www.charlettediocese.ors
"Behold, you
womb and
will
name him
shall
conceive
in
your
He
Jesus.
will
be
be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his great and
est
bear a son, and you
Children's books
will
kingdom there
will
be no end." Luke 1:31-33
DECEMBER 20,
2002
MMBMHMHMHNNMNMNHNHIM9I
giving
NEWS
&
HERALD VOLUME
new church By KEVIN
"With Maria,
MOCKSVILLE
— Over
for the
Bishop William G. Curlin,
In the Nativity ofthe
Lord 2002,
bishop emeritus, presided over
Mass
year
this
ofthe Rosary."
new
build-
15.
"Since 1958, when two first started the
families
church, the parish just began to grow," said Father
Andrew "When
Draper, T.O.R., pastor. I
arrived here three years ago
we had 84 families. Today, we have 180 families." ...
many
Mary Pope was one of "We
those original parishioners.
had Mass lies,
Our Lady
our houses, and
in
when we grew to 1 1 famiwe had Mass in the (local)
then
Vincentian Father Vincent in
dedicating the
ing Dec.
The Spanish-language Mass was celebrated by
of Guadalupe Church
Francis of
St.
Assisi Church.
them.
Finnerty, pastor of
new
ing in the
John Paul II
she has bestowed upon
gifts
illumi-
nated the parishioners celebrat-
Guadalupe. Prior to Mass, many paid tribute to Mary, the mother of Jesus, by placing red, yellow and white roses along with floral bouquets and poinsettias around the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Various Hispanic groups sang and danced, giving
Mary
stained-
windows, sunlight
glass
Christ's face.
6,000 Hispanics gathered at Cricket Arena Dec. 12 to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of
thanks to
MURRAY
Through an array of
MARY MARSHALL Correspondent
E.
Acting Edtor
we contemplate
CHARLOTTE
14
reflected in
in
Charlotte By
N9
12
Parish growth
Christmas Greetings
celebrate
6
...PAGE
SERVING CATHOLICS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA IN THE DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE
Thousands feast day
Christmas
for
armory
Char-
until
she
erty,"
we
got
this
prop-
said.
The new
church, which 300 people, replaces an
seats
older, ?
less
continue to be used as a
will
parish
CNS
said Father Draper.
tive countries.
Michael Roberts, a ninthSee FEAST DAY, page 11
dream
—
"They had
they wanted a
new
church building"
concelebrants
Guadalupe; and Father Jaime Gonzalez, associate pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mass began with a procession of flag bearers representing their na-
was the parishioners kept the church going,"
"It
who a
Vincentian Father Joseph Elzi, associate pastor at Our Lady of
had a recreational
This is a church," said Pope. "We've come a long way." building.
II, in his own hand, wrote the above greeting in Latin on his 2002 Christmas card that features the painting "Christmas" attributed to Antonio Longo.
with
hall.
"We
Photo
Pope John Paul
lotte,
accommodating
building on the property, which
crated by his love," the pope
Pope hopes Christmas celebrations
said Dec. 15.
highlight importance of family
He said the world
"needs a
sign of hope that should
JOHN THAVIS
from Christian
— As
highlight the importance of the family in modern society. "Christmas is the ideal
the Vatican took on a festive
feast of the family, because
lies
Pope John Paul II said he hoped this year's Christmas celebrations would
God, by being born into a hu-
By
Catholic
News Service
VATICAN CITY holiday
spirit,
man first
family, chose
community
it
The Mary to
come
families."
all
fulfilled
parish as well as the builders,
pontiff prayed to protect
The dream was
through a successful capital campaign and donations, and a lot of hard work on behalf of the
the fami-
of the world, especially those living in great poverty
said Father Draper.
'We've planned a long time, and
it's
for this for
been a
work on everybody's
lot
of
part to get
as the
to be conse-
Healing seen needed after Cardinal Law's resignation ...PAGE
i
4
See DEDICATION, page 10
See FAMILY, page 3
Mercy does
Parishioners keep
Sister of
Mexican traditions alive
God's work
...PAGE
5
in variety
of
roles ...RAGE
12
2 The Catholic
_
News & Herald
0
\/
T
I
d
December 20, 2002
Brief
111
Parish committee offers alternatives to violent toys at Christmas
PORTLAND,
Clergy sex abuse, Cardinal
— The
Ore. (CNS)
Peace and Justice Committee of St. Clare Parish in Portland is hoping to change
—
Law voted top story, newsmaker of 2002
by Noting there is no easy solution to the complex issue of human violence, the committee has for the past
clergy sex abuse of minors as the top
12 years distributed a
With 32
the tolerance level for violence
changing
toys.
of alternative nonviolent toys at Christmas time to their church members and beyond. "What a different
list
and ugly world we
live in
where
children are kidnapped and murdered, snipers are a fact, children are murderers
and our country wants to go to war without provocation with a tiny country," said this year's
committee statement ac-
companying the list. The committee relies on the toy expertise of students and teachers at St Clare School to update the list each year. They also seek advice from Portland-area toy stores that feature nonviolent toys and the Lion & Lamb Project of Bethesda,
Md. This
year's
list,
with
more than 200 suggestions for nonviolent toys, can be found on the church's
Web
site:
www.saintclarechurch.org.
religious
B.
the response to terrorism worldwide. ballots cast, 31 of the editors picked clergy sex abuse of minors as the top story of the year. The final ballot
submitted named the Dec. 13 resignation of Cardinal Bernard F. Law as archbishop of Boston as a write-in choice as the top story. In voting for the top newsmaker of 2002, Cardinal Law was the top choice over Pope John Paul II, who has won the poll most often in recent years. Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleville, III, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, was third, just half a point behind the pope. The poll was the 41st annual survey of editors of Catholic News Service client newspapers. This year's ballots were distributed Dec. 4 and the deadline for returns was Dec. 13.
Does the name
Plowman
Rosary raised on streets of Caracas
A Venezuelan woman raises a rosary against a backdrop of some
1
Christmas
million
demonstrators on the highways of Caracas, Venezuela, Dec. 14. More than a week of nationwide strikes have left food and gasoline in short supply, as protestors called for the resignation of President Hugo Chavez and new elections.
news story of 2002, followed
by the possible war against Iraq and
The CNS photo by William
—
WASHINGTON
(CNS) In a vote just one point short of unanimous, Catholic editors chose the scandal over
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The
& H
December
Volume
12
t R
2002
20,
•
Publisher: Msgr. Mauricio
Number
14
West
Graphic Designer: Tim Faragher Advertising Representative: Cindi Feerick
11
Beason
23 South Church
Mail:
P.O.
St.,
Box 37267,
Charlotte,
Charlotte,
NC 28203 NC 28237
Phone: (704) 370-3333 FAX: (704) 370-3382 E-mail: catholicnews@charlottediocese.org
The Catholic News & Herald, USPC 007-393, is published Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1 1 23 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203, 44 times a year, weekly except for Christmas week and Easter week and every two weeks during June, July and August for $1 5 per year for enrollees in parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte and $18 per year for all other subscribers. Second-class postage paid at Charlotte NC and by the
other cities.
POSTMASTER: Send
The Catholic News & Herald, P.O. Box 37267,
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Secretary: Sherill
3
Diocesan
NEWS
to
28237.
ring true.
1 485 to Hwv 521 (Johnston Rdj and go south appro*. 5 miles. Shortly after crossing the state line, turn left at the BP station. Go *i mile and turn left into Zimmcr Business
Take
titles!
January 2 WINSTON-SALEM
—
The
Healing Companions is a grief support group for the bereaved. They will be meeting tonight and Jan. 16 in Conference Room B at St. Leo the Great Church, 335 Springdale Ave. For more details, call Joanne Parcel (336) 924-9478. 3 WAYNESVILLE St. John the Evangelist Church, 234 Church St., offers today and the first Friday of
—
the month Eucharistic adoration. Call (828) 456-6707 for more
Fort Mill,
SC 29715
WINSTON-SALEM
— Our Lady of
Fatima ChapeL 211 West 3rd St., will have Eucharistic adoration today and every first Friday at 11:30 a.m. followed by devotions. Our Lady of Mercy, 1918 S Main St., will have Eucharistic adoration on at 7:30 p.m. Call (336)
questions.
5
ANDREWS
—
Wednesdays
722-7001 with
Church, 214 Aquone Rd, is celebrating a weekly Mass in Spanish today at 3:30 p.m. Call (828) 321-4463 for fur-
5
ebrating a charismatic and healing Mass today at 4 p.m. Prayer and worship with prayer teams will be available at 3 p.m., and a potluck dinner will follow the Mass. Father John
Putnam, pastor, will be the celebrant. For more information, call Bill Owens (704) 639-9837.
6 Holy Redeemer
ther details.
CHARLOTTE
—
15% DISCOUNT OK ALL ITEMS
Monday to Friday 10 am to S pm Saturday: 10 am to 1 cm CatholicCompany.com PHONE (704) 341 0854 eat. 226 .J
Stout HOURS:
The
St.
Maximilian Kolbe Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order will be gathering today at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Consolation Church, 2301 Statesville Ave. Those interested in learning more
CHARLOTTE — Christians
reer Transition
is
in
Ca-
a ministry of St.
Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne
Commons Pkwy, devoted to helping people in career crises. The meeting will be tonight and Jan. 20 (1st and 3rd Mondays of every month) from 7 9 p.m. in the conference room. For further information, call Rev. Mr. Jim Hamrlik (704) 576-0456.
6 CHARLOTTE
—
Great Church, 335 Springdale Ave., will have adoration and benediction today and die first Friday of each month from -5 p.m. All are invited to spend 9 some time with the Blessed Sacrament
about the
SFO
way of
are invited to attend.
Mood (704) 545-8133. Sacred Heart 5 SALISBURY
The bereavement support group will meet tonight from 6 - 7:30 p.m. and every first Monday in the family room at St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd. This support group is for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. For
Questions? Call (336) 724-0561.
Church, 128 N. Fulton
more
information.
3 WINSTON-SALEM
— St Leo
am
the
and the Franciscan For additional information, call Skyler life
—
St., will
be
cel-
details, call
Ruth Posey (704)
December 20, 2002
The World
Marians launch monthly 'pope days' at Stockbridge shrine
75 people at a book signing for
his book,
ception at the National Shrine of the
"The Secrets of Jesuit Soupmaking: A Year of Our Soups," at a Brooklield bookstore. The book includes anecdotes and stories before each of the 60 soup recipes
Divine Mercy
Stockbridge have
appropriate for the seasons of Advent,
launched monthly "pope days" to honor the legacy of Pope John Paul II during the 25th anniversary year of his election as pope. The days will be held on the third Saturday of each month, culminating on Oct. 18, 2003, the Saturday closest to Pope John Paul's 25th anniversary as pope on Oct. 16, 2003.
Christmas, Lent and Easter. His favorites
—
STOCKBRIDGE, The
Mass. (CNS) Marians of the Immaculate Con-
Each day
in
will include a presentation
The Catholic News & Herai
in Brief
Nick visits
St.
X
St. Pius
include French onion, Irish potato and broccoli, and orange and tomato soup. According to Brother Curry, the secret of Jesuit soup making is the way one ap-
proaches the task ing of
God
how
—
to teach
in the simplest
"the gradual unfold-
young men
to find
of things."
on
the pope, recitation of the rosary and
Mass at the shrine. Vatican officials ask for Christian access to
celebration of
FAMILY,
Bethlehem for Christmas
from page 1
VATICAN CITY
and other
(CNS)
— Pope
John Paul II asked Israeli President Moshe Katsav to ensure Christians Christmas in can celebrate Bethlehem, which has been under Israeli occupation and a curfew since late November. The pope and Katsav, the
first Israeli
president to visit the
met Dec. 12. "The president promised" the pope that if there were no new "warnings of terror operaVatican,
tions, the Israeli Defense Forces will redeploy outside Bethlehem and, in any event, the IDF will do everything possible to enable pilgrims to cel-
ebrate the festivities as appropriate," said a press statement from the Israeli Embassy after the meeting. The
pope and president talked
difficult situations.
"May every
family nucleus open
the doors to the Lord
who
The pope
his
tivity scenes in churches was an important one in Italy. The Christmas creche, or "presepio," should be-
City, recently
370-3238.
6
—
CLEMMONS
Holy Family Church, 4820 Kinnamon Rd., is celebrating a charismatic Mass tonight at 7:30 p.m. The sacrament of reconbe given at 7 p.m. and the laying on of hands will take place after Mass. The next Mass will be celciliation will
ebrated on Feb. 3. Need more details? Call (336) 778-0600 or Jim Passero
(336)998-7503.
7
CHARLOTTE
— The
regularly
scheduled cancer support group meeting for survivors, family and friends will be held today at St.
Matthew
Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., and every first Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the office building conference room. For additional information, call
Marilyn Borrelli (704) 542-2283. 8 CHARLOTTE The 50+ Club of
—
St.
John Neumann Church, 8451
Idlewild Rd., will be conducting a
meeting
this
morning
at
1
1
a.m. with a
program and lunch in the parish center. For more information, call Bobbe
Christmas gathering of
St.
Pius
X
Church
Helping Seniors/Others Live at
period
this
in
visits
with young
15 faith formation
Winston-Salem.
"The mountains shall yield peace
Home
for the people."
Psalm 72:3
"the center of
the classroom
—
spoke to about
Nicholas, portrayed by Rev. Mr. Ron Steinkamp, Hannah Palladino and other parishioners at the Dec.
come during
Pope John Paul Peter's Square,
JESUIT HOUSE OF PRAYER HOT SPRINGS, NC
and the heart of your family," he said. The pope remarked on
HQ44B4MCH
"the climate of
"AT HOME" Living Assistance
Christmas"
*
that seemed to be sweeping over St.
days as a novice, Jesuit Brother
New York
Courtesy Photo
St.
Nahomes, schools and
Soup's always on for
From
at
said the tradition of
other privately for 16 minutes before Katsav presented the .nine members of his entourage and gave Pope John Paul a leather-bound copy of "The Golden Book of Psalms" in Hebrew and English.
Rick Curry recalled the satisfaction of 'looking at the joy and pleasure my day had brought my brothers as they chowed down a delicious bowl of soup I labored over during the day." Brother Curry, of
come
special papal blessing.
to each
this Jesuit brother BROOKFIELD, Wis. (CNS)
will
Christmas to bring the world joy, peace and love," he said. The pope made his comments from his apartment window to several thousand people gathered in St. Peter's Square. The crowd included hundreds of children who held aloft Nativityscene figures of the baby Jesus for a
II
where the Vatican's
• •
•
and where an
85-foot-tall
fir
Situated
•
Housekeeping
•
Transportation Personal Care
Licensed
peace and beauty haven for quiet prayer and reflection.
Ignatian directed retreats Private retreats
Group
— Bonded — Insured
Call:
Conlin (704) 643-1376 or Gloria
(828) 586-9496 with questions.
Silipigni (704) 821-1343.
13 FRANKLIN
10 WINSTON-SALEM
—
St. Leo the Great Church, 335 Springdale
Ave., will be kicking off their 75th
Anniversary with a Bingo-hamburger-hot dog event today in the Bishop Begley Parish Center. Come join us for a fun-filled evening cosponsored by St. Theresa's Guild and the Knights of Columbus. Call (336) 724-0561 with any questions. 1 1
GREENSBORO
—
St.
Paul
Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Rd., will have the third Chili Cook-Off at 6 p.m. today.
For those
interested in the
competition, there will be a sign up sheet near the Sister Parish bulletin
board in the lobby of Fellowship Hall. Call Colleen Assal (336) 294-4696 or Ken Kaczmarek (336) 294-2558 with questions or to volunteer to help. 1 1 SYLVA The Lay Carmelites of St. Mary, 22 Bartlett St., offer inquiry classes on the second Saturday of the month following: the 9 a.m. Mass. Call
—
Guild of
St.
Women's
Francis of Assisi Church,
299 Maple monthly meeting tonight at 7 p.m. in the Family Life Center. The meetings feaSt., will be
having their
ture guest speakers and special events periodically.
For more information,
call
Claire Barnable (828) 369-1565.
MARS HILL
15
—
St.
Andrew
Church, 149 Brook St., is offering classes focusing on issues related to Catholic morality today and once a month from 7 - 9 p.m. "Conscience Formation" is today's topic. Contact Ann Stowe to register for classes. (828) 645-9698. 15 St. John the Baptist Church, 600 Laurel Ave., hosts Eucharistic Holy Hour today and every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. ending with benediction. Eucharistic Adoration is every first Friday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Call (828) 859-9574 with questions.
TRYON
19
—
CHARLOTTE
unborn at St.
— A Mass
for the
be celebrated toda}' at 3 p.m. Gabriel Church, 3016 Pro\idence will
retreats
828-622-7366
e-mail: vpaul@madison.main.nc.us
from Croatia was already standing.
— The
the heart of Pisgah National
offer the perfect
704-509-1923
tree
in
Forest, the area's
New-Mom Care Also
gi-
ant Nativity scene was under construction
Meals * Errands Laundry
Welcoming all Christians seeking prayer and quiet in a busy life
Rd. All are welcome. Call (704)3645481 for further information.
22 GUILFORD COUNTY Ancient
Order
of
— The
Hibernians
Guilford County Division, the oldest and largest order of Irish Catholic men, is looking for more Irish Catholic men to join them for meetings,
educational seminars and social events. For time and location call Michael Slane (336) 665-9264.
26 HENDERSONVILLE
— The
St.
Francis of the Hills Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order will meet today from 3-5 p.m. at Immaculate
Conception Church, 208 7th Ave. West. Visitors are welcome. For further details, call Helen Gillogly, (828) 883-9645.
27
NEWTON — The Little Flowers
Catholic Girls'
Group
is
for
all
Catho-
ages five and up. The group will meet today at St. Joseph Church, 720 West 13th St., at 4 p.m. in the lic
girls
Holy Family Hall. For details, Debbie Vickers (828) 495-2039.
call
4
The Catholic News & Herald
recognized as capable of handing this crisis quickly and correctly," said Father Reese in a statement.
Healing seen needed after
In a
NEWS SERVICE
—
WASHINGTON
Catholics na-
tionwide expressed hope that the resig-
Law
nation of Cardinal Bernard F.
as
archbishop of Boston will begin a needed healing process after a year of sex abuse scandals.
But many also warned that healing be a long and difficult process. 'This is not a time of rejoicing, but of hope that the church in Boston will conwill
tinue to rededicate itself to the protection
of children and to reconciliation of victims of abuse by clergy," said Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington in a statement.
Cardinal Law's resignation was ac-
cepted Dec. 13 by Pope John Paul
who named Boston
II,
Auxiliary Bishop
Richard G. Lennon as apostolic administrator.
pledge to do all that I can with the help of the bishops, priests, deacons, religious and laity of the archdiocese, to work toward healing as a church," "I
Bishop Lennon said in a statement. He also said he would pray for the victims and families harmed by clergy sex abuse.
Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleville,
111.,
president of the U.S. bish-
ops, said that Cardinal
Law
in his
M. Mahony of Los
Cardinal Roger
nearly
Angeles said Cardinal Law's resignation is part of a "difficult and painful year" for U.S. Catholics.
His statement also discussed his curb clergy sex abuse. 'We believe we have been effective. No priest or employee of the archdiocese who was ever determined to have abused a minor is allowed to serve in
policies to
ministry in this archdiocese," said Cardi-
Mahony.
nal
Edward M. Egan of New
Cardinal
York
issued a statement offering prayers
Law and
for Cardinal
Boston. Other church leaders offering prayers included Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, Cardinal Adam J. Maida of Detroit, Bishop Daniel A. Hart of Norwich, Conn., and Archbishop Harry J. Flynn of St. Paul-Minneapolis,
chairman of the bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse. Archbishop Flynn also urged all to pray that Cardinal Law's resignation "is another step, along with the U.S. bishops' 'Charter for the Protection of Chil-
dren and Young People' that will advance the healing from this tragic chapter" in the history of the U.S. church. "As leaders of the church, it is our solemn duty to enforce the charter, restore trust and assure that
contributions to the bishops' conference."
young person or vulnerable
He
put
added that
his prayers "are
moment"
at this
with him
as well as with the
archdiocese and Bishop Lennon.
Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes of
New
Orleans issued a statement calling
the cardinal's resignation "this self-sacrificial
act of his"
aimed
at healing.
Cardinal William H. Keeler of Balti-
more,
in
urging healing, said that "trust is not the
has been betrayed. Yet this
time to turn away."
no
adult
of America magazine and author of books on the workings of the Vatican and the U.S. church, said the future of Boston depends on who is named to
Coyne
career
WASHINGTON
(CNS)
—
Before
he became so deeply embroiled in the clergy sexual abuse scandal that forced his resignation Dec. 13, Cardinal Bernard F. Law of Boston was one of America's most powerful and respected bishops with a career of notable accomplishments. He had long been a leading church spokesman on issues ranging from civil rights to international justice, from abortion to poverty, from CatholicJewish relations and ecumenism to war
and peace.
was
It
his proposal for a
worldwide
said.
Sen.
Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass.,
cat-
echism, in a speech
said in a statement that the resignation
at
was
extraordinary
"the right thing to do" during a
period "of great turmoil in our church."
1985
the
Synod of Bishops marking the 20th
Voice of the Faithful, a now-interna-
formed Boston when the clergy sex abuse scandal broke there last January, said it
tional lay Catholic organization
anniversary of the
in
end of the Second Vatican Council,
Cardinal
stands ready to help draft "a blueprint to
Law
heal the Catholic Church."
A
statement by the organization's
tnat i e(j to develop-
ment of
the "Cat-
echism of the Catholic Church." Cardinal Law also oversaw the first drafting of an
James Post, urged Bishop Lennon, temporary administrator of the archdiocese, "to hear us and act in a spirit of collaboration and collegiality with the laity, survivors and clergy" of
president,
English translation of the catechism
and unsuccessfully defended the
Catholic ° Social
inclu-
ultimately rejected and ordered rewritten.
!
1123 South Church Si. NC 28203 www.cssnc.org Charlotte,
Executive Director: Elizabeth Thurbee (704) 370-3227 Refugee Office: Cira Ponce (704) 370-6930 Justice & Peace: Joe Purello(704) 370-3225 Special Ministries: Gerard A. Carter (704) 370-3250 '
will
Barbara Blaine, founder and president of the Survivors Network of those Abused
MOVING?
Charlotte Region: 1123 South Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28203 Area Director: Geri King (704) 370-6155 Western Region: 50 Orange Street, Asheville, NC 28801 Area Director: Sister Marie Frechette (828) 255-0146 Piedmont-Triad: 621 W. Second Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27108 Area Director: David Harold (336) 727-0705
Greensboro Satellite Office: (336) 274-5577 High Point Hispanic Center: (336) 884-5858 For information
on
specific programs, please call your local office.
Take us with you! Please help us reduce postal fees give us your
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NC 28203
6951 E. Independence Blvd
7001 E. Independence Blvd.
this info to:
531-3131
535.4444
catholicnews @ charlottediocese.org
Thank you.
Frank LaPointe,
President,
—
sive-language version that the Vatican
the archdiocese.
SERVICE
.
need to find someone who has instant credibility in Boston with the people, the clergy and the media, someone who will be immediately
by Priests, said the healing process "will be long and tortuous" and that Catholics must be prepared for more painful disclosures on the "rocky road to recovery."
cardinal's illustrious church
a signal to bish-
ever
harm's way again," he said. Jesuit Father Thomas Reese, editor
'The Vatican
is
child, is
in
succeed Cardinal Law.
Sex abuse scandal marred
interview, Father Reese
ops that clergy sex abuse of minors "is something that the pope takes very seriously that they have to deal with, that if they don't deal with it, then heads will roll." In Boston, Father Christopher Coyne, archdiocesan spokesman, said at a Dec. 13 press conference that the resignation was "one more moment of sadness" in the events touching the Boston church, including the abuse of victims and the failure to deal with the abuse. "It just shows to all of us how the effects of evil can spread and be allencompassing in so many ways," Father.
the Catholics of
30 years as a bishop "has made many
PBS
said the resignation
Cardinal Law's resignation By CATHOLIC
December 20, 2002
the New*
In
Member of St.
Gabriel Church
December 20, 2002
The Catholic News & Herald 5
Around the Diocese
Parishioners keep Mexican
Light brightens
traditions alive
immigrants' plight
NELLENBACH
By JOANITA M.
Correspondent
— The 24-man
ANDREWS
group,
wiping the sweat from their faces, ran down Aquone Road and up the steep concrete steps in front of the church, singing
One
"Guadalupana."
carried the torch, an-
other the banner with the image of
Our
Lady of Guadalupe.
At the top of the steps, with other parishioners crowding around, Jose Ponce held out the torch so Father Michael Kottar, pastor of Holy Redeemer Church, could light a thick white candle that would be placed in front of
Our Lady
the picture of
of Guadalupe
already enshrined in the church.
Father Kottar asked like to freshen
up
if
the
men would
after their run,
but they
were eager to begin the Dec. 12 Mass in honor of Mary, the mother of Jesus. They carried the banner and die candle down Holy Redeemer's center aisle, standing the banner in the sanctuary and placing the candle amid bouquets of roses. The banner and the torch had been carried in a procession of vehicles and running men 18 miles from St. William Church in Murphy to Holy Redeemer in Andrews. The men had taken turns running the distance, but all had run the last mile to the church.
This is the first year that Holy Redeemer has held such a celebration, but it's a custom they knew in Mexico and are keeping alive in Western North Carolina
Courtesy Photo
Approximately 30 members of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in Charlotte help carry a torch Nov. 29 on a small portion of its 3,133-mile journey from the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Runners from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border have accompanied the torch since leaving Mexico City Oct. 29. It arrived in New York Dec. 12, the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The event was sponsored by the Tepeyac Association of New York, a nonprofit agency uniting the efforts of 40 community organizations serving immigrants from Mexico. Father Vincent Finnerty, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, said the torch's pilgrimage "calls attention to the plight of the immigrant in this country." The Charlotte runners carried the torch to Winston-Salem Nov. 30, where other runners took it to New York via Washington, Delaware and New Jersey.
—
processing to a church to
honor Our Lady of Guadalupe. "In my town, a bunch of people gather and they go to the basilica (in Mexico City)," said Holy Redeemer parishioner Jose Escobar. 'They do prayers and dance outside the basilica."
He had
started the celebration day
with other Hispanic parishioners, praying
—
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and singing
in the
church from 5:30-6:30
am. At some churches, he said, people pray all night. Escobar worked all day at his carpenter's job; other parishioners
would
spend at least part of the day preparing the evening's feast they will share in the church hall. The meal would feature arroz con polio (chicken and rice) and posole, a spicy red-brothed soup rich with pork and purple Indian corn. In Escobar's native
Almoloya de
honor Mary by walking a week to Mexico City, arriving on the feast day, Dec. 12. Holy Redeemer parishioner Santiago Sanchez also knows the custom well and wants to keep it alive here. People walk from his town, Vera Cruz, a six-hour drive, but to Mexico City a two-day walk. People take turns, Alquisiras, Mexico, people
—
a while then sleeping in the cars.
The
trek doesn't
stop until they reach the basilica.
So
Sanchez
and
his
fiance,
Charlaina Rice, with help from Holy
John Corapi, S.O.L.T. Is Comin' To Town!!
Fri.
Feb. 14th
Sat. Feb. 15th
28602
St.
year
we
celebrate this."
Gabriel Catholic Church
Charlotte,
For
Redeemer parishioner Maria Seqile, organized Holy Redeemer's first Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. "This is very important to the people of Mexico," Sanchez said. "Every
7:00pm to 8:30pm 9:30am to 4:00pm
Tickets:
North Carolina
Mail $10 per person to
DeLuca 10850 Sam Black Road Terri
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Please Note: This event
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Deacons and Religious are
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ccc@twave.net
Redeemer Church in Andrews with the Our Lady of Guadalupe banner and torch they carried in an 18-mile procession from St. William Church in Murphy.
accompanying
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December 20, 2002
The Catholic News & Herald
Read! ng$
Book Review
Children's books for
Word to Life
Christmas gift-giving Reviewed by Catholic
News Service
WASHINGTON
— The Mowing
books are suitable for Christmas
gift-
"Lullaby of the Virgin of Guadalupe,"
by Carlos Caban. Bright Sky Press (Albany, Texas, 2002). 32
by Kelly Stuart,
troll
lives across the river. Ferris' tale includes
illustrated
rhyming
Stuart's
the story of St.
tells
end that
Juan Diego and the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe, ending with a lullaby Stuart wrote as
Jean Ferns
will
keep read-
ers turning pages.
Ages
10-13.
A Daugh-
"Just Jane:
England Caught
a tribute to the Virgin.
ter of
Short rhymes every two
the Struggle of the Ameri-
pages combined with
can Revolution," by William Lavender. Gulliver Books (San Diego, 2002). 275 pp., $17. "When the orphaned teen-age daughter of a
soft, colorful illustrations
diis especially ap-
propriate as a readaloud book for young
Ages
children.
2-6.
British earl
"Ten Amazing People
and
the World," by
Maura
middle
of America's struggle for indepen-
dence from England.
2002). 48
Vt.,
Jane Prentice
pp., $17.95.
Moving
beyond
who might change life,
its
to tives
the war.
a
full-page illustrations, "fascinating facts" boxes, timelines
pull-out definitions
make
it
and
so attrac-
be immediately. Using inter-
tive graphically that children will
drawn
to
it
esting vignettes,
Shaw weaves
stories
about leaders such as Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Oglala Lakota Sioux leader Black Elk, Catholic worker Dorothy
Day
and
Anglican
Desmond Tutu,
Archbishop
anti-apartheid activ-
She chooses a diverse group of amazing people and sets their accomist.
a sensi-
— — on both
people
bright,
is
young woman, able empathize with
tive
the premise that this book deals with important, influential people child's
to live
with relatives, she finds herself caught in the
D.
illustrated by Shaw, Stephen Marchesi. Skylight Paths Publishing
(Woodstock,
comes
South Carolina to
How They Changed
including relasides of
As she
struggles
"Every
Day
Inc.
(San Diego, 2002). 266
—
Here
an enchanting little fairy tale part comedy, part love story, part is
in
Their Hour of
Need Since 1926
Not long ago my students read an essay by Barbara Kingsolver and a short excerpt of "Angela's Ashes" by Frank McCourt. After a good bit of discussion, I asked the students to write their
with the members group.
—
broken.
The readings for diis last Sunday of Advent culminate in the message the angel Gabriel announces to Mary. Moreover, Mary makes a promise she* will keep for the rest of her life when she says: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."
After much writing, revision, rewriting and editing the final drafts were finished. The students then read their final drafts in a somewhat larger group where they discussed each
and chose the best one. best-of-group winners proudly
other's essays
read to the whole class.
Weekly Scripture l?J
lifiv
-
—
(St.
2:2,
John),
Matthew
John
1
1:1-4,
John 20:2-8; Saturday (Holy Innocents),
1
John
2:13-18
Bible story of three to six paragraphs,
A
vanced beginners.
Scriptural cita-
tion allows adults to explore the story in
depth
if
interested. Colorful,
lively illustrations
frame each story.
Scripture for the week of December 29 - January 4 Sunday (Holy Family), Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14, Colossians 3:12-21, Luke 2:22-40; Monday, 1 John 2:12-17, Luke 2:36-40; Tuesday (St. Sylvester), 1 John 2:18-21, John 1:1-18; Wednesday (Mary, Mother of God), Numbers 6:22-27, Galatians 4:47, Luke 2:16-21; Thursday (Sts. Basil and Gregory), 1 John 2:22-28, John 1:19-28; Friday, 3:7-10,
All ages.
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—
1 John 2:29 John 1:35-42
3:6,
John 1:29-34; Saturday
(St.
Elizabeth
Ann
Seton),
1
John
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or personal they would share of their writing
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"stand firm forever."
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builder, will be a end in the Messiah the promised one who will be righteous and just and serve God as no other person has. The promised dynasty or house of David will
dynasty that
but sometimes I wonder, do we really understand the definition's deep
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Of course, we
day of the year. Each date contains a
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not be done.
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more
pages, $17.
know
Scripture for the week of December 22 December 28 Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Advent), 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-11, 16, Romans 16:2527, Luke 1:26-38; Monday (Late Advent Weekday), Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24, Luke 1:57-66; Tuesday (Vigil of Christmas), Isaiah 62:1-5, Acts 13:16-17, 22-25, Matthew 1:1-25; Wednesday (The Nativity of the Lord), Isaiah 9:1-6, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14; Thursday (St. Stephen), Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59, Matthew 10:17-22;
ers or as a fairly easy read for adHarcourt
News Service
emphatically assures one that action will or will
David
proposes to build a house for "the ark of God." God, however, wants to be the architect and builder. God has a fabulous design that reaches far beyond David's imagined place of worship. David's "house" in the mind of
by Anna C. Leplar. Tyndale House Publishers Inc. (Carol Stream, III., 2002). 384 pp., $19.95. Dorling Kindersley Limited and Our Sunday Visitor have combined to produce the Catholic edition of a tion, illustrated
6-1
Ferris.
Catholic
children.
In today's first reading
Bible Stories," Catholic Edi-
suitable for reading aloud to nonread-
"Once Upon a Marigold," by Jean
students share incredibly painful
on our
promise, according to the dictionary, is a declaration or a vow that
with her loyalties, she also struggles with the emotions facing any teen-age girl. Adventure, romance and action pack this coming-of-age story. Ages 1 1-up.
plishments in the perspective of the time period in which they lived. Ages 1.
89:2-5, 27, 29
Romans
A
The
sto-
listened to
painful effects broken promises have
7:1-5,
By BEVERLY CORZINE
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Psalm
Samuel
2
16:25-27 3) Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
in
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my heart as
clutched
8b-12, 14a, 16 2)
ing through the palace. Ferris tells a delightful story with a twist at the
and sibling
ries
memories of divorce, of neglect and of broken promises that still hurt. I wondered if we have any idea of the
1)
loving king and a somewhat unusual princess who likes to read Greek myths and has no interest in the suitors parad-
pp., $14.94.
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Sunday of Advent Cycle B Readings: Dec. 22, Fourth
who
of the essays were
lighthearted and dealt with hilarious incidents
who
about a young boy adventure runs away from home, lives with a and falls in love with the princess
a wicked stepmother, doting siblings, a
giving.
story
Readings: Dec. 22, 2002
—
BARB FRAZE
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f
The Catholic News & Herald 7
nfertainment
Trekking familiar frontiers
a grand adventure
still
By
that never rotates and so has a perpetu-
DALE WILKER
Catholic News
Service
NEW YORK — "Star Trek: Nem(Paramount)
another satisfyingly familiar, if predictable, sci-fi adventure for the crew of the Starship Enterprise in the continuing movie series. Diesis"
is
ally
dark side where truly hideous crea-
work in slave mines under the thumb of their Romulan masters. tures
Upon
franchise to deliver a film that goes
is amazed Romulans are now actually led by Shinzon (Tom Hardy), a near-human clone of Picard himself, who professes to want peace, but is actually plotting with his Reman viceroy (Ron
where every "Star Trek" fan has gone before, but hardly explores any new
Pearlman) to kidnap Picard, destroy the Enterprise and, ultimately, the Earth
frontiers.
with a radiation device that desiccates everything it touches.
rector Stuart Baird sticks to the tried
and true formulas of the "Star Trek"
In this installment, the cast
and
Picard
characters of the television series "Star
Trek:
The Next Generation"
are re-
united to attend the marriage of Officer Riker (Jonathan Frakes) to counselor Troi (Mariana Sirtis). Before the second half of the his-and-hers, dual-planet ceremony can be completed, the Enterprise is dispatched on a diplomatic mission to respond to unusual peace overtures to the Federation from its erstwhile enemies, the Romulans. Unbeknownst to Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his crew, the ruling Romulan senate has been assassinated by Remans and their Romulan military collaborators who seek a war with the Federation. Remans
come from
a sister planet to
Romulus
his arrival, Picard
to find that the
is
naturally
drawn
to his
younger clone, who symbiotically thinks and feels his every thought and emotion. But Picard's philosophical nature-vsnurture debate with his nemesis fails to persuade Shinzon to desist from his evil ways or to aspire to be more like Picard's exemplar. A subplot involving the discovery of an inferior prototype android clone of Lt.
Cmdr. Data (Brent Spiner)
reinforces
CNS
PHOTO COURTESY MlRA MAX FlLMS
Violence overflows in 'Gangs' Leonardo DiCaprio stars in a scene from "Gangs of
New York" by Conference of Catholic Bishops classification morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America
Miramax
O
is
—
rating
is
Films.
R—
The
U.S.
restricted.
theme, provides comic relief and a touch of pathos. this
When and
words fail, the battle is joined fought to the death between the
is
good versus evil and the human (and not-so-hu-
struggle within
to overcome baser instincts and recognize the higher, nobler purposes of existence in a decidedly
man) nature
rival starships.
As with other
"Star Trek" stories,
too, is a morality play
this,
forces of
about the
multicultural universe.
The message
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battle scenes to satiate
—
enough the action fan and
wrapped
in
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Trekkies
who come
and an implied wedding-night encounter, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishadults and adolesops rating is A-II
—
cents.
Picture Association of
—
PG-13 strongly cautioned. Some
America rating
is
parents are
material
be inappropriate for children under
to
just to hear
The Motion
Wilker
is
a guest reviewer for
tlie
may 13.
U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops'
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The Catholic News & Herald
Mary's I
The Pope
gift:
December 20, 2002
& Columns
Editorials
Christmas forever
hold a beautiful book in
my
hand, a
gift
of
my
daughter-in-law Sue several Christmases ago. It is visually striking, with reproductions of paintings by the old
Speaks
man left alone. Mary is always nearby, with her Son. The birth of Jesus is related briefly and simply in the
Gospels, yet the artists portray his coming as a mystical event that hinges on Mary's presence. While the paintings of the Nativity and the flight into Egypt bring
POPE JOHN PAUL
II
By CINDY
VATICAN CITY prayer, repentance
WOODEN attitudes of
God
in prepara-
and openness to
same
attitudes that
people's lives as diey wait for Christ to
must come
Pope John Paul II said. "Our whole lives must be an Advent,' a vigilant waiting for the definitive coming of Christ," the pope said Dec. 18 at his last weekly general again,
CNS
Columnist
legends that became embellished stories down the centuries. As an example, in some renderings of the flight into Egypt men are seen in the background sowing seeds or
way. G. Scott Sparrow, a psychotherapist many of these stories for a new book he calls "Sacred Encounters With Mary" (Thomas More Publishing, 2002), which carries an imprimatur by Bishop Charles V. Grahmann
cutting corn.
of Dallas, Texas.
The
— The Advent
always near her Son and always will be. of the paintings were no doubt inspired by
is
Some
News Service
tion for Christinas are the
mark
lives
ANTOINNETTE BOSCO
Joseph into the scene, it is Mary who is the key here, seducing you by her expression to stand in awe before her baby. I think the artists had a vision that the centuries have verified: Mary, who made Christmas happen,
Pope says people's Advent attitudes
Catholic
Line
masters of Mary, the mother of Jesus. In all the scenes, from the Nativity right to the cross, never is the child or the
should mark their whole
The Bottom
story goes that
when
the holy family
Mary
him that if anyone came by asking if they had come by, he was to say, "They passed this way when I was sowing this corn." During the night, miraculously, the seed sprouted, with plants fully grown and ears ripe, ready for the gathering. As the surprised man was reaping his crop, corn.
who
was
rushing into Egypt to escape Herod's men who were out to kill the baby Jesus, they came to a field where a man
was sowing
in a startiing
told
also a spiritual mentor, has collected
is
In most
sons
who
all
Sparrow
the stories
relates,
ible beauty.
I love." She comes most often to someone undergoing hardships, and her presence leaves them with profound joy. They all learn from her that she wants to be imitated, and to do that means "becoming active in the world in a way that uplifts and heals
"Because
others."
'. .
audience of 2002.
Herod's
According to the Vatican, the 46 general audiences held in 2002 were attended by a total of more
than 410,000 people. During the audience, the pope thanked the
people of Croatia for the grand Christmas tree standing in St Peter's Square and for the smaller
adorning the Vatican's audience hall. The trees, he said, will remind visitors "of die
trees
mystery of the Incarnation, which brightened die horizons of humanity with a new hope." "May the light of such hope help the people and nations of our time to recognize, in the baby born in Bethlehem, Emmanuel, God with us, and welcome him into their daily lives," he said Croatian President Stipe Mesic,
Rome
who came
men
arrived, asking
escaped family.
was sowing suit of the
He answered
this corn."
men
Herod's
if and
With
when he had
seen the
when
truthfully, "Yes,
that
much
I
of a time lapse,
decided to turn back, stopping their pur-
holy family.
Most Catholics know of the many times and places like Lourdes and where Mary has come back to earth to be seen and heard, bearing the good news Fatima of her Son's love for us. What may be somewhat surpris-
—
—
ing
Mary
that
is
also brings her presence to individuals
it
hear his message.
manner
in a
it
—
that will appropriately address
one's overall estate plan, as well as the needs of their
parish or the Diocese of Charlotte.
GINA RHODES
with great enthusiasm, asking little
Director of Planned Giving
As the saying goes, anything worth doing is worth doing well. Great giving may require more work, but the rewards are worth it.
piece back later as a
3.
A great gift pleases the donor.
That
the end of the audience, the pope greeted a
group of schoolchildren from
Italy's
make
Molise region,
where an Oct. 31 earthquake
said in English.
"Let us join our hearts to theirs as
Great giving Over the
"While I assure you of my constant prayers for you and your families," the pope told the students, "I encourage you all to look toward tomorrow with trust and hope." During his main audience talk, the pope said he hoped Christians would experience the joy and wonder the shepherds experienced at Christmas, that with Mary and Joseph they would contemplate "the glory of the Word made flesh for our redemption" and that they would pray that all men and women would "accept the new life which the Son of God brought into the world assuming our human nature." The Advent liturgies, he said, present Isaiah, John the Baptist and Mary as the models to follow in preparing to celebrate Christ's birth and to welcome him again at the end of time. 'Isaiah exhorts us to be vigilant in prayer; John the Baptist calls us to conversion and repentance; and Mar}' teaches us to embrace the will of God," he
aw ait the coming of the Lord," the pope
regrets.
led to the
deaths of 27 students and a teacher.
we
eagerly
said.
is,
the donor
gift
and the parishes in our region have received numerous planned gifts. These include will bequests, gift annuities, contributions to our foundation as an endowment, life insurance, charitable trusts and outright gifts of stock, real estate and other assets. Each one of these gifts has been received with sincere and enthusiastic appreciation. Though every gift has a special quality, we have learned that some gifts stand out from the rest as extra special.
And
years, the Diocese of Charlotte
interestingly,
it's
not the size of a
particularly special.
What makes
special are the circumstances
surrounding
makes
it
including
the attitude of the donor.
As
I
look back over the
many gifts,
certain
common
emerge that combine to make a good gift great. See if you agree. 1 A great gift is motivated by our mission. Something intangible, yet valuable, is added to a
characteristics
.
gift
when
it
The donor
addresses the purposes of our organization.
identifies
with our vision and mission. His or
ownership and partnership. Such a gift warms and inspires us even more than, say, a gift that comes to us anonymously, or her planned
a gift that
is
gift reflects
convinced his or her
gift will
A
It
has been well planned and there are no
sense of fulfillment prevails and crowns the
with added value.
The
gift is
made
greater by the
glow of satisfaction. As you consider what kind of planned gift you would like to give to your parish or the diocese, I urge you to contact me at 704-370-3320, write to me at 1 123 S. Church Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28203, or e-mail gmrhodes@charlottediocese.org.
Letters to the Editor
gift that
a gift extra it,
is
a positive difference at their parish or the Diocese
of Charlotte.
including surviving students from San Giuliano di Puglia,
A great gift is well planned.
and do
souvenir," the president said.
At
•.,.,,«!
right asset for the right gift vehicle at the right time
"The man was so happy when the specialists chose his tree as the one most suitable for St Peter's
He donated
.
Great giving requires time and effort. One must consider a variety of factors and options and select the
struggle for independence.
only that he could have a
;
impossible to think of Christmas and the
it is
Lord Jesus without including his mother, it never has surprised me that Mary would remain a strong force in helping to keep her Son and his message alive in this world. It was never intended by the Father that Mary had just one task, to give birth to his Son and then disappear. Her permanent call would be to give birth continuously to her Son, bringing him down through the ages to the places and the people who need again to
2.
Column
to present the trees to the pope, told Vatican
Square.
Since
Guest
to
Radio Dec. 17 that the tall tree in the square was cut down on a farm owned by a man who had been run off his land by Serb soldiers during Croatia's
those per-
Mary were struck by her incredAnd Mary explains why she is beautiful:
encountered
a sense of
motivated solely for tax purposes.
The Catholic News & Herald welcomes from readers. We ask that letters be originals of 250 words or less. letters
To be consideredfor publication, the letmust include the address and daytime phone number of the writer for purposes of ter
verification.
Letters
may
space limitations
and
be condensed because
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of
edited for clarity, style
taste.
Send Catholic
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Charlotte,
Letters to the Editor,
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& Herald, P.O. Box 37267,
N.C. 28237
December 20, 2002
The Catholic News & Herald 9
& Columns
Editorials He had no dreams.
Guest
Everybody recognized Jesus, except Herod. He never saw any star in the East, in the West, in the North, in the South. He saw no star anywhere, he missed heaven, while on anytime. Poor Herod earth. He missed the light while in darkness. Herod is not our hero he is not our story. Our approach is the Wonder of Wonders Approach. There is no doubt that part of the Christmas wonder is making a gift list, mailing cards, decorating the tree, baking special holiday treats, partying, adding new names to the gift list, new things to the shopping list, more shopping, more partying, more wrapping. I suspect that Jesus never expected all this for his birthday. We have come a long way from the stable. The three kings rightly deserve credit for starting this never-ending
Column
—
Working Matters
—
FATHER JOHN
C.
AURILIA, OFM.CAP. Guest Columnist
Christmas 2002: The beginning of our love story There are
two
different approaches to Christ-
mas: The "Nothing Much Approach" and the "Wonder of Wonders Approach." Perhaps some historical facts will highlight the two approaches: In 1925, the "New Work World" celebrated the Birthday of Abraham Lincoln with a cartoon that has become something of a classic. Two Kentucky farmers are pictured talking over a (just like home improvement!). One picket fence asks, "Anything new happen lately?" The other responds, "Nothing much. A new baby was born over Tom Lincoln's place, but nothing much ever
happens around here." Many centuries before Lincoln's birth, in Bethlehem, probably some people said: "Anything new around here? Nah, just a baby born down in nothing much ever happens around the stable ...
here."
man called Herod, who missed Christmas completely. The fear of losing his In fact, there
was
a
mas
few years ago,
tree with lights
I
was decorating the Christ-
when
was quite
noticed that the set of expressed my opinion to I
old, so I quickly replied: "This set is not old. I bought it in 1961 and it has worked ever since. You broke it." Is not Christmas wonderful? How about deciding to move past our colorful and exciting lights? The mystery of the manger is
lights
who
father,
Corner
was made up
to
tell
so stores could do
Christmas, the column
is
in Jesus'
Dives eventually
dies.
Burning
in
Hades, he looks
to heaven and sees
Abraham replies, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." In Dickens' tale, Jacob Marley doesn't rise from the dead;
who
ghost
if s his
appears to Scrooge
mas Eve, warning him before
it's
mend
to
on
Christ-
his miserly
ways
too late. After three more ghosts take Scrooge
on a tour of his past, present and what could be his future, and show him what poverty is like, he does amend his life. Both stories teach the same lesson pay attention to what's going on around you and do something about the injustice that you see. In Scrooge's case, that includes work injustice. Scrooge pays his clerk, Bob Cratchit for the Christmas day off, but he doesn't pay Cratchit enough to
who
no
apparentiy takes
his doorstep,
notice of
Scrooge ignores the suffering
of his clerk in the next room. Scrooge does only what
the
he's forced to do.
When men come to his office asking for
some meat and drink, and means of warmth," Scrooge counters that he supports "the treadmill and die poor law" (probably through
donations to 'buy the poor
it
FATHER JOHN DIETZEN
CNS
be repeated this
taxes), and,
reprinted here.
not
'It's
man
my business,"
to understand his
interfere
house, and the house on the planet, and the great
others:
Jacob."
present so big that it takes two stockings to hold it and then leaves a great deal outside; it is the large and preposterous present of myself, as to the origin of which I can offer no suggestion except that Santa
Claus gave
it
to
me
in a
fit
good will." Are not parents -of faith
of peculiarly fantastic
blessed, countless times
for.
over, to have for their children (and for themselves!)
The only explanation people had was that a being called Santa Claus was somehow kindly disposed toward him. 'We believed," he wrote, that a certain benevolent person "did give us those toys for nothing. And I believe it still. I have merely extended the idea. "Then I only wondered who put the toys in the stocking; now I wonder who put the stocking by the bed, and the bed in the room, and the room in the
such a fantastic and playful bridge to infinite, unconditionally loving Goodness, the Goodness which dreamed up the Christmas event in the first place? Call Santa Claus a myth or what you will, but in his name parents and all of us who give gifts at this special time of the year are putting each other in deeper touch with the "peculiarly fantastic good will" which is the ultimate Source of it all. Plus, it's fun! I
hope your friends reconsider.
that people
he
own
says. 'It's
business,
enough for a and not to
is
also Scrooge's response
when Marley
why
"Business," ness.
know
he is doing penance for not helping "[Y3ou were always a good man of business,
planet in the void.
"Once I only thanked Santa Claus for a few dolls and crackers, now I thank him for stars and street faces and wine and the great sea. Once I thought it delightful and astonishing to find a present so big that it only went halfway into the stocking. Now I am delighted and astonished every morning to find a
really
with other people's."
"Business" describes
A. I too think her friends are missing something, very big. It's always risky to analyze fantasies, but maybe it's worth trying for a moment. Fantasies, perhaps especially for children but also for adults, are critical ways of entering a world, a real world, that is closed to us in ordinary human language and happenings. They are doors to wonder and awe, a way of touching something otherwise incomprehensible. Santa Claus, I believe, is like that. No one has expressed this truth more movingly and accurately, in my opinion, than the great British Catholic author G. K. Chesterton, in an essay years ago in the London Tablet. On Christmas morning, he remembered, his stockings were filled with things he had not worked for, or made, or even been good
anyway, he doesn't
want
are in
Columnist
The reader thought her friends were missing something important but wasn't sure how to tell them. She asked what I thought.
...
man
(Latin for "rich") to die rich
Like Dives,
reaction to that
In response to requests that
name Dives
Charles
in
Carol." Tradition has given the
parable (Luke 16:19-31).
Lazarus on
more
column was remarkable. Dozens about how much it meant to readers wrote or phoned of their own family. A number wanted copies to send to their relatives.
"A Christmas
support his family decendy.
business at Christmastime.
The
Dickens'
dead, they will repent"
nothingness, being. But I wonder keep on hearing the beautiful song "Silent Night" all night! So much for being silent. Oh, yes. Let the lights shine, let the songs resound, let the Christmas shop continue. You are actually doing the best shopping of your life: you are buying love and giving love. Christmas, after all, is about the love of God expressed on three levels: a) God made it; b) God loves it; and c) God looks after it. I
Florida reader whose friends did not want their children
Santa Claus." They intend
hear the story of Lazarus and the rich
always think of Ebenezer Scrooge
I
when
Question
"believe in
man,
stillness, silence,
To believe or not to believe in Santa Claus Dear Readers: Last Christmas, I responded to a to
Scrooge and Dives I
"Abraham with Lazarus by his side." Dives begs Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers to shape up "so they wall not also come to this place of torment" saying that "if someone goes from the
power blinded him completely to the point of not seeing what the shepherds, the angels and the magi saw and touched. He was living in a fantasy world.
children the myth
Guest Columnist
When
business.
A
JOANITA M.
NELLENBACH
Marley
The common
'Mankind was my busiwas my business; charity,
wails.
welfare
mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of
water
in the
In I
comprehensive ocean of my business!"
fart, it's all
have a
our business, but what can
New
about what the Catiiolic Campaign for
opment State."
is
calling 'Poverty
CCHD
we do?
Year's Resolution for you: Learn
USA
—
Human Develthe Forgotten
has designated January as 'Poverty in
America Awareness Month." Let www.povertyusa.org be your Christmas Ghost When you visit the site, click the 'Tour Poverty USA" box for a two-minute presentation that shows
how a family of four fares on
a $ 17,650 annual income. some of
Click on "Get Involved' and follow at least
the suggestions for ways to improve tilings. They're not hard, and they can
make a difference
Too late, Marleys Ghost asked, "Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down, and never raise them to that blessed Star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode? Were there no poor " homes to which its light would have conducted me3
s
10 The Catholic News & Herald
Applications invited for
DEDICATION,
local poverty grants
from page 1
The Diocese of Charlotte office for the Catholic
Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is accepting grant applica-
here," said Pope.
2003 funding year. CCHD makes small grants from $500 to $5,000
council and chair of the building
Linda Harris, president of the parish
tions for the
affiliation.
14 years ago,
Applications must be
faith
postmarked by February 15, 2003. Established in 1970 as the U.S. Catholic Bishops' domestic anti-poverty program,
rooms
— —
for
projects that:
commodate growth," second,
zation;
the children."
we would
said Harris. 'Then,
try to get classrooms for
indicate potential for institutional
Harris said the, building committee
empowerment of the people and community involved, and the development of local leadership; and conform to Catholic Social
explored several designs until they found
change,
one that would allow for both a sanctuary and classrooms, and fit within their budget. The sanctuary, however, was smaller than many in the parish had expected. "We still don't have enough classroom space, but this is what we were able
—
Teaching. For an application, contact Terri Jarina, diocesan director, CCHD, Office of Justice and Peace, 1 1 23 South Church Street, Charlotte, N.C 28203-4003; or call (704) 370-3234 or fax (704) 370-3377. To obtain the application as an e-mail attachment in a Microsoft Word document, send an e-mail request to
The
Mocksville at the dedication Mass Dec. 15.
that we needed first and foremost a place to worship, because we knew that our former building would not ac-
decision-making of the sponsoring organi-
to financially build," said Harris. "But, this
building
is
designed such that
walls be expanded and what's
room
now
class-
space will be part of the sanctuary."
'The walls are moved and we can seat 500 people," said Father Draper. "We'd
at
lose the classrooms, so
we need
an educa-
tional building first."
How ^e Can
Enligfkten tke
Spirit and, Brigfkten tke Soul!
The new church
family atmosphere.
300 people, but it still looks church inside and out" Besides, the church building.
'The church
hearts are big.
your
The
faith is big,"
nent deacon, assisted.
'The reason we're here today
big because your
church
is
—
is
You
not
cate a place sanctified
—
and dediwhere you came come to, be not just individually, but col-
lectively,
because
Curlin, "we're here to celebrate
in this
the only one in Davie County here because of you. You bring Christ to all who you meet, and you bring Christ back here by your action and your
county
—
is
just to dedicate a church," said Bishop
big because
Father Draper told the
Christ.
Why
not
we
are
make
make
this the
all
this a
ning to take Christ into
touch the whole county by your
the body of
new
begin-
this world. Let'
theme of our consecration."
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and your love." Father Draper, along with Msgr. Mauricio West, diocesan administrator, concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Curlin. Rev. Mr. John Zimmerle, perma-
Father Draper noted that despite the bigger parish and church, 'We've kept the
when we
get an education building, the sanctuary
appli-
online
Murray
new St. Francis Church in
anoints the of Assisi
"We decided
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cation also is available www.cssnc.org/j usticepeace.
E.
Bishop William G. Curlin
Despite the limited classroom space,
the target community;
thjarina@charlottediocese.org.
Photos by Kevin
we're busting out of the seams."
the people served in the planning and
—
we needed an eduwe had no decent
our children," said Harris. "I maybe 20 children in the whole faith formation program and now
seek to affect die root causes of in
out that
started out with
for justice for those who are poor. The Diocese of Charlotte CCHD Commit-
poverty
she was the parish
formation coordinator. "It started
cal' call
programs and
when
commit-
building began
cation building, because
CCHD is a response to the Bibli-
tee solicits
new
plans for the
tee, said
to organizations without regard to reli-
gious
December 20, 2002
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December 20, 2002
The
singing "Mafianitas," the traditional
FEAST DAY,
birthday song.
phenomenal to see all these people representing many Spanish"It's just
from page 1 grade student at East Mecklenburg High School, carried the American flag. "This is a special holiday for us," he said. "It's an honor to be a part of a celebration of everyone's religion." Hector Garcia, a
Lady of Guadalupe
speaking countries gather together to thank God for bringing Jesus to us," said
member of Our
gather to praise Our Lady of is our saint of miracles. We give praise and ask for wishes for others. Our family prays for our daugh-
tantly, the patroness of the Americas."
The
Our Lady of Guadalupe," he
Over 6,000 people gather to five-
year-old grandson, Oscar, participate in
the reenactment of Mary's appearance to
Juan Diego near Mexico City in 1531, when an olive-skinned Mary appeared to Diego, a Nahuatl Indian peasant. She instructed him to have the bishop build a temple, leaving her image imprinted
on
celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Cricket Arena Dec. 12.
QftSrrxi
dhttmoS
Many
ridnt.
children wore hand
made
clothing with elaborate embroidery work, signifying the traditions of their
Fiesta honors
'patroness of Americas' By REV. MR.
GERALD POTKAY
Correspondent
REIDSVILLE
—
Holy Infant feast day of Our
Church observed the Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 12 with Fiesta de Guadalupe celebration.
a
The cotton cloth reprecommon folk of the 16th cen-
Elizabeth Sanchez, a fiesta organizer, said, "Today, we celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe, singing Marian
Hispanics celebrated the feast by
songs with our Mexican-American community."
native country. sents the tury.
a'j'aJ
bhow Aih
Krispy
Our Lady of
top-tier
Catholic basketball teams in the school's activities center. Admission is $5 per day per person. Call (336) 564-1020 for
game
BMHS
times.
will
also play at
Greensboro Coliseum in the LeBron James Scholastic Fantastic Hoops Tour Jan. 20. Tickets are $7-$25. Call (888)
397-3100 for game times.
Editor resigns from
Catholic
The
News & Herald
CHARLOTTE — Joann The Catholic News &
Keane, edi-
tor of
signed from her position Dec.
Herald, re10.
Keane had been with The Catholic
"The United States has a special connection to Our Lady of
News &
Guadalupe," said Father Davis. "Not because of the huge influx of Hispanic immigrants, but because Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is our own patronal feast. These Marian devotions remind us of the universality of the church as they unite all cultures
Keane worked
Prior to
Catholic, lation of
Herald since
The
its
inception in 1991.
News & Herald, The North Carolina
Catholic for
which served the Catholic popuNorth Carolina before the incep-
tion of die Charlotte diocesan newspaper.
Keane plans
pursue personal
to
ventures in photography. Last year, she
Because Thursday was a workday for many in the community, the celebration continued after Mass on Sunday with a grand fiesta in the
and her family established Keane Impressions photography focusing on photojournalism, wedding photography and sports photography. Kevin Murray, associate editor of The Catholic News & Herald, has been
parish hall.
appointed acting editor.
together."
—
oini
Lcl
1
in
Kreme Bishop McGuinness BasThe tourna-
ment brings together four
tholicism within seven years.
his serape.
Last August, Pope John Paul II traveled to Mexico to canonize Juan Diego as the first Indian saint of the Ameri-
of
cember 1531. Mary's message of hope was for a fusion of the two cultures, Spanish Catholic and Native American. As a result of the apparitions and the miracles attributed to Mary, eight million Mexicans converted to Ca-
Photo by Mary Marshall
day for
said.
Bishop McGuinness High School
Kernersville will host the First Annual
of Mary to a devout Nahua Indian, Juan Diego, on Tepeyac Hill in De-
to see the
Robles proudly watched his
feast
Guadalupe celebrates the apparitions
has brain paralysis."
beautiful dancing. "It's a special
BMHS basketball ketball Classic Dec. 27-28.
beginning of the Catholic Church," said Father Christopher Davis, pastor. "Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of mercy, but more impor-
in Charlotte, said,
Nemecio Robles came
parishioners. versal part of our tradition from the
Guadalupe. She
who
celebration began at 5 a.m.
with an hour of singing and music. When Mass started an hour later, the church was filled to capacity and the air exploded with the voices of joyous
"Marian devotion has been a uni-
Tina Robles.
"We
ter
The Catholic News & Herald 11
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December 20, 2002
12 The Catholic News & Herald
Living the Faith
Sister of
Mercy does God's work in variety
of roles
superiors of the various Orders," she said.
was
"It really
a pastoral role."
She'd held the post for eight years when, in 1989, Father Gerry Lewis, a
Over 50 years devoted to serving others
priest she
knew
NELLENBACH
"I
—
ASHEVILLE
"It's
composition
a wonderful
when we grew
only the name of a classic Christmas movie. It's Mercy Sister Maria Goretti Weldon's life, too. "I haven't had any bad years," she said. isn't
life"
had a blessed
"I've
life
wrote about being a nun. I just felt I wanted to serve God and serve people. My mother was pious, but she never pushed me, and it wasn't that I wanted to follow my sister." While attending her godfather's funeral in Philadelphia, Maria Goretti made her decision. His
really."
woman
religious.
Maria Goretti was born vania, the youngest of
in
Maria Goretti
up," Sister
said. "I
Last year, she celebrated her 50th
year as a
when I was in the we were asked to write a on what we wanted to be
can remember
eighth grade,
Correspondent
Pennsyl-
had gained in her preconvent office job. She earned a bachelor's in business and economics at Belmont Abbey College in 1965. While in college, she was on the convent's formation team and liked helping the younger sisters develop their spirituality. She also studied at Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y.
At
the Sisters of
Mercy chapter
home and gave my twoweek
then,
ery other week to say Mass in our home."
She entered Sacred
there.
so the family drove
her novice director were
about religious
"What
in Gastonia.
"My mother was evangelist," Sister
Maria
"I
you wait-
thought, 'What
waiting
I
notice."
Heart
Maria Goretti's old-
Mercy
est sister entered Sacred
Sister
Goretti
Maria
come a Sister of Mercy of
Belmont
for?'
I
came
•
Convent in in February
1951 at age 21. After her final vows
Weldon
Heart Convent to be-
in 1956, she taught seventh grade at St. Patrick Elementary School in Charlotte, then second grade at St. Benedict's school in Belmont, and attended summer sessions at Sacred
Mary Gertrude Weldon,
82, lives at the convent.
When
Maria Goretti was 10, her to Lowell, Mass. After graduating from Keith Hall, a Catholic girls' school, she worked in an office for three years, but the idea of being a nun was always there. family
life.
rector asked.
lies.
now
are
ing for?" the novice di-
an
Goretti said. "She found
Belmont. Sister
was thinking
that she
30
miles to St. Michael
Church
Maria mentioned
moved
spent nine years there, using the
skills
IT
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"By then,
House of Mercy in Belmont for people with advanced AIDS," Sister Maria Goretti said. "There' was a need for somebody to come to Belmont, so I talked to God started our
We
discerned." about it. She returned to Belmont as House of Mercy's director of pastoral care. "Then there was a need for a sister -
"I came here in 1997 to do outreach ministry as a mission-and-values liaison to lay people who operate the Sisters of Mercy's four Urgent Care facilities. All along the way, I've had the sense of being where God
[in Asheville]," she said.
*
wanted me wanted me
what God
to be, doing to do, being
promptings and the
open to the
invitations."
Contact Correspondent Joanita M. Nellenbach by calling (828) 627-92Q9 or e-mail jnell@dnet.net.
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What,
think,
YEARS EXPERIENCE
she
(serving the entire diocese)
had," Sister
all I
Mfon-Fri
30
Heart College. 'Then I was assigned to Mercy Hospital in the business office," she said. She
"We Kleen with a Spirit of Excellency!"
KLEEN
pretty much in teaching and nursing." After her second term, she studied in Rome for nine months and then returned to North Carolina, where then-Bishop Michael Begley appointed her vicar for women religious in the Diocese of Char-
we were
I
it
"When
said.
Raphael Church in Raleigh for six years, and started an AIDS ministry in the city.
held for six years before being elected to
She got a priest to come from Belmont ev-
church there at the time,
given
thing like that, saying to me?'"
order's secretary general, a position she
am
Anita Sheerin (a Sister of Mercy postulant) and
me?"
Maria Goretti
in
four other Catholic fami-
she
was five, her family moved to Shelby, N.C. There was no Catholic
eight children.
for
"I felt I'd
1966, the major superior appointed her the
two four-year terms as superior general. "In the aftermath of Vatican II, there was transition, and the order was going through renewal," Sister Maria Goretti said. "We were directed by the documents of Vatican II to review every aspect: to return to the spirit (love for the poor and special devotion and care for women and children) of our foundress, Catherine McAuley, to emphasize praying with Scripture, and to look toward the needs of the times. Up to
When
daughter, Maria's cousin
tired of that job.
work
Diocese of Ra'You must be getting Why don't you come
in the
leigh, said to her,
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BISHOP WILLIAM G. CURLJN'S
Table of Contents Introduction
COAT OF ARMS
Pages 2-3
...
Table of Contents
Coat of Arms
...
Page 2
Page 2
...
Sentire
Bishop never doubted calling
Masses and Receptions
...
...
Page 3
The
coat of arms
shield with
Bishop William
Curlin
G.
Vocations
Pages 4-7
...
Ordinations
retired in
September 2002
...
Page 6
Permanent Diaconate
...
Page 6
the
of Charlotte,
it
was
Page 14
...
of
and guidance
Page 15
...
Knights of Columbus
...
Page 15
of Western
...
priesthood in the Archdiocese of Washing-
sinister
was borne on
edged
custom
in ecclesi-
and the lower portion is
in blue.
a silver (white) Celtic
in gold (yellow),
honoring
St.
of the cathedral of the
Ecumenism
tribute issue highlights
Multicultural
some of Bishop Curlin s
many accomplishments and
significant
in the
moments
Diocese of Charlotte,
captured through an
Our Lady
Page 18
...
...
...
The
sinister
Holiday Messages
...
By combining
Page 29
same
Mother Teresa
...
AIDS Outreach
the personal arms
on the
Charlotte, the spiritual unity of the bishop
Pages 30-31
...
right,
arms of Bishop Curlin.
shield with those of the Diocese of
with his flock also
Page 32
is
signified.
(The thought
is
conveyed by the ring, which the bishop
wears on his right hand.) ...
Dedications
many of
The
Page 33
Education
in red
Page 34
...
Page 42
...
and
blue.
in
Youth and Young Adults
...
Page 43
& Herald.
Belmont Abbey Reflections
ITh
...
...
titular
The combination of the
1
948- 1 960.
the
was chosen
It
in reverence for
memory of Washington's
first
with
six tassels
in green. prelate
Page 44
on each
These
is
a pontifical hat
side in three rows,
are the heraldic insignia
of the rank of bishop in accordance
worn at solemn cavalcades in conjunction with papal ceremonies.
as the
mother
mystery of the redemption.
and parishes Bishop
The
color of the hat
HERALD
&
December 12, 2002 Volume 12' Number
To
custom
still
preserved in ecclesiasti-
TheimpalemmtofBishopCurliris armswith those ofthe Diocese ofCharlotte was undertaken in February
land,
1994 by Anthony Phelps of Cleve-
Ohio, a member ofThe Heraldry Society.
Pages 45-47
E.
and
Receptions for Bishop William G. Curlin
14a
Publisher: Msgr. Mauricio W. West
Acting Editor: Kevin
the Retirement Masses
Sunday, Jan.
Murray
5,
2003
Graphic Designer: Tim Faragher
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Advertising Representative: Cindi Feerick
2 p.m. Mass, 3:30 p.m. reception
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THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
Barnabas Church, Arden
2 p.m. Mass, 3:30 p.m. reception
Sunday, Feb. St.
5,
2003
Vincent de Paul Church,
Charlotte
2 p.m. Mass, 3:30 p.m. reception
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
and
number of tassels were signs of the rank of the
You Are Cordially Invited ...
NEWS
all
of a
with the Instruction of the Holy See (March
cal heraldry.
in the
Paul to the
Behind the arms is a gold processional cross. Ensigning the coat of arms
prelate, a
All the churches
St.
auxiliary
motto comes
tude must be that of Christ."
Christ, the risen savior, while the inclusion
Mary
bishop of
Eumenia and auxiliary of Washington from
red and white are traditional colors for
of God
The Catholic News
motto of The Most Reverend John Michael
McNamara (1878-1960),
.
with a cross quartered
of the Blessed Virgin
Cum
31,1 969) Before 1 970, the pontifical hit was
personal coat of arms consists of a
of blue in the cross honors the special union
which have appeared
Bishop Curlin's motto, Sentire
Christo ("to think with Christ") was the
Philippians, chapter 2, verse 5: "Your atti-
III.
impalement, to the
silver (white) shield
photographs,
of silver (white), blue and gold (yellow).
from the Epistle of
displays the personal
Sacraments
array of stories and
bol
whom the See city was named, Queen CharPage 19
of the
The fleur-de-lis has long been a symof Our Lady, together with the colors
bishop. The inspiration for the
consort of King George
relating to
commemo-
fleur-de-lis in the center
an open gold crown, recalling the person for
lotte,
Pages 19-21
of Guadalupe
by the
is
cross.
Page 17 is
titles
the Blessed Virgin Mary. This rated
Diocese of Charlotte. In the lower portion
North Carolina. This
ton were under patronal
The arms consists of a field
Patrick, patronal saint
Letters
Curlin served from his ordination to the
Page 16 cross
to the people
the
days.
In the upper portion ...
Christ)
external
divided horizontally with the upper portion in green
Pastoral Letter
composed of
motto and
Charlotte, according to astical heraldry.
eight wonderful years
leadership
arm of medieval
after Respect Life
is
charges,
The dexter impalement, to the left, bears the jurisdictional Arms of the Diocese of
as bishop of the Diocese Lourdes
its
are historical, since the shield
Letter to Seminarians
Think with
Christo (To
armaments. The terms dexter and
Page 4
...
Cum
Page 3
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
BISHOP MADE FOR PRIESTHOOD,
NEVER DOUBTED CAUING Bishop William G. Curlin was
made he
certain.
"I
have never doubted that God
me to
be a
envy no one.
No
only a few families
at night,
and
cars
owned
centered almost
activities
priest,"
he
says.
am totally happy.
I
matter what joys or sorrows
have encountered,
have never
I
I
re-
gretted being a parish priest."
Bishop Curlin's stomping ground
was Holy Comforter Church.
serving in a small or
large parish,
poor or wealthy, tidy
time with 7,000
large parish at the
Holy Comforter was more
people,
than a place of worship.
form
place to
Whether
play
A
ball,
It
was a
his
couldn't understand
"My mother
and
always prayed he
would enter the Church, but
Yet,
through
mother, his step-
his
became immersed
father
their happiness.
At
While
at
home
with Whipple
Bishop
she "It
would be
children of the parish, their heroes
named bishop. With a terrible sad-
ness,
were the
Bishop Curlin, he
cally the Sisters
says.
committed
"It
of St. Joseph.
and the
parish priest, Bishop Curlin de-
between the
cided in high school to follow his
and the parishioners," he
footsteps.
Some
would be
a priest
was a
little
say they
knew he
from the time he
I
to be-
priests recalls.
and
loving.
joyed seminary," recalls Bishop
the couple set a fine example.
1
ordained
May 25,
957 by Cardinal Patrick O'Boyle. Born on Aug. 30, 1 927
mouth,
Bishop Curlin
Va.,
son of the
in Ports-
late
is
the
Mary Lamont Curlin
has an older brother, Stephen,
an electrician
Washington
who
lives in the
area.
Most of his childhood memories
harken to what was then "the
quiet, family-oriented
Southern
when
he, his brother
little
"Oh,
my good-
what an honor!"
who
for
"We
brother.
he
home
His
the Vidi Vidi.
for
home.
"We
won't have Thanksgiv-
always
ing without him." Vidi says she
mother flowers on
special
feels
sent his
on Vidi. "Father
as the Vidi family
Day
and Christmas. "I
have always
Vidi says Bishop Curlin
Bill"
knows him, sends
orchids every Easter, Mother's
sorry for anyone who doesn't know him. "He is one in a million."
known him to be
worldly, yet very religious
is
a prima donna, she says.
at
home In his
"He
37
years as a priest for the
He adored her."
who
his 13 years
Mary Church
St.
A parish with
lived in
housing
Bishop Curlin developed a
rapport with the poor that has served
him throughout his
then a friend
buddy,
ministry.
Always, his conversations turn
to Bishop Curlin a
to the
poor and the
ill,
the hurting
father in the fullest sense. His
and the disenfranchised. His
mother worked
at St.
left
for the govern-
her job to
become
a
led
full-time housewife.
ters
"She enjoyed every moment," said
Bishop Curlin.
photography and woodcarving.
mother painted
Episcopalian,
oil
him to open more than 20 sheland soup kitchens in the Wash-
Turning a closed school into a place for the aged, Bishop Curlin
land-
bought two stoves
An
Whipple became
years
Mary's from 1971 to 1983,
ington area.
A talented art-
scapes. His stepfather mastered
his
is
Archdiocese of Washington,
projects,
ment, but
"very a rare
any surroundings."
in
Bishop Curlin. "They had a won-
Whipple was
is
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
One thing he is not
combination."
happiest.
a best
is
a ritual," says
The kind of person who
aging people
and eventually
says
Thanksgiving
"It's
among his
First a stepfather,
him
is,"
Vidi.
between the two of them," says
derful relationship.
chil-
adore
and what he
is
the love and laughter that existed
to the nations capitol, pre- World
his or her doors
his
of
War
one locked
the
have two grown
Bishop Curlin counts
ist,
No
When
later learned that
John Whipple, and
and newly widowed mother moved
II era.
wedding.
and groom
who
as pastor
town" of Washington D.C. The bishop was 9
bride
years before, Bishop Curlin
him
Like a son to Juanita and Peter Vidi,
remember with great warmth
"I
and the late Stephen James Curlin.
He
said Vidi.
his generosity
Shortly after his mother's funeral
to
Very approachable."
for anything.
His mother had mar-
ried Lt. Col.
He was
mom.
to a bishops' conference.
officiated at a
home life was happy, warm
his surrogate
if
occasions, Bishop Curlin showers
from that time."
come a priest and I thoroughly enCurlin.
appointment, Bishop Curlin
many
His
went away
sisters
he
proceeded direcdy from the funeral
"More than 50 vocations came
boy.
"In 1951,
his
was a wonderful relationship
mixed with joy on
"You can go
ing," says Vidi.
was the greatest honor bestowed
been a source of happiness for
ness in his heart
the most generous and understand-
dren, Bishop Curlin calls their son
his mother's graveside,
or disorganized, every parish has
Inspired by a joyful,
for you,"
asked family friend Juanita Vidi
on me,"
sisters, specifi-
happy
he told them.
Curlin was informed he had been
and
how Bishop
"The Lord gave me
the energy to be
For the bishop-to-be and other
priests
just died, they
Curlin had put aside his grief for
in the
faith.
in his stepfathers last hours,
gather.
there
was never any force or arguments."
life-long friendships,
picnic
mother had
Catholic on his deathbed five years ago.
exclusively around the parish.
is
wanted "I
Of this,
for the priesthood.
Mary
a
to
parishioners
elderly.
cook
for St.
and the poor
He planted a garden on the
patio, so they could gather in
warm
weather for banquets and birthday celebrations.
evangelize /s
"It
was probably the happiest ex-
perience in
my
life,"
said Bishop
Curlin.
That, however, call for
in
may be
someone who
is
"at
a hard
home
any surroundings."
Bishop William
G.
Curlin
following canonical procession
of the Diocese of Charlotte.
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
ORDAINING MEN TO THE PRIESTHOOD ^INGS UETIMATE HAPPINESS, SAYS BISHO CHARLOTTE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; "I know of no
greater
and happier moment
bishop than ordaining
men
as
to the
today our beloved
come
they do
gether. Just don't pray when
priesthood," said Bishop William
like praying.
G. Curlin.
for prayer."
During his eight years
bishop
as
of the Diocese of Charlotte, Bishop Curlin ordained 28
men
to the
"You
when
priests,
together, pray to-
We
you feel
must make time
1
are ordained to celebrate
995. "The Eucharist
the
is
heart of your priesthood; without
priesthood.
newly ordained has remained con-
we are nothing." Though the priesthood requires
be good
great sacrifices, the bishop has said,
The
bishop's message to the
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
to
ask
you
sistent over the years
and
saints,"
brothers,
I
need
to be
Bishop Curlin told the can-
you
will
and
I
be
am
a joy to be able to stand at the altar
our parishes,
your coming. But
the church doesn't need bodies in
The church
the priesthood. disciples
on
fire
in celebration
midst."
on your that
with love for Jesus
you
Christ."
Make
with
God
priestly heart. If
life, I
promise you,
will be
priests
in
life
"You stand before all these wonderful people of
God, and
willing to give
this
you're
of
entrusted with the souls
men and women,
each priest
man must bring his heart
must be a mature, "trustworthy rep-
to the priesthood," said the bishop
resentative of Jesus Christ," said
"Each
to
bring Christ to others.
To be
the priesthood of Jesus
in
bishop
said,
June 2002. "The
It is
that spirit, the
Bishop Curlin
which
reflects Christ's
people have a right to see in us a
June 2001.
in
healing power in the sacrament of
profound resemblance
someone you have never seen with
penance, which
Christ when they put their souls in
your eyes or touched," the bishop
voice in the preaching of the Gos-
all
up
in loving
told the candidates during his
hom-
pels,
which
reflects Christ's
reflects Christ's
to Jesus
our hands."
uncon-
you
live
my brother,
one of the happiest
on God's
earth."
and celebration of the Eucharist,
ordained one of the single-largest
they need
groups of priests ever to serve the
priests find the strength
to be the presence of Christ in a
Diocese of Charlotte. This ordina-
world
tion class of seven priests
with poverty, violence
was
also
the
among the largest in the South that
"Prayer must be the foundation
Archdiocese of Atlanta, according
and lack of respect
for
life,
life,"
second in
year,
said.
of your daily
is
Christ."
poor
and the brokenhearted.
it
In June 2000, Bishop Curlin
bishop has
men into priestly men who will leave behind
which
service,
ditional love in service to the
our
recommitment
filled
entrance of seven
to this sacred ministry,
Jesus the heart of
your life, said the bishop. "Carve
needs
In daily prayer,
you
said
just because we we are blessed that
priests in
rejoice in
"What a joy to be a priest,"
Bishop Curlin in June 1999. "What
you
priests. Yes,
"And you've recognized his voice
calling
measurable.
not
didates in June 2001. "I
(ordaining)
the Eucharist,
ily.
the rewards of being a priest are im-
saintly priests.
"My
said the true
of the gathering was the
the trappings of a worldly
the Eucharist," said Bishop Curlin in June
But Bishop Curlin significance
said
size
only to the
Bishop
to a
2000 survey of the U.S.
why
ops'
Committee on Vocations.
Curlin in June 1995. "That
is
,
and happiet
^
men
bish-
a
to the P>
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
A priest's
heart reflects the love of Christ
"Each man must bring
his heart to the priesthood, " said
spirit,
the bishop said, which reflects Christ's healing
which
reflects Christ's voice in the
Bishop William
power
in the
preaching of the Gospels, which
G. Curlin. It is that
sacrament of penance, reflects Christ's
unconditional love in service to the poor and the brokenhearted.
In
June 2000, Bishop Curlin ordained one of the single-largest groups of priests ever
the Diocese of Charlotte. This ordination class of seven priests
was also among
to serve
the largest in
the South that year.
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
The following
FAM1XYS FAITH JOURNEY LEADS TO PERMANENT
Bishop William
letter from
a
is
of the Diocese of which appeared in The Catholic
G. Curlin to the seminarians Charlotte,
& Herald, Sept.
News
Dear Brother
1998.
4,
DIACONATE
in the Lord,
MAGGIE VALLEYâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; The caI
very happy to confirm in writing that you have been accepted as
am
a candidate for the priesthood for service I
am
confident that you will receive a
in the
Diocese of Charlotte.
warm welcome
your new
in
pacity congregation, joyfully sang the old
Beauty of the Earth" sion
seminary community.
made
strong,
as the proces-
way up
its
200
hymn "For the Margaret
St.
Church's center aisle on the evening This
is
an exciting time for the church
Catholic population
is
in the South. "
to serve
our brothers and sisters
Him
"
assures us
friends,
to
keep your mind and heart centered on Jesus Christ. The
Cardinal Bernardin reminded us that
late
ourselves before
we seek
we must first
to evangelize the world.
a once-in-a-lifetime thing;
it
is
not
who had
Jesus Christ. This demands that
life to
we maintain intimacy with
the Lord.
Prayer
completed the
diocesan lay ministry program and
had been studying for the diaconate was planning
for four years,
our
all,
LaPointe was about to be
Jerry,
requires a day-to-day recommitment of
them
ordained a deacon.
evangelize
Evangelization
special to
very special event. Gerard
(Jerry)
beg you
who had come together to
honor a couple, at a
vineyard.
I
parishioners and
former parishioners, family and
part of the Lord's
in this
9.
They were
Your generous
response to God's call "to leave all things to follow
of shepherds
of March
Some have described our
increasing.
remarkable growth as "Pentecost
Eveiywhere the
in the South.
to be
ordained in June with the seven
members of his class. But when Bishop William Curlin other
essential in the
is
life
of a priest. Pope Paul VI said that prayer
learned that Jerrys wife, Lorraine, "explains
how we
live. "
While there are scheduled times
in
your is
seminary when you
will
pray with your brother seminarians, you must
also seek quiet times to be alone with the Master. Recall
how
often " St.
Jesus asked His disciples "to come aside and pray with Him. Vianney, patron saint effect
life in
three
adoration to
God s
he offered to con-
early.
Bishop Curlin
The Never forget that the Eucharist must remain the heart of our
it's
diaconate
the diaconate," said.
II
is
not new, and
know
it's
that.
a restoration."
It's
March 9 was
altar.
"Vatican
a gift to the church.
important that people
life.
around the Eucharist. Bring reverence and
Priestly ministry centers
months
stressed that
prayer.
ill,
sacrament of holy orders
"We need
John
of diocesan priests, remains a witness to the
of rooting our daily
terminally
fer the
a night of
firsts.
Bishop Curlin, who was director of
and devoted priest who can guide and
Entrust your soul to a wise strengthen
you as you
strive for personal holiness.
the bishop reminds deacons to "live
reconciliation in
God's
and spiritual
On
what they preach.
direction to be a source
the
first
ordination day,
United
"
ment on
Allow frequent
of grace
to
remain
diaconate class in the
States, conferred the sacraJerry,
the
calls
to be ordained at St. Margaret,
special love
and devotion
Jesus; through her intercession
to the
" It is
we
Blessed Mother. The church
through
will
Mary
that
remain faithful
to
we
received
who
there in 1972. In a ceremony held before the
ordination, Lorraine Establish a strong
I
thank
bond offriendship with your brother seminarians.
need priests! We must not
God daily for the
live
"
as "loners
support offered
my
brother priests.
Be assured that you have a special remembrance
in
prayers. You also have the prayers of our brothers
throughout the diocese,
whom you
will
but as brothers.
my Masses and
do not hesitate I
am
to call
on
my
visit to
in priestly
offer.
Until
later,
prior to
of his comments to the
us to understand that we're
wider
G.
Curlin lays
hands on Jerry LaPointe during LaPointe s ordination
to the
all
vul-
permanent diaconate at
St.
Margaret Church March
9,
2001.
nerable to dying," said Lorraine.
"God didn't give me this illness.
the sacrament of holy orders
a part of life. For
minal
illness
me, having a
has totally changed
spirituality. It
It's
ter-
my
me a great
has given
knowing
not alone, that Jesus
two
ladies right
to confer
three months early
when he
learned LaPointe s
wife,
Lorraine,
was terminally
ill.
that I'm
taking this
is
now who
have
cancer."
She looks
at Jerry. "I
have the
best care-giver in the world.
my
friends.
my
Those
I
feel
family,
are the
things that sustain me."
"We have two families, our fam-
commu-
new role as dea-
Bishop William
Bishop Curlin offered
but in
other in their marriage they are able
to
to
think this ministry has helped
through the love they have for each
ily
and the family at
St.
Margaret,"
Jerry said.
can do more as a deacon," said
"When you wear
collar,
TRIBUTE
"I
so blessed, not only in
"I
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
I
be
the time I've spent study-
LaPointes, telling them that
Jerry.
Bishop of Charlotte
will
ing."
to
his ordination.
con.
Curlin
all
it
by every deacon candidate
Prayerfully Yours in the Lord,
G.
to help people. If
journey with me. I'm ministering
nity through Jerry's
Most Reverend William
is
sense of peace,
to reach out to the
as always,
do
to
commitment to the bishop and the pope, commitments that are made
In his homily during the ordi-
your seminary. Please
me for any assistance I can
became the
wife to witness her husband's
many
look forward to meeting you during
worth
nation, Bishop Curlin directed
ministry.
I
first
and sisters
one day serve
built St.
Margaret, was ordained a priest
her Son.
want
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
love.
her the "Mother ofpriests.
Priests
deacon to
be ordained and the second person
William Murphy,
Have a
first
I
can help even one person,
a clerical
people are more apt to
you
BISHOP WILLIAM
to ask for help. That's
G.
CURLIN
Originally appeared in The
come
Catholic News
what
2001.
& Herald, March 16,
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
RCMANCATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20, 2002
"Sentire
Thank you
for
cum
your
for living
christo"
gift to
Gob's peopfe
your motto:
"To t^ink with dyrist"
You are remembereb fonbly in our baily prayers anb in our thoughts
Mercy of the Americas Regional Community of North Carolina Sisters of
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
u>
BISHOP WILLIAM G. CURL1N
ROMAN CATHOUC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20, 2002
pr
10
Congratulations to (Bishoj)
William g. CurRn
on the occasion of his retirement from the Staff and Parishioners of St.
Matthew Cathode Church
Msgr. John J. McSweeney, (Pastor
Equestrian Order of the
Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem Middle Atlantic Lieutenancy
in
Carolina Volkswagen
the United States
7800 E. Independence (704) 537-2336
The Most Reverend William G.
â&#x20AC;¢
Blvd., Charlotte (800) 489-2336
Curlin
Bishop Emeritus of Charlotte
With Prayerful Good Wishes Thank you
for
being a
Good Shepherd
to us al
from your friends at
Carolina Volkswagen
Bishop Curlin
Wishes and (BCessings in your (Retirement Years.
From
Your friends at Carolina Catholic Bookshoppe
(Best
Congratulations,
The Catholic Daughters
Charlotte
of
North Carolina State Court
Carolina Catholic
Court Asheville
Bookshoppe
Court Charlotte Court
{]"
Durham
Court Greensboro Court Sacred Heart (Salisbury)
Court Wilmington Court
St.
Joan of Arc
(Asheville)
Court Children of Mary (Elizabeth City) Court Infant of Prague (Jacksonville) Court Msgr. M. A. Irwin (New Bern) Court
St.
To Bishop Curlin
Francis of Assisi (Mocksville)
With
Deep
Gratitude!
Court of Immaculate Conception (Wilm.) St.
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
Luke Parish
Mint
Hill,
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
NC DECEMBER 20, 2002
I
With Gratitude, Prayers, and Our Very Best Wishes
the Archdiocese of Mobile join with Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb All in
in offering prayerful
congratulations to
mm Bishop Curlin
III IIII ''0:
on
llllllllllllll
his retirement.
May God bless and prosper the ways and days
that
lie
ahead.
Most ReverendJoseph E. Kurtz
and
Ad Multos Annos!
Tlw People of the Diocese ofKnoxviUe
S/hxfatiiocesc of
Jtt Shanfkt cjiuituj Of,
\£mvt Service
Qad'A Peepie
mpmues
m
Is
hop
on
his retirement as (^Sisherp
Mmt Sleavtend faeph of,
pcatf fjor
Pepe,
the tDiecete 0/
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
f/
fReifaement
J^Diocesc
ffifohap
appreciation to
CU
tthfUp <4 CAwdatle Chid Whhing, QoxVt CAaicett ffitetaingA
Jn yawc
gyNeio (9deerns
c
3).fZX,
to
Charlotte,
none health, happiness
%dJ3).
and
£a& Vega*
TRIBUTE
of.
of} fife
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
holiness of
Me.
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
Mmi blessings upon your retirement THE NATIONAL BLACK SISTERS' CONFERENCE The Residents and Staff of
The Little Flower Assisted Living Community Charlotte
CONGRATULATES
7~H
THE MOST REVEREND WILLIAM
CURLIN
G.
UPON HIS RETIREMENT AS THE
THE OIWOKY
BISHOP OF CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
Bishop Curlin Thanks for years of service. Enjoy a blessed retirement!
Thank you Bishop
The Oratorians
Curlin, for being
Rock
Hill,
SC
a dearfriend and guardian angel to the
You mil always
and we
r
1
National Black
Sisters Conference. 11
be
our bishop"
will neverforgetyou.
Tke Ohlates in
trie
of Saint Francis de Sales
who
serve
Diocese of Charlotte join with their
G. Morrissey, O.S.F.S., in extending hest wishes to Bishop Curlin on his retirement and in thanking him for the years that he has served as Shepherd of this diocese. provincial, Father Joseph
Sister Anita Baird,
Sister
Donna Banfleld,
DHM,
President
SBS, Vice President
Sister Patricia Chappell,
SNDdeN
Past President
101
Q
The National Black Sisters' Conference NE * Washington, DC 20002 * 202-529-9250
Street
Nbsc@igc.org
^y4d Wjuttoi ^s4nnos!!
www.nbsc68@tripod.com
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
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BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
Our Best wishes and Prayers "B'est
wishes
"^hepherd
C37e.nt.le
Bishop William
C. Curlin, d.d.
ana
happy
retirement
sisters
diocese,,
and
ana wno reached out to
Permanent Deacons
N
3>AanclAam
brothers
trie poor, t le
the aged,, the youth
sick,
ani id the imprisoned.
We,
JJiq
C6ired so lovingly for
Cz^od's people op the (Charlotte
marginalrzed, the
Diocesan Association of
who
priests, deacons, religious priests,
his
for a long and
and continued prefers por our
Qonisik
ommun it 4
tl
osary
in 1
exington,
or being such a
of
of
tl ie
you our pvayer>
oppe?''
living
presence
Our L^dy
example of
among
esu-s
us.
(jonyratufaiions OBi's/iop Cjurfi'n
you /laue Seen a Sfessiny /o
our
\a\\
.Diocese. more
CT^rorn i/ie
ZJ/ie
CTranc/scan briars
and<SlajJ
you nave
memy
p
r 4 ea rs of \r-?od J
1
s
Owr La^fy 0/ //z<? Rosaty, Lexington,
NC
Otranciscan Gen/ei\ Screens 6oro
Proud printer of
The Catholic News
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Herald since
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to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
BISHOP
CU&W
Gods abundant blessings be yours, Bishop, in all the years ahead.
Thank you for being such a supportive friend of the many redemptorists who have served St. James and St. Joseph,
Rkmtatfo Hams
Concord/Kannapolis, NC.
Our Mother of Perpetual Help keep you
in
her care.
f)iiworth's (airman Tradition since 1966
24JS park
Road (Near ยงcott
five.
& Kenilworth,
across from the ftoeriean Red Cross) Charlotte
704-376-3836
God Lless
our Skepkercl, snare d tke Love of
wko
graciously
CWt witk US.
Fr. Peter Jug'is
and Parishioners
(ยงux flub]} uf ^Enurites Monroe
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
SOOTHING WATERS OF GOURDES PROVIDE
NOURISHMENT FOR THE SOUE LOURDES,
France
— Carol
in
Washington,
New York and San
Khan immersed herself in the brisk
Francisco joined an international
waters of Lourdes and dropped to
confraternity of chapters from
her knees.
countries, bringing thousands of
Khan's action
may not seem
malades from
all
39
corners of the
miraculous, but in the heart and
earth to Lourdes, the place in the
mind
south of France where 138 years
of
48-year-old
the
Clemmons
resident,
ment of grace. She
it
was a mo-
ago the Blessed Virgin appeared to
been able
young Bernadette; an apparition
hasn't
sanctified by
to kneel in years.
Khan tary
credits the Sovereign Mili-
Bishop William G. Curlin,
Khan
bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte
was one of 27 malades (French ailing or invalid)
ions escorted
for
and their compan-
by members of the
— headquarWashington, D.C. — on
and a chaplain sociation,
tered in
annual international pilgrim-
"When you
Each year, Knights of Malta fuldreams
for
think about to
it,
Lourdes
ev-
as a
malade," said Bishop Curlin. "Each
afflicted
Pilgrims don't travel to Lourdes for a physical healing, he said.
only yearn for the blessing rendered
The
life."
otherwise
dozens of
who would
in Lourdes.
erybody goes
of us has some heartache in our
age to Lourdes.
individuals
for the Federal As-
accompanied the group
on the pilgrimage.
Federal Association
fill
in
Order of Malta (Knights of
Malta) with her experience.
their
Pope Leo XIII
1862.
Pilgrimage up-
holds the Knights of Malta mission
"They go deeper
for a greater courage, a
faith,
the ability to face
and not be conquered by
life
it."
of putting the sick and poor before everyone
This
Originally appeared in The
else.
year,
1996,
Dames and
Knights of Malta from associations
Above
right.
Bishop William
G.
Catholic
News
& Herald, May 17,
1996.
Curlin shares words of hope
and
prayer with Courtney Fredrikson of North Potomac, Md. at the Grotto in
Lourdes as Knight of Malta Mike Falcone looks
Bishop Curlin celebrates Mass and prays with a
on.
Below
right,
Dame of Malta
in
Lourdes.
^\«mte relation religious
Cod and
off
th
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
RESPECT LIFE
NEW MINISTRY FOR KNIGHTS MEANS MORE FREEDOM FOR DISABLED Nine Knights ofColumbus councils
provide freedom for the disabled
way
for the Catholic presence
of
charity to be recognized through-
operation. "As bishop, he leader of our
out the diocese," said Bishop
Poutier.
ample of charity
rated non-profit organization, pro-
"The ministry serves all who need help, no matter what
vides ramps for handicapped
denomination.
It is
of our love for
them and concern
through a life-enhancing ministry.
Operation Exodus, an incorpo-
people.
It
takes
its
name from
Greek words Ex, meaning
the
"out,"
and Hodos, meaning "way." cepted the position of honorary
chairman in 1994 of Operation Exodus. Bishop Curlin declared
new ministry
ramp
in the diocese
an expression
it
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
a
adopt
North Carolina
"This ministry
is
a wonderful
to
Bishop Curlin
man
as
we an
ex-
honorary chair-
exhibits the support
The by
St.
9560
this project.
Stephen Poutier, former grand
we receive
project originated in
1990
Vincent de Paul Council
Mecklenburg County, and
in
has expanded to other counties.
knight of Council 9560 and presi-
dent of Operation Exodus, said
was a wise decision to
ministry.
are
to other councils
from the diocese."
for their welfare."
councils in
"Not only
the said
within North Carolina, but having
Bishop Curlin encouraged other
Bishop William G. Curlin ac-
a
Curlin.
is
community,"
select
it
Bishop
Curlin as honorary chairman of the
Originally appeared in The Catholic
News
& Herald, March 3,
1995
Monument to
the
Bishop William 31,
was
1998 at
St.
G.
Unborn Curlin dedicated a
Monument
Thomas Aquinas Church
the undertaking
to the
in Charlotte.
The memorial
ofparishioner Robert Lavarnway,
awarded the rank of Eagle Scout for
Unborn Jan.
who was
his work. Assisting with the
project were Knights of Columbus Councils 10505. 7450
Also shown at
St.
is
and 2208.
Lavarnway s grandfather. Bob Kachmarik, a parishioner
James Church
in
Concord and member of Knights of Columbus
Council 7450.
Bishop William
G.
Curlin
and the
Knights of Columbus.
March for Life Bishop William
G.
Curlin joins
students the Diocese of Charlotte at the
March for Life
Washington.
in
D.C Jan
22, 2002.
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
"
"
BISHOPS ISSUE PASTORAL LETTER, APPEAL TO DIOCESES N.C.
November 1997, Bishop William G. Curlin along with
In
Raleigh Bishop
with a plea to
Joseph Gossman appealed to their dioceses
F.
all
of the
people, "of good will to reach out
state's
economic need." In
to those in dire
One Heart and One Mind,"
two bishops
the
invited "Tar Heel
Catholics and their neighbors in business, government
community eryone." cific
ways of ensuring economic
and
calls
the church to swift
"...As followers
ofJesus Christ
and as pastoral leaders
of the Roman Catholic commuNorth Carolina, we feel
compelled to express our grave concern for the children,
men cient
and
sincere action.
the pastoral letter:
our Lord,
nity in
and the
justice for ev-
The pastoral letter expressed urgent concern on a spe-
topic
From
to find
"Of
their pastoral letter,
in our state
women and
who
economic means
Catholics calls us to put the needs
ofthe poor and the vulnerable fore all
else.
be-
In our job-oriented
economy, this tradition in the security
is
expressed
ofgainful employ-
work with
"...We invite you to
us in finding ways to achieve eco-
lack suffi-
nomicjusticefor all. The mandate
to live full
of Scripture
andfruitful lives.
"...We are concerned because in
are those "...We write to ask you, our sis-
is clear,
and our
among
us looking for
work who cannot find
it;
those
direction
ing out to the poor
and
is
challenged to imitate the
help shape our world so that the
temporary employment;
God-given dignity ofevery human
among full-time
being will be acknowledged,
stantial
to
embrace with
re-
"
spected and protected.
Joseph Gossman of the
and One Mind,
"
crafted in
November 1997
to
letter,
"Of One Heart
appeal
to
both dioceses
in North Carolina "to reach out to those in dire economic need.
"
to
part-time or
and even
workers a sub-
the
Jesus in our
of
life
world of human as "
and are unable
The economic
recovery
"...As Catholics, relatively
though we are
small in number here,
"...We speak because our
ofthe last six years has generated a
we have a
American economy has expanded
wider income and benefit gulfbe-
tinue to use whatever influence
dramatically and many have pros-
tween the upper and lower ends of have
pered in the eleven years since the
our work force. To the working decisions are more accountable
U.S. Bishops' 1986pastoral letter, All.
Yet
haunted by how the
among us are faring.
There
much poverty and
least
is
too
too little
economic opportunity for
Our faith
we
all
our
tradition as
THE CATHOLIC NEWS
&c
poor, the impact
ofthe expansion
has been selective and discriminatory.
lead
These economic disparities to injustices
attention.
and
9-11:
well as spiritual need.
provide for their families basic
necessities.
Economic Justice for
On
not an easy journey, but we are
number who fall below
subsistence wages to
citizens.
F.
vulnerable among us. Discipleship
but are limited
still
and Bishop
and the contextfor reach-
who need and desirefull-timejobs
are
Curlin
Catholic social teachinggives us the
us our Church's responsibility to
and brothers,
G.
Diocese of Raleigh review their joint pastoral
'
the midst ofa strong economy there
ters
Bishop William
"
ment.
the
to
responsibility to con-
we
ensure that public policy to
common good of all North
Carolinians, from the native born to the
newly arrived.
"
'e
us the peac &
demanding our
We must raise our voices
act to improve
and change
these conditions.
HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
LETTERS
17
PAGE
A J(828) 326-7090
NE NC 28601-9012
125 42nd Av<;nm Circle Hickory,
Vatican City, October 25, 2002
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567N2002
October 9, 2002
Your Excellency, Dear Bishop Curlin,
—
The occasion of your retirement evokes nany reflections regret, that an era of such radiance is coming to an end; nostalgia, for memories of happy and inspiring days; thanksgiving, for the spiritual, theological, and ecumenical leadership that you have given to Christians in North Carolina.
With
the publication of your
directed
me
to
convey
you
to
resignation from the office of
September
residential Bishop of Charlotte on'
Holy Father has
10, the
deep appreciation
his
for
your nearly
fourteen years of dedication to the episcopal ministry. First, as Auxiliary
service as bishop has opened up many new possibilities for Christian witness. Yoiir
Bishop of Washington D.C. for residential
It is not just your own Catholic flock that has been blessed by your spirituality. I think of a particular event on the Lenoir-Rhyne College campus when you served as the leader for one of the monthly colloquia. The room was filled with faculty, students, local clergy, and laity of various denominations. As you told of your experiences with the poor and the sick, and especially your ministry with Mother Theresa, there wasn't a dry eye to be
Bishop of Charlotte
served the Church with has also asked
me
filial
and a half years, and then as
you have always
obedience and dedication. The Holy Father
to express to
continue in pastoral service
five
for the past eight years,
you
to the
his closeness in
Church
ways
in
prayer that you that
may
your healdi and
God's providence permits.
seen.
The Holy Father
You exemplify what it means to look for Jesus in other people--and thereby manifest Jesus yourself in all your relationships. ... closer For your energetic support of efforts toward deeper understanding and For your love, and for your generous self-giving, you will be long ong remembered, remembered. rur s — dear r„4 friend friendship, and your manifestation of Jesus to me, I give you *u-,..t thanks, .i
is
aware Of the great
loyalty
manifested for the Church and the See of Peter.
—
that
over
these past fourteen and a half years you have dedicated yourself to the
episcopal office under the special guidance and strength of die Holy Spirit
and the intercession of Our Lady
look forward to more opportunities to spend time together, enjoying each other's company, now that you have retired. May God bless you with good health and a sense of fulfillment in the days to come.
faithful to
Your brothe
in the
I
you have always
He knows
in
service to the people of God, ever
your episcopal motto "Sentire
Cum
Christo
".
His Holiness prays dial you will continue to find great happiness
Christ,
by
days ahead dirough the knowledge of the work that has been done
the
Lord
in
your years of pastoral ministry.
Paul in his letter to the Church
Michael C. D. McDaniel Retired Bishop North Carolina Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
to
at
you now: "May he enlighten your innermost
Prot. N.
May
words of Saint
the
Ephesus be a source of great comfort vision that
you may know
567\02
October 25, 2002
Static
of North Carolina
the great hope to which he has called you, the wealth of his glorious
Office of the Governor 20301 Mail Service Center • Raleigh,
Michael
F.
heritage to be distributed among the members of the Church, and the immeasurable scope of his power in us who believe" (Eph 1:19).
NC 27699-0301
Easley
November
Governor
12,
2002
With
fraternal affection in our
Lord Jesus
Christ, His Holiness
imparts to you his Apostolic Blessing, invoking upon you grace and peace.
The Most Reverend William G. Curlin
Roman Catholic Diocese I
Pastoral Center 1
and
123 South Church Street
Charlotte,
my
take this occasion to assure you of
my
prayers for your health
sentiments of esteem and fraternal regard,
NC 28203 elv vours in Christ,
Dear Bishop Curlin:
You have served for 45 years as a Catholic priest and for eight of those; we have been blessed to have you as the Bishop of the Charlotte diocese. Your commitment to your church and to the Charlotte community leaves a lasting legacy and 1 know that your work
not yet finished.
is
Your concern for the poor brought Mother Teresa's Sisters to Charlotte and they still continue their work to this day. And even though you have begun your retirement, you still work tirelessly to assist those in need.
The Most Reverend William G. CURLIN The love that you have for the people of your diocese is evident in the many times you have said yes to them. You have traveled countless miles to pray, to minister and to heal. Your decision to remain in the Charlotte area also speaks to this great love. Mary, Michael and
I
wish you the best as you begin
this
Chancery Office 1123 South Church Street P.O. Box 36776 Charlotte, North Carolina
new phase of your
28236
USA
vocation.
With warm personal regards,
1
remain
Very
truly yours,
Michael
F.
Easley
MFE/cb cc:
Joan Keane, Editor
Location: 116 West Jones Street
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
•
Raleigh,
NC * Telephone:
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to
(919) 733-5811
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
ECUMENISM
NORTH CAROLINA'S ROMAN CATHOLICS AND LUTHERANS CONVENT RENEW — Bishop Curlin pledges
and treasure
BURLINGTON the
between
rift
gathered Jan. 14, 1996 at the altar
Catholic churches to pray for each
sensitive priest
of the Macedonia Lutheran
other and together, collaborate "for
marks centered on the one
unity the fervent prayer of Jesus
North
Roman
Carolina's
Catholic and Lutheran bishops
newed
re-
the five-year-old covenant
Church,
three bishops
— William
G. Curlin of the Diocese of CharJoseph Gossman of the
lotte, F.
Mark
Diocese of Raleigh and
just a
block from Blessed
Sacrament Catholic Church
more
effective ministry,"
in
point liaisons between diocesan and
synodical ministries, institutions
copies of the Lutheran-Catholic
and
agencies.
Bishop Curlin recalled growing
Covenant. Originally signed in 1991 by
up
in a close-knit family that di-
Bishop Gossman; Archbishop John
vided on Sundays.
E Donoghue, former bishop of Charlotte and now Archbishop of
mother went
Adanta; and Bishop Michael
CD.
"One
church; one grandfather went to
the Lutheran church,
Evangelical Lutheran
Lutheran Synod, the covenant calls
went
Church
in
—
America (ELCA)
Lutheran and
for the
Roman
Methodist
to the
McDaniel, former bishop of the
Carolina
grand-
church, another went to the Catholic
to the Episcopal church, al-
said
it's
me later on
Anglican."
is
common
"It
all
name and
my
But when
I
put
I
will see
to
it, I
pledge that
love
and
treasure Christ in ev-
ery one of you."
"Now just documents, not just
Bishop Gossman said the covenant represents a "desire to
move
heavy theological discussions and
closer
Scriptural discussions. But the
we
believe Jesus Christ prayed for
on
the night before his death.
ground
rule
is
that
we see and
and treasure Christ
in
love
one another.
and
somehow
When we walk in each other's lives,
division
Christ enters our
among
lives."
The Lutheran-Catholic Convenant, said Bishop Curlin, "a
is
closer to the unity that
— and
us who
that's
what
it is
—
claim to be follow-
of Jesus Christ
ers
That
or other, the scandal of
—
will really
end."
covenant of loving Christ in one
per,
—
not just a piece of pa-
not just something that says
up
in a multifaith faith family
'we'll
helped
make him an ecumenically
certain areas of concern
ing
Christian
for the poor.'
begins with Christ in us," he
another
Bishop Curlin said that grow-
to
re-
figure
denominations: Jesus Christ.
and another
though they corrected
and
that
said.
Menees of the Synod of North
—
and ap-
Burlington, to sign each of the three
between the two churches.
The
and bishop. His
Calling
and Christian
and love
Christ' in allpeople
their churches "a
scandal of division,"
himself,
to see
Originally appeared in lic
News
The Catho-
& Herald, Jan. 19, 1996.
pray together and we'll have
and
care
Catholic and Lutheran
bishops join to comfort
HIV/AIDS
those with CHARLOTTE
— For
people suffering from
years,
is
me
the brokenness, the hurt,
the ridicule, the criticism
How-
spair. I will refresh you.'"
have been ostracized by society. ever,
'Bring
HIV or AIDS
the only sickness that
is
James
terrifying
the absence of God. In the Diocese
of Charlotte, those same shunned
in-
with
pseudonym) has
(a
ened by what he called a circle of faith. "It's
ing power of the Lord.
and Bishop Menes
ing
was the second year for the Heal-
Mass at St.
on June
1 1
,
and
Patrick Cathedral,
open
for the
100 individuals hungry for the healing that
comes with God's Word.
Mass
in
1994
as a sign
of
HIV
or
compassion to those with
AIDS, and
their
This
caregivers.
year,
families
— —
supporting
Not only does James
cherish the
as representa-
of their churches
us in our pain."
ecumenical
efforts
suffering with
supporting those
AIDS, but he
said, "It
allows people to see the best example
Bishop William G. Curlin established the
important to have Bishop Curlin
tives
1995, the arms of com-
passion were flung wide
lived
HIV for seven years. He is enliv-
dividuals receive comfort in the heal-
It
and the de-
and
Bishop Curlin
of God's
and car-
love, actively loving
ing for people."
Bishop Curlin urged those attending to allow
of
God
their souls
to enter the depths
and confirm
his love.
was joined on the altar by Bishop Mark
"God lives in
Menes of the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
"When we feed a hunger person, God feeling the hungry. Bear witness
America to perform the laying on
to Jesus, not by talking about him, but
in
of hands for
—
people
a sign of spiritual healing
Curlin.
by
"We
awakening
God,"
said
need a deep
in us
living like
Bishop
spiritual
of his presence."
Those attending the Mass were
that the church
Mark
Menees of the Synod of North Carolina — Evangelical Lutheran Church
in
America sign each of the three copies
made
Macedonia Lutheran Church
evident
a place of mercy and
in Burlington,
N.C.
Jan. 14, 1996.
care for all people," said Bishop Menes.
"In the judgmental world
we must remember
we
live in,
Bishop William
in
praying for the healing of all people,
no matter what
"God doesn't have Our Lord looks at you and me and wants us for who we
lic
G.
Curlin stands with Bishop Michael
to imitate Christ C. D.
encouraged by Bishop Curlin to have faith in
Curlin; Bishop F. Joseph Gossman.
of the Lutheran-Catholic Covenant at the altar of the
clearly is
G.
bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh; and Bishop
him."
"This Mass
"We are here today to be filled with
Bishop William
Bishop Curlin. it's
who are suffering.
the presence of
us," said
McDaniel, retired bishop of the North Carolina
Synod
their illness."
— Evangelical Lutheran Church
in
America.
God's love.
conditional love.
are," said
Bishop Curlin. "Jesus
Originally appeared in
News
The Catho-
& Herald, June 23, 1995.
says,
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
MULTICULTURAL
OURIADYOF GUADALUPE DEDICATED FOR GROWING HISPANIC COMMUNITY — Years
CHARLOTTE and
struggle
of
paid off
faith finally
for the Hispanic Catholics in the
Charlotte area
when Bishop
new Our
Lady of Guadalupe Church June 2,
2002.
—
formerly The new building known as the Catholic Hispanic
Center
— symbolized
the growing
commitment
plans to build a sanc-
tuary in the next decade, as well as
"We
complex and soccer
field.
have a soccer league with
al-
most 200 kids," said Father Finnerty. "The parking is barely enough now, so
there's a
forward for both Hispan-
tive step
and the Catholic Church.
ics
"There are a
of signs of growth
lot
in this diocese;
not just physically
but
he
need to
spiritually,"
in the dio-
said.
"This building
which we come
keep on expanding."
Half the population
of Guadalupe Church was a posi-
to
is
Bishop Curlin. "We Word of God will al-
in Jesus," said
continuing plan that started a long
Almost 50 parishes work with His-
pray that the
time ago.
panic communities, and each of the
ways echo inside these
"This means a
first
lot for the
His-
panic people," said Vincentian Father Vincent Finnerty,
when they were holding Mass the gymnasium of the old Our
ago in
Lady of the Assumption School
in
walls."
10 vicariates has a full-time HisOriginally appeared in The Catho-
panic ministry coordinator.
who came
to the Hispanic parish seven years
an-
other and give witness to our faith
cese identifies itself as Hispanic.
it
a place to
know one
phase of a
but
Our Lady
Father Finnerty said
The parish a sports
to live as Christ has
taught us."
munity."
Hispanic population in the diocese,
was only the
It's
com-
a real tribute to the Hispanic
Will-
iam G. Curlin presided over the dedication Mass for the
get this building built for years.
"In 20 years, will
we are told that this
lic
& Herald, June 14, 2002.
News
be primarily a Hispanic dio-
cese," said
Bishop Curlin. "Here,
the young will learn of their Cathofaith
lic
and adults will deepen
their
Charlotte.
Father Finnerty said the parishioners have
worked hard
center built.
to get the
Those who cannot
donate their treasure donate generously with their time
he Bishop William
G.
said.
Curlin blesses
think the people are very
"I
the
new Our Lady of Guadalupe
Church during the dedication
Mass June
at 2,
and talents,
Our Lady of Guadalupe
produced, and they
feel
that
William
G.
Curlin
and Rev.
Our
all," said
it
activities,
the sacrament of
and a Mass honor-
Feb. 16, 1999, but the Vietnamese
ing Vietnamese saints added to the
Catholic
community of Charlotte commemorated a beginning of its
weekend
own Nov. 29 with a Mass dedicating its new church and cultural cen-
munity numbered about 20 fami-
Hispanic culture ever since
in the
Mr.
Diego near Mexico City
in 1531.
Because today's Hispanics have
Finnerty said,
can
think today they
"I
really express their
been with them and in
confidence
Our Lady of Guadalupe
that
all
will
struction of their
—
own
has
continue
of their struggles; and
part of that struggle
this
the con-
"Today,
Bishop Curlin the
dream
as
that
he
all
said,
"This
is
of us had for
many years, and now the dream has come true. So I ask God to bless you
for
make
all
that
you have done
to
this possible."
"It's
not only a church, but also
a center for a lot of activities that
Inkrott, O.S.F., director
of
in
May
1981,
when
Joseph
St.
officially install
you as
By 1988,
the
community was 400
said Bishop
William G. Curlin to
"I
come to consecrate your altar
and dedicate your church. In dothis,
I
affirm
and honor you
as
a very special, holy people of God,"
added the bishop,
In
September 1994, the
weekly for Mass and other
those in attendance.
who
ties at St.
May
In
St.
Jo-
activi-
Ann Church in Charlotte. 1995, the
community
re-
ceived permission from the bishop to build
its
The
celebrated
own
church.
300-seat church will serve
Mass with diocesan and guest clergy, including Father Tan Van Le,
as a cultural center for
some 1 ,500
Vietnamese Catholics
in the
the community's chaplain.
lotte area, as well as the locality's
The dedication Mass and festivities, attended by some 2,500
greater
people, crystallized a
20
Char-
Vietnamese population of
close to 10,000.
dream almost Originally appeared in The Catho-
years in the making.
The
liturgy highlighted
two
lic
News
& Herald, Dec.
4,
1998
days of celebrating the dedication
have been praying and working to
in
CURLIN
lies
seph community began meeting
of
G.
I
community of faith in the wider community of the whole diocese,"
Hispanic Ministry. "The people
BISHOP WILLIAM
The Vietnamese Catholic com-
a
bring people together," said Sister
Andrea
occasion.
strong and growing.
ing
church."
reconciliation
was chosen by them as their patron.
ter.
is
Father Finnerty translated for
to
Youth
namese New Year will be celebrated
English and finding work, Father
TRIBUTE
Viet-
Lady
many struggles, including learning
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
— The
of Guadalupe has been embedded
dedication Mass.
a mosaic of,
realized at dedication
CHARLOTTE
Father
Mary first appeared to peasant Juan Raphael Torres during the
dream
Lady of Guadalupe has been with
Finnerty, explaining that the
Father Vincent Finnerty, Bishop
Vietnamese community's
happy with what their struggle has
them through
2002.
and culture
Celebrating faith
St.
Joseph Vietnamese Church
southwest Mecklenburg County.
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
MULTICULTURAL
20
PAGE
Bishop William G. Curlin reaches out
many
to the
diverse cultures that represent the
mosaic of people
in the
Diocese of Charlotte.
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20, 2002
The
staff of the
CATHOLIC CONFERENCE CENTER thanks you for your leadership
and guidance
The Most Reverend Thomas G. Doran, D.D.,
and wishes you God's continual
Catholic Faithful of the
Diocese of Rockford
to
in
offer prayerful best wishes and thanks to Bishop William G. Curlin for his years of service to the
Conference Center
\JI
CD.
and the blessings.
Catholic ^^The pz tz
J.
Diocese of Charlotte
God f01
whom we experienced a shepherd gentle in his care
andfirm in his preadxing of Holy Cross
the truth.
Catholic CHiurch, Kernersville,
^Jke
1 3th
NC
C^kapter of tke hook of ^omani, uerde 7 dpeakd of rendering
konor
^kerefore, we at
to
whom
oCeeper
dincerelu thank d3idkop (Purlin for
and Service
to tke
au Cjod continue
to
^Jdid
honor
l6
due.
Company would like
8
ueard
hodu of Ckrtit
bleddinc^d
honor
and
of dedication, commitment
and tke community.
keep uou in ^Jdid perfect peace
manu
to
and dkower
upon uou.
RlL RJ. Leeper Construction Company,
801
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
inc.
Clanton Road, Suite 110, Charlotte, NC, 28217, Phone (704) 522-8700
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
C.
CURLIN
Fax (704) 522-9881
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
Prayerful best wishes for your retirement.
T
T Good Shepherd Church
mdtimfieofde ojtk King,
*
NC
\iwme o^Qmmfmal mkni
kmwld kd uSm fa On
behalf of
Good News Ministries
m
lui
ntmmdcn
Charlotte
we
zvish to congratulate
for
all
you on your retirement and thank you
ofyour support with Youth
We
offy/Hifi(/at(o/hs
the Southeast
FIRE Rally and
the
POWER Rally.
are praying for you as you continue your journey offaith.
andfitHtyeryful best? laisAes to
Bishop William G. Curlin as you enter this
We
join
new phase
you
in
of your
life in
the service of our Lord.
the celebration of your retirement as
Bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina.
ay the Lord's choicest blessings be upon you and your people as you continue your holy ministry. a^ from the Clergy, Religious
Bishop
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
F.
BISHOP WILLIAM
and
Laity of the Diocese of Raleigh
Joseph Gossman
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
The
Sisters of the
dSi^Lop (Purlin
an 1
tkanlz6
and bedt
Holy Child Jesus
ividk ed 1
it tu on uour reuremen
offer their gratitude
and
best wishes to ^J^loiu
Spirit
Lurch
tic
Bishop To Bishop William
William Q. Curlin
Curlin
God's blessings on your retirement. Our thanks for your dedicated, generous life and ministry as priest
e are grateful for
and bishop.
many
gifts
and
your
service*
Bishop William Houck and the clergy, religious and people of the Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi vvww.siK'j.org
Best Wishes from the Southeastern redemptorist
Congratulations to you,
Bishop William Curlin, on your retirement,
and our sincere thanks to you for your leadership.
OSF New Smyrna
Beach, Florida
The Sisters of St. Francis of Tiffin, Ohio serving the Diocese of Charlotte since 1964.
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
With heartfelt thanks for your support
Best wishes
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
on your retirement!
THANK YOU BISHOP CURLIN YOU HAVE BEEN OUR
SHEPHERD AND OUR
The Knights
of
Columbus
of North Carolina
GUIDE
FROM THE PEOPLE OF
Bishop Curlin, ST.
ANN'S
GOD'S BLESSINGS
ON YOUR RETIREMENT
PARISH Our Lady
of
Guadalupe Catholic Church Charlotte
Thank you, Bishop for the
Happy Retirement
priest
Bishop Curlin
Curlin,
many years of stellar example
who
loves
as a
Our Lord and His people,
and for directing us with loving care
and Best Wishes!
as
Bishop of Charlotte.
Thank you for all you have done for the Diocese of Charlotte and for us here at St. Francis of Assisi.
We keep you
Be assured of our continued prayers and fond, thoughts.
in our prayers.
Congratulations!
JT.
FRANCI/ OF AJ/IJI CHURCH MOCKJVILLE, NC
Parishioners of
St.
James and
St.
Concord and Kannapolis,
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
Joseph
NC DECEMBER 20,
2002
Tliank you for your years of dedicated service to our diocese. May our all-good God continue to gift you
many
graces
and blessings
in the
Congratulations on your retirement,
years ahead.
Bishop Curlin! Thank you Our Lady
of
Mercy Church and Our Lady of Fatima Chapel Winston- Salem
for
being our Shepherd.
We
look forward to seeing you at Confirmation.
THANK YOU, BISHOP CURLIN Our Lady of the Highways Church Thomasville The parishioners of St.
Margaret Mary Church
Swannanoa, NC
BISHOP WILLIAM G.CURLIN May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow, May the soft winds freshen your spirit, May the sunshine brighten your heart, May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you And may God enfold you in the mantle ofHis love.
May God bless you with many years of a happy retirement.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church and School Salisbury
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
C.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
The St.
priests
Mary's
and parishioners of
Congratulations!
always be grateful to
will
Bishop Curlin for his leadership, his kindness,
and
exemplary priestly
his
life.
St.
Aloysius Church
Hickory
Congratulations and
Be assured of our prayers. Congratulations
and
t
i.
best wishes
-^7
'
A'
for a fruitful retirement.
sit mmsrs
n
of faithful service!
«uc cum
Greensboro,
1 m
Benedict the Moor Winston-Salem, NC
St.
NC
TTHFRM JOLIZiJxi i 1 J
QniKJ %J\J
t.
thank you for your many years
L/iJIJlIi
JL
SINCE 1899
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES, WORLDWIDE
Thank You, Bishop William Curlin, For Years Of Outstanding Service
To Our Community
And Best Wishes For A Long and Healthy
Retirement
From Your Friends At
NAI
A
1701 East Third
Strict •
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
Charlotte,
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to
Southern Real Estate
HC 28204
• Omci: 704 375-1000 • Fax:704 375-2384 • www.srshccom
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
The Parishes of St.
Thomas Aquinas, Charlotte
Our Lady of Consolation, Charlotte Immaculate Conception, Hendersonville
the Capuchin Friars who staff these parishes and the parishioners
Salute Our Beloved Bishop William G. Curlin.
We express our gratitude for
his love, devotion,
and service to us throughout his years as our shepherd.
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
C.
CURLIN
1A ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
HOLIDAY MESSAGES
BISHOP CUFJLIN GIVES HOLIDAY THANKS During the holy seasons ofthe liturgicalyear, Bishop William G. Curlin always gave thoughtful consideration as he prepared messages
ofhope and encouragementfor the faithful ofthe diocese.
We have extracted a samplingfrom
both Easter and Christmas messages:
CHRISTMAS
EASTER "Two thousand that
first
you and
Jesus,
life'
As the
won
by
for us
new
for as often as
we
tion
...
we
have
have to look far to see the
results
— 1996
We
within
life
"The world
1995
"This can be a Christmas for each of us
do not
to
remember.
A Christmas that remembers
Christ; Christ hidden in the poor, the
of life with-
homeless, the neighbor or elderly friend
still
demands
of loyalty to Christ
the fibers of our being
and
we
desire eternal happiness than
to
woven
"This year
into
finds roots deep
the
We can no more cease to
within our souls.
hunger for food.
It is in
liv-
— 1996
the supreme
it is
...
re-
—
Eucha-
ing alone and unnoticed."
test
This holy
us.
newal of the Spirit of God within us."
death and resurrec-
needs God.
— His
life
season challenges us to seek that inner
until death
celebrate the
recall Christ's
Our world
out Him."
His only Son into
be-
life
God the Fa-
when He sent this world that we might
ther gave us His greatest gift
Christ's passion,
and continues
gins at baptism
rist,
of
by our acceptance of the
death and resurrection. This
—
disciples
are called to proclaim faith
I
in the resurrection
'new
"Christmas reminds us that
years have passed since
Easter Sunday.
century and the beginning
of a new millennium. This
can cease
Do we
—
is
a
good time
what Christmas means
to question
accord with our
nature and the yearning in our hearts."
a very special Christmas,
is
last in this
to us.
acknowledge the birth of Jesus
the Father's great
gift
and proof of His
as
love
'
1998
"Easter can
shallow faith real
mean very little to one with
who
points to death as the life. It
unites
for
who
all
heart."
life
doorway
follow
Him with an
carry Jesus in our hearts?
of Life?
Do we
and through
Jesus
believe that
and
undivided
is
...
If
of faith,'
discover us sharing His gifts of love peace, especially with those
of these
gifts."
— 2000
most
in
justice in today's
manger."
and
asked that
...
As His
will
believe that
to
do
so,
Christmas
then the Di-
we
it is
find the peace that an-
first
Christmas night?
s tmas
Jesus through
His
wrapped
in a
in
manger."
God living
swaddling clothes
— 2000
reminds
greatest gift
^
disciples, Jesus has
we witness our
love for
Him
by
sharing that love with our neighbors, even the least
among
us."
— 2001
"Easter solves the riddle of life It
points
beyond the grave
come. There, we
will
and death.
to the
world to
one day lay down the
burdens of our years and, homeward bound, pass to
life
— 2002
with Christ and immortality."
n'ight ha
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
I
found when you and I have
the humility to kneel and adore
need
His suffering and death to the glory of His Resurrection.
fail
sang of that
in an infant
we walk with
...
— 1999
"When gels
"Holy Week is a time for the enrichment as
world?
Is
for peace
an excellent opportunity to address these
and lying of the soul
us
we
Him among the living 'with eyes we will find Him. May this Easter
look for
lives in
vine Child remains quietly resting in the
grace to end. Jesus has asked us to be wit-
triumph over death.
He
our voice that of Jesus pleading
cannot allow these days of special
ness to His
womb,
Do we rec-
continues to feed the hun-
us,
questions. If we
"We
in her
gry and clothe and house the homeless?
to eternal
on earth with life in heaven
— 1999
As Mary carried Jesus
do we
ognize Jesus in the Eucharist as our Bread
does not understand the
meaning of the Resurrection.
for us?
DECEMBER 20,
2002
MOTHER TERESA
30
PAGE
IN MEMORY Bishop Curlin
CHARLOTTE — On the second anniversary of
the death of
lar
conviction that she was already a
me
saint. "Please let
William G. Curlin offered prayers
replied.
of remembrance for the woman who
the sense of humor of which Bishop
During a memorial Mass
on a number of the
experi-
ences from their friendship of nearly
Mother Teresa know she could
three decades.
came
quicidy
to
count on the bishop and his willingness to pitch
whether
in,
it
be
scrubbing the floors of a planned hospice, or conducting
impromptu
her and her
sisters in In-
retreats for
Moreover, he spoke of her simple
—
the driving force of Mother
Teresa.
she
of
typical
woman
of joy," he
said.
Following her death, an outpouring of requests from
all
over the
world prompted Pope John Paul
II
to waive the usual waiting period of five years after
the death before in-
of new sainthood causes
vestigation
can begin. Church sources in said
apparendy the
it is
Rome time
first
such an exception had been made.
Bishop Curlin was one of those
by providing testimony
vestigation
that will help substantiate sainthood,
a request
he was honored to
fulfill.
"She saw with an inner vision,"
As the Vatican committee scours the
Bishop Curlin. "She saw with
earth for witness of miracles, Bishop
said
her heart.
you want
It
was her
to touch
down and touch
belief that if
Curlin
God, you reach
of her
a crying child, a
dying person, you feed the homeless,
or just reach out to the broken-
hearted." That, the bishop recalled, is
first,"
asked to contribute to the official in-
dia.
faith
die
Her response was
Curlin frequendy spoke. "She was a
at St.
Patrick Cathedral, the bishop reflected
charisma ofMother Teresa
Charleston, S.C., about the popu-
Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Bishop
captured the hearts of the world.
recalls the
where Mother Teresa said you will
find Jesus in the least In 1995,
among
us.
Mother Teresa
Charlotte, where she
raised the hearts this, said
"We
Bishop Curlin in
up.
four of her
sisters
to continue in ministry to the poor.
Years before her death, the world called her a saint.
at a press
his homily.
inspire
"We
and move
and motivate us and charge us
Mother Teresa
virtue. est
who
practiced heroic
She taught us that the
great-
power you have on earth
is
Mother Teresa was the keynote
in-
speaker for an ecumenical prayer
side you."
service at the Charlotte Coliseum
During a tour of
the United States in 1982, she was
asked
want
need heroes today," said
us
left
virtues, she
of the world." With
do the same.
to
While
and
little
the bishop, she helped and
vice at the Charlotte Coliseum.
a convent
one tiny
inspired coundess millions to
need heroes
she established
...
and with those two
...
speaker for an ecumenical prayer ser-
in the diocese,
"The greatest miracle
was
life
woman who had only faith and love
visited
was keynote
offers,
conference in
in 1995.
Originally appeared in
News
& Herald,
At
left,
Bishop William
The Catholic
Sept. 9,
Curlin blesses the convent
1999.
established by Mother Teresa
while in the diocese. Mother
^leath of Mattery 0*
^
Teresa
«
emotion
left four
North Carolina
of her to
sisters in
continue
in
ministry to the poor.
ie
« mother
to
^
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
G.
MOTHER TERESA
Following Mother Teresa's death, an outpouring of requests from over the world prompted Pope John Paul
all
waive the usual waiting
II to
period offive years after the death before investigation of new sainthood causes can begin. Church sources
in
Rome
said
it is
apparently the first time such an exception had been made.
Bishop Curlin was one of those asked
to contribute to the official
investigation by providing testimony that will help substantiate
sainthood, a request he
was honored
to fulfill.
As
the Vatican committee
scours the earth for witness of miracles. Bishop Curlin greatest miracle of her faith
and love
world. " With millions to
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
...
was
...
one
and with those two
tiny little
virtues,
to
offers,
"The
woman who had only
she raised the hearts of the
said the bishop, she helped
this,
want
life
and
inspired countless
do the same.
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
HOUSE OF MERCY THANKS BISHOP CURIJN FOR GIVING TO AIDS COMMUNITY CHARLOTTE who dedicates his rist,
— For
life
to the
man
providing care for those with AIDS."
Eucha-
"At his very core, Bishop Curlin
a
an honor for outreach to people
whose
lives are affected
AIDS
by
is
an affirmation of his concern for the entire
body of Christ here on
earth.
Bishop William G. Curlin was
honored as the 2000
Thanks
for
recipient
of the
Giving Award by the
House of Mercy, an AIDS outreach facility
founded and operated
Belmont by the
Sisters
North Carolina. The recognizes a person
in
is
who
has con-
He
an administrator.
Gallagher,
who
comes
Curlin, the word compassion to
mind," said Father Mauricio
W.
him
of Gods
is left
Thanks
Giving
Award. The tribute included the
House of Mercy's naming prayer
a
new
room in the facility in Bishop
who
years of priesthood
work
to
"was
to bear
new
Mercy presents a clock
on the
to
Bishop
William G. Curlin Nov. 18, 2000.
flock."
thanksgiving in serving God's people as
he had on the day of his ordina-
a priest,
and I can
fund-raiser and supporter," said Stan
to
presi-
officer.
A timefor healing Love, forgiveness evident at
tion.
sense of devotion
dent and chief executive
Stan Patterson of House of
al-
and
and how he feels the same
bishop would be here for us as a
House of Mercys
1994.
of ser-
and dedication
"Here I am, going on 44 years as
are very pleased that the
Patterson,
The Catho-
8,
ar-
Curlin reflected on his four decades as a priest
Curlin's honor.
"We
& Herald, July
Accepting the award, Bishop
fifth re-
for
News
"what moti-
to such standards
shepherding of his
love."
Bishop Curlin was the cipient of the
out-
lic
in the bishops life that
given the opportunity to bring
pastoral
"For him, no one
love."
Gallagher recalled the bishop of
(now diocesan adminis-
side the circle
cism. Jesus always looked to give
Originally appeared in
the Diocese of Charlotte
most 40
trator).
not
so filled
others."
West, diocesan vicar general and chancellor
with anger and bitterness and criti-
is.
is
Charlotte in 1994, recalled
vice, self-sacrifice
House of
mar-
is
not
Bishop Curlin since the bishops rival in
world that
velous, in a
known
has
vates
think of the
is
somebody else," he said. "To
have the chance to give love
He is first, last and
AIDS and
I
is
says to
always a priest forever."
Mercy and the ministry of Bishop
-
not a social worker; he
is
moments
"When
"You never know what your life
and
who he
It is
built a foundation for
it,
Inc.,
a friend of the bishop. "It
something he does.
tributed to direct care, services or
the virus that leads to
treasurer
of Good Will Publishers,
general support for people with
HIV.
~
and
chief executive officer
those assembled to look
all
for the same.
a priest," said Robert Gallagher,
chairman of the board of directors,
of Mercy of
annual award
invited
still
feel
that deep
God that I am a priest," he said. He said the priesthood allows
him
to seek
"Bishop Curlin has been very sup-
Gods
portive of organizations involved in
everyday
love
Mass
for persons with CHARLOTTE — Approxihe
and that gratitude
ways of transforming
by word and deed into
moments of grace, and he
not to see me,"
of St. Patrick
Charlotte
on ofhands
it's
or
—
a sign of spiritual heal-
Mass with
AIDS,
HIV and
their families, friends
Bishop William G.
Mary Wright who
A partner of someone with AIDS was the most powerful
or deal with the deadly disease the as-
said
surance of Christ's love.
he had ever attended. its
the
it
He
service
prey to a grim demise.
fall
Most
dis-
tressing to the bishop are the people
who
have been shunned by
society,
and thanked Bishop Curlin afterward.
"The Mass
revealed the true
not here for some
church's concern for the individual and
the love and forgiveness ofJesus," said
thing except this: That we believe there
Jesuit Father
McCreesh,
God of mercy and love and heal-
viser for four
RAFN
a
(a
Interfaith
pseudonym for a man with he was moved to
Peter
pastoral ad-
(Regional
AIDS
Network) teams from
Church
St.
tears
Speaking from his heart, Bishop Curlin told poignant stories about his
gling for so long to get churches in-
days as chaplain at Gift ofPeace, a resi-
"I
volved," he said after Mass.
Most
people are so afraid of the disease, they refuse to deal
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
with
it.
"Churches tend
CURLIN
dential
home
for people
in Washington
with
AIDS
run by Mother Teresas
Sisters ofCharity.
he
said.
we know is someone is sufferAnd where there is suffering, there
"All ing. is
Christ," said Bishop Curlin.
"Sometimes we forget the pain of AIDS is not just the person in the bed," ofhe said. "Those who sit beside fering love ing, too.
—
and support
At
all
—
are hurt-
hours of the day and
night, supportive individuals give their
in Charlotte.
have been strug-
said
By
the Jesus within to the Jesus in others,
embraced
political reason. We're not here for any-
during the service.
to
Sister
Gene McCreesh
Men, women, children and babies all
reaching out in love, people convey
AIDS)
TRIBUTE
Father
out of its victims.
however, doesn't have to happen.
Fred
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
like
life
Fred.
as
ing power."
c
people
take the
few people doing anything at all," said
is
Ze^
think that gives a
I
tremendous amount of support to
AIDS
Healing Mass
his homily. "We're
th*
way
Twenty-three priests concelebrated the
thing to do," said Bishop Curlin in
wa lks
the
said.
bishop has seen the grip of
abandoned and left to die alone. That,
was a
"We're not here because
Sesus
is
The
have been lone rangers, some of the
it
Curlin offered people who suffer from
1
going to be,
says this
out dying in peace," he
into
first.
For the diocese,
X7
Who
...
and Mercy
caregivers.
life tiyi
pope (Bishop Curlin) coming
Cathedral July 26, 1994 for the laying
ing for people at this
no one died without being loved, with-
said.
"To see someone appointed by the
mately 1 00 people filed in solemn procession toward the altar
AIDS
lives
to the comfort
and
care
of their
dying loved ones."
Originally appeared in
News
& Herald, July
8,
The Catholic 1994.
"At the Gift ofPeace,
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
Pentecost confirmation a teaching moment for diocese, says bishop a
Diocese celebrates Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion Regional gatherings a firstfor Diocese of Charlotte
CHARLOTTE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Hoping for
by which baptized Catholics be-
of administering the sacrament
renewed diocesan-wide apprecia-
come further enriched widi the gifts
bishop in parishes at other times
anticipation
of the Holy
during the
Charlotte recently hosted three
cel-
pastors at the Easter Vigil
ebrations of the Rite of Election
and
Saturday.
tion for Pentecost in the year dedi-
Holy
cated to the
Spirit,
William G. Curlin granted
Bishop in
1998
Spirit to live as wit-
nesses of Jesus.
"Pentecost
is
unique, Bishop Curlin ordinarily
the Call to Continuing Conversion,
shared the privilege of confirmation
a key step in the Rite of Christian
have brought a
with pastors during the Rite of
Initiation
the presbyteral council's request to delegate the administration of con-
tion,
firmation to pastors that May's Pen-
very pastoral focus to the celebration
tecost Sunday.
of the working of the
The
council, elected
from the
western North
priests serving in
priests
Spirit
on
that
day," Bishop Curlin said.
By
and awe, the Diocese of
of confirma-
celebrate the sacrament
and the
year.
While that year's celebration was the perfect day to
In an atmosphere of reverence,
as
when
at the Easter Vigil the sacra-
ments of
granting the permission to
initiation are conferred
upon those entering the church.
of Adults process.
ebrated the
of
silica
March
rite
Lawrence
St.
1
be conferred by
initiation, to
The liturgical
on Holy
experience
God himself is calling these men and women represents the belief that
to the sacraments.
Bishop William G. Curlin
Christian Initiation of Adults,
pointed delegate to the sacraments
of
The
cel-
Ba-
at the
in Asheville
and Call
Rite of Election
Continuing Conversion
to
tra-
is
ditionally celebrated in early Lent,
and March 3 at St. Thomas Aquinas
and
Church
cere prayer
an invitation to
serves as
sin-
Carolina, functions as an advisory
confirm on Pentecost, the bishop
board to the bishop of the Diocese
gives pastors the opportunity to cel-
that as the
for the
Mauricio West, vicar general and
receiving the sacraments draws
of Charlotte.
ebrate the sacrament before entire
millennium, Catholics would grow
chancellor, presided over the cer-
nearer.
"This
ment in said
a great teaching
is
mo-
the history of the diocese,"
Bishop Curlin. "Too often,
Pentecost
is
not recognized as one
congregations, thereby ensuring a Spirit-filled
event for the whole par-
ish family.
Initiation
of Adults
we
continual
call
It is
unfortunate that
don't celebrate the majesty of Pentecost
much
in the
same way
that
we celebrate Christmas and Easter. "It
is
the birthday of the church,
which enlivened by the Holy Spirit
began
its
great mission in
ebrating the sacrament of confir-
mation
be a sign
at Pentecost will
the church,"
"He
Acts of the Apostles details the Pentecost event,
which
is
regarded as
the beginning of the church.
Confirmation
is
the sacrament
some
parish confirmation classes
ment on
we
by the power of the Spirit
can
live like
assist
young Catholics
"I
is
in realizing
a vitally im-
pray that our young people, how-
ever busy they
may be in
their lives
with school events and social
life
on
and family gatherings, do not
lose
May 30 that year. He also said he is
sight of the majesty
honored
of the Holy
to continue the tradition
certainly brings the diocese to-
he
said.
how the church
gether to recognize is
Heiney, pastor of St. John the Bap-
Church inTryon, who attended
the Asheville
"When you look
rite.
numbers,
at the
it
does catch the
that these people were
open
to the
the process by
is
which adults become initiated into the Catholic study, prayer
Church through
by
process
engaged
in the
who have not been baptized They pre-
are called catechumens.
in
of the support
and praying."
fasting
Father Heiney added that the the continuing jour-
rite signifies
ney of faith
in the present, too. "It
brings in the notion that the Easter celebration
is
much a 'towe are bring-
very
ing in the elect to be baptized" and the candidates into ion,
and liturgical celebra-
tions. Individuals
movement
"Historically, the rest
day' celebration, as
eye."
The RCIA
how
Lenten practices
community joined them
growing," said Father Lawrence
tist
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
if
of the Spirit and the sacraments.
"In looking at the celebrations, it
of this great gift
Spirit,"
cel-
ebrated as a diocesan event.
Jesus today."
for the sacra-
Pentecost, observed
Father Heiney. "That's really
called to be
It is
Bishop Curlin urged parishes to
would not be ready
time in the Dio-
first
started
portant step in their faith journey.
The second chapter of the
join these people in prayer," said
Continuing Conversion was
that
that
"Our practice of Lent is that we
regional gatherings
Rite of Election and the Call to
said.
He noted
marked the
cal significance.
cel-
who guides us, who empowers us, who lifts us up when we're discour-
community of
mission to confirm.
of 88 catechumens and
The
time of
celebration of the rite dur-
the whole idea
than mandated to accept the per-
upon the
ebrations.
faith as the
ing this liturgical season has histori-
cese of Charlotte's history that the
is
and commemorates the descent
total
The
Paul the
and
the one
said.
that confirmation
celebrated
A
work of
at St.
1
225 candidates attended the
Holy Spirit is guiding Bishop Curlin
aged.
the bishop
emony March
Apostle Church in Greensboro.
"Sometimes we forget that the
of the working of the Spirit in each faith,
enlivens the
Father
Charlotte.
God
diocese's pastors are invited rather
is
Spirit's
Apostles.
all
cel-
who
in
Holy
50 days
Pentecost
Holy
to conversion for
Catholic Christians, so too
especially for the
evangelization.
a sign of the
Bishop Curlin stressed that the
Jerusalem."
after Easter
is
church prepared
in appreciation for the Triune
and most Spirit,
Much like the Rite of Christian
of the major solemnities of the church.
Bishop Curlin voiced optimism
he
full
commun-
said.
Bishop Curlin implored
echumens and candidates this
to
cat-
spend
Lenten season mindful of their
responsibilities as Christians.
pare for baptism, confirmation and
"Please bring your heart to Jesus
Eucharist, or the sacraments of ini-
Christ
Baptized Christians prepar-
tiation.
ing for either or both confirmation
Lord,
and Eucharist are called candidates.
me,
"You as
are
we head
union
committing your for this
lives
moment
of
homily. "To get say
up every day and
you proclaim
in the world, that
what
that Jesus is
is
alive
your test. That's
you're being called to do."
The
the second of three major the
am
I
is
rites in
RCIA process, and it marks the
yours
your
reveal
he said. "Bring a
totally.
love,
That
moment,
Through
peace and joy is
what
it's
all
about."
"Among you
all
these wonderful
are studying,
all
the
teachings of our faith and
its
rich
things
traditions,"
he added, "tonight
I
would have you dwell upon one thing: that
Rite of Election and the
Call to Continuing Conversion
Easter,"
to the world.'
Bishop
in the church,"
Curlin said during his Charlotte
on
heart that says, 'From this
you bring
into your re-
lationship with Jesus a love so pro-
found that you honestly and
sin-
and experience
that
cerely believe
he
lives in
you."
end of the period of discernment called the catechumenate.
the
rite,
called
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
catechumens are
During
officially
Originally appeared in
News
&
Herald,
The Catholic
March 27, 1998.
by the bishop or an ap-
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
May God bless
St.
you abundantly.
John the Baptist Churcli Jryon
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
St.
Gabriel Catholic Church
With thanks and affection to Bishop William G. Curlin for his service to the people of God. May the Lord continue to fill you with His love.
May your retirement be a time of joy, health and continued growth in the Spirit.
Rev. Richard M. Bellow Rev. Tien Duong Rev. Christopher Gober Rev. Mr. Ben Wenning Rev. Mr. Robert Gettelfinger Rev. Mr. Louis Pais St. Gabriel Parish Staff
and the entire
St. Gabriel Parish Family.
St. Gabriel Catholic
Church
3016 Providence Road Charlotte, NC 28211 704.364.5431
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
Bishop Curlin, The
Parish Family at St Benedict
Bishop Curiin
Church in Greensboro wish to offer yon our loving prayers and support on your retirement Thank you for your many years of love, kindness,
Thank you for so many
and generosity
years of faithful service!
as our shepfierd.
"T?0Y you
Wltf? you lama
lama bishop. st Augustine
Christian."
sjiht Gob
bless
you; Bishop Gurlin, for
m
for being t\)ere
anb mvt) us
fft h
Mark Parish wishes you well in your retirement!
St.
-
emu T^e Augustmian briars anb Parishioners St.
Margaret
Varisl?,
Maggie
Valley,
of Huntersville
NC
Congratulations on your retirement. May God bless you! *lJlianb ijou j^or
ail tliat you
liaue
done
^or> vi5.
Parish and Staff of St. Vincent de Paul Church
Charlotte THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
St.
/g^a^SK
Mary's Seminary
The
& University
\\
St.
if /
priests
Mary's
will
always be grateful to
Bishop Curlin for
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;y
IN
THE COUNTRY his kindness,
'
and parishioners of
and
his
his leadership,
exemplary
priestly
life.
Extends Our Prayerful Best Wishes to St.
Mary's
Alumnus and Trustee
Bishop William G. Curlin
Rev. Robert
F. Leavitt,
S.S., President-Rector
the trustees, faculty, seminarians
and
staff of St.
Mary's
Be assured of our prayers. Congratulations
and
best wishes
for a fruitful retirement. St. Mary's
& University
Seminary
5400 Roland Avenue Baltimore,
MD
UTS
SIT
21210
CflWC
410-8644000
Greensboro,
www.stm.arys ed u .
Ml
NC
TlflC best exercise for the heart is to lean over backwards for somebody
else. -anonymous
Wachovia
salutes
Bishop William G. Curlin, a guiding light
whose
leadership, philanthropy
have made a difference
in the lives of
and dedication many.
LET'S
GET STARTED:
^7ACH(MA 2002 Wachovia
C
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CAEHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOEEE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
ARCHDIOCESE OF WAS Most
Rev.
Leonard
J.
Olivier,
G TO N
CO^RAlXLLAiyOMS
SVD
Auxiliary Bishop of Washington
MSMOT CURLUN
Congratulations Bishop Curlin remembering the day you and were ordained Bishops in the same ceremony for the Archdiocese of Washington I
Most Rev. Leonard
Olivier,
J.
on yotL% 'RETI'rxmxnt:
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
SVD
jant>
jBLTSSTV
mp
Bishop
Thomas j. Olmsted and
the faithful
of the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas, thank
FROM
Bishop William G. Curlin for his
many
as
Church bless him
contributions to the
and ask our Lord
to richly
he continues to serve during
anv Mattv
SAINt t^FfKEST. TA!RIStf
his retirement.
MOOHIZVILLT,
j\TC
Bishop Curlin:
WITH GRATITUDE TO BISHOP WILLIAM CURLIN FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE AS BISHOP AND PRIEST est
corner Archbishop Harry
J. Flynn, D.D.
Retired Archbishop John R. Roach, D.D.
Bishop Frederick Bishop Richard St.
William Church
Murphy
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
Immaculate Heart of Mary
F.
Campbell, D.D.
E.
Pates, D.D.
and the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Hayesville
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
Congratulations
Most
Bishop William Curlin
(Rev.
and best
"Witfiam g. Curfin
on your many years of service to the Lord,
His people, and especially
the (Diocese
May you in
wishes to
be blessed
JLdMultos
of Charlotte
Cjloriousque Jlnnos
your good work
for the
Church
God, Eternal Shepherd,
You tend your Church
in
and rule us with
Most
many ways love.
(Rev.
John J. Nevins
Ifie Clergy, (Religious
and (Faithful
Continue to look with love on
of the
William, your servant and shepherd.
Give him the gift of your peace.
(Diocese
of Venice
in Florida
May he continue to know, love, and serve you. a 8 8 I
8
Theodore Cardinal McCarrick
I I 8 1 I
AND THE FAITHFUL OF THE
Archdiocese of Washington
I 8
1
I I
1
8 8 1 1
I I I
Our Lady of Grace Greensboro
I 8
50th Anniversary Year
EXTEND PRAYERFUL BEST WISHES TO
I
I
8
THE MOST REVEREND William G. Curlin ON
"Proclaim the Greatness of the Lord"
1 1 1
HIS
8 1 8
RETIREMENT AS
Bishop of Charlotte
I i. THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
s ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
Ill III
1
II
II
II
h
r
Best wishes
and many
blessings to
our Pastor,
Most Reverend William
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
1
G. Curlin,
upon your retirement. r-
II 1!
I I
St.
II II
I
1
Patrick Cathedral Charlotte
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
C.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
i SAINT PIUS
X
The parishioners and staff of Saint Paul the Apostle Church in Greensboro join with the others of our diocese in thanking
God for the
episcopal ministry of Bishop Curlin during his
time as chief shepherd.
depth of gratitude x\e\ difficult to
Be assured the work continue in His
is
entity ielU
express. of the
Lord will
name and your fine
example, the dignity of the vocation
We pray that God will bless him as God has used him to bless us.
carried out as handsomely as you have,
with the love you have shown us
Abundant
You mill always be in our thoughts
all.
blessings to you!
and prayers. The School Family of St.
Saint Paul the Apostle Church
Greensboro
Âť
To that the
name
of our Lordjesus
Pius X, Greensboro
may be
we always pray for you... and you in him, in accord with
this end,
glorified in you,
the grace of our
God and
Lard jesus Christ 2 Tfiessdonians
1:1
1-12
IlilS
I 1
Most Reverend William G. Curlin,
thank you
for your inspiring and continuing
Christian service to the Diocese of Charlotte
and the parishioners of Saint Pius the Tenth.
Saint Pius
X
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Best wishes on your retirement! THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
BMHS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY SIGNAES START OF CONSTRUCTION KERNERSVTLLE
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
In a sym-
new Bishop High School
McGuinness
who carried the torch onto the site.
(BMHS), which will open its doors Piedmont-Triad area students
in August
200 1 Bishop William G. ,
Curlin dug the
first
hole during the
groundbreaking ceremony
Current and future
BMHS stuand dioc-
esan officials were present for the
and
day of celebration, which
W. West,
vicar general,
pass, principal
BMHS
a classroom while others look
athleti-
new fields and
in-
Knights of Columbus, Bishop Curlin blessed the
chancellor
George
of
L.
BMHS
Re-
and
student council president
which will
field,
become a place of learning for many area students.
"We
are here to consecrate this
ground and
lay the
foundation for
we
a Christian education; to
make
are here
Christ present for these
young peoples
he
lives,"
said.
In his remarks, the bishop
com-
flaming torch was carried in
mented about the importance of
the need to provide for a growing
by student representatives from
Catholic education, which shaped
Catholic presence in the Triad and
Our Lady of Grace
his
X School
Pius
in
School and
Point,
in
and Our Lady of
Mercy School and in
St.
Greensboro, Im-
maculate Heart of Mary School
High
St.
Leo School
Winston-Salem, represented a
way
to bring the
middle schools
in
the Triad area together and served as a light for the future, said
Mitchell,
"I
am
because
public relations.
will
be technologically
if
I
"I
would not be a priest
had not had the blessing
of Catholic education; motivation ents
I
and the
from the vated
me
received
believe the
I
from
inspiration
sisters
and
to give
I
Repass thanked the process
munity
life
motito the
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
involved with
those
rival.
"I
for [the
"What
will
TRIBUTE
be built upon
this
for the school to achieve
the vision
embodied
in
and what begins today
who
recognized
The
BISHOP WILLIAM
many
provide a more ample
site will
years to
the people
to
facility]
we
new
its
ar-
The
benefits of the school are less
specific
and more
holistic
because
embrace the whole Triad
this will
community. Bishop McGuinness
am
looking forward to hav-
ing a larger facility and having a
senior calculus teacher at
Bob
Klepf,
and pre-calculus
BMMHS. "With a larger
student population, we'll be able to
mission,
offer
more courses and schedule
more
levels
of honors
"We
response from parents,
couldn't be a
have been waiting, and
more
provided a wonderful environment
and opportunity children,
for
me and my
and the new school
bring better technology,
and a
better athletic
will
more space
and
arts envi-
ronment."
Originally appeared in
classes."
BMHS alumnus Tony Nitz said,
come," he continued.
G.
positive;
will ensure
its
seek for perhaps
CURLIN
is
are in support of the
bigger classroom," said
the excellence
who
many
and students
school and anxiously await
and
means all
new
teachers
were involved with the plan-
years ago."
levels.
"among
hoped
who
have long-awaited and
received
on diocesan and com-
He mentioned are
who
ning process, which began so
priests
my
those
my par-
Lord," he said.
excited about the school it
own life.
today
Eddie
BMHS director of devel-
opment and
on.
Flanked by the Abbot Vincent
Laura Hoeing.
A
Curlin blesses
sports programs."
cluded words from the bishop, Father Mauricio
and
classes,
because of the
cally,
G.
G. Taylor Assembly of Greensboro
dents, parents, educators
final
St.
good, academically, because
is
of the new
all
at the
Fed. 6, 2000.
site
"It
Bishop William
Leo School,
eighth-grader at
for
,
Greg Means, an
better," said
bolic beginning to the
lic
News
& Herald, Feb.
The Catho11,
2000.
this
perfect time.
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
Thunderous
spirit
youth conference flame
ignites diocesan
LAKE WYLIE, Thunderbird
lived
S.C.
up
â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Camp
to
its
name
weekend when thunder from
AJDS
will cure
or cancer.
Maybe
you will discover how to find peace
the sky joined with the thunder of
Maybe one of you will be another Mother Teresa. Maybe one
350 joyous voices as diocesan
of you
last
teens
gathered for the 23rd Annual Di-
on
New
Be-
As the conference headed
to-
Christ:
ginnings."
world, ...
to
dance, thunderous showers finally
ing.
rain did not
known. The
dampen
the spirit of
is
make
it
a better place,'" said
Bishop Curlin. "Be there for others,
their presence
'God
God put me here in the and he allows me to be here
interested.
ward the anticipated Saturday night
made
be the bishop of Char-
"Please say to yourself,
for this year's event
was "Generation
will
lotte.
ocesan Youth Conference.
The theme
earth.
and your
"This
is
life
what
have mean-
will
means
it
Christian," he said.
to be a
"We are people
the conference, however, as the sun
who believe that Jesus Christ is alive
returned as the teens heard a spe-
within
cial
presentation by Bishop Will-
us,
and through us he brings
his love, his joy
and
his hope."
iam G. Curlin. "You're young, 'the
said
At
world
is
and you can say
mine.' And
it is
yours,"
Originally appeared in lic
News
& Herald, May
5,
2000
Bishop Curlin. "Maybe you
left,
Bishop William
G.
Curlin addresses a crowd of youth from
the dioceses of Charlotte, Charleston
and Savannah and
Archdiocese of Atlanta at the Tri-State Youth Rally in
The Catho-
September
in
the
Lake
Wylie, S.C.
J 996.
HH
Bishop William fives
G. Curlin high-
and greets young
parishioners in the Diocese of Charlotte.
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
BELMONT ABBEY
ABBOT PLACID SOLARI RECEIVES SOLEMN BEESSING Bishop William
Mass
in
G
Curlin presides over
Belmont Abbey Basilica
BELMONT
— Bishop
Will-
iam G. Curlin presided over the
Mass
which the Right Reverend
in
Placid
D.
Solari,
as the eighth
Abbey on
OSB, was
blessed
abbot of Belmont
two
Jan. 15, 2000,
monks and confirmed him as the
months elected
after his brother
and administrative
spiritual
leader
Solari
confirmed
was elected and
as the
November 1999,
new abbot
superior of the abbey. tus Burnett
in
thus succeeding
Abbot Oscar Burnett
abbot
as
As the eighth abbot of Belmont Abbey, Abbot Solari will tend to the
and administrative leader-
ship duties of the abbey as chancellor
and
serve
of Belmont Abbey
pope. In addition to the blessing of the abbot-elect, the
Mass provided
for
tween the monks of Belmont Abbey and the church community
in
the Diocese of Charlotte.
"The
election of an abbot
is
al-
ways the action of the entire monastic
community," Abbot
Solari
comments.
"We, the monks of Belmont Abbey
who
stand before you today,
pledge to you
...
our continued sup-
port to enrich this church in North
Carolina with our
lives
and our
hearts."
College.
The Mass was the
father,
and a reli-
gious loyal to the church and the
said during closing
since 1991.
spiritual
a prudent administrator
new
as the
Abbot Emeri-
had served
firmed his promise to lead as a de-
termined teacher, a spiritual
an exchange of thanksgiving be-
of the Benedictine institution.
Abbot
To a series of questions posed by Bishop Curlin, Abbot Solari af-
In his homily,
concelebrated in
Belmont Abbey Basilica by doz-
and with Bishop
E Joseph Gossman of Raleigh
ens of Benedictine, diocesan and
seated nearby, Bishop Curlin
prom-
other religious priests serving in
ised loving support for the
ongo-
North
Carolina's
two dioceses and
The ily
ing ministry of the Benedictine institution
beyond. rite
of blessing, customar-
cated, solemnly focused
is
lo-
on the
its
rich history
in the state.
Abbey
has held a special place in
the hearts of our two dioceses,"
"During the
charge of the abbot and the living
Bishop Curlin
symbols of his
formative years of our diocesan his-
role.
Belmont Abbey, under the
leadership of
said.
Abbot Leo Haid,
nourished the infant Catholic com-
munity
in
the blessings of religious responsibilities
life
of abbot
as
head of the monastic community. "It
the abbots duty to
is
onstrate
dem-
and encourage patience
among the members of his religious family," said
Bishop Curlin. "Hav-
Christ's love,
he must make
able to each
monk
it
avail-
in his dealings
with him."
who
Bishop Curlin,
——
--^
in the
noted the
wisdom found
wealth of spiritual
d
"Rule of Benedict," said the
sixth-century saint urged to strive each
day
all
monks
for greater holi-
ness.
Benedict recognized that
"St.
sanctity
is
not a once-in-a-lifetime
commitment;
it is
a day-by-day re-
commitment of one's Christ," bility
he said.
"It
is
life
to Jesus
the responsi-
of the abbot to help each
monk
respond to
this challenge
generously and wholeheartedly, for
without this daily conversion, noth7e
ing of lasting value exists in the
who povi
monastery or within the church."
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
G. Curlin,
Abbot Placid D.
Mauricio W. West after the Mass Jan.
was blessed as
the eighth abbot
15,
Solari, O.S.B.,
and Father
2000, in which Abbot Solari
of Belmont Abbey.
North Carolina."
ing himself shared so deeply in
)i>
Bishop William
Bishop Curlin also called to
mind
and the
"For over 125 years, Belmont
celebrated by the bishop of the
place where the monastery
and noted
tory,
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
Bishop Curlin receives honorary doctorate from
Belmont Abbey College BELMONT — Bishop Christian Will-
values adherent to
iam G. Curlin received an honor-
Belmont Abbeys College. Bishop
Humane
ary Doctorate of
Letters
commencement ceremonies at Belmont Abbey Colduring the
lege
May
1
17th
ing,
the disadvantaged and hurt-
and for your inspirational leadand
work
in the
church has
been marked by his compassionate ministry to the poor, homeless
and disadvantaged.
13, 1995.
"For your compassionate ministry to
Curlin's
Bishop Curlin was the homilist for the Baccalaureate
Mass
at the
Abbey church. During his homily,
service to the church,
Bishop Curlin urged the graduates
Belmont Abbey College confers
not to assume that presentation of
upon you
this
degrees qualifies their success.
Doctor of
Humane
oris causa,
with
ership
day the degree of Letters,
all its
rights
hon-
and
Instead, he encouraged
them
challenge themselves to find
to
work
privileges," read the citation pre-
and purpose
sented to Bishop Curlin by
lenge themselves to see Christ not
Benedictine Abbot Oscar Burnett,
then-chancellor and
CEO
of
in their lives; to chal-
only in each other, but in people
who are less fortunate than are they.
Belmont Abbey College. Bishop Curlin was one of three individuals
who received honorary
doctorates that day for showing
Originally appeared in The Catholic
News
& Herald, May 19,
1995.
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
^
REFLECTIONS
IN HIS WORDS In a candid interview with The Catholic
News
Him
serving
& Herald in
Him.
During her
November 2002, Bishop William
G
Curlin recalled his eight
Charlotte,
his life
and a bishop so memorable.
Welcoming
remember when
I
bishop of Charlotte.
was
I
was going
I
had
I
Mercy who motherhouse
just re-
turned from Georgetown Hospital
where
prostate cancer. The night
home,
I
years ago.
was recovering from
I
received a
call
I
way with
a particular
in-
to be the
est
Belmont over 100 in the high-
esteem and reverence for the
in-
valuable ministry they offer
arrived
I
never saw a diocese as diocese
appointed me bishop of Charlotte.
priests versus religious priests. It
This came
one
had thought
that
because
God had
I
spared
priests
me so I could return to my work as
and
religious
very apparent to
Mary-
regional bishop in southern
The need
family.
association before
land.
for
is
more
me in the Diocese had a good
I
came here with
I
would always
And
And
we need
they introduced
me
as the
and
I
installed,
and
many
it
was a beautiful
took the
people to
make
it
are certainly blessed in
our
number of our Caand the marvelous
friars
home
in
priests, the
felt
Mother
One
Teresa
of the greatest joys was to
the laity were wonderfully welcom-
cese.
ing in their kindness to me.
opened her convent on Torrance
cially
I
espe-
enjoyed traveling through the
Bishop William
G.
of confirmation. This gave
me
an
I
archbishop of Washington.
dren and to see each parish
own wonderful
chilas its
off by
in Christ
and not be turned
am
of the
I
lic
always encouraging
them
to be very close to the church
The Youth
Catholic Schools
some of the problems of the
world.
group.
are the future
and
am
very proud of our Catho-
school education.
that the laity are tainly a
The sacrifices
making
tremendous
are cer-
the dio-
gift to
years
neous
joy,
of the future. We do not know what
system. They do not have the
hope
for the future.
tomorrow
bers to
brings, but
to have
and the priests and the community of faith,
them. As long
they will continue that wonderful
their lives,
the
as they
God
will
keep
is
them
TRIBUTE
to
—
sisters
have labored for
they gave us the school
fill
them
num-
today.
with
The
thing that strikes
Religious Orders
We BISHOP WILLIAM
are especially blessed with
G.
CURLIN
above
by
live
feelings. is
The
your blind
do not take
She said that
life.
you
the Gospel that
the
— how
me most
in,
way
you
live by.
give out.
And
she lived her
life.
drained herself
principles of faith
I
not what they
call a cafeteria-type
of religious
a person
feelings; as
is
probably
known and is publicized frequendy now, Mother Teresa lived what we would call spiritually the "dark It is
the time
—
and love and not
this:
to
by.
remember her
God
who based
it
You
drained her heart. She lived by the
about Mother Teresa is that she was
—
is
you through the dark
nights of your is
in her life
love for Jesus Christ
carries
sion was
night of the soul."
God in
keep them in
palm of His hand.
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
-
God
hope because
through the example of their parents, their godparents,
I tell
our
and
it
the needy in our community.
above the
is
faith.
measure success
And
going to be their foun-
dation for meeting the challenges
blind
outreach of charitable ministry to
her ministry upon feelings. She was
we
old-
by the things that others use
would not have the school system.
cause that
pray that
sisters in their
of life, especially the Eucharist, be-
because without them,
what
is
I
— with
rise
you
literally
cese,
Church. They have such spontayouthful zeal and such
saw
I
She
to be very faithful to the sacrament
diocese, the future of the Catholic
I
did;
that
could to help the
growth
I
The youth
I
Cherry neighborhood.
tried the best
is
And yet every saint had
celebrated Mass there every
Wednesday and
opportunity to be with the people,
and meet the parents and the
that time (July 1995), she
Street in the
Curlin embraces with James Cardinal Hickey,
diocese to celebrate the sacrament S.T.D., J.C.D.,
At
not accept-
is
taboo, that
Knowing Mother Teresa as well
faith,
welcome Mother Teresa to the dio-
of
is
to live like that
principle
very
rest
blind faith
she said you
such a
deacons and the
A
fashioned.
as
Augustinians.
much at my new diocese. The
immediately
are being pressured into inces-
able today; that
addi tion given to us by the
of
wonderful celebration of faith. I
people especially, not only adults
ships.
puchin
in-
sacrifice
that today,
people — our young
immediately.
increase in the
stallation that
just
love.
upon them, and they responded
We
returned in April to be formally
call
I
tuous, materialistic type of relation-
new
bishop.
did not hesitate to
think
I
was
and blind
faith
diaconate.
and the
Teresa,
feelings. It
one of shared
—
into the priesthood
in
my
gave Jesus
I
never based her ministry or her love
of Christ upon
Frank O'Rourke that evening. The
worked with them
"Oh, Fa-
Mother
so with
because
at St.
it
find an inspiration because she 7
them
Mass
repeat
spoke with
my darkness."
last gift,
Washington and ordained some of
offered
I
say to me,
Bishop,
ther, oh,
Bishop Michael Begley and Father
I
Anytime
four times.
and then we had our dinner with
I
made me
cited that she
puchins
next morning,
-
my final gift of love.'?" And
from that day on, she was so ex-
the Augustinians and with the Ca-
Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte
i
soul as
the dark-
give you the darkness of my
'I
When I came here to Charlotte, McSweeney met me
I
—
left
gone.
is
Could you say to
ness in your soul.
God,
Msgr. John
—
world, everything
You have one thing left
was certainly
of Charlotte. Luckily,
this
a limited
you have nothing
live;
her after that on the phone, she
throughout the diocese.
from the
nuncio that the Holy Father had
as a surprise,
in
the Sisters of
hold them
I
and
established their in
and we
respectfully
I
you have
failing,
is
time to
the religious in our diocese,
and
suggested to her, "Mother, your
from
formed that
had the opportunity
I
discussed that,
health
have made
here to
last visit
to speak privately with her
years as bishop of Charlotte and some of the highlights that as a priest
with love,
faithfully
just believing in
favorite expres-
"God
will
judge
us.
has asked us not to be suc-
cessful
but to be
faithful."
The
world measures success by materialistic things.
She says, "No, go and
measure us by how faithful we were to His Gospel."
She had a wonderful sense of
humor. Mother brought such laughter and joy with her. You see
when God seems
to have totally
removed any
of his consola-
her sometimes in a picture looking
and you go on
so serious;
tion
from
signs
one's
life,
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
you do not
realize that
DECEMBER 20,
2002
1
REFLECTIONS
and not I
numbers.
just
I
have worked very had and have
ordained 28 since
I
associate
Holy
men to the priesthood We now have 23
Newman House in Charlotte. This
we have
intended for men coming in still
who
discerning their vocation to
the priesthood.
They spend
there in prayer
and
ance,
a year
spiritual guid-
working in parishes whenever
and
possible
also
completing some
academic programs they need to fulfill
before they enter the semi-
nary program.
As bishop, I found that certainly
Church;
lation.
many sacrifices Lord.
1
in
at the
we had many
I
I
— many do
it is
really truly feel
many
to
over
1
bish-
,000 ordi-
the one time that
what
means
it
to
the
"Oh,
sisters,
that
is
a gift."
And you know
And so I would make
When
did that.
sure that
I
working
in
God's
Sister, smile.
poor need a smile.
I
was
soup kitchens or with
people dying of aids,
I
would smile
with them.
I
the depression where
and exchanged
you repaired
toys for Christmas
and people did not
eat steak, did
knew you were a time where
but
we
poor.
I
grew up
in
nobody had anything,
never
knew
it.
We were al-
And your
joy was
welled up in your home. Those
I
things affect your outlook
have great compassion for sick
people. •
has always been in
It
you never take things
You
on
life;
for granted.
are grateful for everything.
as the miracle
have had eight surgeries have had cancer and
I
and
I
year,
We I
my
e-coli,
spent almost a year in bed as
a child being very, very
same
in
I
lost
was
people. giving,
my father. in my
had sickness raised in
that always I
ill.
That
an environment
had compassion
remember on
a
Lourdes I
am a chaplain
of Malta, and
for
Thanks-
my grandparents gave away
now
for
1
in
your
When I came to the Diocese of Charlotte the
healing;
it is
important
is
that Jesus said what-
was
O'Rourke was working very ous with vocations, and it
I
zeal-
saw right
was a primary need
—
I
for
vocations.
went,
I
would
very
at that
dination Mass
full
moment of the or-
—
faith
the Catholic
by
ordained a bishop,
when the cardi-
me
—
nal laid his
hands upon
felt as if heat
was going through
I
my
lenges of life.
The only
other time
experi-
I
When the cardinal laid his
hand upon me,
I
sudden
felt this
tremendous rush of warmth. But
have been going
John Allen, who has been involved
when he lifted his hand,
with vocations for most of my time
immediately.
sick. all
He
here.
has been ingenuous, very
the great gift of
not just the physical
to
promote voca-
have been very successful.
frequently, during ordina-
I
lay
fill
I
my hands on
rity,
TRIBUTE
to
deep
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
faith
CURLIN
generosity
some-
to be ordained a priest.
who
strength-
love
preach your
hour of
lay in
He
will,
agony
but
I
if it
have
al-
for that gift to preach
and mercy, because
there
is
so
much
anger and hatred in the
world.
We need to reach out to the
nity,
and welcome them all into the
Church.
We
need
do everything we
to
things
—
not from the diocese and
the chancery, which can inspire you, but the local
it
has to be activated on
level.
is
The
people have been wonder-
I
there. It
home
would be His ways asked
me
to the last
can do what
would
I
where
know how to explain it.
has not gone
wants.
God
me at the
not
— with matu— and
faith
life."
me.
it is
of good
my
ful to
men
I
and mercy
that
feel
Of course, we are looking for good
the spiritual healing.
let
love
People of the Diocese
same sense of warmth one
"Dear God,
stopped
it
tions of the priesthood,
moment
tions.
We
And
of my prayers every night
One is,
can for youth ministry and all these
body.
Houseknecht and then by Father
I
that
in the daily chal-
American members of our commu-
I
a priest.
very briefly
them
was
the day that
them. Father Frank was followed Eric
and many gifts
that offers love will help
will feel that
Church is a real home
panic population, the African-
remember
enced that was when I was ordained
Father
come, they
years to
Vietnamese population, the His-
warmth. I
welcome them intoour
to
community. I hope thafin the
a real sense of
have not seen anyone leave Lourdes
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
it; I
of the deepest
preach on vocations, encourage
and going out
woman
is
there
first year,
no one to be ordained. Father Frank
Lourdes. feel that
feel
emotion
zealous in visiting the seminaries,
I
do not know how to describe
always
away that
And that is very humbling
and very thrilling at the same time. I
over the world that they bring to
is
who were
Knights
They have thousands of people
Lourdes
hungry and had no food. What
for the
of God.
faith.
Vocations
man is now a priest
realize that this
go with them every
0 years to help the
the turkey at the back door to a
with children
I
year to Lourdes. family,
of the heart,
where you leave feeling more strong
Everywhere
life.
so
always referred to
our future growth
life. I
,
my
Lourdes
I
not have things, and yet you never
ways happy.
Working with the Sick and Poor
at peace.
you
say the prayer of consecration,
see
I
do not think we haye done
I
enough
have ordained over
I
as
members of
our African-American community.
religious
moment of your life when you lay your hands upon a young man and one of
year to taking
reaching out to
it is
be a bishop. At that extraordinary
said to
new
better.
National
to the priesthood, a small
nations. But,
remember she
look forward after the be-
I
ginning of the
Another great challenge
Washington
00 men
ops
I
They
from the
them
number compared
joy.
for the Lord.
are certainly a treasure
guage and culture in order to serve
communities.
and more joyful, more
bring to the diocese a
future of our vocations in the Dio-
Shrine,
in faith
They
deep, abiding faith and a history of
going to be a great blessing for our
ordained here and others while
ened
tremen-
our Hispanic popu-
full-time classes in Hispanic lan-
was
you do to the least is for Him. grew up in that generation of
in
it is
believe that
I
Because of all the religious I have
ever
great challenges in the for example, the
dous growth
cese of Charlotte.
of tremendous
of the
came here.
Challenges for the Church
are
woman
gift
men studying in the seminary program, including three men at the is
she was a
with the
it
Spirit.
I
I
do
know
not emotional.
It is
something you cannot explain, but
our people kind to
I
mean,
go about are.
boast every-
wonderful
They have been
me and
sponding
I
how
so
so generous in re-
to the challenges that
we
have presented throughout the diocese.
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
The youth,
the education, the
DECEMBER 20,
2002
47
REFLECTIONS
the poor in the mountains
sick,
—
they have been wonderfully generous.
often
I
am
I
tell
the
new bishops that
the luckiest of
cause
them
be-
all
Even though
I
feel
sadness at this
time over this tragic pedophilia
have never stopped showing their
Even
at that time,
overwhelmed with
was
I
of sup-
letters
are
that
I
happy
am
going to stay here and
that
The
I
am
priests
we had
dinner and just talked.
them and asked them the
come up and em-
me and
We
Bishop.
"We
say,
love you,
are with you."
was
I
for
me in November. About 70 priests got together and
port and encouragement; and in
brace
a lovely
thanked
I
to pray for
new bishop with me, and
my gratitude
pressed
how happy I was
ex-
I
them and
to
to be able to stay
here with them.
warmth and kindness of hundreds
When a new bishop is chosen, I him my total support. I am one of his priests, as far as I am
of people who
concerned.
overwhelmed.
just
was soon
I
healed of that sadness by the
—
either in conver-
sation or in letters or telephone calls
—
assured
and
me of their faith
their love for the
me
in
Church and
Politics
local. It
is
is
same
the
The
thing in the Church.
people
look up the street to see the local priests. If that
will give
God
I
pray every night that
send us a very wonder-
will
man
man is a good,
holy,
and he
ful,
holy
will
be very gifted to lead us with
as a bishop,
the challenges
for their priests.
When
we have
he comes here,
I
to face.
want to say
am not going to intrude
to him, "I
upon your duties as the bishop, but just
know that I am
always here to
loving, generous priest, they are
help you with every possible en-
OK. The Holy
couragement and support." Then
Father said the
transparency of the faith
is
priests'
what nourishes the
him, they
feel
and
love
love of
the people. If the people see
it
strengthened by
in
I
want
to continue
the dying;
decided to stay here in Char-
I
lotte,
not just because
my
parents
what
been doing —
ing hospitals,
Future in Charlotte
and
priests,
possible. I
it.
be one of his
will just
pray for him and help in every way
already
I
I
am
want
I
am
I
have visit-
working with
to get involved
in a project for homeless people. I
did
all
of these things before
I
and most of my family and loved
came here. As a member of the As-
ones are deceased, but because
sociate Catholic Charities
have been happy here.
I
I
have found
home here. And the priests have been wonderfully kind to me. I know that I am not the perfect answer to all of a
but they have been very
their needs,
supportive of what
I
have tried to
They have been very kind
do.
to
me in so many ways and made me feel that I am part of the fraternity of
priests.
They have
all
limitations,
made
and
mistakes,
am
ington,
was able
to
home
for
Catholic
open the
the poor and
I
Teresa's
would
more involved with long as
God gives me strength.
is
is
to really
work
beside
good
Because, you know, you
grow on what you feed
I
came
stay here
fellow bish-
their kindness
and encouragement
have certainly strengthened
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
my
this
is
expect to
and be buried
die,
I
I
make a perma-
not a stepping-
stone or a temporary thing.
from
and the laity, thank-
home.
here to
nent home;
suitcase.
over the diocese, from the
good could
was pressured by
I
my
here until
here.
brought
all
I
I
you in
my
heart with
me
in
The
tell
a priest that
when
leave a place, take your heart
your suitcase and do not look
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
told
first
day
I
CURLIN
my journey, it has
new
I
bishop, that
I
when
either died in office or lived to
someone would
retire,
say about
God want
how to see Christ
in
one
another and to see Christ in ourselves."
To me,
that
would be
my
biggest accomplishment.
In
my
life, I
kind of a pastoral
my
Jesus. It
That I
is
hope
is
tried
the presence of
just as
simple as that.
what I
man who
life in
I
I
have
you go
dis-
in faith
that the people need you, that they
need Christ, you are never unhappy. That
is
why I am very happy
now.
One
of the
sisters
expression yesterday: retire,
will
istry
"We do
have been
do a new ministry." And
put the emphasis on the min-
of serving the
sick,
the dying
and the poor.
have tried to do and
have been successful.
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
not
From
people ask "Are you
will say, "I
I
recycled to I
used a lovely
we recycle." I love that.
now on, when retired?",
think of myself as
me
to send
have never been
I
When
appointed.
me: "While he was the bishop, he taught us
I
want, but rather a question of
faith in that.
was introduced
them I would hope
to live
always
on
through His Church, and
One Another
Seeing Christ in
I
my
Reflecting
never been a question of what do
where does
to the press as the
why I want to
is
yourself.
people, priests
priests,
good deacons.
in Charlotte.
Knowing the priests and many, many wonderful lay friends here,
—
— good
States.
That
live
think that one of the greatest
priests.
have been overwhelmed since
United
announcement of my retirement I have letters and cards
I
the
say one of the great
of my life here is just being with
no, this
joys
forgiven.
would
many friends and even
Fondest Memories
And when I came here, I folmy own policy. That way, God rewards us with many graces. back.
never envy any other bishop in the
like to get
that now, as
for
ops to go back to Washington, but,
which they have
I
joys
I
religious,
I
sure
So
good people
work with people dying of AIDS. So I was very active in social work for Mother
hope
great
lowed
home
for
me
the future.
first
abused and
and given
faith
homeless women, and then the first
have
I
I
ofWash-
been so
understanding and forgiving of my
I
not leaving.
had a reception
visiting parishes for Mass, the
people would
af-
me and how much they going to miss me as their
fection for
scandal in the Church, the people
affection.
me how much
telling
they love me, expressing their
bishop. People seem so delighted
have the nicest people.
I
me and
ing
PAGE
DECEMBER 20, 2002
5
Well do /te, yood andfmtAJtd 6e-want. '
'
Matthew 25:23
Bishop
may God continue in
The Charlotte Knights and Dames
Curlin, to bless
you
your retirement years.
of Malta
Bishop Thomas ,1. Rodi Bishop Emeritus Joseph L. Howze
And
wish you much fulfillment and happiness in your retirement, and thank you sincerely for your kindness over the past years.
the people of the Diocese of Bifoxl
Blessed John XXIII National Seminary Thank You Bishop Curlin
For your years of service
to the
Church
Monsignor Francis D. Kelly, Rector
and The Blessed John XXIII National Seminary Community 558 South Avenue
-
Weston, Massachusetts 02493
781.899.5500
-
y
Fax: 781.899.9057
Bishop Curlin,
We
...
thank you for your
the Lord your
God
will bless
you
in
all
...
you produce and in
all
the
work of your
hands, so that you will be altogether joyful.
Deuteronomy
1 6: 1
if
Bishop Robert J. Baker the clergy
and parishioners of
the Diocese oj Charleston
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20, 2002
Congratulations
Best Wishes
&
Bishop William Curlin
kes* awe?
Robert Akkaie
Karen ibtKniaarsKa .
Alhot Oscar
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Sue Hinclerlider Robert Hixson )r.
JWkorah McDowell PldwardMcGcc
Father Paschal
lohejlodee
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Michael Mel.
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Dortaia Beagle
Shannon C osta
Father Rav
Beatrice lolf
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Ralph Dvnes
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Wilmetta Foege
Susan
Crystal Jenkins
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Sarah Bettnchy
Wiikara Davis
Anna Si fas
Jackie iennings
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Dean de la Mofte DeanaDeason c
Dad sue riilav ManaUamis faraesblearrfcv
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William Myers
Angela Blackwood
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kathoriiie Jordan
Bohhi Meeh
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Robin Jordan hhane Kehhe Matthew Kline
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GavleDohhs
Linda Graham JidiaGoater
Steven
Peruse Boy km Deamta Break! ield
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LeoGimter
Cynthia Faster
Barbara bitterson
inreesh Gupta
lennie .aiimer
Jason Phillips
Lonbedkrd
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Sandra Leslie
Rhonda Pittman lohnPlecnih
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Adrianne Harlow
Brother Agostino
Kbnheriy hdinger
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Lynda blkngt. >u David Ei'/.ey
Martin .Harris:.
Rita Lewis
Michael Poll
Michael
Podge San dra Loehr
Meredith I
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Dehra Pruett
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Brother
Emmanuel
Brother Michael
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Brother jolm Mary
Lather David Brown
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Fay Weary Mary Weir Craig Wesnohske William Westcn-er Mi#t> White Erin W'kitener Scot Wieland David Williams Gary Williams LaxrvWdliams Kimherly Wilson Pamel a Wi Ison James Woodard William Woody j r.
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Alice Duff
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Bessie Vinsiin
Gail Warliclc
Melissa N'icoletti
C aroi Brooks Stephen Brosnan
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Dcbrah Bost
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FMhert Tompkms Bientki Lyson Karen yson Karen a rm an Van William b an A ar Lynette Vam Margaret Yichere N
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Richard Mareoux
Belmont Abbey College
»
100 Belmont-Mt Holly
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
Road
TRIBUTE
to
*
Belmont, North Carolina
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
28012
CURLIN
*
704.825.6700
»
Visit
us on the Web - www.belmontabbeycollege.eclu
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
Bishop William Curlin
citi street"
Best Wishes
6"W
y\e/f'remeH/
Qr/o-ti/jt
From The Monks Belmont Abbey Monastery
•
of
Belmont Abbey
BeJmont, North Carolina 28012
\
»
III
tv.
*
704.825.6675
f
Ill
BISHOP WILLIAM E. LORI, BISHOP OF BRIDGEPORT, ON BEHALF OF THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT,
GIVES
THANKS TO GOD
FOR THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF HIS DEAR FRIEND AND MENTOR
BISHOP WILLIAM AND WISHES HIM IN
G.
CURLIN,
GOD'S HEALTH
THE YEARS THAT
LIE
AND
JOY
AHEAD.
9HHBBBBHBH
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
A Prayerfor God's blessingsfor you
Bishop Paul S. Loverde and the people of the Diocese of Arlington
express gratitude
and the pledge of prayer to
Bishop William G. Curlin From the Augustinians of the Province of St.
Thomas ofVillanova
ii„,.
m ini
l,
m
on
,h, lt,
Of The
The Qhurch
his retirement.
Gongratulates
Archdiocese
& Qives
Of Atlanta
Thanhs To
Almighty §od For The Qift That IBishop 'William
§. Gurlin
rias IBeen To IPeople
The
Of Qod
Through His Wlany Tears
Of
Priest
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
TUinistry
As
& IBishop CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20, 2002
Bishop Edward K. Braxton
and the people of God of the Diocese of Lake
Bishop Curlin
Charles, Louisiana express their gratitude, affection to
-
and appreciation
His Excellency,
Warmest Blessings and The Most Reverend William G. Curlin
Gracious Thanksgiving for
on the occasion of his retirement after so
exemplary service priest
many years
to the
Church
of
May you have a
as a
and Bishop in Washington, D.C.
and with such distinction
your service as our bishop.
wondrous retirement.
as
Bishop of Charlotte, North Carolina.
The People and Pastor of
.
Sacred Heart Church, Brevard
ON YOUR RETIREMENT
he Pennybyrn
at Maryfield family
and the sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God would like to thank Bishop William Curlin for his many years of Best wishes on your retirement.
Sacrd Heart
peNKiYt^^KI
Catholic church.
dedicated service to the Diocese of Charlotte.
A Continuing Care 1315 Greensboro Road * High
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
Retirement Community Point,
NC 27260 * 336.886.4103
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER
20,
2002
BI/HOP CURLIN, MOST REVEREND MICHAEL F. BURBIDGE, RECTOR,
YOU HAVE BEEN ONE OE OUR JTRONGEJT
THE ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY, DEACONS
AJPPORTERX EOR THE PA/T EIGHT YEAR/.
AND SEMINARIANS
You have always spoken out for the poor.
of
THANK YOU EOR CHAMPIONING THEM
BORROMEO SEMINARY OVERBROOK WYNNEWOOD, PA
SAINT CHARLES
AND
CATHOLIC /OCIAL /ERVICE/.
We miss you anb pray for joy and peace
EXPRESS DEEP GRATITUDE
m your retirement
to
MOST REVEREND WILLIAM G. CURLIN CATHOLIC /OCIAL /ERVICE/ OE THE DIOCE/E OE CHARLOTTE, INC.
for
HIS EXAMPLE OF
FAITHFUL AND DEDICATED SERVICE to
OUR LORD AND HIS CHURCH Best wishes on your retirement and
ASSURE HIM OF OUR CONTINUED PRAYERFUL SUPPORT
THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE The
Catholic University of America
Washington, "
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
DC
Mary Seat of Wisdom, Pray for
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
Us."
DECEMBER 20,
2002
Thank
you, Bishop Curlin.
Congratulations
Bishop Curlin on your Retirement
Ad Multos Annos!
J.S.
Paluch Co.,
Inc.
"Serving the Catholic Church Since 1913"
Greg Duncan Parish Consultant
The Jesuit Community of Western North Carolina
Parishioner St.
Mark Church,
Huntersville
NC
800 432-3240
Church
Best Wishes,
Bulletins
Bishop Curli PI,
for
Archabbot Douglas R. Nowickl and the Benedictine community, administration, staff
of Saint Vincent
3k
H
t
1
and
1 ~ Worship Aids ~ Church Software ~
Children's Bulletins
your retirement!
O.S.B. faculty,
students
Archabbey, College, and Seminary
1
%
Saint Vincent Archabbey,
ins
'Miiiji? ,i ,
,
H||| ijj
l
|
|'|'|
||"|T
College and Seminary
300 Fraser Purchase Road Latrobe, PA 1 5650-2690 724-537-4592 http://benedictine.stvincent.edu/
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20, 2002
Congratulations to
prager/ul Sest Wishes
Bishop William G. Curlin on your retirement
to
our most
Sishop William
6. Curlin
sincere best wishes
for a happy ca^d healthy retirement.
we tha^k, you for your
gracious.
yvtost
support to the families of our Holy Family Parish durivu$ your years
.of
service to the r>iocese of
Charlotte.
we
are indeed
most grateful for
all
fremv ThcmiafrT. McKevvnas,
of your help with
our current building cam.palg/t.
CM.
Prietty cvnd/ 3 rather
Our Prayers Art With you!
of the/
VlhJCtNTIAN
Holy Family Parish Clemmons, North Carolina
COMMUNITY
THANK YOU, BI/HOP CURLIN ram St.
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
Barnabas Parish Arden, NC
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
DECEMBER 20,
2002
0
lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
To Bishop Curlin
1Q
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
Thank you for your years of service to all of us.
I "Persevere in prayer, being watchful in
thanksgiving; at the
that
God may open
it
with
same time-, pray for us, too, door to us for the word, to
a
speak of the mystery of Christ..." Colossians 4:2-3a
Your friends at the Pastoral Center
bi
THE CATHOLIC NEWS & HERALD
TRIBUTE
to
BISHOP WILLIAM
G.
CURLIN
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of CHARLOTTE
jB
DECEMBER 20, 2002