our life, the beginning She said the training sessions supplechapters are written and over. ... The ment the diocese’s official guidelines for last chapters are yet to be written for religion curriculum from kindergarten all of us. through eighth grade.

“Fill that book of your life with “Our hope is that educators will find

8 The Catholic News & Herald

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September 7, 2001

Students study technological

By BETTE BARTHOLOMEW Correspondent SALISBURY — When you walk into the Computer Academy of Sacred Heart School in Salisbury these days, you might just see students rummaging through a heap of parts that are the innards of a computer.

Computer literacy is being taught grades Pre-K through 8. One particular class will be expected within two weeks to identify, by name, the parts which will be passed around the room.

Having examined the parts in relation to the inside of a computer, the students will also be able to identify their position within the computer and explain their function.

They will then begin repairing and upgrading some of the computers which have been donated to the school by industry as well as individuals.

As of this month, the school has received 48 computers which have been upgraded to state-of-the-art. Twenty are now in operation throughout the Sacred Heart complex. They are being used in the rectory, as well as the classrooms.

For the cost of approximately $100 per computer, thousands of dollars have been saved — and a more efficient op-

eration has been achieved.

Teachers are using them for immediate updated information in the science and social science fields. Kathleen Miller, principal, was asked a question in her religion class. To make sure that she had updated information, she asked her student teacher assistant to look it up on the computer. The answer was in her hand almost immediately.

Being able to work out lesson plans, as well as having the latest research on any given subject, also excites teachers. Students are pleased with frequent grade averaging and graphs — all done by the computer.

Journalism students are using technology to put out a school newspaper, and to establish a Web page. Teacher assistants, during their elective subject period, are assisting teachers with current information by using the computer.

Last spring, rectory employees, teachers and a few parents upgraded their computer skills under the tutelage of Charles Patton. Patton had a most unusual opportunity as a high school student at Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, Fla. NASA chose that high school to install a large computer lab strategically located on the Bee High-

Photo by Bette Bartholomew

way — a straight line from Cape Canaveral, now Kennedy Center.

Patton learned a great deal by sheer osmosis as he observed some very sophisticated operations. And he was taken far beyond the computer operating stage, to uses and inventions.

Kathleen Miller decided to ask Charles Patton to set up a lab and to teach computer skills. Together, they decided on a program approach. And Shawn Villalpandol, assistant instructor,

helped to rework the lab.

“Our goal is to develop vocational skills as well as communication skills, which will carry students through high school and college as well as life,” said Miller. “To participate in these and more electives a student must exhibit professional behavior. We anticipate bringing our students to a high school equivalency testing level. We find the behavior patterns changing pleasantly throughout the entire school.”

September 7, 2001

In the

The Catholic News & Herald 9

Lay ministry programs form as well as inform, survey finds

By Jerry Filteau Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — U.S. Catholic lay ministry formation programs form their students spiritually while preparing them for ministry intellectually and pastorally, according to a national survey of directors of those programs.

A summary of the results of the study, commissioned by the U.S. bishops’ Subcommittee on Lay Ministry and conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, was sent to the bishops in August.

“This report is a quite positive one,” said Bishop Joseph P. Delaney of Fort Worth, Texas, chairman of the subcommittee.

He said the results indicate “that spiritual formation is being taken very seriously by the programs that are preparing our future lay ecclesial ministers.”

“On average, respondents estimate that approximately one-third of a candidate’s time is devoted to spiritual formation activities,” said the CARA report on the study.

It said the program directors most often cited prayer as one of the most important elements in their candidates’ spiritual formation, with theological reflection also high on the list.

Other elements most frequently cited as most important were experience of a sense of community, retreats and development of a healthy sense of

self.

Diocesan, college and seminarysponsored programs are more likely to require formation directors and spiritual directors as part of their program, while independent and clinical pastoral education programs are far more likely to focus on mentoring approaches, the report said.

Currently there are more than 300 professional Catholic lay ministry formation programs in the United States.

They have a combined enrollment in excess of 35,000 — about 10 times the number of seminarians in post-college studies and 13 times the number of men in deacon formation programs.

The CARA study was based on a 117-item questionnaire sent to directors of 323 lay ministry formation programs. CARA received 207 completed questionnaires, a 64 percent response rate.

More than 70 percent of respondents said their program includes a “formal spiritual formation component.” More than half said their program included a screening process to assess a candidate’s spiritual readiness for the program, and 28 percent said they had a formal process to assess the spiritual formation of their students.

Bishop Delaney said the responses indicate that “these programs recognize and act on their responsibility to go beyond academic formation and address the fuller, spiritual development of the person.”

Of the programs represented in the survey, 89 were diocesan, 62 were in a college or university, 25 were in a seminary or theological school, 11 were independent, and 11 were clinical pastoral education programs.

Some respondents did not name or identify the type of program they had; the study included their responses in the general analysis but excluded them when comparing different types of programs.

The program directors reported that two qualities particularly characteristic of candidates coming into their formation programs were commitment to the person of Jesus Christ and a desire to serve others.

Other qualities ranking close behind were commitment to the Catholic Church and a sense of personal call.

On a four-point scale of “very much,” “somewhat,” “only a little” and “not at all,” from 93 to 98 percent of the directors described their incoming candidates as having those qualities “very much” or at least “somewhat.”

The responses indicated that candidates advance significantly in those and other areas of personal and spiritual development as they go through their formation.

Only 54 percent of directors described their incoming candidates as “very much” committed to Christ, but 85 percent described their graduating students that way.

Similarly, 62 percent rated incom-

ing candidates as “very much” having a desire to serve others; 84 percent rated their graduating students that way.

Fewer than 10 percent of directors ranked incoming students high (“very much”) on a number of qualities important to ministry, including their commitment to social justice and their ability to articulate personal faith experiences, to invite others to a life of faith, to engage in discernment, or to reflect theologically.

By contrast, depending on the item, from 42 percent to 75 percent of directors described their program graduates as having those qualities “very much.”

On the ability to reflect theologically, one of the chief academic goals of formation programs, only 2 percent of directors said incoming students already had that quality “very much,” 63 percent thought their graduates were “very much” able to reflect theologically, and 97 percent thought graduates could do so at least “somewhat.”

The bishops’ Secretariat for Family, Laity, Women and Youth has posted the full CARA report on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Web site, www.usccb.org.

For details on the Diocese of Charlotte’s lay ministry program, call Mercy Sister Mary Timothy Warren at (704) 370-3213.

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Directory of Campus and Young Adult Ministers The following list comprises the contact information for campus and young adult ministers in the Diocese of Charlotte.

Colleen McDermott Director of Campus Ministry and Young Adult Ministry, Diocese of Charlotte (704) 370-3212 e-mail: cmmcdermott@charlottediocese.org Sister Antonette Schmidt, RSM Spiritual Mentor Coordinator (704) 370-3316 e-mail: aschmidt@charlottediocese.org Kathy Bartlett Director of Development for Campus and Young Adult Ministries (704) 614-9100 kschwabent@aol.com Appalachian State University Dr. Sal Inglese, Campus Minister (828) 264-7087 e-mail: ingleses@boone.net Belmont Abbey College Father Kieran Neilson, OSB, Campus Minister (704) 829-7196 e-mail: jaralynntrellue@bac.edu Bennett College Alberta Hairston, Campus Minister (336) 272-5868 e-mail: theahouse1@juno.com

Brevard College James Gensch, Campus Minister (828) 883-9572, (828) 883-4626 e-mail: gallivant@citcom.net Catawba College Lynda Cody, Local Parish Contact (704) 633-0591 e-mail: lcody@vnet.net Chris Beal, Associate Campus Minister Davidson College Barbara Bagnall, Campus Minister (704) 894-2917 e-mail: BB195@aol.com Gardner Webb University David Carscaddon, Campus Contact (704) 406-4437 Greensboro College See UNCG Guilford College See UNCG High Point University Terry Aiken, Campus Minister (336) 884-5352 e-mail: ihm@highpoint.net Johnson C. Smith University and Barber-Scotia College Nanette Lide, Parish Contact (704) 536-2340 Lenoir-Rhyne College - Newman Center Dr. Phillip Blosser, Campus Contact (828) 328-7186, campus box 7228 Livingstone College See Catawba College Mars Hill College St. Andrew the Apostle, local parish (828) 689-3719 North Carolina A&T University See Bennett College North Carolina School of the Arts See Wake Forest University Salem College See Wake Forest University Wake Forest University Father Jude DeAngelo, OFM Conv., Campus Minister Julie Ostergaard, Associate Campus Minister (336) 758-5018 (for Father DeAngelo) e-mail: deangejt@wfu.edu (for Father DeAngelo) (336) 758-4214 (for Julie Ostergaard) e-mail: ostergjm@wfu.edu Western Carolina University Gloria Schweizer, Campus Minister (828) 293-9374 e-mail: wcucatholic@aol.com UNC-Asheville Wendy Murray, Campus Minister (828) 250-3841 e-mail: wen_phil@ioa.com UNC-Charlotte Mary Wright, Campus Minister (704) 547-4069 UNC-Greensboro Douglas Campbell, Campus Minister (336) 334-5548, (336) 334-4264 dougcampbell66@yahoo.com

September 7, 2001

September 7, 2001

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The Catholic News & Herald 11

New principal takes the helm at Immaculate Heart of

By DENISE KASPER Correspondent HIGH POINT — Computers, hot lunch and an honor code are just some of the changes new principal Ned Forney has in store for Immaculate Heart of Mary School.

“This school has so much potential,” Forney said. “It’s different (than my last school); it has more of a community feeling.”

Forney, 38, took over the position on July 1, and is just about settled in at the helm of the K-8 school. Having met one-on-one with all the teachers, and working with the staff all summer, Forney seems to be at home at the school.

“It’s just a good fit,” he said.

Forney replaced former principal Margene Wilkins, who left to go back to teaching.

Before coming to IHM, Forney was the head of upper school at Westchester Academy in High Point, as well as a history teacher there. He says he welcomes the change to a smaller school, as well as the move from a non-religious to a Catholic school.

“I went to Catholic schools growing up and I taught Sunday school here,” he said.

Teaching is where Forney started, and it’s one of his first loves, so almost naturally,

he’s has found himself in front of a class, as well as behind a desk as the principal. Due to an irresolvable teacher scheduling conflict, Forney is teaching fourth-grade religion. The students have adapted well to his dual role, especially his 9-year-old daughter Marie, who is in the class.

“It’s great, because she sees me every day,” he said. Forney, who lives in High Point and attends Christ the King Church, also has a 12-year-old son Ben who attends Bishop McGuiness High School.

One of the first changes Forney made at the school was instituting a hot lunch program Tuesday through Friday. Students can still bring a bag lunch, but as another option, local restaurants provide hot meals for $3 each.

“I just think mealtime, especially as a Catholic, is important,” he said. “I want to teach the students community (through prayer), nutrition and manners. It’s a threepronged attack.”

Forney has also equipped the school with 16 laptop computers for the middle-school students, as well as a central network so students can go on line for research and other

projects.

A former Citadel graduate and U.S. Marine, Forney also has plans to implement an honor code. Working with the student council on this project, he expects the code to be in place by the beginning of the next school year.

“I want to set up an honor code because I think it’s really important,” he said. “I want to teach kids that telling a white lie, forging a parent’s signature and taking things to borrow them and not returning them — that these things are all a big deal.”

Recognizing the difference between lower-grade students and middle-school students, he would like to amend the school discipline policies, creating a separate set of rules for students in lower grades than those in middle school grades 6-8.

“Middle-school students are more mature and should be held more responsible,” Forney said. “I expect more out of them. I expect more immediate results.”

Forney, who spends some Saturdays with his children helping young Hispanic children with math and English at his church, would like to create more community outreach at the school, especially to the growing Hispanic community. A summer mission

program could also be in the works.

“I want the students to see we are the church of the world,” he said. “The Catholic Church is all over world.”

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‘People are very excited’ about new BMHS facility, says and many of our students have to

By ALESHA M. PRICE travel further now. Also, many of the Staff Writer kids have siblings that they drop off at KERNERSVILLE — Students, faculty other schools in the morning.” and staff have stepped into a new school year Located on Highway 66, south of and have made their mark in a new facility.

Interstate 40, the The smoke has cleared, two-story buildand the nuts and bolts ing will be able to have been tightened as accommodate 800 400 students including students at its ca150 freshmen stretch pacity, with a chatheir legs and minds pel seating 225 and across the recently built a cafeteria seating Bishop McGuinness 320. Amenities inMemorial High School clude a media cencampus, which extends ter, music and art over 44 acres. classrooms, comNot only is the puter labs, bookbuilding new, but many store and athletic different changes have fields for baseball, taken place along with soccer, track and the switch in location, field and softball. says George Repass, The technical BMHS principal. support and net“We have seen George Repass, BMHS principal working systems significant growth over are what make last year in terms of the the principal most number of students enproud. With color rolled, and 400 students printers in every classroom and the is what we had originally targeted. We have Internet with firewall protection inmet our goal.” stalled on every computer, Repass says A sign of that growth occurred when that this means a new way of teaching over 1,000 people gathered in the school for the school. “This type of technolthis past August for a first glimpse for many ogy is becoming the norm which presof them during an orientation session of the ents a wonderful challenge that we are school that has been the talk of the Piedmontvery eager and ready to meet. There Triad area for months. The groundbreaking is one computer per three students, took place in February 2000. which is a better ratio than the state or “People are very excited, and we have national standards of excellence.” received an extraordinary response from the All are ready to cheer on the new public in general,” said Repass. “They have varsity football team and to support been very warm and welcoming; we have the Fast Forward program, a college had so much support from everyone.” extension program from the UniverStudents can catch a few extra Z’s sity of North Carolina at Greensboro. in the morning as the morning bell Bishop William G. Curlin will rings at 8:30 a.m. this year with the bless the chapel and the school buildschool day ending at 3:15 p.m. Repass ing on Sept. 30 with a general blessing says that there are a few reasons for at 7 p.m. The event will feature music the later start. and an academic convocation with “Research has shown that adolesspeakers from the past and present. cents need more sleep than they are “This new school will enable us getting in the early morning hours,

September 7, 2001

NCEA’s assessment survey a vital tool, diocesan official WASHINGTON — How does a child’s relationship with God affect his or her development? How does prayer enhance his or her understanding of who God is?

These and other questions are answered in the Assessment of Catechesis/Religious Education, an assessment program of the National Catholic Educational Association.

The program helps Catholic educators survey students on religious knowledge, beliefs, perceptions, behaviors and practices of the Catholic faith.

“ACRE provides a systematic evaluation to assist, encourage and compare local results with diocesan and national trends,” said Mercy Sister Maureen Meehan, director of religious formation for the Diocese of Charlotte’s Catholic Schools Office.

The survey is a valuable resource, she said, because it “tracks student progress in religious knowledge and compares local results with diocesan and national trends, and assesses curricular needs and religious education program effectiveness.”

The survey also “applies data about students’ religious practices, relationships with their families and service opportunities to curricular emphasis,” Sister Maureen said.

The Diocese of Charlotte is among the 142 U.S. Catholic dioceses using the Assessment of Catechesis/ Religious Education, or ACRE. The student survey provides information on the effectiveness of catechetical and religious education programs in Catholic schools and parishes.

ACRE is also used in Canada.

Information from the ACRE reports aim at helping school, parish and diocesan leaders determine how well local and diocesan stated faith formation goals and objectives are being realized. More than 100,000 elementary and secondary students in churchoperated schools and parish-based catechetical and religious education programs use NCEA’s student survey each year.

Newly revised and renamed as NCEA ACRE, the survey was delivered last month to school officials. After two years of revisions, the ACRE offers continuity with the previous edition while also providing new opportunities for student responses on themes highlighted in the “Catechism of the Catholic Church,” the “General Directory for Catechesis” and Catholic social teachings.

September 7, 2001

The Catholic News & Herald 13

1 4 The Catholic News & Herald Book Review

Book on evolution integrates Darwin’s theory and Christian thought Reviewed by Wayne A. Holst Catholic News Service “About 40 percent of American Christians still think evolutionary theory is inconsistent with belief in God, and their church leaders often officially support this opinion,” says John F. Haught. Seminaries tend to do a poor

RESPONSES TO 101 QUESTIONS ON GOD AND EVOLUTION, by John F. Haught. Paulist Press (New York, 2001). 143 pp., $12.95.

job preparing ministers and religious instructors to meet the intellectual and spiritual needs of the scientifically educated.

Evolution is still too recent an idea for the world’s great religious traditions to have fully digested. Yet, it is also apparent that an increasing number of informed believers want to know how evolution relates to religious faith.

“Responses to 101 Questions on God and Evolution” creatively integrates Darwin’s evolutionary theory and Christian thought, offering essential building blocks for a theology of evolution. This book provides answers from a Christian perspective to questions coming not only from experts who have thought deeply about evolution, but also from nonexperts whose ideas about evolution may be casual and misinformed.

Haught, a Catholic theologian who teaches at Georgetown University in Washington, has spent his professional life studying issues in science and religion. His previous books on the subject include “Science and Religion: From Conflict to Conversion” (1996) and “God After Darwin: A Theology of Evolution” (2000). Using a question-and-answer format he gives concise, lucid insights from his work to date.

The current pope has done much to encourage a new rapprochement with Darwin, says Haught. “Too much time and energy is wasted trying to show that evolution is wrong.” Religious believers should be asking whether our current understanding of God is too small to accommodate Darwin’s world.

Charles Darwin, a British scientist, started to develop what came to be called his theory of “evolution” in the mid-19th

September 7, 2001

Read-

century. Today that theory, modernized by genetics, biological science and other scientific disciplines, is stronger than ever.

Darwin’s theory is remarkably simple. All forms of life descend by way of gradual modification over the course of time from a common ancestor. The explanation of this gradual modification, including the emergence of new species, is natural selection (the understanding that those organisms most able to adapt to their environments will be “selected” by nature to survive and to produce offspring).

It is the randomness, or chance factor, in natural selection that has long troubled Christians who have traditionally subscribed to the view that life in general and human life in particular were planned from all eternity because God is outside or above time.

Haught takes on religious creationism and intelligent design, advising that, instead of fighting chance evolutionary theory, Christians and other religious believers need to embrace it. When we do this, “it may turn out,” Haught envisions, “that an appreciation of Darwin’s revolution may considerably deepen and widen our understanding of God.” The author believes we need to develop other categories to express the religious intuition that we live in a meaningful universe. He borrows insights from Teilhard de Chardin, the priest, geologist and paleontologist, as well as the process philosopher Alfred North Whitehead, to focus on the “promise” rather than the “plan” inherent in nature.

Because “101 Questions” is a distillation of considerable thought, tested by the classroom and the lecture circuit, these tightly packed but mercifully short pieces may discourage the casual reader.

The serious student will find much substance here and points for creative departure.

Haught offers a fresh view of God and the natural world in this mature reflection, by replacing the deity of static design and controlling power with the God of vulnerable self-giving love. For him, creation is not finished. The future of the cosmos is open.

Holst is a writer who has taught religion and culture at the University of Calgary.

Word to Life

September 9, Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C Readings: 1) Wisdom 9:13-18b Psalm 90:3-6, 12-17 2) Philemon 9-10, 12-17 3) Gospel: Luke 14:25-33

By Dan Luby Catholic News Service The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy, is one of the most beautiful in Europe. The prospect of a bird’s-eye view of the interior and panoramic vistas of the Tuscan countryside makes a walk up the staircase to the observation porch atop the dome seem eminently doable. Before you commit yourself to the climb though, there are other things to consider.

Just inside the door the staircase narrows sharply. It’s usually crowded and noisy. When you reach the dome itself, the stairs wind in a dizzying spiral.

The ceiling curves downward, requiring you to lean forward almost double. A too-tight belly pack is agony. A too-big backpack gets you stuck. Because the stairs only allow one-way traffic, the only way down is to go all the way up and descend by another staircase. For the hardiest, most eager climber, it’s taxing; for

the claustrophobic, the sore backed, the easily discouraged, it’s a painful ordeal.

I’ve never met anyone who didn’t find the trials of the ascent worth the beauty that rewarded them at the top.

But many climbers, when things get tough, regret their decision and want to go back. A few, through fright or cussedness, turn around and bull their way through a rising tide of fellow climbers, escaping the rigors of the journey altogether.

The path of discipleship is like climbing the dome in Florence. Jesus reminds his enthusiastic would-be disciples that the glory of his triumph will be accomplished only at the expense of the cross.

His sobering words about renunciation of all that impedes our communion with him, all that relegates him to a lower priority, remind us that the cost of authentic discipleship is high.

We should pay attention to what we are committing ourselves to.

QUESTIONS: What is one of the costs of discipleship which you find especially challenging?

What is a way you can prepare yourself more fully for the hard work of following Jesus in everyday life?

Weekly Scripture Readings for the week of Sept. 9-15 Sunday, Wisdom 9:13-18a, Philemon 9b-10, 12-17, Luke 14:25-33; Monday, Colossians 1:24 - 2:3; Luke 6:6-11; Tuesday, Colossians 2:6-15, Luke 6:12-19; Wednesday, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 6:20-26; Thursday (St. John Chrysostom), Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 6:27-38; Friday (The Exaltation of the Holy Cross), Numbers 21:4b-9, Philippians 2:6-11, John 3:13-17; Saturday (Our Lady of Sorrows), 1 Timothy 1:15-17, John 19:25-27 Readings for the week of Sept. 16-22 Sunday, Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-32; Monday (St. Robert Bellarmine), 1 Timothy 2:1-8, Luke 7:1-10; Tuesday, 1 Timothy 3:113, Luke 7:11-17; Wednesday (St. Januarius), 1 Timothy 3:14-16, Luke 7:31-35; Thursday (Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang and Companions), 1 Timothy 4:12-16, Luke 7:36-50, Friday (St. Matthew), Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13, Matthew 9:9-13, Saturday, 1 Timothy 6:13-16, Luke 8:4-15

September 7, 2001

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The Catholic News & Herald 15

‘State of Grace’ series mirrors its creator’s youth

By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service HOLLYWOOD (CNS) — The new Fox Family cable TV series “State of Grace” tends to mirror the youthful experiences of its co-creator, Brenda Lilly.

The show focuses on two girls — Catholic Grace (Mae Whitman) and Jewish Hannah (Alia Shawkat) — growing up in 1965 and going to a Catholic girls’ school in North Carolina.

“This is loosely based on when I was growing up,” said Lilly, a Catholic.

“My best friend when I was going to St. Genevieve of the Pines was a Jewish girl who played the Virgin Mary in the Christmas play.”

In the series, the girls go to St. Christina’s in the Pines, a private Catholic girls’ school. The real-life St. Genevieve of the Pines, since closed, was a private Catholic girls’ school in Asheville, N.C., staffed by the Religious of Christian Education, a French order of nuns, with several members hailing from the Boston area.

“It was quite a liberal education for a young Catholic girl in the ’60s,” Lilly recalled. “These were very free-wheeling, free-thinking women that were teaching us. They, I think, really impressed upon us the need to question things. They really stressed education. It was really unique, too, because they all were so well educated ... really, really bright women, and young for the most part.”

As for all-girl education, “I’m a firm believer in it. I was educated for 12 years in that environment,” said Lilly, who was a member of St. Joan of Arc Parish and the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Asheville and now attends St. Charles Borromeo Church in North Hollywood.

“I don’t have kids, but for all my friends that do I tell them it’s a great way to go.”

“What we really wanted to do, and what we really wanted to embrace, was the sense that diversity is not a bad thing,” Lilly told Catholic News Service.

“When I was growing up, and where I was growing up — for the South in the ’60s is a very odd place for this to be happening — it was about embracing people who were different from you.”

“State of Grace” first took shape two years ago, according to Lilly. She and cocreator Hollis Rich had been looking at too many bad scripts and wanted to find

“something we could be positive about writing, so we got together and started talking about what would interest us.”

They created “State of Grace,” she added, as “a show with a very positive girls’ point of view, and a show that talked about friendship and imagination as an escape from unfortunate circumstances, which I think all kids feel like they’re going through.”

It takes place in 1965 “because we feel like that was a state of grace in our nation’s history,” Lilly said. “We chose the girls to be 12 years old because we felt that was a state of grace for them, between moving away from their parents’ influence formulating their own thoughts and boys so influencing their life.”

They offered the show to Fox Family first “because we felt there was a smaller hierarchy to go through there” with more control and less pressure “to put a boy in the lead,” Lilly said.

The “sweet new series ... clips along at a nice pace, introducing heartfelt moments that don’t overstay their welcome,” said a review of the series’ first two episodes by Anne Navarro of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office for Film and Broadcasting “There is a sense that the characters will grow and grow on you,” she added.

“The entertaining ‘State of Grace’ is likely to please both adults and children.”

The half-hour “State of Grace” can be seen in back-to-back episodes 9-10 p.m. EDT Mondays and 10-11 p.m.

EDT Wednesdays, with a fifth run 7:308 p.m. EDT Fridays.

Lilly said Fox Family ordered 13 more episodes for airing starting in January, but that was before Fox sold Fox Family to the Walt Disney Co., which is expected to rechristen the channel ABC Family by year’s end, specializing in reruns of ABC, ESPN and Disney Channel fare.

Asked if she was worried that the sale would doom “State of Grace,” Lilly replied, “I’m not worried. My mother taught me that worrying does nothing but give you wrinkles.”

CNS photo from United Artists

Scene from movie ‘Jeepers Creepers’ Gina Philips and Justin Long star in the film thriller “Jeepers Creepers.”

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-IV — adults with reservations. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R— restricted.

1 6 The Catholic News & Herald

September 7, 2001

Editorials & Col-

The Pope Speaks

POPE JOHN PAUL II

Pope says surprising prophecy in Psalms fulfilled through Christ

By John Norton Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope John Paul II said a “surprising” prophecy in the Psalms that envisioned all the earth’s peoples joined in God’s praise found fulfillment through Jesus Christ.

Speaking at his weekly general audience Sept. 5, the pope said Christ’s suffering and death broke down the barriers between gentiles and Jews, the people of the covenant.

Continuing a series of talks on the Liturgy of the Hours, the pope focused on Psalm 47, a hymn of praise to God as the king of the universe.

The psalm concludes “on a note surprising for its universal openness: ‘The princes of the peoples are gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham,”’ he told more than 12,000 pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square.

Though the psalm also emphasizes God’s domination, praising him for bringing “nations under our feet,” it depicts the Jews’ mission as one of directing “all peoples and all cultures toward the Lord, because he is the God of all humanity,” the pope said.

“The Letter to the Ephesians sees the fulfillment of this prophecy in the mystery of Christ the redeemer,” he said. Christ “is our peace, he who made both (gentiles and Jews) one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh.”

All the earth’s peoples are called “to encounter this king of peace and love, of unity and brotherhood,” the pope said.

Church’s main mission to announce Christ, Gospels, says pope

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) — The church’s role in social development and humanitarian assistance throughout the world must never eclipse its main mission of announcing Christ and his Gospel, Pope John Paul II said. Unlike much of contemporary society, which tends to view progress in strictly material terms, Catholic missionaries should recognize that their first priority is deepening people’s faith, the pope told a German missionary group Sept. 3. He said the ultimate failure of an attempt to build a world without God is seen in the “bloody traces that the history of ideologies and totalitarian regimes of the last century have left us.” In the new millennium, he said, one “sign of the times” is the church’s growing awareness of its duty to evangelize all people.

Catholic Schools: Where Faith & Knowledge Meet Today’s Catholic schools have changed from what many of us grew up knowing. If your image comes from the movie “The Bells of St. Mary’s,” you will be surprised at them today.

Formerly, most teachers were members of religious communities of sisters. Today, over 95 percent of the Catholic educators in our 17 schools in the Diocese of Charlotte are single or married women and men. Nationwide, the typical elementary teacher in a Catholic school is a married woman over 30 years of age who has been teaching in the school for over five years.

When this change from sisters to single and married women and men began, people asked, “Will the schools remain Catholic?” Our schools have placed a maximum emphasis on the Catholic identity of the school and constantly emphasize it through programs and in everything we do at the school. WWJD — “What Would Jesus Do?” — is a consistent focal point of comparison of what should be done.

We don’t believe that Catholic schools are the most important part of a child’s life. That honor goes to the family, which creates an environment that has the most profound impact on a child, for good or for ill. As the saying goes, “The apples don’t fall too far from the tree.”

Parents have more power than anyone else to shape their children’s lives. But parents can certainly use all the help they can get, including assistance with their child’s religious and moral formation. Catholic schools support openly the parents’ faith perspective, their Catholic values and ideals. Everyday life presents dominant norms and values which challenge the role of the parent in abundance. Our Catholic schools give the parents more support — not competition — to their values.

Our Catholic schools live up to the name by supplementing and supporting the Christian family influences.

Attending a Catholic school also assists children to learn that the practice of religion is not just a private or family matter. A Catholic school says to the student, “Our faith is meant to be carried into the everyday world and lived

Back to School COLLEEN McDERMOTT Guest Columnist

work with the Office of Student Development to organize the Catholic Campus Ministry program there. Terry, who is also the youth minister at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in High Point, comes to ministry after a career as a youth advocate in the juvenile justice system. Terry is also a diversity consultant and has offered his expertise in many departments throughout the Diocese.

Mercy Sister Antonette Schmidt also joins the staff of the diocesan Office of Campus and Young Adult Ministry as the new spiritual mentor coordinator. Sister Antonette will work with local religious congregations to connect young adults with the rich tradition and charisms of these communities.

Sister Antonette has been in ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte serving in schools, hospitals and retreat centers for over 35 years. The Mercies of the Americas of Belmont have graciously donated the salary for this position and will host various events for young adults throughout the year.

The work of campus ministry is to connect the Catholic college students, staff and faculty to the local church, to provide opportunities for faith formation, worship and leadership development. The campus ministers also serve the colleges through committee work assisting their institutions to create communities where all are encouraged to develop spiritually as well as academically. The church assists colleges to develop communities and curricula that develop servant leaders.

Back to School DR. MICHAEL SKUBE Guest Columnist

there.”

Some critics state that Catholic schools isolate children and create an atmosphere that protects children from the harsh realities of life. If a Catholic school does distance students from some of society’s more undesirable influences, such as drugs and violence, what parent would apologize for that? Catholic school students live in the same world as other students. But a Catholic school’s powerful dedication to passing along a Christian perspective and an explicitly Christian moral code will give the child the extra knowledge, the skills and the support needed to deal with the “harsh realities” which they face each day and into the future.

In the words of one parent: “We send our children to a Catholic school because we want to give them not only an excellent academic education, but also every opportunity to learn the advantages of a Christian way of life. We do all we can to live our faith as a family, but we know that school is a big part of a child’s life, too, and school experiences can have a profound effect. We think our children will be better people for having attended Catholic schools.”

Dr. Michael Skube is superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Charlotte.

Calling Catholic college students Your assistance is needed. Are you a college student or do you know a Catholic student who is attending college in the Diocese of Charlotte? Please call or email the Campus Minister or Parish Contact to register for Campus Ministry (Numbers are listed on page 10).

Over 15,000 Catholic students started or returned to colleges throughout the Diocese of Charlotte this fall.

Campus ministers, student leaders and parishes have been preparing to welcome them and provide them with a multitude of opportunities. They’ve planned liturgies, weekly dinners, retreats, service trips, confirmation preparation classes, RCIA and Bible studies. This year, we welcome new campus ministers at Belmont Abbey College, University of North Carolina-Asheville, Catawba College and High Point University.

Karen de la Motte and Geralynn Trellue will organize retreats, coordinate student service opportunities and outreach to students at Belmont Abbey College. Karen joins campus ministry in addition to the classes she teaches, and Geralynn provides outreach to students and alum as well through her work at the alumni office. Benedictine Father Kieran Neilson continues as the college chaplain and Abbot Placid Solari will work with students preparing for the sacraments.

Wendy Murray will initiate the Catholic Campus Ministry program at the University of North Carolina-Asheville where the Collaborative Campus Ministry House has just been established. Wendy will work with the Presbyterian and Methodist Campus Ministers to provide hospitality to UNCA students. Wendy brings to campus ministry her rich experience in Catholic schools and counseling. Father Frank Cancro, the pastor of St. Eugene Parish, has worked closely with Dr. James Mullen, the chancellor of UNCA, to make this dream a reality.

Chris Beal, a student at Belmont Abbey College, is the new campus ministry intern at Catawba College. Chris will work with Lynda Cody, the director of faith formation at Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury, to develop the Campus Ministry program at Catawba College.

Terry Aiken, an alum of High Point University, will

September 7, 2001

Editorials & Col-

Light One Candle MSGR. JIM LISANTE Guest Columnist

And then Kay James lowered the boom. “I have a vested interest in how you would counsel that woman, because that woman was my mother. And that fifth child she carried was me. And in case there is any doubt in your mind, the quality of my life is very, very good. My husband Charles and I have three children and have adopted a fourth. I was born into a family struggling against poverty and alcoholism, but I am an example of what the power of Jesus Christ can do in the life of a believer.”

Many people in our society see children as a personal choice, or as an accident of timing, or as a mistake in planning. Kay James thinks differently. She knows that there never has been and never will be a child conceived who is a “mistake” or an “accident” in the mind of God. Others believe that only when conditions are close to “perfect” should we dare to let a child be born. But as Kay James’s life indicates, sometimes the most imperfect of situations produce abundant blessings.

When Kay James was only seven weeks old in her burdened mother’s womb, she had a unique and distinct set of fingerprints. No one in the world could match them. Because that’s how we’re made: individual, precious. And each of us has a purpose which is uniquely our own.

Kay James’s mother knew that. The world is richer for her choice to give life a chance.

God. (See for example Psalm 127.) A wife who could not bear children was considered cursed by God (Gn 30. 1 Sam 1:6) The desire for children, particularly sons, and the status many wives and a large harem bestowed on the rich and powerful, are without doubt the reasons for both polygamy and concubinage.

Scripture tells us King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. King David also had many of each. Even allowing for popular exaggeration as such stories were passed down, the practice obviously was widespread. The prophet Ezechiel (23) tells that, at least metaphorically, even Yahweh God had two wives.

Concubines were much more than “mistresses” in those days. But the precise difference between concubines and wives is uncertain, and changed significantly through the centuries.

At any rate, after the time of the exile (sixth century B.C.), polygamy appears to have nearly died out.

Interestingly, alongside the practice of polygamy was a strong monogamous tradition, especially in the later centuries of the Old Testament. The second story of creation in Genesis (2:18-24) declares clearly that marriage, as it came from the Creator, involved one man and one woman whose relationship would make them one flesh.

The books of wisdom, especially Proverbs and Sirach, written not long before Christ, consider monogamy as the ideal state of the marriage relationship.

Polygamy never was accepted in mainstream Christianity. Jesus himself returns to the Genesis story (18:24) of one man, one woman, one flesh and applies it not only to marriage in general but to each individual marriage.

A monogamous union is presupposed by St. Paul in the fullest treatment of marriage in the New Testament (1 Cor 7). Paul’s celebrated passage in Ephesians 5 presents the union of bride and groom as a symbol of the “marriage” bond between Jesus Christ and his people. Again, he distinctly frames this vocation in the context of one husband and one wife.

All related passages in the New Testament reflect this monogamous understanding of marriage.

No Accidents, No Mistakes Some people you just remember. It’s not just their looks or intelligence. It’s something in their presence, their very essence. That was my reaction when I first heard Kay C. James speak. A beautiful, charming, self-possessed, articulate woman, she commands your attention by the sureness of her convictions.

Kay James has held a number of major positions with the government and with charitable organizations. She was an executive with the Washington, D.C.-based One-on-One Foundation, and also served as President George Bush’s assistant secretary for public affairs in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

And some folks would suggest that gifted and accomplished person should never have been born.

Let me set the context. Among her many educational efforts, Kay James has also argued for the right of children to be born. As an African-American, she is keenly aware that few are targeted for abortion more frequently than poor black Americans. Following one presentation, Kay James was confronted by a woman who identified herself as a counselor at an abortion center. Her attack on James was deeply personal, suggesting that because Kay James dressed well and enjoyed a privileged lifestyle, she was in no position to advise the poor on their choice for abortion. The critic said: “Mrs. James, you don’t know what you’re talking about. You are obviously so middle-class that you can’t relate to the needs of the poor. You don’t understand why a poor woman would need abortion services to improve the quality of her life.”

Now, Kay James is no fool. So she responded to the criticism with a question: “Tell me how would you counsel a woman who comes to you in tears and says, ‘I’m pregnant and I don’t know what I’m going to do. I already have four children. My husband is suffering from alcoholism and he physically abuses the children and me. He can’t hold a job, and I don’t know how I’m going to put food on the table.’”

The abortion counselor had a ready answer. “The most loving thing that woman could do would be to have an abortion. What loving mother would bring a child into the world under those circumstances? What quality of life could that child be expected to have?”

Question Corner FATHER JOHN DIETZEN CNS Columnist

When Should Children Receive the Blood of Christ?

Q. I am the mother of five children. At what age do you think it is appropriate for children to receive the blood of Christ at Mass? (Missouri) A. It is liturgically appropriate for children to receive Communion from the cup at any age. In most parishes, children receive under both species at the time of first Communion, either on the day itself or shortly after.

Parents who have particular concerns about their child may decide to wait until later, perhaps after discussing the problem with their parish priest.

Polygamy’s presence in the Bible Q. If we’re to believe the Bible, polygamy was common in Old Testament times. Jacob is simultaneously married to Leah and Rachel. David and Solomon both have multiple wives. Is there a reason for this practice?

By the end of the Old Testament and throughout the New Testament, polygamous marriage is no longer mentioned. Is there a passage in the Bible that prohibits polygamy? Was polygamous marriage ever accepted by mainstream Christian tradition? (Maryland) A. For Hebrew people, as for most ancient agricultural cultures, a large family was seen as a joy and blessing from

The Catholic News & Herald 17

Back to School FATHER JAMES HAWKER Guest Columnist The Catholic School: A Faith-Filled Environment Recently, I enjoyed a pleasant meal with a wonderful priest who has had a truly remarkable influence upon my life. In 1951, I entered Cathedral High School in Boston as a freshman. Father Paul Moritz, the chaplain, was one of the first to welcome me as I crossed the threshold of the setting that would be my home away from home for the next four years.

During that truly significant period, Father Moritz, together with the staff, taught me by their words and actions that Cathedral High School was founded upon Jesus Christ. Its mission was to reflect His image, to share His message. Father Moritz and those with whom he served addressed not only my head, but my heart and my soul. I shall always be grateful that I was touched and transformed by their caring and challenging presence.

Four decades have unfolded since I initiated my memorable journey through Cathedral High School.

Yet, I’m well aware that the mission of the Catholic school has remained the same over the years. While its procedures and tactics may have been altered, its nature and purpose have remained constant.

Since the 19th century, the Catholic school has been a unique and valuable component of the Church’s educational mission within the dioceses of the United States. Its purpose has been to enable the participants to mature in their relationship with the risen Lord and in their sense of responsibility towards others. Its aim has been to transform the minds and hearts, the talents and skills of the children and youth.

Its objective has been to assist the attendees to be all that they can be as God’s children and to do all that they can do to place their learning and knowledge at the service of their Faith.

The Catholic school, then, must never be viewed or described as just another private school. On the contrary, it is a setting that proclaims publicly that Jesus is Lord and that His vision, values and virtues are integral to its raison d’etre.

Whether in the chapel or classroom the children and youth are reminded that each person is unique and valuable, that all have a promise hidden within them, that knowledge is integral to the living of faith, that studies are to lead to service. Those who teach in the Catholic school, regardless of the subject matter they present, exercise a sacred and serious responsibility. Day after day, they stress to those in their care that expanding their knowledge and cultivating their skills are never ends in themselves. The discipline of learning is related directly to the devotion of living as a faith-filled child of God. After I shared those memorable moments recently with my mentor and friend, Father Paul Moritz, I thanked the Lord for the gift of the many people who enriched, enlightened and enabled me during the formative years of my life. I expressed gratitude as well for those who serve in the Catholic schools of this diocese so that faith and knowledge might meet in the lives of the children and youth entrusted to their care.

Father Hawker is vicar for education for the Diocese of Charlotte.

1 8 The Catholic News & Herald

Back to School

Charlotte Catholic Alumni Association unveils Web CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Catholic High School’s Alumni Association has announced the launch of the CCHS Alumni website, www.charlottecatholicalumni.org.

Visitors will be able to read about the alumni board of directors and upcoming events at CCHS, subscribe to alumni updates, view reunion news, send e-mail address changes, announcements, and news and photos to the Alumni Association, and make donations to the CCHS Alumni Fund through a secured server.

The Charlotte Catholic High School Alumni Association was founded in 1987 to provide social, spiritual and educational enrich-

ment for alumni, students and friends. Its mission is to provide a source of additional funding to enhance the academic, spiritual and cultural missions of CCHS that cannot be met through tuition alone.

The Alumni Board of Directors works closely with the school administration to determine long and short term needs. The annual Alumni Fund is essential to the added advantages that provide CCHS students with the best educational opportunity that the Charlotte Catholic Community can offer.

Since its inception, the Alumni Association has raised over $300,000 for the benefit of Charlotte Catholic.

In brief. . .

Weaver Prize winner to be honored BELMONT — The winner of the Richard M. Weaver Prize for Scholarly Letters for 2001 is Diana M. Schaub, associate professor of political science at Loyola College of Maryland.

The Weaver Prize is a $25,000 award funded by the Ingersoll Foundation of Rockfield, Ill., given to scholars who write within the Western European tradition. Professor Schaub is the first woman and the youngest person to ever win the Weaver Prize. She holds both master’s and doctorate degrees in political science from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree from Kenyon College. Dr. Schaub has published articles in The American Enterprise, The Public Interest, Legal Studies Forum, The National Interest, Perspectives on Political Science and New Perspectives. The Weaver Award will be presented to Professor Schaub at a symposium from Oct. 19-20 at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont.

September 7, 2001

Theme, from page 1 lic school identity will include Catholic Schools Week, to be observed Jan. 27Feb. 2, 2002. National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools will be celebrated Jan. 30, 2002.

Dr. Veronica Bereen, principal of Asheville Catholic School, said the Catholic school is indeed a place where faith and knowledge meet. She said one way to evidence that theme this year will be by celebrating the multicultural traits of the Asheville Catholic School community of 240 students.

“During Catholic Schools Week, for instance, we will be celebrating our heritage and the knowledge that while our faith is universal, all of the backgrounds bring great diversity,” said Bereen.

“Faith at Asheville Catholic is, of course, extremely important,” she said.

“We do a lot of service projects to bring our faith out into the community.” At the same time, she said, “knowledge is absolutely imperative to be able to articulate that faith.”

And while the schools will celebrate the theme in specific ways throughout the year, Skube reiterated the importance that the students’ families have in fostering that theme in everyday life.

“Parents have more power than anyone else to shape their children’s lives,” he said. “Catholic schools support openly the parents’ faith perspective, their Catholic values and ideals. Our Catholic schools give the parents more support — not competition — to their values.”

The National Catholic Educational Association contributed to this story.

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September 7, 2001

In the

One-year hitch to teach English becomes “They want an American accent,” said Majors. “They don’t want another accent.”

Her often-expressed attachment to her students shows she would be reluctant to change them even if she could.

Majors lovingly describes her students and their families as being warm and caring.

Christianity is often an issue because so much of literature taught to the students contains allusions to matters with which they are not familiar.

When teaching works by Milton, Dante or Donne, it is necessary to explain the biblical allusions to the students.

Because they are guests in a

By MATT DOYLE NC Catholic Staff RALEIGH — Mary Ellen Majors has spent a year in coastal China teaching English to eager native-born college students. In September, she will be returning “home” to Zhanjiang to continue that work.

Majors told her story Aug. 12 at a meeting of the Triangle Chapter of the Maryknoll Affiliates. She told the gathering she always wanted to do something to “step out of my own life.”

Majors first heard of the work when a Maryknoll priest visited St. Francis De Sales Church in Lumberton.

After a lot of hesitation, she packed up what she wanted to keep and sold off what would be a burden and decided to take a chance.

She said she knew she could do anything for the little more than 10 months she would actually be on her assignment. To her surprise and satisfaction, Majors is not just putting up with it, she is in love with the people she teaches and the work she does.

The pitch she heard for 30 teachers in China led her to “take the biggest risk of my life.” Now she is going into her second year and she does not regret a moment of it. “I learned how creative I could be.”

Majors made it clear that while Maryknoll supplies support and facilitates the work, the organization stresses they are there to assist the Chinese and are in the country at China’s invitation.

Majors urged others to “give up everything you know and leave it all behind.” She said it has led to “the most wonderful time of my life.”

While she said that teachers and Americans are revered, honored and respected by the students and the population at large, she does her best to remain apolitical. She said she defers any discussions that might make her an unwelcome guest of the Chinese.

Majors said she is in China to teach English “because that is what they want.” She said she is not trying to change China or the people.

“I am there to teach them English because they want to learn English and they want American teachers,” said Majors. “It is a way to get a good job (for the Chinese).”

country where the Catholic Church is directly under the control of the government, Maryknoll workers do not seek converts to the Catholic Church. They will discuss faith with those who ask, but it is not their primary mission.

Zhanjiang is a port city formerly known as Canton. It is a military port and one of the most prosperous areas of China.

The area has a tropical climate and is very close to Hainan Island where an American surveillance plane landed after colliding with a Chinese fighter jet.

One of the most interesting discoveries for Majors was that all of the Chinese students take an English

The Catholic News & Herald 19

name. They get to choose what that will be. “Snow White” is one of her best students.

Majors said she had “an incredible time.” She has some advice for anyone who might want to follow her into China.

“Any opinion you have of China, forget it. Americans are treated with respect and honor. The people are fed and clothed.”

The age limit to participate in program like the one Majors is working in through Maryknoll is 70 years.

Most of what is needed is taken care of through Maryknoll and there are many opportunities.

More information can be obtained through e-mail at chinaserve@iohk.com or on the Internet at maryknoll.org.

2 0 The Catholic News & Herald

Living the

September 7, 2001

Diaconate provides comfort, support to

By ALESHA M. PRICE Staff Writer CHARLOTTE — Rev. Mr. Gerald Hickey did not grow up in a conventional family, although he remembers a happy and fulfilling childhood.

His mother had to work long hours as a registered nurse during the height of the Depression, and with no immediate or extended family available in the Bronx, N.Y. area, his mother sent him to live with another family while she was at work.

“She wanted me to have more of a family life and felt that it would be a better situation for me,” said Rev. Mr. Hickey, who was educated in the neighborhood Catholic school. “Mrs. Inge, my caretaker, was very good to me, and school was a positive environment as well.”

Scouting was a large part of his life as he developed strong ties with the young men who were also involved in the age-old, extracurricular activity. “I wasn’t just involved with them at Boy Scout meetings. I met their families and became a part of their lives.”

Scouting remained as a constant in his life during the turbulent years surrounding World War II around the time of the “transition from the Depression to war mode.”

“You just realized then that there were some things that you had to do without,” he said of the government rations.

Delivering overseas cables

led him to a job working for Yale but nonetheless present. “I saw the Locks, first as a clerk in the manu- need for someone to help the priest, so facturing division, then in the cus- I became a lector, cantor and a Euchatomer service division as a custom- ristic minister and got involved with er sales representative, where he Right-to-Life.”

After hearing that the diocese remained for nearly 44 years. After being transferred to Connecticut would have its first diaconate formation classes, Hickearly in his career, ey responded poshe traveled to his itively. “I had felt mother’s house in something similar Brooklyn on the years ago when weekends.

I thought that I Life went along might be a priest. at an even pace unI felt like I was til the early 1950s, being called to orwhen he met Joan dained ministry on a group outing and felt that there to the beach in Long was a need. I think Island. Even though the Holy Spirit she was out on a had something to date with a mutual do with it.” acquaintance, sparks He had his flew between the family’s support, two. After that first and his daughter date, things rapidly attended classes changed, and they Rev. Mr. Gerald with him while tied the knot at the Hickey his wife worked bride’s parish in the in the evenings.

Bronx in 1955 after “I thought about giving it up often a two-year courtship.

After moving to various locations because I hadn’t been in class in years, in the general area because of work but my wife encouraged me.”

He said that he also gained support and family responsibilities, the company was moved to Monroe, N.C., and from the other men in the class and the Hickey family followed in 1972. was inspired by their stories of faith.

“We left part of ourselves up in New “All of us had our own talents. There was a solid group of men who really York as did our kids.”

They settled in Charlotte and felt that same calling that I felt.”

After being ordained in 1983 and began attending St. Vincent de Paul Church. It was then that the stirrings plunging headfirst into various minof the permanent diaconate began to istries at St. Vincent, his class partner, swirl around in his mind, subtle at first, his daughter Donna, succumbed to

cancer in 1986, leaving behind her parents and two brothers. Times were tough for the Hickeys after Rev. Mr. Hickey had a heart attack not long after Donna’s death, but through prayer and a strong faith life bolstered by the permanent diaconate, the family swam through their rough seas.

“The strength that the permanent diaconate provided seemed to help all of us,” said Mrs. Hickey. “I realized later that it prepared us for what was going to come. The death of our daughter took a toll on all of us, but we knew that it something we had to deal with.”

The grandfather of three, who has recently become involved with the airport chaplaincy and is also involved with perpetual adoration at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte and right-to-life, said that he enjoys meeting with people and talking with them about their lives.

“The service of the church is what the permanent diaconate is all about.

Deacons are a bridge between people and the holy priesthood, and I want to make people feel as welcomed in the church as I can.”

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