4
8
1
www.charlottedioccsc^ors
Roman
Catholic
Diocese of Charlotte
Parish Profile: St.
Helen Church PAGE
NEW^AIERALD
Established Jan. 12, 1972
by Pope Paul VI
DECEMBER
5,
SERVING CATHOLICS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA IN THE DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE
2003
12
A country of conflict and crisis
VOLUME
13
N9
1
Worid AIDS Day draws support
HAS VATICAN
CHANGED POSITION
ON IRAQ WAR, OR HAS WAR CHANGED IRAQ?
fromcliurches BY
PATRICIA ZAPOR
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE BY
JOHN THAVIS
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
VATICAN CITY
WASHINGTON
—
Early this year, during the
countdown to the Iraq War, Pope John Paul II and his Vatican aides wasted no opportunity to broadcast their opposition to a U.S.-led in-
From Washington
to Dakar, Catholic bishops joined in marking World AIDS Day Dec. 1 with promises of
Senegal,
support for those with
warned
that besides being unjust, an invasion would be counterproducti_ve it would leave
—
many dead and wounded,
Followers of a radical Shiite cleric pray al-Fitr in
in
front of a U.S.
Army tank during
tfie Islamic festival
the Baghdad, Iraq, suburb of Al Sadr Nov. 25. The Vatican's representative
a military withdrawal
now would be the worst
PHOTO FROM Reuters
in
of
to
change behaviors that lead to the spread of the disease.
II
In Rome, Pope John Paul and the head of the Vatican
encouraged Catholics to join them in praying for people with HIV/ AIDS and to care for those office for health care
destroy Iraqi infrastructure, increase the hardships on civilians, increase political pressures on Iraqi Christians, ignite civil strife in the country, weaken the United
across Asia. In Dakar, the S;yTnposium of Episcopal Conferences of Af-
Nations and foment global
rica
terrorism.
CNS
HIV/
AIDS and encouragement
vasion.
They
—
with the disease.
Catholic organizations worked on AIDS pre\ention
and Madagascar, which represents the bishops in
Fast-forward eight
Africa, issued its first collective
months, and it seems that most or all of the Vatican's warnings were accurate, but
proposing a plan of action involving work with parishes,
See IRAQ, page 6
See AIDS, page 6
Eid
statement on
HIV/AIDS,
Iraq has said
option.
FROM LEBANON TO NORTH CAROLINA
Maronite Catholics seek to strengthen, grow their church in Southeast BY
JOHN STRANGE
NC Catholic Staff DURHAM — Father seph
knew what Jo-
Thomas
has a gift for some North Carolina Catholics a gift of "self-knowing" and a return to the traditions of
—
their ancestors in the
Maronite
Catholic Church.
encourage the people of origin, people who all their lives have heard the word 'Maronite' but never "I
ing the Eastern church, Father
pastor of the Maronite Catholic mission of St.
Sharbel in Raleigh, told the
NC Catholic. Sharbel hosted the
Nov. 14-16 Southeast regional conference of the National Apostolate of Maronites, where much of the focus was
1000-665^3 3N IIIH 0£6e 80
meant, to make
Thomas,
St.
Maronite
it
themselves available" and open-minded when consider-
mmn
13dW3
on how to strengthen and grow the Maronite Catholic Church in the Southeast. The Maronite Church is one of 22 Eastern Catholic churches with origins in Eastern Europe, Asia or Afi-ica, often identified by a national or
ethnic
Photo by John Strange,
NC
Catholic
The
character.
Maronites, for example, trace their history back to St. Maron
Father Joseph Thomas, pastor of
St.
Sharbel's Maronite Catholic
mission, identifies Maronite icons for a display at the Southeast
regional conference of the National Apostolate of Maronites
See MARONITE, page 9
Dreams
of Eagles
Durham
Nov.
14-16.
Sister Evelyn Mattern
Culture
Watch
Student project beautifies
Raleigh Diocese loses
Children's books for
Immaculata School
crusader for justice
Christmas gift-giving
nosiiD
I
PAGE
I
PAGES I
PAGE
in
5
1
2 The Catholic
;
December
News & Herald
2003
5,
Current and upcoming
In Brief
topics from around the
world to your own backyard
Catholic educators attend regional
meetings to discuss future roles WASHINGTON
(CNS)
— Many
Catholic educators across the country have been doing some extra home-
REMEMBERING RACHEL
work this fall looking at where they want Catholic schools, religious education and campus ministry programs to be in the future. More than 100 regional meetings, sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association, were scheduled from August to December and the
—
came from campus ministry leaders the dioceses of Wilmington, Del., Arlington and Richmond, Va., and Wheeling-Charleston, W.Va., and the Baltimore and Washington archdioceses.
They spent the greater part of two days in small groups discussing the importance of Catholic identity, how to shape future leaders, and the role of Catholic schools and religious educaprograms
all of these meetings will be compiled for a symposium on
tion
Catholic education to be held Jan. 8-1
ate a shared vision of the mission of.
findings from
Washington
in
mark NCEA's
to
100th anniversary.
The
results
from that sjmiposium
will then be presented at the annual NCEA convention in Boston next April. About 90 Catholic educators attended one of the regional meetings
Washington. Particiincluding faculty members, pants diocesan officials, catechetical and Nov. 20-21
—
in
in society.
"What we're about today
is
to cre-
Catholic education for the 21st century," Dan Curtin, NCEA's executive director of Chief Administrators of' Catholic Education, told participants.
He urged them to reflect on their own experiences in Catholic education relate them "to the larger world of the American culture through the eyes of faith" to come up with strategies for the future.
and to
Diocesa n. planner Old Reid Rd.
Call
Peggy at (704) 588-73 11
for ^
reservations or e-mail bhoppy57@aol.com.
VICARIATE
ASHEVILLE CNS
PHOTO FROM Reuters
ASHEVILLE
Light and the St. Eugene choir, will perform a community -wide Christian concert Dec. 1 2 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Eugene Church, 72 Culvern St. Tate is nationally recognized for his work
Rachel Scott, one of those killed in the Columbine High School shootings, write messages May 27 on Rachel's cross, which is part of a permanent memorial to the victims at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Littleton, Colo. From left are
Family
members
of
Rachel's sisters Bethanee Scott McCandles and Dana Scott and cousin
Jeff
— Paul Tate, with Deanna
and vocalist. He is the director of music and Hturgy at St. Brendan Church in Camming, Ga. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call Nancy at St. Eugene, (828) 254-5 1 93. as a composer, pianist
Scott.
Slain Columbine student's parent
—
CHARLOTTE
The 50+ Club of St. John Neumann Church, 845 1 Idlewild Rd., meets the second Wednesday of each month at 1 1 a.m. with a program and lunch in the parish center. For more information, call Lucille Kroboth at (704)537-2189.
CHARLOTTE — The Ladies Ancient Order of HibemiansDWision 1 Mecklenburg County-St, Brigid, an Irish-Catholic social and charitable inter-parish group, meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at St. Gabriel Church, 30 6 Providence Rd. Anyone in terested in their Irish-Catholic roots, call Jeanmarie Schuler at 1
BOONE VICARIATE
addresses Catliolic liigli scliool LOS ANGELES (CNS)
—
Nimmo, mother
Beth one of
•
of Rachel Scott, High School students killed during a shooting rampage at the Littleton, Colo., school four years ago,
days of each month
the Columbine
said the tragic event
"demands
call
be
my
last year."
Other journal writings, gathered in a book by Nimmo called "Journals of Rachel Scott," reveal that the teen had a "heavy heart" over the society "we've
where kids kill kids. Nimmo displayed a drawing Rachel had made in class the morning of her death, which shows 13 tears falling fr-om a pair of eyes and a rose watered by 7 drops of blood. She said the drawing symbolically represents the 13 Columbine victims, killed by two fellow students, and the 7 years of her
created"
1
1
daughter's
life.
—
'There is triumph in Columbine many wonderful things have come out of
p.m. or 7 p.m. Please
VICARIATE 1
Commons
Pkwy., will sponsor a family potluck on Dec. 1 2 at 6 p.m. in the New Life Center Banquet room. After dinner, the special guest speaker will be Linda Schaefer, the last photojournalist personally invited to make a photographic journey through Mother Teresa's world. Schaefer also attended
—
—
1
CHARLOTTE — St. Matthew Church, 80 Ballantyne
During a Nov ember ceremony at St. Genevieve High School in Panorama City, the mother of 17-year-old Rachel told students and faculty members that God was preparing people before the killings on April 20 "for his witness." According to Nimmo, Rachel whom she described as someone with "a strong love and devotion to Jesus Christ had a premonition of her death and wrote in a journal on May 2, 1998: 'This
at
{336) 372-8846 for specific time.
CHARLOTTE
a spiri-
tual response."
will
—
St. Frances of Rome Church, Hendrix and Highlands Rds., sponsors the Oratoiy of Divine Love Prayer Group in the parish hou.se the second and fourth Thurs-
SPARTA
said
it,"
Nimmo.
"I'm proud that
daughter died for something
that's
my
wor-
thy," she said, pointing out that the Col-
umbine
were overheard taunting
killers
Mother
Teresa's beatification in Rome wit+i Bishop Curlin. Call Sue VanderJeugdt (704) 541-8362 for more information.
CHARLOTTE — Father Patrick Winslow will present an Advent retreatDec. 20, 9 a.m.3 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828
(704) 554-0720 for further information.
6AST0NIA
VICARIATE
BELMONT — Queen of the Apostles Church,
503 N. Main St., will host a Supper-Study Series Dec. !0 and 17 in the Family Center. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. with children's acti\ ities at 6:30. Catechesis will take place 6:45-7:30 p.m. Father Joe Zuschmidt will speak on the sacrament of reconciliation, in preparation for the parish Advent reconciliation ser\ ice Dec. 1 6 at 7 p.m. in the church. For details,
Teall-Fleming
at (704)
call
Dennis
825-9600, ext. 26 or e-
mail teallfleming@yahoo.com.
GASTONIA — Is peace possible in our tim What can we do
to bring peace to our worl
Join us for the next Prayer Vigilfor Peace 15, 7-8
258 W. all
faiths
ers
—
D
p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Chur Franklin Blvd. Come pray with people
as
— Jewish,
Christian,
Muslim and ot
we gather together to ask the Lord
peace in our time.
If you
have any questions
Rachel for her Christian faith. "Her life was all about character," the mother added. Nimmo's address
was part of a
St.
700 people attended the event. According to Principal Dan Horn, the staff at
St.
Genevieve's
made
a con-
from the Columbine tragedy by creating a "more welcoming environment for all." He said the staff members also enviscious decision to learn lessons
monument to their lives or who
sioned the school as "a living all
of tliose
had
who had
lost loved
lost
ones to school violence."
DECEMBER
THE-
VOLUME
Genevieve High School celebration recognizing the school's 2003 National School of Character Award. More than
NEW^iERALD PUBLISHER: Msgr, Mauricio W. West EDITOR: Kevin E, Murray STAFF WRITER: Karen A. Evans GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Tim Faragher ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: Cindi
SECRETARY:
Sherill
2003
5,
NUMBER
11
J
The Catholic News & Herald, USPC 007-393, is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Church except for St., Charlotte, NC 28203, 44 times a year, weekly 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 $23 per year reserves for all other subscribers. The Catholic News & Herald
Feerick
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•
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POSTMASTER: Send
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December
The Catholic News & Herald 3
2003
5,
FROM THE VATICAN
Pope: Catholics in the Americas must
Vatican trims pope's Cliristmas scliedule, omitting
some January
reach out to people with Gospel VATICAN CITY (CNS) — MilBecause the answer lions of people in the
events —
VATICAN CITY
ward
to the Basilica of St.
(CNS) Pope John Paul II's Christmas season schedule has been trimmed, appar-
jor.
ently excluding his usual ordination
in St. Peter's Basilica.
Mary Ma-
the Jan. 6 feast of
— Christmas Mass midnight — The Dec. 25 solemn blessing
the Epiphany and his custom of bap-
"urbi et orbi" (to the city and the
of
new bishops on
tizing infants
on the
feast of the
Bap-
at
world) at noon.
—
tism of the Lord.
The pope's liturgical December and January
schedule for
him
lists
as
presiding over six events, but does not specify if he will be the principal celebrant of the liturgies. The Vatican released the 83-yearold pope's schedule Nov. 25. The schedule includes:
— Laying
wreath at a Marian statue in central Rome on the Dec. 8 feast of the Immaculate Conception, but not making his annual visit aftera
need directions, contact St. Mark's Church at (704) 864-4531 or Dennis Teall-Fleming 825-9600, ext. or at 26, (704) teallfleming@yahoo.co)n.
An evening thanksgiving
prayer service Dec. 31
in St. Peter's
Basilica.
—
The Jan. 1 Mass for the feast of Mary, Mother of God, and World Peace
Day
in St. Peter's
Square.
In addition, Vatican Radio reported the pope would not hold his weekly general audiences Dec. 24 and 31. A Vatican official said because the calendar did not go beyond Jan. 1 indicated no other papal liturgical events were scheduled for the month.
world are yearn-
ing for meaning in their lives, Pope John Paul II said, and Catholics in North and South America must reach
out to them with the Gospel. "Show your desire to be joyful witnesses and enthusiastic apostles of the Gospel to the ends of the earth with the example of your holy lives," the pope told some 3,200 people gathered in Guatemala City for the American Missionary Congress. Pope John Paul sent a message to the Nov. 25-30 gathering of bishops,
and lay people, who
clergy, religious
met to coordinate and increase missionary activity among the continent's Catholics.
"Millions of men and women who do not know Christ or have only a superficial knowledge of him live in the hope at times, unconsciously of discovering the truth about man and about God and about the way which leads to liberation from sin and from death," the pope said.
—
—
is
Christ,
Pope John Paul said, the proclamation of the Gospel is a vital and obligatory task.
The pope said God has given the peoples of North and South America "beautiful fruits of holiness in men and women, who, faithful to the missionary mandate of the Lord, have spent their lives proclaiming the Christian message, including in heroic circumstances and conditions." The example of how holy individuals supported by holy communities resulted in the massive evangelization of the continent hundreds of years ago is a reminder that holy people and holy communities are still the most effective means of spreading the Gospel, he said. New programs or more efficient organizations are not the answer, the pope
said.
"It is
necessary to give rise to a
new yearning
for holiness"
among
be-
lievers so that people can see in their lives the
rewards of
faith,
he
said.
SMOKY MOUNTAIN VICARIATE SYLVA St. MaryChurch offers Adoration
—
of the Blessed Sacrament the first Saturday of every month following the 9 a.m. Mass until 3
Celebrating history
p.m. For information, call (828) 586-9496.
GREENSBORO VICARIATE GREENBORO The Greensboro Council of
—
Catholic
Women in\ ites all women to its Christ-
mas Tea Dec. 1 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2780 Horse Pen Creek Rd. P'ood be collected for a local food pantry. For details, call Janet Law at (336) 288-6022. 1 ,
GUILFORD COUNTY —The Anaent Order of Hibemiaiu Guilford County Di\'ision, the oldest and largest order of Irish Catholic men, is look-
more Irish Catholic men
them for meetings, educational seminars and social ing for
to join
events. Contact Michael Slane at (336) for time
and
665-9264
WINSTON-SALEM
VICARIATE
WINSTON-SALEM — In recognition of the ministry of Betsy Meehan, who is presently sick leave fi-om her position as music director of St. Leo the Great Church, the St. Leo choir will present "Encounters with Christ: A
on
Celebration of the Birth, Passion, Death and Resurrection ofOur Lord. "The concert will be St. Leo the Great Church, 335 Springdale Ave. Admission is free. For details call the church office at (336)
held Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. at
724-0561.
WINSTON-SALEM — Parents Together
location.
and the Knights of Columbus Council #2829 HICKORY VICARIATE
HICKORY
— The
fourth annual presentation of
the reenactment of the St. Francis ofAssisi Crib at Greccio will be held at the Catholic Conference
Center, 155
1
Trinity Ln., Dec. 7 at 3 p.m.
theme for this year's live nativity scene St. Francis and the sermon to the birds. SALISBURY
The
will be
VICARIATE
who have lost a child oi any age meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at St. Therese Church, 217 Brawley School Rd. We draw strength from others' experience of loss and grief For more information, call Joy at (704) 664-3992.
— Seniors ages 55 and up
comes families for face painting, crafts, breakand an opportunity to meet Santa and have a photo taken with him. Space is limited. To register your family or to volunteer, call fast
MOORESVILLE — A support groupfor parents
MOORESVILLE
will host its Breakfast with SantaioT specialneeds children and their families Dec. 13, 9:30-1 1:30 a.m. at St. Leo the Great Church, 335 Spr'mgdale Ave. The Knights will supply a pancake buffet as Parents Together wel-
are
Therese Church, 217 Brawley School Rd., the second Saturday of each month following the 5:30 Mass for Senior Games Night, invited to St.
featuring games and a potluck dinner. Call Barbara Daigler at (704) 662-9752 for details.
(336)814-5301.
CLEMMONS — Holy Family Church, 4820 Kinnamon Rd., offers Eucharhtic Adoration every Thursday. Exposition begins at 6 p.m. and benediction is at 9 p.m.
WINSTON-SALEM — The Healing Companions is a grief support group for the bereaved that meets the first and third Thurs-
days of the month in conference room B at St. Leo the Great Church, 335 Springdale Ave. For further details, call Joanne Parcel at (336) 924-9478
McGrotty
Black Catholic History Month was celebrated with a special Mass at the Basilica of St.
Lawrence
in
Ashevllle with Father Wilbur
Thomas, pastor, and
Rev. Mr. Curtiss
Todd, vice chancellor for the Diocese of Charlotte and vicar for the diocesan African
American Affairs
The National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus of the United November as Black Catholic History Month on July 24, 1990 to
Ministry.
States designated
celebrate the long history and proud heritage of black Catholics.
DIDYOUKNOW? ST. Bishop Peter
J.
Eustratius, an Armenian,
in the following event:
first
Episcopal
,
,
"^^^calendar
December 12
— 7p.m.
Chapel,
Winston-Salem
Wake
Forest
University,
was
by Lysias, the governor
was then burned
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass
Wait
EUSTRATIUS AND COMPANIONS
Jugis will participate
to
death
at
in
tortured during Dioclestian's persecution of Christians
Arabraca, then by Agricolaus, the governor
in
—
He was
Sebasta.
a furnace about the year 304. Also martyred with him
Eugenius; two friends who had pleaded for his life, Mardarius and Auxentius; and Orestes, a soldier who was converted by Eustratius' courage under torture. The feast of St. Eustratius and his companions is Dec. 13. his servant
December
4 The Catholic News & Herald
5,
2003
OUR SCHOOLS
Bishop McGuinness students plan mission soutli of tlie border
DREAMS OF EAGLES
Student project beautifies
KERNERSVILLE
Immacuiata Scliooi HENDERSONVILLE
—
In need
of a project to qualify for an Eagle Badge, Taylor Lantrip, a Boy Scout and Immacuiata School student, approached the faculty regarding an extensive project to beautify the front of
special mission experience in
The program
from
according to William Meehan, princi-
"This is an example of widespread involvement and commitment by many people in a project of this magnitude that began as a dream of one student," said Meehan. "(It) just seemed to mushroom and grow." The project was divided into three phases. The first phase involved the creation of a courtyard, complete with two benches,, pavers and a statue
skills.
memorial
in Courtesy Photos
Above: Immacuiata School students
anti
parent volunteers work to beautify the in School Immacuiata of front
Hendersonville.
gift for
The Immacuiata School student council, with assistance
Sofie (Lucas' mother),
from Marti oversaw the
completed in October. Marti Sofie expressed her appreciation to the students, volunteers and "the Scouts, Taylor Lantrip and Lucas Sofie, who got the ball rolling with their Eagle projects." "I hope all those involved feel a
project, Caring for Charlotte Area Catholic
Need Since 1926
sense of pride in their contribution to our school community," she said. Meehan called the project a "tre-
FUNERAL SERVICE, INC.
mendous learning experience
Charlotte 704-334-6421
Museo de Anthropologia
Staff members traveling with the students include Martin Mata, cam.
pus minister; and Juanita Abreu,
Maryann Tyrer and Shirley Shaw, members of the
faculty.
The students are holding numerous fundraisers to offset the cost of their excursion,
and the school asks
community
to help support this
the
outreach.
Want
to Help?
To help support the outreach efforts, call Martin
Mata at (336) mmata@bmhs.us.
Bishop McGuinness United Nations team scores big KERNERSVILLE
—
In
first
its
Model United Nations team of Bishop McGuinness Catholic School
year, the
Appalachian State University in Boone. Two teams of Bishop McGuinness
Andrew Heberling and Megan Wizke; Greg Means and Matt IngersoU. David students were cited for excellence:
and the groups' moderator, praised their performance as Seidel, history teacher
exceptional for a first-year effort. The program has been established
complement the longstanding and award-winning Harvard Model Congress program, which takes groups of more that 20 students to congressional simulations in Boston each
at the school to
year sponsored by Harvard Universii The school chose the Appalachian program for the current year and is currently investigating other options for the following year, including the Duke
Model U.N.
University
The ASU
simulation involved 85 competing teams from 45 North Carolina high schools. The Model U.N. team will compete again in the spring when
ASU
holds
its
Model
Security Council
session in March. Seidel's group,
inaugural
effort,
assembled for
this
included seniors Dunia
Fleihan, Katie Preske,
Megan Good, Matt
Meghan Witzke, Ingersoll, Greg
Means, Andrew Heberling, J.P. Delaney and freshmen PJ. Dascoli and Michael O'Shea.
i
for stu-
dents."
captured a special spirit in the is a concrete manifestation that dreams can come true and that young people can make a difference when guided and supported by the adults in their lives," said "It
Pineviile 704-544-1412
Mint
Hill
community and
704-545-4864
Derita 704-596-3291
Meehan.
We Can
Share The Care!
Visiting Angels, can help put your family together this Holiday Season! Visiting Angels* provides experienced
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hurch
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Executive Director: Elizabeth Tlmrbee (704) 370-3227 Refugee Office: Cira Ponce (704) 370-6930
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Gerard A. Carter (704) 370-3250
Charlotte Region; 1 1 23 South Church Street, Chadotte, 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
Select
Up to 24 Hour Care
&
Peace: Joe Purel!o(704) 370-3225 Special Ministries: lustice
'
before re-
turning to North Carolina.
564-1012 or e-mail
distinguished itself with awards earned during the recent annual conference at
ducive to the aesthetics of the school.
Mexico City, stopping in the city of San Miguel de Allende and Doris Hidalgo. While in the city, they plan visits to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Zocalo and the
to
their
They
the people of the parish.
involved moving and refurbishing six benches along the front of the school. Lucas Sofie, Taylor's classmate and fellow Scout striving for an Eagle Badge, assumed responsibility for this phase and the project was completed in August. Phase Three involved the removal of scrubs and the planting of perennials and shrubbery more con-
Their Hour of
own.
also plan to leave a
Two
in
their
own Spanish language
June.
Families
designed to
them English and reinforcing
of Mary, the patroness of the school. Lantrip assumed responsibility for
Phase
Mexico.
Traveling to San Luis de Posoti during Holy Week, students will spend Easter weekend experiencing the special worship activities for that feast in a small-town setting. This will be followed by a bus excursion to the village of El Realejo, where students will work with children in their church and school environments, teaching
pal.
which was completed
is
Students will then travel by bus
Cam-
heighten students' awareness of conditions in a nation and culture the resources of which are quite different
the school. The project had been a topic already under discussion for several years, but little action had been taken,
this phase,
— The
pus Ministry Office of Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School is currently enlisting students and adults to participate in an April 2004
at:
www.visitingangels.com/chartotte
kM^AngeLs.^ ^ ^
LIVING
ASSISTANCE SERVICES
December
5,
The Catholic News & Herald 5
2003
AROUND THE DIOCESE
Raleigh Diocese loses crusader for justice NC's
ecumenical, social justice community says goodbye to Sister Evelyn
She and others worked for the formation of "GreenPower," a way for consumers, congregations and small businesses to work with their power company to purchase electricity from renewable sources. The program is just now being offered to some consumers, he said. During the luncheon. Rev. Reed announced the Council of Churches had arena.
nity Sister Evelyn Mattern, founder of
the Diocese of Raleigh's Peace and Jus-
Department and former program associate at the North Carolina Council of Churches, died Nov. 30 in a nursing tice
in Philadelphia.
Her work covered almost every
as-
Christian social activists celebrated Sister Evelyn's ministry Oct.
1
dying of cancer, prepared to leave for
ist,
her native Philadelphia. Hundreds
Our Lady of Lourdes' Fallon
filled
center in
Raleigh for the luncheon, which was filled with tears and laughter as various
and social juscommunity came to pay tribute to
leaders of the ecumenical tice
Sister Evelyn.
Father George Kloster, pastor of St. William Church in Murphy and former president of the Council of Churches, recalled how he and Sister Evelyn worked to address the miserable living conditions of migrant workers by building new housing in Johnston County. "The people of Johnston County did not exactly welcome us with open arms," he said. Sister Evelyn's efforts "stirred
up the populace from the
Town
Helms."
KKK
to Jesse
leaders complained that
"Catholics are taking over Johnston
County," said Father Kloster, a native of the county.
never happened," he
"It
just because
mean
"But
said.
it
it
didn't
Gossman
or Raleigh said.
someone
to
"We
come forward and
replace
Rev. George Reed, executive director
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R. Allen,
eighth grade, continue to excel aca-
demically as they prepare for the transition into high school.
Winners on and
off
ttie field
—
CHARLOTTE
Holy Trinity
Catholic Middle School's eighth-grade football team won the conference champi-
onship against Weddingto'n Middle School Nov. 1 with a score of 30-0. The team has played together since the sixth grade and has won the conference championship for three consecuti\ e years, losing only two games in the 2001, 2002 and 2003 seasons combined. Included on the team are many honor roll students who also have quali-
Duke University Talent IdenProgram, which recognizes students based on academic excellence. The eighth-grade class this year has 52 percent of its students qualifying for the Duke program, which is the largest percentage from any one school in state. The fied for the tification
eighth-graders also
work e\ery week
as
Rev. John Allen
volunteers at Crisis Assistance Ministry.
2744 Tiergarten Lane Charlotte, NC 28210
moving on
Most of
the football players will be
to Charlotte Catholic
High
School next year, taking their enthusiasm
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Father John Allen, vocations director, died" at his home in Charlotte on Sunday, Nov. 23. A funeral Mass took place Nov. 26 in St. Patrick Cathedral. Interment was at St. Gabriel Church. Notes of condolence may be sent to Father Allen at the following address:
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CHARLOTTE — Barton
present.
Sister Evelyn's
Rev. Reed
to
in col-
for several reasons,
Holy Trinity was notified in August of last year's results. The students, now
together in collaboration.
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father dies
Evelyn said if she met Saddam Hussein, she would listen first.
or
is unique of North Carolina, something which may not be true of other places:
Vocation director's
'guest.'"
SATl
including gaining experience taking the is
this story.
Sister
Qualifying students are then invited to
complete the
college entrance examination.
Editor Kevin E. Murray contributed
peace delegation to Iraq in October 1990. The visit brought Iraqis 1,000 pounds of vitamins and medicines and helped prepare for an ongoing presence of American peace advocates in Iraq during the first Gulf War. In a pre-trip interview with the NC Catholic, Sister Evelyn said she had some fears about going to Iraq, such as being
"The
you
college entrance exams, identifying areas
ments were not
Baghdad if U.S. planes bombed the city and "being taken hostage or being
See Chase first... because home ownership matters.
tell
Sister Evelyn's funeral arrange-
of the Council of Churches, said Sister Evelyn's gift to the Council was a "real sense of justice rooted in deep spirituality." Sister Evelyn was part of a U.S.
kept as a
in Raleigh. Fifty people here will still
A minimum qualifying score of 96 percentile on the ITBS test is one of the standards used for participation.
"very struck by what
said she
out to those
in
j\/|ake the right move to finding your dream home.
now
Evelyn had helped with "Of One Heart and One Mind," the joint pastoral letter issued in 1997 by thenBishop WDliam G. Curlin of Charlotte and Bishop John F. Gossman of Raleigh calling on North Carolinians to reach
charter members.
academically talented seventh-
remember you
Sister
Father Charles MulhoUand and the Rev. Collins Killburn, former executive director of the Council of Churches, as
identifies
will
together.
late
Talent Identification Program. The Talent Identification Program
school.
are on the
But she is irreplaceable." Father fOoster recommended forming a North Carolina Justice Hall of Fame, with Sister Evelyn joining the
her.
pants in
The
She
need
eighth-grade class renumber of particiNorth Carolina for the Duke its
ceived the highest
scores taken in elementary and middle
North Carolina desperately needs people like Sister Evelyn, Bishop Joseph
School that
Evelyn Mattern Fund, to be used and justice. fund, he said, will "guarantee we
ministry.
wasn't good."
University
Holy Trinity Catholic Middle
to support issues of peace
After the final speaker. Sister Evelyn spoke not of herself, but of others in her
happen doesn't
CHARLOTTE — Duke notified
Sister
for the
have occasion to say, 'Let me about Sister Evelyn Mattern.'"
Sister Evelyn Mattern
as the long-
time North Carolina resident and activ-
Community
University
graders on the basis of standardized test
years from Christian
Duke
new
more than $ 1 4,000
collected
pect of social justice, from obtaining
housing for poor immigrant workers to demonstrating against the death penalty, from environment to gender equality to interfaith issues to pro-life work. Through the years, she made many friends, but also foes, of politicians, farmers, business owners and others. The North Carolina community of
score tops honors
Mattem with
JOHN STRANGE NC Catholic Staff RALEIGH — Christian CommuBY
home
Holy Trinity Students
Members ofSt. Gabriel
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December
The Catholic News & Herald
6
HIV/AIDS
But today, as the problems mount and the death toll rises in Iraq,
IRAQ, from page 1
AIDS, from page 1
Cardinal Sodano has said
no one
saying
is
told you
"I
"now
so."
On
there. in
The
What emphasizes
deadly attacks on soldiers Vatican's
own
Iraqis to
now would
be the worst option. And the Vatican has offered zero support to those who view Iraqi attacks on U.S. soldiers as legitimate
army headquarters
The pope seemed to
finds itself
Has
its
"But there's a crisis of power in Iraq. people need a leader, someone who talks to Iraqis as an Iraqi, and that
mind
the
leader isn't there," he said.
volves Iraq's ethnic and religious communities, a military pullout now would
help restore order in Iraq in the immediate aftermath of the hostilities.
leave Iraqis in a "terrible
the soldiers are
cent of the U.S. population. Hispanics
no
mend
it.
is
tify that
harmony
that in-
crisis."
against use of force.
arguments He was recently
named
left his
post,
Of course, the more
silent
CamUlo
time. Cardinal
of Rome and
president
of the Italian bishops' conference, has assumed a higher profile. His public influence peaked during the national mourning and state fijneral for the Ital-
Before the war, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, raised U.S. diplomatic hackles when he warned
might find a Vietnam-like quagmire in Iraq.
diplomatic
and the Vatican has generally fallen on the da^-to-day situation in Iraq.
Ruini, papal vicar
involvement," he said.
that the United States
a cardinal and
At the same
the problem that deeply one becomes involved in this project, the greater the tendency to justhere
real plan for civU
Before the war began, the Vatican frequently relied on then-Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, an assistant secretary
now, the country would fall into chaos. The vase has been broken, and we have to
handfijl
They said more new HIV/ AIDS cases in United States are among African-
than half of all
of European countries
Americans, with 61 percent of those cases among teens, and Hispanics account for 20 percent of the total reported AIDS cases. And 78 percent of all cases of women with HIV/AIDS are either African-American or Hispanic. African-Americans make up 12 per-
"If the military pulls out of Iraq
way
The
a joint letter urging Catho-
to fight the crisis.
lics
rent military operation in Iraq include four with heavily Catholic populations:
of state, to articulate the
to try to find a
fairs issued
that have contributed soldiers to the cur-
Archbishop Filoni said that with no
said.
'They are
fought, Cardinal Ruini replied:
The
short-term political solution in sight and
that does the least damage,"
In Washington, the U.S. bishops' Committee on African-American Catholics and the Committee on Hispanic Af-
noble mission." To those asking whether the soldiers died in a war that should not have been victims of terrorism, pure and simple."
Corriei-e della Sera.
'The Vatican clearly said 'no' to the war. But at a certain point, you have to manage the situation that's been created he
under occupa-
Archbishop Fernando Filoni, apostolic nuncio to Iraq, told the newspaper
tion of anonymity.
way
HIV-related illness and multiplies the social impact of the epidemic," they said. More than 1 1 million children in Africa under age 15 are AIDS orphans, and in sub-Saharan Africa, as many as 28 million people have HIV/ AIDS.
and a Catholic, attends a Nov. 18 memorial service at St. Joseph's Chaldean Catholic Church in Baghdad for the 19 Italians killed in an attack in An Nasiriyah.
ing authority represents the people,"
about the war in Iraq? "It's not that the Vatican position has changed, but the situation in Iraq has been completely transformed," said one Vatican official who spoke on condi-
in the
PHOTO FROM Reuters
Paul Bremer, the U.S. civilian administrator of Iraq
L.
tion does not think the rul-
rnission of peace.
the Vatican changed
CNS
Iraq's with political vacuum, self-governance seems impossible now. "Any country that
denounced the attack as sign on to that definition a few days later when he spoke of the "wicked work" accomplished by terrorists in Iraq. The pontiff and Italian bishops joined in honoring the dead Italian soldiers, saying they were engaged in a terrorism.
"Poverty facilitates the transmission of HIV, makes adequate treatment unaffordable, accelerates death from
But
Italian bishops
medical institutions and reprograms. It focuses
on changing behavior and accepting responsibility for tackling the problems of HIV and AIDS.
govern them-
running of the country.
19 dead,
faiths,
ligious formation
greater say in the interim
resistance to an illegal operation. After a recent truck bomb at an Italian
other
the Vatican the need for
is
selves as quickly as possible and for the United Nations to have a
representativ e
Iraq has said military withdrawal
left
not the time for
recriminations."
the contrary, sex eral top cardinals have warned against a pullout of U.S. and allied troops from Iraq, especially after
is
2003
Catholics VS.
Iraq position ciianged?
Has Vatican
5,
THE NEWS
IN
itself in
ian soldiers killed in Iraq,
when
dinal said there should be
no withdrawal
Poland, Portugal and Spain.
Italy,
Even many Europeans opposed the war supported sending soldiers
to to
But now coming under fire, and there is debate over whether their engagement is part of an illegal occupation,
account for 14 percent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates between 700,000 and 800,000 people in the U.S. are infected with HIV or have AIDS. The pope said Nov. 30 to "pray for
a peacekeeping mission or a reconstruction project.
said
'That's the $100 million question," one Vatican official. He noted that
Vatican had really spoken
those struck by this plague," and to "encourage all those in the church who pro-
"Rather than define what it is, right need to try to help make things
vide a priceless service of welcome, care and spiritual accompaniment to these
no one on this
at the issue.
now we work
much
as
brothers and sisters of ours."
as possible," he said.
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Lawieiu e LoMonac o
Rex. Ml. Carlos
Dm
Pdroclnal, Vicar
-
Children's Mass
6 p.m.
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celebrate the
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Birth of
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The Catholic News & Herald
December
Culture Watch
5,
200
WORD TO LIFE
A roundup
of Scripture, readings, films and more
-SUNDAY SCRIPTURE READINGS: DEC.
Dec.
Second Sunday
7,
7,
2003
we know someone you
think
can inter
view.'""
Children's books for
of Advent
"Who? Where am
I
going to
fiini
someone?"
Christmas gift-giving REVIEWED Bv
BARB FRAZE
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The following children's books are suitable for Christmas giving. "The Invisible Seam," by Andy WUliam Frew, illustrated by Jun Matsuoka. Moon Mountain Publishing (North Kingstown, R.I., 2003). 28 pp., $15.95. "The Invisible Seam" is a well-wo\'en story of a young Japanese girl who
must apprentice as a seamstress when her aunt can no longer care for her. Michi's stitches are small and tight and bring great pride to her teacher but cause tensions with the other apprentice seamstresses.
As the
plot unfolds, Michi
deals with peer pressure, the need to
keep her promise to do her best, and the discovery that different people have different talents. Matsuoka's watercolors help illustrate Michi's feelings of pride,
1)
"Mint's Christmas Message," by Mary Y. Spitz, illustrated by Joanne Y. Pierce. Mother Moose Press (Potomac 32
Falls, Va., 2003).
BY
meaning when Mint, a retired champion, and other horses refuse to come in during a snowstorm. Pierce's illustrations are designed to look like old-fashioned oval-framed pictures, and they face text of a story told quite conversationally by Spitz. The result is an real
appealing story. All ages.
"The Wondrous Adventures of St. Francis of Assisi," by Tricia Gray, illustrated by Vicki Shuck. St. Anthony Messenger Press (Cincinnati, 2003). 164
pp.,
$14.95. Fifteen tales about St. Francis, his
and miracles are retold
in short
vignettes that teach without preaching.
With
"The "The
enticing titles like
Three Murderous Robbers"
to
Wicked Wolf of Gubbio,"
the vignettes clearly convey Francis' love
of
God and
God
his belief that
if
6
8-11
3:1-6
BEVERLY CORZINE
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
The door
and
burst open on a dreary
later witnessed, firsthand, the rav
ages of the Holocaust.
"Mom, can you
I heard the smack of books on the kitchen counter and the familiar sound of foraging for an afterschool snack that would sustain a teenage boy until dinner. Then the call came, "Mom, I need to talk to you." Walking into the kitchen, I unwit-
winter afternoon.
—
What do you
suppose helped hir through it? St. Paul describes a dynamic faith, u
went to heart of the matter. "Hi. How was school?" Immediately, 1 was told that Mark's American history teacher, having lost contact with reality, had given the class the most nonsensical of assignments known to humankind. I was forewarned that his American history grade would plummet to unsalvageable depths. Each student was required to interview someone who had served in World War II and be prepared to share the findings with the
his letter to the Philippians, as a "part
nership for the Gospel." Paul prays tha the "good work" that has taken root
ii
readers will flourish throughou
his
their lives until they
We
meet
Christ.
witnessed the partnership
witl
the Gospel that Paul mentions in the
lif
of our friend in the good years of hi retirement and through years of deterio rating health that left him a wisp of
man.
class.
On
At that moment I could have hugged the teacher. "What a super idea!" I
Mi
believe that
Julson lived through all that? I jus thought he was a nice retired guy wh( went around taking food and clothes ti church somebody who bought dayi old bread for the ducks on the lake.
tingly
thought to myself
find the vignettes interesting to listen
to
Luke
in
2-3, 4-5,
1:4-6,
is
human, good or Early elementary children wQl
reflected in every
bad.
3) Gospel:
an
is
unusual twist on the message of Christmas. A grandfather who does not believe in Christmas receives the message of its
life
Baruch 5:1-9 Psalm 126: 1-2,
2) Philippians
pp., $17.95.
"Mint's Christmas Message"
"Remember, Mr. Julson, who move* next door, is a World War II veterar Interview him." After spending two hours inter viewing our neighbor, Mark came hornfilled with astonishment and admiratioi for a man who had fought in Ger Patton's army at the Battle of the Bulg
C Readings:
Cycle
To my son
I
Oct. 16,
American
flags flew
ii
our neighborhood to mark his passing In his heart faith never failed.
said, "I
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
read by an adult; older readers
will find the chapters quick reading.
Ages aloneness, conflict and joy. readers, this
Ages
is
a
For younger
good read-aloud book.
7-10.
A Cajun Story from by Robert D. San Souci, illustrated by David Catrow. Silver Whistle (Orlando, Fla., 2003). 28 pp.,
We Were Saints," by Nolan. Harcourt Inc. (Orlando, 2003). 291 pp., $17.
$16. This colorfully Ulustrated yarn is a great read-aloud book, mixing some
Cajun dialect with outrageous adventure. Brothers Big Pierre, Fat Pierre, Wise Pierre and Foolish Pierre have special talents, but they are no match for their youngest brother, Little Pierre. Catrow's illustrations and caricatures
We
"When
"Little Pierre:
Louisiana,"
7-12.
"When
historical tale,
Were
SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER Sunday (Second Sunday
not a
is
to find his iden-
grandfather's last words,
"Young man, you
are a saint." In a
thinks she
Clare and
is St.
calls
him
Francis, Archie Caswell takes a spiritual
journey into prayer and a physical journey to New York, all the whOe struggling to combine his common sense and love for his ailing grandmother with his discovery of religion. The book deals
some
with
dominate the pages, with text blended in. Be prepared to read this book to the
orexia and the stigmata, but will keep
children multiple times. "Dinosailors," by
Ages
5-9.
Deb Lund,
illus-
Llewellyn. Kingfisher (Boston, 2003). 64
(Orlando,
pp., $14.95.
buckling story that children will love. The "Dinosailors" dinosaurs who are ready for adventake off on a ship
—
ture,
until
—
their vessel hits a squall.
30;
Matthew 18:12-14; Wednesday (Advent Weekday),
Thursday (Advent Weekday),
Guadalupe), Zechariah 2:14-17,
Lul<e 1:39-47;
well as
Anne
Saturday
(St.
1 1
:2{ (
Lucy), Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11, Matthe'
SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 14 - DECEMBER Sunday
(Third
Sunday of Advent), Zephaniah
i
20
3:14-18a, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:10-18;
Monda
(Advent Weekday), Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a, Matthew 21:23-27; Tuesday (Advent Weekday Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13, Matthew 21 :28-32; Wednesday (Late Advent Weekday), Genesis 49:2, ( 10,
1:1-17; Thursday (Late Advent Weekday), Jeremiah 23:5-8, Matthew 1:18-25; Frida, Advent Weekday), Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a, Luke 1 :5-25; Saturday (Late Advent Weekday
Matthew
(Late
Isaiah 7:10-14,
Luke 1:26-38
Let stairs be our
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17:9a, 10-13
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Isaiah 40:25-31
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Juan Diego
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Matthew 11:11-15; Friday (Our Lady
Isaiah 41:13-20,
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"Their dinotummies slosh and churn. They groan with every twist and turn. Their paling faces dinofrown. 'Heave ho!' they cry. 'It won't stay down.'" This tails
Isaiah 40:1-11,
readers turning pages, trying to see how Archie resolves his conflict. Ages 1 1-15. "Saints And Angels," by Claire
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DECEMBER 13
including an-
stretch the imagination; the watercolors
difficult topics,
-
com-
plex search that involves a teenage girl
who
7
of Advent), Baruch 5:1-9, Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11, Lul<e 3:1-6;
(The Immaculate Conception), Genesis 3:9-15, 20, Luke 1:26-38; Tuesday
but the modern story of a
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Saints"
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i
December
5,
The Catholic News & Herald 9
2003
FROM THE COVER He and
Maronite Catholics seek to grow in Southeast
we depended on Lebanon people. We are very proud
Raleigh. 'W^e both say
the faithfulness of the
This
is
your diocese.
of you."
For
came
his part.
Thomas
Father
first
North Carolina in the early 1970s. Bishop Vincent Waters had long lobbied the bishop of the Eparchy of St.
MARONITE, from page 1
to
(born about 350) and the ancient monmountains of Syria and
Maron of
asteries in the
cese that covered the entire eastern sea-
Lebanon.
board, to send a Maronite priest who could serve the Maronites living in
The Eastern churches are in full communion with the Roman Catholic
Father
not
known how many of today's
North Carolina Catholics have their roots in Lebanon and the Maronite Catholic Church. What is clear, however, is that the Diocese of Raleigh owes much of its early development to Lebanese immigrants who settled in North
Photo by John Strange, NC Catholic
Carolina years ago.
No
other state in the country has
Father Joseph Thomas, pastor of the
had more early influence from Maronites than North Carolina, Father
Maronite Catholic mission of
Thomas
Southeast regional conference of the
said.
Father Robert Lawson, a retired priest of the Diocese of Raleigh, said during the conference that to find Lebanese immigrants in North Carolina one had only to "follow the railroad." The rail brought immigrants from the north, branching off through Raleigh in the east and Charlotte in the west. Many of these new Americans found their homes in these cities and at other railroad stops.
They came
to the United States to
escape religious persecution in Lebanon,
Father Lawson said, but in North Carolina they found no established Maronite church and much prejudice. Not only were they foreigners in early 20th-century North Carolina; they were also
in
Sharbel
St.
Raleigh, speaks at the Nov.
They found
Catholic parishes strug-
Durham
Vatican established the Diocese of Raleigh. "It all
was the
last
mission territory in
of the United States," Father
said.
"It
was
called the
Lawson
China of the
who asked Father Lawson to bring a message to the conference: 'Tell
few
them
priests,
few churches.
"People rightly came to the country and joined the Latin Rite Catholic
Thomas said. Lawson was born
m
in the state
Carolina has been better,
What
of North
more faithfijl
there
the faith in the state
was nobody
is
important, said
Ed
Shiner,
said executive director of the National
Apostolate of Maronites,
to
the Church than the Lebanese Catholics.
They kept
Church," Father
Father
no one
no way
Roman
CathoChurch. Indeed, they said, they want to especially reach those Maronite Catholics who have "fallen away" and are not active in either church. In addition, they said, in today's modern Catholic Church, it is acceptable for Catholics of both traditions to participate in both rites if they wish. with the
lic
Jones,
that
roots, they are in
in "competition"
had spoken to retired Msgr. James
are aware of what
is
is
that people
available to them.
'They should be aware of who they where their roots are," he said.
when
are and
else."
nic church," he said.
Boston's Roseanne Solomon, a past
have Maronite
Church.
a
president of the national apostolate, said
Father Thomas and others at the conference said that while they wish to reach North Carolina Catholics who
There were 5,000 Catholics in the whole state, he said, and of those, "at least 1,500 were Lebanese." Father Lawson said he and other pioneering priests in North Carolina came to appreciate and love the Lebanese Catholics for their undying faithfulness and devotion to the Catholic
is
one usually featuring three languages: Arabic, Syriac, and English. People are "intrigued" by the liturgy, he said, its .spirituality, and the "poetry of our liturgical texts." While the Maronite Catholic Church is a traditional Eastern Catholic church with roots as far back as the year 350 with St. Maron's birth, it is growing and changing with the times. Especially in the United States, Father Thomas said, it is no longer "only" an ethnic Lebanese church. "We were never meant to be an eth-
Michael the Archangel Church on Arsenal Avenue. He found initial resistance on the part of Lebanese Catholics to join the mission. They had become ensconced in their Roman Catholic parishes and in the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. Further, they expressed concern that to move to the Maronite community would be to segregate the Lebanese Catholics from the rest of the community, something they hated to do in
lic."
Americas."
Shiner said the Maronite liturgy traditional
St.
one that they never knew." It is the same today for Catholics who have a Maronite tradition in their past, he said. "They have never known what it meant to be a Maronite Catho-
1923, the year before the
in
now
But Father Thomas said many came to a "growing love and admiration for the tradition that was their own, but
National Apostolate of Maronites.
communities. There were few Catholics,
gling to get their footing in often hostile
assigned to es-
the racially divisive South.
14-16
He said that before the conference he
Catholics.
Thomas was
tablish a mission in FayettevUle,
systems. It is
Brooklyn, the Maronite dio-
North Carolina.
Church, equal parts in the body of the Catholic Church, although they have their own distinctive liturgical and legal
I
Father Jones represent two
of the oldest priests of the Diocese of
the Maronite Church has roots in Leba-
non, but being Lebanese
important
is
not the most
about
thing
being
a
Maronite.
"My father was Irish and English," she said, "and he was a very good Maronite. He had not one ounce of Lebanese blood."
Good Maronites
are faithful, she
and "we open our arms and take in anyone who wants to be a part of us." Shiner predicted that in 50 years the Maronite Church will still have a core said,
that
is
distinctly Lebanese, but
its
mem-
bers will be a "tossed salad" of different races
and
nationalities.
Father Thomas likened the synod in importance and impact to the Second Vatican Council. It was the first such synod since 1736, he said, and while the second session of the synod begins next October, already it has sent an important message to Maronite Catholics worldwide. Before the synod, Father Thomas said, the Maronite Church outside of Lebanon was known as the "Church of the Diaspora," or the church of immigrants.
But one of the first findings of the synod was that the Maronite Catholic Church in the world will be known instead as the "Church of the Expansion." "It is the very nature of the church is to extend itself throughout the world," Father Thomas said. "It is within our nature to expand for the church to spread all around the world, bringing our traditions and enriching the Catholic Church in its full glory." ...
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"i
10 The Catholic
News & Herald
December
Perspectives
A
collection of columns,
editorials
and viewpoints
Pope
5,
2003
God
says
saves people from
Cracking the real ^Da Vinci Code'
political, spiritual
oppression WOODEN
BY CINDY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Guest
Exphring anti-
^^^^^^
Column
Catholic themes
said that-just as
(From Father given at
St.
author of "The Da Vinci Code," not only repackages the story, but completely reinterprets the Grail legend. Brown takes the insight that a woman's body is symbolically a con-
Dan Brown,
Buetttier's homily
Gabriel Church Nov. 16,
2003) Well, have you cracked "The Da Vinci Code" yet? It seems this book is the newest fad that has recently dominated not only The New York Times bestseller list, but also television documentaries and coflFee break conversations. A number of parishioners have even asked whether I have read the book yet, seeking some feedback and guidance on this book. Since I am not normally taken by modern fads and since I approach most modern innovations with a bit of healthy skepticism, it took me a while to buy the book. The fast-paced action and in-
tainer for
new
life
and applies
truth to the Grail legend.
container a Christian
He gives
name
this
the
that ev-
should recognize, Mary Magdalene. Then Brown suggests the theory that St. Mary Magdalene was
eryone
actually the vessel that held the blood
of Jesus Christ in her womb while bearing his children. This, of course, would mean that Our Lord took St. Mary Magdalene to be his bride to continue his bloodline through the
asked myself "Why should I continue to read a book that disparages the Church?" It would be like reading a scathing criticism of my own mother, which is not such a strange analogy considering the Church is our mother. But it doesn't take long to see the author's direction, as well as the
Catholic
trigue grabbed
my
attention from the
why
I
many
into this story. It
are
drawn
could see
so is
puzzle or a riddle waiting to be solved. But I had to stop about halfway through. My threshold for anti-
like a
Catholic bigotry had reached its breaking point. In our day, antiCatholic bigotry is about the only acceptable prejudice that is not only permitted, but also supported by the vast majority of the secular media. So, I
him to his conclusion. book all about? In one sense, the
lies
(www.crisismagazine.com/
So, what's this
september2003/featurel.htm). She
book
is
nothing
more than the perennial quest for the Holy Grail: the search for the original vessel that held the blood of Christ at
the Last Supper.
You may
recall recent
renditions of the ancient tale in such
movies as "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" and the slightly more risque "Monty Python's Holy Grail."
Although
it's
the
journalist
will lead
and misrepresentations that
same adventure.
From
The Pope the
God
Speaks pope
By
JOHN PAUL
II
led the Israelites
out of slavery in Egypt across the Red Sea he saves his people from slavery to sin through the waters of bap-
God
for
having "turned the rock into flint into flowing
pools of water, the springs."
Pope John Paul
tism.
For Christians, he
said,
the
psalm's hymn of praise extends to "a more radical and universal libera-
freedom from sin and death through new life in Christ. Pope John Paul said that in "The Divine Comedy" Dante placed the hymn on the lips of those in purgatory, "seeing in the psalm the hymn of expectation and hope of those who, after purification from every sin, are headed toward the ultimate destination of communion with God in paration,"
said the
new
springs of water are "the sign of the salvific love of the Lord who sustains and regenerates humanity as it advances across the desert of history."
As St. Paul explained in his First Letter to the Corinthians, Christ is the rock that is the source of lifegiving water, he said. The pope read most of his prepared Italian text and greetings to pilgrims in seven languages. With fewer than 6,000 people at the audience, the
pope spent just an hour
in
the audience hall, about a half hour
dise."
The
psalm's final verse praises
than normal.
less
centuries.
Consequently, Brown claims "the quest for the Holy Grail is the quest to kneel before the bones of Mary Magdalene" rather than the traditional legend of the search for the chalice used at the Last Supper. So, does Brown prove his case? First of all, he is not proving a case. Dan Brown is not a lawyer. He is an author: his job is to sell books. As an author, he is successful, by stirring up interest and reaching the bestseller list; but at the same time. Brown is a poor writer, with a superficial writing style filled with historical errors and characters as flat as the paper on which they were printed, if you are interested in the many historical inaccuracies, I would direct you to an article in Crisis Magazine from September entitled "Dismantling The DaVinci Code" by Sandra Miesel, a
very beginning.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
beginning of time, God has acted to save his creatures from oppression, both political and spiritual. Pope John Paul II said. Reflecting on Psalm 114 during his Dec. 3 general audience, the pope
FATHER MICHAEL BUETTNER
in novel
VATICAN CITY
.
does a splendid job of responding to Brown's implausible book. In the end, cracking "The DaVinci Code" is not all that difficult. The answer to Brown's success is printed on page 169 where he writes,
"Everyone loves a conspiracy." "The DaVinci Code" is a fictional tale, a novel, retelling the famous quest for the Holy Grail in modern, antiCatholic language.
But in the midst of all such lies remains a bit of truth that has been covered up. If we investigate Brown's claim that Christ took to himself a bride to continue his bloodline and his lineage throughout each generation,
we
will discover that
Brown was
on to something,
a truth that is deeply Catholic, despite his prejudices.
Before Jesus Christ ascended into heaven. He did indeed take to himself a bride, in fact, the Church, and prepared her to receive a divine gift. And after Our Lord ascended into heaven, he sent his Holy Spirit upon his bride at Pentecost, impregnating her with divine
life.
Why? So
that his bride,
the Church, would produce sons and daughters of us for the glory of the
Father. In the sacrament of baptism, you and I are given divine life by water and the Holy Spirit and become sons and daughters of the Father. It is the
Bride of Christ, the Church, our mother, who produces this divine life in our souls.
And not only does Christ's lineage continue in the Church, but also his bloodline, in the holy Eucharist. For 2000 years, the Church has taught the holy Eucharist, instituted at the Last Supper, is the living body
and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, donated by the bridegroom to. impregnate his bride and give her Christ, the bride-
divine
life;
groom
gives to you and me, his bride,
that
is,
Body and Blood. At every Mass, the bridegroom gives himself to his bride so that "the two will become one flesh." the unsurpassing gift of his
For a Catholic, the search for the Holy Grail is not legend but reality, it is not lost, but found. The perennial quest for the chalice that holds the blood of Christ does not begin here, but rather ends here. For, the truth that here and now, 2000 years after the Last Supper, Christ will come again at this holy Mass and change wine into his blood, changing a simple chalice into the Holy Grail out of love for you and me, is much more exciting than any fictitious novel or
modern
theory.
No, I have not finished "The Vinci Code" and I don't plan to do
My
Da so.
quest for the Holy Grail is ultimately satisfied with the truth with the marvelous truth that Christ's love for you and me impels
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
body and blood so
him
to give us his
that
we might become one Father Buettner
St.
is
with him.
parochial vicar at
Gabriel Church in Charlotte.
I
December
The Catholic News & Herald
2003
5,
Everything old is Most people
new again
divide the year in
Nays that have nothing to do with
summer and and tradition make this
One
Light
Religion "The Holidays" for many. In the vorld of sports, fans know that evall.
Candle
season.
its
At the moment, football, basketand hockey are prime topics of jonversation and speculation. Even )all
who
:hose of us
autumn, when
:ertainly true this
post-season created a numof dramatic situations. Cubs and led Sox fans believed for a while that his really would be their year to win. )aseball's )er
t
Guest Columnist
wasn't.
And Yankee
iverywhere in
my
fans
(who are
part of the world)
lad faith that they
would win, yet
They didn't.^ The World Series belonged to the Horida Marlins. Not a team of lore igain.
ind legend, at least not yet, but they
von it all. They played a beautiful jame of baseball, not only going after he division, the pennant and the Se•ies, but through most of the season,
May,
starting in
that
is.
And
that's a
jreat story, in itself
The Marlins began
the year with
wins and 22 losses. That's when a lew guy took over as manager. His lame is Jack McKeon. Although, as )ne wag put it, you might think his 16
name
ull
is
"72-Year-Old Jack
vIcKeon," since reporters and com-
mentators keep making such
a
big
deal about his age. Already retired
from over
a half-century in baseball,
managing both minor league and major league teams, when he was called
Poll says there are
nore than 100 million unchurched Americans, 20 million of whom are apsed Catholics. Those who leave the ;hurch have reasons for doing so; iome were driven away by the scanlals. The poll goes on to say that learly half the fallen-away Catholics 'eel spiritually dry and confused, rhey actually admit they would be A'illing to
come home
to their faith if
were prodded.
:hey
Many
of them stopped believing of Catholicism for personal 'easons, so it is not an easy sell. But :he claims
opens
i"aith
:hose
who
a
thousand eyes. For
are no longer believers,
Then
other cigar. At a time
too
there.
Described by a sportswriter as a "an incongruous mix of salt and sweetness," McKeon encouraged the players to "use their imaginations out there. They have to have fun." On the other hand, he never worries about simply being liked. Early on, he had the clubhouse door locked when he found several players relaxing there during a game. The combination of turning a team into winners and his colorful style made the manager with his trademark cigar a natural for me-
Here was a man who was obviously enjoying himself
dia attention.
took a course in religion, "if only," as she puts it, "to convince myself that they had lied to me." In her senior year, she fell in love with a fallen-
Only to please her parents, who were annoyed at her rebellious streak, she went to a Catholic college and
mmmmmmmmmmmsmmm
FATHER JOHN AURILIA,
Protestant named Dick Duquin; they married, had four children and never bothered to baptize any of them. Somehow the first son became an altar boy and invited a priest home to dinner. The priest suggested that the father take an adult education class in Catholicism. Being a teacher, Duquin wanted to know what his son was learning at school, so he took the course and to everyone's amazement decided to convert to Catholicism. At
new
fervor confused his wife, but gradually her faith reawakened. it
"a miracle of grace."
Lorie Duquin was a successful
OFM
for the
"Are you the one
way
we
close at hand,"
is
who
come or must
to
is
wait for someone else?" (Mt.
lights an-
In both instances, there
1 1
:3).
a sense of
is
emergency today, rather than to enjoy our
when
many
sports
seem to focus on money, not to mention sex, drugs and even crime, I like this one about an old man in a young man's game, about a guy who cares about family and faith and
—
who knows the value of honesty, humor and having fun. By the way, the Marlins have signed Jack McKeon for next season. He's just turned 73.
For
kingdom of heaven
(Mt.3:2) and the challenging question:
past goodness or guilt, or in our fiiture
stories
News
Cap
As we go through the Advent season, we hear the solemn proclamation, "Rej^ent,
just says
like "Isn't that a great
a free copy of the Christopher
Note, "Be a
Good Sport
— Keep-
ing Athletics in Perspective, " write: The Christophers, 12 East 48th Street, New York, or 10017; e-mail: mail@christophers.org.
NT
greatness and fictional world. love the '
fijture,
because
it is
We seem to not here yet,
and the past, because we can dwell on memories rather than realities. It's easy to say
our
we will be better, spend more time with families, help a
person
more tomorrow. This
in need,
pray
the love-post-
is
poned syndrome. Advent is coming today. The Gospel doesn't languish in the past nor dream in the fijture. It speaks about today. You remember John the Baptist being arrested and beheaded for his courageous confrontation with King Herod. The story's peak is when John sends his disciples to Jesus to ask "Are you really the Messiah our people are waiting for?" Jesus' answer is not in the fonn of a scholarly set of religious, historical and philosophical proofs. Rather, he says: 'The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are healed, the deaf hear, the dowTi-
Spirituality
trodden are being liberated." (Mt. 1 1 :5). Did you notice all the \erhs are in
for Today
the present tense?
w/-
ment,
•
-
'
FATIIEK JOHN
I
a
Loved One Leaves the Church"
(Our Sunday
"Roe
V.
are
Wade" have
a great state-
Peter's sincerity.
Nor
did Peter later
deny Jesus three times because he cured
Visitor).
In the first book, the stories of converts like Trappist Father Thomas Merton, Cardinal Avery Dulles, Clare Booth Luce, Scott Hahn and many others make fascinating reading. What do these people, and others such as J.R.R. Tolkien, author of "Lord of the Rings," and Jane Doe of
They
What
when we are able to say, "See what do and you know who I am."
Another example is the dialogue between St. Peter and Jesus, who asks three times, "Do you love me?" The triple emphasis is not an effort by Jesus to test
CATOIR CNS Columnist
away
She called
she thought.
McKeon
to start the day?"
Lorene Hanley Duquin told the story of her departure from the :hurch in her book "Could You Ever Come Back to the Church?" (Alba House). She grew up in South Buffalo. The nuns who taught her were rigid and demanding. After learning and believing that eating meat on Friday :ould earn eternal damnation, she and her classmates were scandalized by these same nuns who were leaving the church to marry priests. It's all lies,
questioned,
charge of the young team. They had talent, but needed leadership. McKeon managed the Marlins to a 75-49 record. And kept going from
first his
is
When
something
always hope. Never underestimate the power of God's grace. :here
Column
country and the years. She was the one who got them to classes, after school activities and church. But they made sure they spent their summers together wherever Jack McKeon happened to be working. He's also someone who takes his faith and his prayer life seriously. Though he doesn't bring up the subject himself, he attends Mass daily.
to interview for the job, he took
Coming home for Christmas The Gallup
Guest
North Carolina,
—
are not avid enthusi-
major sporting events. That was
)f
in
Advent reflection
while her husband traveled across the
MSGR. JIM LISANTE
can't miss the extensive coverage
ists
home
efforts at
:ime
jrything has
Love postponed: an
He also enjoyed his first-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share the success with his family. McKeon and his wife Carol have been married for 49 years and have four children and nine grandchildren. The close-knit family has a lot to do with Carol McKeon's
lature's winter, spring,
11
in
common?
20th-century converts to Catholicism. I think "A Century of Catholic Converts" would make a great Christmas gift for a loved one all
his mother-in-law!
between the
You
can almost read
lines: "Peter,
do you
lo\ e
me
not next week, but now?" There is a sense of urgency in loving
today and tomorrow, but real lo\'e involves change and renew, which are the qualities of true repentance so often repeated during Ad\'ent. Repentance is not easy because we are creatures of habit; we don't want to change because
it is
uncomfortable.
Modem
soci-
ety encourages change, but only in a superficial
and commercial
fashion. Advertising
feature writer for national magazines,
who
and one day while browsing the Internet she found that there were
Catholicism has inspired and attracted billions of people down through the ages. In view of that, let me mention another great book from Our Sunday .Visitor publications: "Treasury of Catholic Stories," by
perfumes, cars, houses. All of the above wiU
Gerald Costello. It is the best anthology of heartwarming Catholic stories by saints and scholars that you will find anywhere. Fill your mind with good spiritual reading, and your soul will be refreshed and gladdened.
those
many other lapsed Catholics like herself who had returned to the practice She began collecting their stories and got the idea for her book, "Could You Ever Come Back to the Church?" Now she has written two new resource books for people who are searching for answers: "A Century of Catholic Converts" (Our Sunday Visitor, Huntington Ind.) and "When of their
faith.
is
drifting.
deals with changes, but
is
about
shirts,
enhance a new image of ournew lifestyle, but will not affect our
definitely selves, a
hearts,
our values, our
For
cal:
souls.
change has to be radito forgive those who hurt us, pray for Jesus, the
who
mistreat us, bless those
who
hate us, humble ourselves before the
dregs and outcasts of society.
What
distinguishes the
good and
the bad people are love and willingness to
renew themselves every day. Love
contagious, and so are joy and
faith.
is
12
December
The Catholic News & Herald
2003
5,
PARISH PROFILE Reichert, one of the original
Helen Church serves Catholics of Gaston County
who
St.
SPENCER MOUNTAIN
help establish Belmont Abbey, was the first priest assigned to St. Helen
— The
shadows of the
Benedictine monastery in Belmont that this mission church was born.
Bishop Leo Haid, the Benedictine abbot of Belmont and apostolic of
1934,
the abbey to serve the black Catholic population in the area. But with the
NC 28056 Our Lady
be-i
many parishes established witli the help of the missionary zeal of th< nearby Benedictines. th< November 1991, In Benedictine pastorate officially endec in Spencer Mountain, and St. Helei Church became a mission of St Michael Church in Gastonia, witl
Gastonia
Deacon: Rev. Mr, Guy Riche Families:
The church
a
the
of Consolation,
Pastor: Capuchin Father Jude Duffy
of
Helen was a weekend
mission of Queen of th(i Apostles Church in Belmont, one Oi
came
(704) 922-0670
Number
St.
Carolina at the time).
Charlotte
Vicariate:
when
partitioned in 1960, placing St. Helen Church under the administration of the Diocese of Raleigh (which encompassed all of Nortl
341 Dallas-Spencer Mountain Road
of
Joseph
Abbey was
HELEN CHURCH
A mission
St.
assignment, there was a regular ministerial presence at the church. The nullius territory of Belmoni
building of the abbey church in the early 1890s, most St. Benedict pa-
Gastonia,
founded
Benedictines for decades to come, and except for the period from 1926 until
North Carolina, directed the building of St. Benedict Church just south of
ST.
later
School for the black children in nearby Dallas. By the mid- 1930s, when Abbot Vincent Taylor began his pastorate ol the abbey and its territory, the black parishioners of St. Joseph Church in Mount Holly had transferred to St: Helen Church. The school in Dallas was also closed. The Spencer Mountain church would remain in the care of the
placed under the patronage of St. Helen was built in the mid-19 10s, but it was fi-om the 19th century
He
Church.
Mountain
Catholic church in Spencer
monks
traveled from Pennsylvania to
50
then-pastor Father George Kloste: serving as pastor of the two commu nities.
With the diocesan landscap( growing and changing during thi 1990s, St. Helen Church was agaii placed in the care of Queen of th' Apostles in July 1995. In addition t( his' duties in Belmont, then-pasto Father Richard Hokanson also minis tered to the almost 50 household comprising the Spencer Mountaii
church family. In 2000, St. Helen became unde
Capuchin Father
the care of
Jude Duffy
Church
Photo by Kevin
St.
of
Helen Church,
originally built in
Spencer Mountain,
is
E.
Murray
the 1910s to serve the black Catholic community
the spiritual
home
to
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ebrated a
By the mid-1910s, Benedictine Father Michael Mclnerney, a renowned architect, was designing
inspiration
—
a former Baptist who younger days converted to Catholicism after having a dream in which St. Peter called on him to continue his faith by way of the Catholic Church.
Robert Gardin,
Local lore? Perhaps, but Gardin's conversion is said to have brought hundreds of friends, neighbors and including eight family members siblings
—
—
into the church.
With
Gardin's enthusiasm and Father Mclnerney's plans, the red brick building was constructed. Benedictine Father Mclchior
wer
Francis of Assisi, a Halloween carniv;
—
came from
whic'
of the cemetery on All Soul's Day, blessing of pets on the feast day of S
to be built in
Spencer Mountain, north of the aband, in bey. The site for the church part, its
at
invited. More than 150 peopli attended the special event. Other activities over the past yea and a half included the annual blessin
black Catholics for a brief period as well.
new church
homecoming
original families of the church
—
in his
228 Zimmer Rd Fort Mill, SC 29715
came the church's permanent deacor In August 2003, the church eel
church community. St. Joseph Church near Mount one of the oldest existing Holly churches in western North Carolina, became a mission for built in 1843
plans for a
of Consolatioi with Capuchi'
Father Judy Duffy as pastor. In No vember 2002, Rev. Mr. Guy Piche diocesan director of properties, be
—
families.
Tl
1
rishioners assimilated into that
Our Lady
in Charlotte,
for the children of the parish, a "
club
and
men
weekly Scripture an
spiritual studies groups.
On Nov.
23, 2003, National Blac
Catholic History
Month and
the
hi:
tory of St. Helen Church was recalle during a special Mass celebrated b
Msgr. Mauricio W. West, chancellc, and vicar general of the Diocese <
Charlotte.
Through Benedictine
cultivatic,
and ancestral heritage, St. Helet Church in Spencer Mountain convey mission statement a dedicatic^ that of the Cathol Church and of African and Africai in its
to tradition
American
—
culture.