Dec. 13, 2024

charlottediocese.org

At a glance

DECEMBER 13, 2024

VOLUME 34 • NUMBER 5

1123 S. CHURCH ST.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. 28203-4003 catholicnews@rcdoc.org

704-370-3333

PUBLISHER

The Most Reverend

Michael T. Martin, OFM Conv., Bishop of Charlotte

INDEX

Contact us 2

Español 19-21

Our Diocese 4-15

Our Faith 3

Our Schools 18

Scripture 3, 21

Viewpoints 26-27

World news 24-25

TheCATHOLIC ALL WEEK

Timely tips for blending faith & life

idea of pilgrimage is central to the upcoming Jubilee Year of Hope. Pilgrimages represent a journey of spiritual renewal. Visiting holy sites enables people to interact closely with places of historical religious significance – deepening their connection with God and experiencing a sense of community with fellow believers who are walking the same literal and spiritual path. However, there are times when health, finances or life circumstances prevent people from making a physical pilgrimage. Here are a few sites on the Jubilee Year itineraries that you don’t have to leave home to experience, thanks to their innovative online presences:

STAFF

EDITOR: Trish Stukbauer

704-370-3335, tmstukbauer@rcdoc.org

ADVERTISING MANAGER: Kevin Eagan 704-370-3332, keeagan@rcdoc.org

HISPANIC MEDIA MANAGER: César Hurtado 704-370-3375, rchurtado@rcdoc.org

MULTIMEDIA DESIGNER: David Puckett 704-808-4521, dwpuckett@rcdoc.org

EDITORIAL TEAM: Kimberly Bender 704-370-3394, kdbender@rcdoc.org Troy C. Hull 704-370-3288, tchull@rcdoc.org Christina Lee Knauss 704-370-0783, clknauss@rcdoc.org

COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT/CIRCULATION: Amelia Kudela 704-370-3333, catholicnews@rcdoc.org

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Liz Chandler 704-370-3336, lchandler@rcdoc.org

ASSISTANT COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Patricia L. Guilfoyle 704-370-3334, plguilfoyle@rcdoc.org

THE CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte 26 times a year.

NEWS: The Catholic News Herald welcomes your news and photos. Please e-mail information, attaching photos in JPG format with a recommended resolution of 150 dpi or higher, to catholicnews@rcdoc.org All submitted items become the property of the Catholic News Herald and are subject to reuse, in whole or in part, in print, electronic formats and archives.

ADVERTISING: Reach 165,000 Catholics across western North Carolina! For advertising rates and information, contact Advertising Manager Kevin Eagan at 704-370-3332 or keeagan@rcdoc.org. The Catholic News Herald reserves the right to reject or cancel advertising for any reason, and does not recommend or guarantee any product, service or benefit claimed by our advertisers.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: $17.25 per year for registered families of the Diocese of Charlotte and $25 per year for all others

POSTMASTER: Periodicals Class postage (USPC 007-393) paid at Charlotte, N.C. Send address corrections to the Catholic News Herald, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 28203.

THE LARGEST CHURCH IN THE WORLD

According to tradition, the tomb in which the Apostle Peter was buried after his crucifixion was on the highest point of Vatican Hill. It was on that spot that Emperor Constantine built St. Peter’s Basilica in the fourth century in what is now Vatican City. Many of the greatest artists in history – Bramante, Raphael and Michelangelo – were involved in the construction and decoration of this structure, the largest church in the world. The Vatican recently teamed up with Microsoft to create a stunningly accurate 3D basilica replica powered by artificial intelligence. It combines more than 400,000 photos into a seamless virtual experience through which you can see every inch of the holy space –including intricate details most visitors would never see in person.

THE OLDEST WESTERN MARIAN SHRINE

According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to the Patrician John and Pope Liberius, telling them to build a church on the spot where she would cause snow to fall. On the morning of Aug. 5, 358, snow was seen on the Esquiline Hill, outlining the perimeter of what was to become the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. The basilica is home to one of the most important Marian icons, the “Salus Populi Romani” (“Our Lady Savior of the Roman People”). Tradition

Diocesan calendar

of events

EVENTS

SACRED MUSIC CONCERT FOR ADVENT & CHRISTMAS : 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte. This annual concert by the Cathedral Choir, Children’s Choir and High School Choir will feature “Magnificat in C” by Antonio Caldara and works by Gallus, Fauré, Saint-Saëns and Holst.

PRAYER SERVICES

attributes the artwork to St. Luke the Evangelist, patron of painters. Pope Francis visits the icon before and after his apostolic journeys. The relic of the holy crib – the bedding on which the baby Jesus was laid – is under the papal altar, and the mortal remains of St. Matthew and St. Jerome are in this church. The basilica offers in-depth descriptions and photos as well as a podcast discussing many of its treasures on its website.

THE MOTHER OF ALL CHURCHES

The Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and of Sts. John the Baptist and the Evangelist, better known as St. John Lateran, is the Catholic cathedral of the Diocese of Rome – making it the official seat of its bishop, Pope Francis. It is the oldest of the four papal basilicas and stands over the ruins of a Roman cavalry fort. From the 4th to the 14th century, St. John Lateran was the seat of the papacy, thus becoming the symbol and the heart of the Church’s life. It was also the site of the original Holy Door. Today, online visitors can take a virtual reality tour of the world’s only archbasilica on the Vatican’s website or see it in one of countless online video tours.

EVENING MASS OF PEACE AND SOLACE : Join us for an evening of prayers, scripture, music and encouragement. Let’s pause and remember that although dusk arrives early, God’s light abides in the darkness. Our spirits may sink as the days grow shorter. We may feel the darkness growing deeper around us, but God’s Word and encouragement are also with us to live the days ahead. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at St. Peter Church, 507 South Tryon St., Charlotte. All are welcome. CHARLOTTE MARCH FOR LIFE : Witness to the dignity of all human life Friday, Jan. 10, at the Charlotte March for Life. The one-mile march kicks off at noon from the Diocesan Pastoral Center and features inspirational talks and prayer at Independence Square at the corner of Trade and Tryon streets in uptown Charlotte. Get details at www.marchforlifecharlotte.com.

HOLY HOUR FOR NICARAGUA : All are welcome to a Holy Hour in Spanish for the Intention of Bringing Peace to Nicaragua. 7-8 p.m. every Thursday (except for the first Thursday of every month), St. Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte.

Michael Martin, OFM Conv., will participate in the following events:

DEC. 15 – 11:30 A.M. Mass St. Peter Church, Charlotte DEC. 17 – 10:30 A.M. Mass Holy Angels, Belmont DEC. 24 – 6:30 P.M. Vigil Mass for the Nativity of the Lord Our Lady of Consolation Church, Charlotte DEC. 25 – MIDNIGHT Mass for the Nativity of the Lord St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte DEC. 25 – 11 A.M. Mass for the Nativity of the Lord

St. Lawrence Basilica, Asheville

DEC. 29 – 1:30 P.M. Opening Mass of Hope for Holy Year

St. Pius X Church, Greensboro

St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte DEC. 28 – 5 P.M. Opening Mass of Hope for Holy Year

DEC. 29 – 5 P.M. Opening Mass of Hope for Holy Year

St. Mark Church, Huntersville

Bishop

Scan the QR code for links to these pilgrimage sites.

Our faith

Pope Francis

Homilies must be short, about Jesus, inspired by the Spirit

Homilies must be prepared with the help of the Holy Spirit, be shorter than 10 minutes and put the spotlight on the Lord, not oneself, Pope Francis said.

Those who preach must convey “one idea, one sentiment and an invitation to action,” he said.

Preaching loses its power and starts to ramble after eight minutes, he said to the applause of visitors gathered for his general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Dec. 4.

The pope continued his series of audience talks on the Holy Spirit, focusing on its role in evangelization and preaching in the Church.

It was also the first general audience to include a greeting and a summary of the pope’s catechesis in Mandarin Chinese.

The pope gives his catechesis in Italian, and aides read summaries in English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Polish, Arabic and, from Dec. 4, standard Chinese.

In his main audience talk, the pope said, “The Church must do precisely what Jesus says at the beginning of his public ministry,” which, according to St. Luke’s Gospel, is to accept the anointing of the Holy Spirit “to bring glad tidings to the poor.”

“Preaching with the anointing of the Holy Spirit means transmitting, together with the ideas and the doctrine, the life and profound conviction of our faith. It means doing so ‘not with persuasive (words of) wisdom, but with a demonstration of spirit and power,’” he said, citing the First Letter to the Corinthians.

The Holy Spirit comes to those who pray, which is the first thing a preacher must do, he said.

“Woe to those who preach without praying,” he said, because they become, as St. Paul described, “a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.”

“The second thing is not wanting to preach ourselves, but to preach Jesus, the Lord,” Pope Francis said.

Often homilies are so long, 20 or 30 minutes, that people will go outside to smoke a cigarette and come back, he said.

“Please,” he said, “do not go longer than 10 minutes, ever! This is very important.”

“Not wanting to preach oneself also implies not always giving priority to pastoral initiatives promoted by us and linked to our own name, but willingly collaborating, if requested, in community initiatives or (those) entrusted to us by obedience,” he said.

The pope asked that the Holy Spirit “help us, accompany us and teach us” how to preach the Gospel to men and women today.

What would the Christmas season be without carols? These seasonal songs seem to greet us everywhere this time of year with their familiar melodies and lyrics. Though we may know the first verse and the refrain of a number of Christmas carols, do we know the origin of these songs?

The singing of psalms in worship dates to earliest Christian times, a tradition with roots in Jewish religious custom.

Hymns written in honor of Christ’s birth first appeared in the early centuries, such as “Of the Father’s Love Begotten,” composed by the Latin poet Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-413).

Over time, the repertoire of Latin chant that developed for use in the Mass came to include propers written for the Nativity and nearby celebrations on the Church calendar. Their words were based on Scripture and other sacred texts.

The kind of popular song we would call a “Christmas carol” today, however, had different origins. The word “carol” probably comes from the French “carole,” a circle dance accompanied by singing.

Up through the later Middle Ages, “caroles” were typically dance music. Eventually they were used as processional songs during religious festivals. Only later did they come to be sung in churches.

The singing of popular Christmas tunes received a boost from St. Francis of Assisi. In 1223 he formed a living Nativity scene, inviting the children to come see the crèche while he taught them simple songs to honor the coming of the Lord.

This new tradition spread throughout Europe, with each culture adding its own customs. Carols were learned by common folk. To the chagrin of some local parish priests, many of these new Christmas carols borrowed melodies from wellknown drinking songs. Clergy in some places opposed their being sung.

But the joy of singing carols was infectious and unstoppable. Bands of traveling musicians – carolers, as they would come to be known – performed on street corners, in taverns and in homes.

After the Protestant Reformation, Lutherans followed the lead of

their founder, who encouraged his congregations to sing the popular songs. But the 17th-century English Puritans outlawed the singing of Christmas carols.

After Puritans fell from power, several 18th-century Anglican composers produced joyous hymns like “Joy to the World”, “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”

Christmas carols experienced a renaissance during the 19th century.

Some of the most familiar carols we sing today were composed at that time, such as “Silent Night,” “Away in a Manger,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” “Sleep, Holy Babe,” “We Three Kings of Orient Are” and “What Child Is This” (using an old English melody, “Greensleeves”).

When the English Queen Victoria married her cousin Prince Albert of Germany in 1840, it became known that the royal couple was quite fond of Christmas carols. In an attempt to gain royal favor, numerous families and church groups came to the royal palace to sing for them.

Like the troubadours of past centuries, these English carolers of the Victorian age took to the streets of London with their songs.

In the United States, caroling groups brought joy to the sick and the home bound. These days caroling groups have been replaced by recorded music. Yet the sight of a group of carolers still brings the season to life and is a reminder of the true meaning of the celebration.

The Christmas Eve creation of ‘Silent Night’

Father Josef Mohr (1792-1848) was the pastor of St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Oberndorf, Austria. In 1816 he composed the six verse lyrics to “Silent Night,” which would become one of the most popular Christmas carols of all time.

On Christmas Eve 1818 he presented the poem to the parish organist, Franz Xavier Gruber, with the request for Gruber to compose an appropriate melody for two solo voices with choir and guitar accompaniment. The carol was first performed during Mass that Christmas Eve.

Gruber sang bass as the church choir sang the refrains of each verse. Father Mohr played the guitar. The tune was warmly received by those who heard it that first night.

Father Mohr died in 1848. Before his death, the composer of “Silent Night” is reported to have said that his composing of the Christmas carol was one of the “most treasured moments” of his life.

Today a memorial chapel (the Silent Night Chapel) stands at the place where this famous song was composed.

Daily Scripture readings

DEC. 15-21

Sunday (Third Sunday of Advent): Zep 3:14-18a, Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6, Phil 4:4-7, Lk 3:1018; Monday: Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a, 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9, Mt 21:23-27; Tuesday: Gn 49:2, 8-10, Ps 72:1-2, 3-4ab, 7-8, 17, Mt 1:1-17; Wednesday: Jer 23:5-8, Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 1819, Mt 1:18-25; Thursday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a, Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17, Lk 1:5-25; Friday: Is 7:10-14, Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6, Lk 1:26-38; Saturday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a, Ps 33:23, 11-12, 20-21, Lk 1:39-45

DEC. 22-28

Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Advent): Mi 5:1-4a, Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19, Heb 10:5-10, Lk 1:39-45; Monday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24, Ps 25:45ab, 8-9, 10 and 14, Lk 1:57-66; Tuesday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16, Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29, Lk 1:67-79; Wednesday (The Nativity of the Lord): (Mass during the Day) Is 52:710, Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6, Heb 1:1-6, Jn 1:1-18 or Jn 1:1-5, 9-14; Thursday (St. Stephen, first martyr): Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59, Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17, Mt 10:17-22; Friday (St. John, Apostle and evangelist): 1 Jn 1:1-4, Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12, Jn 20:1a and 2-8; Saturday (Holy Innocents, martyrs): 1 Jn 1:5-2:2, Ps 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8, Mt 2:13-18

DEC. 29-JAN. 4

Sunday (Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph): Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28, Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 or Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10, Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 or 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24, Lk 2:41-52; Monday: 1 Jn 2:12-17, Ps 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, Lk 2:36-40; Tuesday: 1 Jn 2:18-21, Ps 96:1-2, 11-12, 13, Jn 1:1-18; Wednesday (Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God): Num 6:22-27, Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8, Gal 4:4-7, Lk 2:16-21; Thursday (Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church): 1 Jn 2:22-28, Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, Jn 1:19-28; Friday: 1 Jn 2:293:6, Ps 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6, Jn 1:29-34; Saturday (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton): 1 Jn 3:7-10, Ps 98:1, 7-8, 9, Jn 1:35-42

— OSV News

OSV NEWS

Traditional carolers dressed as the three Wise Men perform in the presidential office in Vienna. Many of our favorite carols came from surprising origins.

Our diocese

HELENE RELIEF EFFORTS

A road trip inspired by faith

Two men from Maine join Helene rebuilding efforts in western North Carolina

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

MARS HILL — From his home in Maine, Fred Zikowitz watched news reports of the devastation Tropical Storm Helene left behind in the western North Carolina mountains and knew he had to do something.

“I’m a semi-retired contractor who is growing in my Catholic faith,” he said. “I felt like I have a gift that God gave me and I wanted to use it to help others before I get too old.”

His wife encouraged him and suggested that he should look up Catholic churches in the region to learn where help might be needed.

Zikowitz found the website of St. Andrew the Apostle in Mars Hill and was drawn to the parish partly because his oldest son is named Andrew.

He connected with a fellow Knight of Columbus there who said people needed help rebuilding. In early November, Zikowitz and his daughter’s father-inlaw Shawn Fahy hit the road for North Carolina. Within days they had tools in hand and were helping people in Mars Hill and in other places hit hard by Helene.

In making the journey, the two men from Maine joined hundreds of volunteers from across the country who have poured into western North Carolina since the storm hit in late September, offering everything from donations of fuel and supplies to boots-onthe ground labor. St. Andrew, which has served as a local relief hub since the storm, has received donations and help from

Frank Zikowitz and Shawn Fahy made the trip from Maine to Mars Hills to help rebuild after Helene.

Louisiana, Texas, Missouri and many other states. Some people from out of state have even donated vehicles to help residents begin to rebuild their lives.

“I realized I have a skill from my experiences over the years doing building and renovating, and I believe that whatever the need is, just do it,” Zikowitz said.

Zikowitz drove to North Carolina in a camper he owns, which he winterized

before making the trip. Fahy made the 16-hour trip in his camper van. The two men met in Mars Hill and got permission to park their vehicles at the church, which would be their home base while they spent the next two weeks working.

First came roof repairs for two St. Andrew parishioners, then more roofing work for a woman who attends its mission church, Sacred Heart in Burnsville. Fahy

paid for supplies to complete that project with donations people gave him before he left Maine.

After those jobs were complete, the men looked for other people to help. They heard from a St. Andrew parishioner about a coffee house to the southwest in the town of Spruce Pine, one of the hardest hit communities. DT’s Blue Ridge Java, like many other downtown businesses, was largely wiped out by the North Toe River flooding.

“They had no flood insurance and watched everything they had go down the river, and then were doing a lot of the rebuilding work themselves,” Zikowitz said. He and Fahy helped the business owners with framing and other repairs.

Owner David Niven said the three days Zikowitz and Fahy spent working with him and staff members on the restoration were greatly appreciated.

“He and the two gentlemen he was working with did a fabulous job and really cared about what they were doing,” Niven said. “It was priceless to me. They are great people, and he is a wonderful craftsman.”

His time in the mountains left such an impression on Zikowitz that he is hoping to return to western North Carolina in the spring to do more work. He and friends are reaching out to an organization called the Appalachia Service Project to see if they can get assigned to other rebuilding projects.

“I have an ability and I’m able to do something, so I’d like to come back,” he said. “If you want to know the reason we did this work, point to Jesus. He’s the example. He’s the reason.”

‘Small miracles’ sustain Catholic woodworker in flood’s devastation

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

BLACK MOUNTAIN — As a woodworker and a Catholic, Michael Warnock has a strong devotion to St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus who was also a carpenter.

The bond was so strong that he inscribed the workbench he built from ash wood and uses for his fine detailing with the words, “My friend St. Joseph pray for me.”

That bench, along with almost all of his tools, materials and commissions in progress, was swept away when floodwaters from the French Broad River poured through his studio in Asheville’s River Arts District during Tropical Storm Helene.

Warnock, like many of the more than 300 artists who used the district as a home for their creations, returned to find devastation – mud and debris where once there had been paintings, sculptures, metalwork and hand-crafted household items like the custom kitchen furniture that is his specialty.

But when he returned, his sadness at the loss also came with a quest.

“Our landlord had contacted all of us to tell us that everything was destroyed and the whole shop was gone,” he said. “But he also told me that some people were saying they had found a random workbench downriver on a rubble pile, and it was inscribed, ‘My friend St. Joseph pray for me.’”

He knew that had to be his bench. WOODWORKER,

PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

HELENE RELIEF EFFORTS

Sister Parish Program helps WNC churches hammered by Helene

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — Two months after Tropical Storm Helene slammed through the state, parishes across the Diocese of Charlotte are banding together through a new “Sister Parish Program” to help bring material and spiritual recovery.

In October, Bishop Michael Martin called on parishes spared by the storm to partner with parishes and missions that need longterm support. While the program continues to evolve as needs change, so far 35 “sister” parishes in the diocese and beyond are raising money and providing other support to 20 parishes whose communities were hit hardest.

“Anytime there is some kind of major event like this, our instinct is to want to help,” said Father Benjamin Roberts, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Monroe, which is partnering with Sacred Heart Parish in Brevard. “This gives us a systematic way to respond.”

Most parishes in need of help are paired with at least two sister parishes who will pray, provide supplies and volunteers as needed, and raise money through special collections each month to help impacted parishes recoup lost offertory funds. The bishop also suggests sister parishes offer monthly Holy Hours and check-ins to assess any staffing help needed.

The partnerships offer sister parishes in the eastern half of the diocese a tangible way to help fellow churches in the western half, whose parishioners have lost homes, jobs and loved ones – and are turning to their faith for comfort but are unable to support their churches as they normally do.

More than half of the diocese’s 93 parishes are involved in the Sister Parish Program as contributors or recipients. Others are also stepping in to offer support, including St. Basil the Great Eastern Catholic Parish in Charlotte, Jesus the Divine Word Parish in Maryland, and Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh.

The Sister Parish Program also offers a chance for parishes and clergy to deepen their relationships with one another and stretch beyond their own communities.

“Our parish jumped into action the day the storm hit and got invested in helping the communities out west both survive and thrive,” said Father John Putnam, pastor of St. Mark Parish in Huntersville. His parishioners were among the first to send in supplies after the storm, establishing a pipeline to some of the worst hit areas. St. Mark is paired with St. John the Evangelist in Waynesville and St. Bernadette in Linville. It plans a Holy Hour on Dec. 18 to pray for all of those affected and hopes its financial contributions will go far.

“Just as Jesus fed the multitudes with just five loaves and two fishes,” Father Putnam said, “we pray that our contributions will multiply in their impact to help those in need.”

DECLINING OFFERTORIES

The needs in the west are daunting. Mountain churches are providing more material and spiritual support than ever, yet are faced with declining offertories. Some people have no way to get to Mass,

and those who do attend are struggling to rebuild their lives and homes.

Gregory Stewart, a St. Bernadette parishioner, is gutting and rebuilding his home in Linville after five feet of water from the Linville River rushed into the dwelling. He lost all his furniture but still has his

Sister Parishes

1. Church of the Epiphany, Blowing Rock

Sister parishes: Our Lady of the Annunciation (Albemarle), St. Joseph (Newton)

2. Immaculate Conception, Hendersonville

Sister parishes: St. James the Greater (Concord), Christ the King (High Point)

3. Immaculate Conception, Canton

Sister parish: Christ the King (Kings Mountain)

4. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Cherokee

Sister parish: Immaculate Heart of Mary (Hayesville)

5. Sacred Heart, Brevard

Sister parishes: Our Lady of Lourdes (Monroe), St. Peter (Charlotte)

6. Sacred Heart, Burnsville

Sister parishes: Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral (Raleigh), Holy Family (Clemmons)

7. St. Andrew the Apostle, Mars Hill

Sister parishes: Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral (Raleigh), St. Mary’s (Greensboro)

8. St. Barnabas, Arden

Sister parish: St. Paul the Apostle (Greensboro)

9. St. Bernadette, Linville

Sister parishes: St. Mark (Charlotte), St. Philip the Apostle (Statesville)

10. St. Elizabeth, Boone

Sister parishes: St. Gabriel (Charlotte), Sacred Heart (Salisbury)

11. St. Eugene, Asheville

Sister parishes: St. Matthew (Charlotte), St. Leo the Great (Winston-Salem)

construction job, and said he is thankful to have survived. “We made it out alive so that’s what is important – you can rebuild a structure,” he said.

The Sister Parish Program aims to collect enough money from contributing parishes to “make the impacted parishes whole,” said Matt Ferrante, the diocese’s chief financial officer.

12. St. Frances of Rome, Sparta

Sister parishes: St. Joseph (Asheboro), Holy Infant (Reidsville)

13. St. Francis of Assisi, Jefferson

Sister parishes: Our Lady of Mercy (WinstonSalem), Our Lady of Fatima (Winston-Salem)

14. St. Joan of Arc, Candler

Sister parishes: St. John Baptist de La Salle (North Wilkesboro), Queen of the Apostles (Belmont), St. Aloysius (Hickory)

15. St. John the Evangelist, Waynesville

Sister parishes: St. Mark (Huntersville), St. Joseph (Kannapolis)

16. St. Joseph, Bryson City

Sister parishes: St. John Neumann (Charlotte), St. William (Murphy)

17. St. Lucien, Spruce Pine

Sister parishes: St. Ann (Charlotte), St. Mary Help of Christians (Shelby)

18. St. Margaret Mary, Swannanoa

Sister parishes: St. Gabriel (Charlotte), St. Pius X (Greensboro)

19. St. Margaret of Scotland, Maggie Valley

Sister parishes: Holy Cross (Kernersville), St. Dorothy (Lincolnton)

20. St. Mary, Mother of God, Sylva

Sister parishes: St. Patrick Cathedral (Charlotte), St. Thomas Aquinas/St. Basil (Charlotte)

REBUILDING LIVES

Keeping offertories steady will help affected parishes provide sacraments and services as normal, but many are also going further.

At St. Lucien Parish in Spruce Pine, one of the hardest hit areas, Father Christopher Bond has parishioners who need money for basic supplies, rebuilding efforts and to pay bills.

“We’ve helped many people so far but there are going to be those who come with needs later on, there are others who have needs but have been too proud to ask,” Father Bond said. “It’s important to get money into people’s hands, not only so they can buy the things they need, but also to stimulate the economy in this region.”

One of St. Lucien’s partner parishes is St. Ann in Charlotte, led by Father Timothy Reid. Through the partnership, Father Bond connected with a St. Ann parishioner who has experience working with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a Catholic organization that provides basic services, and is helping set up a case management system to address long-term needs.

At St. Elizabeth in Boone, Father Brendan Buckler is looking to the future.

“We have moved out of the phase of short-term needs like food and water and are looking to more long-term assistance –helping people rebuild their lives, buying things like building materials and heaters,” said Father Buckler, who also pastors the Church of the Epiphany in Blowing Rock. In Canton, one of the diocese’s western most churches, Immaculate Conception Mission has gained a sister through Christ the King – a fellow mission in Kings Mountain. “A mission church may not have all the resources and development that a parish does, but it is a real community rooted in a particular place,” said Father Peter Ascik, pastor. “I think that mission church communities are well equipped to understand and support one another. Both our parish and mission communities were involved in a supply drive that we delivered to people in need soon after the storm, and there is enthusiasm for continuing to lend a hand.”

Father Ascik also pastors St. Mary Help of Christians Parish in Shelby, which is partnered with St. Lucien and devoted 50% of the proceeds from its fall fundraising festival to the Sister Parish Program.

At Sacred Heart in Brevard, one of the biggest challenges is helping those whose homes were destroyed or damaged, said Father Shawn O’Neal, pastor. “The biggest need people really have is housing. Many people want to stay in the area and it’s a challenge to find somewhere to live.”

SPIRITUAL SUPPORT

His office will help affected parishes determine how much they need by comparing their current offertory with their average collections before the storm. Some parishes may need more than their sister parishes are able to raise, while others may need less – so contributions will be pooled to aid as many affected parishes as possible.

For Father Christian Cook, the Sister Parish Program has special meaning. He left Swannanoa three weeks before Helene – reassigned as a pastor in Greensboro after over a year at St. Margaret Mary. “My heart aches for my former parishioners,” Father Cook said. “Their new pastor hadn’t arrived yet when the storm came through, so they were facing unimaginable hardships and were without a priestly presence.”

Father Cook felt fear after the storm when he couldn’t reach his father in Asheville for

In Brief

Knights lend a hand

KANNAPOLIS — Knights from Council 12167 at St. Joseph Parish donated turkeys and coats for kids to the relief effort at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Waynesville before Thanksgiving. Shown receiving the donations are members of Father Bernard McDevitt Council 15085, pictured (from left) Joe Ordoyne, community director; Taylor Hughes, financial secretary; Ed Shaver, district deputy, District 13; and Chris Amsler, past Grand Knight. — Joe Ordoyne Abbey students, healthcare workers learn about bioethics

In two events on Nov. 7, Catholics learned about the complex details of bioethics with Nikolas Nikas, Catholic attorney and president of the Bioethics Defense Fund, an advocacy group that promotes Church teachings on life.

In the morning, Nikas spoke to Belmont Abbey College students and professors on how to make moral decisions on end-of-life care in a talk sponsored by the college’s philosophy, theology and biology departments.

That evening, Catholic healthcare workers and legal professionals attended Nikas’ presentation on law and morality at St. Patrick Cathedral. The talk examined how the absence of natural law in modern law has allowed bioethical and moral issues from abortion, eugenics and gender ideology to become tolerated in the legal and medical fields. The evening event was hosted by Catholic Health Professionals of Charlotte. — Mike FitzGerald Free online conference on mental health and prayer coming up

Souls of the Christian Apostolate will offer a free, online conference on mental health Dec. 27-29. The conference was designed to answer the call by Bishop Robert Barron and Archbishop Borys Gudziak with the USCCB to raise awareness of the mental health crisis facing our nation. This conference will feature bishops, mental health professionals, and thought leaders. Learn more at www. divinefulfillmentconference.com.

New scholarship announced

BELMONT — Belmont Abbey College recently launched an Abbey Advantage Scholarship Program, designed to provide financial assistance for high-achieving high school seniors from North Carolina. Leveraging the students’ state and federal grants first, the college will award an institutional merit award to meet the full $21,500 cost of tuition of the 2025-2026 academic year. The Abbey Advantage Scholarship is available to first-time, full-time non-athletes pursuing a traditional major. Other qualifications apply. For details, visit www.bac.edu.

Talent gala raises over $350K to support Holy Angels’ programs and activities

CHARLOTTE — The local Catholic community came together Nov. 2 to celebrate and support the “Holy Angels Got Talent Gala, An Evening of Unlimited Possibilities.”

The fundraising event featured Holy Angels residents sharing their talents at the Fine Arts Center at Charlotte Catholic High School.

The performances by the Holy Angels Dance Troupe, Bell Choir and individuals featured the exceptional talents of the residents who showed that regardless of abilities, we can all create something beautiful. Holy Angels is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy that has provided care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the medically fragile for nearly 70 years.

Located in Belmont, they provide medical services and therapies, residential living, special education, creative arts and spiritual opportunities for residents. Their programs extend to vocational training and meaningful employment for adults in their care.

More than 450 guests gathered to celebrate a cause that resonates deeply with the Church’s mission to serve those in need. Thanks to their support, Holy Angels exceeded its fundraising goal – raising more than $350,000 to help support creative arts and other programs.

“Our Christian faith teaches us the importance of loving and supporting one another,” said Kerri Massey, Holy Angels’ president and CEO. “The Holy

Angels Got Talent Gala is a beautiful reflection of that spirit, where we can come together to celebrate the gifts and talents of our residents, while also raising funds to continue our mission of providing compassionate care.”

This year’s gala featured a new theme and location but remained true to the mission of Holy Angels.

“The performing arts center is a pictureperfect location with state-of-the-art technology. We are so appreciate partnering with the Charlotte Catholic High School community for this special event,” Massey added.

—

Shawn Flynn

Register now for diocese’s pilgrimage to National March for Life

CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte’s Family Life Office has opened registration for its bus pilgrimage to the National March for Life Jan. 23-25, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

A highlight of the three-day, two-night trip is the Opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life, celebrated each year at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This year, it will be on Jan. 23.

“The joy and enthusiasm of the March for Life is contagious, and making the trip together with others makes the joy even deeper,” said Father Peter Ascik, director of the Family Life Office. “With attendance at the National Prayer Vigil for Life, the LifeFest rally with the Sisters of Life, and opportunities to share graces with fellow pilgrims, this bus trip is as much about building your faith as your pro-life witness. We had so much interest last year that this year we are expanding the trip to two buses to accommodate more pilgrims. We are excited to share the joy of the March for Life with as many people as possible!”

On Jan. 24, the morning of the march, pilgrims will attend LifeFest, a pro-life rally organized by the Sisters of Life and the Knights of Columbus. Father Ascik said the event is an opportunity to be informed by talks and testimonies that show the impact the pro-life message has on the lives of real people.

On. Jan. 25, the group will participate in a Saturday pilgrimage.

The cost is $50 per person for students (four per hotel room), $200 per person for a double occupancy room, and $300 per person for a single occupancy room. Lodging, bus transportation and breakfast on Friday and Saturday are included.

Even with two buses, the organizers expect registration is likely to fill up quickly. To register, scan the QR code. For more information, email familylife@rcdoc.org.

— Catholic News Herald

SHAWN FLYNN AND DANIEL COSTON PHOTOGRAPHY | HOLY ANGELS

(From top) Following the Holy Angels Got Talent Gala, guests gave a champagne toast to the resident performers.

Host Larry Sprinkle auctioned off this masterpiece created by six Holy Angels residents. The Holy Angels Dance Troupe finishes up their performance.

Bishop Martin: Reflect on God’s divine plan in your life

Bishop Martin celebrates Mass for Feast of Immaculate Conception

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — At this year’s feast of the Immaculate Conception, Bishop Michael Martin urged people to reflect on the meaning of the day and how it relates to God’s plan for their lives.

The bishop celebrated the noontime Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral in observance of the annual holy day, which fell on Dec. 9 this year. The feast of the Immaculate Conception commemorates Mary’s being conceived without original sin and illuminates her unique role as the Mother of God. It is the patronal feast day of the United States.

In his homily, Bishop Martin used God’s choice of Mary as Christ’s mother to remind the congregation of the many blessings God wants to provide. And just as God planned many graces for Mary’s life, He also has the same plan for people today – no matter their faults, shortcomings or sins.

Yet too often, Bishop Martin said, people use the term “God’s plan” when talking about something bad that has happened. That is an error, he said, because it makes it seem as if God’s vision calls for people to go through difficult times.

In response, God did not abandon His people, but instead planned to send His Son to redeem the world and to fill human lives with graces, the bishop continued – described in the second reading from Ephesians, which focused on how God has “blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens” (Eph 1:3-6, 11-12).

“That is a God of love – that even when God’s plans are thwarted, God’s response to that is to walk with us, to care for us, to carry us, to bring us out of that,” Bishop Martin said.

The Gospel, focusing on the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary to let her know she would give birth to the Son of God, lays out fully God’s plan, he continued.

“Our Gospel today shows us the ultimate of God’s plan where He desires to send His only begotten Son – not to just send any messenger, but to send His only Son to be with us, to share life with us, to lead us, to teach us. In order that that might be made real and manifest for all time, God preserves Mary, the mother of the Lord, from the original stain of sin.”

The readings for the feast day Mass illuminate God’s plan for His people, the bishop went on to explain.

The first reading from Genesis, which recounts the story of Adam and Eve’s fall

“We paint a picture of a God whose plan for all of us is to endure misery so He can then help us through it. Doesn’t that seem a little off to you? It certainly does to me,” he said. Rather, “the feast of the Immaculate Conception is a high point in the life of the Church as it regards God’s plan.”

Region’s bishops meet in Savannah

SAVANNAH — The Diocese

meetings,

outside

the

and vocation directors of the

Province Dec. 2-3.

in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:9-15, 20), shows “God’s plan run amok,” he said. God’s original plan was “for us to live in complete communion with Him, with one another and with all of creation,” he said, but that was crushed by humanity’s pride and disobedience – personified by Adam and Eve.

Just as God chose Mary to bring Christ into the world, He also chooses to give us special graces to live our lives and share Christ’s message – despite all of our sins, Bishop Martin said. “Even broken and blameworthy as we are, we have been given all the grace we need to respond and to bear Christ in a world that needs Him so much.”

Longtime parishioner leaves

$172,000

gift to Sacred Heart Mission

BURNSVILLE — Reflecting a life of humble service, Burnsville native Harry R. Callahan quietly left behind a gift that will make a difference to the future of the small mountain church he loved.

Callahan left an estate gift of $172,000 for Sacred Heart Mission. Half of that has been used to establish an endowment in his name, and the other half will be used to maintain the church building Callahan was a graduate of Rutgers University and obtained a master’s degree in drama from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

In 1992 he retired to Burnsville, located north of Asheville in the Blue Ridge Mountains, after serving as technical director of the Raleigh Little Theater and later as chairman of the drama department at St. Mary’s College. Callahan lived out his faith by taking care of others in Sacred Heart’s closeknit congregation, particularly the elderly. He took an older widow to lunch once a week and hauled another member’s trash to the dump after her husband passed away, recalls Lorraine Whitson, a member of Sacred Heart and a friend of Callahan’s. “Sacred Heart was

his family. We were his family,” she said.

Whitson noted that Callahan’s service and friendship were offered in a humble way that made a tremendous impact on those around him. “He was so quiet, you would never know,” she said of his gift and his legacy. “He never drew attention to himself.”

“Individuals like Harry, who love their church like he did Scared Heart, are increasingly having endowments established from their estate gifts so they can make a difference for generations to come,” said Jim Kelley, the diocese’s development director. “We are so grateful for their lasting commitment to their faith and love expressed through their gifts.”

Interested in setting up – or adding to – an endowment to benefit your parish or Catholic school? You can establish an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a trust or annuity, or a gift of real estate, life insurance, cash or securities. For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or gmrhodes@rcdoc.org. — Courtney McLaughlin

PHOTO PROVIDED BY BRADLEY VICKERS

of Savannah hosted

bishops

Atlanta

Besides

they gathered for a special Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. Bishops pictured above

the cathedral included Charlotte Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv.; Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv., Bishop Joel Konzen, S.M., Bishop Bernard Shlesinger III and Bishop John Nhan Tran of Atlanta; Bishop Jacques FabreJeune, CS, and Bishop Emeritus Robert Guglielmone of Charleston, S.C.; Bishop Stephen Parkes and Bishop Emeritus Kevin Boland of Savannah; and Bishop Luis Zarama of Raleigh.

TROY C. HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bishop Michael Martin celebrates the noontime Mass for the feast of the Immaculate Conception at St. Patrick Cathedral on Dec. 9. He urged the faithful to recognize the grace we all have been given to “bear Christ in a world that needs Him so much.”

HONORING OUR LADY

Faith and tradition in the celebration of ‘La Morenita del Tepeyac’

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@rcdoc.org

MARION — Our Lady of the Angels Mission Church was filled Dec. 8 with hundreds of joyful worshipers who came to celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent and take part in a procession honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The overwhelming turnout was a tribute to the devotion for the “Morenita del Tepeyac” or Virgin of Tepeyac, whose feast day is commemorated on Dec. 12. This name for the Blessed Mother refers to her five appearances to St. Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill near Mexico City in 1531. Also known as Our Lady of Guadalupe, she has become the patroness of Mexico City and Latin America.

Father Carl Kaltreider, parochial administrator, celebrated Mass in Spanish with the assistance of a translator.

In his homily, Father Kaltreider stressed that the different Marian apparitions, including the one to St. Juan Diego, occurred to “simple and illiterate people” – mostly children – to “be sure that this is God’s work and not ours,” because “children simply say what they see and hear without adornment.”

Aloysius in Hickory, led the way for the image and the crowd that accompanied it.

Around 40 performers led by Sergio Flores and his wife Edith Juárez Gonzales offered dances in honor of the Empress of the Americas. As Flores explained, “Tonatzin” in the indigenous Nahuatl language means “our mother.”

At the end of the Mass, the image of the Virgin located next to the altar was led in procession through the streets of downtown Marion, then returned to the mission grounds where everyone gathered for a reception.

The Conchera Tonatzin dance group, from nearby St.

The folklore group “Herederos de Cherán” (“Heirs of Cherán”), directed by Juan Huaroco, was also on hand. Huaroco explained that most of its members come from or are children of people from Cherán, Michoacán.

“We came from Burnsville, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with all pleasure to serve our brothers in Marion,” said Huaroco, after performing a traditional dance known as the “Dance of the Old Men.”

Volunteers from the parish served hot chocolate, punch, hibiscus water and rice pudding to the crowd. Nearby at another table, delicious carnitas were offered accompanied by beans, rice and tortillas. María de los Ángeles Amable Valdemar, one of the coordinators, was thrilled with how everything came together for the celebration. “We have worked for several weeks in the organization, and we are happy to see that everything has gone well,” she said.

The festivities were expected to continue in Marion and in many other locations throughout the Diocese of Charlotte on Wednesday night with the Guadalupe Vigil and Las Mañanitas, ahead of the main celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12.

PHOTOS BY CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD (Above) Jannete Trejo and Wendy Jaramillo pray in front of an image of the Virgin Mary before dancing. (Below)

The parish’s priest, Father Carl Kaltreider, celebrated Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent at Our Lady of the Angels Mission.

HONRANDO A NUESTRA SEÑORA

Cientos de fieles se dieron cita para iniciar las celebraciones guadalupanas en la Misión Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles en Marion. La procesión mariana recorrió las calles del centro de la ciudad y luego se ofrecieron danzas en honor a la Virgen.

Fe y tradición en el festejo de ‘La Morenita del Tepeyac’

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@rcdoc.org

MARION — La iglesia de la Misión Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles se vio desbordada por los cientos de fieles que llegaron a celebrar el Segundo Domingo de Adviento, y la procesión de la imagen de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, una manifestación de la devoción por la ‘Morenita del Tepeyac’, cuya fiesta se conmemora cada 12 de diciembre.

A la 1 de la tarde, el administrador parroquial, Padre Carl Kaltreider, celebró Misa en español con la asistencia de una traductora.

En su homilía, el Padre Kaltreider destacó que las diferentes apariciones marianas, entre ellas las sucedidas a San Juan Diego en el cerro del Tepeyac, ocurrieron a, “personas sencillas e iletradas”, en su mayoría de casos niños, para “estar seguros de que esto es obra de Dios y no nuestra”, pues, “los niños simplemente dicen lo que ven y oyen sin adornos”.

Al término de la Misa, la imagen de la Virgen Morena ubicada a un lado del altar fue conducida en procesión por las calles del centro de la ciudad, para luego retornar a los terrenos de la misión donde recibió un agasajo.

El grupo de danza conchera Tonatzin, proveniente de la parroquia San Luis

Gonzaga en Hickory, abrió paso a la imagen y la multitud que la acompañaba.

Alrededor de 40 danzantes dirigidos por Sergio Flores y su esposa, Edith Juárez Gonzales, bailaron con energía y devoción durante el largo trayecto, ofreciendo además otros bailes en honor a la Emperatriz de las Américas.

Respecto al nombre de la agrupación, Flores indicó que la palabra ‘Tonatzin’ en la lengua indígena náhuatl significa ‘nuestra madre’.

También se presentó el grupo folclórico ‘Herederos de Cherán’, dirigido por Juan Huaroco, quien explicó que la mayoría de sus integrantes provienen o son hijos de personas de Cherán, Michoacán.

“Venimos invitados desde Burnsville, en las montañas del Blue Ridge, con todo gusto para servir a nuestros hermanos en Marion”, dijo Huaroco, tras concluir el conocido ‘Baile de los viejitos’.

Un grupo de colaboradores y voluntarios de la parroquia sirvieron bebidas calientes y refrescantes como chocolate, ponche, agua de jamaica y arroz con leche. Mientras, en otra mesa se ofrecían deliciosas carnitas acompañadas de frejol, arroz y tortilla.

“Hemos trabajado por varias semanas en la organización y estamos contentos de ver que todo ha salido bien. Valió la pena el esfuerzo”, dijo una de las coordinadoras, María de los Ángeles Amable Valdemar.

Los festejos continuarán en Marion, y muchas otras localidades de la Diócesis de Charlotte, la noche del miércoles con la Vigilia Guadalupana y Las Mañanitas, para recibir la celebración principal del jueves 12 de diciembre.

La Virgen de Guadalupe se apareció

cinco veces al indígena San Juan Diego en el Cerro Tepeyac, cerca de la ciudad de México, en 1531.

Santa María de Guadalupe es honrada por los fieles católicos y peregrinos en la Basílica de Guadalupe, ubicada al lado del cerro del Tepeyac.

FOTOS POR CÉSAR HURTADO | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Bringing the mountain to Monroe

For the past 20 years, Carmelo Ambriz has used his artistry to create a fitting display for a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe. Over the years he has mastered a technique of crumpling and stapling together paper to form a realistic version of the mountainside in Mexico where Juan Diego saw the Virgin Mary appear in 1531. With the help of eight volunteers on the evening of Dec. 10, Ambriz was able to recreate this very meaningful part of his homeland in what has become a treasured tradition.

PHOTOS BY TROY C. HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

WOODWORKER

Warnock, a father of seven (two of whom are foster children), got into his truck with two of his older sons and made the drive to Asheville to see if they could locate the bench.

“We got as close as we could, driving over railroad tracks and you could hear natural gas lines spewing,” Warnock said. “We found it about a third of a mile from the district, and it was encouraging because it was pretty much unscathed. It was a miracle.”

There was only one problem – the bench, which weighs about 500 pounds, was perched on a debris pile about a quarter mile away from where Warnock was able to park. There was no way he and his sons would be able to move it without help.

MORE MIRACULOUS MOMENTS

He made his way back to his ruined shop and was surveying the damage in sadness when he met two men who were standing nearby. Their names were Keith and Hudson, and they had both worked at Pleb Urban Winery, another Arts District business torn down to its slab foundation by the floodwaters.

“These were big men – I’m 6-foot-4 and they both were taller than me,” he said. “We started talking and I told them I was looking for my stuff. They found out I was a woodworker and asked me if I had seen the workbench with the words about St. Joseph on it.”

Warnock told the men the bench was his, and one of them said, “Maybe there is a God.”

The humble crucifix was one of many that Warnock got several years ago to repair. After he restored it, he had it blessed by a priest and hung it on the shop wall.

“It was hanging only with a tiny finishing nail and a piece of wire, but there it was after the flood,” Warnock said.

THE WORK OF RESTORATION

Now, that crucifix and the workbench are two spiritual symbols that help guide Warnock through the struggles he faces. His home in the Montreat area was heavily damaged and he is working to repair it while his family lives on the campus of the Black Mountain Home for Children, where he and wife Jerri used to work as house parents for more than 10 years.

The men went with Warnock and his two sons to retrieve the bench and got it into his pickup truck.

After that small miracle, it was back to the devastated shop to take stock of what was left.

And there was another sign of Warnock’s faith.

“The river went running through my shop – the walls burst open and most everything was wiped right off the walls, but there was my blessed crucifix,” he said.

For now, Warnock’s main goal is to get his home repaired so it is livable and find another space in western North Carolina where he can practice his craft. It’s a serious challenge for displaced artists, because buildings available for studio space are in short supply.

In the meantime, he is spending time with his family and trying to focus on prayer when possible. He attends Mass at his home parish, St. Margaret Mary in Swannanoa, and sometimes goes to the church just for the quiet.

“I’ll admit prayer has been difficult for me because I’m very distracted,” he said. “My mind is racing.”

He is finding his primary spiritual encouragement in a classic Catholic work, “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas à Kempis.

“He wrote on the royal road of the Holy Cross, and that has been my primary encouragement,” Warnock said. “He died for you on the Cross so that you might also carry your cross and desire to die on the Cross with Him.”

When the house is fixed, he will seek out a new shop where he will place the bench dedicated to St. Joseph and that flooddamaged crucifix.

“A lot of people are surprised that the crucifix survived, and they ask me why I don’t clean it off,” he said. “I’m not going to. I want the scars of the flood and the mud on it.”

PARISHES

two days. Between Masses that weekend, he kept calling, trying to reach his dad, Bill Cook Sr., 85, a parishioner of St. Eugene, who was trapped inside his home by fallen trees, without power and water. Finally, his sister managed to reach their father and take him to safety in her home. But many of Father Cook’s former parishioners weren’t as fortunate. With cell service down, he jumped in remotely to help parish secretary Claudia Graham keep St. Margaret Mary’s social media accounts updated as a hub of information. The diocese sent truckloads of water, food and other goods.

“The church became a central location for people in need of supplies and basic necessities,” Father Cook said, “but it also became a place where hope could be found.”

As pastor now at St. Pius X in Greensboro, Father Cook said he looks forward to forging a deep relationship between his friends in the mountains and his new parishioners.

Besides taking up a monthly second collection for St. Margaret Mary, he’s planning opportunities for prayer at St. Pius X “to show our solidarity and support,” he said. Some of his Greensboro parishioners are planning to visit St. Margaret Mary. Students at St. Pius X School are going to send letters and cards. Priests across the diocese are also planning to travel to offer Masses at the impacted parishes.

Brevard’s Father O’Neal has scheduled pastor exchanges with both of his sister churches, Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Peter. While Sacred Heart’s offertory remains robust, he sees the Sister Parish Program as a way to link Catholics together in a diocese that spans 20,700 square miles.

“This helps us make connections between parishes who might not otherwise get to know each other,” he said. “It helps us build and strengthen the bonds of the Church.”

Catholic Charities fills in the gap for families after Helene

EDITOR’S NOTE

Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte is highlighting the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching as part of its year-long 75th anniversary celebration. In this final installment of the series, the focus is on promoting the common good.

Building on its 75-year mission of serving the common good in the Diocese of Charlotte, Catholic Charities has mobilized resources in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene’s devastating impact on western North Carolina. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, these disaster relief efforts aim to rebuild not just homes but hope – ensuring that no one faces the journey to recovery alone.

Helene wreaked havoc in western North Carolina: more than 100 confirmed deaths, homes and businesses destroyed, services disrupted, and severe economic damage estimated at over $50 billion. Donations to Catholic Charities have already been put to work, starting with

Read the full 75th anniversary series

Catch up on previous stories in Catholic Charities’ 75th anniversary series, published in print and online at www.catholicnewsherald.com:

n Care for God’s Creation: “Catholic Charities offers bountiful resources on caring for our common home” (May 24)

n Welcoming the Stranger: “Helping refugees find new lives in North Carolina” (June 21)

n Rights and Responsibilities: “What does our faith teach us about rights and responsibilities?” (July 12)

n Caring for the Poor and Vulnerable: “Reaching out to those who live on the margins” (Aug. 23)

n The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers: “Work is important to human dignity, common good” (Sept. 20)

n Life and Dignity of the Human Person: “The right to food is essential to the right to life: Addressing hunger and food insecurity” (Oct. 18)

n Call to Family, Community and Participation: “Elder Ministry connects seniors, builds community” (Nov. 15)

critical aid in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Diocesan and Catholic Charities staff coordinated with more than 100 partners – including parishes, civic groups, schools, companies, volunteer organizations and people representing recovery initiatives across the country – to get emergency supplies such as water, food, diapers, clothing, heaters and blankets to thousands of people.

Funds are also enabling Catholic Charities to provide financial help to more than 700 households, with a goal of serving over 1,000 by the end of this month. Monetary help is taking many forms, paying for home repairs, vehicle repairs or purchases, help paying rent or utility

An IRA rollover gift to your parish, the diocese, Catholic school, agency, or the Foundation provides meaningful support without impacting your checkbook, and can maximize your giving potential.

For more information, go to www.charlottediocese.givingplan.net or call Gina Rhodes at 704/370-3364.

bills, temporary housing or relocation, tree and debris removal, driveway repairs, bus tickets, Helene-related burials, replacement furniture, help paying school tuition, and more.

So far nearly 1,000 households have reached out for help, and Catholic Charities is dramatically increasing and training new caseworkers to respond.

“We’re rapidly filling new positions, with our disaster team growing – from one staff person dedicated part-time to disaster relief pre-Hurricane Helene to seven hired in the past month to an estimated 10 by year-end,” said Dr. Gerard Carter, Catholic Charities’ executive director. “In addition to large areas of need that

receive a lot of publicity, we’re working to provide resources to those families living in underserved and under-resourced areas of the diocese. Our special concern is those families without the resources to rebuild and recover their lives.”

Looking beyond immediate relief, Catholic Charities is accompanying individuals and families for what is expected to be a long road to recovery. While some are seeing a quick return to pre-Helene normalcy, many others face significant obstacles to rebuilding their homes, jobs and lives. For these families, the need lies in the gap between what resources are available and the cost of rebuilding.

Flood insurance was not common for many of those who were impacted by the storm, for example, so now they have limited, if any, help from their insurance provider. Federal help from FEMA is proving helpful for households that are uninsured or underinsured, but the few hundred dollars in aid is not enough to help others who face thousands of dollars in home repairs.

“It’s that gap between what insurance, FEMA and private funds can provide and the actual cost of a rebuild where Catholic Charities will have the greatest impact,” Carter said. “Without those gap funds, homes simply never get fully rebuilt.”

At the heart of Catholic Charities’ disaster recovery efforts is a resolve to exemplify the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37) – recognizing the needs of our neighbors, responding with compassion, and promoting the good of all.

What is a Jubilee Year?

A jubilee year is a special year of grace and celebration, celebrated since biblical times. In the Old Testament, a jubilee was celebrated every 50 years as a time when Hebrew slaves were set free, debts forgiven, and land returned to its original owners. The word “jubilee” comes from the Hebrew word “yobel,” a ram’s horn that was used to signal the start of the special year. It is a time for the faithful to seek spiritual renewal, forgiveness of sins, and indulgences through specific acts of devotion and mercy.

In the Catholic Church, jubilee years usually occur every 25 years. This Jubilee Year – which runs from Dec. 24, 2024 to Dec. 23, 2025 – was announced by Pope Francis in a papal bull entitled “Spes non confundit” (“Hope does not disappoint,” from Romans 5:5). The theme for the year is “Pilgrims of Hope” and is intended to promote peacebuilding and outreach through prayer, pilgrimage, reconciliation and forgiveness.

What are Holy Doors and how do they relate to a jubilee year?

Holy Doors are ceremonial doors in major basilicas, such as St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome (center photo), that symbolize the spiritual journey from sin to salvation, mercy and renewal. Most of the time these special doors remain sealed, opened by the pope only during jubilee years. A holy door is the most powerful sign of a jubilee year, since the ultimate goal of the pilgrim is to pass through it, and walking through a Holy Door during a jubilee year is one of the conditions for receiving a jubilee indulgence, which removes temporal punishment for sins.

Why is it important to celebrate a jubilee year?

Jubilee years provide a unique opportunity for spiritual growth, emphasizing God’s abundant mercy and the call to live a renewed life of faith and service. During a jubilee year, Catholics are encouraged to:

n Make pilgrimages to designated holy sites, especially in Rome

n Pass through Holy Doors, symbolizing entering God’s mercy

n Perform acts of penance and charity

n Receive special indulgences by fulfilling specific spiritual acts and prayers

JUBILEE 2025:

Pilgrims of Hope

Holy Year begins December 24

Opening the Holy Door to St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve, Pope Francis will formally inaugurate the Jubilee Year 2025 with “Pilgrims of Hope” as its theme. The year will be marked by pilgrimages and celebrations focused on specific groups – from migrants to marching bands, catechists to communicators, and priests to prisoners.

A holy year – or jubilee – is a time of pilgrimage, prayer, repentance and acts of mercy, based on the Old Testament tradition of a jubilee year of rest, forgiveness and renewal. Holy years also are a time when Catholics make pilgrimages to designated churches and shrines, recite special prayers, go to confession and receive Holy Communion to receive a plenary indulgence, which is a remission of the temporal punishment due for one’s sins.

The celebration of a Holy Year every 25 years is an acknowledgment that “the Christian life is a journey calling for moments of greater intensity to encourage and sustain hope as the constant companion that guides our steps toward the goal of our encounter with the Lord Jesus,” Pope Francis wrote when announcing the jubilee.

Bishop Michael Martin notes, “I warmly urge

you to embrace the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year with open hearts. This sacred time is a profound gift, inviting us to renew our faith, seek reconciliation, and rediscover the boundless mercy of God.”

Throughout 2025, there will be jubilee events here in our diocese and around the world. See our continuing coverage and visit our website to learn more about local opportunities to transform our hearts and extend Christ’s love to those in need.

Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your Son, Jesus Christ, enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.

At www.charlottediocese.org/ jubilee-2025: Learn more about the Jubilee Year and its upcoming events here in the

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth. To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever. Amen.

Diocese of Charlotte events

Michael Martin

Masses

Peregrinos de Esperanza

El Año Santo comienza el 24 de diciembre

El Papa Francisco inaugurará formalmente el Año Jubilar 2025 al abrir la Puerta Santa de la Basílica de San Pedro en la víspera de Navidad, con “Peregrinos de Esperanza” como tema central. El año estará marcado por peregrinaciones y celebraciones dirigidas a grupos específicos, desde migrantes hasta bandas de música, catequistas hasta comunicadores, y sacerdotes hasta prisioneros.

Un año santo o jubileo es un tiempo de peregrinaje, oración, arrepentimiento y actos de misericordia, basado en la tradición del Antiguo Testamento de un año de jubileo de descanso, perdón y renovación. Los años santos también son un momento en que los católicos realizan peregrinaciones a iglesias y santuarios designados, elevan oraciones especiales, se confiesan y reciben la Sagrada Comunión para obtener una indulgencia plenaria, que es una remisión de la pena temporal causada por los pecados.

La celebración de un Año Santo cada 25 años es un reconocimiento de que “la vida cristiana es un viaje que exige momentos de mayor intensidad para alentar y sostener la esperanza como compañera constante que guía nuestros pasos hacia el encuentro con el Señor Jesús”, escribió el Papa Francisco al anunciar el jubileo.

El Obispo Michael T. Martin señala: “Les exhorto con cariño a que reciban el Año Jubilar 2025 de la Iglesia con corazones abiertos. Este tiempo sagrado es un don profundo que nos invita a renovar nuestra fe, buscar la reconciliación y redescubrir la misericordia ilimitada de Dios”. A lo largo de 2025, habrá eventos jubilares aquí en nuestra diócesis y en todo el mundo. Consulte nuestra cobertura continua y visite nuestro sitio web para conocer más sobre las oportunidades locales de transformar nuestros corazones y extender el amor de Cristo a los necesitados.

SERVICIO CATÓLICO DE NOTICIAS

En preparación para la apertura de la Puerta Santa por el Papa Francisco el 24 de diciembre, los trabajadores recuperan una caja que había sido cementada en la Puerta Santa de la Basílica San Pedro durante el Jubileo de la Misericordia en 2016.

ORACIÓN DEL JUBILEO

Eventos de la Diócesis de Charlotte

El Obispo Michael Martin celebrará tres Misas de Apertura del Año

Santo de la Esperanza en los siguientes horarios y lugares:

28 de diciembre, 5 p.m.

29 de diciembre, 1:30 p.m.

29 de diciembre, 5 p.m.

Padre que estás en el cielo, la fe que nos has donado en tu Hijo Jesucristo, nuestro hermano, y la llama de caridad infundida en nuestros corazones por el Espíritu Santo, despierten en nosotros la bienaventurada esperanza en la venida de tu Reino.

Tu gracia nos transforme en dedicados cultivadores de las semillas del Evangelio que fermenten la humanidad y el cosmos, en espera confiada de los cielos nuevos y de la tierra nueva, cuando vencidas las fuerzas del mal, se manifestará para siempre tu gloria.

La gracia del Jubileo reavive en nosotros, Peregrinos de Esperanza, el anhelo de los bienes celestiales y derrame en el mundo entero la alegría y la paz de nuestro Redentor. A ti, Dios bendito eternamente, sea la alabanza y la gloria por los siglos. Amén.

¿Qué es un Año Jubilar?

Un Año Jubilar es un año especial de gracia y celebración, que se celebra desde tiempos bíblicos. En el Antiguo Testamento, el jubileo se celebraba cada 50 años como un tiempo en el que los esclavos hebreos eran liberados, se perdonaban las deudas y la tierra se devolvía a sus propietarios originales. La palabra “jubileo” proviene de la palabra hebrea “yobel”, que significa cuerno de carnero, utilizado para señalar el inicio de este año especial. Es un tiempo para que los fieles busquen la renovación espiritual, el perdón de los pecados y las indulgencias a través de actos específicos de devoción y misericordia. En la Iglesia Católica, los años jubilares generalmente ocurren cada 25 años. Este Año Jubilar, que va desde el 24 de diciembre de 2024 hasta el 23 de diciembre de 2025, fue anunciado por el Papa Francisco en una bula papal titulada “Spes non confundit” (“La esperanza no decepciona”, de Romanos 5:5). El lema para el año es “Peregrinos de la Esperanza” y está destinado a promover la construcción de la paz y el alcance a través de la oración, la peregrinación, la reconciliación y el perdón.

¿Qué son las Puertas Santas y cómo se relacionan con el Año Jubilar?

Las Puertas Santas son puertas ceremoniales en basílicas importantes, como la Basílica de San Pedro en Roma (foto central), que simbolizan el camino espiritual de pecado a salvación, misericordia y renovación. La mayoría de las veces, estas puertas especiales permanecen selladas, y solo se abren por el Papa durante los años jubilares. Una puerta santa es el signo más poderoso de un Año Jubilar, ya que el objetivo final del peregrino es pasar a través de ella. Caminar a través de una Puerta Santa durante un Año Jubilar es una de las condiciones para recibir la indulgencia jubilar, que remueve la pena temporal por los pecados.

¿Por qué es importante celebrar un Año Jubilar?

Los Años Jubilares brindan una oportunidad única para el crecimiento espiritual, destacando la abundante misericordia de Dios y el llamado a vivir una vida renovada de fe y servicio. Durante un Año Jubilar, se alienta a los católicos a: n Realizar peregrinaciones a los lugares santos designados, especialmente en Roma n Pasar a través de las Puertas Santas, simbolizando la entrada en la misericordia de Dios n Realizar actos de penitencia y caridad n Recibir indulgencias especiales cumpliendo con actos espirituales específicos y oraciones

Basílica San Lorenzo, Asheville

Iglesia San Pío X, Greensboro

Iglesia San Marcos, Huntersville

Our schools

Bringing the joy of Christmas to western North Carolina kids

HENDERSONVILLE — Christmas might look different in western North Carolina as families struggle to put their lives back together in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene, but Immaculata School is trying to make the holiday feel as normal as possible for local students.

Immaculata’s Principal Margaret Beale said school officials have been concerned that families would begin to feel the lasting impacts of the storm as the holidays approached.

Want to help?

At www.a.co/ j4vyYS0 : Shop

Immaculata’s Amazon wish list to send items directly to the school

“We were hearing our kids saying in passing that their families are not going to have a Christmas this year,” Beale said.

That’s when the school sprang into action to help. “We wanted to create an Immaculata Christmas store where families could shop for gifts for the kids and Christmas decorations for their homes at no cost.”

While the school has received assistance from schools across the country, many wanted to give more tangible items for families to have at Christmas, Beale said.

To make sure that parents had access to everything from board games and Barbie dolls to squishmallows and bicycles, Immaculata created an Amazon wish list, and schools and individuals from across the country have responded. The president of Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, for example, planned a Dec. 11 drive to Immaculata with a truck filled with toys to help stock the store. The store will be open to families of Immaculata and Asheville Catholic students as well as families of Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish to shop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15.

Saluting their service

CLEMMONS — The Holy Family Homeschool Enrichment Co-op at Holy Family Parish hosted a veterans appreciation brunch on Nov. 15. The students thanked local veterans for their service and learned about life in the military. After brunch, the students split into three groups for an age-appropriate lesson. Older students participated in a panel discussion with six veterans. Some of the veterans prepared speeches, brought photographs to share or wore their uniforms, while Army veteran Walter Emery brought a model of the helicopter he piloted in Vietnam.

MARCH FOR LIFE MARCH FOR LIFE

CHARLOTTE MARCH FOR LIFE

JANUARY 10, 2025

Mass 10:00am | Cathedral of St. Patrick

Gather & Pray 11:30am | March 12:00pm 1123 S. Church St. Charlotte, NC

NATIONAL MARCH FOR LIFE PILGRIMAGE

WASHINGTON, DC

JANUARY 23-25, 2025

2 buses this year!

Depart & return from Charlotte Bus fare, lodging, breakfasts included Tickets: $200-$300; student discount available

National Prayer Vigil Mass | Life Fest Rally & March for Life | Saturday Pilgrimage

RespectLife@rcdoc.org

Christmas Ma Schedule

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DANIELLE PARENT

La devoción a Nuestra

Señora de Guadalupe

Es especialmente en este tiempo en que los cristianos católicos, procedentes de México y pueblo circunvecinos, entran en contacto, en relación muy cercana y familiar con la ‘Morenita del Tepeyac’. La quieren honrar con los rosarios guadalupanos rezados en familia y en sus casas, las novenas preparatorias para la fiesta y en varios pueblos de la Diócesis la ‘Antorcha Guadalupana’. La comunidad prepara altares, se reúnen para orar y convivir como hermanos. Es una bonita experiencia religiosa, matizada con elementos propios de la cultura heredada de los indígenas, a quien, uno de ellos en especial, San Juan Diego, se apareció la Madre del Cielo. Con cantos, bailes, música, adornos típicos, se trata de rendir el mejor homenaje a la Señora. Luego viene la gran fiesta, el 12 de diciembre, con la Eucaristía, procesiones, serenatas, mañanitas y muchas otras expresiones folclóricas.

Una de las cosas que más me llama la atención es que, a pesar de que muchos lo hacen de una manera muy externa solo por el momento, se siente muy cercana la presencia de la Virgen en medio de la comunidad. Una presencia comunicadora de una paz interior, de un aliento de esperanza y de una gran fortaleza en la fe. Se siente como si la Virgen caminara con los hermanos que la acogen. La llevan como peregrina, la pasean por los parqueaderos, la adornan en sus iglesias y en sus casas. Su presencia manifiesta un deseo ardiente estar con sus hijos para amarlos, cuidarlos, protegerlos y caminar con ellos hacia Jesús, el Señor. Personalmente, siento un gran amor por esta advocación. Me gusta vivir con los hermanos todas sus expresiones de cariño, afecto, devoción y fe que le manifiestan a la Madre del Cielo. Me gusta conocer la historia y detalles de la aparición como los significados de todo lo que se muestra en el cuadro que quedó impreso en la tilma del humilde indígena. Cada detalle es significativo para alimentar y fortalecer la devoción a la Virgen. Siento que es una muy misteriosa y a la vez muy entendible la presencia de ella en medio de nosotros, venida del Padre a través de su Hijo y por acción del Espíritu Santo.

Cada vez que bautizo a una niña o niño, siempre les llevo ante la imagen de la Morenita, hago la presentación y consagración junto con su familia, pidiéndole a la Madre que les cuide, proteja y lleve de la mano por este mundo peregrino hacia el Reino Eterno. Siento que la Señora pide mucho por nuestra conversión, volver a su Hijo, y no quedarnos en simples manifestaciones externas, de fecha, de lugar. Quiere que la veamos y sintamos como la Madre amorosa que es. Escucho a muchos hermanos que han sido visitados por ella expresar la alegría y el deseo de tenerla en su casa, sintiendo su compañía y rezando con ella en familia. Mi esposa es también una fiel devota de María de Guadalupe, y durante mucho tiempo deseó ir a verla. Gracias a Dios, el sueño se le cumplió el año pasado y regresó feliz, más convencida de su devoción y con el compromiso de difundirla en la comunidad. Santa María de Guadalupe, ruega por nosotros.

EL DIÁCONO DARÍO GARCÍA es coordinador del Ministerio Hispano de la Vicaría de Hickory.

Tradiciones decembrinas

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@rcdoc.org

Diciembre es el mes de la alegría, de las celebraciones, de la solidaridad, el amor y fraternidad.

La llegada del Salvador del Mundo hecho hombre transforma completamente al mundo y nos hace más abiertos a mostrar nuestro amor por el prójimo.

LA NOCHE DE LAS VELITAS

Ya el 7 de diciembre por la noche los colombianos celebran la Vigilia de la Fiesta de Inmaculada Concepción con la ‘Noche de las Velitas’.

En Colombia, dependiendo de la región, se decoran las calles con figuras navideñas, realizan desfiles, los diferentes vecindarios compiten por contar con la más bella iluminación, se hacen caminos con luces para dar la bienvenida a la Virgen y realizan sorprendentes espectáculos de pirotecnia.

En sus casas, familias completas preparan platillos especiales y encienden veladoras que simbolizan la luz y la protección que la Virgen María ofrece a sus hijos.

LA GRITERÍA

“¿Quién causa tanta alegría?” exclaman los sacerdotes en Nicaragua en la Fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción. Y la gente responde: “¡La Concepción de María!” Este solía ser el intercambio tradicional de La Gritería, un alegre grito nicaragüense de fe, esperanza y amor por María La Purísima, patrona de Nicaragua, cuya fiesta es el 8 de diciembre, día de la solemnidad de la Inmaculada Concepción.

Tristemente, el régimen sandinista en el poder ha restringido las celebraciones religiosas, incluida la prohibición de procesiones durante La Purísima. Las parroquias han limitado las celebraciones a sus propiedades. Este año, el Papa Francisco ha dirigido una carta al pueblo nicaragüense donde les pide que, “tengan la certeza de que la fe y la esperanza realizan milagros”, pidiendo que miren a la Virgen Inmaculada, pues “ella es el testimonio luminoso de esa confianza”.

LA GUADALUPANA

La noche del 11 de diciembre es de gran alegría y esperanza para el pueblo hispano en Estados Unidos. La mayoría de las parroquias convoca a sus feligreses para esperar la fiesta de María de Guadalupe, Emperatriz de las Américas y Misionera celeste del Nuevo Mundo. Miles ya iniciaron días antes las Novenas Guadalupanas y en la Vigilia se realizan danzas, representaciones, cánticos y oraciones para recibir con ‘Las Mañanitas’ a la Virgen Morena. Durante la fecha central, 12 de diciembre, los agasajos y muestras de

Las Posadas, una festividad navideña de la cultura hispana, se celebra muchas veces acompañada de una procesión de personas llevando veladoras. Miles de hispanos celebrarán las Posadas en sus hogares y parroquias de la diócesis.

respeto a la Virgen se multiplican y todos llegan a participar de la liturgia especial en su honor.

NOVENA DE AGUINALDOS Y POSADAS

Otra tradición decembrina es la Novena de Aguinaldos, realizada desde el 16 al 24 de diciembre en países como Ecuador, Venezuela y Colombia; así como las posadas que se celebran en México, El Salvador, Guatemala y otros países. Esta tradición conmemora a José y María y su viaje de Nazaret a Belén y su búsqueda de un lugar donde nacería el Hijo de Dios.

La tradición de las posadas formó parte de las iniciativas evangelizadoras de los misioneros agustinos en el siglo XVI, que dieron un nuevo significado a algunas de las prácticas prehispánicas en México para enfocarlas en el camino de María y José hacia Belén.

El Padre Fidel Melo, párroco de Santiago Apóstol en Hamlet, explicó que las posadas están cargadas de simbolismo. “Las piñatas de siete puntas representan los siete pecados capitales. Los niños y las niñas le

pegan a la piñata representando la ruptura con el pecado. Y la caída de los dulces son las gracias de Dios que caen sobre nosotros”, dijo.

En México, especialmente en San Luis Potosí, de donde es originario Sergio López, coordinador del ministerio hispano de la Vicaría de Winston-Salem, se celebra el ‘arrullamiento’ del Niño Jesús el 24 de diciembre. El 2 de febrero, Día de la Candelaria, se “levantará” al Niño, ofreciéndosele oraciones y canciones. Al terminar los rezos se “levanta” al Niño del nacimiento y se procede a vestirlo con ropa de bebé. Ya vestido, todos los presentes lo besan en la frente y reciben dulces y golosinas. Luego, con la ayuda de unas cintas se les sienta en una pequeña silla y así quedan listos para esperar una navidad más.

López dijo que en su familia van a mantener esta tradición, “para que nuestros niños sepan de donde somos, aprendan a convivir con otras personas y celebren el nacimiento del Niño Jesús”.

FOTO DEL SERVICIO CATÓLICO DE NOTICIAS

Diácono Darío García

IMÁGENES PROPORCIONADAS Se agradecen las imágenes gentilmente proporcionadas por la Biblioteca Billy Graham y la página de Facebook de la ciudad de McAdenville.

Regístrese

CHARLOTTE — La Oficina de Vida Familiar de la Diócesis de Charlotte ha abierto la inscripción para su peregrinación en autobús a la Marcha Nacional por la Vida que se llevará a cabo del 23 al 25 de enero de 2025, en Washington, D.C. Un punto culminante del viaje de tres días y dos noches es la Misa de Apertura de la Vigilia Nacional de Oración por la Vida, celebrada cada año en la Basílica del Santuario Nacional de la Inmaculada Concepción. Este año, será el 23 de enero.

“La alegría y el entusiasmo de la Marcha por la Vida es contagioso, y hacer el viaje

Viva la Navidad

CÉSAR HURTADO rchurtado@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — La nostalgia nos invade, especialmente a los inmigrantes, durante la temporada navideña. Solemos recordar los momentos especiales que compartimos con amigos y familiares a quienes dejamos atrás, y otros que ya partieron al encuentro con el Señor.

Las imágenes de la cena compartida, el arreglo del nacimiento, la entrega de presentes, la Misa de Gallo a la medianoche, vuelven una y otra vez a nuestra mente y, a veces, provocan que una lágrima ruede por nuestras mejillas.

Hoy, viviendo en otra realidad, en otra cultura, el trabajo de todos los días, las compras de regalos, el arreglo del hogar, las formas externas de la temporada, muchas veces nos distraen y hacen olvidar que el verdadero significado de la Navidad que es la llegada de Nuestro Salvador Jesucristo.

Te sugerimos dos lugares inspiradores que puedes visitar en familia para reforzar el espíritu navideño.

NAVIDAD EN LA BIBLIOTECA

La Biblioteca de Billy Graham, un famoso predicador evangelista nacido en Charlotte, ofrece uno de los lugares más bellos para vivir la experiencia de la Navidad.

Hasta el 23 de diciembre, de lunes a sábado, de 5 de la tarde a 9 de la noche, excepto viernes y sábado en que el cierre se extiende hasta las 10 de la noche, puede apreciar una genuina representación de la Natividad en vivo que incluye animales exóticos.

Coros de cantantes de villancicos recorren las veredas, mientras que carruajes tirados por caballos ofrecen paseos a los visitantes por un módico precio.

La Biblioteca está ubicada en 4330 Westmont Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217. El ingreso y estacionamiento es gratuito, pero es necesario hacer una reservación online para obtener los tiquetes.

Para informes y detalles sobre el ingreso, así como actualizaciones de horarios o restricciones por mal tiempo, visite

a la peregrinación

www.billygrahamlibrary.org

LA CIUDAD DE LA NAVIDAD

Desde 1956, McAdenville, la ciudad de la navidad, ha ganado una gran reputación en todo el país, adquiriendo el sobrenombre de ‘Christmastown USA’ y atrayendo cientos de miles de autos que recorren sus pistas, e innumerables personas que desean caminar por sus calles, cruzar su puente, observar de cerca el espectáculo de las casas hermosamente iluminadas y pasar un hermoso momento en su acogedor centro histórico.

Las luces se encienden diariamente de 5:30 a 10 p.m. desde el 2 hasta el 26 de diciembre.

Vaya preparado con su teléfono celular pues las vistas son espectaculares. Usted puede ingresar con su vehículo y seguir el recorrido en él, o también estacionarlo y continuar a pie.

Para evitar largas líneas, puede llegar antes de las 5:30 p.m. y esperar a que se enciendan las luces. No hay cargo por ingreso y el estacionamiento es gratuito en los lugares designados.

Visite: https://townofmcadenville.org/visitors/christmas-townusa/ para mayores informes.

de la Marcha Nacional por la Vida

junto con otros hace que la alegría sea aún más profunda”, dijo el Padre Peter Ascik, director de la Oficina de Vida Familiar de la diócesis. “Con la asistencia a la Vigilia Nacional de Oración por la Vida, la manifestación Life Fest con las Hermanas de la Vida y oportunidades para compartir gracias con otros peregrinos, este viaje en autobús se trata tanto de construir tu fe como de tu testimonio pro-vida. Tuvimos tanto interés el año pasado que este año estamos ampliando el viaje a dos autobuses para acomodar a más peregrinos. ¡Estamos emocionados de compartir la alegría de la

Marcha por la Vida con tantas personas como sea posible!”.

El 24 de enero, la mañana de la marcha, los peregrinos asistirán a LifeFest, una manifestación pro-vida organizada por las Hermanas de la Vida y los Caballeros de Colón. El Padre Ascik dijo que el evento es una oportunidad para informarse de charlas y testimonios que muestran el impacto que el mensaje pro-vida tiene en la vida de personas reales.

El 25 de enero, el grupo participará en una peregrinación sabatina.

Las tarifas son de $ 50 por persona para

estudiantes (cuatro por habitación), $ 200 por persona para una habitación doble y $ 300 por persona en habitación individual en hotel. El alojamiento, el transporte en autobús y el desayuno los viernes y sábados están incluidos. Incluso con dos autobuses, es probable que los espacios se ocupen rápidamente. Para registrarse, escanee el código QR. Para obtener más información, envíe un correo electrónico a familylife@rcdoc.org.

Papa Francisco

Las homilías deben ser breves, sobre Jesús e inspiradas por el Espíritu Santo

Las homilías deben ser preparadas con la ayuda del Espíritu Santo, deben durar menos de 10 minutos y centrarse en el Señor, no en uno mismo, dijo el Papa Francisco.

Los que predican deben transmitir “una idea, un sentimiento y una llamada a la acción”, dijo.

La predicación pierde su poder y empieza a divagar después de ocho minutos, dijo ante los aplausos de los visitantes reunidos para su audiencia general en la Plaza San Pedro. El Papa continuó su serie de catequesis sobre el Espíritu Santo, centrándose en su papel en la evangelización y la predicación en la Iglesia.

Esta fue la primera audiencia general que incluyó un saludo y un resumen de la catequesis del Papa en chino mandarín. El Papa da su catequesis en italiano, y sus ayudantes leen resúmenes en inglés, español, francés, alemán, portugués, polaco, árabe y, desde el 4 de diciembre, en chino estándar.

En su discurso de la audiencia principal, el Papa dijo: “La Iglesia debe hacer precisamente lo que Jesús dice al comienzo de su ministerio público”, que, según el Evangelio de San Lucas, es aceptar la unción del Espíritu Santo “para llevar la buena nueva a los pobres”.

“Predicar con la unción del Espíritu Santo significa transmitir, junto con las ideas y la doctrina, la vida y la convicción de nuestra fe”.

“Significa confiar no en ‘discursos persuasivos de sabiduría, sino en la manifestación del Espíritu y su poder’”, dijo, citando la Primera Carta a los Corintios.

El Espíritu Santo acude a los que rezan, que es lo primero que debe hacer un predicador, dijo.

“¡Cuidado con predicar sin rezar!”, dijo, porque se convierten, como describió San Pablo, en “bronces que resuenan y címbalos que retiñen”.

“Lo segundo es no querer predicarnos a nosotros mismos, sino a Jesús, el Señor”, dijo el Papa Francisco.

A menudo las homilías son tan largas, de 20 o 30 minutos, que la gente sale a fumar un cigarrillo y vuelve, dijo.

“Por favor”, dijo, el sermón “nunca debe durar más de 10 minutos. Esto es muy importante”.

“No querer predicarnos a nosotros mismos implica también no dar siempre prioridad a las iniciativas pastorales promovidas por nosotros y vinculadas a nuestro propio nombre, sino colaborar de buen grado, si se nos pide, en las iniciativas comunitarias, o que se nos encomienden por obediencia”, dijo.

El Papa pidió que el Espíritu Santo “nos ayude, nos acompañe y enseñe a la Iglesia a predicar así el Evangelio” a los hombres y mujeres de hoy en día.

San Lázaro

“Todo el que vive y cree en Mí, no morirá jamás”

‘La

Cde

sobre

de José de

(Játiva, Valencia, 1591 - Nápoles, 1652). Cristo, situado en medio de la composición, señala con su brazo extendido a Lázaro, que acaba de volver a la vida. Le acompañan algunos apóstoles, varios testigos y Marta y María.

ada 17 de diciembre es la fiesta de San Lázaro de Betania, amigo cercano de Jesús, hermano de Marta y María, a quien el Señor resucitó de entre los muertos. Lázaro es un nombre significativo en el idioma de Israel. Quiere decir: “Dios es mi auxilio”.

El Evangelio da muestras evidentes de cómo Jesús llenó de sentido aquel nombre. Lázaro de Betania recibió la gracia de ser el protagonista de uno de los milagros más impresionantes realizados por Jesucristo: que uno que se contaba entre los muertos vuelva a la vida. Por ese milagro, el que era amigo cercano de Jesús se convirtió en primicia de la propia resurrección de nuestro salvador, Jesucristo.

Lázaro era el jefe de un hogar donde Jesús se sentía verdaderamente amado. A casa de Lázaro llegaba el Redentor como a la propia casa, y esto era muy importante para Cristo, porque él no tenía casa propia. Él no tenía ni siquiera una piedra para recostar la cabeza (Lucas 9:58). En casa de Lázaro había tres personas que amaban a Nuestro Salvador como un padre amabilísimo, como el mejor amigo del mundo. La casa de Betania es amable para todos los cristianos del universo porque nos recuerda el sitio donde Jesús encontraba descanso y cariño, después de las tensiones y oposiciones de su agitado apostolado. De acuerdo al Evangelio de Juan (Juan 11:1-44), Lázaro había enfermado gravemente. Al ver que su vida corría peligro, sus hermanas, Marta y María, enviaron a alguien al lugar en el que se encontraba Jesús con el siguiente mensaje: “Señor, el que tú amas, está enfermo”.

Llama la atención que Jesús no haya acudido de inmediato al encuentro del amigo. Por el contrario, permanece donde estaba hasta que súbitamente decide regresar a Judea. De pronto,

dice a sus discípulos: “Lázaro, nuestro amigo, se ha dormido; pero voy a despertarlo”, con esto el Señor hacía referencia a la muerte de Lázaro y no a que estuviese durmiendo, como pensaron los discípulos-. Recién, cuatro días después, el Señor Jesús llega a Betania. Allí encontró a Marta y a María y, viendo su dolor por la muerte de su hermano, se compadeció y lloró. Al ver esto, los judíos que estaban allí presentes exclamaron: “¡Cómo lo amaba!”.

Pocos pasajes de la Escritura registran, con tanta elocuencia, los sentimientos del Señor. ¡Cuán grande era el amor de Jesús por su amigo! ¡Cuán dolorosa es la muerte incluso para el Dios hecho Hombre! Y, al mismo tiempo, ¡qué grande es el poder de Dios!

Jesús, llegado al lugar del sepulcro, gritó: “¡Lázaro, ven afuera! Y el muerto salió, ligados los brazos y las piernas con vendas, y el rostro envuelto en un sudario. Jesús les dijo: “Desatadlo, y dejadlo ir” (Juan 11:43-44).

San Lázaro es el que recibe de Dios una “nueva vida”. Él es prefigura de cuánto ama Dios a sus hijos, de cuánto el Hijo es capaz de amar a quienes lo aman.

La cercanía y amistad con Jesús “transformaron” la existencia de Lázaro completamente. Fue alzado sobre la muerte para que creamos en la gloria de Dios, para que confiemos en que ni la muerte ni el pecado tienen la palabra definitiva y para que nuestra esperanza sea inagotable. Su resurrección “adelanta” la resurrección de Cristo y, en consecuencia, también la nuestra. — Condensado de ACI Prensa

DICIEMBRE 15-21

Domingo (Tercer domingo de Adviento): Sofonías 3:14-18, Isaías 12:2-3. 4bcd. 5-6, Filipenses 4:4-7, Lucas 3:10-18; Lunes: Números 24:2-7. 15-17, Salmo 24:4bc-5ab. 6-7bc. 8-9, Mateo 21:2327; Martes: Génesis 49:2. 8-10, Salmo 71:2. 3-4ab. 7-8. 17, Mateo 1:1-17; Miércoles: Jeremías 23:5-8, Salmo 71:2. 7-8. 12-13. 17, Mateo 1:18-24; Jueves: Jueces 13:2-7. 24-25, Salmo 70:3-4a. 5-6ab. 16-17, Lucas 1:5-25; Viernes: Isaías 7:10-14, Salmo 23:1-2. 3-4ab. 5-6, Lucas 1:26-38; Sábado: Cantar de los Cantares 2:8-14, Salmo 32:23. 11-12. 20-21, Lucas 1:39-45

DICIEMBRE 22-28

Domingo (Cuarto domingo de Adviento): Miqueas 5:1-4a, Salmo 79:2ac y 3b. 15-16. 18-19, Hebreos 10:5-10, Lucas 1:39-45; Lunes: Miqueas 3:1-4. 23-24, Salmo 24:4bc-5ab. 8-9. 10 y 14, Lucas 1:5766; Martes: 2 Samuel 7:1-5. 8-12. 14. 16, Salmo 88:2-3. 4-5. 27 y 29, Lucas 1:67-79; Miércoles (La Natividad del Señor): Isaías 52:7-10, Salmo 97:1. 2-3ab. 3cd-4. 5-6, Hebreos 1:1-6, Juan 1:1-18 o 1:1-5. 9-14

; Jueves (Fiesta de San Esteban, protomártir): Hechos 6, 8-10; 7, 54-60, Salmo 30:3cd-4. 6 y 8ab. 16bc y 17, Mateo 10:17-22; Viernes (Fiesta de San Juan, Apóstol y evangelista): 1 Juan 1:1-4, Salmo 96:1-2. 5-6. 11-12, Juan 20:2-9; Sábado (Fiesta de los Santo Inocentes, mártires): 1 Juan 1:5–2:2, Salmo 123:2-3. 4-5. 7b-8, Mateo 2:13-18

DICIEMBRE 29-ENERO 4

Domingo (Fiesta de la Sagrada Familia): 1 Samuel 1:20-22. 24-28, Salmo 83:2-3. 5-6. 9-10, 1 Juan 3:1-2. 21-24, Lucas 2:41-52; Lunes: 1 Juan 2:12-17, Salmo 95:7-8a. 8b-9. 10, Lucas 2:36-40; Martes: 1 Juan 2:18-21, Salmo 95:1-2. 11-12. 13, Juan 1:1-18; Miércoles (Solemnidad de María Santísima, Madre de Dios): Números 6:2227, Salmo 66:2-3. 5. 6 y 8, Gálatas 4:4-7, Lucas 2:16-21; Jueves (Memoria de San Basilio Magno y san Gregorio Nacianzeno, Obispos y doctores de la Iglesia): 1 Juan 2:22-28, Salmo 97:1-23AB, 3CD-4, Juan 1:19-28; Viernes: 1 Juan 2:29–3, 6, Salmo 97:1. 3cd-4. 5-6, Juan 1:29-34; Sábado (Memoria de Santa Isabel Ana Seton, religiosa): 1 Juan 3:7-10 , Salmo 97:1. 7-8. 9 , Juan 1:35-42

Lecturas Diarias

IMAGEN CORTESÍA MUSEO DEL PRADO, MADRID

resurrección

Lázaro’, óleo

lienzo (1616)

Ribera

Turn your unused car, truck, boat, RV, or motorcycle into a force for good. Donate it to Catholic Charities and help fund programs for those in need. And receive a tax benefit!

All vehicle makes and models are accepted.

Our world

‘Long live Notre Dame de Paris!’ Jubilation as iconic Catholic cathedral reopens

CAROLINE DE SURY OSV News

PARIS — The solemn reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral put Paris in the center of the Catholic world on the evening of Dec. 7 as the archbishop of France’s capital struck the magnificent door with his pastoral staff, marking the moment of the iconic Catholic church’s rebirth.

The Gothic masterpiece answered with music as Archbishop Laurent Ulrich struck the cathedral’s doors three times – with the moment of the door opening causing millions to hold their breath as the cathedral started breathing anew.

“Today, sadness and mourning have given way to joy, celebration and praise,” Pope Francis wrote to the archbishop of Paris – a message read in Notre Dame by the papal ambassador to France, Archbishop Celestino Migliore.

“May the rebirth of this admirable church be a prophetic sign of the renewal of the Church in France,” the pope said in his Dec. 7 message.

The reopening marks the “rebirth of France as the eldest daughter of the Church,” one Catholic witnessing the ceremony noted.

The city saw exceptional security services deployed for the Notre Dame celebration, mobilizing 6,000 police and gendarmes, as well as bomb disposal units, snipers and the river brigade on the Seine River. These in turn were reinforced by the U.S. security contingent deployed for President-elect Donald Trump’s visit as

well as the security for Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Both leaders were in Paris for the celebration and met in the Elysee Palace with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Bad weather forced a change of logistical plans. Macron, initially scheduled to speak on Notre Dame’s forecourt, spoke inside the cathedral due to howling winds. But nothing could overshadow the moment Parisians and the world awaited for the last five years, since the inferno of April 15, 2019, that devastated the cathedral’s interior and collapsed the now-rebuilt spire.

“I stand before you to express the gratitude of the French nation, our gratitude to all those who saved, helped and rebuilt the cathedral,” Macron said, adding that France had “achieved the impossible,” renovating Notre Dame in five years – a feat some experts predicted would take decades.

“Tonight we can together share joy and pride. Long live Notre Dame de Paris, long live the Republic and long live France,” he said.

The cathedral, which for the last five years was home to hundreds of various trade workers, felt as if all the crowned heads and celebrities of the planet wanted to witness her resurrection, with Prince William, the heir to the British throne, and billionaire businessman Elon Musk present among many. But it was Archbishop Ulrich who opened the cathedral for the world.

“Notre Dame, model of faith, open your doors to gather in joy the scattered children of God,” Archbishop Ulrich called

“Merci” (“Thank you” in French) appears on the facade of Notre Dame Cathedral during a light show for its reopening ceremony Dec. 7, five years after a fire ravaged the Gothic masterpiece in Paris.

out in front of the central door, before striking it three times with the tip of his crozier. The pastoral staff was made from a beam from the cathedral’s roof structure that escaped the fire.

It was pitch-dark when the bells of Parisian churches rang out across the capital, announcing the arrival on Notre Dame’s forecourt of the liturgical procession of bishops from the Paris region - with Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York among them.

Firefighters, craftsmen and representatives of the 250 companies and sponsors involved in the restoration paraded through the nave of the cathedral to prolonged applause. Outside, illuminated

“Thank you” messages in several languages appeared at the same time on the facade of the cathedral.

“We return it to Catholics, to Paris, to France, to the whole world,” Macron said of Notre Dame, which is a state-owned building under French law. He evoked the sound of the cathedral’s bells ringing again, like “a music of hope, familiar to Parisians, to France, to the world,” which have “accompanied our history.”

He spoke of “an unprecedented fraternity” that has “brought together so many people who have contributed to its rebirth.”

The ceremony itself was an example of a masterpiece in moments such as the archbishop blessing the organ and addressing the massive instrument eight times, singing himself, with the organ responding each time in more and more powerful tones. It was an awakening of the organ, which had to undergo cleaning and restoration after the 2019 fire.

Among those gathered inside were disadvantaged people invited through the charitable associations of the archdiocese, along with representatives of Paris’ 113 parishes.

Father Gaëtan de Bodard, new chaplain of the Paris fire brigade that saved Notre Dame – and successor to Father Jean-Marc Fournier, who courageously ran into the burning cathedral to first preserve the Blessed Sacrament, bless the burning church and then save the crown of thorns – was also full of admiration. “The cross at the back of the choir shines brightly! What a contrast to the desolate photos of the day after the fire,” he said.

Outside, chilling December rain did not prevent crowds from gathering in the Latin Quarter across the Seine River. Giant screens had been set up to allow 40,000 people to follow the ceremony.

Consider joining the over 2 million members of the largest, lay Catholic order in the world by signing up online today at: www.kofc.org/joinus Knights of Columbus

New cardinals from 17 nations are called to build Church unity

VATICAN CITY — Becoming a cardinal is an insistent call to put Jesus at the center of one’s life, to love the poor as He did and to strengthen the bonds of unity within the Church, Pope Francis said as he created 21 new cardinals from 17 nations.

“To walk in the path of Jesus means, in the end, to be builders of communion and unity,” the pope told the new cardinals Dec. 7 in St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Angelo Acerbi, a 99-year-old former Vatican diplomat, was the first to receive his red hat from Pope Francis. Cardinal Francis Leo of Toronto was the only North American among the new cardinals. Pope Francis presided over the service with a large bruise on his right cheek and chin. Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, said the pope had fallen Dec. 6 and hit his chin on his bedside table.

Pilgrims walk miles to pay homage to St. Francis Xavier

OLD GOA, India — Michael Fernandes walked 68 miles through jungles across hills and crossed a river in the blazing sun to honor St. Francis Xavier on his solemn feast day Mass in Old Goa, the former Portuguese capital in western India.

The 49-year-old Catholic joined some 15,000

pilgrims for the Dec. 3 feast Mass of the saint known as GoenchoSaib, or protector of Goa, whose relics are now exposed in a once-in-adecade event.

“I have heard and seen many miracles. I come here to thank the saint,” Fernandes said. Fernandes was among some 1,400 men and women – Catholics, Protestants, Hindus and Muslims – who joined the walking pilgrimage to the 16th-century Basilica of Bom Jesus. The saint’s relics have been on display for 45 days since Nov. 21.

Each pilgrim covered 68 to 155 miles on foot.

Father Henry Falcao, diocesan convenor of the 18th Exposition Committee, said the pilgrims come from near and far. “It is out of deep faith (that) they seek blessings and pay homage to the saint,” he added. The exposition of relics will end on Jan. 5, 2025.

— Catholic News Service and OSV News

Fr. Cuthbert Allen, O.S.B. – 1977

Fr. Boniface Bauer, O.S.B. – 1974

Abbot Jude Cleary, O.S.B. – 2005

Abbot Walter Coggin, O.S.B. – 1999

Most Rev. William G. Curlin – 2017

Fr. Jerome Dollard, O.S.B. – 1985

Fr. Michael J. Hoban – 1995

Fr. George M. Kloster – 2019

Fr. Andrew J. Latsko – 2022

Fr. Matthew J. Leonard – 2019

Fr. Thomas M. McAvoy – 1978

Fr. Joseph L. McCarthy – 2001

Fr. Francis A. Scheurich – 1975

Msgr. Francis M. Smith – 1983

Fr. Vincent M. Stokes – 1979

Charlotte 704-334-6421

Pineville 704-544-1412

Mint

704-545-4864

Derita 704-596-3291

Fr. Wilbur N. Thomas – 2022

Fr. Philip Tierney, O.S.B. – 1971

Fr. John Joseph Tuller – 2013

Fr. Aloysius Wachter, O.S.B. – 1977

Msgr. Thomas R. Walsh – 2016

ViewPoints

Bishop Michael Martin

Are you waiting, or anticipating?

The difference between waiting and anticipating is huge. So in this season of Advent, the question is: Are we waiting for something, or are we anticipating something?

For many of us, waiting in line, waiting for water to boil – waiting for whatever – is an irritation. We think that somehow in our lives things should be far more convenient, that things should happen instantaneously.

And so, we’re not real crazy about waiting.

The thought of waiting for Christ to come seems counter to what our cultural expectations are. We demand things a little bit more immediately. But if we just shift that word a bit and move away from waiting for the Lord and rather to anticipating the Lord, I think our approach this Advent will be far different.

My brothers and sisters, we’re given four very brief weeks – we will blink, and Christmas will be here.

Our culture tends to not want to wait. In many ways, our culture brings us Christmas long before we’re ready. It’s not as if there’s some big great preparation that we’ve got to go through spiritually at this time of year – but rather, the preparation is in the anticipation.

Can we foster a greater desire for the Lord by anticipating His coming, by wanting Him to come more and more into our lives, than simply by waiting for the Lord?

That’s my hope for you this Advent season: that you take these four weeks, that you take this opportunity to see the ways in which anticipating His coming into your life brings Him more and more into your life, invites Him more and more. I anticipate His coming so much. I can’t wait for Him to come. I want Him to be here now. I welcome Him each and every day.

We’re in anticipation of the Lord this Advent because we know that Christ is coming! We know what it’s like to have Christ in our lives.

And so, we build that sense of deeper desire, greater anticipation over four weeks. Not so that we can just have a greater celebration of Christmas Day, but so that even in Advent, we can appreciate more who He is and what He means in our lives and how we cannot live without Him.

We anticipate Christ’s coming because we know that this life is nothing without Him. That’s the fullness of life that all of us desire to experience, that all of us are anticipating as we celebrate Christ coming into our world.

Don’t let disasters be the only way to remember how to live

Natural disasters bring with them a certain mysterious power to recalibrate a person’s understanding of what humans are and what they are for. Values seem to get tossed in a whirlwind like the trees and powerlines in a hurricane – and in the aftermath, inexplicably, they just fall back into right order within the soul. Parents, brothers and sisters matter like never before. Neighbors matter like never before. The parish matters like never before. Giving thanks matters like never before.

As I have personally witnessed in the region surrounding my home in western North Carolina following the devastation of Hurricane Helene, the need to perform works of mercy has, so far, outpaced the need to “return to normal.” There is a sense that if the destroyed towns and neighborhoods were to simply return to the previous way of life, we would lose something essential that has been embraced in this hour of catastrophe, something inescapably human.

One answer to the constant question of why God permits evil is that the experience of charity after disaster enables humans again to understand that they are good, that they were made to be good and to do good to others.

This age’s conditioned reliance on digital devices, the internet, social media and screened entertainment inoculates people against authentic Christian modes of life, carving into our hearts an attitude that we are self-sufficient, that we do not need to rely on a community or friends or neighbors to be happy.

This is more catastrophic than any storm, because it directly contradicts the vision of life based on the Gospels and the Church, which is a real, flesh-and-blood, material, communal and thus sacramental existence. Helene brought back this understanding of the world and our nature to those affected, especially when cell service went down.

WHO IS YOUR NEIGHBOR?

“Love your neighbor” is one of the most down-to-earth commands Jesus ever gave. “Neighbor” does not mean everybody in an abstract sense; it only loosely means people on the other side of the world. What it really means is the people nearest to you, in your neighborhood, in your apartment complex, on your block. Those people, regardless of income bracket, are the ones that most need your hospitality, your gifts, your meals, your listening heart.

There is no need to worry if there isn’t a nearby pregnancy center for you to support; there is probably a single mom or a couple expecting a baby living near you who need your help. And “help” does not mean merely buying toys and books for the baby; it can mean your handiness with projects or free time to run errands for them. It can go as far as holding their baby during Mass so they can concentrate their hearts on the liturgy. The sky is the limit – all that is required to begin is to knock on your neighbor’s door.

If you are in danger or in immediate need, you would much rather have the people who live right beside you have the means to take care of you, because they can reach you in time, instead of waiting for emissaries from a larger institution who might take hours to get there.

The apostolic Church understood this. What Luke describes in Acts 4, about a concrete community in a concrete area, is not just a lofty ideal; it is the clearest explanation of what it means to be the Church on a material level: “The whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. ... There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need” (Acts 4:32-35).

If there is a neighbor or parishioner who is in need in any way, you ought to know about it and know how to get them help, or at least refer them to someone who can. If you and your parish have not cultivated this degree of awareness and depth of relationship within your own community, you are not living up

‘Do we need a hurricane every weekend to remind us of the good that we are called to be and do in ordinary existence?’

to the demands of the Gospel.

“Feed the hungry” means feeding the physically hungry, but it also means feeding those who are hungry for presence, for hospitality, for conversation, for relationship, for the knowledge that someone in their midst cares for them and knows them. There is plenty of that kind of hunger to go around; the loneliness epidemic in younger generations is well known.

KNOW

ONE ANOTHER’S NEEDS

Frankly, the task isn’t that hard. Get to know the people who sit close to you in the pews. Invite them over to your house for dinner. Take interest in their stories and tell them your own. Be with them. Offer their intentions up with the prayers of the priest at the Mass. All of this constitutes the fundamental idea of belonging to the Mystical Body of Christ.

Helene activated this all-encompassing sense of charity and communion in the hearts of many. The danger, as much a risk for me as for anyone else, will be to fall again into a complacent, isolated, “safe” Catholicism and the consequent attitude that such abundant works of love are only demanded of the Christian after a disaster. Do we need a hurricane every weekend to remind us of the good that we are called to be and do in ordinary existence?

The separation of the sheep and goats described in Matthew 25 concerns itself not with a few extraordinary, occasional acts of fallen people but with daily, commonplace acts of the redeemed. The question is not whether you managed to feed the hungry every once in a while but whether you took on the mode of life conditioned by feeding the hungry.

May we all pray desperately for the overflowing abundance of grace that overwhelms the divisions and barriers of sin and produces authentic communities of Christian charity and belonging.

ANDREW TOLKMITH is editing coordinator for the Word on Fire publishing team. He studied theology at Belmont Abbey College and lives in the North Carolina mountains with his wife and daughter. This is a shortened version of an article that ran on www. wordonfire.com.

BISHOP MICHAEL T. MARTIN, OFM Conv., leads the Diocese of Charlotte.

Andrew Tolkmith

Elizabeth Scalia

Like Adam and Eve, we are naked before the strange humility of God

After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree, the Lord God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.” Then He asked, “Who told you that you were naked?” (Gn 3:8-11).

In these days of Advent, when we are immersing ourselves in biblical narratives, we can easily forget that nothing we read in Scripture is there by accident – that even a seemingly inconsequential detail like the fact that the Prodigal Son was still “a long way off” when the Father ran out to meet him is an invitation to ponder God’s greatness, as well as his strange humility. Indeed, humility. What kind of God runs out to meet the trudging, imperfectly penitent prodigal? What sort of Maker, choosing to Incarnate, first seeks out the consent of the creature whose grace and flesh he requires? A humble one.

And what sort of Creator (who, being omnipresent, never needs to ask us a thing) nevertheless inquires of the man, Adam, “Who told you that you were naked?”

Clearly, when God sends an angel to ask for a virgin’s fiat, as He did with Mary, He is seeking a real agreement of cooperation with His most beloved of creatures. But his question to Adam is different, and we linger on it, wondering, “What is God doing here? Is he shaming Adam and Eve for being naked?”

No, he is not. “Who told you that you were naked,” is not a trick or a test. As with all of God’s questions, it is a summons for his creatures to behold, consider and better understand ourselves and why we do the stupid things we do.

EXPOSED AND HIDING

Animals do not perceive nakedness; they don’t feel afraid and hide because of it. But, whether through evolution or fruit, suddenly Adam and Eve were feeling vulnerable and scared. They were hiding, but why?

Maybe it was because they felt exposed in a way that had nothing to do with nakedness.

Perhaps what really frightened them was their first, very shallow experience of selfawareness, the understanding that they possessed not only instinct but reason and free will.

And uh-oh! They came by that understanding because they’d discussed and reasoned themselves into disobedience. And now they were answerable, and to someone beyond themselves, for their action.

What an action it was, full of pride and willful illusion – in this case, of being God’s equal.

STILL OUR ABIDING SINS

And wouldn’t you know it – pride, selfsatisfaction and the lies that serve both are still our abiding sins.

We self-aggrandize. We lord ideas, which are mostly illusion (and often idols), over each other.

And we lie to ourselves and everyone else

about it, and have since Eden.

Still, are we supposed to believe that a humble and understanding God was so insecure He couldn’t deal with His stupid creatures wanting to be like their Father, and that’s why He threw them out of Paradise?

Again, I don’t think so. God made humanity in His own image; He understands curiosity; He understands the vastness of the human mind and the way the human (non-God) elements of reason and will can challenge and warp even the best of us.

I wonder if Adam and Eve lost Eden not because they disobeyed but because afterward they hid themselves.

Unable to believe that they could trust God in their new understanding of vulnerability, they went into the shadows and willfully separated themselves from God’s company.

Perhaps the inability to seek out and trust in God’s merciful goodness when we

‘In Advent, as we plead for Emmanuel to come to us, I like to remember the plea God makes to us – to return to Him, like the Prodigal. To consent to Him, like Mary.’

feel vulnerable is the true taint and effect of Original Sin. God has been trying to get us to trust Him, to reveal ourselves to Him ever since.

Just as vulnerability and openness are required in our human relationships, they are necessary to growing in a real relationship with God.

GOD’S SONG TO US: COME, O COME

In Advent, as we plead for Emmanuel to come to us, I like to remember the plea God makes to us – to return to Him, like the Prodigal. To consent to Him, like Mary. To be aware and thus vulnerable: “Ephphatha! Be opened.”

In this season of Advent, we sing, “O come, O come, Emmanuel.”

Forever God sings, “Come … Let me see your face, let me hear your voice …”

More than a call and response, it is the sweetest song in the world.

ELIZABETH SCALIA is editor at large for OSV. Follow her on X @theanchoress.

‘I hope the season of Advent leads everyone toward a spiritual renewal in order to contribute to the muchdesired construction of a civilization of love, in such a way that it will allow us to unite our filial love for God with love for our neighbor.’

Pope Francis

From online story: “Fight against poverty must be based on Gospel, social doctrine, pope says”

The Catholic News Herald reached the Facebook and Instagram feeds of more than 932,000 people in English and Spanish last month. The most talked about post? Coverage of Vietnamese Catholics in Greensboro’s new church home. Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/CatholicNewsHerald.

On YouTube in December so far, videos produced by the Catholic News Herald have been viewed more than 9,500 times. The most popular video? Bishop Martin’s homily for the feast of Christ the King.

Over the past month, 35,000 visitors to www.catholicnewsherald.com have viewed a total of 53,000 pages. Top trending headlines include:

n 10 facts about Advent 10,521

n View the current print edition of the Catholic News Herald 1,086

n Catholics advised: Dec. 8 and 9 are holy days of obligation 986

n Guadalupe Torch leaves a message of hope and consolation 977

n Vietnamese Catholic community in Greensboro celebrates having a space of its own ......750

n Father Cahill named to diocese’s College of Consultors 647

Letters policy

The Catholic News Herald welcomes letters from readers. We ask that letters be originals of 250 words or fewer, pertain to recent newspaper content or Catholic issues, and be written from a perspective of Christian charity.

To be considered for publication, each letter must include the name, address and daytime phone number of the writer for purpose of verification. Letters may be condensed due to space limitations and edited for clarity, style and factual accuracy.

The Catholic News Herald does not publish poetry, form letters or petitions. Items submitted to The Catholic News Herald become the property of the newspaper and are subject to reuse, in whole or in part, in print, electronic formats and archives.

E-mail: catholicnews@rcdoc.org

Mail: Letters to the Editor

Catholic News Herald 1123 S. Church St. Charlotte, N.C. 28203

Most-read stories on the web

A MESSAGE FROM THE MOST REVEREND

Michael T. Martin, OFM Conv.

BISHOP OF CHARLOTTE

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Although I arrived in the Diocese of Charlotte at the end of Fiscal Year 2024, I was immediately filled with gratitude for all God is doing across western North Carolina. From Hamlet to Murphy, we can see His hand at work in powerful ways – ways in which I have been privileged to witness alongside all of you. Relying on the Holy Spirit, the people of our growing diocese continue to build the Kingdom of God –proclaiming, with one voice, the Good News of Jesus to a world longing for His love. This discipleship is at the heart of who we are and what we do.

A snapshot of our work from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, is provided in the annual report that follows. The financial health of our diocese remains strong, and this report highlights the remarkable progress made in our parishes and schools, vocations, charitable work and financial stewardship.

Some highlights:

n In June 2024, we celebrated the ordination of seven new priests and six deacons who are preparing for priestly ordination next year.

n Our Catholic schools saw another year of record enrollment, and the number of people joining the Church reached a new high.

n With your support, Catholic Charities served more than 24,000 people in FY 2024 – then in September marshalled an extraordinary relief effort in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene.

n Our parishes and schools undertook more than 30 building, renovation or expansion projects to accommodate growth.

While I have served as bishop since May, the accomplishments highlighted in this report were made possible under the leadership of my predecessor, Bishop Peter Jugis. His 20 years of service laid a strong foundation for the efforts we celebrate today.

Ultimately, however, none of this would be possible without God’s grace. Let us give thanks and praise to God for all He has done and continues to do in our diocese.

To all of you who support the Church in western North Carolina – through your time, talent and treasure – I thank you for your commitment. Let us continue to reach out, united in our mission to build the Kingdom of God by serving and loving our neighbors.

You remain in my prayers, and I hope you will keep me in yours.

Queridos Hermanos y Hermanas en Cristo, Aunque llegué a la Diócesis de Charlotte al final del Año Fiscal 2024, inmediatamente me llené de gratitud por todo lo que Dios está haciendo en el oeste de Carolina del Norte. Desde Hamlet hasta Murphy, podemos ver Su mano obrando de manera poderosa, manera que he tenido el privilegio de presenciar junto a todos ustedes. Confiando en el Espíritu Santo, el pueblo de nuestra creciente diócesis sigue construyendo el Reino de Dios, proclamando, con una sola voz, la Buena Nueva de Jesús a un mundo que anhela Su amor. Este discipulado está en el corazón de lo que somos y lo que hacemos.

Un panorama general de nuestro trabajo desde el 1º de julio de 2023 hasta el 30 de junio de 2024 se presenta en el informe anual que sigue. La salud financiera de nuestra diócesis sigue siendo sólida y este informe resalta el progreso notable logrado en nuestras parroquias y escuelas, vocaciones, trabajo caritativo y mayordomía financiera. Algunos puntos destacados:

n En junio de 2024 celebramos la ordenación de siete nuevos sacerdotes y seis diáconos que se están preparando para la ordenación sacerdotal el próximo año.

n Nuestras escuelas católicas vieron otro año de matrícula récord, y el número de personas que se unieron a la Iglesia alcanzó un nuevo máximo.

n Con su apoyo, Caridades Católicas sirvió a más de 24,000 personas en el Año Fiscal 2024 y luego, en septiembre, organizó un esfuerzo extraordinario de ayuda tras la Tormenta Tropical Helene.

n En nuestras parroquias y escuelas se emprendieron más de 30 proyectos de construcción, renovación o ampliación para acomodar el crecimiento.

Aunque he servido como obispo desde mayo, los logros destacados en este informe fueron posibles gracias al liderazgo de mi predecesor, el Obispo Peter Jugis. Sus 20 años de servicio sentaron una base sólida para los esfuerzos que hoy celebramos.

Sin embargo, en última instancia, nada de esto sería posible sin la gracia de Dios. Demos gracias y alabanzas a Dios por todo lo que ha hecho y sigue haciendo en nuestra diócesis.

A todos ustedes que apoyan la Iglesia en el oeste de Carolina del Norte ya sea con su tiempo, talento y bienes, les agradezco su compromiso. Sigamos alcanzando a los demás, unidos en nuestra misión de construir el Reino de Dios sirviendo y amando a nuestros vecinos.

Ustedes permanecen en mis oraciones y espero que me mantengan en las suyas.

Paz,

+ El Reverendísimo Michael T. Martin, OFM Conv. Obispo de Charlotte

Peace,

+ The Most Reverend Michael T. Martin, OFM Conv. Bishop of Charlotte

Table of contents Tabla de contenidos

GROWTH

CRECIMIENTO

Demand for construction surges La demanda de construcciÓn aumenta

Vital statistics

Map: Building for the future

4 18

5 19

6 20

PASTORAL MINISTRY

Making disciples, reaching out

Estadísticas vitales

Mapa: Construyendo para el futuro

MINISTERIO PASTORAL

8 22

CHARITY

Responding to the need

Formando discípulos, alcanzando más personas

CARIDAD

10 24

EDUCATION & CATECHESIS

Teaching the young, sharing the faith

Respondiendo a la necesidad

EDUCACIÓN Y CATEQUESIS

11 25

STEWARDSHIP

Practicing good stewardship

Enseñando a los jÓvenes, compartiendo la fe

CORRESPONSABILIDAD

12 26

HUMAN CAPITAL

Practicando una buena corresponsabilidad

CAPITAL HUMANO

13 27 Driving the mission

FINANCIALS

Impulsando la misión

FINANZAS

14 16 Report from the CFO

Combined Financial Statements

15 17

SAFE ENVIRONMENT

Protecting God’s children

Informe del Director Financiero

Estados Financieros Combinados

AMBIENTE SEGURO

28 28

Protegiendo a los niños de Dios

Financial statements and footnotes are online here: www.charlottediocese.org/annualreport www.charlottediocese.org/annualreport

Los estados financieros y las notas al pie están online aquí:

On the day he was named Bishop of Charlotte, Father Michael Martin made Charlotte Catholic High School one of his first visits in the diocese.

Demand for construction surges as churches and schools manage growth

Growth and change continued to be watchwords for the Diocese of Charlotte in Fiscal Year 2024, reflecting a continuous process of transformation through faith.

The diocese bid farewell to Bishop Peter Jugis – who retired in May after two decades of guiding its parishes, schools and ministries through unprecedented growth – and welcomed Bishop Michael Martin, a Conventual Franciscan, who immediately began his “ministry of presence.” In visiting parishes across the diocese, he has seen firsthand the challenges of growth, including congregations that spilled into overflow rooms or have outgrown churches and shifted to worship in gyms and parish halls.

In the year ending June 30, 2024, the diocese hit new highs in Catholic population, vocations, school enrollment and receptions into the Church. Part of a historic migration of Catholics to the southeastern U.S., the population growth is driven largely by new Hispanic families and people relocating from the Northeast and Midwest. To accommodate the influx of people, the diocese’s parishes, schools and ministries began planning or executing more than 30 expansion,

renovation and new-build projects during the fiscal year – representing a total forecasted investment by those entities of more than $170 million.

“Over the past two years, we’ve seen an incredible surge in demand for construction as our parishes and schools in all corners of the diocese seek to respond to

$170 million

Estimated investment in building projects by parishes, schools and ministries in the Diocese of Charlotte

growth,” says Emmett Sapp, the diocese’s director of construction and real estate. “This is a wonderful sign of the vitality of the Church and a testament to the witness our churches and schools provide through the grace of God.”

From a new church underway in Highlands, to renovations and additions in Statesville and Lincolnton, to Christ the King High School’s expansion on tap in Huntersville, the improved facilities will offer places of communion, formation, education and worship for an estimated 539,000 baptized Catholics living in the diocese, which covers the western half of North Carolina. St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly also moved closer to construction of a new chapel during the year, which will accommodate many more visitors as well as its seminarians who one day will serve the diocese as priests.

Diocesan leaders also began evaluating options for establishing a new, larger cathedral that will likely seat up to 2,000 people at signature diocesan liturgies such as ordinations and the annual Chrism Mass. The current St. Patrick Cathedral seats just 350 people and is among the smallest cathedrals in the U.S. It

Bishop Michael Martin and parish and diocesan leaders break ground for Our Lady of the Mountains’ new church in Highlands.

was built initially as a parish church and elevated to cathedral status to serve as the seat of the bishop when the diocese was established in 1972 with just 34,000 Catholics. Its constraints have forced the diocese to move its most significant liturgies – including the 2024 ordinations of Bishop Martin, a record seven priests, and six deacons – to St. Mark Church in Huntersville.

Bishop Martin has embraced the opportunities that growth brings, both structural and spiritual, reminding the faithful of Jesus’ call to “go and make disciples” by encouraging everyone in the diocese to deepen their commitment to spreading the Gospel.

“It will take me some time to get to all the many places where the Holy Spirit is at work in our growing diocese…,” the bishop wrote in a letter to parishioners, a few weeks after being installed in May. “One of the ways in which you can help me is by asking yourself to what extent you have engaged with your local faith community?”

A UNIFYING FORCE

With Mass attendance rising and offertory collections surpassing pre-pandemic levels, the diocese’s churches, schools and other institutions are responding both by improving facilities and by expanding ministries.

Among parishes in FY 2024, more than a dozen engaged in a new pastoral planning process now required every six years to create a strategic plan and seek the bishop’s approval for any significant construction. Among schools, seven of the diocese’s 20 schools began planning to add classrooms and/or renovate space, and five are working on improvements of athletic facilities. School leaders are now exploring new school construction and further enhancements to existing facilities.

Catholic institutions located in the diocese also took steps to respond to growth: In February 2024, Belmont Abbey College announced it had reached a $100 million fundraising goal for facility and program improvements – and that it was increasing its target to $150 million.

A

– Emmett Sapp, construction director

“We have been inundated with calls from parishes and schools seeking to welcome growing numbers of people but facing challenges with limited space,” says construction director Sapp, whose office offers project management and other services to guide construction. “It’s amazing to see how communities come together to face these challenges. Major building projects can be difficult but they can also be invigorating and

bond-strengthening for a community united behind a common vision in service of the mission of the Church.”

Magnifying the demands of growth, Sapp says, restrictions on fundraising and the economic downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic left churches and schools particularly eager to get started with improvements during FY 2024.

In some communities, such as Mount Airy, parishes found it more economical to buy existing church buildings to renovate than to build a new church.

At St. Mark in Huntersville and St. Dorothy in Lincolnton, additional activity space and an adoration chapel were identified as the best way to provide more faith-filled opportunities for their increasing numbers.

In Highlands, Our Lady of the Mountains mission church broke a fundraising record even for parishes across the diocese as donors contributed more than $8.5 million to build a new church. And in Denver, Holy Spirit’s groundbreaking on a new church was the culmination of a decade of planning and fundraising.

Beyond increasing numbers of parishioners, the diocese continues to grow in diversity, too.

Hispanic congregations are especially seeing growth; Hispanics now make up more than half of the Catholic population in the diocese. The Vietnamese congregation at St. Joseph in Charlotte has also outgrown its church and is planning to build anew, while the Vietnamese community in Greensboro acquired a church building to accommodate its growing needs, as well.

“When you have a lot of growth, one of the challenges is keeping people unified, especially as you have more newcomers and diversity of backgrounds,” Sapp says. “A new church building or a renovation project can help people build bonds working together to create places that unite their community for worship, education and fellowship. This helps people grow in their faith and deepen their relationship with Jesus, inspiring them to become disciples who go out and share the Good News of the Gospel.”

With a church that holds fewer than 100 people, this growing congregation has been worshiping in its parish hall for nearly 30 years, but recently purchased an existing church with capacity for 300; cost $235,000. A $1.5 million capital campaign is underway for renovations.

With a congregation that has doubled in size over a decade to 1,000 families, Holy Spirit’s multiple campaigns and hard work to build a bigger church have finally been realized; it broke ground on a $12.5 million church with capacity for 675 people.

Building for the future

During FY 2024, more than 30 parishes, schools and ministries took steps to expand capacity to accommodate growth – planning or executing renovation and new construction projects generally costing $1 million or more. Some purchased existing churches or buildings. e total investment by the various entities across the diocese is estimated to be about $170 million.

Lady of the Mountains, Highlands

gatherings, meetings, a kitchen and sports. A campaign is underway to raise $2 million to add to $2.5 million in savings and financing that will pay for the $6 million project.

St. Joseph is planning to build a church to accommodate 1,000 people and to renovate its existing church for faith formation classes, meetings, and community events. The project is estimated to exceed a cost of $15 million. The church is known for its Stations of the Cross and annual “Tet” celebration.

Christ the King High School, Huntersville Additional classrooms, renovations 21

A school that began with 35 students in 2011 has grown to 450 students and soon will embark on a $12 million expansion and renovation, boosting capacity to 650 with more classrooms and activity space. A separate capital campaign to improve athletic facilities is underway.

The diocese is evaluating options for establishing a new, larger cathedral with seating likely for up to 2,000 people.

Diocese of Charlotte

St. Peter, St. Patrick Cathedral and St. Lawrence Basilica underwent or were approved to pursue renovations to preserve the historic properties for future generations.

With the growth of vocations, the following churches are building, renovating or purchasing existing homes for use as rectories for their priests:

Our Lady of the Assumption (Charlotte) Sacred Heart (Salisbury)

St. John the Evangelist (Waynesville)

St. Joseph (Charlotte)

St. Leo (Winston-Salem)

St. Margaret of Scotland (Maggie Valley)

St. Mark (Huntersville)

St. Patrick Cathedral (Charlotte)

St. Thomas Aquinas (Charlotte)

Immaculate Conception (Hendersonville) renovated a residence on its property for use by lay missionary sisters of the Mother of Life Association, who are working in the school and parish.

St. Joseph, Charlotte New church construction

PASTORAL MINISTRY

Making disciples, reaching out

At the heart of the Church is its people, and its mission is to provide them with spiritual guidance, teaching and comfort to deepen their relationship with Jesus and share the Good News with others.

The diocese’s Catholic population reached 539,000 people in 2024, with a record 1,104 people welcomed into the faith. To serve the People of God, the diocese is supported by 139 active and retired priests, 101 active permanent deacons, 82 women religious, 2,576 employees, and countless volunteers. Signs of growth are reflected in the life of the local Church and in the numerous ministries that serve our increasingly diverse community.

NURTURING VOCATIONS

The diocese’s vocations program is thriving – nearly tripling from 16 seminarians in 2016 to 46 this year. Seven seminarians were ordained diocesan priests in June 2024, and six others became deacons, continuing their formation toward priestly ordination in 2025. Nine young men were accepted at St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly for the 2024-’25 year, bringing to 20 the total number of college seminarians discerning a call to the priesthood close to home while attending nearby Belmont Abbey College. Nearly 300 young people attended vocations summer camps in June, including a new one-day retreat for young women called “Talitha Koum.”

The growth is fueled by an ongoing emphasis on vocations awareness and seminarian formation, with Father Brian Becker, diocesan vocations promoter, also appointed director of the new Propaedeutic, or FirstYear, Stage of Formation at St. Joseph College Seminary. In January 2024, the diocese formally accepted 16 men into the Permanent Deacon Program – one of the largest incoming classes in recent years. After further formation, they will be considered for ordination as deacons in 2027.

Women from 17 religious communities continued ministering to some of the poorest and most vulnerable among us, including the sick and disabled, seniors, homeless pregnant women, those escaping domestic violence, people with AIDS, and migrants and refugees.

REACHING OUT

The diocese dedicated more resources and pastoral efforts to serve various groups within the local Church. Hispanic Ministry’s mission continued to grow significantly, with half of the diocese’s population now estimated to be of Hispanic origin. Serving this quartermillion-strong community are clergy and full-time coordinators in all 10 vicariates, providing spiritual care,

faith formation and outreach. They focused on pastoral ministry, faith formation, charitable outreach and other support – guiding Spanish-language apostolic groups such as Cursillo and Emmaus with conferences, retreats and workshops that last year garnered a combined attendance of 9,700 people; offering the Spiritual Exercises (3-day Retiro de Silencio) to more than 400 people; and putting on educational workshops, classes and retreats that together reached more than 6,000 people.

Hispanic Ministry also emphasized more youth and young adult outreach, sending young people for leadership training at Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI), promoting the Eucharistic Congress, and

Salem vicariates.

Incoming Bishop Michael Martin made young people an immediate focus – making Charlotte Catholic High School one of his first visits in the diocese and designing a special prayer-and-worship service for young adults as the first event of his threeday ordination festivities in May. With a background in high school and college Catholic education, the bishop has made outreach to youth a pillar of his ministry.

African American Ministry saw increased participation in programs aimed at fostering Black Catholic identity. A diocesan Day of Reflection focused on Black Catholic issues ahead of the 2024 National Black Catholic Congress, where the diocese’s delegation connected with over 2,500 Black Catholics nationwide. The experience is informing the development of a new fiveyear pastoral plan to address the spiritual needs of Black Catholics in the diocese.

hosting a Holy Week retreat for over 200 young adults at Table Rock Retreat Center in Pickens, S.C., led by Father Julio Dominguez, Vicar of Hispanic Ministry. Engagement with young people also increased through the Youth Ministry Office, which sponsored diocesan events, including the 47th annual Diocesan Youth Conference in April, which attracted a record 200 teens, and launched youth advisory councils in the Asheville, Smoky Mountain, Greensboro and Winston-

Another outreach effort within the Black Catholic community in 2023 was the founding of a Charlotte chapter of the Knights of Peter Claver, based out of Our Lady of Consolation Parish.

Vietnamese Ministry continued to flourish, with expanding communities in Charlotte and Greensboro. In Charlotte, St. Joseph Vietnamese Catholic Church launched plans to build a new church, while Greensboro’s Vietnamese community purchased a church for its new Holy Family Vietnamese Mission.

Two years after its founding, the diocese’s Family Life Office expanded its efforts to strengthen marriages,

Seven men were ordained priests for the Diocese of Charlotte in 2024. Another six are expected to be ordained in 2025.

support families and promote respect for life at all stages. In 2024, it reached hundreds of people through its marriage enrichment conference, marriage prep workshops and pro-life marches. The office also added more Spanish-language Natural Family Planning workshops, promoted education for mothers and teen daughters, and supported Catholic healthcare professionals, hosting a fifth annual healthcare conference in Charlotte. It also cosponsored a Consolation Mass for parents grieving the loss of a child, the first of an annual event.

With the Family Life Office’s guidance, eight more parishes launched “Walking with Moms in Need” outreach that assists pregnant and parenting mothers, bringing the total number of parishes to 17. The office also expanded participation in local, state and national pro-life marches.

Catholic Charities Elder Ministry program brought nearly 200 seniors from 15 parishes together for the 36th annual Senior Ministry Spring Fling, with another 700 participating in educational and social programs around the diocese or online.

The diocese also advanced a three-year effort to assume oversight of Pennybyrn at the request of the

Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God, who founded the High Point retirement community in 1947. Father Steve Hoyt was appointed chaplain in July 2023, and the gradual sponsorship transfer will conclude in 2025 when the sisters retire.

The diocese launched Courage and EnCourage chapters to serve people with same-sex attraction and their families.

It also welcomed priests to serve the small but growing French-speaking and Eritrean Catholic communities in Charlotte, and renewed its clergy partnership with the Diocese of Buea, Cameroon.

The Tribunal saw its annulment caseload increase nearly 30% in FY 2024 over the prior year. To manage cases even more efficiently and compassionately, the Tribunal launched an online case management system and continued to expand its network of parish-based advocates. Every parish now has an annulment advocate who accompanies and guides people throughout the sometimes-complex annulment process.

Outreach to the incarcerated also took on a renewed focus, bringing hope, love and the mercy of Jesus. Parishbased teams provided spiritual guidance at 12 correctional facilities around the diocese and organized prayer chains

and retreats, such as the “Residents Encounter Christ” retreat at Mountain View Correctional Institution in August. The powerful weekend retreat for 36 inmates included Catholic talks and prayer, as well as the sacraments of confession and Mass.

LISTENING AND CONNECTING

The local Church continued to engage in a multiyear dialogue on unity, engagement and missionary outreach, as part of Pope Francis’ Synod on Synodality, titled “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.” In 2024, Bishop Martin followed the example of his predecessor by supporting the Synod’s work, urging all to embrace the worldwide effort and pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to build a Church that extends inclusively to all.

The diocese also worked to elevate its communications outreach to tell the stories of the local Church, reaching new digital audiences, engaging with local media outlets, and delivering news and information through its award-winning website and Catholic News Herald to tens of thousands of people – seeking to inspire them to become disciples and share the Gospel message across western North Carolina.

Responding to the need CHARITY

Embracing God’s call to serve those living on the margins, people across the diocese responded – donating time, talent and treasure to help Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte serve a record 24,165 people in need during FY 2024.

Nearly $8 million was allocated for Catholic Charities’ programs, which reached more than 1,000 people over the prior year with a range of services through seven offices across the western half of North Carolina. These efforts do not include the widespread charitable outreach of individual parishes, from food pantries and diaper drives to massive efforts such as St. Matthew’s annual drive to feed the hungry in Haiti.

Catholic Charities saw significant increases in refugee assistance and resettlement during FY 2024, working with the U.S. government to help those fleeing war in Ukraine and other conflicts to start new lives in Charlotte or Asheville. It also served more veterans experiencing homelessness, as well as families needing help burying departed loved ones. In a year marked by significant inflation, the agency saw an increase in people at their food pantries and provided more diapers, clothing and direct cash assistance to help clients pay rent and utilities.

Catholic Charities opened its seventh location in North Wilkesboro. Going into the Fiscal Year 2025, the agency also opened an eighth outreach location to serve people in need in Salisbury, and in October began ramping up staff and services to help those impacted by the devastating destruction of Tropical Storm Helene.

16,693 101

24,165 Catholic Charities Provided people served

199 people received food at 3 pantries homeless veterans

543

CATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE

EDUCATION & CATECHESIS

Teaching the young, sharing the faith

As we embrace the teaching of the Catholic faith as a collective responsibility, the work of the Education Vicariate and Catholic Schools Office is fundamental to our mission of shaping and inspiring disciples to spread the Good News of the Gospel.

From schools and faith formation programs, to campus and youth ministries, to summer programs and catechist training, these initiatives reached more people than ever in FY 2024.

SCHOOLS: The diocese’s 20 schools saw its third straight record enrollment with 8,300 students – up 21 percent since 2020 – a surge school leaders say reflects a growing recognition of the value of a Catholic education. To accommodate the influx of students, the diocese is exploring new school construction and enhancements to existing facilities. The schools also adopted a multi-year curriculum enhancement program that includes new textbooks, religion standards and virtue training – all rooted in rigorous academics and Catholic identity.

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS: In August, the 20th annual Eucharistic Congress featured more offerings than in previous years – including the first appearance of Bishop Michael Martin, who celebrated the closing Mass. With inspiring speakers, praise-and-worship concerts, a play and movie, and Adoration and Mass, the event drew more than 10,000 people from across western North Carolina to the Charlotte Convention Center. It also included one of the nation’s largest Eucharistic processions, through the streets of uptown Charlotte.

FAITH FORMATION: More than 38,000 children and adults participated in religious education in the diocese in FY 2024, a testament to parish leadership and outreach, with a record 1,104 people joining the Church. To “teach the teachers,” the diocese rolled out a new partnership with the Catechetical Institute by Franciscan University to provide ongoing ministry formation to more than 700 catechists charged with passing on the faith. The annual Diocesan Catechetical Conference brought more than 500 catechists together for professional development, prayer and fellowship.

YOUTH MINISTRY: The diocese blended faith and fun in its outreach to young people, as hundreds of families turned out for a ropes course event in Greensboro, a trampoline park in Asheville, and Catholic Family Day at Carowinds – where Bishop Martin celebrated Mass then hopped on the Thunder Striker rollercoaster with the kids.

The Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage in March saw more than 800 middle and high school students come together for the annual event hosted by Belmont Abbey College. And the diocese expanded its summer “Totus Tous” program in 2024 to 18 parishes, where 1,800 students participated in the week-long day camp of faith and fun.

In Campus Ministry, 400 college students regularly attended Sunday Masses as part of the diocese’s programs at Davidson, High Point, UNC-Greensboro, Wake Forest and Western Carolina universities. At least 22 students received sacraments to join the Church.

STEWARDSHIP

Practicing good stewardship

The people of the diocese continued to provide generous financial support to ensure the work of our parishes, schools and ministries continues.

Parish offertory collections in Fiscal Year 2024 were up 5.7 percent from the prior year and 20 percent over pre-pandemic levels.

In addition, diocesan ministries received 344 gifts of $5,000 or more – nearly one a day – and 89 gifts of $25,000 or more. And as of June 2024, 1,740 people in the diocese noted they have or will remember the Church in their estate plans.

The diocese reached a milestone in early 2024 when it received its 50th gift of $1 million or more.

The diocese also added 25 endowments in FY 2024 – bringing the total to 367, with more than $97 million in assets. Managed through the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation, these endowments support parishes, schools, Catholic Charities, priest retirement, seminarian education, and outreach programs.

Distributions by the foundation to fund various good works totaled $2.6 million

for FY 2024 and $17.5 million since the foundation was established in 1994.

In addition, the annual Diocesan Support Appeal (DSA) enabled the diocese to provide comfort to those in need and many other services throughout our diocese. Gifts to the 2023 appeal totaled $6.8 million from more than 13,360 donors, supporting over 50 ministries and programs, including seminarian education, Catholic Charities, educational programs, the permanent diaconate, multicultural ministries, and the Eucharistic Congress.

The average gift among contributing households was $529 – up from $476 in 2022. More than 80% of parishes and missions reached or exceeded their goal for the appeal.

The DSA is one of five annual funds supporting the local Church. Others help fund priest retirement (nearly $1.3 million), priests’ continuing education and seminarian education (a combined $1.7 million), Catholic schools ($3.6 million) and Catholic Charities (nearly $2.1 million).

Launched a decade ago, the diocese’s “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign also continues to make an impact. Seven endowments formed with the campaign have distributed $1.8 million to benefit Campus Ministry, Catholic Charities, faith formation, multicultural ministries, parish/mission support, tuition assistance and vocations/seminarians.

“In our stewardship work, we focus on connection, engagement and gratitude,” notes Jim Kelley, diocesan development director. “Stewardship is about helping people get more connected to Christ and more engaged in their parish and in the diocese. When people are more engaged in their faith, they want to respond in gratitude for all the blessings they’ve received from God.”

HUMAN CAPITAL

Driving the mission

D iscipleship – allowing the love of God to transform us so that we can share His love with others – continued to characterize the efforts of 2,576 full- and parttime employees in our parishes, schools, ministries and offices who provide support wherever it is needed in the diocese.

The diocese maintained its focus on efforts to attract and retain diverse talent to help carry out our evangelizing mission, increasing a diocese-paid life insurance benefit, investing in a new paid parental leave policy and expanding its pregnancy leave time. The diocese’s Human Resources Office also launched a nurse hotline to report and respond to non-life-threatening, work-related injuries and illnesses. Financial highlights for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, follow. A detailed financial report can be found online at www.charlottediocese.org/annualreport.

More than 1,100 people were welcomed into the Church in 2024 – a record number for the Diocese of Charlotte.

REPORT FROM THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Through the continued generosity of the faithful, the Diocese of Charlotte remains in sound financial health. To continue our commitment to accountability and transparency, I present to you the Annual Financial Report for the Diocese of Charlotte. In support of these efforts, I wish to thank the Diocesan Finance Council, which serves in an advisory capacity to Bishop Michael T. Martin, and all of you for the support you provide to our parishes, schools and ministries across the diocese. Net operating income for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 (before considering capital campaign activity), was $0.4 million.

Financial resources (donor-restricted and general-purpose funds) spent during the past fiscal year went toward the following diocesan priorities:

n Catholic Charities programs for our neighbors in need, $7.9 million;

n Capital additions and improvements at our regional and diocesan schools, $6.2 million;

n Our retired priests, seminarians and other clergy serving the faithful, approximately $5.2 million;

n Parish faith formation and support for our 20 schools by the Catholic Schools Office, $2.9 million; and

n Multicultural pastoral programs for our Catholic immigrant brothers and sisters, approximately $1.1 million.

All of our initiatives are dependent on the good work of our many dedicated clergy and lay persons. During the fiscal year just ended, employee salaries and benefits totaled approximately $67.7 million, up from $63.1 million in fiscal 2023. This increase was primarily driven by support of our regional and diocesan schools. Employee benefits include three health insurance programs from which employees may select, term life insurance, numerous employeepaid optional benefits, a generous schedule of paid time off and a 403(b) defined contribution pension plan. Non-temporary employees working at least 1,000 hours in a calendar year receive a contribution to their 403(b) account totaling 5% of their annual salary. In addition, they receive a match equal to 50% of the first 4% of pay they contribute to their pension account

Of course, the heart of the diocese is our parishes and schools. And, while this report covers the financial activities of many diocesan ministries and entities, it does not include those of our parishes (and parish and inter-parochial schools), which are independent entities and report separately to their parishioners.

Results of operating activities for the year ended June 30, 2024

Expenses in support of our various program (ministry) services totaled $77.5 million, while all other operating expenses (excluding capital campaign expenses) totaled approximately $44.9 million, for a total of $122.4 million. We were blessed to receive $114.8 million in financial support without donor restrictions (excluding capital campaign income), and reclassified donorrestricted revenue totaling $8.8 million to unrestricted operating revenue as a result of fulfilling donor restrictions, for a total of $123.6 million in revenue without donor restrictions (excluding capital campaign revenue).

The diocese recorded a net decrease in donor-restricted operating funds (excluding capital campaign activities) of approximately $0.8 million for the year ended June 30, 2024. This represents the net of $8.0 million in donorrestricted donations/grants received and $8.8 million in donor-restricted gifts whose restrictions were fulfilled during the fiscal year.

The pie charts included depict the major sources of revenue and summarize expenditures for the fiscal year just ended. Additional detail about revenue and a breakout of expenses by functional area, along with a comparison to fiscal 2023, are presented within the Statement of Activities on the next page.

Capital campaign activity for the year ended June 30, 2024

There were four capital campaigns with activity during fiscal 2024. The FFHL campaign recorded net income of approximately $12,000 as a result of the recovery of previously recognized losses on uncollectible pledges. The campaign for development of St. Joseph College Seminary chapel recorded revenue, net of campaign costs, totaling $3.9 million during the fiscal year. Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) had two campaigns in the collection phase: (1) for the Fine Arts Center at Charlotte Catholic High School and (2) for the expansion of the gymnasium and athletic facilities at Christ the King Catholic High School. The MACS campaigns recorded total revenue, net of campaign costs, of approximately $190,000 during fiscal 2024.

Results of nonoperating activities for the year ended June 30, 2024

Nonoperating activities consist of the return earned on diocesan investments. The diocese reported a gain on investments this past year of approximately $22.0 million, of which $6.7 million represents donor restrictions. During the prior fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, the diocese reported a gain on investments of approximately $14.2 million, of which $4.8 million represented donor restrictions.

Net Asset Credit for the year ended June 30, 2024

The diocese recorded an $8.4 million credit to (increase in) net assets in fiscal 2024 due to our pension and post-retirement benefit plans’ most recent

SOURCES

actuarial valuations. The primary drivers of this credit are better than expected net asset performance during the fiscal year, change in the discount rate, and funding in excess of the actuarial recommended contribution.

The cumulative charge against net assets related to our pension and postretirement benefit plans through June 30, 2024, totals approximately $0.4 million, leaving a balance in net assets without donor restrictions of approximately $229 million, of which approximately $124 million is designated for certain diocesan activities. Additionally, the accrued liability for the pension and post-retirement benefit plans was approximately $22 million at June 30, 2024.

Cash flows for the year ended June 30, 2024

Cash generated from operating activities totaled approximately $10.9 million (including $0.3 million of pledge receivables collected), which assisted in providing the funds needed for the acquisition of property and equipment, which totaled $7.5 million. The remaining resources were allocated to investments as part of our strategic approach in support of our long-term diocesan goals and initiatives.

Liquidity as of June 30, 2024

Although the pension and post-retirement benefit liabilities have a significant impact on our unrestricted net assets, they are long term in nature and do not affect our liquidity in the short term. As the Statement of Financial Position shows, cash and investments totaled $300.9 million at June 30, 2024, of which $97.1 million is invested in donor-restricted endowments, leaving a balance of $203.8 million. Receivables and other assets totaling $12.0 million are due within the coming year, resulting in liquid assets of $215.8 million. Of this amount, $124.7 million is either restricted as to use by donor stipulations or management designations or is required for FFHL and endowment distributions and grant commitments, further reducing funds available to $91.1 million. Of this amount, $64.8 million represents parish deposits held by DL Catholic, leaving a balance of $26.3 million for general operations, including payment of liabilities reported on the Statement of Financial Position at June 30, 2024.

The complete audited financial statements, including notes, are located on our website. The QR code provided here will take you to that report, or you can locate it on our website at www.charlottediocese.org/annualreport.

Matthew P. Ferrante Chief Financial Officer

INFORME DEL DIRECTOR FINANCIERO

Queridos Hermanos y Hermanas en Cristo, Gracias a la continua generosidad de los fieles, la Diócesis de Charlotte se mantiene en buena salud financiera. Para continuar con nuestro compromiso con la responsabilidad y la transparencia, les presento el Informe Financiero Anual de la Diócesis de Charlotte. En apoyo a estos esfuerzos, quiero agradecer al Consejo Financiero Diocesano, que asesora al Obispo Michael T. Martin y a todos ustedes por el apoyo que brindan a nuestras parroquias, escuelas y ministerios en toda la diócesis. El ingreso operativo neto para el año fiscal que terminó el 30 de junio de 2024 (antes de considerar las actividades de la campaña de capital) fue de $0,4 millones.

Los recursos financieros (fondos restringidos por los donantes y fondos de propósito general) gastados durante el último año fiscal se destinaron a las siguientes prioridades diocesanas:

n Programas de Caridades Católicas para nuestros vecinos necesitados, $7,9 millones;

n Adiciones y mejoras de infraestructura en nuestras escuelas regionales y diocesanas, $6,2 millones;

n Apoyo a nuestros sacerdotes jubilados, seminaristas y otros clérigos que sirven a los fieles, aproximadamente $5,2 millones;

n Formación en la fe parroquial y apoyo a nuestras 20 escuelas por parte de la Oficina de Escuelas Católicas, $2,9 millones;

n Programas pastorales multiculturales para nuestros hermanos y hermanas inmigrantes católicos, aproximadamente $1.1 millones.

Todas nuestras iniciativas dependen del buen trabajo de nuestro numeroso clero y de los laicos dedicados. Durante el año fiscal recién terminado, los salarios y beneficios de los empleados sumaron aproximadamente $67,7 millones, frente a $63,1 millones en el año fiscal 2023. Este aumento fue impulsado principalmente por el apoyo a nuestras escuelas regionales y diocesanas. Los beneficios para los empleados incluyen tres programas de seguro de salud entre los cuales los empleados pueden elegir, seguro de vida a término, numerosos beneficios opcionales pagados por los empleados, un generoso programa de tiempo libre pagado y un plan de pensiones 403(b) con contribución definida. Los empleados no temporales que trabajen al menos 1,000 horas en un año calendario reciben una contribución a su cuenta 403(b) que equivale al 5% de su salario anual. Además, reciben una aportación igual al 50% de los primeros 4% del salario que aporten a su cuenta de pensiones. Por supuesto, el corazón de la diócesis son nuestras parroquias y escuelas. Y, aunque este informe cubre las actividades financieras de muchos ministerios y entidades diocesanas, no incluye las de nuestras parroquias (y escuelas parroquiales e interparroquiales), que son entidades independientes y presentan sus informes por separado a sus feligreses.

Resultados de las actividades operativas para el año fiscal terminado el 30 de junio de 2024

Los gastos en apoyo a nuestros diversos programas de servicios (ministerios) totalizaron $77,5 millones, mientras que todos los demás gastos operativos (excluyendo los gastos de la campaña de capital) sumaron aproximadamente $44,9 millones, para un total de $122,4 millones.

Fuimos bendecidos al recibir $114,8 millones en apoyo financiero sin restricciones de los donantes (excluyendo los ingresos de la campaña de capital), y reclasificamos los ingresos restringidos por los donantes que sumaron $8,8 millones a ingresos operativos no restringidos como resultado de haber cumplido las restricciones de los donantes, para un total de $123,6 millones en ingresos sin restricciones (excluyendo los ingresos de la campaña de capital).

La diócesis registró una disminución neta de fondos operativos restringidos por los donantes (excluyendo las actividades de la campaña de capital) de aproximadamente $0,8 millones para el año terminado el 30 de junio de 2024. Esto representa el neto de $8,0 millones en donaciones/subvenciones restringidas por los donantes recibidas y 8,8 millones en obsequios restringidos por los donantes cuyas restricciones fueron cumplidas durante el año fiscal. Los gráficos circulares incluidos muestran las principales fuentes de ingresos y resumen los gastos para el año fiscal recién terminado. Información adicional sobre los ingresos y un desglose de los gastos por área funcional, junto con una comparación con el año fiscal 2023, se presentan en el Estado de Actividades en la página siguiente.

Actividades de la campaña de capital para el año fiscal terminado el 30 de junio de 2024

Hubo cuatro campañas de capital con actividad durante el año fiscal 2024. La campaña FFHL registró un ingreso neto de aproximadamente $12,000 como resultado de la recuperación de pérdidas previamente reconocidas por promesas no cobradas. La campaña para el desarrollo de la capilla del Seminario Universitario San José registró ingresos, netos de los costos de la campaña, que totalizaron $3,9 millones durante el año fiscal. Las Escuelas Católicas del Área de Mecklenburg (MACS) tuvieron dos campañas en fase de recolección: (1) para el Centro de Bellas Artes en la Escuela Secundaria Católica de Charlotte y (2) para la expansión del gimnasio y las instalaciones deportivas en la Escuela Secundaria Católica Cristo Rey. Las campañas de MACS registraron un ingreso total, neto de los costos de la campaña, de aproximadamente $190,000 durante el ejercicio fiscal 2024. Resultados de las actividades no operativas para el año fiscal terminado el 30 de junio de 2024

Las actividades no operativas consisten en el rendimiento obtenido de las inversiones

FUENTES DE INGRESOS

45% Matrículas y cuotas escolares

USOS DE NUESTROS RECURSOS

37% Educación

2% Cuotas y alquileres

2% Recaudación de fondos

4% Programas de beneficios para empleados parroquiales

18% Otras fuentes incluyendo ganancias de inversiones

16% Evaluaciones y apoyo parroquial

9% Donaciones y regalos

4% Diocesan Support Appeal

3% Campañas de capital

3% Subvenciones, contratos y premios

20% Administración Escolar

11% Otros gastos del programa

7% Pastoral

7% Servicios y apoyo administrativo

6% Depreciación

6% Servicios Sociales

de la diócesis. La diócesis reportó una ganancia en inversiones este año pasado de aproximadamente $22 millones, de los cuales $6,7 millones corresponden a restricciones de los donantes. Durante el ejercicio fiscal anterior, terminado el 30 de junio de 2023, la diócesis reportó una ganancia en inversiones de aproximadamente $14,2 millones, de los cuales $4,8 millones correspondían a restricciones de los donantes. Crédito de activos netos para el año fiscal terminado el 30 de junio de 2024

La diócesis registró un crédito de $8,4 millones (aumento de los activos netos) en el ejercicio fiscal 2024 debido a las valoraciones actuariales más recientes de nuestros planes de pensiones y beneficios post-jubilación. Los principales factores de este crédito son un mejor desempeño de los activos netos durante el año fiscal, el cambio en la tasa de descuento y la financiación por encima de la contribución recomendada por los actuarios.

El cargo acumulado contra los activos netos relacionado con nuestros planes de pensiones y beneficios post-jubilación hasta el 30 de junio de 2024 es de aproximadamente $0,4 millones, dejando un saldo de activos netos sin restricciones de aproximadamente $229 millones, de los cuales aproximadamente $124 millones están designados para ciertas actividades diocesanas. Además, la obligación acumulada por los planes de pensiones y beneficios post-jubilación fue de aproximadamente $22 millones al 30 de junio de 2024.

Flujos de efectivo para el año fiscal terminado el 30 de junio de 2024

El efectivo generado por las actividades operativas totalizó aproximadamente $10,9 millones (incluidos $0,3 millones de promesas de pago cobradas), lo que ayudó a proporcionar los fondos necesarios para la adquisición de propiedades y equipos, que sumaron $7,5 millones. Los recursos restantes se destinaron a inversiones como parte de nuestro enfoque estratégico en apoyo a nuestros objetivos e iniciativas diocesanas a largo plazo.

Liquidez al 30 de junio de 2024

Aunque las obligaciones por pensiones y beneficios post-jubilación tienen un impacto significativo en nuestros activos netos sin restricciones, son de naturaleza a largo plazo y no afectan nuestra liquidez a corto plazo. Como muestra el Estado de Situación Financiera, el efectivo y las inversiones sumaron $300,9 millones al 30 de junio de 2024, de los cuales $97,1 millones están invertidos en fondos de dotación restringidos por los donantes, dejando un saldo de $203,8 millones. Las cuentas por cobrar y otros activos que totalizan $12,0 millones deben cobrarse en el próximo año, lo que da como resultado activos líquidos de $215,8 millones. De esta cantidad, $124,7 millones están restringidos por estipulaciones de los donantes o designaciones de la administración o se requieren para distribuciones de FFHL y compromisos de subvenciones, reduciendo aún más los fondos disponibles a $91,1 millones. De esta cantidad, $64,8 millones representan depósitos parroquiales mantenidos por DL Catholic, dejando un saldo de $26,3 millones para operaciones generales, incluidos los pagos de pasivos reportados en el Estado de Situación Financiera al 30 de junio de 2024.

Los estados financieros auditados completos, incluyendo las notas, se encuentran en nuestro sitio web. El código QR proporcionado aquí lo llevará a dicho informe.

Matthew P. Ferrante Director Financiero

CATÓLICA ROMANA DE CHARLOTTE

INGRESOS Y OTRA ASISTENCIA: Matrícula y cuotas—Netas

Aportes—Apoyo Diocesano (DSA)

financieros

asistencia—Programas de DSA

donaciones y obsequios

Valuación de las parroquias:

de beneficios de empleados

parroquial para escuelas

de agencias federales y estatales

Otras subvenciones y asistencias

Honorarios por prestación de servicios

Ingresos por renta

Ingresos por intereses—Préstamos de parroquias

ingresos

GASTOS:

de ingresos y otra asistencia

Gastos de programas:

Pastorales:

Clero, vocaciones y apoyo a sacerdotes jubilados

PASIVO: Cuentas por pagar y gastos acumulados

y beneficios acumulados

de pensión y posteriores a la jubilación acumulados

Pasivos por arrendamientos

Obligaciones de custodia, anualidades y otras obligaciones

CONTINGENCIAS (Note 12)

ACTIVO NETO:

Activo neto sin restricciones de donantes: No designado 105,830,975 97,780,867

Carga a activo neto—Planes de jubilación para personal laico y sacerdotes, y plan médico para clérigos jubilados (372,949) (8,741,166)

Total del activo neto no designado sin restricciones de donantes 105,458,026 89,039,701 Designado 123,501,778 114,652,176

Total del activo neto sin restricciones de donantes 228,959,804 203,691,877

Activo neto con restricciones de donantes 87,025,695 77,430,069 Activo neto total

Programas de beneficios para empleados laicos

e inversiones parroquiales

Intereses—Obligaciones por arrendamientos

Depreciación y amortización

Recaudación de fondos 2,049,509 1,864,938 Total de gastos 122,433,966 106,652,679

VARIACIÓN DEL ACTIVO NETO ANTES DE LA CAMPAÑA DE CAPITAL Y ACTIVIDADES NO OPERATIVAS Y CARGA A ACTIVO NETO 427,092 6,138,514

ACTIVIDADES DE CAMPAÑA DE CAPITAL: Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love (FFHL): FFHL—Recuperación de pérdidas sobre aportes incobrables 35,914 23,532 FFHL—Distribuciones a las parroquias (22,996) (41,570) FFHL—Recaudación de fondos y otros gastos (1,065) (5,664)

Actividad de la campaña FFHL neta 11,853 (23,702)

Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS): MACS—Aportes 203,284 172,452 MACS—Gastos de recaudación de fondos (12,860) (9,588)

Actividad de la campaña MACS neta 190,424 162,864

St. Joseph College Seminary (SJCS): SJCS—Aportes 4,120,653 7,637,436 SJCS—Gastos de recaudación de fondos (208,410) (211,122)

Actividad neta de la campaña del SJCS 3,912,243 7,426,314

VARIACIÓN DEL ACTIVO NETO PROCEDENTE DE ACTIVIDADES OPERATIVAS 4,541,612 13,703,990 NO OPERATIVAS—Retorno neto sobre la inversión

VARIACIÓN DEL ACTIVO NETO PROCEDENTE DE ACTIVIDADES NO OPERATIVAS 21,953,724

VARIACIÓN DEL ACTIVO NETO ANTES DEL CRÉDITO A ACTIVO NETO

CRÉDITO A ACTIVO NETO—Planes de jubilación para personal laico y sacerdotes, y plan médico para clérigos jubilados 8,368,217 7,974,593 VARIACIÓN DEL ACTIVO NETO 34,863,553 35,855,930 ACTIVO NETO:

La demanda de construcción aumenta en iglesias y escuelas

El crecimiento y cambio continuó siendo la palabra clave para la Diócesis de Charlotte en el Año Fiscal 2024, reflejando un proceso continuo de transformación a través de la fe.

La diócesis se despidió del Obispo Peter Jugis, quien se retiró en mayo después de dos décadas guiando sus parroquias, escuelas y ministerios a través de un crecimiento sin precedentes, y dio la bienvenida al Obispo Michael Martin, un franciscano conventual, quien comenzó inmediatamente su “ministerio de presencia”. Al visitar las parroquias de toda la diócesis, ha visto de primera mano los desafíos del crecimiento, incluidas las congregaciones que se desbordan hacia otros ambientes o que han superado la capacidad de sus iglesias y se han trasladado a celebrar la Misa en gimnasios y salones parroquiales.

En el año que finaliza el 30 de junio de 2024, la diócesis alcanzó nuevos máximos en la población católica, las vocaciones, la matrícula escolar y las recepciones en la Iglesia. Como parte de una migración histórica de católicos hacia el sureste de los Estados Unidos, el crecimiento poblacional está impulsado en gran medida por nuevas familias hispanas y personas que se trasladan desde el noreste y medio oeste. Para acomodar el flujo de personas, las parroquias, escuelas y ministerios de la diócesis comenzaron a planificar o ejecutar más de 30 proyectos de expansión, renovación y construcción de nuevos edificios durante el año fiscal,

lo que representa una inversión total prevista por esas entidades de más de $170 millones.

“En los últimos dos años, hemos visto una increíble demanda de construcción a medida que nuestras parroquias y escuelas en todos los rincones de la diócesis buscan responder al crecimiento”, dice Emmett Sapp, director de construcción y bienes raíces de la diócesis.

“Este es un maravilloso signo de la vitalidad de la Iglesia y un testimonio que nuestras iglesias y escuelas brindan a través de la gracia de Dios”.

$170 millones

Inversión estimada en proyectos de construcción por parte de las parroquias, escuelas y ministerios en la Diócesis de Charlotte

Desde una nueva iglesia en construcción en Highlands, hasta renovaciones y ampliaciones en Statesville y Lincolnton, y la expansión de la Escuela Secundaria Cristo Rey en Huntersville, las instalaciones mejoradas ofrecerán lugares de comunión, formación, educación y adoración para un estimado de 539,000 católicos bautizados que viven en la diócesis, que abarca la mitad occidental de Carolina del Norte. El Seminario Universitario San José en Mount Holly también avanzó en la construcción de una nueva capilla durante el año, la cual podrá acoger a muchos más visitantes, así como a los seminaristas que algún día servirán a la diócesis como sacerdotes.

Los líderes diocesanos también comenzaron a evaluar opciones para establecer una nueva catedral más grande, que probablemente tendrá capacidad para hasta 2,000 personas en las liturgias diocesanas más importantes, como las ordenaciones y la Misa Crismal anual. La actual Catedral de San Patricio tiene capacidad para solo 350 personas y está entre las catedrales más pequeñas de EE. UU. Fue construida inicialmente como una iglesia parroquial y elevada al estatus de catedral para servir como sede del obispo cuando se estableció la diócesis en 1972, con solo 34,000 católicos. Sus limitaciones han obligado a la diócesis a trasladar sus liturgias más significativas, incluida la ordenación de 2024 del obispo Martín, un récord de siete sacerdotes y seis diáconos, a

Bajo la dirección del Obispo Michael Martin, la Parroquia Espíritu Santo en Denver comenzó la construcción de su nueva iglesia en 2024.

la Iglesia de San Marcos en Huntersville.

El Obispo Martin ha abrazado las oportunidades que trae el crecimiento, tanto estructurales como espirituales, recordando a los fieles el llamado de Jesús a “ir y hacer discípulos”, animando a todos en la diócesis a profundizar su compromiso con la difusión del Evangelio.

“Me llevará algún tiempo llegar a todos los muchos lugares donde el Espíritu Santo está trabajando en nuestra creciente diócesis…”, escribió el obispo en una carta a los feligreses, unas semanas después de haber sido instalado en mayo. “Una de las formas en las que pueden ayudarme es preguntándose hasta qué punto han interactuado con su comunidad de fe local”.

UNA FUERZA UNIFICADORA

Con la asistencia a la Misa en aumento y las colectas de la ofrenda superando los niveles previos a la pandemia, las iglesias, escuelas y otras instituciones de la diócesis están respondiendo tanto mejorando sus instalaciones como ampliando los ministerios.

Entre las parroquias en el año fiscal 2024, más de una docena se involucraron en un nuevo proceso de planificación pastoral, ahora requerido cada seis años para crear un plan estratégico y obtener la aprobación del obispo para cualquier construcción significativa. Entre las escuelas, siete de las 20 escuelas de la diócesis comenzaron a planificar la adición de aulas y/o la renovación de espacios, y cinco están trabajando en mejoras de las instalaciones deportivas. Los líderes escolares ahora están explorando la construcción de nuevas escuelas y mejoras adicionales en las instalaciones existentes.

Las instituciones católicas ubicadas en la diócesis también tomaron medidas para responder al crecimiento: En febrero de 2024, Belmont Abbey College anunció que había alcanzado una meta de recaudación de fondos de $100 millones para mejoras en instalaciones y programas – y que aumentaría su meta a $150 millones.

“Hemos sido inundados de llamadas de parroquias y escuelas que buscan acoger a un número creciente de personas, pero que enfrentan desafíos debido al espacio limitado”, dice Sapp, cuya oficina ofrece gestión de proyectos y otros servicios para guiar la construcción. “Es asombroso ver cómo las comunidades se unen para enfrentar estos desafíos. Los grandes proyectos de construcción pueden ser difíciles, pero también pueden ser revitalizantes y fortalecer los lazos de una comunidad unida detrás de una visión común al servicio de la misión de la Iglesia.”

para actividades y una capilla de adoración, con el fin de ofrecer más oportunidades de fe para sus números crecientes.

En Highlands, la Misión Nuestra Señora de las Montañas rompió un récord de recaudación de fondos, incluso entre las parroquias de toda la diócesis, ya que los donantes contribuyeron con más de $8,5 millones para construir una nueva iglesia. Y en Denver, la inauguración de la construcción de una nueva iglesia en Espíritu Santo fue la culminación de una década de planificación y recaudación de fondos.

Al magnificar las demandas del crecimiento, Sapp mencionó que las restricciones a la recaudación de fondos y la recesión económica durante la pandemia de COVID-19 dejaron a las iglesias y escuelas particularmente ansiosas por comenzar las mejoras en el año fiscal 2024.

En algunas comunidades, como Mount Airy, las parroquias encontraron más económico comprar edificios de iglesias existentes para renovarlos que construir una iglesia nueva. En San Marcos en Huntersville y Santa Dorotea en Lincolnton, se identificaron como la mejor opción espacios adicionales

Estadísticas Vitales

Más allá del aumento en el número de feligreses, la diócesis sigue creciendo también en diversidad. Las congregaciones hispanas están viendo un crecimiento especial; los hispanos ahora constituyen más de la mitad de la población católica de la diócesis. La congregación vietnamita en San José en Charlotte también ha superado la capacidad de su iglesia y está planeando construir una nueva, mientras que la comunidad vietnamita en Greensboro adquirió un edificio de iglesia para acomodar sus crecientes necesidades.

“Cuando tienes mucho crecimiento, uno de los desafíos es mantener a la gente unificada, especialmente cuando hay más recién llegados y diversidad de orígenes”, dice Sapp. “Un nuevo edificio de iglesia o un proyecto de renovación puede ayudar a las personas a crear lazos trabajando juntas para levantar lugares que unan a su comunidad para la adoración, la educación y la fraternidad. Esto ayuda a las personas a crecer en su fe y profundizar su relación con Jesús, inspirándolos a convertirse en discípulos que salgan y compartan la Buena Nueva del Evangelio”.

Iglesia de los Santos Ángeles, Mount Airy

Compra y renovación de una iglesia más grande

Con una iglesia que tiene una capacidad para menos de 100 personas, esta creciente congregación ha estado celebrando sus cultos en el salón parroquial durante casi 30 años, pero recientemente adquirió una iglesia existente con capacidad para 300 personas, por un costo de $235,000. Actualmente se está llevando a cabo una campaña de capital de $1,5 millones para las renovaciones.

Iglesia del Espíritu Santo, Denver

Construcción de nueva iglesia

Con una congregación que ha duplicado su tamaño en una década, llegando a 1,000 familias, las múltiples campañas y el arduo trabajo de la Iglesia del Espíritu Santo para construir una iglesia más grande finalmente se ha hecho realidad; se inició la construcción de una iglesia de $12,5 millones con capacidad para 675 personas.

Señora de las Montañas, Highlands Construcción de nueva iglesia

La congregación rompió un récord de recaudación de fondos para parroquias en toda la diócesis, ya que los donantes contribuyeron con $8,5 millones para la construcción de una nueva iglesia de $12,5 millones. Es una misión de la Iglesia de San Judas en la cercana Sapphire, que también está recaudando fondos para construir una nueva iglesia.

Construyendo para el futuro

Durante el año fiscal 2024, más de 30 parroquias, escuelas y ministerios tomaron medidas para ampliar su capacidad y acomodar el crecimiento, planificando o ejecutando proyectos de renovación y nuevas construcciones con un costo generalmente superior a $1 millón. Algunos adquirieron iglesias o edificios existentes. Se estima que la inversión total en las diversas entidades de la diócesis es de aproximadamente $170 millones.

Ángeles

Secundaria Católica de Charlotte (Charlotte)

mejoras en las instalaciones deportivas, y otras renovaciones

Cristo Rey (Huntersville)

mejoras en las instalaciones deportivas y

renovaciones

La parroquia no puede acomodar todas sus actividades por lo cual está construyendo una instalación de usos múltiples de 12,000 pies cuadrados para grandes reuniones, encuentros, una cocina y deportes. Actualmente se está llevando a cabo una campaña para recaudar $2 millones, que se sumarán a los $2,5 millones en ahorros y financiamiento que cubrirán el costo del proyecto de $6 millones.

San José está planeando construir una iglesia para acomodar a 1,000 personas y renovar su iglesia actual para clases de formación en la fe, reuniones y eventos comunitarios. Se estima que el costo del proyecto superará los $15 millones. La iglesia es conocida por sus Estaciones de la Cruz y su celebración anual del "Tet".

Una escuela que comenzó con 35 estudiantes en 2011 ha crecido a 450 estudiantes y pronto iniciará una expansión y renovación de $12 millones, aumentando su capacidad a 650 estudiantes con más aulas y espacio para actividades. Actualmente se está llevando a cabo una campaña de capital para mejorar las instalaciones deportivas.

La diócesis está evaluando opciones para establecer una nueva catedral más grande, con capacidad para hasta 2,000 personas.

Diócesis de Charlotte

San Pedro, la Catedral de San Patricio y la Basílica de San Lorenzo han sido sometidos a renovaciones o ha recibido aprobación para llevar a cabo renovaciones con el fin de preservar estas propiedades históricas para las generaciones futuras.

Con el crecimiento de las vocaciones, las siguientes iglesias están construyendo, renovando o comprando casas existentes para usarlas como residencias para sus sacerdotes:

Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Charlotte)

Sagrado Corazón (Salisbury)

San Juan Evangelista (Waynesville)

San José (Charlotte)

San Leo (Winston-Salem)

Santa Margarita de Escocia (Maggie Valley)

San Marcos (Huntersville)

Catedral de San Patricio (Charlotte)

Santo Tomás de Aquino (Charlotte)

La Inmaculada Concepción (Hendersonville)

una residencia en su propiedad para el uso de las hermanas misioneras laicas de la Asociación Madre de la Vida, quienes están trabajando en la escuela y la parroquia.

Lincolnton Denver

San Bernabé, Arden Edificio de usos múltiples 7

Escuela Secundaria Cristo Rey, Huntersville Aulas adicionales, renovaciones 21

San José, Charlotte Construcción de nueva iglesia 10

renovó

MINISTERIO PASTORAL

Formando discípulos, alcanzando más personas

En el corazón de la Iglesia están su pueblo, y su misión es proporcionarles orientación espiritual, enseñanza y consuelo para profundizar su relación con Jesús y compartir las Buenas Nuevas con los demás. La población católica de la diócesis alcanzó las 539,000 personas en 2024, con un récord de 1,104 personas que fueron bienvenidas en la fe. Para servir al Pueblo de Dios, la diócesis cuenta con el apoyo de 139 sacerdotes activos y jubilados, 101 diáconos permanentes activos, 82 religiosas, 2,576 empleados y un sinnúmero de voluntarios. Los signos de crecimiento se reflejan en la vida de la Iglesia local y en los numerosos ministerios que sirven a nuestra comunidad cada vez más diversa.

FOMENTANDO LAS

VOCACIONES

El programa de vocaciones de la diócesis está prosperando, casi triplicándose de 16 seminaristas en 2016 a 46 este año. Siete seminaristas fueron ordenados sacerdotes diocesanos en junio de 2024, y otros seis se convirtieron en diáconos, continuando su formación hacia la ordenación sacerdotal en 2025. Nueve jóvenes fueron aceptados en el Seminario Universitario San José en Mount Holly para el año 2024-2025, lo que eleva a 20 el número total de seminaristas universitarios que están discerniendo su llamado al sacerdocio cerca de casa mientras asisten al cercano Belmont Abbey College. Casi 300 jóvenes asistieron a los campamentos de vocaciones en junio, incluidos un nuevo retiro de un día para mujeres jóvenes llamado “Talitha Koum.”

Este crecimiento está impulsado por un énfasis continuo en la conciencia vocacional y la formación de seminaristas, con el Padre Brian Becker, promotor diocesano de vocaciones, también nombrado director de la nueva etapa Propedéutica, o Primer Año, de la Formación en el Seminario Universitario San José. En enero de 2024, la diócesis aceptó formalmente a 16 hombres en el Programa de Diáconos Permanentes, una de las clases de ingreso más grandes en los últimos años. Después de una formación adicional, serán considerados para la ordenación como diáconos en 2027.

7

Sacerdotes ordenados

ALCANZANDO A MÁS

La diócesis dedicó más recursos y esfuerzos pastorales para servir a diversos grupos de la Iglesia local. La misión del Ministerio Hispano continuó creciendo significativamente en el año fiscal 2024, con la mitad de la población de la diócesis ahora de origen hispano. Sirviendo a esta comunidad de un cuarto de millón de personas están el clero y coordinadores a tiempo completo en los 10 vicariatos, proporcionando cuidado espiritual, formación de fe y alcance. Dedicarán su tiempo al ministerio pastoral, formación de fe, actividades caritativas y otro tipo de apoyo: guiando a grupos apostólicos de habla hispana como Cursillo

46

Seminaristas matriculados

En el ejercicio fiscal 2024

Mujeres de 17 comunidades religiosas continuaron ministrando a algunos de los más pobres y vulnerables entre nosotros, incluyendo a los enfermos y discapacitados, personas mayores, mujeres embarazadas sin hogar, aquellas que huyen de la violencia doméstica, personas con SIDA, y migrantes y refugiados.

y Emaús con conferencias, retiros y talleres que el año pasado atrajeron a 9,700 personas; ofreciendo los Ejercicios Espirituales (Retiro de Silencio de 3 días) a más de 400 personas; y organizando talleres educativos, clases y retiros que alcanzaron a más de 6,000 personas. El Ministerio Hispano también hizo hincapié en una mayor labor con jóvenes y jóvenes adultos, enviando a jóvenes para formación de liderazgo en el Instituto Pastoral del Sureste (SEPI), promoviendo el Congreso Eucarístico y organizando un retiro de Semana Santa para más de 200 jóvenes adultos en el Centro de Retiros

16

Hombres en Diaconado Permanente

Table Rock en Pickens, Carolina del Sur, dirigido por el vicario del Ministerio Hispano, Padre Julio Domínguez. El compromiso con los jóvenes también aumentó a través de la Oficina de Ministerios Juveniles de la diócesis, que patrocinó eventos diocesanos, incluida la 47ª Conferencia Anual Diocesana de Jóvenes en abril, que atrajo un récord de 200 adolescentes, y lanzó consejos asesores juveniles en los vicariatos de Asheville, Smoky Mountain, Greensboro y Winston-Salem. El obispo entrante, Michael Martin, puso a los jóvenes como una de sus prioridades desde el principio, visitando la Escuela Secundaria Católica de Charlotte como una de sus primeras paradas en la diócesis y diseñando un servicio especial de oración y adoración para jóvenes adultos como el primer evento de sus festividades de ordenación de tres días en mayo. Con una formación en educación católica a nivel de secundaria y universidad, el obispo ha hecho del acercamiento a los jóvenes uno de los pilares de su ministerio. El Ministerio de Asuntos Afroamericanos vio una participación creciente en programas para fomentar la identidad católica negra. Un Día de Reflexión diocesano abordó los problemas católicos negros antes del Congreso Nacional Católico Negro de 2024, donde la delegación de la diócesis se conectó con más de 2,500 católicos negros a nivel nacional. La experiencia está informando el desarrollo de un nuevo plan pastoral quinquenal para abordar las necesidades espirituales de los católicos negros en la diócesis.

Otro esfuerzo de alcance en la comunidad católica

Siete hombres fueron ordenados sacerdotes para la Diócesis de Charlotte en 2024. Se espera que otros seis sean ordenados en 2025.

negra en 2023 fue la inauguración de un capítulo en Charlotte de los Caballeros de San Pedro Claver, con sede en la Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Consolación. El Ministerio Vietnamita continúa floreciendo, con comunidades en expansión en Charlotte y Greensboro. En Charlotte, la Iglesia Católica Vietnamita St. Joseph planea construir una nueva iglesia, mientras que la comunidad vietnamita de Greensboro compró una iglesia para su nueva Misión Vietnamita de la Sagrada Familia. A dos años de su fundación, la Oficina de Vida Familiar de la diócesis amplió sus esfuerzos para fortalecer los matrimonios, apoyar a las familias y promover el respeto por la vida en todas sus etapas. En 2024, alcanzó a cientos de personas a través de su conferencia de enriquecimiento matrimonial, talleres de preparación matrimonial y marchas pro-vida. La oficina también agregó más talleres bilingües de Planificación Familiar Natural, promovió la educación para madres e hijas adolescentes y apoyó a los profesionales de la salud católicos, organizando su quinta conferencia anual de salud en Charlotte. También ofreció una Misa de Consolación para padres que están de luto por la pérdida de un hijo, el primero de un evento anual planeado. Con la orientación de la Oficina de Vida Familiar, otras ocho parroquias lanzaron el alcance “Caminando con las Mamás Necesitadas” para ayudar a madres embarazadas y en crianza, elevando el total a 17. La oficina también amplió la participación en marchas locales, estatales y nacionales por la vida. El programa Ministerio del Anciano de Caridades

Católicas reunió a casi 200 personas mayores de 15 parroquias para el 36º evento anual de Fiesta de Primavera del Ministerio del Adulto Mayor, con otros 700 participando en programas educativos y sociales en toda la diócesis o online.

La diócesis avanzó en un esfuerzo de tres años para asumir la supervisión de la comunidad de retiro Pennybyrn a solicitud de las Hermanas de los Pobres Servidoras de la Madre de Dios, que fundaron Pennybyrn en 1947. El Padre Steve Hoyt fue nombrado capellán en julio de 2023, y la transferencia gradual de patrocinio concluirá en 2025 cuando las hermanas se retiren.

La diócesis lanzó capítulos de Courage y EnCourage para servir a personas con atracción por el mismo sexo y sus familias.

La diócesis también dio la bienvenida a sacerdotes para servir a las pequeñas pero crecientes comunidades católicas de habla francesa y eritrea de Charlotte, y renovó su colaboración con la Diócesis de Buea, Camerún.

El número de casos de nulidad del Tribunal aumentó significativamente en el año fiscal 2024. Para gestionar los casos de manera eficiente y compasiva, el Tribunal lanzó un sistema de gestión de casos en línea y continuó expandiendo su red de defensores parroquiales. Ahora cada parroquia cuenta con un defensor de nulidad que acompaña y asiste a las personas durante el proceso, a veces complejo, de nulidad.

El alcance a los encarcelados también recibió un enfoque renovado, llevando esperanza, amor y la misericordia de Jesús. Los equipos parroquiales

brindaron orientación espiritual en 12 centros de detención alrededor de la diócesis y organizaron cadenas de oración y retiros, como el retiro de Residents Encounter Christ en el Centro Correccional Mountain View en agosto. El poderoso retiro de fin de semana para 36 reclusos incluyó charlas y oraciones católicas, así como los sacramentos de la confesión y la misa.

ESCUCHANDO Y

CONECTANDO

La Iglesia continuó involucrándose con las personas en un diálogo de varios años sobre la unidad, el compromiso y el alcance misionero, como parte del Sínodo sobre la Sinodalidad del Papa Francisco, titulado “Por una Iglesia Sinodal: Comunión, Participación y Misión.” En 2024, el Obispo Martín siguió el ejemplo de su predecesor al apoyar el trabajo del Sínodo, instando a todos a abrazar el esfuerzo mundial y orar por la guía del Espíritu Santo para construir una Iglesia que se extienda inclusivamente a todos.

La diócesis también trabajó para elevar su alcance en comunicaciones y contar las historias de la Iglesia local, llegando a nuevas audiencias digitales, interactuando con los medios de comunicación locales y entregando noticias e información a través de su sitio web galardonado y el Catholic News Herald a decenas de miles de personas, buscando inspirarlos a convertirse en discípulos y compartir el mensaje del Evangelio en todo el oeste de Carolina del Norte.

Colecta

Respondiendo a la necesidad CARIDAD

Aceptando el llamado de Dios para servir a los que viven en la periferia, personas de toda la diócesis respondieron, donando tiempo, talento y bienes para ayudar a Caridades Católicas de la Diócesis de Charlotte a servir a un número récord de 24,165 personas necesitadas durante el Año Fiscal 2024.

Se asignaron casi $8 millones para los programas de servicios sociales de Caridades Católicas, que llegaron a más de 1,000 personas en comparación con el año anterior, brindando una variedad de servicios a través de siete oficinas en la mitad occidental de Carolina del Norte. Estos esfuerzos no incluyen la amplia labor caritativa de las parroquias individuales, que van desde despensas de alimentos y colectas de pañales hasta grandes iniciativas como la campaña anual de San Mateo para alimentar a los hambrientos en Haití.

Caridades Católicas vio aumentos significativos en la asistencia y reasentamiento de refugiados durante el año fiscal 2024, trabajando con el gobierno de EE. UU. para ayudar a quienes huían de la guerra en Ucrania y otros conflictos, a comenzar nuevas vidas en Charlotte o Asheville. También sirvió a más veteranos que experimentaban falta de vivienda, así como a familias que necesitaban ayuda para enterrar a sus seres queridos fallecidos. En un año marcado por una inflación significativa, la agencia vio un aumento en la cantidad de personas que acudieron a sus despensas de alimentos y proporcionó más pañales, ropa y asistencia directa en efectivo para ayudar a los clientes a pagar el alquiler y los servicios públicos.

Caridades Católicas abrió su séptima ubicación en North Wilkesboro. Al comenzar el Año Fiscal 2025, la agencia también abrió una octava sede de alcance en Salisbury y en octubre, comenzó a aumentar el personal y los servicios para atender a quienes fueron afectados por la devastadora destrucción de la Tormenta Tropical Helene.

16,693 101

Proporcionó apoyo financiero a 199 familias para enterrar a sus seres queridos fallecidos 5%

24,165 Caridades Católicas personas atendidas

543 personas recibieron alimentos en 3 despensas veteranos sin hogar recibieron vivienda estable refugiados reasentados en la diócesis a través del gobierno de los EE. UU.

CARIDADES CATÓLICAS DE LA DIÓCESIS DE CHARLOTTE

EDUCACIÓN Y CATEQUESIS

Enseñando a los jóvenes, compartiendo la fe

Al abrazar la enseñanza de la fe católica como una responsabilidad colectiva, el trabajo del Vicariato de Educación y la Oficina de Escuelas Católicas es fundamental para nuestra misión de formar e inspirar discípulos que difundan las Buenas Nuevas del Evangelio.

Desde las escuelas y programas de formación en la fe, hasta los ministerios en los campus y los ministerios de jóvenes, pasando por los programas de verano y la formación de catequistas, estas iniciativas llegaron a más personas que nunca en el Año Fiscal 2024.

ESCUELAS: Las 20 escuelas de la diócesis registraron su tercer año consecutivo de matrícula récord con 8,300 estudiantes, lo que representa un aumento del 21 por ciento desde 2020, un incremento que los líderes escolares dicen refleja un reconocimiento creciente del valor de la educación católica. Para acomodar la afluencia de estudiantes, la diócesis está explorando la construcción de nuevas escuelas y mejoras en las instalaciones existentes. Las escuelas también adoptaron un programa de mejora curricular de varios años que incluye nuevos libros de texto, estándares de religión y formación en virtudes, todo basado en una educación académica rigurosa y una identidad católica.

CONGRESO EUCARÍSTICO: En agosto, el 20º Congreso Eucarístico anual ofreció más actividades que en años anteriores, incluyendo la primera aparición del obispo Michael Martin, quien celebró la Misa de clausura. Con adoración y Misa, oradores inspiradores, conciertos de alabanza y adoración, una obra de teatro y una película. El evento atrajo a más de 10,000 personas de todo el oeste de Carolina del Norte al Centro de Convenciones de Charlotte. Además, incluyó una de las procesiones eucarísticas más grandes del país, a través de las calles del centro de Charlotte.

FORMACIÓN EN LA FE: Más de 38,000 niños y adultos participaron en la educación religiosa en la diócesis en el Año Fiscal 2024, lo que es un testimonio del liderazgo parroquial y el alcance, con un récord de 1,104 personas uniéndose a la Iglesia.

Para “enseñar a los maestros,” la diócesis lanzó una nueva colaboración con el Instituto Catequético de la Universidad Franciscana para proporcionar formación continua en el ministerio a más de 700 catequistas encargados de transmitir la fe. La Conferencia Catequética Diocesana anual reunió a más de 500 catequistas para su desarrollo profesional, oración y compañerismo.

MINISTERIO JUVENIL: Cientos de familias se reunieron para vivir la fe y divertirse en una variedad de eventos, desde un curso de cuerdas en Greensboro, hasta un parque de trampolines en Asheville, pasando por el Día Familiar Católico en Carowinds, donde el obispo Michael Martin celebró la Misa y luego subió a la montaña rusa Thunder Striker con los niños.

La Peregrinación Juvenil del Obispo en marzo reunió a más de 800 estudiantes de secundaria y preparatoria para el evento anual organizado por el Belmont Abbey College. Además, la diócesis amplió su programa de verano “Totus Tuus” en 2024 a 18 parroquias, donde 1,800 estudiantes participaron en el campamento diurno de fe y diversión durante una semana.

En el Ministerio Universitario, 400 estudiantes universitarios asistieron regularmente a las Misas dominicales como parte de los programas de la diócesis en las universidades de Davidson, High Point, UNC-Greensboro, Wake Forest y Western Carolina. Al menos 22 estudiantes recibieron sacramentos para unirse a la Iglesia.

Practicando una buena corresponsabilidad

El pueblo de la diócesis continuó brindando un generoso apoyo financiero para asegurar que el trabajo de nuestras parroquias, escuelas y ministerios continúe.

Las colectas parroquiales durante el Año Fiscal 2024 aumentaron un 5,7 por ciento en comparación con el año anterior y un 20 por ciento por encima de los niveles prepandemia.

Además, los ministerios diocesanos recibieron 344 donaciones de $5,000 o más –casi una por día – y 89 donaciones de $25,000 o más. Y a partir de junio de 2024, 1,740 personas en la diócesis indicaron que han incluido o incluirán a la Iglesia en sus planes de sucesión.

La diócesis alcanzó otro hito a principios de 2024: recibió su 50º donación de $1 millón o más.

La diócesis sumó 25 fondos permanentes en el Año Fiscal 2024, lo que eleva el total a 367, con más de $97 millones en activos. Administrados a través de la Fundación de la Diócesis de Charlotte, estos fondos apoyan a las parroquias, escuelas, Caridades Católicas, la jubilación de sacerdotes, la educación de seminaristas y

programas de alcance. Las distribuciones realizadas por la fundación para financiar diversas obras de caridad totalizaron $2,6 millones en el Año Fiscal 2024 y $17,5 millones desde que se estableció la fundación en 1994.

Además, la Campaña Anual de Apoyo Diocesano (DSA, por sus siglas en inglés) permitió a la diócesis brindar consuelo a los necesitados en toda nuestra diócesis. Las donaciones a la campaña de 2023 totalizaron $6,8 millones de más de 13,360 donantes, apoyando más de 50 ministerios y programas, incluidos la educación de seminaristas, Caridades Católicas, programas educativos, el diaconado permanente, ministerios multiculturales y el Congreso Eucarístico.

El donativo promedio entre los hogares contribuyentes fue de $529, un aumento con respecto a los $476 en 2022. El 82 por ciento de las parroquias y misiones alcanzaron o superaron su meta para la campaña.

LA FUNDACIÓN DE LA DIÓCESIS CATÓLICA ROMANA DE

La DSA es uno de los cinco fondos anuales que apoyan a la Iglesia local. Otros ayudan a financiar la jubilación de sacerdotes (casi $1,3 millones), la educación continua de los sacerdotes y la educación de seminaristas (un total combinado de $1,7 millones), las escuelas católicas ($3,6 millones) y Caridades Católicas (casi $2,1 millones).

Lanzada hace una década, la campaña “Avanzar en la fe, la esperanza y el amor” de la diócesis también sigue teniendo un impacto. Siete fondos creados con la campaña han distribuido $1,8 millones para beneficiar al Ministerio Universitario, Caridades Católicas, formación en la fe, ministerios multiculturales, apoyo a parroquias/ misiones, asistencia para matrícula y vocaciones/seminaristas.

“En nuestro trabajo de mayordomía, nos enfocamos en la conexión, el compromiso y la gratitud”, señala Jim Kelley, director de desarrollo diocesano. “La mayordomía se trata de ayudar a las personas a conectarse más con Cristo y comprometerse más con su parroquia y con la diócesis. Cuando las personas están más comprometidas con su fe, desean responder con gratitud por todas las bendiciones que han recibido de Dios.”

Un número récord de 10,000 personas participaron en el Congreso Eucarístico de 2024, el vigésimo evento anual de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

CAPITAL HUMANO

Impulsando la misión

El discipulado – permitiendo que el amor de Cristo nos transforme para que podamos compartir Su amor con los demás – continuó caracterizando los esfuerzos de 2,576 empleados a tiempo completo y a medio tiempo en nuestras parroquias, escuelas, ministerios y oficinas, quienes brindan apoyo donde sea necesario en la diócesis. La diócesis mantuvo su enfoque en los esfuerzos para atraer y retener talento diverso que ayude a llevar a cabo nuestra misión evangelizadora, aumentando el beneficio del seguro de vida pagado por la diócesis, invirtiendo en una nueva política de licencia parental remunerada y ampliando el tiempo de licencia por embarazo. La Oficina de Recursos Humanos de la diócesis también lanzó una línea telefónica de enfermería, con el fin de reportar y responder a lesiones y enfermedades relacionadas con el trabajo que no amenacen la vida.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT | AMBIENTE SEGURO

Protecting God’s children Protegiendo a los niños de Dios

In 2002, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The Charter addressed the issue of child sexual abuse by Church personnel and established steps that every diocese must take to ensure that children are protected from the dangers of abuse.

The Diocese of Charlotte takes the Charter’s mandate very seriously and continues its efforts to protect all children and vulnerable adults. The cornerstones of our Safe Environment program are our comprehensive policies, continuing education programs and mandatory background screening processes. Our policies include a Code of Ethics and a Policy Regarding Sexual Misconduct by Church Personnel, which conform to the standards of the Charter. All clergy, religious, lay employees and volunteers must adhere to the provisions of these policies.

During the past fiscal year, 6,290 diocesan personnel completed our updated safe environment educational awareness program and 6,991 criminal background checks were completed. The diocese also passed a Safe Environment audit in FY 2024, conducted by Stonebridge Business Partners in partnership with the USCCB.

The diocese maintains a list of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of children since the diocese was established in 1972. That information is available to the public and updated as necessary online at www.accountability. charlottediocese.org.

The diocese also supports an independent hotline for the reporting of sexual abuse and misconduct. Reports can be made anonymously anytime by phone or online through a web portal, in many different languages.

These activities represent a significant financial commitment on the part of the diocese. The cost of the various programs and measures outlined herein totaled $219,009 during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. The diocese also provided $4,500 in medical and counseling services for historical abuse victims. The diocese incurred legal fees of $353,374 in connection with sexual misconduct claims. As in the past, none of these funds came from parishioner donations.

En2002, la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos emitió la Carta para la Protección de los Niños y Jóvenes. La Carta abordó el tema del abuso sexual infantil por parte del personal de la Iglesia y estableció los pasos que cada diócesis debe seguir para garantizar que los niños estén protegidos de los peligros del abuso.

La Diócesis de Charlotte toma el mandato de la Carta muy en serio y continúa sus esfuerzos para proteger a todos los niños y adultos vulnerables. Los pilares de nuestro programa de Entorno Seguro son nuestras políticas integrales, programas de educación continua y procesos obligatorios de verificación de antecedentes. Nuestras políticas incluyen un Código de Ética y una Política sobre la Conducta Sexual Inapropiada por parte del Personal de la Iglesia, que se ajustan a los estándares de la Carta. Todo el clero, el personal religioso, los empleados laicos y los voluntarios deben adherirse a las disposiciones de estas políticas.

The diocese remains committed to the protection of those in our care and continues to deepen efforts to engage everyone in providing a safe environment.

6,290

People who completed Safe Environment training Personas que completaron la capacitación de Ambiente Seguro

Durante el último año fiscal, 6,290 miembros del personal diocesano completaron nuestro programa actualizado de concientización sobre un entorno seguro y se completaron 6,991 verificaciones de antecedentes penales. La diócesis también aprobó una auditoría de Entorno Seguro en el año fiscal 2024, realizada por Stonebridge Business Partners en colaboración con la USCCB.

La diócesis mantiene una lista de clérigos que han sido acusados de manera creíble de abuso sexual infantil desde que se estableció la diócesis en 1972. Esa información está disponible al público y se actualiza según sea necesario online en www. accountability.charlottediocese.org.

La diócesis también apoya una línea directa independiente para la denuncia de abuso sexual y conducta inapropiada. Los informes pueden realizarse de forma anónima en cualquier momento por teléfono o en línea a través de un portal web, en varios idiomas.

Estas actividades representan un compromiso financiero significativo por parte de la diócesis. El costo de los diversos programas y medidas aquí descritos ascendió a $219,009 durante el año fiscal que terminó el 30 de junio de 2024. La diócesis también proporcionó $4,500 en servicios médicos y de consejería para las víctimas de abusos históricos. La diócesis incurrió en honorarios legales por $353,374 en relación con reclamaciones de conducta sexual inapropiada. Como en el pasado, ninguno de estos fondos provino de donaciones de los feligreses.

La diócesis sigue comprometida con la protección de aquellos bajo su cuidado y continúa profundizando sus esfuerzos para involucrar a todos en la provisión de un entorno seguro.

$219,009

Amount invested in Safe Environment programs Monto invertido en programas de Ambiente Seguro