Dec 13, 1996 by Catholic News Herald

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.ATHOLIC

News & Herald

Volume 6 Number 15 • December

Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte

1996

13,

Annual Christmas Dinner Spreads Holiday Cheer By JIMMY

ROSTAR

the fellowship of other Charlotteans.

With

Staff Writer

CHARLOTTE component of

—

important

the Church's ministry

helping the needy, says Sharon Davis of the Charlotte Office of Catholic Social

Services. Assisting in a Charlotte Yule-

back more than 20 worker joins scores of

tide tradition dating

years, the social

people to present the annual St. Patrick Christmas Dinner Dec. 25 in the St. Patrick School cafeteria. For nearly a quarter-century, the dinner has provided thousands of meals and countless hours of holiday friendship. "There are persons who, for whatever reason, are hurting at Christmas time," says Davis. Catholic Social Services is one of the more than 20 agen-

group of volunteers make Christmas merry and bright for hundreds cies helping a

the help of the agency contacts, however, they say that those who may experience particular needs be they financial, spiritual or social have the chance to share the holiday with extended family. Jones says that the scene at St. Patrick and throughout the city has yielded touching memories that both volunteers and those who are served carry with them through the years. "We've had folks who don't want to get back on the bus," Jones adds with a chuckle. "They want to stay with us all

— —

out as

—

other area citizens

BETTY MATTHEWS

Photo by

Two Hmong women

enjoy the outdoor activities at their

New

Year celebration.

—

who may

otherwise

in the streets.

CALCUTTA, tors

India

(CNS)

— Doc-

have successfully stabilized Mother

the procedure

was

finished,

Teresa's heartbeat by administering a mild electric shock treatment, said one

Teresa asked, "Is it over? Did it work?" When doctors informed her that it was successful she said, "Wonderful. Let us

of her doctors at the B.M. Birla Heart

go home now."

Research Center in Calcutta. "At this point she is stable and it is hoped that the sinus (regular) rhythm will remain," said Dr. Patricia Abunel, a member of the eight-member team treat-

The 86-year-old Nobel laureate had asked doctors to let her go home Dec. 9, and two days earlier she met with nuns from her Missionaries of Charity order

Mother Teresa. The cardioversion, in which a shock pad attached to a machine was placed on Mother Teresa's chest, was performed on the morning of Dec. 1 1 "It was mild electric shock and it lasted for a few seconds," said Dr. Tarun Praharaj. "She was under sedation and the entire procedure was over within an ing

teers.

we have to observe minimum of 48 hours now."

hour, and

Abunel

her for a

said that immediately after

Her nuns reported

that

Mother

Teresa looked well and added, "She very

alert.

She

issuing detailed instruc-

tions to her nuns, and she in control of the

ing a variety of faiths

— both Christian

and non-Christian

participating each

—

very

much

event this year.

Working with people who need both emergency and longer-term housing, appreciMcGuire like her clients

—

ates the dedication of the dinner volunteers. "It really helps

The

she adds.

lot,"

funded entirely through donations and is prepared and served thanks to the Christmas spirit of volunfeast is

While the volunteer corps

established,

well-

constantly needs financial

contributions to ensure that the dinners

needy are purchased with remaining moneys (Santa Claus usually makes a visit) and will continue. Gifts for the

leftover food

Jones says that some 2,500 meals were served in 1995, either at the cafeteria or via deliveries across the city. Busses from the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools system provide transportation, local musicians entertain, professional chefs coordinate the cooking, and

From

given to local shelters.

start to finish,

volunteers and

guests alike partake in the essence of sharing.

As Sharon Davis

puts

it,

"to share in the joys of Christmas." If you or

someone you know

is in-

terested in attending or receiving the

some elThe absence

Christmas dinner, or if you would like make a financial contribution or to donate a gift to ensure its continuation, call St. Patrick's parish office, (704) 334-2283. The cafeteria of St. Patrick School is at 1125 Buchanan Street.

nate time, supplies, and, yes,

bow

grease to the venture.

would render the project impossible. Organizers emphasize that the gathering is intended for anyone desiring to spend a few hours on Christmas Day in

show."

Mother Teresa

last

underwent

inside

December

Pope Speaks

Birla center performed angioplasty on

Spanish

Columns

Mother Teresa's heart Nov. 29 to remove blockages in two of her major coronary

Supplement

News Briefs

in this issue

Parish Profile

cardioversion in August. Doctors at the

arteries.

the

holiday dinner allows everyone involved

area businesses, hotels and citizens do-

of any of the ingredients, says Jones,

at the hospital.

vation Army's residential program, about the volunteers. Last Christmas, she helped bring more than 100 people as-

the school cafeteria.

year.

Mother

do a marvelous job,"

sisted by the organization to the dinner, and notes that they look forward to the

and collaborative effort, with an estimated 300 to 400 volunteers represent-

Shock Treatment

really

says Linda McGuire, director of the Sal-

spend the holiday season alone. The tradition found its beginnings in the homes of St. Patrick parishioners, who "adopted" needy families at Christmas by cooking meals for and spending time with them. "It has grown by leaps and bounds every year," says Jerry Jones. He has been a key organizer of the dinner since the early 1980s, when the outreach moved out of people's homes and into

cal

Mild Electric

try to reach

as possible; quite a

spending their Christmas Day under city bridges or around makeshift fireplaces

"They

The event has become an ecumeni-

Mother Teresa Stabilized With

many people

few deliveries have been made to people

of Charlotte area folks.

Like Davis, representatives from those agencies church, civic and private organizations refer clients and

The volunteers

afternoon."

10-11

The Catholic News

Herald

December

The following

the second of three

In his years as the bishop of the Dio-

cese of Charlotte, Michael Begley con-

of retired Bishop Michael J. Begley, first bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte. On

tinued to nurture his love of the poor,

Jan. 12, 1997, the diocese will celebrate

Bishop Begley' s 25th anniversary and the Silver Anniversary of the Diocese of Charlotte.

MARY COYNE WESSLING CHARLOTTE — It didn't take

Monsignor Michael J. Begley long to accept the office of bishop for the newly formed Diocese of Charlotte. He would have liked to have given it more prayerful thought but his boss, Bishop Vincent Waters, asked for an immediate answer. Almost as quickly, Msgr. Begley was given the task of building a diocese that would cover 21,000 square miles, including some 40 parishes and missions, two Catholic colleges, two Catholic high schools, several parochial

young and those who sought a richer Among his proudest achievements was his contributions to ministry in Appalachia. Along with the other bishops of the region, Bishop Begley drew up the pastoral letter, This Land is Home to Me, which detailed the struggles of the poor in that region and called for a stronger commitment from the Church to minister to their needs. "While most of the poor in that region were not members of the Catholic Church, they were still our neighbors our brothers and sisters. We had a commitment to help them in any way we could, using whatever resources we had available. Some good Sisters and the Maryknoll Fathers were key in carrying

summer camp. The first thing he did,

spiritual life.

—

out our mission there," Bishop Begley said.

In 1979, Bishop Begley found him-

midst of a labor dispute involving the powerful J.P. Stevens Com-

with the guidance of Bishop Waters, was appoint 10

self in the

fellow priests as his consultors. "They

pany. Along with Bishop F. Joseph Gossman of the Diocese of Raleigh, he

were a tremendous help in getting things started," recalled Bishop Begley. "I also got a lot of help and support from the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Daughters. They were invaluable in helping chart a course for the

new

diocese."

Msgr. Begley spent the latter part of 1971 in meeting after meeting getting things in order. His ordination as bishop would take place the following January at St. Patrick Church, the designated cathedral parish for the

new

prelate.

The Rite of Ordination, numerous secular papers

written up as well as

the statewide Catholic paper, heralded

the

new

diocese of the Piedmont and

Western North Carolina. The press made much ado about the new bishop who was considered a friend to many, a good priest and faithful servant who had already given 38 years of service to the Church in the Tarheel State. But the new bishop spent little time basking in the glow of compliments, for there

was much work

"I was,

—

WASHINGTON (CNS) Generous foreign aid is not an extravagance for the United States "but a moral re-

the

schools, a network of social services, and

Urges Clinton To Boost Foreign Aid

A Church

installments covering the priestly career

issued a statement calling for the textile

company

to allow a union election to

take place. Citing several Catholic docu-

ments, Bishops Begley and Gossman supported the right of workers to organize, despite strong criticism

from the

company and a few prominent Catholics in the diocese. Eventually the election

was held and the union voted down by a slim margin. In subsequent interviews,

Bishop Begley was asked if the effort was worth it. He replied that if given the chance again, he would take it. Throughout his years as the active bishop, Michael Begley developed a fondness for programs which promoted spirituality.

An enthusiastic celebrant, he home

diocesan Charismatic gatherings and Cursillo weekends. felt right at

sponsibility," said the president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in a letter to President Clinton.

he added.

The letter was written at the request of the U.S. bishops in a vote during their

mid-November meeting

in Washington. Dated Nov. 15, the letter was released by the NCCB Dec. 5.

notes that through

lions of people in the poorest parts of

the world.

"We also know what U.S. commitment and leadership can rqean in preventing these deaths and avoiding rible

human

tragedies,"

nations, our country should be in

the forefront of international develop-

ment

Bishop

assistance,"

Pilla' s letter

"Unhappily, we stand at the bottom of the industrial nations in the proportion of GNP devoted to aid for the poorest countries. Bishop Pilla asked Clinton to lead the nation in honoring its obligations of said.

justice

and charity toward "the most vul-

nerable of our brothers and sisters in the

world."

He encouraged "the highest feasible promotes emergency meet basic

level of increase" in aid that

Mary Coyne Wessling served under Bishop Begley for six years as assistant editor of The North Carolina Catholic.

grass-roots development and relief

and for programs

human

that

needs.

December 15-21

suppose, nervous about I

drew on past

Sunday:

Isaiah 61: 1-2, 10-11

16-24

had learned from the bishops I served under. I always kept in mind that I needed other good people to help me guide the growth of the diocese," he said. Always the diplomat, Bishop Begley chose to take things slowly, changing as I

as he could at

first, in

deference to

good work Bishop Waters had done

over the years. Nonetheless, the challenges of a growing Catholic population

were evident in the early '70s. It was a welcomed challenge. During his tenure, Bishop Begley would oversee the establishment of

new

ishes and construction projects

merous parish

properties.

Thessalonians

Johnl:

Monday:

6-8,

Numbers

19-28

24: 2-7,

15-17

Matthew

The Third Sunday of Advent. To mark each of the four weeks before Christmas, a candle is lit on the

Advent wreath to symbolize the approaching

Tuesday:

par-

celebration of the

on nu-

birth of Christ.

21: 23-27

Qenesis49:

Matthew

8-10 1-17

Wednesday:

Jeremiah 23: 5-8 Matthew 1: 18-24

Thursday:

Judges 13: 2-7,

traditional

24-25 Lukel: 5-25

He would

travel thousands of miles every year to

and his people. Already a friend to many through his years in parish work, he would never tire of mak-

Friday:

Isaiah 7: 10-14 Lukel: 26-38

Saturday:

Zephaniah 3: 14-18 Lukel: 39-45

visit his parishes

ties

ter-

said.

"As one of the wealthiest of industrial

what

new

charitable

its

programs such as Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. Church is attuned to the needs, suffering and early death of mil-

ing

na-

oftheNCCB. people who participated in these groups shared a great responsibility in expressing the Lord's love. I encouraged and nurtured these groups. I believe that bringing people together in this way was an important part of building our Church," he said. In 12 years, Bishop Begley experienced his share of obstacles in building a strong diocese. Any success he enjoyed, he said, was due in large part to the dedication of his priests, women religious and the laity who served him. When asked how he would describe himself as a leader, Bishop Begley replied, "I always played it straight with my priests. I allowed a certain amount of difference of opinion. We agreed to disagree. I thought that was healthy," he said. "Even if we could not agree on everything, I knew they were good men who had the potential of reaching people I may never have reached on my own and bringing them into the Church." "It takes a lot of patience and prayer to be a good bishop. Lots of prayer. Trying to be helpful is the key to being a good Catholic as well as a good bishop," "I believe the

experiences as a priest and reflected on

the

among

leadership position

demands, as Pope John Paul II consistently reminds us, that developed nations respond with generosity to the needs of the world's poor," wrote Cleveland Bishop Anthony M. Pilla, president

tions

^Bairlnga for Ujb foeek of

to do.

leading a diocese, but

little

1996

Bishops' President

Bishop Begley Remembers Bringing People Together To Build

13,

with fellow Catholics.

CNS

illustration

by Caole Lowry

December

Hmong New Year Celebrated By

KATHY SCHMUGGE

LENOIR

—

refugees from Southeast Asia,

was a

their rich traditions

and

culture alive.

With

the weather cooperating

Friday, many outdoor activities were enjoyed by young and old. Soccer tournaments and volleyball games continued throughout the day. More traditional games were also played such as "ball

common

tossing" (a

courtship ritual

with singing), top spinning and "kato" (ancient

games

similar to volleyball

and

Games

continued on Sathackey sac). urday despite the unrelenting rain as

many

spectators, dress,

in full traditional

watched with umbrellas

Traditional

in hand.

Hmong cuisine was pre-

many rice dishes, stirand desserts. Handmade crafts like

pared, including fry,

counters with the

scribing

Hmong

John Paul

frees

women from

called on parishes and other or-

ganizations involved in counseling married couples to

make

sure an expert in

natural family planning

available.

"The scientific validity of these methods and their educational value make them increasingly appreciated," the pope said Dec. 7. He was addressing a group of Italian Catholics taking a natural

family planning course in

The Church teaches tive birth control it

Rome.

that contracep-

morally wrong, but

accepts methods that rely on periodic

abstinence for the spacing of births.

Pope John Paul said the Church-approved methods were proper because they require husband and wife to cooperate in a responsible way. Unlike contraceptives, he said, they also promote a

The

celebration concluded with a

and "blessing of the eggs" Church in Morganton.

at St.

Mass

Charles

type of

"human ecology,"

a balance be-

tween respect for nature and human behavior.

"On Photos by Betty Matthews

celebration.

culture.

"unjust" programs of birth control.

people, de-

Below: Hmongs from all over the U.S. gathered in Lenoir for the New Year

defended natural family

ing births and said

as heroic, hospitable

was combined with the blessing of so the New Year could be filled with new life in Him.

planning as an effective method of spac-

were blessed by the priests. The ancient custom of eating the eggs for the New Year as a means of "good luck and new

God

purchased. The flower cloth, dating back 2,000 years, has particular significance because symbols and stories are embroidered in the cloth as a way to

them

Women, Pope Says VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope

aged their stories to be told. "Because of the strong faith you have brought to America, you are now the missionaries in this country," he added. Hmong families brought baskets of eggs and new rice (a symbol of prosperity or having enough to eat) to the Mass. These items, along with water,

life"

Music

Planning Frees

people of faith. He passionately gave accounts of Hmong martyrs and encour-

"Paj ntaub" or "flower cloth," with

Hmong

Natural Family

Lenoir

Care for Migrants and Refugees in Washington, D.C. Father Tanguay recently returned to the Hickory area for eight months. In his homily, Father Orsino praised Father Tanguay 's ministry work in Laos, China and the U.S. "He (Father Tanguay) is every inch an apostle of Christ," Father Orsino said. Father Orsino also spoke of his en-

bright-colored applique could also be

transmit the

Herald 3

ral

On the weekend of Nov. 29-30 at the Caldwell County Fairgrounds, Hmong from all over the U.S. gathered for their annual New Year's celebration. For the immigrants and time to keep

The Catholic News

1996

13,

a worldwide level, this choice

supports the process of freedom and

women and of populafrom unjust programs of family

emancipation of

also filled the fairground,

with a mix of traditional chanting and

tions

singing called

"Kwv Txiaf and modern music popular with the youth. The second day's activities included a large dance with many captivating performances. A variety of traditional clothing was worn, colors and styles depending on the clan's region in South

planning," he said.

Hmong

He said these international programs have brought along with them a "sad

agencies

know how

Asia.

to give instruction in natural

methods of

The event came to a close with a Mass on Dec. 1 for the Catholic Hmong, their families and friends at St. Charles Borromeo Church in

family planning.

Morganton. Father Bill Tanguay, director of East Coast Ministry to the Hmong, concelebrated with Father Ken Whittington, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo, and Father Jerry Orsino, Southeast Asian Consultant for Pasto-

fense of life should have personnel avail-

parade of various forms of contraception, abortion and sterilization." The pope said the Church should

make

sure

its

own

"The moment has come when every

special

parish and every organization for counseling and assisting families and the de-

able who are capable of educating couples in the use of the natural methods," he said. He urged bishops, pastors and Catholic lay leaders to

welcome

velopment.

Remember HisWll

"A valid Will stands as a continuing expression of our

concern for loved ones, as well as an ongoing commit-

ment to the Church and the community in which we live."

In Yours. "

Holiday Mass Schedule

Christmas Eve Childrens' Masses 4, 6 pm. Midnight Mass Celebrated by Bishop William G. Curlin Christmas Day 8:00, 9:30 a.m. 1 1 a. m. Celebrated by Bishop William G. Curlin

—

— 5:30 p.m. Midnight Mass Celebrated by Bishop William G. Curlin New Year's Day — 8,11 a.m. Rector:

Year's

Eve

The Very Reverend Paul Gary

Parochial Vicars: Reverend Eric Houseknecht and Reverend Thomas Williamson

1621 Dilworth Rd. East Charlotte, N.C. 28203 (704) 334-2283

ou can express your commitment to your Church by making a bequest to the Diocese of Charlotte or to your parish. Simply have the following

1 statement included in your Will:

—

New

Bishop William G. Curlin

"/ leave to the

Charlotte (or

Roman

Catholic Diocese of

parish, city) the

sum of$

percent of the residue of my estate) for religious, educational and charitable works."

(or

For more information on how to make a Will

that

its

works, contact

Jim Kelley, Diocese of Charlotte, Office of Development, 1524 East Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28207, (704) 331-1709 or 377-6871.

this de-

The Catholic News

December

Herald

^Pro-Life

13,

1996

The Pope Speaks

Corner

Pope John Paul II

Pope Says Christian Parents Should Use Mary And Joseph As Models VATICAN CITY

For the

gift

of repentance from

indifference to life: That God might straighten the winding roads of our hearts and smooth the paths made rough by sin:

pie prag ta tip J&axbThe Respect Life

Diocese of Charlotte

Office

(704) 331-1720

Mary's motherhood was not limited to giving birth. It also included raising her child and helping him grow to adulthood. In the Holy Family of Nazareth, Jesus found in Mary a model of perfect love for God and for others. It was by Mary and Joseph that Jesus was first introduced to the religion and traditions of the people of Israel and was prepared for his earthly mission. Amid

many challenges of raising children today, parents can look to Mary and Joseph as they strive to help their children to live a life worthy of the dignity and vocation which God has given them. the

piscopal Calendar Bishop William G. Curlin will take part in the following events:

December

l.p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Penance Service St. Patrick Cathedral Charlotte

Community

Mass St. Joseph Church Asheboro

December

7:30 p.m.

Penance Service St. Gabriel Church Charlotte

Penance Service Our Lady of the

Assumption

December 20

Church

10 a.m.

Charlotte

December

Mass Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School,

7:30 p.m.

Catholic

nize." In this gospel,

beginning was the word." The prologue

John's baptism is simply preparatory;

ing, "In the

was an early Christian hymn prefixed to the gospel, which probably began originally with John the Baptist, as does the reading according to Mark. The first three verses of this Sunday's reading, in which John is introduced, have been inserted into the prologue; the rest

of the reading constitutes the beginning of the gos-

author of this gospel takes great pains to subordinate

Why? Because in early Chriswere disciples of John the Baptist around (they are actually mentioned in Acts 18), who could have claimed that their master was superior to Jesus because Jesus had come to him to be baptized. So, after mentioning the common element between Jesus and John (namely, that they were both sent from God), the author goes on to emphasize the difference between them: John "came for testimony, to testify to the light (that is, to Jesus), so that all might believe (in tian times there

The Catholic \

*««»

Most Reverend William G. Curlin Editor: Michael Krokos Associate Editor: Joann Keane Publisher:

Jesus) through him."

Then, after the prologue, comes the rest of the readAccording to the story, two groups come to John to ask him who he is. First, the religious authorities from Jerusalem send priests and Levites, who ask him whether he is the Messiah, or Elijah, or the prophet expected to come at the end of time. In this gospel

Writer:Jimmy Rostar Hispanic Editor: Luis Wolf

Staff

ing.

Advertising Manager: Gene Sullivan Production Associate: Sheree McDermott Secretary: Cindy Geppert

1524 East Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28207 PO Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237 Phone: (704) 331-1713 FAX: (704) 377-0842

alone the author repeatedly pictures Jesus saying, "I

Mail:

am." To underscore John's subordinate role to that of John here as saying, "I am not the Messiah." All that the author pictures John saying positively is applying to himself the opening strophe of Second Isaiah, which constituted our first reading last Sunday, "I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, 'make straight the way of the Lord.'" Then a second group is sent, some Pharisees, who inquire about John's right to baptize. To them he replies, "I baptize with water." But then he is pictured

Jesus, the author cleverly pictures

Herald,

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published by the

Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1524 East Morehead

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St.,

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Gignac

today, begins with a magnificent poetic prologue, start-

the role of John to Jesus.

December 13, 1996 Volume 6 • Number 15

adding, "There

the

Church, Charlotte

The Catholic News

Pope John Paul

kicked off pre-Christmas ceremonies in Rome with a traditional visit to a statue of Mary in downtown Rome and a torchlight parade at the Vatican. Marking the feast of the Immaculate Conception Dec. 8, the pope laid flowers and knelt in prayer at the statue near the Spanish Steps. In a brief talk, he urged Romans to take inspiration from Mary's spiritual beauty, even as they enjoy the harmony of their own city and its art. Visitors to Rome should find not only architectural splendors, but also a renewed Christian spirit among its people, he said.

The gospel passage (John 1 :6-8, 19-28) for the third Sunday of Advent is the story of John the Baptist's testimony to Jesus. The fourth gospel, as we know it

John the Baptist is introduced to the reader with same terminology used of Jesus throughout this gospel: "He was sent from God." And that is the end of the similarity between the two. From here on, the

John Neumann

News & Herald

Conception

ROME (CNS) —

Advent Gospel Presents Story Of John The Baptist's Testimony To Jesus

pel proper.

Penance Service

Roman

late

Father Francis

December 19

7 p.m.

Pope Marks Feast Of Immacu-

Guest Column

December 18

Hispanic

St.

—

(CNS) Here is the Vatican of Pope John Paul II' s remarks in English at his weekly general audience Dec. 4. Dear brothers and sisters, Our catechesis today speaks of the veneration of Mary as the Mother of God. Like that of other women, text

one

among you whom you do not recog-

his role is to give testimony to Jesus, to reveal Jesus to Israel.

Our 10-1

first

1), is

book of Isaiah (61:1-2, which the author of the gospel accord-

reading, from the

that

Luke has Jesus read in the synagogue of Nazareth, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord (Yahweh) has anointed me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proing to

claim liberty to captives and release to prisoners. ..and a jubilee year," when persons returned to their homes, all debts were canceled, and slaves were set free. This text is to emphasize the role of Jesus as the permanent bearer of God's Spirit and the inauguration in Jesus of a

new age of restoration, a new beginning. And finally, our second reading comes from

end of the

earliest

work in the New Testament,

the

the first

of Paul to the Thessalonians (5:16-24). "Rejoice always," he begins, "pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances," he continues in staccato fashion. letter

concludes with a beautiful prayer for the wholeness and integrity of the natural and supernatural aspects of a person's service of God: "May the God of

peace make you perfectly holy and sanctify your spirit fully, and may both soul and body be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." When Paul wrote this in the spring of A.D. 51, he was thinking of the second coming of Jesus, which he expected a few years from then. But since Jesus did not come back, we may think of it as the coming of Christ into our hearts spiritually at Christmas.

May the

God of peace make us holy through our Advent prayers, and sanctify our spirit fully, so that our whole being might be prepared and ready to receive the revelation that

God has

given us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesuit Father Francis T. Gignac is a professor and chairperson of the Department of Biblical Studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington.

December

The Catholic News

1996

13,

Light

Herald 5

One Candle

Father Thomas McSweeney In

Our Joys And Our Sorrows As we move deeper

Advent season, the Biblical account of the coming of Jesus speaks to each one of us into the

about the joys and, yes, the sorrows surrounding Christmas. The great Italian artist, Raphael, understood this well. In his beautiful "Alba Madonna," which hangs in the National Gallery in Washington, D.C., the Christ Child holds a little stick in the form of a cross. Raphael understood that the shadow of the cross is present in the Christ story from the beginning.

Surely

it is

ourselves

easier to focus

on the joy-

of the Nativity, but

ful aspects

of the story.

ignore the painful parts

do not

like to suffer.

We do not like to see others suffer. sequently,

cheat

we tend to

Con-

And we all know pain and sorrow in own lives. In the past year, some of

us have experienced the pain of loss in

are obvious.

adore the

who

can feel left their

new born Babe and

and the joy of the faithful prophets, Simeon and Anna, when they encounter Jesus in the Temple and recogsavior,

joy of learning she would be the mother of the Messiah

children slaughtered by Herod's sol-

and feeling the

And He

our experience of sorrow just as

He was

present to the Holy Family

in their.

God was at the cribs of those

mothers and stand that

grow

in the hearts of their

fathers.

He is

We must under-

here in our sorrows.

keeps coming

to offer us

life.

During Advent,

within her. She

knew the painful uncertainties of the

also

God was

diers.

very center of your

let

Him into the

Deliverance

life.

hand, the burden will be

reaction of Joseph, her family and neigh-

near

ex-

bors to her pregnancy as well as the

the healing will

perienced the pain of watching a young son or daughter leave home in rebellion

physical strains of her journey and de-

come

livery.

Lord Jesus Christ. Both in our joys and in our sorrows we can welcome our

the death of a loved one.

Some have

Some

people this Christmas season experience the pain of financial insecurity because of debt or unemploy-

and anger.

ment. So, during the

coming weeks when

the story of Jesus' birth

the joy of the shepherds fields to

our

both joy and sorrow meet. She knew the

Child

refugees.

gloss over this as-

pect of the story.

The joys

nize that their lifelong dreams of the Messiah's coming have been realized. But we can also feel the sorrow touching us from 2,000 years ago. The baby Jesus' life is in danger, while innocent children are slaughtered by Herod's soldiers. Jesus, Mary and Joseph are forced to flee their homeland and become

told, it

you may

feel

told

and

re-

unable to identify with

as in happier times. If

you are hurting

way, try to understand that in your sorrow there is much to identify with in the Christmas story. In the person of Mary especially, in this

When Mary

and Joseph left their home in Nazareth to go to Bethlehem for a census, they expected to return in a few days. But they could not go back home. Because of Herod, they had to leave the country. Suddenly they were in a strange land without possessions. They had to find a place to live. Joseph had to look for work. A new baby had to be cared for. They had to endure hard times. And what the Gospel writers are trying to

tell

that

God

into your

come

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

life, in

you

lifted,

God

let

the Person of the

Messiah.

For a free copy of the Christopher

News

Note, "Let Go, Let

God

Your

send a stamped, self-addressed

Life, "

envelope to The Christophers, 12 East 48th Street,

New

NY.

York,

10017.

Father Thomas J. McSweeney

is di-

rector of The Christophers.

present to us

Question Corner Father John Dietzen

Promises

In Interfaith

Marriages

Church." promise to do all in my power to share my faith with our children by having them baptized and raised as

This ques-

conditions here, but depending on

and response are

the circumstances the priest could

in the Catholic

Q. Seven years ago I married a Lutheran man in the Catholic Church. We had a beautiful ceremony in which my husband and his family were allowed

Communion. Before we were married my husband

to receive

was required to sign a statement that he would raise our children Catholic. In our vows we both promised to bring them up according to the laws of the Church. A few days ago my brother married a Methodist. His wife and her family could not receive Communion. During the ceremony they did not promise to raise their children in the Church. Nor was his wife required to promise to raise

2. "I

tion

clearly under-

how-

Catholics."

stood,

Obviously, these "promises" add nothing to what a knowledgeable and committed Catholic already believes and

ever, in light of

intends.

The non-Catholic partner signs nothing. The priest or other minister helping

the

aware of the belief and

in-

indi-

As for the difference about receivCommunion, the guidelines of the

tent of the Catholic.

Catholic Church for sharing worship and

The Church then leaves it to the couple to work out before God any differences their personal faith and con-

the sacraments permit people not of our

their children Catholic.

science require.

Does each church make up its own rules? No wonder people say the Catholic Church contradicts itself.

Every diocese or province in the United States has forms for couples to complete

of marriage prepaprocedure you describe for your marriage is accurate, and you should know, I cannot explain it. The official policy of the Church is otherwise. You may be confused about one part of the vows in the marriage liturgy of the United States and most other Englishspeaking nations. One question asks the bride or groom, in these or similar words, "Will you accept children lovingly from God and bring them up according to the law of Christ and His Church?" The obvious expected answer is yes.

faith to receive

Communion

with us un-

der certain conditions.

A free brochure, in English or Spanish, outlining marriage regulations in the

cate above.

ing

acted properly and in accord Catholic regulations at both and your brother's marriages.

1993 Vatican Directory on Ecumenism, Nos. 129-131.)

promises

and commitments previously made by the couple, which

the couple before the marriage signs that the partner

have with your (See

cannot discuss details of those

Catholic Church and explaining

the promises in

interfaith marriage, is

available by sending a stamped self-

addressed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Holy Trinity Church, 704 N.

Main

St., Bloomington, III. 61701. Questions should be sent to Father Dietzen at the same address.

Letters

in this part

ration. If the

A. Formerly, both the Catholic and non-Catholic partners signed promises to raise their children Catholic. This

was changed by Pope Paul VI 1970 document ("Matrimonia

practice in a

Mixta") on interfaith marriages. Since then, the basic procedure for the Catholic Church everywhere in the world is the following. The Catholic partner signs a statement affirming

two

points: 1

"I reaffirm

and intend

my faith in Jesus Christ

to continue living that faith

Express Yourself: Write a We welcome your letters. To be considered for publicayour letter must be a signed original of 250 words tion,

or less and include your address and daytime phone

number.

letter to

The Catholic News

& Herald

Letters may be condensed because of space limitations and edited for clarity, style and taste.

Send

letters to:

The Catholic News Herald, P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237

lector."

Loving Others Includes Concern For Their Salvation Father John Catoir, in his recent re-

sponse to a woman who was concerned about her lesbian daughter's lifestyle, quoted from St. Luke's Gospel: "...Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn and you will not be condemned...." But our Lord also counseled us regarding fraternal correction: "If your brother does something wrong, go and have it out with him alone, between your two selves. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you... but if he refuses to listen to these, report it to the community (the Church); and if he refuses to listen to the community, treat

him

like a

pagan or a tax

col-

(Matthew 18:15-17)

Surely most people today are familiar

with the phrase "tough love," which

requires great courage to put into prac-

save someone you love from destroying themselves physically. We seem to have grown fainthearted, however, in practicing a spiritual "tough tice in order to

love" in order those

to,

as St. Jude puts

it,

save

love "from the fire."

In supporting his views, Father Ca-

says the supreme law of love must never be violated. But that law is predicated on loving others as we love ourtoir

selves. Surely

desire

self-love leads

eternal salvation.

love others as myself

Can

me I

truly

not as con-

cerned about their salvation as

am about

my own? Estelle

Wisneski Charlotte

The Catholic News

Herald

December

Adoption Services Reach Out To In just five

months, Catholic Social Services has assisted

20 waiting

eight international adoptions, with

KEANE and KATHY SCHMUGGE

By JO ANN

CHARLOTTE — It's a joyous mix: Catholic Social Services and adoption. As champions of life, the Catholic

Reaches Stores In Time For Christmas

16 domestic adoptions and waiting also requires flexibility. While

an indepth process. First comes a home study Selecting suitable parents

joint interviews

between the

social

worker and prospective family. Additionally, there are six weeks of classes

two years

— such

the norm,

few

restrictions

as child's sex, age or race

in place, a

new

—

are

couple could be rocking their

dealing with issues of adoptions, such as attitudes about adoption, parenting

Adoption requires an investment of time, energy, money and commitment. Fees are based on income and type of

extension of the mission of the Church.

education and birth-parent issues. Dur-

adoption; international adoption often

And this November's National Adoption Month provided an opportunity to rec-

ing one session, soon-to-be parents meet

requires a trip to the child's

ognize the continued interest in the adop-

ent,

with a panel composed of a birth-paran adoptive parent and an adoptee.

and stays of varying lengths of time. Yet, the end result, as CSS hopes,

Though

There

by CSS.

not an agency to rest on

CSS

much

its

no perfect method

for se-

lecting parents, says Jeannie Beall,

CSS

to celebrate. In

coordinator of Adoption and Pregnancy

agency has assisted in 16 domestic adoptions and eight international adoptions, with 20 waiting in

up the selection case by case, carefully weighing all factors. CSS is committed to the mutual needs of the child and parents," points

laurels,

has

just five months, the

the wings.

Though the network of CSS

many

Support Services.

"We

set

services

out the adoption coordinator. Yet, Beall

perhaps

one

critical

adoption that most often springs to mind

factor; the couple's readiness to

be par-

when

ents.

reaches

facets of

life, it is

the social services ministry

men-

tioned. Motherless children are given to

CSS for reasons stemming from the compassion that exudes from the agency. Childless parents its

come to the agency

meticulous attention to

detail.

for

Each

quick to

call attention to

viewed.

ing via adoption and understand the dif-

work like

not the caution with paper-

that brings families together.

independent processes,

CSS

homeland

A child with

where there once was

none.

For more information on adoption call

versary of

Jeannie Beall, CSS

(704) 343-3943, and Carol Meyerriecks in Ashevillefor international, (704) 255-

Priestly Ordination,"

Dec. 11, according to Doubleday in New York, the book's U.S. publisher.

"What

better time than Christmas

and share the special vocation and faith of the Holy Father

to celebrate

spiritual

testimony in 'Gift

and Mystery,'" said Arlene Friedman, Doubleday president and publisher. Sixteen pages of line drawings of significant places in the life of Pope John Paul are included in the 144-page hardcover text. The first printing of the U.S. edition will be 750,000 copies. Its suggested retail cover price is $19.95.

0146.

Holiday Greetings 9801 W. Kincey C & S Ave. #125 Huntersville,

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portive of the couple's journey to parentficulties in waiting." said Beall,

Service

sale nationwide

through his is

News

"We are fully sup-

the expectant parents.

it's

family, a family

With these issues discerned, perhaps one of the key issues for adoptive parents is fortitude. With an average waiting time for placement of a child of two years, patience truly becomes a virtue for

and every adoption is carefully scrutinized and legalities are continually reBut

happy, healthy families:

— domestic

Catholic

Pope John Paul IPs latest book, 'Gift and Mystery: On the 50th Anniwent on

tot sooner.

Church has long stood in the forefront of pro-life issues, and the adoption program administered by CSS is a natural

tion services offered

1996

New Book

Pope's

the wings.

they so desire.

—

Many

13,

(704) 875-0432 (800) 345-6392

Office America's Office Supplier

The

Undoes

not terminate the relationship with their clients

once the child

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gently follow up with the birth mother

and adoptive parents according to sound therapeutic practices and legal requirements. In addition to regular sessions,

4410-F Monroe Rd. NC 28205 342-2878 (704)

Charlotte,

there are semi-annual get-togethers for all

adoptive parents and children, where

and parents have an opportunity to share their experiences, joys and constaff

cerns. Birth mothers, too, stay in touch

with the agency for counseling as long as both parties feel facilitates

necessary.

CSS also

monthly group sessions for

birth mothers. If requested, the birth

mother can receive updates on

their child

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Suplemento de The Catholic News and Herald

13 de Diciembre de 1996

Comuniquemono s Ministerio Hispano SuDlemento de The Catholic News and Herald

13 de Diciembre de 1996

El sentido de Por

MEDARDO VITIER

Nace fundador de

un nino que va a la religion

ser

mas

influyente de la historia. Navidad, Natividad, Nacimiento. iY que es nacer? Biologicamente lo sabe la ciencia, pero el hombre no queda explicado con la Biologfa tan solo. Su naturaleza requiere que otras disciplinas

estudien y aclaren. El Cristo nace y es en lo humano, un individuo de la especie. Morfologicamente, su anatomfa no difiere de la de Tiberio o la de Pilatos, o la de cualquiera de los Magos que le adoraron. Era, en punto a raza, un la

esunsfmbolo. El mundo iba a cambiar. cristiana quedara virgen en cuanto a su acogida y practica universal, pero la pugna, la voluntad de alteration que llevo al fluir de la Historia, cambiaron el rumbo de los acontecimientos. La cultura de Occidente se tine entera de voluntad cristiana. No digo de espfritu cristiano. No es la esencia del Cristianismo lo que da estructura y sentido a Europa sino la lucha por el triunfo de esa esencia. La doctrina, por otra parte, lucha ya, en algo desfigurada, medio rendida al

La esencia

Navidad sugerirnos que

estemos contentos de ser hombres; la Navidad en que hayamos vencido al Demonio interidr que senorea; la Navidad en que gobierne lo mejor de

El Cristianismo aparece, precisamente, cuando las escuelas del pensamiento helenico se agotaban.

rechazan.

sin

La doctrina que

innovar.

ensefio,

introdujo una fuerza en la Historia diferente de los cultos orientales y de la

filosoffa griega.

Navidad conmemoramos

aparicion de un Evangelio de

porque en efecto,

amor

La Navidad,

que iba a nacer, con Jesus, era un mensaje de fraternidad entre los hombres. Ese mensaje nacio. Viene aquf una pregunta terrible: ^Crecio? Si por "crecer" entendemos, en este caso, extenderse, difundirse una ensenanza, afirmamos que creci6, a virtud del interes de los apostoles y de las primitivas comunidades cristianas, aquellas a quien San Pablo dirigio sus famosas Epfstolas, es decir, las de Corinto, Galacia, Efeso... Pero si por "crecer" entendemos, tratandose del

—

Cristianismo, su esencial aceptacion por

hombres, la verdad es que no crecio. Qued6, y ahf refulge como una sugesti6n al espfritu, como una esperanza que hasta hoy alientan los mejores. Porque ni la mayorfa lo practico ni las minorias (de la raza del Santo de Asfs), han prevalecido. Si no queremos enganarnos, lo cierto en todo esto es que la fuerte innovation de una hermandad universal y de un amor a los enemigos est£ pendiente de aceptaci6n Ha habido casos individuates para indicar que la doctrina cabe en lo humano, pero ninguna sociedad, ninguna raza, ningun pueblo de la historia ha vivido el ideario 6tico del Maestro a quien Reyes de Oriente ofrecieron dones en el pesebre, mientras un astro, dicen que lucfa senor de los espacios, guiador de los los

peregrinos.

Herodes mand6 a los rabinos que consultaran sus textos reveladores. Herodes se sobrecogio.

^Extraneza? i,Terror? ^Presentimiento? Su actitud

proviene

alta,

genuina, es una

aspiration todavfa.

gobiernan ahora buena parte del mundo. <,La de i,Que Navidad celebramos? Cristo? Estabien. Desfigurado y todo, el espfritu, todavfa tiene fuerza para

Medardo Vitier fue un escritor cubano [ 1886-1960]. Este escrito gano el Premio "Justo de Lara" en 1940.

Misa en espanol en High Point Por

Por

Apenas recuerdan el episodio de Belen los que festejan en di'as de Pascua. El motivo se desdibuja un poco. Nos quedamos no mas con "la fiesta". Esa es tambien una desfiguracion. No importa. La memoria humana procede asf en muchos casos. Hay, no obstante, un signo de fecundidad en la Pascua, y

odio confunde y

nuestra naturaleza. Instintos, pasiones,

adaptarse a realidades.

manera que "crecio" agonicamente. Tal era su destino. Tal es la suerte de todo empeno mejorador. Asf, que no ha fracasado. El fracaso esta y grita en quienes no aceptan el programa de Cristo. No me refiero a su contenido sobrenatural, que es cosa de fe, sino a sus elementos humanos de etica fecunda, de amor coherente. Razonan mal los que sostienen que el Cristianismo ha fracasado. El fracaso es de quienes lo

Fue

embargo, en la Historia, una nota nueva, un judfo de excepci6n, iluminado por un temprano sentido de humanidad. Nacer, en el caso de Jesus, fue los fariseos.

achica.

semita que conocio las posturas religiosas de los saduceos, los esenios,

amor revela y

engrandece, en tanto

VICKY UTSMAN

HIGH POINT — El pasado 6 de la primera Misa en espanol en la iglesia Cristo Rey (Christ the King) de High Point. Celebro la Misa el Reverendo Padre Philip Kollithanath, parroco de la

octubre tuvo lugar

4 j

iglesia.

•

que continuara celebrandose todos los domingos a las 12:30 de la tarde. La comunidad catolica hispana de High Point se siente muy contenta de poder ofr la Santa Misa en su

M£s de 100 personas

asistieron a esta primera Misa, la

lengua nativa. La Iglesia El

Padre

Philip Kollithanath,

Parroco de

Cristo Rey, repartiendo la

Sagrada

primera Misa en espanol celebrada en su parroquia. Eucaristia durante

la fecundidad del Es cierto que en estos dfas no pensamos gran cosa en el Cristo y muchos ignoran que se divierten en

Cristo Rey se el 1 505 de East Kivett Drive, telefono (910) 8840244. encuentra situada en

Cristianismo.

fecha sagrada. Pero al juntarse la familia, al

acercarse los hombres,

sonrefr en estos dfas del ano, disfrutan

Algunos de los asistentes a la Misa el pasado 6 de octubre.

saludarse,

de un efecto cristiano. Si el mensaje tropezo y anda maltrecho, resuena todavfa cuando junta a los hombres. Es la fecundidad del arbol que, en clima impropio, da frutos.

Razonan

superficial, falsamente,

quienes afirman perturbados por los horrores de la guerra, que fracasa el Cristianismo. Antes resalta su eficacia.

Pero esta no se da sino a condition de voluntad. Recuerdese que es tambien doctrina de libertad. Amor a los buenos y a los malos. Libertad de la conciencia. En eso consiste el lado humano del Evangelio. El divino, aparte de los misterios que no toco, £no radica ya en lograr esos postulados? Muy actual es la mision de Juan el Bautista, precursor, que anunciaba a Jesus. Estan por preparar "sus caminos".

"Vox

vociferantis in deserto.

Parate

viam Domini, complanate calles ejus". Una Navidad espera el mundo. Esa no ha llegado nunca. Esta en potencia.

Hay quienes creen en su advenimiento, pero son pocos. La Navidad en que

Grupo que

participo

Misa con

musica, dirigidos por Luis Sanchez. De Sanchez y Anisteo

izquierda a derecha se encuentran Monico Aguilar, Luis

Medina.

2 Suplemento de The Catholic

News and Herald

13 de

Diciembrede 1996

Millones se lamentan durante los funerales del Cardenal Bernardin CHICAGO

—

(CNS)

Millones de residentes de Chicago

lamentaron

durante los ultimos ritos funebres por el Cardenal Joseph L. Bernardin el 20 de noviembre, quizas su mas

amado

dirigente

religioso de la historia.

El prelado de 68 anos, descrito Foto

EL NACIMIENTO DE CRISTO

CNS

cortesia del

Museo

Paul Getty

— Jesus, Maria, Jose y los tres sabios del Oriente

se destacan en la "Adoracion de los Magos", obra del pintor italiano Andrea Mantegna. La pintura fue terminada a fines del siglo XV o principios del XVI. Es propiedad del Museo J. Paul Getty, de Malibu, California.

como

la figura principal

la Iglesia Catolica en los Estados Unidos durante el siglo

XX, murio de

Mensaje del Padre Rev.

por algunos

cancer

VICENTE H. FINNERTY, CM.

hfgado

seis dfas antes.

"El era un maestro. El nos

Navidad, 1996

enseno Hermanos y Hermanas en

Cristo:

Un nino...Muchas veces he observado de que forma se le van los ojos, corazon y las manos de la gente ante la presencia de un nino pequeno. iQuien hubiera podido tener en brazos unos minutos al Hijo de Maria!

Dios que nos conoce bien, que sabe de cuanta ternura es capaz nuestro corazon, quiso que su Hijo se presentara ante la humanidad en forma de nino. Sin mas poder ni mas riqueza que el amor de su madre. Ojala que no tuvieramos entre nosotros otra riqueza y poder que el amor mutuo.

Monsenor

Casi todos tenemos la mala costumbre de compararnos con alguien que nos parece menos generoso o mas egofsta que nosotros y esto nos hace creer que aportamos mucho mas de lo que recibimos. Si de veras estamos convencidos de esta idea, pensemos en la Navidad. <,Por que no dejamos que nuestro corazon se sorprenda ante lo que Dios nos da y ante nuestra limitada respuesta? <,Por que no Henamos nuestro espiritu de la acogedora mirada de Jesus y olvidamos cualquier mirada que nos haya

Foto

Quisiera ofrecerle a cada uno, como regalo de Navidad, algo que le ayudara a ser feliz si lo usa mucho tiempo. •Ten mas capacidad de amar, que la que tenga cualquier persona de hacerte sufrir.

•Ten mas capacidad de creer, que la que otro tenga de hacerte dudar. •Ten mas capacidad de ser paciente, que la que otro tenga de ser

Reuters

Cardenal Bernardin sale de la Catedral del Santo Nombre en Chicago despues de su Misa de funerales el 20 de noviembre. El Cardenal Bernardin murio de cancer el 14 de noviembre.

Cardenal durante mucho tiempo y ahora del

presidente de la Sociedad de Extension la

la Iglesia Catdlica,

Misa de

en su homilfa en

funerales.

Entre la congregation, reunida por invitation solamente, que congestiono la Catedral del

a la

Misa de

Santo Nombre para asistir

funerales, se hallaban

mas

de 1 50 cardenales, arzobispos y obispos estadounidenses, incluyendo a los dos cardenales de los Estados Unidos en el

Vaticano y los siete cardenales residentes activos del pais. Tambien Agostino Monsenor asistio Cacciavillan, Pro-Nuncio Apostolico en los Estados Unidos.

Encabezaban

hecho sufrir?

CNS de

FUNERALES DEL CARDENAL BERNARDIN — El feretro del

Kenneth Velo, amigo proximo

Vivimos en una sociedad en la que practicamente se compra todo, menos el amor. Por eso, cuando Dios nos regala a su Hijo, cuando nos regala lo que mas ama, £no nos indica que Navidad es el gran acontecimiento capaz de transformar cualquier corazon de piedra en un corazon de carne?

las

lecciones de la vida", dijo

delegation del gobierno el vice-presidente Al Gore y su esposa, Tipper. Entre los que acompanaban a los Gore en el funeral se hallaban el jefe de personal de la Casa Blanca, Leon Panetta; la secretaria de la

salud y servicios humanos, Donna Shalala; el secretario de viviendas y

sagrados despues de la Misa en espanol que se celebra semanalmente a las 1 2:30 p.m. en la Iglesia Holy Cross.

Mundo

desarrollo urbano,

•Ten mas capacidad de gozo, que la que otro tenga de lamentarse. •Ten mas capacidad de servir, que la que tenga cualquier persona de descansar.

embajador de

Travel

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704/332-4323

Henry Cisneros; el Estados Unidos ante

caprichoso.

los

KERNERSVILLE - La nina Veronica Tapia, de 3 anos, ayudando a su mama, Celia Tapia, a guardar los recipientes

Vaticano, Raymond Flynn, y el presidente de la AFL-CIO, John

Sweeney.

Hermanos y hermanas,

cuidan este regalo

les

sobraran palabras para

explicar que es Navidad.

Deseando que el Senor nazca mas plenamente en sus corazones Navidad y Aho Nuevo, me quedo, Su siervo, Padre Vicente Padre Vicente Finnerty,

CM.

esta

La Misa de funerales, que durd mas de dos horas, destaco a mas de media docena de idiomas distintos, como reconocimiento de la diversidad etnica de la Arquidiocesis. Las oraciones de los fieles fueron lefdas en vietnamita, ingles, espanol y polaco, y el "Cordero de Dios" fue cantado en ingles, latin, lituano y espanol.

•

Garantizamos

las tarifas

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Envfos de carga a Mexico,

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WESTERN UNION La manera mas rdpida atviar dimro a

todo el mundo.

Abierto de lunes a sdbado

3 de

Diciembre de

Suplemento de The Catholic News and Herald 3

996

Papa y Castro CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS)

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Abriendo un nuevo

capftulo en las

relaciones entre el Vaticano y Cuba, el II y el presidente Fidel

reunen para tratar del papel de

la Iglesia

una escuela jesuita, manifesto al Papa su admiracion y

de estado del Vaticano, quien visito a Cuba en octubre ultimo.

Papa Juan Pablo

agradecimiento por

Navarro-Valls dijo

Castro se reunieron para tratar de un

trabajo de la Iglesia en

que un tema de esta

papel mayor para la Iglesia en Cuba y una

su pais, especialmente por sus programas de

segunda vuelta de charlas fue la actividad de los obispos y sacerdotes en Cuba; el Vaticano ha

posible visita del Papa en 1997.

"Su Santidad, para

mf\

este es

un gran honor

dijo Castro con una ligera

Vaticano por primera vez el 19 de noviembre. El Pontffice le dio la bienvenida con un inclination mientras entraba

manos y

ensenanza y bienestar social.

Navarro- Vails

subrayo

"Lo mas importante

donde hablaron en espanol sin interpretes

que sucedio fue que el Castro Presidente

durante 35 minutos.

una

por

entrada mas libre de trabaj adores pastorales

historica del encuentro.

lo llevo a su oficina,

apreton de

apremiado

naturaleza

no cubanos mencionando

pais,

al la

escasez

sacerdotes, y el gobierno de Cuba mostro

El portavoz del Vaticano, Joaquin

estuvo aqui tratando de

Navarro-Valls, dijo que Castro renovo su

puntos estos importantfsimos con el El Santo Padre.

recientemente alguna

resultado esta abierto

hablaron tambien sobre

para

invitation al Papa a fin de que visite a la

nation islena, que es el hogar de 4.5 millones de catolicos. El Papa acepto, y ambos hombres acordaron que tratarian

de hacer que suceda en 1997, aunque no se fijo fecha alguna. Castro dijo mas tarde a los reporteros

que

Papa

estaria libre

donde

quisiera y decir lo que le gustara durante la visita.

"No le puse condiciones al Papa, y el tampoco me puso condiciones a mf, dijo el.

"Se

le tratara

con respeto cuando

el dirigente cubano. Cuba es unico pais de habla hispana de la America Latina que el Papa no ha visitado. Castro dijo tambien a los reporteros que el esperaba que su reunion con el Papa ayudaria a edificar un clima de confianza entre la Iglesia y el estado en Cuba.

vaya", dijo el

"Queremos trabajar con la Iglesia Catolica. Estamos dispuestos a hacer que mejoren y a satisfacer de la Iglesia. Pero eso no se logra de un dfa a otro. Se necesita

tiempo", dijo

el.

La reunion

inusitada junto a dos

protagonistas del siglo

XX de extremos

opuestos del espectro ideologico. Castro dirige

uno de

los ultimos gobiernos

comunistas del mundo, que persiguio duramente a la Iglesia cuando llego al poder en 1959, y al Papa Juan Pablo II se le da amplio credito por haber apresurado la

cafda del

Las

los

dos

partes

tramite

acontecimientos

reconciliation nacional

futuros", dijo

en Cuba, del que el portavoz del Vaticano dijo que inclufa a todos los cubanos que vivan dentro o fuera del pais. Mas de un millon de cubanos se han ido de la isla desde que Castro llego al poder; la mayorfa de ellos se ha asentado en

el.

Navarro-Valls se hizo eco de otros del funcionarios quienes Vaticano, dijeron privadamente que el dialogo con Castro y su gobierno estaba en verdad mas abierto que anteriormente, pero que no era facil por ningun medio. La Iglesia esta apremiando alia todavia por un mayor espacio

Foto

CNS

del Vaticano

CASTRO CON EL PAPA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; El presidente cubano Fidel Castro saluda al el

Papa Juan Pablo en una audiencia privada el 1 9 de noviembre en Vaticano. La reunion historica puede allanar el camino para un viaje 1 1

los Estados Unidos.

Ellos trataron del desarrollo de la sociedad

cubana y del lugar de la comunidad

Cuba en

Ambos

para que funcionen sus

internacional.

actividades misioneras,

sido asuntos han condicionados por un embargo economico de larga duration de los Estados Unidos contra Cuba, al que el Vaticano se opone por razones

de ensenanza

sociales,

informacion

colectiva.

estas relaciones las aspiraciones

flexibilidad en el asunto.

La sesion de trabajo separada de Castro con el

Cardenal Angelo

Sodano, secretario de estado del Vaticano, duro 45 minutos.

humanitarias.

Tambien

octubre de 1997, pero los del funcionarios

El Papa se propone visitar

asistieron a la Folo

reunion

ministro del

de Cuba, Roberto Robaina, y exterior

Monsefior Jean-Louis Tauran, sub- secretario

CNS

de Reuters

CUBANOS EN EL VATICANO - Exiliados cubanos se manifiestan la Plaza de San Pedro el 1 3 de noviembre, llevando su campafia anti-comunista al Vaticano. La protesta tuvo lugar dias antes de la reunion entre el Papa Juan Pablo II y el dirigente comunista Fidel Castro.

Brasil

Vaticano no descartado un

han viaje

separado a Cuba en otro momento durante el ano.

comunismo europeo.

Navarro-Valls dijo que los dos

Tiempo de Esperanza

dirigentes hablaron en un clima de

"dialogo abierto" y que sus charlas se enfocaron sobre la "normalizaci6n de la vida eclesiastica en Cuba y del papel de los creyentes

sociedad cubana".

Una declaration

del Vaticano

cuidadosamente redactada que resumfa la reunion no mencion6 explfcitamente a los derechos humanos, pero NavarroValls dijo que era seguro que se trat6 del asunto en las charlas. Anteriormente, el Papa ha insistido energicamente sobre el respeto a la libertad de religi6n como el primero de todos los derechos humanos, y el gobierno comunista de Castro ha mostrado recientemente senales de moderar sus limitaciones sobre las actividades de la Iglesia.

El presidente de Cuba, que asistio a

Acabamos

de iniciar el el tiempo en que esperamos el retorno del Senor. En el camino de nuestra historia, el Senor se hizo y se hace presente. El Adviento nos invita a mirar con confianza y esperanza hacia el Senor glorioso que viene y nos prepara para recordar el nacimiento en Belen de aquel que es el Mesfas esperado. El Adviento es tiempo de velar activamente para preparar los caminos por los que ha de llegar el Senor hacia nosotros. El Salvador prometido ya esta a Adviento,

de llegar. Vigilemos constantemente para que nuestro Redentor no nos encuentre

punto

desprevenidos, distraidos, perezosos o

Para vivir en

esperanza son

sumergidos en el pecado. Preparemonos dignamente, para recibirlo

necesarias la vigilancia y la revision constante de nuestra vida, asf

convirtiendonos a El, definitivamente y para siempre.

descubriremos el camino infalible que nos ha de llevar al encuentro del Redentor que llega. Durante el Adviento necesitamos fortalecer nuestra esperanza, recordando que Cristo viene para todas las personas de buena voluntad. No importa los

Jesucristo nos ha confiado expansion de su Reino sobre

la la

nos invita a vigilar y a estar atentos para que cuando El venga podamos entrar con El en el Reino de los cielos. No debemos desalentarnos si el mal cunde en nosotros y en el mundo. Dios es grande y frente a El el mal desaparece, desaparece el pecado. Con El se encuentra la salvation y la vida. Somos su pueblo. Abramos nuestro corazon a la confianza y a la esperanza.

tierra y

caminos que hayamos recorrido hasta ayer, lo que importa es que abramos a Cristo nuestro corazon y le preparemos un camino recto, libre de toda maldad. "

Tornado de "Unidos en la Oration con permiso de los Padres de la Sociedad de San Pablo.

4 Suplemento de The Catholic News and Herald

13 de

Sacerdote dice que unidad

Horarios de Misas en espaiiol

racial en Iglesia es 'posible'

ASHEBORO St.

Joseph, 326 S. Park

St.

(910) 629-0221

SOUTH ORANGE, (CNS)

—

Nueva

Jersey

El Padre Virgilio Elizondo, sacerdote de San Antonio, dijo que dentro de la Iglesia Catolica no solo es posible la "unidad racial, cultural y religiosa, sino tambien emocionante".

Los catolicos son llamados a aceptar la diversidad entre ellos, "no como una amenaza a la unidad, sino con un sentido de enriquecimiento", dijo el sacerdote el 13 de noviembre en una charla en la Universidad Seton Hall, en South Orange. El sacerdote pronuncio la charla de

"Arzobispo Gerety" de la universidad sobre el tema "Pablo VI y la otofio

Evangelization de los Latinos". El Padre Elizondo, fundador del

Centro Cultural Mexicano- Americano en San Antonio, delineo el efecto de los escritos del Papa Pablo VI sobre el crecimiento y desarrolo de la comunidad catolica de habla hispana dentro de los Estados Unidos. El dijo que la Iglesia latina de los Estados Unidos incluye a personas cuyas familias han vi vido en esta tierra durante incluyendo a los mexicanosiglos americanos y al pueblo de Puerto Rico asi como a los que han llegado desde

—

produce el 12 de diciembrede 1531, con la aparicion de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe y de una imagen que se convierte en la expresion de las Americas .... Esta es una hazaha importante para

—

nuestra cultura", dijo

el.

"El dfa de la festividad senala

—

Puede haber problemas y dificultades adelante para la Iglesia, "pero

me siento

extremadamente esperanzado y no tengo dudas de que recorreremos ese camino de bienvenida y unidad hasta su conclusion gloriosa para nuestra Iglesia", agrego el Padre Elizondo.

Dice sacerdote que pobreza, narcoticos,

empeoran

derechos humanos

El Papa Pablo VI senalo tambien

que

la Iglesia local

respuesta

crecio desde una

Evangelio, segun dijo

Padre Elizondo. "Los misioneros fueron a otros lugares, no como individuos sino desde una comunidad para llevar el Evangelio; y la Iglesia local se formo por su respuesta al Evangelio", dijo el. Los europeos trajeron al catolicismo a las costas de las Americas en 1492, "pero el natalicio de la Iglesia latina se

mes

del

Our Lady of the Americas, 105 Hayde Rd.

todos los sabados 5

(910) 428-3051

los

y 2 pm confesiones antes de las misas

domingos

BURNSVILLE

NUEVA YORK

(CNS)

—

humanos

la situacion

"La situacion esta empeorando, y

mes 6

pm pm los domingos 10:30 am y 7 pm confesiones 9:45-10:15 am

Rt. 601

todos los sabados 6

024 W. Main

St.

todos los domineos 3

GASTONIA St.

Michael, 708 St.Michael's Ln.

3er.

domingo

del

mes 3:30 pm

(704) 867 6212

GREENSBORO St.

Mary, 812 Duke

St.,

(910) 272-8650

todos los domingos 7

todos los domingos

HENDERSONVTLLE Immaculate Conception, 208 (704)693-6901

7th.

Ave.W..

HIGH POINT todos los domingos 12:30

JEFFERSON

K ANNAPOLIS St.

Centro

de los Derechos Humanos "Miguel Agustm Pro Juarez" en Ciudad Mexico. El es uno de siete trabajadores de los derechos humanos de todo el mundo que y el unico de la America Latina fueron homenajeados en una cena el 19 de noviembre por la organization Human Rights Watch, que tiene sus oficinas principales en Nueva York. Al hablar mayormente en ingles y con alguna ayuda de un interprete, el dijo que todo lo que el y sus colegas del centro han hecho "ha sido un acto de fe y un acto de amor". La situaci6n actual de Mexico, dijo el, se caracteriza por tortura continua, desapariciones y ejecuciones extrajudiciales. Las ultimas ocurren periodicamente a la tasa de dos o tres veces por semana, agrego el. "La policfa dice que son el resultado de luchas con el consorcio de los narcoticos, pero yo creo que es un problema mucho mas profundo que eso", dijo el. "La policfa que esta dentro de las

—

todos los domingos, 12

Joseph, 108 St.Joseph St.

KERNERSVILLE Holy Cross, 616 S.Cherry (910) 996-5109

St.

todos los domingos 12:30

LENOIR St.

Francis of Assist.

(704) 735-5575

Pero el sacerdote, que ha sido objeto de amenazas de muerte por su trabajo, dijo que el estaba mirando mas alia del desaliento a corto plazo y tiene esperanza

2do.y 4to. domingo del mes 1:30 pm

San Francisco de Asis, Main y Ivy (910) 246-9151

dificiles".

del

(7041 245-4017

(7041 754-5281

S.J.

"a largo plazo". El Padre Fernandez dirige

domingo

FOREST CITY

en una entrevista en Nueva York el 18 de noviembre. "Espero que tendremos algunos ahos

David Fernandez

3er.

(910) 884-0244

que una combination de pobreza, narcoticos y una estructura polftica

empeorando

Summit

DOBSON Sagrado Corazdn, (910) 632-8009

dijo

autoritaria esta

St.

CHARLOTTE

Cristo Rey, 1505 East Kivett Dr.

futuro luce desalentador", dijo el Padre

a las personas.

domingo

ler.

BISCOE

Immaculate Concention.

indfgena.

entre los pobres", dijo

respeto hacia la cultura y la historia, asf como las cosas que hacen singulares

St.

confesiones 6:15-6:45

de los derechos humanos en Mexico.

Culvern

todos los sabados 7

mayorfa de las personas de habla hispana en los Estados Unidos se hallan "todavfa

unas con otras. La Arquidiocesis de Anchorage, Alaska, "es ahora hispana en un 56 por ciento", hizo notar el. "Y hay mas personas de habla hispana en Chicago que en San Antonio". El Papa Pablo VI queria que la Iglesia estuviera involucrada en un "dialogo verdadero" con la cultura popular, y el manifesto estos conceptos en varias cartas, como lo hizo el documento del Vaticano II titulado "Lumen Gentium" (La Luz de los Pueblos), que hizo enfasis no solamente en el uso de los idiomas locales, sino en

Shenandoah Ave.y The Plaza (704) 335-1281

trabajo en materia de derechos

personas de distintas naciones de la America Latina estan "llegando a conocerse mutuamente" y casandose

Eugene,

(704) 254-5193

Centro Catdlico Hispano

el.

Esa Iglesia local es di versa, continuo diciendo, pero comparte varios elementos: Su amor por el Jesus humano; una relation personal con Jesus; una devocion a la Virgen Maria; y la devocion en el hogar - "una piedra angular de la provocada por la carencia de clero fe"

Los que inmigran tienen por lo menos dos cosas en comun. "Nunca

poblacion de habla hispana, dijo el, agregando que, por primera vez,

St.

y lo local", dijo

sacerdote mexicano homenajeado por su

el.

Sacred Heart, Main

otros pafses.

La migration colecti va de los latinos refleja una gran diversidad en la

todos los domingos

ASHEV1LLE

comienzo de una comunidad cristiana singular, que es una smtesis de lo europeo

—

tuvieron su clero propio" como lo hicieron otras olas de inmigrantes, y la

Diciembrede 1996

025 Colleee Ave.

3er.

sabado del mes 7

LINCOLNTON St.

todos los domingos 12

Dorothy, 148 St.Dorothy's Lane

MONROE Our Lady ofLourdes, Deese y Franklin

Streets

todos los domingos 1:30

MORGANTON St.

Charles Borromeo, 714

W. Union

St.

todos los domingos 5

todos los domineos 6

(704) 437-3108

MOUNT AIRY Holv Anvels. 1208 North Main (910) 786-8147

St.

NEWTON St.

Joseph, 720

West

13th. St., (704)

464-9207

todos los domingos 12:45

NORTH WILKESBORO St.

John Church, 275 C.C. Wright School Rd.

ler., 3er., 5to.

(910)838-5562

domingo

del

mes

REIDSVILLE Holy

Infant,

1042 Freeway Dr., (910) 342-1448

todos los domingos 4

SALISBURY Sacred Heart, 128 N.Fulton (704) 633-0591

St.

SPARTA St. Francis

of Rome, Hendrix Rd.

(910) 372-8846

3er.

domingo del mes

ler.

domingo

STATESVILLE St.

Phillip the Apostle, 525

Camden Dr

del

mes 2

(704) 872-2579

TAYLORS VILLE Holy

Trinity,

todos los sabados 6

665 W. Main Ave.

(704) 632-8009

THOMASVILLE Our Lady of the Highways, 943

Ball Park Rd.

todos los domingos 12

(910)475-2732

WINSTON-SALEM Our Lady of Mercy, 1919

Main

St.

todos los domingos

(704) 722-7001

YADKINVILLE

pandillas que distribuyen narcoticos

Christ the King, U.S. 601 y Hoots Rd.

empiezaa actuar fuera de la ley y a matar".

(910) 463-5533

todos los domingos 12

:30 pm

December

13,

The Catholic News

1996

Catholic Convert Scott Hahn Brings His Message of Faith To Charlotte Diocese JIMMY ROSTAR

ceptions about Catholicism.

Staff Writer

CHARLOTTE — As the millennium approaches,

known

He became

as a conservative Presbyterian

who saw profound

faults in Catholic

a former Presbyterian

teaching. For several years, he proceeded

minister and theologian will visit Char-

along the course of Presbyterianism as a seminarian, pastor, teacher and scholar. Over time, he

conveying a conversion process which led to his becoming a staunch proponent of Roman lotte

was troubled

finding in his stud-

Catholicism.

The

ies

Catholic

example

after

example of revela-

Evangelization Commission of

tions that

Charlotte, a group

He began

promoting spiritual reinforcement, recently announced

tion tenets of his

Hahn

that Scott

inherently Catholic.

own

in 1986.

It was at that celebration that Hahn saw a profound devotion to Christ. At

Scripture at Franciscan University in

—

Ohio he travels the counwith a conversion story that serves as a passionate defense for the Catholic

developed along the road of his faith journey: He converted to Catholicism and was received

Hardcover

Christmas In

possible

luke-

Bernstein

Politi

(Doubleday)

Heart

Inner Voice of Love

Nouwen (Doubleday)

Henri J.M.

Paperback 1

Workbook for

Lectors

Gospel Readers '97 Lawrence

Mick

(Liturgy Training Publications)

Home with the Word

'97

Anthony J. Tambasco (Liturgy Training Publications)

Catechism of the Catholic Church Libreria EditriceVaticana

the

Joe Wheeler (Doubleday)

Catholics, inactive

(Liguori)

said. Children and Young People

"A Faith Journey with Jesus" is a free presentation sponsored by the Catholic Evangelization Commission of

1 session.

Donations

will

the Feb.

ext.

Sunday

Alfred McBride (Our

Visitor)

Making Things Right

Jeannine Timko Leichner (Our Sunday

Visitor)

The Promise

be accepted St.

Matthew Church is located at 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy in Charlotte. For details call Andy Getz, (704) 3645431,

Father McBride's Teen Catechism

Program times are 7:30-9:30 and 9 am-3:15 p.m. Feb. 1.

Mass will be celebrated to begin

that point, a sharp curve

DECEMBER

he received his doctorate degree in theology from Marquette University. Hahn's conversion story is one of three discussions he will offer during the program; others include examination of the Eucharist and a call to Christian action as the season of Lent approaches. Though Hahn's visit, Mauney hopes that Catholics in every stage of faith will be touched. Father Vilkauskas agrees. "The commission's desire to bring Mr. Hahn is an effort to have as many people as

Charlotte,

for the first time.

Hpi

His Holiness

p.m. Jan 31,

later attended

fiagar catholic BESTSELLERS

and

Mass

book about the conversion process, entered the Church in 1990.) In May 1995,

of the Catholic faith

was welcomed into

associate professor of theology and Steubenville,

dove

into intense studies

Church

he wrote a

found fewer

Finally, he

— when he's not serving

whom

and witness of faith of this man," he

so.

Herald 7

Easter in 1986. (His

wrong, he continually

parishes nationwide,

Catholicism was

Although convinced that

reasons to think

been documented in various media and told to hundreds of

Church

wife, Kimberly, with

— committed Catholics, warm Catholics and other Christians — hear testimony

still

growth has

Today

faith concern-

Scripture.

Matthew Church. Hahn, whose

the Catholic

to ques-

ing salvation and

will

present "A Faith Journey with Jesus" Jan. 31 -Feb. 1 at St.

spiritual

seemed

into the

Luane Roche (Liguori)

Source: Catholic

Book Publishers Assoc.

276.

try

Rebuke Pope For Remarks On Religious Freedom In China Chinese

faith.

"Scott

Hahn has acquired

a reputa-

tion for being a zealous and balanced

communicator of contemporary orthodox Catholicism," said Spiritan Father

Officials

Ed Vilkauskas, diocesan

which

sanctioned and su-

director of evangelization and supporter of the

pervised by the government, claims 3

convert's

million members.

sociation,

visit.

worldwide Catholic advocacy of evangelical efforts which remind the faithful to recommit themselves to Christ. The director of evangelization and pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe

lics

ficial links to the

—

or to begin their lives of faith with guidance from the Catholic Church. Catholic follow-up efforts continue

there

Catholic Evangelization Commission's invitation to Hahn expresses a hope to bolster the decision made by those persons, as well as to exCatho-

everyone

Gary Mauney, chairperson of the commission and parishioner of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte. "Our expression of that conhas a conversion story to

version

said

centered around the Eucharist.

Hahn

Scott

tell,"

will discuss

as Christians

who

are

what we can do

now

faith-filled."

While Hahn' s message urges Cathoembrace their faith, a faith he calls

lics to

beautiful,

also includes a personal his-

tory peppered with long-lasting miscon-

respect for his right to act ac-

faith," the pope said. China severed ties with the Vatican after Pope Pius XII declared invalid government appointments of Chinese bishops in 1958. The Vatican went on to form

diplomatic relations with Taiwan, further

lics.

that

and

the

Vatican.

cording to the dictates of his conscience

ecumenical gathering. Indeed,

"The overall theme

"Let the civil authorities of the People's Republic of China be reassured: A disciple of Christ can live his faith in any kind of political order as long as

1,000 people indicated a desire to con-

all

Cathoand try despite government

to the Vatican,

In a Mass for China broadcast on Vatican Radio Dec. 3, Pope John Paul urged China to let its Catholics have of-

Graham Carolinas Crusade in September. After the Crusade, more than

tend a reaffirmation of faith to

additional 3 mil-

suppression.

Billy

after that

remain loyal

to retain ties to

coordinated Catholic participation in the

—

lion to 10 million "unauthorized"

Father Vilkauskas' statement echoes

tinue

works on a facade next to a Catholic church in shopping center Dec. 6. Chinese officials rebuked Pope John Paul remarks in early December urging China to allow Catholics to have building cleaner

Beijing's II

main

following his

official links to

"China

the Vatican.

BEIJING (CNS)

—

Chinese offirebuked Pope John Paul II for his remarks on religious freedom in China in early December, demanding that the Vatican stop "interfering" in the country's domestic affairs. News agencies in China reported that a Foreign Ministry spokesman said cials

irritating the

Communist Chinese gov-

ernment. is

willing to improve

lations with the Vatican" the

"must cease its interference China's internal affairs, including ... by making use of religion." The spokesman, who was not named in news reports, added that the Chinese the Vatican in

government respects

its

citizens' reli-

gious freedom.

The Chinese Catholic

Patriotic

As-

its re-

unnamed

Foreign Ministry official was quoted as saying Dec. 5. "However, the Vatican

must sever

its

so-called diplomatic rela-

tions with Taiwan, and recognize the

government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, and Taiwan as a part of Chinese territory."

The Catholic News

Herald

December

People Bishop Ruiz Receives Pacen Terris

Award For Mediation

DAVENPORT,

Iowa (CNS)

Terris Peace and

Davenport Dec.

Freedom Award

he said his emotion could not be "expressed by words, only by tears." The bishop, a mediator in the military conflict between government and rebel forces in Chiapas, asked aloud how he could be happy "when it's at the 1,

many people

cost of

suffering." In his

Sacred Heart Cathedral, 72year-old Bishop Ruiz dedicated the prize to those working for peace in Mexico.

remarks

By STEVE UZZELL MINT HILL — Nearly 250

cility in

The Giving

Luke

Church on Nov. 22 to hear a priest from Nigeria and a nun from New York share

minded of the theme of the event and of the reality the people of Nigeria face

their insights about the world's hungry.

daily.

ioners and guests gathered at St.

The gathering was the largest yet to The Third World Dinner, an an-

attend

nual parish tradition sponsored by the

St.

Luke Parish Outreach Committee. Father Joseph Nietlong, pastor of St. John parish in Agyaragu, Nigeria, shared a story of watching three women die on the way to the nearest medical clinic, some 20 miles away. As pastor, he serves more than 5,000

—

manner that first-world would be accustomed to. Seventy people (28 percent) were seated at tables to a modest meal of second- world proportions. scattered

And

165 guests (66 percent) to a dinner of rice

on the floor

and water.

The dinner

to families of his parish. Centrally lo-

dition to the financial contributions, the

tors said she

cated on the 37-mile road between the

awareness level of those

towns of Jos and Makurdi, the mission operates a girls' school and a women's

was raised

center.

ciation for the outreach efforts of the

af-

undergoing angioplasty, but her docwould no longer be able to travel the world in her service to the poor. "She will have to be taken care of for a long time," said Dr. Tauran Praharaj, a member of the medical team treating Mother Teresa. "At her age, with this problem, it will be difficult to go back to the active life she had."

Spread Gospel, Don't Wait For Unity, Says Anglican Leader

ROME

—

(CNS) Christians cannot wait until they have overcome denominational divisions to bring the Gospel

message to a hurting world, said Anglican Archbishop George L. Carey.

may be one' in may believe' has

"Jesus' prayer that 'they

order that 'the world

sadly been neglected too often," said the archbishop of Canterbury, spiritual leader of the 70-million

member world-

wide Anglican Communion.

PUT YOUR GIFTS at the

He added that the Holy

Child Mission

Duduguru has provided much

Nigerian

women have

the center as a place

recognized

where they can

dis-

cover more about their own health and nutrition. But they have also learned more about how some customs and superstitions may have allowed starvation and sickness to continue for so long. Sister Margaret Rogers has served in the Society of the Holy Child Jesus for 50 years, 22 of which she spent in

She communicated her definiwhich she has seen through violence and militarism; drought and environmental degradation; powerlessness and discrimina-

Mint Hill parish, and said he hopes that Americans will realize their power to effect

improvements.

"I believe that if everyone in the U.S.

knew how much capacity they had change the world, then they would do it," he said. "The differences that we have are not in our persons, but in what we have and don't have the external, really to

—

technological differences."

Come and celebrate the joy of life by following the Rule of St. Benedict!

PllE-GAME FOOD

St. Peter's

Enjoy barbecue & hotdogs prior to all the remaining Panthers home games on church grounds, just two blocks east of the stadium on 1st and Tryon

Streets.

of Indoor/ outdoor seating but no church parking. Serving 2 Vi hours before

Single males, 19-45 years of age and searching for real meaning in their life

Contact

Vocation Director

kickoff. Information Father Frank O'Rourke Vocations Director P.O. Box 130 Clemmons, HC 27012 (910) 766-1882

Photo by Steve Uzzell

Father Joseph Nietlong of Duduguru, Nigeria, speaks with a young parishioner at the annual Third World Dinner at St. Luke Church.

and malnourishment. Sister Margaret is director of the Dalton Center, an overseas mission fa-

Consider

Charlotte

Father Nietlong expressed his appre-

tion; debt;

Reopening for all December games

The Diocese

in attendance

as well."

tion of the "faces of hunger,"

Garden&f Eaten

dollars for St.

Nigeria.

SERVICE OF OTHERS

PRIESTHOOD

ing lives, Father Nietlong invited those in attendance to visit Nigeria.

citizens

ter

Mother Teresa was improving days

families living in a 62-square mile area.

belief that first-hand

Just 15 individuals (6 percent) dined

assistance

—

Conveying a

experience of an American citizen in his country could make a difference in sav-

in the luxurious

raised several hundred John parish and Holy Child Mission. The event was the outreach commission's latest effort to support St. Luke's sister parish in Duduguru. In ad-

Mother Teresa Improving, Will Not Be Able To Resume Travels CALCUTTA, India (CNS)

Spirit

Manhattan.

After hearing the guest speakers' message, those in attendance were re-

parish-

All profits serve the

poor

St. Peter Church 507 South Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28202

1996

The News

Parish Embraces

—

When Bishop Samuel Ruiz Garcia of San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas, Mexico, received the 1996 Pacem in

13,

Belmont Abbey Belmont, NC 28012

call

1-800-743-6681

December

13,

The Catholic News

1996

To Bethlehem Church To See Painting That Weeps Pilgrims Flock

Pilgrims pray

knees before an their

ancient icon of

Jesus

Church

of the

Nativity Nov.

28.

first

Paul

time in his pontificate, Pope John II is not scheduled to celebrate a

public Christmas morning Mass, accord-

Rome, members of the papal household

Mass

year for the church.

Pope John Paul will celebrate midnight Mass Dec. 24 in St. Peter's

the midnight

The Mass usually ends about 1:30

Jesus

weep

seen his eyes open stare at start to

can't see anything different

Basilica.

said.

orbi" (to the city and the world) and a

At about 2 a.m., the 76-year-old pope returns to his private apartment in

Basilica.

Christmas ceremony, singing carols with the Polish nuns who care for his household, Navarro-Valls said. Usually, Pope John Paul would go to

bed

few hours,

after 3 a.m., sleep a

then get up for private prayers before the

(from before).

he added, it is a warning sign from Jesus that something dangerous will happen. "It is probably a sign from God," agreed Jerusalem resident Ida Stephanian, 43, who had come with her

morning Mass, the papal spokesman

husband and child to see the painting. She said it was too dark to see anything happening with the painting.

giving his traditional Christmas blessing

when

got closer that

realized that the

were real. This is the will of God." On Nov. 28, newspapers and television broadcasts were full of the reports of the weeping painting, located on a marble column near the entrance to the grotto believed by many to be the exact spot where Jesus was born. The pictures tears

"Of course but

can't tell."

is true,

need

believe as a Christian,

light to see better," she said.

Jesus' left

Other Bethlehem residents dismissed the claims. People see what they want to see,

The next day people were saying

times, he said, people are in a difficult

showed

a tear rolling

down

eye.

said

situation

blink as well.

of hope.

"Something remarkable

happen-

and grasp

One man who had come

vestigate the reports.

cause condensation that will appear like

At the church, shared by Catholics and Orthodox, a group of about 20 local

a tear

residents gathered around the painting,

the tears, but he did not want to rule out

straining to catch a glimpse of the tears.

the possibility that

most people believe it," said Nabil Nazi, 34, of Bethlehem, as he looked up toward the dark 1 2th-century painting. "I believe

could happen," he said.

pope

ago

to allow the

have a decent night's

rest before

and speech at midday. Last Christmas the pope was apparently suffering from the flu and for the first time had to cancel his participation

painting said

on a painting. The man added that he had not seen it

was happening.

Some people were

cynical, saying

season. Hotels have had a spate of can-

gun battles between Palestinian police and the Israeli army cellations since the

in late

September.

Hill/Human Resources, 1662 Ingram Rd. Charleston, S.C.

Peter's

Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola in Rome. The pope will celebrate Mass Jan. the feast of Mary Mother of God and 1 the World Day of Peace, in St. Peter's

—

Basilica.

— As

his

custom on the

first

Sat-

urday of every month, Pope John Paul will lead the recitation of the rosary Jan. 4. The prayer will be broadcast on Vatican Radio from the Paul VI Audience Hall. On Jan. 6, the feast of the Epiphany, the pope will celebrate Mass

—

in the basilica

and ordain new bishops.

— The pope

will

mark

the Jan. 12

Baptism of the Lord by celebrating Mass in the Sistine Chapel and baptizing a group of infants. Pope John Paul's Christmas season activities end Jan. 13 with his annual speech to the diplomatic corps acfeast of the

—

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Tax consultation, planning,

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Cherubs Opens Dec. 14

—

BELMONT Holy Angels' Cherubs Craft and Coffee shop at 23 North Main St. opens in downtown Belmont Dec. 14. The ribbon cutting is at 9:30 a.m., followed by light refreshments. Music is provided by the Magikal Minstrel & Gayla Green, harpist. Enjoy coffee and browse through the store filled with gift and craft selections. The shop, open Monday-Fridays from 9:30 a.m. -6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., is staffed by members of Holy Angels' s Life Choices pro-

Accounting services available.

(704) 568-7886

Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry: The Diocese of Charleston is currently seeking a coordinator of Hispanic Ministry to act as a liaison between the Hispanic community and the Catholic Church in S.C. Must be familiar with Hispanic culture as well as the American Catholic Church. Will work with Hispanic leaders and lay people to develop Hispanic Ministry programs. Hispanic social services and aid programs, Must be able to speak and understand English and Spanish. Position is open to qualified Catholic Hispanic and non-Hispanic clergy, religious or lay persons. Background in social work or applicable field preferred.

The Diocese of Charleston currently serves a statewide Catholic population of more than 100,000 with Hispanics in all regions. To apply send resume to: Sandy

St.

prayers of thanksgiving at the Jesuits'

they believed the reports were a ploy to

boost tourism during the pre-Christmas

pope

—

Navarro-Valls said the morning Mass should have been removed from the papal schedule long

the

The evening of Dec. 31, Pope John Paul will mark the end of the year with an evening prayer service and

to see the

Greek Orthodox Archbishop Diodoros was reported as saying. A statement from the Latin-rite Patriarchate of Jerusalem said it would in-

don't, but

speech from the balcony of

anything as a sign

was possible that because the painting is on a marble column, some chemical property of the stone had caused what looked like tears to form. Certain chemical properties can

One woman clasped her hands in prayer. "Some people here believe it, some

said.

— At noon Christmas Day,

will give his traditional blessing "urbi et

Deputy Mayor Hana Nasser. Some-

they had seen the eyes on the painting

ing in Bethlehem," a spokesman for

—

pope spends about half an hour greeting altar servers and others involved in the liturgy, Navarro- Vails a.m., then the

The Jerusalem Post quoted Sadika Hamida, 60, a cleaner at the church, as saying she had seen the tears. "At first I couldn't believe my eyes," she was quoted as saying. "It was only

and representatives of the Rome clergy to give his Christmas greetings. His speech usually includes a review of the

around the world.

celebration

of Jesus that allegedly wept.

officials, cardinals living in

woman and

and close. But sometimes if you something for a long time you see things.

meet Dec. 21 with

will

"It was too much," said Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro- Vails. The centerpiece of the papal Christ-

the Vatican for a small, typically Polish

to see a painting

Vatican

seen by millions of television viewers

month ago.

Church of the Nativity

—

tivities.

mas

red tears a

tourists flocked to the

Vatican Dec. 10, said:

Palestinian

image began

— Pilgrims and

Pope John Paul's complete Christas published by the

mas schedule,

Christian

worshiper at the church claims the

"Some people have

at St. Peter's Basilica.

ing to the Vatican schedule of papal ac-

longtime

By JUDITH SUDILOVSKY BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS)

Christmas morning Mass

in the annual

Bethlehm's

Herald 9

Pope Not Scheduled To Celebrate Public Mass On Christmas Morning By CINDY WOODEN VATICAN CITY (CNS) — For the

gram, providing vocational training for individuals with mental retardation.

The Fmnclscafi Center 8,

Catholic Gifts Book Store programs for spiritual growth

CHRISTMAS CARDS, NATIVITY SETS, ANGELS, MEDALS, ~* Hon.— Fri *

ROSARIES, .

5pm*

BIBLES,

PLAQUES — a

STATUES,

TAPES,

RELIGIOUS

variety of Religious BOOKS & GIFTS. [9101273-2551

233 N. Greene St. •

Greensboro

The Catholic News

Herald

December

13,

1996

Diocesan News Briefs 643-8109 or Katrina, (704) 367-0586.

Fine Arts Fest

— The Charlotte

CHARLOTTE

Catholic High School Fine Arts Festival is Dec. 1 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the school gym-

nasium. The Fine Arts Department presents artwork displays, dance and choral presentations.

Caroling Party

WINSTON-SALEM — The St. Leo Church caroling party for parish

shut-ins

Dec. 19. Meet at the activity center at 5 p.m. for a picnic supper. Call Elizabeth, (910) 774-1046, for information. is

Media Library Offers Resources CHARLOTTE The Office of

—

Telecommunications offers a media Basketball Tournament Christmas Party

— The

CHARLOTTE

Catholic High School

And

lending library comprising 1,500 videos, hundreds of audio tapes and a variety of

Charlotte

Alumni Associa-

Alumni Basketball Tournament and Christmas Party is Dec. 21. The games begins at 8 a.m. at the school with the championship game at 6:30 p.m. The party is at 7 p.m. Call (704) 543-9118 tion annual

books. Resources are available to preview or for personal enrichment at no cost. For use in a class, a nominal fee is

charged. For more information, call (704) 331-1717.

Prayer For Peace

WINSTON-SALEM

for information.

Two seminarians

studying at Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pa., for the priesthood from the Diocese of Charlotte, Dean E. Cesa and Peter T.Q. Pham, were recently received as candidates for the priesthood at solemn vespers presided over by the Most Rev. Edward J. Slattery, Bishop of Tulsa, Okla. Shown are, front row, from left, Mr. Cesa; Seminary Academic Dean, Mercy Sister Cecilia Murphy; and Mr. Pham. Back row: Benedictine Father Justin Matro; Bishop Slattery; Seminary Rector, Benedictine Father Thomas Acklin; and Seminary Vice-Rector, Father William Fay.

Catechumenate Forum Presents Conference

HICKORY — Spaces are still avail-

able for the "Ninety

Days

Institute"

catechumenate conference, co-sponsored by the Charlotte Diocese and the

American

North

Forum on

the

Catechumenate, Jan. 17-19 at the Catholic Conference Center. The conference focuses on the the period from Lent through Pentecost. Cost is $260, with special rates for parish teams of five or more. For information, call Sheri Wilson, (910) 765-3499, or to make reservations with a credit card, call (703) 534-

Community Christmas Dinner

NEWTON — St. Joseph Church and

Life Commission present a Community Dinner on Christmas Day from 1 1 :30 a.m. -2:30 p.m. Volunteers and donations are needed for the outreach project. For details, call Meg Smith, (704) 465-1076 or Barbara Nunziata, (704) 241-4143.

Living Waters Retreats

MAGGIE VALLEY Venus"

— "Women

a Jan. 10-12 retreat

for women seeking to enrich their life journey directed by Mary Ann Massey. Cost is $90. "The Gift of Imperfection" is a Jan. 17-19 retreat, directed by Father David Hill,

focusing on

rest, reflection

and

parish center. Donations accepted, and

proceeds go to purchasing playground equipment.

the

to the Fire" is a

Feb. 7-9 retreat, directed by Father Eric

Houseknecht, tracing the origins of Lenten practices. Cost

$90.

To register for a retreat,

contact Liv-

ing Waters Reflection Center, 1420

Rd.,

Soco

Maggie Valley, N.C. 28751. For

information, call (704) 926-3833.

— The Charlotte

Jan.

sents

its

annual Grand Prix Party March

1997. Tickets available for $125 per couple before Dec. 31 ($150 per couple 2,

and auctions Send checks payable Foundation to: CCHS Grand

on). Prizes, a raffle

highlight the event.

Live Nativity

ASHEVILLE

— The Basilica of

to St.

Lawrence High School Youth Group 2nd annual Live Nativity is 6 p.m. Dec. 15 and 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Basilica. For

— A canonical

ASHEVILLE

Dec. 21. Mass

lowed by brunch.

is at

10 a.m.

7702 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28226. For information, call (704) 543-91 18.

Good photographs, preferably black and white, are also welcome. Submit news releases and photos at least 10 briefs.

cel-

ebration by Franciscan Father Richard

Bello

CCHS

Prix Party,

The Catholic News & Herald welcomes parish news for the diocesan news

information, call (704) 252-6042.

Secular Franciscans)

collecting school

Prix Party

or Katrina, (704) 367-0586.

Family of Greensboro (3rd Order of is

Grand

CHARLOTTE

Wildwood Apartments Clubhouse

Canonical Celebration

fol-

days before the publication date.

supplies, books, toys, clothing, house-

Eucharistic Adoration

hold goods and toiletries for the Chris-

Appalachian Project, benefiting needy people in eastern Kentucky. For information on how and where to donate,

call

Rhona Rosser, (910) 282-1218.

BELMONT — Perpetual Eucharistic

Adoration

is at

Holy Innocents Mass and Rosary

CHARLOTTE

—

St.

Vincent de

Paul parish's Respect Life Committee hosts a Mass for the Holy Innocents Dec.

call

9 a.m. in the church. For details,

Ann Rowe,

Religious Ed Series Continues GREENSBORO The adult education series at Our Lady of Grace Church continues Dec. 17 from 7:30-9 p.m. with "The Church in Poland under Communism," directed by Marian Father Waldek Ziolkowski. For details, call

—

(910) 274-0415.

Catholic Singles Christmas Party

The Annual

Catholic Singles Christmas Party begins at

Belmont Abbey

— The Basilica of

Corporation St.

Lawrence, D.M., hosts daily Adoration from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. For information, call (704) 252-6042.

Ultreya

And Leaders' Schools

—

Vietnamese

Ultreya meets 7 p.m. the third Saturday each month at St. Ann Church. Leaders' School is the second and fourth Friday each month at 7 p.m. Ultreya meets 3 p.m the fourth Saturday each month at Our Lady of Consolation Church. Leaders' School follows.

lowship Hall. Potluck lunch, meeting and Leaders' School are included.

ments clubhouse located near The Arboretum. Dress is semi-formal. Bring an unwrapped baby's item to be donated to

Room

Mondays

gift.

gift

participate in the

exchange, bring a wrapped

For information,

call Larry,

(704)

FOR ALL YOUR MORTGAGE NEEDS CALL

CHRIS GILSTRAP (704) 541-6053

STIKELEATHER REALTY

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Perpetual Novena There is a perCHARLOTTE petual Novena to the Blessed Mother

at the Inn.

Mortgage Lending Specialist Since 1944

The south Charlotte area Ultreya meets every fourth Sunday of the month from 1-3 p.m. at St. Matthew parish Fel-

8 p.m. Dec. 14 at Montclair Park apart-

grab bag

Inland Mortgage

Siebers, (704) 399-2701.

CHARLOTTE

(704) 541-0746.

—

the

chapel. For information, call Marie

ASHEVILLE

CHARLOTTE Ashes

Catholic

Catholic High School Foundation pre-

Christian Appalachian Project

GREENSBORO — The Franciscan

scriptural

on Scaleybark Rd. Dress is semi-formal. Bring non-perishable food items to be donated to Metrolina Food Bank. For information, call Larry, (704) 643-8109

James Church perform

"And We Beheld His Glory," a Christmas cantata, Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the

$90.

"From

—

adult choirs of St.

lis-

tening to the gentle, loving voice of God.

Cost

Party

— The

—A

recited 11:40 a.m. each Wednesday at St. Leo the Great Church. is

New Years Party is at 9 p.m. Dec.

Singles

Christmas Cantata Performance CONCORD The children's and

Community

are from

New Years

CHARLOTTE

tian

8082, ext. 26.

the

rosary

—

at 8:30 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church. For information, call Eva at (704) 542-1614.

OFFICE 372-4852 FAX 372-2150

December

The Catholic News

1996

13,

Herald

World And National News Briefs Oklahoma

City Cathedral, Fixed

Bombing, Is Rededicated OKLAHOMA CITY (CNS) The

After

The windows of St.

Joseph

Old Cathedral

Oklahoma City

burned and the

altar

remained un-

down

the nearby Alfred P.

The church was rededicated

December

following restoration

damage

suffered

killed 168 people. But the red-brick cathedral itself was damaged extensively and had to be

closed for repairs.

year while new stained glass was being prepared.

Joseph Old

Murrah Building and

earlier this

from

St.

downtown Oklahoma City

scathed after the April 1995 explosion that brought

were

temporarily filled with clear glass

Cathedral in still

—

sanctuary candle inside

After months of renovation and re-

modeling, Archbishop Eusebius J. Beltran celebrated a rededication Mass Dec. 1 to welcome Catholics back to the nearly 100-year-old landmark. In his homily, he told thedral began as a

the ca-

church in 1889; it is the oldest parish church in Oklahoma City and one of the oldest in the state. He said a more impressive church building

was dedicated

little

in 1904.

Before proceeding with the rededi-

cation,

the 1995

how

Archbishop Beltran invited the

Murrah

congregation to pause for a moment of "silence and a prayer for the repose of the souls of the 168 people who died just

Building.

bombing

the Alfred

few

away

feet

in the tragic

tims' families.

support during the

crisis.

solemn

but joyful and grateful assembly," the

McGeady

Calls

NEW YORK

(CNS)

— The

presi-

dent of Covenant House, the shelter for

Rabbi Calls For Vatican, Christian Involvement In Talks

JERUSALEM

—

(CNS)

The

runaway and homeless youths, has called for more American businesses to get involved in programs of direct youth assistance. "At Covenant House, we have worked closely with companies and individuals to provide mentorships and job

Vatican and other Christian churches should be involved in the negotiations over Jerusalem, said Rabbi David Rosen, who was a member of the committee that drew up the Vatican-Israeli agreement three years ago. "They should be involved because (Jerusalem) is not exclu-

opportunities for our kids," said Sister

sively a question of sovereignty but also

archbishop said. "The completion of the repairs and renovations to this old cathedral

a positive step in the healing

of the wounds of the bombing." After the homily the rededication rite continued with a litany of saints and a prayer. The archbishop anointed the altar with the sacred chrism while priests assisted in anointing the four walls

where

crosses hang.

The church was

filled to capacity for

Mary Rose McGeady, a Daughter of Charity. "One thousand corporations

a religious question in terms of different

the Mass. Latecomers could view

religious attachments," said Rosen, also

closed-circuit television in the parish hall

have assisted us by providing entry-level

the Anti-Defamation League's co-liaison

below the church. All three Oklahoma City TV stations and various radio sta-

jobs for kids."

"My challenge," she con-

tinued, "is for every

company

to provide similar opportunities for

youth." Sister

McGeady

issued her ap-

peal Dec. 4 as she addressed the sixth

annual Covenant House "Candlelight Vigil for

to the Vatican.

Homeless Kids."

Priest

Says Flap Over Pope On

Evolution

Was Media-Generated

EMMITSBURG, Md. (CNS)

— The

DUBLIN, mas

will

mates

be a

Ireland

(CNS)

bit brighter for

—

Christ-

prison in-

in Ireland this year, thanks to

American

two

Dec. 4, Archbishop Desmond Connell of Dublin was

among

parishes.

those

of gifts

who

— mainly

received the delivery shirts,

baseball caps,

—

candy, pens and stationery sent to Ireland by parishioners of St. Mary's

Church and Our Lady Star of the Sea in Stamford, Conn. The Christmas gift collection was organized by two sisters, Shelagh Ryan of St. Mary's and Sally Sweeney, secretary of Our Lady Star of the Sea.

reborn in us and we'll be able to wor-

Him

ship

comments regarding evolution

Louis Lamb,

largely

Italian press, according to

one of the "The

chief architects of the papal stance.

media

hungry for something. That is very clear in the Italian newspapers," is

said physicist Father Stanley L. Jaki,

who

Cathy Cahill, OSF

A retreat

designed for any

woman

using a 12-Step program to deal with alcoholism or other addictions in herself or others

who wants

pay

attention to Step 11. Accepting our

humanity is essential to recovery. Knowing that we are NOT God, but wonderfully made by God, helps us to remove the obstacles that stand in the way of prayer and meditation. Pre-register by January 17 $100 $55 commuters

"We dral. It's

BEST WISHES FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON THE

aPOINlE DEALERSHIPS

"During Advent we prepare for the coming of our Lord, so Christ will be

recent furor over Pope John Paul IFs created by the media, and specifically the

Two U.S. Parishes Send Christmas Gifts To Prisoners In Ireland

tions covered the event.

America

Sr.

bombing and the vic-

"We come together today Sister

January 31-February 2

Oklahoma Gov. Frank

Keating, a Catholic, was present to re-

Business To Do More For Youth

WOMEN'S CONSCIOUS CONTACT RETREAT

bombing."

ceive appreciation for his bravery and photo by John Mallon, Sooner Catholic

434 Charlotte Avenue P.O. Box 11586 Rock Hill, SC 29731 (803) 327-2097

also expressed his sentiments to

the survivors of the

CNS

THEORTOKY

SERVING CHARLOTTE WITH INTEGRITY FOR OVER 35 YEARS! Frank LaPointe, President St. Gabriel Church

Member of

our church," said Father St.

feel

Joseph's pastor.

very devout in the cathe-

very beautiful.

MITSUBISHI

My parishioners

have patiently waited and really sacrificed. I'm very grateful for the financial and moral support we've received from the community and various churches of

helped draft the pope's Oct. 23 message to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. In the message, Pope John Paul said that over the last 50 years, new knowledge has emerged that shows the theory of evolution to be "more than a hypothesis." His point was that evolution was now accepted by a wide range of scientific disciplines doing independent re-

different Christian denominations."

search.

stained-glass

MITSUBISHI

6951 E.Independence 531-3131

During the renovation, Father Lamb Mass in the basement of the

celebrated

local Catholic Charities building.

The bomb

7001 E.Endependence

which caused approximately $3 million in damages, had lifted the

blast,

church's roof several inches off

blew out windows, including seven double-panel, the cathedral structure and

saints.

windows depicting

the

5354444

HYunoni 41 00 E.Independence

5354455

The Catholic News

December

Herald

St.

CHARLOTTE

6828 Old Reid Road 28210 (704) 554-7088

— Although

1995.

Along with adding more

Vicariate: Charlotte

Pastor: Msgr. William N. Pharr

% Permanent Deacons: Rev. Mr. Gerald Hickey, Rev. Mr. Kurt Fohn

Bishop Vincent Waters of Raleigh purchased land on Old Reid In 1961,

Road with

new

A gymnasium

was constructed on

tion of a trailer for use as office space.

Present pastor Msgr. William Pharr arrived at St. Vincent de Paul Church in June

Masses:

the intention of eventually

establishing a

Sat.:

5 p.m.; Sun.:

8, 9:30, 11 a.m.,

1991. During his pastorate, a three-phase

5 p.m.

The plan has resulted in improvements in parking and

building plan has been developed.

parish and school. site

temporary chapel and was dedicated to St. Vincent in October. Msgr. Michael Begley, pastor of St. Ann's who later served as the Charlotte Diocese's founding bishop, offered Mass at St. Vincent's. Benedictines from Belmont Abbey also celebrated Mass at the mission

Number

of parishioners:

Number

3148

households: 1137

landscaping, and the building of education and

to serve as a

As Charlotte's Catholic population Bishop Waters in June 1965 proclaimed St. Vincent de Paul a parish, with Father James steadily increased,

Noonan

activity

In to the

March 1976, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, an international ministry poor, was established at the church. Through personal counseling and

assistance to those in need, St. Vincent parishioners added this

form of out-

reach to an ever-expanding base of community involvement. remains very much a vital presence in parish life today.

The Society

its first

resident pastor.

Parish-level development quickly

Women's Guild and choir were formed, a nearby house was purchased for use as a rectory and office, and an expansion project was planned.

ensued: The

in the

Spring its

goal the expansion and rebuilding of its church facility. The fund drive is in its pledge stage and will run through December 1997. Msgr. Pharr shepherds a dedicated community of the faithful, whose members devote themselves to Christian action in a variety of ways. The Women's Guild has long been an anchor of the parish family, while such ministries and groups as the Knights of Columbus, a pre-school program, ACES (Active Caring Energetic Seniors), and Boy and Girl Scout troops all strive to enrich the existence of the Charlotte parish.

had become one of the North Carolina. With more than 650 registered families, the parish began work to construct a rectory and office complex, completed in 1980. The church hosted the Charlotte Diocese's 10th anniversary celebration in January 1982, and ecumenical gatherings begun in the late 1970s continued there as well. Carrying on its tradition of outreach, the parish in 1985 purchased Cherrycrest Haven, where people in crisis could find temporary housing in a compassionate atmosphere. The parish, through the work of the St. Vincent

wings were completed

of 1995. Currently, the parish has set as

the 1980s approached, St. Vincent de Paul

largest parishes in

church.

projects, minis-

and committees, the parish spent the latter half of the 1980s formulating plans for future expansion projects. One of the first such endeavors was the establishment of a building fund campaign, followed by another expansion of the social hall area and the addi-

tries

St.

inception in the early 1960s.

1996

de Paul Society, continued to operate Cherrycrest until the agency was dissolved in

Vincent de Paul

Charlotte, N.C.

Vincent de Paul began as a mission of nearby St. Ann parish in southwest Charlotte, the church family has experienced tremendous growth since its

13,

In 1966, the parish constructed a

more meeting room were inThe project added room

social hall to provide

space; a kitchen and cry

cluded as well.

which was developed that year and would remain in operation until the summer of for the parish kindergarten class,

1977. (The intent of establishing a pa-

rochial school

was eventually

dis-

missed, as the parish worked closely

with

St.

Ann's and

its

school over the

years.)

the 1960s passed and the '70s

were underway, parish

life continued be enhanced. By early 1972, when the Diocese of Charlotte was formed, some 2,000 Catholics called themselves St. Vincent de Paul parishioners. Continuing needs for additional space were met in October 1975, when another wing was dedicated by Bishop Begley. The addition yielded worship and storage space, classrooms, a nursery, meeting rooms, and the CCD of-

fice.

Cardinal Bernardin's Hat By HEIDI

SCHLUMPF

CHICAGO (CNS) — In church folklore, a cardinal's galero

—

the wide-

—

falls brimmed, ceremonial red hat from the cathedral ceiling when its late owner exits purgatory and enters heaven. If the popular wisdom in Chicago is

correct, the galero of the late Cardinal

Joseph L. Bernardin will have trouble even sticking to the ceiling of Holy

Name

Cathedral.

A solemn ceremony to hang the late cardinal's hat and add

to four other

galeros hanging over the sacristy

was

Headed To Cathedral

occur during a Dec. 14 Mass at the cathedral. The others belonged to Chicago prelates who also served in this century: Cardinals George Mundelein, Samuel Stritch, Albert Meyer and John P. Cody. There was some question about whether such a ceremony still is permissible. But Father Thomas Paprocki,

archdiocesan chancellor, said Second Vatican Council documents he read do not prohibit the custom of hoisting a

ished the galero as part of the official vesture of cardinals," Father Paprocki told

The New World archdiocesan news-

paper. In order to simplify the ceremo-

when Father Paprocki

and a group of priests gave him one as a gift. They ordered it from Gammarelli's, the official Roman purveyor of papal

and cardinals, he said, Pope Paul VI replaced the galero with a

clothing.

square-cornered red biretta.

hanging a cardinal's hat from the

But the galero remains a symbol of the office, he added. An image of the hat tops many prelates' coats of arms, and

of a cathedral began, but the action "symbolizes that this is a cathedral presided

the phrase "getting his red hat" nifies entrance into the

after his death.

dinals.

abol-

galero until 1993,

nial garb of popes

cardinal's galero to the cathedral rafters

"A 1969 Vatican document

Ceiling

still

sig-

College of Car-

Cardinal Bernardin did not

own

It is

unclear

when

the tradition of rafters

over by a cardinal archbishop," Father Paprocki said. Others have suggested that the hats were hung and left to decay as a reminder that cardinals, too, are

mere mortals.