Feb 12, 1999

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f!Oi.i33no3 aw

February

Volume

8

r

NEWS

1999

12,

Number 23

Serving Catholics

Inside

& in

HERALD

Western North Carolina

in

the Diocese of Charlotte

Lent is time for sharing God's gifts,

Catholic

says pope; projects announced

leaders

remember

By CINDY WOODEN News Service ReVATICAN CITY (CNS) sponding to the love of God the Father and his abundant gifts, Christians should make Lent a time of sharing those gifts with others, Pope John Catholic

King Hussein ...Page

16

Paul

—

II said.

"If we live

Lent with our eyes fixed on the Father, it becomes a unique time of charity, manifested in our works of spiritual and corporal mercy," the pope said in his annual message for

Witnessing to the

Gospel at

Lent.

work ...Page

Flight attendant

7

"Cor

on cloud

Unum" announced

ceses in

...Page

12

News Catechists

commit to

Oceania to fund "100 Projects of the Holy Father" during 1999. The projects range from literacy programs to housing for the elderly.

In addition. Catholic charity and development agencies have joined the program with projects and financing worth $17.6 million.

The agency-related projects include two worth $4 million each: construction of a seminary in Albania and construction of housing for displaced people in areas of the former Yugosla-

"If

formation

15

we live

Lent

with our eyes fixed

on the Father, t

becomes a unique time of charity

via.

ongoing

...Page

it had colfrom some 200 dioNorth America, Europe and

lected $2.8 million

nine after papal flight

Local

The theme of the pope's 1999 message for Lent, which begins Feb. 1 7 for Latin-rite Catholics, is "The Lord Will Prepare a Banquet for All Peoples."

Releasing the message Jan. 19 at the Vatican, the Pontifical Council

manifested

Although originally conceived as a program with 100 specific projects, requests and offers for funding expanded the program to 223 projects, said Msgr. Frank Dewane, an official at

spiritual

in

our

and

corporal works of mercy."

"Cor Unum."

Participating agencies include the

Cardinal Arinze to N.C.

in

visit

'99 ...Page

3

Campaign

for

development agency, Msgr.

Dewane said. ops'

tvcry Week Editorials

& Columns ...Pages

4-5

Entertainment .Pages

10-11

Faith Alive!

In addition, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia joined the agency side of the program with proposals and funding for a parish nurse project and for a

home

for

women

with

HIV/AIDS.

During Lent, Pope John Paul said message, "Our thoughts go especially to those excluded from the banin his

quet of everyday consumerism." ...Pages

8-9

Individual and

Pope John

Paiii I!

Human

Development, the U.S. bishops' domestic anti-poverty program; Catholic Relief Services, their international relief and development agency; and the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, the Canadian bishCatholic

communal

acts of

Photo by Joann Keane

charity and organized efforts on a so-

and

needed to help "all those who have no share in the material benefits which progress has brought," the pope said.

"There are situations of persistent misery which cannot but impinge upon the conscience of Christians, reminding them of their duty to address these situations both as individuals and as a community," he said.

Pope John Paul also called on international institutions and national governments to "undertake brave plans and projects to ensure a more just sharing of the goods of the earth." cial

political level are

The Lord's promise to prepare a banquet for all peoples is ultimately a promise of union in heaven with God the Father and with all peoples, the pope said.

In addition to sharing material blessings, he said, Christians must share the hope they draw from God's promise.

"Those who are lonely, those on the margins of society, the hungry, the

victims of violence, those who have no hope must be able to experience, in the

church's loving care, the tenderness of

SHARING GOD'S

GIFTS, page 3

The Catholic News & Herald

2

Ihe World

February 12, 1999

Brief

in

mg

Black Catholics urged to celebrate their heritage, faith YORK (CNS) Father

Indian prime minister fasts, appeals for harmony and tolerance NEW DELHI, India (CNS) Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari

—

NEW

—

Giles A. Conwill called on participants

Mass commemorating February as Black History Month to celebrate their in a

black heritage and their Catholic

Vajpayee fasted on the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's death to appeal for

faith.

"The first thing I'm going to do when I get to heaven is thank God for making me black and for making me Catholic,"

communal harmony and

at St.

In a nationwide broadcast, Vajpayee decried "terrorism that continues to claim innocent lives" and condemned

New

York. The event also marked the 10th annual National Day of Prayer for the AfricanAmerican Family.

Patrick's Cathedral in

attacks on nuns, the burning of churches and the recent killing of an Australian missionary and his two

New nuncio to Canada has experience in trouble spots

CNS

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope

John Paul

appointed a diplomat with experience in troubled countries such as Haiti and Colombia, along with parts of Europe, Africa and Asia, to be his representative in Canada. Italian II

Archbishop Paolo Romeo, 60, was named nuncio to Canada Feb. 5. He had been serving as nuncio to Colombia since 1990. After studying canon law, he entered the diplomatic service

1967 and worked in the Philippines, Belgium, Venezuela and Rwanda and in the Vatican Secretariat of State.

Vatican to launch Web site in

dedicated to jubilee year

VATICAN CITY grims planning

—

(CNS)

a trip to

Rome

for the

jubilee year can pay a virtual visit

and even make arrangements

Pil-

first,

for their

with a new Vatican Internet site dedicated to the year 2000. The site, stay,

which goes on

22 at

Feb.

line

www.Jubil2000.org, offers plenty of

how

practical information, such as

to

get from the airport to St. Peter's Square, as well as city maps, descriptions of special events and the opening hours of the major basilicas. It also is full of facts on liturgy, history and practices related to the Holy Year.

Bishops discuss S. African

seminaries TOWN, South Africa

CAPE (CNS)

—

South African seminaries

PHOTO BY Josip Stilinovic

sons.

Croatian march

trict

parish helps Haitian village get water pipeline WEBSTER, Mass.(CNS) Parishioners of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church are hoping that their outpouring of support in Webster will trans-

tice

late into

tJ.S.

Croatian religious march in candlelit procession from the Franciscan church to the cathedral of Zagreb Feb. 2 to mark the World Day for Consecrated Life. will maintain connections and "support each other," the region's bishops said after Cape Town's archbishop decided to create a local seminary. Bishops' conference representatives met staff of South Africa's three seminaries Jan. 27 to "find a way forward," said a Ja;n. 29 statement from the conference.

At

John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria, former seminarians who St.

asked not to be named have made allegations of excessive drinking, womanizing and racism. "Allegations by former seminarians of misbehavior at our seminaries formed part of the discussion," the bishops said in their statement.

—

attorneys to Supreme Court JusAntonin Scalia, whom she mentioned by name. But the tide started turning, she said, with the effort in

1996 to commute the death sentence of Joseph O'Dell III of Virginia, whose cause was taken up by Italian citizens and politicians.

Professor suggests policy shift

from welfare to working poor CHEVY CHASE, Md. (CNS)

—

If

and state rules are getting people off welfare, then the

changes

in federal

public policy debate should shift to the

working poor, a Harvard University professor suggested Feb. 1 at a welfare policy conference. Mary Jo Bane, a

Church closing 'loophole' allowing capital punishment, nun says WASHINGTON (CNS) The

professor of public policy and manage-

"loophole" in Catholic teaching that

have dropped by 43 percent according

—

permits capital punishment is slowly closing, according to Sister Helen Prejean, who wrote the book "Dead Man Walking." In a Feb. 2 adstill

ment at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, noted that welfare rolls to

some estimates

since the

new

fed-

law took effect in 1996, but the poverty rate for female-headed households with children dropped only

eral welfare

dress in the crypt level of the U.S.

three percentage points in the past two

Capitol, Sister Prejean said that "people had loopholes a mile wide if they wanted to quote Catholic teaching on the death penalty" from dis-

years.

—

"These workers are very vulnerat the next recession," Bane said, "and they're still poor. We have turned the welfare poor into the workable

& H £

R

A

Bishop JVilliam G. Curlin will take part in thefollowing events:

February 12, 1999

Volume

8

Number 23

•

Most Reverend William G. Curlin Joann S, Keane

Publisher: Editor:

February 14

Associate Editor: Jimmy Rostar

Confirmation

Hispanic Editor: Luis Wolf

St.

Andrew

the Apostle,

Mars

Hill

Production Associate: Julie Radcliffe

Mail:

RO. Box 37267,

Charlotte,

Charlotte,

am Mass Andrew the Apostle, Mars

St.

NC 28203 NC 28237

Hill

February 18

E-mail: catholicnews@charlottediocese.org

Diocesan Foundation Board meeting

The Catholic News & Herald, the St.,

Roman

USPC 007-393,

is

published by

Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Churcii

Charlotte,

NC

28203, 44 times a year, weekly except

for

Christmas week and Easter week and every two weeks during June, July and August

for $1

of

5 per year for enrollees

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Roman

in

parishes

all

— 3:30 pm

Rite of Election St.

Lawrence

Basilica, Asheville

POSTMASTER:

Send address The Catholic News & Herald, P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237. The Catholic News & Herald\s corrections to

responsible

for

unsolicited

manuscripts and photographs.

—

other

Second-class postage NC and other cities.

paid at Charlotte

not

February 20

February 21 11 am Mass, First Sunday of Lent St.

Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

collected as

Donach, a member of the Sisters of Holy Family of Nazareth.

Italian Elvis Presley fan promotes rocker's beatification VATICAN CITY (CNS) For at least one Elvis Presley fan, the late rocker deserves a better title than "The ter

—

How

about "Blessed"? Carlo launched a campaign to have the man who sang "Burning Love" and "Devil in Disguise" beatified, with an eye toward eventual sainthood. But a Vatican official said the fact that Presley was not Catholic King."

Carletti, 48, has

makes

beatification impossible.

— A charismatic

celebrated today at

— The

Catholic As-

St.

Patrick

home-

school support group, meets today for a Lenten potluck supper at 6:30 p.m. in Laurentine Hall of the Basilica of St. Lawrence. For details, call Denise Vish at (828)

645-6990, or Sheryl Oligny at

Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Rd. East, at

(828) 298-0336.

4 p.m. Prayer teams are available at 3 p.m. For further information, call Josie

The Story of a Soul," a live drama

527-4676.

chocolate lovers," featuring a variety of

today from 2-4 p.m. in Charles Borromeo Church, 728 W. Union St., Cost is $ 10 per person. For details, call (828) 437-3108.

Murray

Catholic Diocese of

Charlotte and $1 8 per year for

subscribers.

is

catered desserts,

Phone: (704) 370-3333 FAX: (704) 370-3382

amount

of Feb. 2 was $6,110. Since 1995, Sacred Heart has been twinned with St. Anne's Parish in Chardionnier in the Haitian Diocese of Les Cayes, said Sis-

19 ASHEVILLE

MORGANTON — A "Valentine tea for

11:30

Secretary: Jane Glodowski St.,

14 CHARLOTTE

at (704)

Advertising Representative: Cindi Feerick

1123 South Church

February

Mass

— 9:00 am

toral director, the

sociation of Family Educators, a

planner

calendar

D

1.

an outpouring of clean water About $5,000 is needed to build a pipeline to get clean water from the mountains in Haiti to the village of Bosquette. According to Sister Theresita Donach, Sacred Heart's pasin Haiti.

...

Diocesan NEWS

tolerance.

However, the parliamentary affairs minister, Madan Lai Khurana, resigned the same day to protest radical Hindu groups' recent attacks on Christians, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand.

he said. Father Conwill, a priest of the Diocese of San Diego who teaches history at Morehouse College in Atlanta, was the homilist Feb. 7 for the annual

Mass commemorating the month

poor.

is

Hall of

St.

GASTONIA — A Mass in Vietnamese is

celebrated at 2 p.m. today in St.

Michael Church, 708 St. Michael's Lane. Call (704) 867-6212 for details.

1 is

8

HIGH POINT — A healing Mass

celebrated today at 7:30 p.m. in the

chapel of Maryfield Nursing Home, 1315 Greensboro Rd. For details, call (336) 886-2444.

20 WINSTON-SALEM

— "Therese: based

Therese of Lisieux, is today at 3:30 p.m. at St. Leo the Great Church, 335 Springdale Dr. Cost is $4 for adults, $ 10 for families. Space is limited. For details, call (336) 724-7071.

on the

life

of

St.

2 1 STATESVILLE

—

"Therese: The Story of a Soul," a live drama based on the life of St. Therese of Lisieux, is today at 7 p.m. at St. Philip the Apostle Church, 525 Camden Dr. Cost is $3.

For details, call (704) 872-2579.

Changes, an 22 CHARLOTTE Alzheimer's support gi"Oup, meets today at St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd., from 1:30-3:30 p.m. For details, call Suzanne Bach at (704) 376-4135.

—

The Catholic News & Herald 3

February 12, 1999

Wake 1999 commencement

Cardinal Arinze to deliver Forest's

—

Cardinal WINSTON-SALEM Francis Arinze, one of the Roman Catholic Church's most renowned leaders, will deliver Wake Forest University's 1999 commencement ad-

OFFICE OF THE BISHOP

dress on

February

5,

May

figure

who was made

John Paul mentioned

Mr. Kenneth Hackett, Exec. Dir. Catholic Rehef Services 209 West Fayette Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201

the pope. tifical

cardinal by

Pope

rending days

in their

is

is

president of the Pon-

Council for Interreligious Dia-

Council for Interreligious Dialogue brings ideal conclusion to this Year of Globalization and Diversity," said Wake Forest President Thomas K. Hearn Jr. "The Wake Forest comtifical

munity

homeland.

fortunate and grateful to

is

have Cardinal Arinze as our honored guest."

Sincerely in Christ,

Hearn, along with his wife, Laura, extended Cardinal Arinze an invitation to speak at commencement during a personal audience in Rome. "We left with a sense of his deep piety, keen

Most Reverend William G. Curlin Bishop of Charlotte

Sharing God's "Many

Effective January 25, 1999 Rev. Christopher W. Nowak, O.S.A., Parochial Vicar St. John Neumann Church, Charlotte, NC

of our brothers and sisters can bear their situation of misery, discomfort and sickness only because they are certain that one day they will be called to the eternal banquet of heaven," Pope John Paul said.

Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of "Cor Unum," said charity is a necessary witness to the goodness of God in a world which sees poverty

at

Effective January 27, 1999 Rev. Bernard Backiel, M.I.C., In Residence at Our Lady of Grace Church, Greensboro, NC

and suffering and

God does

is

tempted to believe

not exist or does not love his

creatures.

The archbishop announced that Pope John Paul would celebrate a Mass May 16 at the Vatican with rep-

Rev. Daniel Papineau, M.I.C., Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Grace Church, Greensboro, NC

resentatives of Catholic charity and

24 CHARLOTTE

—

A support group for persons separated, divorced, and remarried outside the church meets today from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the activity center of St. Ann Church, 3635 Park Rd. For details, call Cindy Shortall at (704) 529-5080.

GREENSBORO

.

— The Greensboro

Council of Catholic Women hosts its Lenten mini-retreat today at

..annual |St.

Mary Church, 812 Duke St. Mass

is

by coffee and refreshments. Others gatherings are March 3, lOand 17, concluding March 24 with Mass and a covered dish luncheon. All are welcome. For details, call Lillian Leonard at (336) 299-0736.

^at 10 a.m., followed

25 ASHEVILLE

—

The Caring

Hearts AIDS Ministry of St. Joan of Arc Church, 919 Haywood Rd., hosts a healing Mass celebrated by Father John Pagel at 7 p.m. in the church hall for everyone in need of physical, emotional or .spiritual healing. Refresh-

ments

will follow.

(828) 252-3151.

For

details, call

26 CHARLOTTE program

—

Retrouvaille

is

a

with Us!",

its

annual gala and auction

married couples that brings hope, teaches communication on

benefiting the school, today from 7 p.m.-midnight at the Swing 1000 Club

a feeling level, helps couples realize that

on Central Avenue. Tickets are $75 each, which includes dinner, valet parking, and entertainment. The CCHS Foundation is also selling tickets at $5 each or 6 for $25 for chances at winning a cruise for two on the Mis-

for

problems are not unique, helps couples identify their values and priorities, and teaches couples to start anew.

The program begins today. For details, call Rev. Mr. Nick or Irene Fadero, their

from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. in Belk Gymnasium at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The opening ceremony is Feb. 26 at 6 p.m., and the closing ceremony is Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.

The display is co-sponsored by UNCCharlotte and the Regional AIDS In-

can be purchased by sending a check payable to CCHS Foundation to 7702 PinevilleMatthews Rd., Charlotte, N.C. 28226.

For details, call (704) 543-91 18.

28 ASHEVILLE The Catholic Association of Family Educators, a homeschool support group, hosts a "moms' evening" today at 7 p.m. For details, call Denise Vish at (828) 645-6990, or Sheryl Oligny at (828) 298-0336.

Network. For details, call Shane Windmeyer, (704) 547-2521.

March

(704) 544-0621, or (800) 470-2230.

CHARLOTTE

— The AIDS Memo-

Quilt is on display today from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m., and Feb. 27 rial

sissippi River. All tickets

—

terfaith

and bus or van parking can be arranged by Feb. 23.

Charlotte 27 CHARLOTTE Catholic High School hosts "Swing Special transportation needs

—

candidates. If

first

black pope

since the reign of St. Gelasius

496.

The

I

ended

in

article also described the car-

2 GREENSBORO Waldek Ziolkowski

of major international positions.

In Africa, he served as the regional Catholic education secretary for eastern Nigeria, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria, and vice president for Africa of the United Bible Societies.

In 1985, Cardinal Arinze was appointed president of the Secretariat for Non-Christians, which was later renamed the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. In addition to the council, Arinze serves on several

CARDINAL ARINZE,

page

15

gifts, from page i

the heavenly Father," the pope said.

His Excellency, Bishop William G. Curlin, announces the following changes in clergy assignment in the Diocese of Charlotte:

would be the

with a charismatic personality."

Born in Nigeria, Cardinal Arinze became an ordained priest in 1958, bishop in 1965 and an archbishop two years later. His work for the Roman Catholic Church has included a variety

He

1985,

followers of other religions.

"His work as president of the Pon-

We

among papacy

list"

dinal as "theologically conservative,

in

ing mutual understanding, respect and

together with a donation from our diocesan relief fund.

May God bless you and your staff for the good work that you will continue to keep you in our prayers as you strive to do. help the people of Honduras and Nicaragua during these heart-

the

frequently

II

collaboration between Catholics and

Please find enclosed our check in the amount of $155,000.00 for the Hurricane Mitch Relief Fund, representing additional contributions received from parishioners of the Diocese of Charlotte,

A

placed Cardinal Arinze "near the top of

as a possible successor to

logue, the Vatican's office for promot-

Dear Mr. Hackett:

ality,"

elected, he

17.

Cardinal Arinze, an international

1999

and warm, engaging personHearn said of the visit.

1998 Wall Street Journal article

intellect

— Marian Father discusses

how

to

develop Christian character today from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in the activity cen-

development organizations and with Catholics involved in volunteer work, to underscore the importance of their activities.

He

also said the council's "Pane

Caritatis" project,

which involves

Ital-

ian bakers donating a portion of special

bread sales, had raised more than $300,000 in its first three months.

"Cor Unum" has sent $100,000 to the Archdiocese of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to build bread ovens for the poor. Another $50,000 was sent to the Diocese of Hoima, Uganda, for the care of refugees from Sudan, the archbishop said.

The council is examining proposals for projects in Burundi and Rwanda, t

Our Lady of Grace Church, 2205 W. Market St. For details on this and other adult religious educater of

tion sessions, call (336) 274-0415.

5

HIGH POINT — A Latin Mass

celebrated today at Christ the

is

King

Church, 1505 E. Kivett Dr., at 7 p.m.

The rosary is prayed at 6:30, and Benediction with adoration follows the

Mass. for detaUs,

6

call (336)

884-0244.

BELMONT — First Saturday de-

votions are at Belmont Abbey Basilica today, starting with Mass at 9:30 a.m., continuing with the rosary

and concluding with the sacrament of reconciliation at 10:30. For details, call Terri or Phil DeLuca, at 9:30,

(704) 888-6050.

BOONE

— Group reunion Ultreya

meets today at 6:30 p.m. at Appalachian State University's Catholic campus ministry facility, 232 Faculty St. A covered dish dinner preceded the meeting. For details, call (828)

898-5328.

4

The Catholic News & Herald

Lent

The Pope

Speaks

is

a

February 12, 1999

& Columns

Ediioriais

tiiouglitful

time

The Bottom

used to have a hard time with Ash Wednesday. It had such a dreariness about it. "Dust we are, and to dust we shall return" seemed to defy the idea of resurrection and eternal life. It didn't seem hopeful or life affirming.

But I've come to see there is a reason behind this idea of dust and ashes. It is to tell us we must face our earthly mortality, our vulnerability to weakness, our moral failures. That's our human condition. That's

I

Line

ANTOINNETTE BOSCO

CNS

reality.

Some

ill and that Lent forces us to repent so as to heal and seek again what is ultimately important.

Lent, the dry time in the desert for 40 days, has a happy ending. Lent invites us again to meet the person who knows us and can give us life. In fact, he revives us by breathing new life into us, a life that will never die. The Easter story is an astounding love story about life and covenant. Christ brings us out of Lent and to eternal life because he is a lover.

Before we get to this understanding, we may wonder about the emphasis on dust and ashes especially when we have to explain this to children!

Well, it comes from the Bible, from Genesis 2:7: "Then the Lord formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being."

I wonder if we ever think about that line, really.

God could have made us from starlight or sun rays, from clouds or wind. But he made humans from dust. think God made us from the earth so we'd I always know we are one with all nature. Maybe God made us from earth so that we could really believe him when he showed us through the resurrection of

cally

Fiu-ridden

pope speaks briefly

from window in By

iieu of audience

LYNNE WEIL

News Service CITY (CNS)

Catholic

VATICAN Paul

II, ill

window

with the

flu,

—

Pope John

spoke briefly from his

instead of holding his weekly general

audience Feb.

3.

The pope explained to several hundred pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square that he had "an illness of the season" and was therefore obligated to suspend his activities in recent days.

"Today, however, I cannot miss directing my words to you who have come for the customary Wednesday appointment," he said.

Pope John Paul had canceled the previous two days' appointments, including a homily and Mass for the feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

His spokesman, Joaquin Navarro-Vails, issued a statement Feb. 1 saying the pope had "an influenza syndrome."

On Feb. 3, wearing a heavy cloak and standing in the relative protection of the curtained window of his study. Pope John Paul spent six minutes exposed to a winter morning particularly brisk by local standards, in order to deliver his message.

Referring to the previous day's feast, he said God "shines in the life of every person and fills everyone with his joy and his peace."

Pope John Paul offered a special greeting to "those who are sufifering most from the cold, above all the homeless, those who have suffered earthquakes, the sick, the aged and small chila blessing at a Feb. 2

—

his

Son that we were made

made from

earth,

hangs onto

life

we can

for eternal

and so be able to believe

our destiny,

eternal

life!

One day

I

walked near a swamp where people

On top of discarded plastic bags, I sprouts in decaying leaves. I was awed at how truly nature persists to nurture life. I was struck by the realization that we breathe because God put his breath in us, as he put breath in all of nature.

Yet, enter sin, and the emphasis is on darkness, mortality and ashes. And so we need Ash Wednesday

had thrown found

litter.

little

and Lent to jolt us to "repent" and focus again on our great origins and our destiny of eternal life, designed by the Father, guaranteed by the Son and continually energized by the Spirit.

Lent is only the prelude. God made us for the prize Easter.

—

Being nature

scientifically

dying

Of

Guest

little.

tions

Column

St. Valentine himself we know The Roman Martyrology for this

two

relativel)

mensame name, both martyrs in Whether there were two is a date

saints of the

the third century.

matter of debate, but there is no doubt that a Roman named Valentine was martyred, probably on Feb. 14, in the persecution of the emperor Claudius the Goth around the year 270. A church was soon erected at the site along the Porta Del Populo was known as the Gate of St. Valentine. Although this t saint is not longer listed in the Church's liturgical calendar, he still ranks among those heroic men and v women of all ages who were willing to suffer death rather than disown their Lord.

How, then, did the custom of sending Valentine's Day greetings arise? In medieval times, it was commonly held that birds chose their mates on this date, halfway through the month of February. Geoffrey Chaucer, in his poem "The Parliament of Fowls," writes that it is "on Seynt Valentyne's day/When every fowl cometh ther to choose his mate." Less than a century later, a matchmaking mother in En4; gland wrote to her daughter's suitor, reminding him that St. Valentine's Day was drawing near and urging him to come visit for a few days to speak to her husband. She ended with the words, "I shall pray that we may bring the matter to a conclusion."

The daughter, perhaps not altogether confident, in the persuasive powers of her parents alone, wrote4 to the man herself assuring him that if he could be content with her small dowry "and my poor person, I would be the merriest maiden on ground, a good,

priest

REV.

"May

JAMES WISEMAN, O.S.B. Guest Columnist

there be the necessary assistance for each of them," he added. a

I studied a lot of science. I learned that nothing nature dies. Everything lives again in one form or another. Resurrection is the great theme of nature.

How great a God it is who made his creation for

in

too.

dren."

The pope then invoked

life.

how

identify with

as well as theologically that to be reborn after is

Columnist

we are chronisee how we must

Christian writers have said

Roman proverb

,

that calls for improved weather for the rest of

He

by switching from ItalEnglish and Spanish to greet different pilgrim groups, as he customarily does in a more expanded form during his general the season.

finished

ian to French,

audiences.

To the English-speaking pilgrims he said, "I greet the pilgrims from the United States, as well as all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors from other countries. Upon you and your families I invoke the abundant blessings of almighty God." Pope sends Cardinal Silvestrini to Jordan for king's f unerai VATICAN CITY (CNS) Pope John Paul II, who had met King Hussein of Jordan four

—

times, sent Cardinal Achille Silvestrini to the

king's funeral in

Amman

Martyrdom, love marl( St. Valentine's Day 14, is noted on almost every calendar in our country and is a day that brings great profit to the manufacturers of It is quite likely, greeting cards and chocolates. however, that few persons who receive cards asking them to be the sender's Valentine know the origin of this custom. What connection could this have with the saint who is honored on this day?

Valentine's Day, Feb.

We welcome your letters!

Send your Letters

to the Editor to:

'

ji

\

as his personal repre-

'I

King Hussein, who ruled Jordan for more than 45 years, was 63 years old when he died Feb. 7 of cancer. "The Holy See expresses sentative.

its

participation in the suffering of this noble

numerous contacts King Hussein had with the Holy Father," said a Feb. 7 statement from Joaquin Navarro-Valls, the

nation, recalling the

Vatican spokesman.

Joann Keane, Editor j

The

Catholic

News & Herald

1123 South Church Charlotte,

NC

and loving Valentine."

Similar hopes have been in the minds and on the lips of countless lovers during the five centuries since then. It is fondly to be wished that at least some of them might also be mindful of the heroic saint whose true,

I

St.

28203

name graces

this

popular day.

or e-mail to

jskeane@charlottediocese.org

The Rev. James Wiseman, O.S.B., is an associat The Catholic University ol

professor of theology at

America

in

Washington, D.C.

i

i

-ebruary 12, 1999

to

The Catholic News & Herald 5

Editorials & Columns

Light

grieved Hirn to his heart." So our first image is that of God's people being "hard-hearted," if you will.

And God's response? Grief After that follows the epochal story of the great flood that destroyed the unfaithful people of the earth except for the righteous and all living creatures Noah and his family and the animals that he saved "two and two, male and female." Finally the waters subsided and Noah built an altar and made a burnt offering: "The Lord said in His heart, I will never again curse the ground because of humankind.... As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold

One

Candle

Lenten Reflection

—

FATHER THOMAS

J.

McSWEENEY Guest Columnist

and

heat,

summer and

FATHER PETER JUGIS Judicial Vicar

winter, day and night, shall

notecase." (Gn 8:21, 22)

God's love and a thousand hearts

am

constantly amazed by the Bible.

If you are one of the millions of people who turn the Scriptures, day in and day out for inspiration, I

lope and comfort, you know exactly what I mean.

Fust when you are ready to congratulate yourself on laving pretty fair knowledge of the stories and Deople and language, something surprises you. You ire caught by the reality of God's holiness, his loving

your good. most recent discovery came because of St. V^alentine's Day, more specifically, because of my alan to write this column. I ran through a bunch of closeness, his intimate desire for

My

but nothing clicked. That's when I thought that a suitable Scripture quote might be a ^ood place to start. So I took down one of the biblical ;oncordances on my bookshelf and looked up "heart."

Do you know that "heart" or "hearts" shows up |ust about one thousand times in the Bible? It wasn't something I had ever thought about, but now I was fascinated by the number of references.

The first time the word appears is in Genesis '6:5-6) in the story of Noah: "The Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry Dossibilities,

He had made humankind on

that

the earth, and

Does it seem hard to reconcile this God of judgment and wrath from the first book of the Bible with of love? God has not changed. God's heart is capable of just anger and of even greater mercy.

That is the real essence of Noah's story. humans are flawed and fallible and still God never stops loving us. But what about our human hearts? If God's constant, compassionate heart has not changed, have ours? Have our hearts become more like His? Today, just as with Noah, there are good people, people who seek God's will and return His love. Yet most of us seem to get so caught up in the importance of our own life and times that we only turn our hearts the

We

to

Let Christ shine through this season Last weekend. Bishop Curlin called on

God

'God

in fits

and

starts.

We mean to do better. To To

pray with more heartfelt devotion.

love our

we love ourselves, more wholeheartOverwhelmed by our problems and our fears, it

neighbors, as edly.

too easy to forget Jesus' comforting promise: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." (Jn is

14:27) So, St. Valentine's Day is an opportunity to remember Him whose generous heart will never cease to beat or to

welcome His beloved children home.

all

in

our

of us to let the Light of Christ shine

lives.

The video message from our bishop marked the beginning of the Diocesan Support Appeal for 1999. The call to let the Light of Christ shine in our lives is a call that also applies to Lent, the season of repentance and conversion. By turning again to the Lord through prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we can let the Light of Christ shine with greater brilliance in our lives.

On Ash Wednesday, the Lord calls us to return to him: "Return to Me with your whole heart," he tells us through the prophet Joel.

Our life was first turned over to the Lord on the day of our baptism, when we left behind the old order of sin and death and started a new life of grace in Christ. At our baptism we first received the Light of Christ, symbolized by the baptismal candle. We began to walk as children of the Light, living the life of faith.

No doubt, the Light of Christ is shining even now in our lives, and yet the Lord still return to him. Even as children of we know that we all have some returning to the Lord to do. return to the Lord over and over again through a lifetime process of conversion. calls us to

it

the Light,

We

Are statues

covered during Lent? liturgy committee is now preparing

still

Question

Q. Our parish some detailsfor Holy W^eek, with our pastor.

For many years we have

When Pope

Comer

not covered the statues in

church during the last two weeks of Lent. I remember when that was done regularly, but liturgy documents we

have read

and studied suggest

which seem

this

should not be done, for

of what Holy Week is supposed to mean and how it is observed.

One of our newer members, however, says she was in a church last year when all the statues were covered, not only during Holy Week but all during Lent. reasojis

Has correct in

to us very sound, in light

there been a change in the rules?

continuing what

we have

Or

are

FATHER JOHN DIETZEN

CNS

Columnist

we

been doing?

explains, however, in this case the bishops

A.

I,

places in

have seen statues covered in some recent years, but there is no foundation too,

today for this practice in the church's liturgical instructions or policies.

Before the revised edition of the Sacramentary [Roman Missal) in 1970, statues in churches were typically

covered with purple cloths during what was

two weeks of Lent.

This revised missal notes, just before the text of the fifth Sunday of Lent, "The practice of covering crosses and images in the church may be observed, if

must vote

Otherwise it ceases.

"The National Conference of Catholic Bishops has never voted to continue the practice of covering crosses and images, and so the practice, in accord with the rubric of the Sacramentary, has not been to continue the practice.

permissible for the past 25 years. Individual parishes are not free to reinstate the practice on their own."

then called Passiontide, the last

The crosses are to be covered until the end of the celebration of the Lord's passion on Good Friday. The images are to remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil." the episcopal conference decides.

The most significant part of that rubric is that may be continued if the episcopal confer-

the practice

That same condition was repeated in 1988 in a "Circular Letter Concerning the Preparation and Celebration of the Easter Feasts," from the Congregation for Divine Worship (No. 26).

The usual procedure in liturgical law requires bishops to vote to abolish a practice or make it optional. The bishops voted some years ago, for example, to make the anointing with the oil of catechumens optional at the baptism of infants.

Interfaith sharing in

Q. In your book you

weddings

"Catholic Life in a

may

New

Century,

married before a minister orjustice of the peace if a dispensationfor such a marriage is

state that Catholics

be

obtainedfrom the bishop.

Would the ating person

church allow such a marriage if the officia woman? Would the church allow a

is

female minister to participate in a marriage ceremony performed by a priest in a Catholic church?

ence so decides.

As

the U.S. bishops'

Committee on the Liturgy

John Paul II came to Mexico Louis last month he brought with him a new Apostolic Exhortation addressed to all the people of the Americas. In that exhortation, the Holy Father reminded us that conversion takes place when we have had a true encounter with Jesus Christ. When we encounter Christ, we cannot come away from that encounter unchanged. The Lord changes us. We turn away from sin and return to him, and also become more loving toward our neighbor. During Lent, the spiritual practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving are designed to help us encounter the Lord, day after day, so that we can indeed return to him.

Christ is our light to guide us in this season of repentance and conversion. On the second Sunday of Lent, we will encounter Christ whose face was dazzling as the sun and whose clothes were as radiant as the light in the glory of the Transfiguration. On the fourth Sunday of Lent, we will encounter Christ who tells us that he is the Light of the world, and St. Paul will exhort us to live as children of the Light.

At the Easter Vigil, the priest will pray that the Light of Christ, rising in glory, will dispel the darkness of our minds and hearts.

During this season of grace, let us return to the Light with all our heart and let the Light of Christ shine with greater brilliance in our and

St.

lives.

A. If a dispensation from the form has been granted, the marriage may be performed before any legally qualified person, male or female.

Catholic guidelines for interfaith sharing in weddings provide for certain ways non-Catholic clergy

might participate when

a priest

is

the officiating

minister. Possibilities vary depending, for example,

on whether the ceremony celebration of the Eucharist.

is

or

is

not within the

The Catholic News & Herald

6

People

in

February 12, 1999

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The Catholic News & Herald 7

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By PATRICIA

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Photo by Tom Moloney, The Long Island Catholic

Rodger DeMott, Maria Perdomo, Paul Tully and Hugh Jordan discuss

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IT

complete without that ...

of their voca-

YES,

isn't

"Every one of us, created by God as a part of that jigsaw puzzle, has to be busy about our relationship with God," Archbishop Weakland said.

We can do this many ways: prayer even an Our Father in the shower

lems ofjust plain working.

"So when you get up in the morning and look at yourself in the mirror," the archbishop said, "the first thing

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Otherwise, she sees people believing the end justifies any abuse. As grounding in faith increases, so does the awareness that other people are also part of the Kingdom's puzzle. That's when living our faith becomes a conscious act.

Paulist Father John Hurley, associate director for the U.S. bishops' Secretariat for Evangelization and Missions in Washington, says conscious evangelizing can mean a simple "Hi" to people in the halls, or showing a new

sleeves," says

Gregory Pierce, past president of the National Center for the Laity in Chicago. "We don't like grabbing people and trying to convert them."

Pierce, who writes a weekly e-mail message on faith and work, doesn't think that reluctance is necessarily bad as long as we act on our faith.

"We're not talking about trying to convert people or to act pious," he says, "as much as we're talking about connecting our faith with what we do every day."

Connecting faith with daily life is what the Second Vatican Council called the vocation of the laity: "(I)t belongs to the laity to seek the Kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God's will. They live in the world, that is, they are engaged in each and every work and business of the earth" (Lu-

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The Catholic News & Herald

February 12, 1999

Faith Alive!

Why is love the central virtue?

JOHN W. CROSSIN, OSFS

By father

happy that

Without

Without love there

Christianity!

showed us how

Jesus

tion

to love.

Love

Jesus' teaching. Jesus linked love of

is

central to

God and

love of

our neighbor.

my

children there

grabbed

— only

a

years ago to

first visit

our local Catholic infant home,

St.

Ann's.

The

little

We

were

— came up and

few years old

the visitors around the legs!

all

and immobilized for a moment.

The children were looking for a human touch. They had been deprived of love at home and were "Love looking for signs of love from the staff and even from visitors. A hulove

and that of many others

changes

children showed

life's

perception of the world changes as well. Relatives, friends,

baby

sitters,

After childbirth, a couple's

often expresses

perception of faith and the church

community often changes as well.

Love makes us want to share the most important things in life with

touch," says

Crossin. "Babies

no matter what our age, we all need a hug once in a while though a daily hug or two is pref-

need

Recently, within a 10-day period,

to be held. Children

when we lated

—

away on

lov-

in

need to be hugged....

visit,

CNS

friends.

— Each baptism was — recorded poswith videos and — Each baptism brought a festive,

loving event

we all need a hug once

all

express tangibly the loving friendship that makes and keeps us human.

for

pictures.

terity

— Love grows.

a

different set of relatives and

No matter what our age,

telephone

note or e-mail message

whose

had celebrated

— Each baptism assembled

a business trip or in a

A

I

previous years.

evident

the hospital or far

nursing home. call,

wedding Masses

are incapacitated or isoin

performed three baptisms

I

for children of couples

We never cease needing love. little

love's spiri-

dimension comes to the fore when the sacrament of baptism is celebrated.

erable.

is

how

I've noticed

—

appreciate a

circle of con-

tual or supernatural

Children need to be hugged. In

ing attention. This

neighborhoods and schools be-

Oblate Father John W.

Love often expresses itself in touch. Babies need to be held.

Most of us

an ex-

is

our children.

ously.

fact,

This

focus.

spontane-

it

in love.

cern.

itself in

hard to suppress. These

that having children

Loving parents naturally focus on their new child and lessen their focus on themselves. Their

being's natural desire for is

growth

influences a couple's

My own observa-

life.

is

come much more important.

Love widens our

startled

man

our

hausting experience, especially right after birth! Yet it

always remember

I'll

Love makes us a family.

Love can grow throughout

no Christian is no

love, there are

virtues.

this loving spirit is so evident in

family's next generation.

Catholic Newsservice

to-

we can become more loving. The grace of the Spirit can redirect our lives. The Spirit helps us to "let go" of what

a while."

God

share love with each other as

is

all

we need

We give

it.

stages of the

life

— Each baptism was formative moment. The Holy — bringing transformed each of hope and — And each The now

love.

we can we have to

not only need love from others, but

Love

is

the most precious thing

Spirit

child interiorly

the Christian virtues

faith,

child

give.

— Love

My

parents,

give love to

now grandparents

my

nieces and

for

many

years,

nephews regularly

Love

through things such as gifts, overnight visits, birthday meals and attendance at school events.

Recently, two of

my young

nieces reciprocated

by taking their grandparents out to lunch! I understand it was a wonderful meal. In such everyday acts, love

is

sustained and developed.

I

am

ers.

Our Our

a virtue. Like all virtues,

it

integrates and

is

the central virtue.

love forms our lives.

Our love touches othOur love lasts eter-

love reflects God's love.

T

nally.

Oblate Father Crossin

Spirit

of love, the Holy Spirit, has begun the inner transfor-

through a lifetime.

The Holy Spirit not only transformed these children, but the family and friends who gathered together too. These baptisms were occasions when friends and family affirmed their faith and their own

mation that

is

transforms our thinking, our knowing and our feeling.

love.

a Christian.

is

and to grasp and prioritize what

such as time for family outings and

events.

a trans-

cycle,

unnecessary, such as excessive concern

essential,

shared love with them.

In

is

for material goods,

gether several generations to in

PHOTO BY Cleo Photography

As we go through adulthood,

will continue

is

the executive director

of the

new book is and Spiritual Growth

JVashington Theological Consortium. His

"Walking in

Daily

in Virtue:

Moral

Decisions

Life, " Paulist Press.

a nutshell

In

dedication to Christian love.

We

especially

are

made

in

God's image; thus we are made

to love.

And

the grace of the

us to love

Spirit enables

Holy most

We

need love from others.

give love. The hardest time to love

fully.

when we What is

— Love

a feeling. Joy,

is

hu-

tism.

very

move her moment of bap-

Water went everywhere.

The

family was concerned, then amused. She cried her disap-

is

our most precious

gift.

"Love" has In

some

entertainment

two people they

call

it

superficial meanings. it

seems

that whenever

feel the slightest attraction

love.

proval!

— Love

is

a

commitment.

We

We are made in

God's image; we are

give our children and ourselves to

God. The Holy

Spirit touches the

deepest part of the soul.

CNS

PHOTO BY Lisa Kessler

it

I

my

tiny cousin decided to at the

But even then

feeling

the baptismal celebrations

mentioned. In one instance,

head

feel unlovable.

is

love?

mor and warm family filled

We also can

made to

love.

Love

is

the central virtue.

The Catholic News & Herald 9

February 12, 1999

By sister

faith Alive!

THERESA SANDERS, RSCJ News

Catholic

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

These words from John's Gospel can seem puzzling.

Why

would anyone have

love? Doesn't love

come

When

Service

to be

commanded

to

it

is

hardest to iove

naturally?

learn to love even before we learn to But this doesn't mean love comes naturally.

Learning to love and persevering in love are often

Most of us

loved us," writes John.

John continues, "If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (I John 4:10-1 1).

God loves us even when we can't love ourselves.

And God invites us to draw on that love to love the others in our lives, most especially when that seems

talk.

hard work.

When

is it

hardest to love? Sometimes loving

hard simply because

own

lives

on the

Weeks

we become

We

and worries.

street.

We

is

so wrapped up in our

hurry past lonely people

impossible to do.

are too busy to donate blood.

we remember

or months go by before

we

the hands of the ones

care about and

to take

tell

Sister Sanders, a member of the Religious of the Sacred Heart, teaches theology at Manhattanville College

them

that they matter in our lives.

And sometimes

loving

is

what we've prepared.

But the hardest time of all to love

we

"Sometimes

we visit may be angry and unThe children we cook for may refuse to eat

sick person

grateful.

N. T.

in Purchase,

hard precisely because we do take time to show people that we care, and they do not or cannot respond as we think they ought to.

The

when we feel most isolated and worthless God invites us to offer love to others.

The astonishing thing is that when we try to help and heal others, we help and heal ourselves.

God doesn't love us because we are worthy of love or because we are good, kind or even prayerful.

"In this is love, not that we loved God but that he It is

that

is

loving

hard simply

is

because we become so wrapped

when we feel

are unlovable. People think that they are unlov-

many

able for

different reasons:

— Sometimes

up

one close to them or have

failed

to live

up

lives

and

worries,"

to

another's expectations.

CNS

— Sometimes people have been given negative

PHOTO BY Bill Wittman

messages about themselves all their lives and find it hard to believe anyone could really care about them.

When we feel unlovable, we feel that no one wants to be near us and that we have nothing to offer

This is when Jesus' command to love becomes not a burden but a gUmmer of hope. After all, God would not command something we were incapable of

anyway. Love becomes nearly impossible.

doing.

By FATHER

ROBERT

Catholic

"Don't you think

News it

is

L.

KINAST

It

my

friend

my mother always signs her cards and with the word 'love,' but has never actually told me, 'I love you'"?

It was not an idle question. My friend was preparing to travel several hundred miles to be with her mother, who faced serious surgery. It was also not the time for an abstract discussion about love. But even though I did not know her mother, I could imagine why it might have been difficult for her to speak the words "I love you."

First of all, "love" has many meanings, some of them superficial. My friend herself can become quite dramatic when describing how much she asked, "that letters

"loves" chocolate.

Others lavish all the affection associated with love on pets, automobiles, homes or other material possessions. In popular entertainment it seems that any time two people feel the slightest attraction to each other, they call it love.

Given the range of meanings associated with the word "love," some people prefer not to use it at all or to reserve it for a setting where its meaning is clearer such as a birthday or anniversary card.

Second, when it is serious and sincere, the word "love" almost always implies intimacy, closeness.

People who are uncomfortable with these feelings or who were raised to keep their feelings to themselves can have a hard time expressing a sentiment as personal as love. My friend's mother was raised in a family that did not show much outward affection to one another.

A hesitancy to express love can be compounded when people associate love only with romantic or sexual feelings. Then love becomes a dangerous word, implying a type of experience the person does not intend.

member of the Religious of

a

the Sacred Heart.

may seem

Food

someone's marriage love only means sex, for example, that person may, as a parent, find it easiest to refrain from speaking of love altogether.

Third, love implies a degree of self-revelation.

To love another is to entrust oneself to that person, to allow one's shortcomings, foibles and sheer humanity to be known up close.

Suppose that my friend's mother did not experience a loving, affirming relationship with her parents or husband. Then she may not have wanted to risk repeating the same disappointment with her children. Rather than share herself with them, she could have withdrawn into fulfilling her obligations - trusting that they would "see" her love this way.

There is a fourth reason it is hard for some people to put love into words. Love implies a commitment. It is more than a casual acquaintance or superficial attraction. When one person loves anif in

bond is established.

This bond may not be the

other, a

is

full-scale

nient or not.

people are not willing to make such a therefore hold back from even verbalizing their love.

The beauty of love is that it can overcome obstacles like these, and it is never too late to begin.

When my fi"iend was with her mother, she took the initiative to tell her that she truly loved her. This enabled her mother to say the same thing in reply.

It was the first time they had spoken so candidly, but its effect will last the rest of their lives.

Some

commitment and

Father Kinast

is

of the Center for TheoRocks Beach, Fla.

director

isn't

life

something

special in Christian

—

Love

the virtue of charity

When

followers.

life.

—

Pope John Paul

church's people to

make 1999

a

basic for Jesus'

is

II first

asked the

year to reflect on

charity, he said that "in its twofold reality as love of

God and moral

neighbor, (charity)

life

Here's

how

is

life

summing up of the

— with

it.

As one of the

faith

and hope

—

the "foundation of Christian moral activ-

ity," it says.

moral

the

the catechism puts

three theological virtues charity

is

of the believer."

The

theological virtues "animate" the

and "give

it its

special character," the cat-

echism adds (No. 1813).

So love

is

basic.

Christianity and

still

You

can't take the love out of

have Christianity, you might

say.

As

a virtue, charity calls us "to love as (Christ)

does," says the catechism (No. 1825).

commitment of marriage, but a loving relationship means a person is available to another whether it is conve-

logical Reflection, Indian

Thought

for

love the frosting on the cake of I don'tforthink the people of God. Love an extra

strange that parents would not

verbalize their love to children for this reason. But

Service

unusual,"

explains Sister Theresa Sanders,

Nearly, but not entirely.

Why it's difficult to put iove into words

—

our own

in

because they have hurt some-

it's

high and demanding

vocation.

David Gibson Editor, Faith Alive!

It

sounds

like a

The Catholic News & Herald

10

February 12, 1999

Readings

Bestsellers Children and Young People

Catholic

"My

1.

First Prayer Book." (Regina

Word to Li

Press)

Bestsellers Here

Harlow

the Catholic Bestsellers List

is

February 1999, according

"Can You Find Jesus?" Gallery

2.

for

to the Catholic

Book Publishers Association.

"Going

(HarperSanFrancisco)

"Maurice and Therese." Patrick

Ahern. (Doubleday) 4.

"Reluctant Dissenter." James Shan-

non (Crossroad)

Nouwen 7.

Nativity." Sister

(Loyola)

(Crossroad)

"Sister

Wendy's Book of Saints,"

Wendy

ter

Nouwen

Press)

Mary

Watch Close By?"

Joslin (Loyola)

"Catholic Children's Bible." Sister

Theola (Regina Press) 10. "Can You Find Bible Heroes?" Gallery & Harlow (St. Anthony Messen-

(Crossroad)

Spanish-language

Thomas

"Manual Para Proclamadores de la '99." Marina A. Herrera (Liturgy Training) 2. "Miracle Hour." Linda Schubert 1.

Palabra

Thomas

"Journey to the Center."

Keating (Crossroad)

(Resurrection Press)

Paperback for Lectors

Readers." Lawrence E.

&

Gospel

Mick (Liturgy

Training)

3.

"At

"All Saints."

Brey

Robert Ellsberg (Cross-

road) 4.

"In the

"God

Name

of Jesus." Henri J.M.

(Crossroad) the Father of Mercy." (Cross-

Nouwen 7.

(Crossroad)

Peter

J.

Scagnelli (Liturgy

Training) 8.

Who

(Pauline)

"Dies Domini." John Paul

(Liturgi-

to leave

been

living.

was the late '60s; the Vietnam War was at its height, and great civil unrest was sweeping America.

We thought, talked, and prayed, and eventually decided that the best place for me and our young sons would be housing on a military base.

There we would have extra security and live in a protected environment.

So we began our search. Every weekend we'd all pile into our station wagon and drive somewhere along the Eastern seaboard checking out one or more military bases looking

temporary home. It was a discouraging effort. There was plenty of empty housing on those bases, but it was not being made available to dependents of those serving in Vietnam. My husband and I persisted, for a

But,

we

if only

we

tried

There was noth-

us.

was

at the time of our deepest discouragement that a new and radical thought entered our minds: It

our amazement and joy, things fell into place, and the boys and I went to live in England.

It all worked out better than we had dreamed possible, and at the end of the year we were again reunited as a family. possibility, and, to

We

knew

time that

at the

God

had graced us with wisdom to make that decision, and gratefully we What we did not realize then, but what emerged slowly and often dimly in later years as we talked about this chapter of our lives, was that this experience offered us hope and encouragement for current

thanked him.

life

situations

where we faced

diffi-

cult decisions.

We had glimpsed how immense, how "mysterious and hidden" is the wisdom of God, and how, at times, it seems to be quite preposterous

wisdom of way,

ifjudged

by the

the world. In just a small

we had

gi-own in trust and

relationship with the

Holy

in

Questions: In what circumstances have you experienced the mysterious power of God's wisdom? When do you pray for wisdom is it only when you are up against a wall?

—

"Los Ministros de

fice

la

Comunion." Of-

of Divine Worship/ Chicago (Lit-

Weekly Scripture

9.

"Oracional Bilingue Para Ninos."

Jorge Peralas (Liturgical Press)

lic

"Don y Promesa." (Oregon CathoPress)

Readings for the week of Feb. 14 - Feb. 20 Sunday, Sirach 15:15-20, Psalm 119: 1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34, 1 Corinthians 2: 6-10, Matthew 5: 17-37; Monday, Genesis 4: 1-15, 25, Psalm 50:1,8, 16-17, 20-21, Mark 8:1 1-13; Tuesday, Genesis 6:5-8, 7:1-5, 10, Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10, Mark 8:1421; Ash Wednesday, Joel 2:12-18, Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17, 2 Corinthians 5:20, 6:2, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18; Thursday, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 1:1-4, 6, Luke 9:22-25; Friday, Isaiah 58:1-9, Psalm 51:3-6, 18-19, Matthew 9:14-15; Saturday, Isaiah 58:9-14, Psalm 86:1-6, Luke 5:27-32

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Hahn (Servant) "An Empty Cradle, A

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Paul

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Training)

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Nouwen 5.

von Rechnitz Gonzalez (Liturgy 4.

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Haney (Crossroad) 10.

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Henri J.M.

"Stations of the Cross."

9.

Sis-

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Caswell Walsh (Loyola)

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The idea seemed preposterous.

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By

Francis Celebrates Christmas."

"Do

Maybe

What

Corinthians 2:6-10

1

Matthew 5:17-37

3)

6.

9.

"Sabbatical Journey." Henri J.M.

6.

Psalm 119:1-2,4-5, 17-18, 33-34

"Winter Saints." Melissa Musick

5. "St.

8.

Wendy's

"Sister

5.

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"Bread for the Journey." Henri J.M.

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Sirach 15:15-20

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The Catholic News & Herald 11

tntert ainmen

Movie Review

"She's All That" familiar story to the point of stale

By GERRI Catholic

pare

News

NEW

despite try-hard performances

by Prinze and Cook to make this into a Pygmalion-meets-Cinderella scenario. stale,

Service

—

YORK (CNS) Dumped by glamorous girlfriend, a high school senior bets he can transform the class geek into the prom queen in the lame teen comedy, "She's All That" (Miramax).

Smart, handsome athlete Zach (Freddie Prinze Jr.) can't believe his

Los Angeles high school where virtually everyone takes their parents' wealth as

much

for granted as their cell phones.

Prom

steady Taylor (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe) cut him loose for an egotistiand just cal jerk (Matthew Lillard) weeks before the senior prom when Zach and Taylor were sure to be elected prom king and queen.

Goaded on by his buddy Dean (Paul Walker), Zach sets out on a bet to woo and win over hostile Laney (Rachael Leigh Cook) so that she will end up with the coveted crown alongside him on prom night.

Laney, still angry over the death

night features the students

suddenly breaking into a professionallooking, highly choreographed line dance, a most unlikely happening.

—

There are

also

some earnest

heart-

to-heart talks between Laney, Zach

and their respective dads, but an atmosphere of teen promiscuity is also apparent that makes the movie inappropriate for

its

target audience.

Zach's depicted as becoming sensi-

and

tive

serious, but then this

when

is

undone

suggested he march up for his diploma at graduation or any other apparel. minus his robe

for a cheap laugh

it's

comedy, "Simply

Irresistible."

A-III

is

PG-13

quicker than fresh or funny.

Due to an implied affair, some sexual references, brief alcohol abuse and a few instances of profanity and of rough language, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 parents are strongly cautioned that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

— —

friendly, fall for

prom.

As directed by Robert Iscove, the

for the

Pare

is

on

the staff of the U.S. Catholic

Conference Officefor Film

and Broadcasting.

Movies online Can't

remember how

a recent film

by the USCC? Want to know whether to let the kids go see it? Now you can look film reviews up on America Online. Once you're connected to AOL, just use the keyword CNS to go to Catholic News Service's online site, then look for movie reviews.

was

TV programs of note

classified

By GERRI

PARE

(A&E) "The Cruelty Connection."

News Service YORK (CNS) Here some television programs of note the week of Feb. 14: Catholic

—

NEW

Sunday, Feb.

14,

7-9 p.m.

From

are for

EST

(ABC) "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella." Rebroadcast of a musical version of the beloved fairy tale, starring Whitney Houston, Brandy and

Whoopi Goldberg.

Sunday, Feb. 14, 9-11 p.m. EST (CBS) "Deep in My Heart." Factbased drama about a young black woman who was born to a white woman and given up for adoption and how 34 years later she tracked down her birth mother.

Sunday, Feb. 14, 9-1 1:30 p.m. EST (TBS) "Champions on Ice." Special features international and Olympic

World Champion

Dorothy Hamill, Katarina Witt, Oksana Baiul, Brian Boitano, Lloyd Eisler and Michelle Kwan.

Sunday-Monday, Feb. 14-15, 9-1 p.m. EST each night (NBC) "To Serve and Protect." Miniseries chronicling skaters such as

a fictional family consisting of three

May 5-14

generations of police officers, based on the experiences of a five-generation cop from New York.

Monday, Feb. 15, 9-10 p.m. EST

pifgrimc^e Join Father Anthony Marcaccio on a the shrines

star in the romantic

The U.S. Catholic Conference classification

inappropriate for children under 13.

and dull come to mind much

tive

situations are familiar to the point of

^'

PHOTO FROM 20th Century Fox

— adults, and the Motion Picture Association of America rating — parents are strongly cautioned that some material may be

is

Ultimately, adjectives like deriva-

each other, then she finds out about the bet. Zach's got some major explaining to do or his buddy Dean will lure Laney away, especially now that she's coiffed, made up and dressed to

THE CATHOLIC COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN

CNS

"Simply irresistible" Sarah Michelle Cellar and Sean Patrick Flanery

—

of her mom 10 years earlier, simply ignores her classmates and paints morbid canvasses, hoping for an art scholarship. Zach's amazed when she puts down his flattery, which has the effect of intriguing him to get to know her as a person.

The rest is fairly obvious: Zach

kill

to be found in

the rarefied atmosphere of the snooty

dishy

and Laney do become

humor is

Slight satiric

his

.

r»',

10-11 p.m.

17,

series, a perfor-

mance documentary built around the theatrical dance, "Hymn," created by the artistic director of the Alvin Alley

American Dance Theater

as a tribute

and choreographer.

Saturday, Feb. 20, 10-11 p.m. EST to the trailblazing dancer

(ABC) "Love American Style." Updated version of the 1970s series, featuring light-hearted looks at various couples in the throes of dating relationships.

Pare

is

on the staff of the U.S. Catholic

Conference Officefor Film

and Broadcasting.

Includes free '

sell -installation kit (professional installation

E-mail or send your name, address and phone number

Joann Keane, The CathoHc News

Church

package

1

For more information:

8.

"Great Performances"

alSti MHIliiififfl w o %• MMflMHMHi

and receive

123

Wednesday, Feb.

EST (PBS) "Dance in America: A Hymn for Alvin Alley." From the

Special $149 visit to

of Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

1

the "Investigative Reports" sean examination of possible relationships between those who are abusive to animals and serial killers, with the FBI studying if such a pattern can help identify potential serial killers.

Tuesday, Feb. 16, 9-11 p.m. EST (CBS) "God's New Plan." Fact-based drama about a mother (Katey Sagal) who comes to terms with her impending death by choosing a new wife (Annabeth Gish) for her husband to help raise their child. ries,

St.,

Charlotte,

-

$49)

to:

& Herald NC 28203

e-mail: jskeane@charlottediocese,org

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The Catholic News & Herald

12

In

Shepherd One still on cloud nine

Flight attendant from DOLORES MADLENER

By

News Service Even a week CHICAGO (CNS) after the trip from St. Louis to Rome with Pope John Paul II on Shepherd One, flight attendant Adrienne Montgomery still has her head in the Catholic

—

clouds.

The

TWA

24-year

flight atten-

dant was the first name drawn in the lottery to staff the papal return

board and the doors secured, she said the crew formed a line to greet the pope. Montgomery knelt and kissed

and will never forget her awe. the pontiff said he would be happy to have his photographer take his picture with each member of the crew. Montgomery will never forget how "he held my hand as I sat beside him and looked right into my eyes." his ring

Then

"Typical mother,"

company

hundred

that he enjoys flavored

flight per-

put their into a hat.

Eight were chosen.

In an interview sonnel

teas, like apple, raspberry

names

and black

currant, with

of anyone else on the

World,

four cups during the

Montgomery

eight-and-a-half-hour

said

she felt the crew that evolved was "spiritually centered and very

flight.

He sipped a

wine before turning in for

That aspect, she said, was probably

the night.

pleasing to the pope,

on America to de-

called

nounce prejudice during the flight, several

his visit.

On

crewmen conversed

with him in different languages.

Celebrities are nothing new to

Montgomery,

a

so wonderful" as her flight with the pope.

After the papal entourage was on

EXpf'^^^ •

had passed and Vice

TWA

gomery

said.

When

they were finally airborne,

the pope, visibly tired, settled back for a light dinner.

Montgomery

tended the pope personally.

smooth

was

a

phenomenally

flight all the way."

He awoke about three hours arrival,

Montgomery

breakfast omelet,

said "and

meat and

before

had a

cheeses."

She delighted in seeing him with headphones on listening to music.

Then he said he would bless any objects the crew wanted blessed. "I had a huge plastic bag of rosaries and things from St. Dorothy parishioners. He blessed everything!"

Once they arrived in Rome, and was off the plane, the TWA crew was applauded by the papal enthe pope

tourage and was invited on a private tour of the Vatican. Crew members saw the pope's private gardens and even a private vegetable garden where the nuns are trying to grow vegetables from seeds from Poland for the pope's table.

Back home with husband Bruce and the family, Montgomery said she was still coping with jet lag. "I didn't sleep five minutes on Shepherd One because I didn't want to

CNS

(Look for our sign Greylyn Business Park) Member

St.

international date line, the first

Mass of the millennium

miss anything!"

The crew hopes to have

flight,

but we'll

South Boulevard

.

Charlotte

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Was there a "seat belt" on TWA's papal bed? Montgomery said "No. He

attended

and U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican Lindy Boggs, but flight attendant Maureen Spillane of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Glenview, at-

•

A VETERAN &

Montgomery learned that he enjoys flavored teas, like apple, raspberry and black currant, with milk and sugar and had four cups during the eight-and-a-half-hour flight. He sipped a little red wine before turning in for the night.

the cardinals traveling with the pope

rt^f'^i'f'^TmATF.S!

pf^eSSLtd.

minutes

President Gore could not leave on Air Force II until the pope departed. "Our captain explained to them, 'Sorry, we're having a Kodak moment here, we'll be a few minutes more,'" Mont-

busy wife and mom,

and eucharistic minister in St. Dorothy Parish.

She has met Donald Trump, Bill Cosby and U.S. senators, she said, but nothing has been "so overwhelming,

•

ious."

Thirty

culturally diverse."

who had

and made us feel at ease. Meanwhile, FBI agents on the ground were getting anx-

red

little

The Holy Fawas so gracious

plane.

ther

Chicago's archdiocesan newspa-

per,

smiled. I'm still ecstatic. I wasn't aware

milk and sugar and had

New

The

with

she said, "I showed him a photo of my 10and 12-year-old daughters and he

Montgomery learned

Rome. Five

to

trip

February 12, 1999

the News

Volkswagen -Audi Catholic Press John Diederich, Owner

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y

The Catholic News & Herald 13

February 12, 1999

In

fhe News

Abortion foes vow to continue after ruling on posters, Web site

By ED LANGLOIS News Service DePORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) spite a $107 million judgment against them for their "Wanted" Catholic

Another poster used a photograph of an abortion doctor from the Midwest and urged activists to picket his neigh-

—

borhood and encourage him

posters featuring abor-

and

tionists

Web

a related

Robert Destro, a

members of a

site,

professor of law at The

national coalition of

vowed

to continue their

Portland case could

"punch a big hole

The judgment was handed down Feb. 2 by

First

Court

in

Portland in a

the

Amendment." The

First

a jury in U.S. District

in

protection of free

brought against the American

speech, Destro said,

Coalition of Life Activ-

prevents federal laws

1995 by Planned Parenthood in Oregon,

from "shutting off

suit

civil

ists in

four doctors

who

form abortions and two

women's

writings constitute a genuine threat.

the verdict.

some of the defendants have refused to condemn the killing of abor-

The

Web site called the Files,"

suit,

which

tion providers, a stand that attorneys

made

for the plaintiffs

Assuring Absolute

the center of

First

The charges

speech, Destro said, prevents federal laws from "shutting off people's speech" no matter how disagreeable.

of violence bothered

Monica Migliorino Miller, a theologian who teaches at Marquette University in Milwaukee. She was one

of

long

her

when

political

science

professor at Portland

stand

in

fect this case

to violence

it

in

was

call

could have

on protected speech.

But we're also concerned if the First

clear

the forms of

Amendment

is being used as a shield by people carrying out violence or making

communication the defendants chose to use.

threats of violence."

Melody Rose,

speech of the at

a

Portland State University, argued

was

tor of the Pro-Life Action League,

that the call to violence

which organizes abortion protests and

the forms of communication the defen-

trains sidewalk counselors, said defendants were asked to pay the $107 million in damages because "abortionists

dants chose to use.

"A 'Wanted' poster, in the context of American history, implies violence," Rose said. "Those of us who watched

are paranoid."

Westerns on TV the posters meant

outrageous verdict stands, will have been effectively ground under the gigantic "If this

the First

Amendment

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State University,

argued that the

Oregon,

said his organization

movement.

pro-life

Union

erties

aim was to

real

stifle free

the American Civil Lib-

Melody Rose, a

has a very clear policy of nonviolence," she said in an interview. She added that she believes the suit's

David Fidanque, executive director of

"Here you have an organization being sued for supposed threats of violence

Amendment." The Amendment's protection of free

big hole in the First

their case.

against using violence.

—

Robert Destro, a professor of law at Catholic University of America, said the Portland case could "punch a

Also,

Other suits brought against prolifers have centered on actions such as

blockades of clinics disagreeable. plaintiffs claimed the as violating those laws.

The case is expected coalition was conducting a "campaign of terto go to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and perhaps the ror and intimidation."

The suit was filed less than a year U.S. Supreme Court.

American Coalition of Life Activafter the coalition published and distributed a series of posters. ists, an umbrella group for hundreds of One, under the heading "Guilty of abortion foes from across the country, Crimes Against Humanity," listed says it requires its members to abide names and addresses of 12 doctors by a vow of nonviolence. None of the from across the country who perform defendants in the Portland case is diabortions. Reminiscent in design of rectly connected to any violence wanted posters from the Old West, it against doctors or clinics. called the physicians "The Deadly "I have never intended to threaten Dozen" and offered $5,000 for inforanyone with any poster I have put mation that would lead to revocation out," coalition president David Crane of their medical licenses. said in January from the witness stand.

attorneys

plaintiffs'

of the 14 original defendants but was later dropped by the plaintiffs, she thinks, because

—

matter how

but the

site,

claimed the defendants violated federal racketeering and clinic access laws, focused on the words used by abor-

The

clinics.

explicit threat in either the posters or the

apparently convinced the jury that the

tion foes.

people's speech" no

per-

He was found

guilty last year during a federal rack-

is

Also mentioned in the suit was an affili-

The

Amendment's

said in a statement.

no

court noted that there

eteering trial in a suit brought against him for trying to prevent women from using abortion clinics. He is appealing

"Nuremberg

America, said the

and say they lack the funds to pay the damages.

The

foot of the federal courts," Scheidler

We had people sign pledges."

Web

to offer

which publicizes information about hundreds of abortion doctors and compares their work to Nazi war crimes.

efforts

are committed to peaceful non-

medical care to the needy in lieu of abortions.

ated

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abortion

"We

violence.

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Psalms 121:1

14 The Catholic News & Herald

February 12, 1999

Around Ihe Diocese

Lenten Guidelines 1. The time of Lent is to be observed by Catholics as a special season of prayer, penance and works of char-

Bishops, stating that prayer

is

incom-

plete without penance, ujges Friday

abstinences as something all American Catholics should oflFer up for the sake

ity-

of world peace.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friin particular, are the most impor-

2.

day,

Parents and teachers should see who are not bound by the laws of fasting and abstinence: because of age are brought up in an atmosphere that is conducive to a sense of penance.

7.

tant penitential days of the liturgical year.

They

to

are days of both fast and

abstinence. All Fridays in Lent are

days of abstinence.

Photo

School receives donations St. Leo the Great Catholic School

The student body at

coufttesy of St. Leo

in

School

Winston-Salem

recently gathered to thank Pepsi and R.J. Reynolds for $3,000 in donations that enabled the school to purchase safety mats and glass backboards for

the school gymnasium.

'lllllSlpll

.

3. The rule of fasting states the only one full meal a day can be taken.

Two small meals, "Sufficient to maintain strength," are allowed, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals breaks the fast, but drinking liquids does not.

The rule of fasting binds all Catholics from age 1 8 to 59.

8.

4. Abstinence refers to the eating of meat. Under the present law, it does not include egg or milk products, meat stock soups or gravies. The rule of abstinence binds all Catholics 14 years

—

WASHINGTON

Carolina Catholic Bookshoppe wins publisher contest Carolina Catholic Bookshoppe in Charlotte was awarded first place by Liturgy Training Publications for best display of the publisher's products in the store. The display, designed by Teresa Hollifield, was based on LTP's "Year of Grace" liturgical year calendar. The prize included a $500 gift certificate for merchandise. Judy Gritzmacher is manager

CHARLOTTE

—

of Carolina Catholic Bookshoppe. Liturgy Training Publications

is

5.

The

9.

serious obligation.

is

is

liturgical directions of the

Holy Week

Rites.

10. Funeral Masses are not allowed on Holy Thursday, Good Friday or Holy Saturday. The funeral rite out-

a

Those whose work

or health would be impaired are excused from fasting and abstaining. The individual conscience can decide if

more

The

Substantial observance of

the laws of fast and abstinence

there

should be clearly

faithful

Sacramentary and the Lectionary must be faithfully observed regarding all the special

Youtii ministry director ciiairs national commission Paul Kotlowski, director of the Diocese of Charlotte's Office of Youth Ministry, has been named chairperson of the Accreditation and Certification Commission of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, Inc., based in Washington. As a member of the Accreditation and Certification Commission Task Group, Kotlowski is part of a team that represents the federation at various gatherings where national groups collectively discuss competency-based standards. The task group's work is ongoing, as the standards for accreditation and certification are to be revised every five years and implementation is continual.

The

and positively encouraged to receive the sacrament of reconcilation during Lent. There should be adequate time scheduled for confessions before Easter. Group penance services should not be scheduled for the last days of the Holy Week. At no time is it permitted to schedule a group penance service for the purpose of giving general absolution without individual confessions.

old and older.

In Brief...

that even those

it

a proper cause to excuse.

side of Mass can be held either in church or at the chapel on those days, with a funeral Mass later.

A

serious reason should be present

to excuse

11. The RCIA is incorporated into the liturgy during Lent. The Rite of Election is celebrated on the First Sun-

from Ash Wednesday and

Good Friday

penance.

6. Self-imposed fasting on the other weekdays of Lent is recommended. Abstinence on all Fridays of the years is also highly recommended.

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On

the third, fourth and

Sunday of Lent, the Scrutinies

fifth

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February 12, 1999

The Catholic News & Herald 15

Around fhe Diocese

PSA: Faith Formation

Catechist meeting emphasizes By

commitment to ongoing formation

JIMMY ROSTAR

can manifest itself in a variety of ways for middle- and high-school students in academics, in social settings, and in sporting and other extracurricular activities. She noted that retreats and liturgy are two powerful ways of keeping the faith alive for students.

"All the retreats should be a reflection of what they're learning, not just in their home parishes but in their religion

Associate Editor

CHARLOTTE — A

—

recent gath-

ering of diocesan officials and catechists from the Southern Region emphasized that faith formation in the Diocese of Charlotte affects young people from their elementary school years to beyond Let confirmation age.

your

The

classes,"

meet monthly

"to

Dawson

gather information

light

and spend some proce-

dures," said

Mary

Beth Feeser, coordinator of the Southern Region, cilitated the

who

fa-

meeting.

At the Feb. 4 meeting in the diocesan pastoral center, representatives of various types of educational ministry spoke about the spiritual, educational and social development of young people as they continue their faith journey.

Confirmation was

a

prevalent

topic of discussion. Recently adapted

diocesan guidelines direct that students be confirmed in their eighthgrade year. Extensive preparation is needed in both the "remote" and the "immediate" sense, said Feeser.

Mercy

Sister

Maureen Meehan,

diocesan director of religious formation for Catholic Schools, addressed the academic background students acquire in their schools prior to the time for sacramental preparation.

Sister Maureen referred to grades kindergarten through five as a period of "catechism of reality."

Not only are students introduced to the sacraments of reconciliation and the Eucharist during this phase, she said. "They study morality, the sacraments, church, and the liturgy. Each year, their study is developed on another level as the children grow" physically, mentally and spiritually.

Sister Maureen explained that "remote preparation" religious education in the parish, the home, the

—

Photo by Jimmy Rostar

M.J. Dawson, at left, addresses catechists of the Southern Region as Mary Beth Feeser looks on. school, the faith formation class

that

must

exist

between

ents, religion teachers,

they're educated

and formed

computer skills and comfortable working with diverse groups of people. Send resume to: Geri King, Director, Catholic Social Services,

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123

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Elder Ministry: Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Charlotte, NC has an opening for a Regional Coordinator of Elder Ministry for the Morganton/Hickory, NC area. Selected candidate will contribute as a team member to development of elder programs and activities, will engage in ecumenical cooperation on elder issues, and provide on-site assistance to Catholic parishes within the designated region.

Bachelor's degree desired and travel required throughout the l-fi counties of the Diocese. ."0 hours per week (.$lfiK-2lK) plus full benefits.

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cluding the Doctrine of the Faith, the

middle and later teen years, they need

Causes of Saints, and the Evangelization of Peoples. Cardinal Arinze is also part of

opportunities for religious education,

a small

too, said M.J.

Dawson, campus minister at Charlotte Catholic High School and Holy Trinity Catholic Middle

the church's millennium celebration.

School

sophomore member of the men's basketball team who is out for the season while recovering from an injury. Ifeanyi Arinze,

Dawson

group helping plan Jubilee 2000,

Cardinal Arinze's nephew, Niki,

said catechesis

Niki's father

evangelize effectively

Y

the U.S. bishops and educational ministry leaders are valuable tools in that

evangelization, he said.

As the other presenters stressed, Kotlowski said cooperation within the educational ministry field

work

stories

is

essential.

and the models that

really need to be shared

among

and a professor

at

Faith formation is one of the 33 lifegiving ministries partially orfullyfunded by the Diocesan Support Appeal.

is

a

Meliarry

Medical College in Nash\'Llle, is a member of Wake Forest's Parents' Council.

Commencement will conclude the university's Year of Globalization and Diversity, a yearlong series of events focusing on the world's development into a more global community.

For information about commencement or other events during, tlie year, 758-5788 or visit call (336)

www.wfu.edu/wfunews/.

"A valid Will stands as a continuing expression of our

Dignity

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

Affordability

Simplicity

Bishop William G. Curlin

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

statement included in your Will:

"/ leave to the

Charlotte (or (or ,

Roman

For more information on

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make

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Catholic Diocese of

parish, city) the

religious, educational

is

said.

Youth ministry models prescribed by

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

In Yours.

he

from page 3

sacred congregations of the Vatican, in-

in Charlotte.

"How we

a challenge that faces all of us,"

he added, "and more importantly, for the sake of our young church."

There are four faith formation regions in the diocese. The Southern Region is composed of the Albemarle, Charlotte and Salisbury vicariates. The Western Region includes the Asheville and Smoky Mountain vicariates. The Northern Region comprises the Greensboro and Winston-Salem vicariates. The Central Region is made up of the Boone, Gastonia and Hickory vicariates, t

to assess students' challenges, hurts and progress, she said.

As director of the diocesan Office of Youth Ministry, Paul Kotlowski encounters the needs of young people of and beyond the confirmation age. He said the diocese's change in the age of confirmation presents an important op-

With 20 years of youth ministry

nities in their parishes.

and school Masses are

ways

into their

Bishop William G. Curlin.

Kotlowski stressed that confirmation shouldn't be seen as a graduation from education in the faith, but rather as a new beginning of Christian life.

He said such an approach will help open doors to youth, inviting them to explore a variety of ministry opportu-

parishes for the sake of our ministries,"

challenged in a new way, especially with the millennium coming," Dawson added. Those charged with educational ministry must creatively find

in-

a vision expressed in

Daily prayer

"We as youth

in Catholic,

move

many

said.

(directors of religious education) are

receive the sacrament

of confirmation and

includes

—

the guidelines recently promulgated by

"The success

part of students' school experience.

public or private schools, or at home.

As students

life

Dawson

in classrooms

volved in educational ministry. In addition to teaching students tenets of the faith, she said, it is also important to reach as many as possible, whether

Community Outreach Worker: ImmediatL' position for experienced Community Outreach Worker to help identify and coordinate enrollment of eligible Latino/Hispanic children in new health care program. Bi-lingual, college de-

cal contexts,

catechists, par-

and others

Groups are formed that focus on

Campus

—

other areas are introduced by the sixth and seventh grades.

She said students during this period move into a more intimate level of faith. That base prepares them for the four to six months of "immediate," or sacramental, preparation preceding the sacrament of confirmation, she added.

Sister Maureen lauded the alliance

Remember

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

topics.

vision of total youth ministry in their

communities

stressed that active stu-

.particular areas of ministry.

gives students a foundation in the faith. Scripture, church history and

experience,

ffSsified

said. "It (the retreat) is

dent involvement is key. As part of the formal religion curriculum at Charlotte Catholic, she said, students engage in service hours that provide outreach to a variety of community entities. In addition, guest speakers address students about faith, morality and other

time in dialogue to

develop

Dawson

an opportunity, as Jesus did, to go away and take time to reflect and pray."

catechists

portunity for parishes to implement the

^^^^ ^^^^.^^ Charlotte,

^

nc

^^^p 704-568-0023

its

Steven Kuzraa Owner/Director Member St. Matthew Church and Knights of Columbus

16 The Catholic News & Herald

In

February 12, 1999

the News

Catholic leaders praise King Hussein as 'champion of peace'

By JUDITH SUDILOVSKY Catholic News Service Mideast JERUSALEM (CNS) Catholic leaders were among those praising Jordan's King Hussein and attending his funeral in the capital,

—

Amman.

"King Hussein was a very good

and Bishop Selim Sayegh, the representative of the Latin Patriarchate in

Amman,

also attended the funeral.

Hussein,

Amman

who had

cancer, returned

from Minnesota Feb. 4.

He never regained consciousness and to

the

Mayo

in critical condition

Clinic in

died Feb.

7.

Muslim but at the same time he was very open to the Christians," said Msgr. Dominique Rezeau, charge d'affaires for the Holy See in Amman.

West Bank, Isand Palestinians also mourned for the king, who went from being an enemy to a partner and a leading force

"Not only was he always good to the church, he also had a good understanding of what Catholicism is. He was a very religious man, a real believer and a champion of peace."

Catholics in Jordan said special prayers for their dead monarch at services Feb. 7, said Msgr. Rezeau, who

peace process.

Father Ibrahim Hijazin, a native of Jordan and parish priest of the West Bank city of Ramallah, said many of his Palestinian parishioners expressed their condolences to him at the death

attended the king's Feb. 8 funeral.

Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah

In Israel and the

raelis

in the

of his king.

"King Hussein was a great man of peace for the Middle East. He kept the balance," said Father Hijazin. "With his loss there will be a big and deep

Middle East."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Hussein "a courageous leader, a loyal friend, a maker of change

in the

CNS

PHOTO FROM Reuters

A

Jordanian boy holds a portrait of the late King Hussein as the coffin is carried through the streets of Amman on the way to the funeral service Feb. 8. Tens of thousands of Jordanians filled the streets to honor their king.

Israeli

peace with

Israel."

"The government and people of Israel

bow

their heads in grief over the

passing of King Hussein," said Netanyahu. "King Hussein was one of the few leaders who was recognized even in his lifetime as a historic figure.

He will

be remembered as the creator of modern Jordan, as a major architect of peace in the Middle East. He will always be remembered as one of the giants of the second half of the 20th century."

King Abdullah of Jordan speaks to members of the Jordanian Parliament as he is sworn in as the

new king

Feb. 7 following the death

Hussein

won

the hearts of

many

two years ago when he paid

Israelis

personal condolences to the families of seven young girls who were gunned down on a school field trip by a Jordanian soldier. At the king's death, Israelis called him "our hero."

The king also managed to repair the deep rift created between him and the Palestinians after the September 1970 operation that became known as "Black September," when a civil war erupted between Palestinian guerrilla organizations and the Jordanian army.

Hussein banished the Palestinian units from Jordan, and they were forced to set up bases in Lebanon.

Hussein gained back the confidence

of the Palestinians during the

first

ians support.

Some 80 percent

Bethlehem Mayor Hanna Nasser said the king's death

was

a "big loss" to

the Palestinians.

"He really proved his good will and played a very important and remarkable role in the peace process," said Nasser. "He was a man of peace and said he was looking for the day

when there could be Palestinian independence. For us it is a very big loss, as he has passed away while we are still in the middle of the peace process with Israel." t

PHOTO FROM Reuters

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— who

Cahill

-

excelled

tors

in

classes

ductions, and served as president of

dents which is really ideal ... I've been so impressed."

Patrick is leaning toward a major in philosophy or history and plans to

his

student

—

body

the perfect

is

—

Belmont

says

fit

many reasons.

"The Abbey has so much offer. The campus is beautiful and environment

When fit

I

is

warm and

for

visited,

just

I

to

the

welcoming.

knew

I

woidd

Charlotte,

NC

it is

"the right peo-

ple in the right positions" that has

made

his

Abbey experience

so unfor-

gettable.

at the

touch of a button.

Call today for a demonstration.

Music

£^ Corner Oak

Electronics

& Broad Streets

Nooresville, NC (704) 663-7007 (800) 331-0768

"The hearts of the people are genuine and caring; that's one of the things I love about this place. 1 receive personal attention fi-om people who really

know what

about. All five of

Charlotte Catholic

High School Major: Undecided

try out for the baseball team.

also continue the

my

they're

talking

current instruc-

The

Belmom, NC 28012

•

He

will

work he began

in

high school helping imderprivileged children in downtown Charlotte with

Mother Theresa's

in here."

Patrick claims

music of the Catholic faith played on organ or electronic keyboard by the

have their doctorate degrees. My range fi-om just 15 to 30 stu-

high school sports and musical pro-

Abbey College

amazing

to offer, there

Patrick Cahill, Class of 2002

him, for

selection of

all

the right decision."

HOME MORTGAGE, INC

Music beautifully played at every Mass, ^ \ special service or gathering..

Your

saw

I

no comparison. The Abbey was

Call today.

(336) 370-4100

four coUeges and

Belmont Abbey College had

3

Jeff Branstrator

at

of

Jordan's residents are Palestinian.

of his father, King Hussein.

CNS

Gulf

War when he supported Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, whom the Palestin-

Missionaries

of

Charity.

"You can't ask for a stronger CathoUc identity than here at Belmont Abbey College, yet our Benedictine

instructors

don't

really

what denomination you're fi'om; they just want the opportimity to care

teach you. In

fact, a fair

percentage of

our students are not CathoUc, and are welcome with open arms."

Catholic College of the CaroUnas

belmontabbeycollege.edu • Toli-Free 888.BAC.0110

all