Feb 27, 1998 by Catholic News Herald

The Catholic

& Herald

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Volume? Number 25

Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte

February 27, 1998

Reached; Church Urge Against Force

U.N.-lraq Accord Officials

—

WASHINGTON (CNS) Church officials and others voiced opposition to the use of force and called for an end to the U.N. embargo against Iraq days before the U.N. secretary-general and Iraqi officials reached an accord. The Vatican hailed a written agreement on the Iraqi crisis and expressed hope that the accord would open the way to lifting the embargo against the Persian Gulf country. The Vatican comment came Feb. 23 after U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan worked out a deal with Iraqi officials to resume U.N. weapons inspections, thus seemingly averting a U.S.

Archbishop Renato R. Martino, Vatican nuncio to the United Nations, was, "It seems that your personal visit will be of great help toward the

bombardment of

for his prayers, the nuncio reported.

were

still

solution of the present crisis."

The nuncio said Annan attended a World Day Mass celebrated by Cardinal John J. O'Connor Feb. 15 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. In the homily. Cardinal O'Connor also encouraged Annan to visit Iraq in an effort to preof Peace

Annan responded by saying he was "touched" by the expression of papal interest and asked Archbishop Martino to convey thanks to the pope

Iraqi targets. U.S. officials

cautious about the accord, which

was

Speaking in an interview with the Italian magazine II Regno in mid-February, the Vatican nuncio to Iraq, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, criticized the embargo of Iraq, the U.N. weapons inspection efforts there and what he said were U.S. economic interests behind the threat of military

signed in Baghdad, Iraq, after three days of negotiations.

"The Holy See expresses

its

satisfaction

with the agreement, which should eliminate the threat of military action," said Vatican spokes-

man

Joaquin Navarro- Vails. He said he hoped would be ratified by the U.N. Secu-

action.

Archbishop Lazzarotto said it was time that world opinion recognize that the tactics adopted against Iraq "are against human nghts and, in re~

the accord

rity_Cpuncil.

Backed by

United States has

Britain, the

threatened to attack Iraq

President

Saddam

ality,

urged Annan to

were exoil prices had decreased companies were losing mil-

said the U.S. policy decisions

plained by the fact that to the point that oil

lions of dollars a day.

Iraqi Chaldean-rite Patriarch Raphael I Bidawid said he thought the current crisis in Iraq could be solved quickly if the West would lift the "humiliating" trade embargo against his country.

weapons inspectors unlimited access to eight presidential sites. The sites had earlier been declared off-limits by Saddam. Annan met with Saddam for three hours Feb. 22 before the agreement was reached. In a message delivered Feb. 15, Pope John

hide enormous economic interests."

Hussein does not open all sites capable of producing weapons of mass destruction, including chemical weapons, to U.N. inspection. Details of the Iraqi agreement were not immediately announced, but reports said it gave

Paul

In an interview with

CNS

Feb. 18, the patri-

soon as

why Americans and others believe Saddam is amassing new weapons or making plans to use them. He character-

verbally by

See U.N.-lraq Accord, page 2

visit Iraq "as

arch said he did not understand

possible.".

Prison

"But the chaplain

Staff Writer

jail,

she

cau-

here because of the things

own free will," she says, glanc-

jump suit, the standard garb for inmates. "And because of the things I did, I felt couldn't go to

thing because

God to

overcome

facility

chaplain, he says reaching

out to society's incarcer-

ated has given

him

a true,

alive meaning of church. "I believe I'm here to provide hope for the hopeless," Matevie says, as inmates shuffle

en route to their cell pods. To his right, a laminated piece of paper conveys the message of one of the inmates. "You gotta stay prayed up," it reads.

Searching For Hope

ask for any-

wasn't living right."

trust.

single-file outside his office

ing at the sleeve of her jail-issued orange

who

of her fears through Scrip-

keeping and

tiously hopeful for better things ahead.

that

me with

Matevie,

ture reading, prayer, journal

doubt, depression and guilt each day. Her boyfriend was murdered and threats have been made against her children. She is unsure about what her future holds, yet thanJcs to the

helping

is Bill

trying to help Sandra

many

ated, she battles self-

"I'm

receiving a National Geographic medal and a subscription to National Geographic Magazine. A written examination was submitted to National Geographic which may enable Ben to go on to state competition. Sixth-grader Drew Thorp placed second. Shown in the photo are Ben (center) and

kindergarten friends (clockwise): Caitlyn Reid, Daniel Bradley, William Fleming, Jeffrey Warren, Katie Finegan and Cicely

In addition to his duties as chaplain

Jail

spiritual, practical

and compassionate

contexts, Matevie has served as coordi-

That chaplain

a 23-year-old inmate in

prison chaplaincy at the

all that."

— Sandra

Mecklenburg County Jail North. While incarcer-

did of my

won the competition,

Brings Church To The Incarcerated

l\/linistry

JIMMY ROSTAR

CHARLOTTE is

Asheville Catholic School participated in the National Geographic Geography Bee on Jan. 1 4, 1 998. Classroom finalists from grades 5-8 met during a special assembly. Ben Schroeder, eighth grade,

Upham.

The pope's message, delivered

vent war. Archbishop Martino reported.

North, which include numerous

nator of prison ministry in the Diocese

of Charlotte since 1991.

That means being available to anyone associated with the 45 prisons across western North Carolina, including volunteers, personnel and inmates' families. Their needs vary widely, from phone calls to arranging for the Eucharist to be brought to a cell, and Matevie does his best to grant those requests.

On any given day in the jail, he may encounter murderers, rapists, drug pushers, spouse abusers. Many inmates arrive bitter and filled with hate. And eventually, he says, some begin looking for God. At

Matevie becomes lay and advisor. change comes when they use the term T am sick and tired of that point

minister, counselor

"The time

being sick and tired,'" Matevie says. Lives dominated by drugs, violence and lack of concern for self and others cause much internal and external pain, he adds, but every person deserves to know that a loving, forgiving God does exist. Even in jail.

"You

show them a purpose to he says. an excellent example of someone who did far more serious crimes than anybody in any prison in this country has ever done, and yet ... he was redeemed." Matevie realizes that the percentage of the inmates he reaches with messages of God's love is not always high. Still, the changes he sees in some provide all the evidence he needs. try to

their life, that life is not over,"

"St.

Paul

takes exception to the belief in

for

See Prison

Ministry,

page 2

2 The Catholic

News

& Herald

February 27, 1998

Prison Ministry, from page

U.N.-lraq Accord, from page

"When

the impossibility of the "jailhouse con-

came

here,

had an op-

version," saying that simple acts of good

Patriarch Raphael also said he had

can go a long way. "Sooner or later, the inmate finds that anger will carry them just so far, and the next thing you

he adds. "As

God became and he showed me

written to U.S. President Bill Clinton

will

know

... a Bible shows up in Matevie says. "Maybe com bined with that there's a trip down to a Bible

way

programs available to them, the inmates must ultimately decide to make peace with themselves and others whom But they've hurt. Matevie is ready to stand them, through prayer, by

seed

planted, Matevie says, in-

mates may come to understand God's unconditional love, regardless of their faith tradition.

It is

to that

Bible study, conversation

sent to the chaplain's office

paperwork needing to be mailed. Through hard work and determination, traits he says Matevie taught him, Anthony is now a dependable trustee in the to sort

and

faith.

Appreciation

same love

he attributes his own ability to serve. "There's a lot of frustration in this job," he admits. "There are people who can almost bring me to tears when I see that they've come back (to jail), because I really thought that in this case it was going to work." "If I didn't believe 100 percent every day that it is the Lord who does His work through me, then I couldn't do this for a living," he says. Journeylng in Faith It's mid-morning when 35-year-old Anthony knocks on Bill Matevie' s door,

He has been

that in addition to the

treatment, educational, and spiritual

some guidance."

you don't stand back and ask, 'Am I going through it and doing what God wants me to do?' You do it.' That's Ed Helms talking. Having worked in prison and jail ministry for more than a decade, the devout parishioner of First Baptist Church in Charlotte welcomed Matevie' s invitation last at Jail

"I'm so thankful that God has allowed me to be part of what he is trying do out here," Helms says. "He has

put (Matevie) here in this facility for a

reason and a purpose."

"The Lord works through him," says Danny, a 30-year-old inmate locked up since 1994. "I feel that in my heart because he's always saying

thing to encourage you.

"There are so many things I've learned from Chaplain Bill," says Anthony, convicted more than two years ago. Originally approaching the

bad, and the next day he'll call

reli-

gious reading material, Anthony has since become something of an in-house minister himself.

in,

between 35

Bible study sessions.

come

40 attend daily Anthony has beto

a ministry leader in his pod, too,

leading prayer services and commenting

on Scripture. Examples like that of Anthony are what make the ministry so special, says Ed Helms, a volunteer. "To see the resuits

...

of how

God has entered into their

and helped them make a complete 180-degree turn is incredible," he adds. Anthony acknowledges that turn has been a difficult one to make. "Back in the day, I was hungry for money and drugs and women and all that," he says, "But Chaplain Bill showed me ways of getting closer to God. I talked to the lives

chaplain people.

when I couldn't talk to other He comforted me and prayed

I'll

some-

be feeling

me down

something exactly about what's been bothering me. "He's a blessing to this place, because he helps a lot of people. There's not a person who walks out of here who's not influenced by him, even if it's by his cheerfulness and his attitude."

judging Iraqi actions. He said he thought it was unfair for the United States to accuse Iraq of being a threat to peace in the region without making the same accusation against countries like Israel.

—

there worth saving. that there's

not over

on us

human

violation

rights."

The conference took place Sabbah made Bethlehem University. Patriarch

his address at

Despite U.S. -Vatican differences on the possible use of force against Iraq,

U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican Lindy Boggs said she believes the Clinton ad-

Mairead Corrigan Maguire, winner

ministration and the Vatican share the

same basic concerns about protection of humans in the region. "The United States and the Vatican

moting peace

Northern Ireland, was arrested Feb. 16 for her nonviolent protest of the threatened use of U.S. force against Iraq. in her native

are as one as far as the protection of hu-

man rights is concerned" and in their de-

ing to leave the Federal Correctional In-

sire for "peace, goodness and protection of the people who are least able to pro-

where she

vide protection for themselves," she said

stitution in Petersburg, Va.,

refus-

visited jailed peace activist Phillip Berrigan.

The next day, Maguire appeared before U.S. District Judge Richard L. Wil-

liams,

who

dismissed charges

at the re-

quest of the U.S. attorney's office. In Bethlehem,

West Bank, some

1,500 high school and university students demonstrated against a military strike on Iraq.

Students said the demonstration was

who have been subjected to the seven-year, U.S.backed embargo against Iraq. Latin-rite Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem told an international gathin defense of Iraqi children

ering of Christians during the third international Sabeel Conference Feb. 14

that the continuing

U.N. sanctions

against Iraq and a possible military strike

an interview Feb. 17. She said the United States, like the is particularly worried about the fate of the children, the sick and the eldin

pope,

erly in Iraq.

But Boggs said it was important for people to remember that the U.S. goal is to restrain development of dangerous new kinds of weaponry that threaten the region.

married couple

who

visited Iraq

in January said children there

still

—

John Held and Jane Hosking,

another chance, that

that

God

zens and religious leaders. "The impact of the embargo

lEND YOUR LEHER TO THE EDITOR

people," Held told the Catholic Herald, the diocesan newspaper of Superior, Wis.

e-mail address:

catholicnewsc® charlottediocese.org

Readings for the week of March 1 7, 1998

—

Sunday Deuteronomy 26:4-10

it's

hasn't given up

Romans

10:8-13

Luke 4:1-13

Bill Matevie, (704)

Judging Others Monday Leviticus 19:1-2,11-18

Matthew 25:31-46 Tuesday Isaiah 55:10-11

Matthew 6:7-15

336-8236.

Wednesday

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4 is fall-

ing squarely on the backs of the Iraqi

yet."

Prison ministry is one of the 35 diocesan agencies and ministries partially or completely funded by the Diocesan Support Appeal. For more information on prison ministry in this diocese, call Chaplain

mem-

Worker community known as Loaves and Fishes, made a two-week mission to deliver medical supplies and meet with Iraqi citi-

bers of a Duluth, Minn., Catholic

gives you hope

TheFfHinclscati Cente/^ &

were the

real victims.

Jonah 3:1-10

BOOKS

at vari-

ous locations throughout Bethlehem, and

of the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize for pro-

with me."

1(336)273-2554

He says his goal is

simply being objective and non-judgmental in everya trait that Sandra apone he sees predates the most about him. "He looks at the heart and soul of people," she says. "He sees something

praise.

when

he'll say

Matevie shies away from such

Of the 60 men in the pod Anthony is housed

North,

jail.

chaplain's unit with an interest in

a door

for you,

and

months ago, urging him not

Maguire staged her protest by

"When God opens

year to be his assistant

several

use "the policy of two measures"

to live."

Matevie says

their cell

study, or they ask to talk

that

submitted,

my life,

real in

the proper

to the chaplain to get

Once

would lead to "tragedy and the

ized such accusations as "illusions."

portunity to get really close to God,"

"Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you r will in return bo measured out to you." (Luke 6:37-38)

Luke 11:29-32 Thursday Esther 12:14-16,23-25 Matthew 7:7-12

Friday Ezekiel 18:21-28

Matthew 5:20-26 Saturday

Deuteronomy 26:16-19 Matthew 5:43-48

The Catholic News

February 27, 1998

& Herald 3

Pope Creates 20 Cardinals, Asks Help For Guiding Church By CINDY WOODEN

created cardinals at the time

—

when we

are

VATICAN CITY (CNS) Creating 20 new cardinals, Pope John Paul II asked them to help him guide the church to the year 2000 and beyond. "I count on your support and your

taking great steps toward the third mil-

enlightened and expert advice for guid-

boat of Peter toward this historic horizon."

ing the church in the last phase of prepa-

Feb. 21 as he formally

At the Feb. 22 Mass for the distribution of rings, the pope said the cardinals are united to him in a special way. They

inducted them into the College of Cardinals.

"constitute the senate of the church, the

ration for the

the

Holy Year," the pope

new cardinals

lennium of the Christian era," the pope said.

dinals, to help the

told

The next day during a Mass, he new relationship with him

first

and with the Diocese of Rome by shpping a ring on the finger of each of the cardinals.

are under the

age of 80 and therefore eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a new pope.

The consistory,

originally scheduled

for the Vatican audience hall,

Square under sunny, spring-

in St. Peter's

like skies to

was held

accommodate

the

more than

15,000 pilgrims and relatives celebrating with the new cardinals. New Cardinal Alberto Bovone, head of the Congregation for Sainthood Causes, underwent emergency surgery in early February and was unable to attend the consistory. Pope John Paul sent his secretary of state. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, to Rome's Gemelli Hospital to give the

new

cardinal his red hat.

The oldest of the new cardinals was an 86-year-old Polish Jesuit, Cardinal Adam Kozlowiecki. As a young priest, he had been imprisoned by the Nazis in the Dachau concentration camp. After the war, he went to Zambia as a missionary and eventually became archbishop of Lusaka.

guiding the

collaborators of the pope in his uni-

rings, he said, are a "sign of the bond which now unites them to the Church of Rome, which presides

special spousal

over the universal church. weeks following the pope is expected to assign each of the cardinals to be members of one or two Vatican congregations

described as "the senate of the church"

whom

The

Among those joining what the pope

rose to 165, 122 of

pope

versal pastoral service."

sealed their

were Cardinals Francis E. George of Chicago; J. Francis Stafford, former archbishop of Denver and president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity; and Aloysius M. Ambrozic of Toronto. With the newly red-clad prelates, the membership of the College of Cardinals

"You are called, in fact, along with members of the College of Car-

the other

in charity"

the

consistory, the

or councils.

"To you, dear and venerable brothers, is entrusted the

celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Surrounded by new cardinals, Pope John Paul Square Feb. 22. A day earlier, he bestowed red hats on 20 bishops, including two from the United States, as the newest members of the College of Cardinals. II

communion of

mission, in a

spirit

which Christ faces still today in same time, you word and with hope which your life the does not disappoint," the pope told them. Pope John Paul said the new cardinals have a new and higher responsibilfering

Although

officially retired,

he con-

the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

tinues living and ministering at the small

Mpunde Mission house with an

Zambia

in a

simple

electric generator, but

his mystical body; at the

In the jubilee preparation year dedicated to the Holy Spirit, the pope invoked on

the

new

cardinals the gifts of the Spirit.

Rome. Cardinal church is Sts.

"Who more than them needs the abundant comfort of these gifts to complete the mission received from the Lord?" the pope asked. "Venerable brothers, may the Spirit Paraclete dwell fully in each one of you, fill you with divine consolation and allow you to be in turn consolers of those who find themselves afflicted, particularly members of the most harshly tried churches, the communities which suffer the most tribulation for the cause of the Gospel," the pope prayed. During the consistory, as he did Jan. 1 8 when he announced the names of the new cardinals, the pope said he was reserving the names of two other cardinals

Marcellinus and Peter, just a block from

"in pectore," or in his heart. Cardinals

telephone.

The most solemn moment of consistory came as the pope handed

the the

three-cornered hat, called a biretta, to each cardinal as he knelt before the pontiff.

The new cardinals were each assigned a church in Rome as a symbol that they were becoming members of the clergy of the Diocese of Rome and even more closely bound to Rome, Pope John Paul.

the bishop of

Cardinal George's "titular" church is St.

Bartholomew on Tiber Island. Car-

dinal Stafford received the church of Jesus, the

Good Shepherd at Montagnola,

in the southern part of

Ambrozic's

Rome

are secretly

named when for political or other

reasons a public revelation of their identities

could endanger them or their ministiy.

"Venerable brothers, you have been

Remember

are called to proclaim with

ity in the universal

"To you

church.

entrusted not only the

duty of electing the pope, but also that

of sharing his concern for the entire people of God," he said. The pope prayed that "the radical readiness to give your lives for Christ" asked of the cardinals and symbolized in their red robes constantly would be strengthened "by a solid and humble faith." "Do not let yourselves become discouraged by the inevitable difficulties of life," he said, but know that the Lord will work through them to care for his people. "You are called to be a visible sign of God's care for his people, imitating Christ, the Good Shepherd, who gathers around him in one flock all of humanity which had been dispersed by sin," Pope John Paul told them.

—

"A valid Wll stands as a continuing expression of our

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

ment to the Church and community in which we

In Yours. .

statement included in your Will:

Charlotte {or

Visit

For more information on

our website at how.net\282()3spc (

hjrh.ttt-,

N( 2H2()3

Roman

Catholic Diocese of

parish, city) the

sum of $

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

(or

Parochial Vicar: Reverend Walter Ray Williams

)33

Curlin

ou can express your commitment to your Church by making a bequest to the Diocese of Charlotte

"I leave to the

Rector: The Veiy Reverend Paul Gtity

the live."

B ishop William G.

or to your parish. Simply have the following

1621 Dilworth Road East

strict

and intention with

the pope, of being witnesses to the suf-

how

make a

Will that works, contact

Jim Kelley, Diocese of Charlotte, Office of Development, 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203, (704) 370-3301

its

4 The Catholic News

& Herald

February 27, 1998

The Pope Speaks

CPro^Sife Corner

Pope John Paul

VATICAN CITY (CNS)

— Here

the Vatican text

ing their capacity to bear

of Pope John Paul II's remarks in English at his weekly general audience Feb. 18.

children, Pope John Paul II said.

Growing acceptance

seen for a distorted vision of

"/ would like to say a special

women who have had an

Dear brothers and

so,

give

yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the sacrament of reconciliation."

— John Paul

With

)piscop of GalenJar

— 3:30 p.m.

sity students

Rite of Election for Asheville Vicariate Basilica of St. Lawrence, Asheville

March 3

— 7:30 p.m.

Rite of Election for Charlotte Vicariate St.

Thomas Aquinas Church,

March 4

to love, Christ

works of justice and

charity.

Charlotte

—

11 a.m. Lenten Speaker

Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Charlotte

from Japan.

welcome

all

Pope Says Authentic Women's Health Care Must Respect Maternity VATICAN CITY (CNS) Promoting the authentic and complete health of women requires ending dis-

—

crimination and renewing respect for

women,

Amy

When Teens Are Mean

March

for Knights

St.

possibly related to biology, particularly genetic factors.

—

March 11 6 p.m. CSS Awards Banquet Westin Hotel, Charlotte

told

later

retreat

27,

1998

Most Reverend William G. Curlin

Editor: Michael Krokos Associate Editor: Joann Keane Staff Writer:Jimmy Rostar Hispanic Editor: Luis Wolf

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the

behaviors are

later that

one question popped up with others: "Why are people so

used

Bioethics at

In-

Rome's Catholic University of

by the Center for Clinical Bioethics at Georgetown University, Washington. As conference participants have done, he said, women's health care must be examined from a holistic viewpoint, including "the prevention and cure of illness, respect for her integrity and her procreative capacity, and the psychological and spiritual aspects of the various situations in which she can find herself." But some people, the pope said, and even some international organizations have limited women's health care to ensuring women do not get pregnant, justifying "contraception, sterilization, abortion and even euthanasia." "This deformation must be corrected because there will never be justice, equality, development and peace for women and for men unless there is an unshakable determination to respect, defend, love and serve life every human life in every phase and in every situation," the pope said. Authentic health, he said, must "insert physical, psychological and social well-being into a relationship of harmony with moral and spiritual values."

—

and then asked the students

They

on a

respond to that

said:

All accurate observations.

then asked the group a question that bothers me OK, even more than the first one. "Why do people I

let's

be specific

— — why do kids stand by and watch

on other kids? Why don't they stand up and stop them?" That question was easy to answer too. "Because you don't want to look like a goodygoody." "If you stick up for someone who's a geek or a nerd, then everyone will think you're their friend." "Then those people will turn on you, and you'll be

their classmates pick

the next victim."-

Don't get me wrong. I'm sure there are plenty of which good kids have defended others who But I haven't seen it much, to be honest, and neither have many teachers I've talked instances in

are the victims of bullying.

incessantly in the countless

sneaky ways human beings make each other

create to

miserable.

She was meek, quiet, had never really "fit in" with the rest of the class since her

One year I had

a class of seniors

who would come

was an easy and

silent

target. "It' s

terrible," these honors students

would tell me

walking into class. "You won't believe what Jim said to Kelly today.' "And what did the teacher do?" It's a reasonable question.

"Oh, she doesn't notice. She's in her "And what did you do about it?"

own world.'

Silence.

"Did you

stick

up for her?"

Shrugs.

"Did you

tell

him

to cut

out?"

More silence. "Why?" "Because then we'll be next, and you know

how

vicious Jim is." I

tried to

make

sense of

this.

"Let me see. There are 10 of you who think this is awful and maybe two who are doing the victimizing You're saying that they have more power than you?'' They can't answer. "Have you ever even tried?" Of course they haven't, and they never did, the entire year.

They

to.

didn't

condone

by laughing or joining in let him know

but Jim was their friend, and they never

every day after art class, having witnessed for the umpteenth time the victimization of one of their

hurt her, but they'd tease her

arrival in the 10th grade, so she

this story as a discussion starter

"So they can feel better about themselves." "Because they think it's funny." "So they can look cool." "Because they're just mean."

& Herald ^§

February

how human

more frequency than any mean to each other?"

The Catholic

Volume 7 • Number 25

the study of

As a way to get the class started, he asked them to compose a question. If you could ask God to explain any human behavior, what would that be?

question.

News

—

ciobiology

and Dames of Malta

March 10 11 a.m. Presbyteral Council Meeting Diocesan Pastoral Center, Charlotte

stitute for

the Sacred Heart and

classmates by two boys. They wouldn't physically

biology instructor was teaching a section on so-

— 7:15 a.m.

Patrick Cathedral, Chariotte

siders "maternity as a bur-

den and an illness," the pope said during a meeting with participants in an international conference on women's health. The conference in Rome was sponsored by the

Welborn

to Other Teens

Belmont Abbey College, Belmont

Visit to

Publisher:

includ-

health which con-

Coming Of Age

p.m. Personnel Meeting Diocesan Pastoral Center, Charlotte

Mass

the English-

speaking pilgrims and visitors, especially those from England, Northern Ireland, Australia, Japan, Sweden and the United States of America. Upon you and your families, I cordially invoke the blessings of Almighty God.

March

commits Although

cannot avoid difficulties in this life, the paschal mystery enables us to see everything in a new light. Every pain or trial, united to the sufferings of Christ, can be redemptive. In the eyes of faith, death itself is the passage to eternal life. The salvation which Christ offers is therefore directed to the whole person; it affects the spiritual, bodily and social existence of each one of us. I greet the students of the Spyken Classical School from Lund, Sweden, and the various groups of univer-

new commandment

Bishop WiUiam G. Curlii will take part in the f©lowing events: March

the

his followers to 11

'"Gospel of Life: Evangelium Vitae"

The

women's

sisters,

Continuing our catechesis in preparation for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, we reflect today on the fullness of the salvation which the incarnate Son of God brought. Jesus frees us from the slavery of sin and restores us to friendship with God. This opens the way for the redemption of every aspect of our lives through our restored inner freedom, with the consequent capacity to overcome the barriers which keep people apart.

abortion...

have not already done

if you

word to

See Welborn, page 13

The Catholic News

February 27, 1998

Light

One Candle

Father Thomas

Destined For Sainthood

myself.... The starting point is to

remem-

we are all on a spiritual path, whether we are aware of it or not. The

ber that

Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing LeVar Burton on the set of our syndicated television program, "Christopher Closeup." Twenty years after his stunning performance as the slave Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking mini-series Roots, and after a long-time role on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," he relishes his continuing involvement with the

challenge

we face as human beings

remember our

divinity."

LeVar's reflection invites a closer look. Each of us is destined for holiness, for sainthood.

Emmy Award-winning children's series,

There is an old allegory in which an angel approached the throne of God to make a special request. "What do you ask of Me?" said God. "1 wish to help

"Reading Rainbow." He

Your people," the angel replied. "Let me

currently di-

recting a documentary for his

own

pro-

company on the golf phenomenon Tiger Woods. On camera, we touched upon LeVar's deeply felt belief that each individual has the capacity to change the world for the better. While attending St. Pius X Seminary in California he was struck by the truth that each individual duction

down and rescue them." Gently, God answered, "You want to rescue My fly

people and yet your eye is bright and your heart beats with a joy that has never

been dimmed. Your hands are clean. Have you not beheld my Son?" But the angel remained silent, for he was a new angel and did not understand.

God said to the angel, "Go for a sea-

used to think that looking for an

experience of God meant looking outside

people and see what you will see." The angel went. After some time, the angel came again beson and dwell with

has a divine mission.

& Herald 5

McSweeney God. The "Your eye is dim

fore the throne of

Lord

said,

with pain and your heart

and we have ours.

tiny

We are meant for saintA saint is nothing

hood.

broken and your hands are

stained with blood."

And the angel answered, "I have seen sorrow and pain and sin. Many of Your people cheat one another for wealth, and spill blood for power, and misuse others

own

for their all this I

loved

gratification.

When

saw

my eyes were dimmed, and when my heart was broken, and when I my hands were

tried to lift the fallen,

stained with blood. But

still. Lord, I ask me return to Your people becannot help them unless I stand and suffer with them." There are times we don't want the anguish of being human. We rather say, "Lord, make my eyes bright and clear and keep my heart beating with joy and my hands clean and soft." But we are not angels, nor were we meant to be. Angels have their divine des-

You

or less than one

union with

God

who

in a re-

lationship of intimacy and trust.

A saint is one who can

accept not only his or her de-

pendence on each and everyone of us

our mission of loving God through each other. That's the hardest part. Every day can be difficult and messy, even painful. But this human life is also one of hope and joy and generous service. It is our destiny. fulfill

to let

cause

For a free copy of The Christopher

News Note

"Live Joyfully, " write to The

Christophers, 12 East 48th Street, York,

New

NY 10017.

Father Thomas J. McSweeney

Di-

rector of the Christophers.

Question Corner Father John Dietzen

The Gospel

Thomas

stitute the

belief

and

Many

standard or rule for Christian life.

Q. In the past months I have heard reference several times to the Gospel "according to Thomas. " Is there really

Gospels and other writings about the life and teachings of Jesus passed back and forth among the

such a Gospel?

early churches.

If so,

New

why

is it

Testament,

more about

it?

not included

in the

and why don 't we hear

Who decided this Gospel

should not be in the Bible?

letters.

Eventually, by a kind of common them were recognized as normative; they provided a norm or model for any authentic Chrisintuition, certain of

tian faith or church.

A. Yes, there is a Gospel of Thomas, but let's take your other question first. Why were some "Gospels" accepted in the Scriptures and others not? Theoretically, the answer is simple. We believe that, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the communities of believers in Jesus gradually realized

which

writings were to be in the "canon," the official list

of books which would con-

By about

the year 400, popes and

councils had endorsed a basic

list.

Con-

fusions remained, however, until the

Council of Trent (1546) identified those to be accepted as the Catholic Church's sacred, canonical Scriptures. As I said, it sounds simple. In reality the process was not so neat. For one thing, a number of supposedly signifi-

tions in

Spirituality

cess.

belief is that the

ceptance.

constitute the in those first centuries, for ex-

ample, leading Christian scholars already questioned whether Hebrews and Revela-

were

Sometimes these revifrom sayings

of Jesus passed down by word of mouth well into the second century. To repeat, our Chrisfian

an apostle. Other writings encountered opposition because they did not seem to meet the criterion of origin with the apostles, which was considered necessary for ac-

tion

underwent

sions resulted

document containing quotations from Jesus in Aramaic, supposedly written by

Even

later

changes and additions further complicated the pro-

Corinthians 5:3,

simply disappeared somewhere along the line. The same is true of a

books

cant documents were just "lost."

Gospels

At least one letter of his own, which St. Paul men-

same

Spirit

the authors of Scripture

who inspired

when they wrote,

also inspired the churches, the

commu-

nities of faith, as they discerned and chose which "sacred" writings would

norm of Christian disciple-

ship.

Several early Christian Gospels are not included in the canon of the

New Tes-

tament. Perhaps the most famous, at least

forms of the

See Dietzen, page 12

really written respectively

Paul and the apostle John.

The

fact that the original

For Today

Father John Catoir

Giving

Hope

to the IHopeless

and we were proud of each one of them. After they accepted their certificates

Eva's Village is the largest comprehensive poverty program in New Jersey, and we recently celebrated a different kind of graduation ceremony. Fifteen recovering addicts completed their ninemonth period of rehabilitation in our

and expressed feelings of appreciation to everyone who helped them, we invited their family members to say a few words. The mothers and fathers praised their sons and thanked the staff. Tears of joy flowed in abundance, and the ap-

treatment center. The men were all clean and sober, returning home to their loved ones.

plause was heartfelt.

At Eva's we also feed about 250 homeless people every day, 365 days a year. More than 2 million hot meals have been served since 1982. The emergency shelter for men, women and children provided 21,741 bed nights in 1997. The graduation was attended by parents, wives, children, relatives and friends. As the executive director of Eva's Village, I thanked God for making this event possible. These men turned their lives over to their Higher Power,

For the first time in years, the future looked hopeful for these men. They had been in bondage to drugs and alcohol abuse, and now were free to make a

new

start.

The highlight of the evening came when an 8-year old girl raised her hand and asked

Of course,

she could say something.

speak up. She rubbed her eyes sheepishly and whispered, "I just want to thank Eva's for giving me my daddy back." With that, her father burst into tears and hugged her tightiy said,

There was not a dry eye in the room. All of these tough-looking, former prison inmates

a separate building for the

to his breast.

were weeping and embracing one another. I thought to myself, what a difference the 12step program can make in a person' s life. I felt God' s presence that night. Moses once asked the Lord, "May I see your face," and God replied, "No one can look upon my face and live, but you can see my glory passing" (Ex. 33:20). At that graduation, I saw God's glory and power. I saw God's love flowing from person to person. The family members, the staff, the clients, everyone was sharing in the miracle of healing. It was not an instantaneous miracle, but one which took nearly a year to ripen. You might say it was 15 miracles and even more. We have

women's halfway house. The recovering women guests were also getting ready for their own graduation. I

have attended many

commencement ceremonies

life, but never one as Most of these men had door many times in their lives. Now, for the first time in years, they were free and full of hope. We follow up on them as best we can in our aftercare program to see that they are attending their AA and NA meetings. This has helped us to maintain a high rate

moving been

as this.

at death's

of recovery. Please keep us all at Eva's in your prayers as we go about the work of helping broken human beings to become good citizens once again and strong family members. Thank you and God bless you.

6 The Catholic

& Herald

News

February 27, 1998

Gambling: Development or Dependency? JOHN RAUSCH

By FATHER S.

73 percent of the and creates 900 jobs in an area of scarce opportunity and

The sound of thunmomentarily

der

tribe

other area businesses. Second,

profits

among

cracks people's concentration while a mile

poverty. Yet,

of white neon flashes

among

the other 183

like lightning

Native

American

the

above rows of video gam-

tribes with

Cherokee,

the

gambling no consensus

bling machines. Every

interests,

time someone wins at over $2,000 Harrah's casino in

exists about

Cherokee, N.C., the

ef-

gambling revenues as a ticket to tional

Mountain

storm remind customers that easy money can rain on them. An Father John excited voice announces the name of a man who just won $12,500, half of the $25,000 maximum allowable prize. Most players, however, some with tubs of coins, others with credit cards inserted in machines, continue concentrating undisturbed on the rolling images of dice, cards or gold bars. Because North Carolina law prohibits games of chance, the casino offers no

row and row of video machines provide games table

games

"skill

and

or dealers. Instead

and dexterity," known as "lock

roll" or "respin." Translated: the

player gets to touch the screen to change or select a second choice for an additional spin before the

commer-

gaming. Tribal councils view a slice of the na-

cial

fects of the artificial

Smoky

game

over.

The casino which opened last November promises an economic boon to the Eastern Band of the Cherokee people. The agreement with Harrah's gives the

self-sufficiency for In-

dian people. Americans now legally bet over $550 billion an-

Rausch

white-collar crime has

all

Gamblers Anonymous now meets

tribes

gambling.

tribal

from gambling bring unacceptable social and moral costs. While comprehensive data on the effects of legalized gambling remains scarce, studies point to easy abuse and skewed personal and civic priorities. Robert Goodman in his book, "The Luck Business," cites three credible consequences. First, gambling attracts local consumer dollars away from

nomic justice

March 14 from 9:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 4207 Shamrock Dr. This session is for parish leaders, social concerns members, educators, business people and all interested persons.

There

—A

CHARLOTTE 12- week Bible-based weight loss seminar begins March 5 at St. John Neumann Church in classroom 14 at 7:15 p.m. The seminar includes lectures, video tapes, audio cassettes, student guides

and group discussion. To

wholesome opportuni-

more information,

get

call

Donna

Rayle, (704) 545-8916.

good.

50+ Club Annual Luncheon Glenmary Father John

CHARLOTTE — The 50+ Club

Rausch

John Neumann Church preits annual corned beef and cabbage luncheon March 1 1 A regular meeting begins at 11 a.m., followed by the luncheon at noon. A square dance group will perform. For more information, call Joanne Halgas, (704) 535-3745. St. Patrick's Day Dance of

teaches at the Appalachian Ministries Educational Resource Center in Berea, Ky. He has a master's degree in economics and has worked in community ministries more than 20 years.

St.

sents

CHARLOTTE

Mountains of

Directed by

and Peace, facilitates. 370-3231.

Weigh Down Worlisliop

NORTH CAROLINA Roman Owned and

cost, but registration is

fice of Justice

CHRISTIAN SUMMER CAMPS In the Blue Ridge

Frazer, director of the diocesan Of-

push

Native Americans and better

common

required by March 6. Bring a bag lunch (drinks are provided). Joanne

and moral costs substitutes a market solution for a comprehensive public policy

serve the

pastoral letter, will be

held for Charlotte-area churches on

nomic self-sufficiency to their people. But, gambling with its dangerous social

that could insure

for

"Of One

Heart and One Mind," North Carolina Catholic Bishops William G. Curlin and F. Joseph Gossman's eco-

towards financial independence. Many Native Americans hope that gambling will return self-respect and eco-

ties for

But, critics argue jobs and revenue

wanted

— Training

parish implementation of

Cherokee, and area ministers report a growing concern about gambling related problems. Indian gambling began when Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. After policies of extermination, removal, containment and as-

and other gambling operations. Gambling generates more revenue than movies, theme parks, spectator sports, cruise ships and recorded music combined! Currently 27 states allow casinos, and

own 150 of them. Last year

CHARLOTTE

gambling, and 60 percent of pathologigamblers commit crime to support their habit. Finally, people in the lowest income bracket spend four times as much of their income on gambling as those in the highest. Other sources identify gambling as contributing to personal bankruptcies, broken marriages, child abuse, lost jobs, depression and suicide. Because of gambling's addictive nature.

similation. Congress

Cherokee members of the Eastern Band received over $2,000 per capita from

roots in

cal

nually in casinos, racetracks, lotteries

Indian people

In Brief: Pastoral Impiementation Training

40 percent its

Patrick's

and

St.

—

The St. Young Professionals Group

Patrick Cathedral co-sponsor

Day dance March 14 7 p.m. in the school gymnasium. is $20 per person, $40 for couples. For reservations, call Jeff Eichenger, (704) 393-3540; Sheri Kwapiszeski, (704) 522-7017; or Bill Jarrell, (704) 372-1090. a

Catholics

St. Patrick's

Cost

/ CAMP

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Two

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drama* whilewaier canoeing

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March

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For more information, please call Nancy Sparacino, (704) 255-0095 orBobbiMukosief, (704) 665-2722

VManted:

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The Host Homes program needs families to provide temporary foster care to cinildren ages 10-17, If you are willing to open your heart and your home to a child for up to 1 5 days at a time, 2 to 3 times per year, please contact us immediately!

Please, call to review a

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The Catholic News

February 27. 1998

& Herald 7

Entertainment

Palmetto" NEW YORK (CNS) — "Palmetto" (Columbia) evokes more of the unpleasant emotion of finding a palmetto bug in your bathroom than the pleasant sensation of watching a lovely palmetto tree sway in the breeze. That's not because the story is dark and mean. After all, that is an essential part of the film-noir genre that "Pal-

metto" aspires to. However, a good is supposed to hold water and

movie

has more holes than a fishnet.

this plot

In a nutshell,

we have

bitter

Harry

Barber (Woody Harrelson) finally

re-

leased after two years in the slammer for a crime he didn't commit.

Neo-Film Noir Reduced To Pulp

By GERRI PARE

He'd just

back in Palmetto, Fla., scene of his disgrace, but former girlfriend Nina (Gina Gershon) lures him right back to her bed and abode while he job hunts. When a sexy mystery woman (Elisabeth Shue) sashays past Harry and offers him an unnamed assignment for big bucks he discovers she is Rhea Malroux, married to a dying millionaire (Rolf Hoppe) who apparently isn't generous enough to her or his teenas soon never set foot

—

age daughter Odette (Chloe Sevigny).

Soon, sultry Rhea and just as hot-totrot Odette have convinced Harry to pretend to kidnap daddy's darling daughter so they can split a $500,000 ransom. Since there is no real kidnapping, no one gets hurt and all three get handsomely rewarded. But Harry's troubles are just beginning when he picks up the reward and returns to Odette, who is waiting in his rental cottage. She has been murdered in the interim and the attache case is stuffed with newspaper. Looks like Harry's been framed again, only this time he's not going down

and, despite being shot, not be caught

for the count.

the villains

Volker Schlondorff directs a screenplay that time and again has characters

ing precisely

or situations that don't ring true.

react, again there

That Harry was an investigative

re-

And

Adding

less a cynical journalist

starts acting

weird and lying to her

unbelievable. That the district attorney

would

ex-con as press liaison when the kidnapping is reported is pretty hire this

room full

The following are home videocassette reviews from

Each videocassette is available on VHSformat. Theatrical movies on video have a U.S. Catholic Conference classification and Motion Picture Association ofAmerica rating. All reviews indicate the appropriate age group for the video audience. casting.

"Faraway, So Close" (1993)

children under 13. (Columbia TriStar,

Poetic fantasy of invisible guard-

rental)

"The Horn Blows

fairs

of people living in contemporary

Berlin, until

becomes

life,

man

order to save

then suffers a series of

misadventures as a human. rector

Wim

German di-

Wenders' playfully creis one of

ative but overlong journey

discovery in seeing

modem

life

as ex-

perienced by a pure-hearted former angel trying to cope with such things as alcohol, pornography and arms trafficking. Subtitles.

Some

stylized vio-

lence and sexual references.

The U.S.

Catholic Conference classification

A-ni

—

The Motion Picture Asof America rating is PG-13

adults.

sociation

— parents

are strongly cautioned that

some material may be

inappropriate for

Midnight"

(1945)

one of them (Otto Sander)

a mortal

a child's

Trumpet-playing angel (Jack Benny) is

sent to Earth to destroy the trouble-

some

planet by tooting a few notes from

New York

the top of a his

good intentions

angels

— get

in the

—

skyscraper but

and two fallen way. Director Raoul

Walsh's whimsical fantasy features Benny in a role well-tailored to his deadpan style of comedy but the humor of the situation fades well before the senti-

mental ending. Apocalyptic premise

may

be confusing for youngsters. The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is AII

—

adults

and adolescents. Not rated

by the Motion Picture Association of America. (MGM/UA, $19.98) "Heaven Can Wait" (1978) Charming remake of the 1941 comedy, "Here Comes Mr. Jordan," has a past-his-prime quarterback (Warren Beatty) die prematurely but the angel responsible (James

Mason) places him

body of an eccentric millionaire just as he is done in by his wife (Dyan Cannon) and her lover (Charles Grodin). Enlisting the aid of his former coach (Jack Warden) to get his new body into in the

playing form, the now-rich quarterback THE CATHOLIC COMMUNICATION

CAMPAIGN

returns to the gridiron and wins the love

of a good

woman

(Julie Christie). Di-

—

The Motion PicAmerica rating is

adults.

how

the question of

fatally

script

and Marlon Wayans star in the sketch U.S. Catholic Conference adults, with reservations. The A-IV Motion Picture Association of America rating is R Brad Dourif

also

run,

(left)

comedy "Senseless." The

blunted.

classification

long hardly

—

restricted.

even enjoyable as

Buck Henry, the entertainment succeeds in being very innocent and yet wise and funny. The

rected by Beatty and

U.S. Catholic Conference classification

—

A-II adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America is

rating

—

parental guidance sug-

gested. (Paramount, $14.95)

ian angels watching over the untidy af-

A-III

know-

In the

accused in a of cops, that he can flee on foot is

ture Association of

Harry will act or

contrived.

And when Harry

tion

depends on

as all

compromised

Harry

who's already

cations than ex-

throughout, the dark humor that runs through the

isn't suspicious early

plained above, but

on when

Nina

There are more plot compli-

unlikely. That his sharp girl-

friend

- restricted.

that

Malrouxs,

or trashy escapist fare;

Because of some violence, discreet sexual encounters, much rough language and occasional profanity, the U.S. Catholic Conference classifica-

been burned.

credibility. Since

richest couple, the

campy

neo-film noir reduced to pulp.

unconvincing nature of the movie, Shue is a shoo-in for most laughable performance of the year for her ridiculously overdone sex-kitten antics. A 7-year-old would see through her, no

know about

its

so on.

to the

porter in this small town, yet he didn't

the U.S. Catholic Conference Office for Film and Broad-

Videos

ludicrous.

Kolbe. Appropriate for

all

ages. (The

Mercy Foundation, 1-888-286-3729, $24.95)

"Mother Teresa: In the Name of God's Poor" (1997) Convincing dramatization of the Mother Teresa in the slums of Calcutta from 1946 until her

early labors of

Married an Angel" (1942) Thin musical comedy about an Hunwho dreams he has married an angel (Jeanette MacDonald), then awakens to make it come true. Directed by Maj. W.S. Van Dyke II, the limp plot hinges on the count's position as the head of a Budapest bank which faces ruin unless he reforms his playboy ways, but the Rodgers and Hart songs and bizarre settings are the main attractions. Romantic situations. The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-II adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America. (MGM/

religious congregation, the Missionar-

UA, $19.98)

travails of

garian count (Nelson Eddy)

—

"Ocean

of Mercy" (1998) Inspirational documentary chronicles the lives of St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Franciscan priest martyred at Auschwitz, Blessed Faustina Kowalska, a nun who was a mystic, and Pope John Paul II, while exploring how these three Polish religious have been channels of divine mercy for the church and the world in the 20th century. Written and produced by John B. Clote, the 65-

minute video combines extensive filming of present Polish locales with period

photographs and film footage as well as makes good use of interviews with family members and friends of the three, especially in the segments dealing with

of Charity,

ies

approved

in 1950,

then jumps to her 1979 Nobel Peace Prize. Directed

93-minute

good

by Kevin Connor, the

TV production is unusually

in dealing

with the spiritual di-

mensions of the subject and Geraldine Chaplin does surprisingly well portraying such a well-known and beloved world figure. For all. (Videos with Values, (800) 233-4629, $19.99) "Wings of Desire" (1988) Art-house film follows the lonely

work of two angels (Bruno Ganz and Otto Sander) who wander about and above Berlin listening

to the joys and people in libraries, a circus

and even on an American movie

set

One

an-

(with Peter Falk as himself)-

gel chooses to shed his wings for the

chance of expressing human emotions and love for a woman. German director Wim Wenders is by turns ponderous, playful, reflective and philosophic. Subtitles.

Some

tions, fleeting nudity

sexual situa-

and occasional

The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-IV adults, with reservations. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PGprofanity.

—

— parents

that

some

are strongly cautioned

material

may be

inappropri-

See Videos, page

& Herald

The Catholic News

February 27, 1998

What good is we

ven now, says the Lord, reme with your whole heart,

turn to with fasting" (Joel 2:12 ing on Ash Wednesday).

— First read-

"One full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal the full meal"

fasting?

are again choosing it. Fasting is universal in world

God

for

to act; and, the

commitment

to finding the resurrected

reli-

gions. Jews fast on Yom Kippur; Muslims fast by day during the month of Ramadan.

Jesus in longer did fast. I was quite unaware of the rich tradition that supported

our midst.

When

Catholics hear the word "fasting," we always join it with food. But Father John Catoir, formerly of the Christophers and now executive director of Eva's Village in Paterson, N.J., has been particularly helpful in

The motivation for fasting is rich and varied. People fast: As a petition for a profound desire, as David did for the health of his son (2 Samuel 12).

—

fasting.

watched with puzzlement

the protesters who fasted in the '70s and early '80s. In 1987 I was invited to speak as part of a Lenten series. In my research

and

reflection, I realized that prayer,

was the first of the Lenten household

fasting and almsgiving are three

commandments that I

aspects of the

grew up with. certain that we in the

"When

Mom

kitchen that

and Dad used

Catholics hear the word 'fasting,'

always Join

called to

stay within the confines of that com-

...

with food. But

...

—When

hollow out

from criticism or anxiety,

fast

resentment....

when he

the scale disappeared because neihad much ther meaning for us anymore. Ironically, almost as quickly as we Catholics dropped

— When

alms,

MCAT exams for

commandments: prayer as love of God; fasting as ap-

propriate love of self; almsgiving as true love of neighbor.

No wonder Jesus groups them to-

fast-

gether in Matthew's version of the Sermon on the Mount, the Gospel for Ash

the

Wednesday (Mat-

tures and articles of

Vietnam War and

thew

last 10 years, I have also come to realize

unto death for their

that the more pray, the more fast, the more

cause.

Fortunately,

Catholics have been

humble enough to realize that we had and slowly we are reclaiming it.

sustain

In the Archdiocese of St. Paul/ Minneapolis, Archbishop John R. Roach wrote a pastoral letter in 1991 urging all to fast for peace as the United States declared war on Iraq. The community of St. Olaf in downtown Minneapolis presently is leading an ecumenical effort of prayer and fasting for an end to violence in city.

are remembering the inspired we long had for fasting, and

reasons

life

—As an expression of sorrow for sin and of desire for conversion. —As a statement of mastery over one's compulsions, and —As a slight taste of identification

awakening us to the realization that we might be called to a more appropriate fast: from criticism or anxiety, from depressing thoughts or from resentment. The invitation from God might well come in any area where we are filled with ourselves and where we

with the hungry who are forced to fast involuntarily. Common to all these inspired reasons is the desire to empty ourselves

are not at peace.

before God, who alone can fill us; the willingness to wait in that emptiness

an ancient practice among Christians. "To

breath within us

solidarity

fast" usually

Like most every other Catholic, longer had to fast, I no

when we no

meant eating

less

— cutting down on the amount

to fast

from

all that seeks to strangle

— all manner of violence, negligence and addiction; all manner of hurt, harm and bigotry."

Another bishop wrote that the reason to fast is "to shake awake our spirit, to see some things we hadn't noticed. " That was Bishop Kenneth Untener of Saginaw, Mich. Some Catholics fast for an end to abortions, for world peace, for solutions to community violence. Pope John Paul II more than once asked people everywhere to fast for peace in Bosnia. He suggested in 1994 that one way "to revive a Lenten fast" might be to fast for goals "for this aim, that purpose. Currently the U.S. bishops are studying whether there are ways to revive Friday fasting and abstinence. Why? To counter attacks against human life and dignity such as abortion, euthanasia, war, violence and drugs.

—

a fasting of

and

peti-

tion.

consumed, while "abstaining" meant cutting an item out altogether. Why fast? Recently church leaders have been discussing this. Bishop Anthony Pilla of Cleveland suggested in 1996 that people "might do well God's

The fasting I have been called to and have been able to

ing,

give.

a treasure in fast-

Fasting

6:1-6, 16-18).

Gradually, in the

prisoners in northern Ireland fasting

nected ways to embody the two great

entrance to medical school."

the pages of our newspapers featured pic-

that

I give hollow out

They are con-

'80s,

Dick Gregory ing against

closet and bank account.

Through the and

the practice of fasting, others picked it '70s

fast,

and

now fast with my nephew

taking the

space. pray, I hollow out my time,

—When

we might be

from depressing thoughts or from

mand. Suddenly, in 1966, the law and

up.

same

reality.

had a scale

David Gibson,

Editor, Faith Alive!

now

fast

with

my nephew when he

taking the MCAT exams for entrance medical school, with a young couple going to Colombia to adopt a baby, with friend who is having a biopsy to dea termine if she has cancer. God knows whether God takes my petitions more seriously when I fast. I do know that I couple my fast with calls to the Poor Clares and the Visiis

tation Convent, begging their prayers and fasting as well. I do think God takes more seriously those who take God seriously, in contrast to those who fire an occasional spiritual 60-yard "Hail Mary" pass.

The word "Lent" means springtime in its Anglo-Saxon roots. This season offers the possibility of becoming a delicious springtime for our spirits if we pause to ask what form of fasting

God

inviting of us, and

then pray for the courage to choose that fast this Lent (Father Rice, a Jesuit, is a spiritual director with Loyola, a spiritual renewal resource in St. Paul, Minn.)

The Catholic News

February 27, 1998

""Nutshell Fasting is

sleepy disciples

more than dieting? Fasting takes off "pounds of self so that we give God and others more weight in our lives.

Fasting

By Dan Luby Catholic

— a wake-up call to sleepy disciples — provides a

chance

to think being spent.

how our time, money and energy are

The good news and the bad news about fasting

News

At first they pretended not to miss telea few days, they admitted that they missed plopping down in front of the news at the end of the day and, truth be told, watching that gossipy little show about movie stars afterward. But as the days and nights passed, the couple began to miss television less acutely. And the benefits of their fast vision. After

Service

JL he television clearly needed

A wake-up call for

Fasting:

universal in world religions. Its motivation

varied.

Isn't fasting I

& Herald 9

re-

The antenna looked like bad wire sculpture made of coat hangers and fluttering scraps of aluminum foil. Coaxing a decent picture out of the old set was a chore. So when Ash Wednesday rolled around, the couple decided to make it a pair.

began

come

into focus.

Now it was easier to go to the Lenten mission in the neighboring parish when

and to strike with a wicked fist." Isaiah also knew about the kind of person who gets enthusiastic about fasting, but fails to see the things that really need to be denied. "Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day and oppress all your workers." Isaiah describes the outward signs of fasting: "bowing down the head like a bulrush, lying in sackcloth and ashes." Then he challenges: "Will you fight,

By Father Paul Catholic

News

Schmidt

Service

cjesus tells us in one Gospel passage that when we fast, we should present a clean, well-oiled face to the world. So what do we do on Ash Wednesday?

walk around

all

day

with ashes on our foreheads! Fortunately, God has a sense of humor. But fasting, it seems, can have a negative as well as positive side. The Bible tells us that there

something good about fasting: The prophet Joel tells the people to fast and pray to avert punishment

—

for sins.

—

The Book of Acts tells how the apostles combined fasting with prayer before appointing Paul and Barnabas to a special ministry or appointing presbyters for the early Christian communities (Acts 13:2; 14:23). St. Paul lists "frequent fastings" as one of the hardships he bore for the sake of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:27), though these may have been imposed by circumstances rather than willingly chosen. Matthew, Mark and Luke

all

re-

count the response of Jesus to those that his disciples did not fast, while John the Baptist's disciples did. Jesus said that there was a time to fast and a time to refrain from fasting. Something dangerous also is linked to fasting, the Bible says: Jesus spoke of putting on a show for others to see. Centuries earlier, the prophet Isaiah write at length about fasting as a smoke-screen to conceal injustice. Much of Isaiah, Chapter 58, is a call to a genuine fast, a fast of the heart, not simply the body. Everyone has met the person who gave up smoking for Lent and became impossible to live with. Isaiah had met people like this too. He wrote, "Look, you fast only to quarrel and to

who charged

— —

FAITH

call this

fast,

a day acceptable to the

Lord?" is

The poet Robert Herrick echoed this centuries later: "To show a heart griefrent:/To starve thy sin/Not bin: And that's to keep thy Lent." Isaiah tells the kind of fast the Lord wants: "to loose the bonds of injustice,

oppressed go fi'ee, to s}iare your bread with the hungry, to shelter the homeless, to clothe the naked." For this prophet, a true fast is to recognize the poor and oppressed as one's "own to let the

kin."

that

...

we should

Jesus' generosity. Fasting, then, is much more than dieting (though it has dieting's good side-effects). Fasting is a discipline of sacrifice for the sake of service. Fasting is taking off pounds of self so that we give the Lord, and our brothers and

more weight

in our lives.

(Father Schmidt is the director of Priests Personnel for the Diocese of

Oakland,

Calif.)

what

face to the world. So

do we do on Ash

Wednesday? We walk

— —

sisters,

fast,

present a clean, well-oiled

The prophet Joel meant something similar when he said, "Rend your hearts, not your garments." The church connects prayer and almsgiving to fasting. Fasting is contrition. Fasting also is charity. Fasting is a willingness to "waste time" with God and "waste money" on our brothers and sisters in need. It is depriving ourselves so that others can be enriched. Jesus gave himself totally for us. To fast authentically, we must imitate

around

all

day with ashes

on our foreheads!" TV-free Lent. They didn't watch

all

that

anyway

— just the

PBS and an

occasional

much on

television

news, a

little

late-night movie.

But fasting from television was harder than expected.

The

the husband noticed in the newspaper that his hometown basketball team's game would start in half an hour. Suddenly, he remembered their television fast, and he groaned. As the week unfolded, the couple became painfully aware how much more television they watched than they'd beheved; not hours every night, but more than just a few shows a week. first night,

THE MARKETPLACE

What form(s)

of fasting are practiced in

your faith community?

"While giving something up as a form of fasting can bring us to our roots, many times we need to practice sharing what we have through giving to our food pantry, for example to better the lives of our neighbors. Another way can be a form of positive action, to be more informed of our faith and its responsibilities." Jan Slattery, Chicago, 111.

—

"Actually, what I talk to my kids about is not giving trying to give up something that can make a difference

"My

—

up something they weren't interested in in the first place plus and that they can achieve." Sharon Kincaid, Rudolph, Wis.

—

family and parish fast and abstain on Ash Wednesday and abstain from meat every Friday during Lent, and, of course, fast and abstain on Good Friday." Brenda Cantella, Live Oak, Fla.

—

An upcoming edition

home from work. Also, the couple started walking in the evening before supper, opening up more time and opportunity to talk. Instead of watching PBS wildlife specials, the woman started reading a

they got

"Jesus tells us

when we

asks: What do people value about the sacrament of penance? As a priest, how would you answer from your experience? If you would like to respond for possible publication, please write: Faith Alive! 3211 Fourth St. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017-1100.

book about Dorothy Day. The

man

de-

cided to write to his old circle of high school fHends, which led to a soul-satisfying gathering with a couple of people they had lost touch with. When the couple saw an article in a magazine at church about couples praying together, they decided to try it. It was a little awkward at first, but it blossomed into a meaningful nightly ritual, enriching their relationship with God

and their own closeness. The couple came to see that giving up

was a true fast: voluntarily doing without something that in itself is not bad, but can assume too large a

television

place in one's life. The couple never got the television fixed.

When

Lent ended, they found

their lives freer without television, so

they gave

away.

Fasting, whether from food, televishopping or a host of other possibilities, offers a wake-up call to sleepy disciples. It interferes with our routine; it frees us up and gives us a chance to think more carefully about how we spend our resources of time, money and personal energy. sion, recreational

CNS

News

10 The Catholic

& Herald

February 27, 1998

Diocese Extends Educational Opportunities With LIIVIEX By

JIMMY ROSTAR

continuing education certificates will be available as well, he added.

Staff Writer

CHARLOTTE

— Thanks

to a co-

Participants complete 12 courses

sponsorship between the Diocese of

over a period of about four years. The initial six courses focus on Scripture, the Creed, the sacraments, morality

Charlotte and the Loyola Institute for Ministry,

Catholics in western North Carolina involved

Father

institutional contexts.

for Ministry Extension

final two courses attend to particular focus areas, such as religious

program, or LIMEX, will be initiated in the Diocese of Charlotte in Septem-

"This program was formulated for people

Institute

education or pastoral

who

The program was founded in 1983 by

ber.

Father James Hawker Diocesan Vicar for Education

Loyola University in New Orleans, and has since

been implemented in more than 40 dioceses in

the United

States. "It was created to respond to the needs of dioceses that have no local institution of higher education equipped to grant a degree on the master's level in the areas of religious education and pastoral ministry," said Father James Hawker, diocesan vicar for education. Limited opportunities for non-credit

life.

are presently in-

volved or intending

Hawker

said.

cludes written lectures, videos, required readings, papers, group reflections and

contexts,

Interest in diocesan sponsorship of been discussed extensively anaong the members of the education vicariate for almost a year, said Father

LIMEX has

discussion.

and are determined by each

learning group.

The cost of each master' s-level course

$5 15, plus the cost of textbooks,

there will be a concerted effort to gather a

hmited amount of funds to assist apneed of financial aid. Informational sessions have been

plicants in

scheduled throughout the diocese in the

The members of the vicariate agreed on the value of the LIMEX program, and Bishop William G. Curhn recently approved diocesan sponsorship. Father Hawker called the program' approach to learning "multi-dimensional," explaining that each course in-

participate in ministry

within the church or world," said Father Hawker. It serves lay, religious and ordained people engaged in educational and pastoral outreach by integrating knowledge of Christian tradition and the application of that knowledge within a

number of

which averages about $40 per course. The cost of non-credit courses is considerably lower. Father Hawker noted that

and

The

The Loyola

lay ministry.

personal, socio-cultural

ministry in relation to the

this fall.

flexible

"During our monthly meetings, the leadership from these offices have been concerned with making available or strengthening various programs and services intended to assist in forming and informing persons on the local level,"

and spirituality. The next four courses deal with

in a variety of ministries can now enroll in a locally facilitated master's degree program set to begin

Hawker. The vicariate is composed of the diocesan offices of schools, faith formation, youth ministry, young adult ministry, campus ministry, evangelization and

"The approach recognizes the

value of experience and relates church teaching to the lives of the participants

and to the culture," he said. Each 10-week course is led by a LIMEX-certified facilitator. Groups usually consist of 12 to 15 people who meet weekly for three hours at a local site. In preparation for each session, between six to 10 hours of reading time is required, in addition to the time necessary for writing papers. Meeting times and places are

upcoming weeks. In

Charlotte, sessions

are March 8 at 7:30 p.m. in St. John Neumann Church, and March 22 at 7

p.m. in

Vincent de Paul Church. In

St.

the Triad, sessions are on

March 14

Leo the Great Church in Winston-Salem, and March 14 at 2 p.m. in the Greensboro Catholic Fellowship center on Friendly Avenue in Greensboro. In the mountain area, sessions are March 8 at 2 p.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Morganton, March 14 at 9:30 a.m. at the Catholic Social Services offices in Asheville, and March 14 at 4 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Church Boone. For further information about the LIMEX program, call Joanna Case, diocesan liaison, at (704) 362-0013, or Connie Milligan, diocesan committee member, at (704) 364-3344. 10 a.m. in

St.

Diocese To Celebrate Faith Research Places Garden Formation Week March 1-8 Of Eden In Southern Africa CHARLOTTE — "One in the Spirit" is

the

theme for the Diocese of Forma-

Charlotte's second annual Faith

Week March

tion

the diocese celebrates Faith For-

mation

Week and prepares to move into now have a revised

the millennium, they

version of the general directory for

1-8.

The theme coincides with

the

catechesis recently issued from

Rome.

we are reminded that

church's preparation for the millennium,

"In this document,

said Dr. Cris Villapando, diocesan direc-

the primary purpose of the catechetical

tor of faith formation.

part of the

spiritual preparation for the great ju-

Pope John has called on the church to on the Holy Spirit and virtue of hope in 1998. "It was also chosen to

bilee of the year 2000,

Paul

component of

Hawker explained. As members of

mation Advisory Board, Carol

Brown and Earlene Wilkins know firsthand about the ef-

unified ministry," Dr. Villapando added. "We are one, and all building the same

forts of the

whose

body of Christ." Bishop William G. Curlin

3,300 catechists

task

passing on the

faith to others.

Wilkins,

who chairs the

committee and also serves as

years. Parishes will host

formation coordinator at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte, sees

a variety of activities to celebrate Faith

the diocese placing a stronger emphasis

Formation

Week

"We realize the limited participation

Forma-

of adults in formation. They need to rec-

Week

and mis-

sion of church as mother and teacher; 2) to

acknowledge our calling

come ever more

be more faithand witnesses of the Lord;

3) to challenge us to ful as disciples

4) to stress the importance of family in nurturing faith;

5) to express thanks to those

who

serve as catechists in parishes, including

RCIA programs and Catholic

schools.

been able

to locate

what is referred to

as a

faith

formation program coordi-

nator at St. Elizabeth Church in Boone,

Brown

agrees that involving and reachmore adults is a major concern. "A of people grow up thinking once they're confirmed, their faith formation is finished," she said. "But it's an ongoing growth process."

said that evolutionary biology

power of divine even

modem

creation, he said, since

evolution

a law, "it requires a

legislator."

Father Serra

made

his

comments

a speech to the fourth general assembly

of the Pontifical Academy for Life, which was meeting to discuss recent efforts to complete the human gene-mapping project. Father Serra is a retired professor of human genetics at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome.

said.

The

studies use

lar fossil"

DNA as a "molecu-

of rnan's earliest beginnings.

Father Serra said he saw no theological

problems in the findings. "Eden, where man appeared for the first time with the biological structure of the modem human being about 100,000200,000 years ago, should correspond to a region of southern or southwestern Africa," he said.

"From there, modem man appears to

clear that the process

market formation as a lifelong journey."

humans, in cell structures called mitochondrions. The experts later discovered a genetic "Adam" in the same way, he tions of

ing

a lifelong pursuit," she said.

Service after his address.

DNA transmission through many genera-

lot

it is

"We need to contrive a program that will

to be-

intimate with Jesus;

researchers. This does not diminish the

have spread out toward Asia and Europe, where about 30,000-50,000 years ago were formed the populations from which the current ones are descended," he said. The priest noted there is still dissent about exactly where, when and how the first humans emerged. But he said it was

ognize

a time:

1) to celebrate the identity

in the future.

Father James Hawker, vicar for education for the diocese, said Faith tion

faith

on adult catechesis

as well.

told a Vatican conference.

"mitochondrial Eve," based on analysis of the Dio-

cese of Charlotte's Faith For-

help people get a sense of

appears as a "universal law" to

researchers in molecular evolution have

formation

where and how happened," he told Catholic News

intelligence to find out

Garden of Eden on the map, probably somewhere between what is now Tanzania and South Africa, a Jesuit scholar

people in communion, in intimacy with Jesus Christ," Father

faith

creation, but let's say he left us with the

this

Father Angelo Serra said Feb. 23 that

for five or

— Recent

genetic research has helped place the

to put

reflect

has issued a proclamation recognizing catechists who have served the diocese

By JOHN THAVIS VATICAN CITY (CNS)

A Little Time Makes A Big Difference.

<^ Show

little

—

all

of which

consistent with

the Christian concept of creation, he said.

"We know God

end your lime and

need

your

community

Catholic

ary one and involved genetic transformations

heart.

talenl lo those in

was an evolution-

intervened in our

wVy

Conimunicati on

xss Campaign

•

The Catholic News

February 27, 1998

hiring for

two positions 1 1 and ask

Please call 527-51

in film

assembly (strippers) and a press assistant/driver.

for Larry.

Choir Director/Organist: Position open immediately. Part/Full time. Handbell, chimes choirs. 600 family parish, K-8 school. Faith Formation, RCIA, Sacramental Preparation. Congregational

Send resume, salary requireSearch Committee, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 128 N. Fulton

singing. Adult and children choirs. Benefits available.

ments

to Liturgy

Street. Salisbury,

CHARLOTTE

two openings: Northern Vicariates and Southern Vicariates. Diocese seeks persons with master's degree in Rel. Ed/ allied field, five years of demonstrable successful experience in parish/diocesan work. WeU-rounded in catechist formation skills. Collaborative. Sensitive to cultural minorities. Good written/oral communication skills. Please send resume and three letters of recommendation to: Dr. Cris V. Villapando, 1 123 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203, Attn: Search Committee. Inquiries: (704) 370-3244. Deadline: February 27, 1998, or when filled. Charlotte Diocese Office of Religious Education has

Room

Worker

at the Inn,

— Immediate Opening

home

for single pregnant mothers, is seeking a part-time Social

Worker, 20 hours per week. Must have a 4 year degree plus 2 years' experience. Please call Trish at (704) 643-0699 or (704) 525-4673.

Director of Total Youth Ministry: Grades 6-12: Full time position in 1600 family parish. Primary responsibilities inall youth ministry activities lectionary-based catechetical sessions, retreats, service projects, social events; recruiting, training and supporting volunteers; sacramental preparation for confirmation. Shared responsibility with intergenerational religious education program. Most parish catechetical programs are lectionary-based. Member of Rehgious Education Team with Children's Coordinator and Catechumenate, Liturgy and Adult Education director. Master's Degree or equivalent in rehgious education or related field preferred. Excellent benefits and salary commensurate with experience and education. Send resume and references to TYM Search Committee, Saint Patrick's Church, 2840 Village Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304. ATTN: Don Gray, Phone: (910) 323-2410, x 106.

—

clude: coordination of

Principal: St.

Thomas More

ment

for

its

Dianne English To Be Honored At Annual CSS Dinner Set For March 11

28144. Phone: (704) 633-0591. Fax: (704) 647-0126

Diocesan Regional Coordinators:

Social

School, an accredited PreK-8 school, seeks an experienced replaceretiring principal. The school, with 475 students and a brand new middle

school facility, is located in a growing, dynamic Vatican II parish in a university town. Successful applicant is a practicing Catholic with a Master's degree in administration and is eligible for NC certification. Strong people and communication skills must. Send letter, resume, and references by April 15 to: Principal Search Committee, 940 Carmichael Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. Position abailavle 7/1/98.

Director of Youth Ministry: St. Thomas More Church and the Newman

Catholic Student Center Parish, growing and dynamic Vatican II communities in a university town, seek a full-time director for their joint youth ministry serving both parishes beginning 7/1/98. Present ministry involves 3()0 students between grades 6-12, uses the Total Youth Ministry model and includes Confinnation preparation. The program uses a lectionary-catechesis approach and the Confirmation program uses a sacramental-catechesis approach. Successful apphcant possesses relevant college degree as well as strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Experience preferred. Professional salary and benefits commensurate with background offered. Send letter, resume, and references by April 15 to: Youth Ministry Search Committee, 940 Carmichael Street, Chapel Hill, NC 275 14.

Principal: St. Raphael Catholic Church, a dynamic, Jesuit parish in Raleigh, North Carolina, is seeking a vital addition to its ministry team in the role of school principal. Our school, grades K-4 (which will expand to double grades K-5 by 2002) has established an excellent curriculum within the Catholic tradition. Applicants must: be a practicing Catholic; have or be eligible to have a North Carolina Principal's Certificate; have 5 years teaching experience with some administrative and financial responsibility. We offer an attractive compensation package, including a comprehensive benefits program. Applicants interested in this challenging position should submit their resume with references and salary history to: Principal Search, St. Raphael Catholic Church,

5801 FaUsofNeuse Road, Raleigh,

27609. Application deadline

March 3 1

1998CoioneiFrandsJ. BeatlyAwatd Recipient Named

Employment Opportunities Mullen Publications:

Now

& Herald

1998.

— Catholic

Social

The goal of the group is an active community building of diverse racial

since last April.

Services will present the seventh annual

to create

Colonel Francis J. Beatty Award to Dianne English, executive director of Mecklenburg Ministries, at a reception and dinner March 1 1 at the Westin Ho-

process

among people

and ethnic backgrounds in CharlotteMecklenburg. English credits her mother and father (a Methodist minister) for the gift

tel.

The award was established in 1991 and named for the late Colonel Beatty, a Catholic layman whose strong religious faith prompted effective church-related and public service in CharlotteMecklenburg and its larger region. In every area of life, he set exemplary stan-

of her inward and outward spirituality.

dards: in the military, the cotton textile

spectively.

For outstanding volunteer service to the annual Spirit Award will be presented to Charlotte Catholic High School. Accepting the award will be Patrick Cahill and Lacy Niedosik, student council president and treasurer, re-

CSS,

CSS

industry, the trucking business, through

Rotary, Johnson C. Smith University, the

National Conference of Christians and

Jews, the Boys Scouts and various hospital boards.

Past recipients of the award include

James

Babb,

Jr.;

Charles L. "Chuck"

Grace; Ray S. Farris, Jr.; John C. Engler; Peter Keber; and Mercy Sister Mary

Thomas Burke.

in Charlotte is a professional

social service agency providing services without regard to religious affiliation since 1948. Assistance is provided in pregnancy support, individual and marriage counseling, substance abuse prevention and adoption. Ty Boyd and his daughter, Ann Boyd Gellman, will serve as master and mistress of ceremonies for the evening.

In announcing English's selection,

CSS Board

Cost to attend is $60 per person. For

of Advisors, said: "The work that Dianne

and information, call CSS, (704) 370-6155, weekdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pam

Paroli, co-chair of the

English accomplishes here in CharlotteMecklenburg epitomizes the essence of the Beatty award. She observes differ-

reservations

community and works them together into an effective

ent aspects of the to bring

unifying whole."

As executive director of Mecklenburg Ministries since 1991, English has put her faith into action. She has embraced the mission of Mecklenburg Ministries with her passion for life and her compassion for others,

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

Charlotte,

16 years of serving the CaroUnas

Celebrating

without regard to denomination, race or age. Mecklenburg Ministries has developed programs such as BridgeBuilders, InnerChange and Youth Breaking Barriers. English describes Mecklenburg

Mon.-Fri.— 9:30am-5:30 pm Saturday 9:30 am-3 pm

—

Ministries as a "place of hospitality

where strangers can become

CMhoMc

Lenten Materials

friends."

English has also served as director Community Building Task Force

Special/Mail Orders

of the

Welcome

Youth Minister; Would you like to serve starting in June, 1998 as a full-time Youth Minister in a young, growing, CathoUc Community in central North Carolina? Candidate must be a faith-

organized, creative and team oriented person. Qualifications: Theology; 3 years experience in Youth Ministry; knowledge of Life Teen desirable. Salary and benefits commensurate with degree and experience. Send resume and a statement of your vision of Youth Ministry to: Rev. James W. O'Neill, O.S.F.S.; St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road, Greensboro, 27410.

filled, enthusiastic,

Imagine...^^

^ ^

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

Academic Dean: Bishop England High School, a coeducational, 9-12 Catholic School in Charleston, SC, is seeking candidates for the newly established position of academic dean. The person selected will assume direct responsibility for developing curriculum, supervising teachers and addressing academic concerns. Interested candidates should possess an advanced degree, have background of secondary school administrative experience and be familiar with the mission of Catholic Schools. Deadline for applications is March 15, 1998. Salary and benefits are commensurate with experience and credentials. Applicants should submit a letter of application, resume and a statement of educational philosophy to: David Held, Bishop England High School, 203 Calhoun St., Charleston, SC 29401-3522. No phone calls please.

Youth Minister: 650 household parish located in the Blue Ridge MounYouth Ministry Program for 6-12 grades. Degree, Send resume to Search Committee, St. Barnabas, 28704 by April 15.

Full-time staff position in active tains.

To work Box

music of the on organ or electronic keyboard by the selection of

in established Total

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P.O.

Your

Catholic faith played

38, Arden,

amazing at the

Klftltfllilt**

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Call today for a demonstration.

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12 The Catholic

News

& Herald

February 27, 1998

CRS Diocesan Committee Awards

Catholic Relief Services Official Visits Diocese

CHARLOTTE — Programs linking St. Michael Church in Gastonia and villagers in Chacraseca, Nicaragua, and St. Barnabas Church in Arden and homeless residences in

among

the five

with an international focus receiving up to $500 each from the DioCharlotte's newly formed minicese of initiatives

of the

same

tenets

Fact File

CathoHigh School.

at Charlotte lic

Duffy and

manager of Catholic Relief Services' Operation Rice Bowl program. Deliberto recently spent four days in the Charlotte Diocese

thanks

•

how CRS' work

and

lotte Catholic students, this

1 1

the world picture," Deliberto told the students.

The mini-grant

source and to provide health and medical supplies.

According to Maria Horton, coordinator of the Jamaica Mission Committee, St. Barnabas will use its mini-grant to

purchase educational materials for a

nurse to use in teaching brothers

first

aid to the

who run homeless residences in

Kingston. Horton and other parishioners have made two visits to Kingston during the inaugural year of this sister parish

She said "the parish was excited to receive the grant, and to help, even if it is mostly by proxy. Many pa-

of Charlotte,

CRS

Corryne Deliberto of Catholic Relief Services talks to CCHS students about her visit to Ethiopia last summer.

pro-

grams are directed by the Office of Justice and Peace, which works in partnership with parishes to alleviate hunger, suffering

and deprivation

sum-

fasting, education

and places

eration Rice

day.

vidi-

"We need be in solidarity with all our brothers and sisters of the world." That, Deliberto added, is the basis for all of CRS' work. One way to demonstrate solidarity versity," she told the students.

Its

as well as contributions."

Parishioners

from St. Ann parish in Charlotte and St. Eugene in Asheville also participate in

quite unlike the four

we know, consisting

solely of

The

grant will

and international communities. The

See Mini-Grants, page 13

FOUR GREAT NAMES

KNOW I

MITSUBISHI 6951

Independence

(704) 531-3131

New

Testament scholarship. Because of its antiquity,

its

importance in studying the

life

and words of

Jesus can scarcely be exaggerated.

The

relatively brief text

it, however, don't look for Gospels in our New Testament.

read

available today in several publications. If it

have the

interest or the

you

7001

impact of the four

A free brochure answering questions Catholics ask about the sacrament of penance is available by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Holy Trinity Church, 704 N. Main St., Bloomington, III. 61701. Questions for this column should be sent to Father Dietzen at the same

Independence

(704)

535^444

HYunoni 4100

Independence

(704)

535^455

address.

Miller of Charlotte Lawncare & Home Maintenance

(704)846-9113 Bruce

stu-

dents also participate in service projects.

at (704) 370-3225.

14 "say-

Written most likely before the year 100, its existence had been known for centuries, through references and occasional quotes in other documents. The discovery of the entire text in 1945, however, in an ancient library along the Nile in northern Egypt, is a significant archeological event in the history of

program. Other mini-grant recipients include: • The Voices program of the CathoUc Campus Ministry at UNCC. At monthly Voices meetings, students reflect on finance presentations by speakers involved in ministry to immigrant, migrant

and Peace,

the one referred to as the Gospel of Thomas.

This gospel

this

Catholic social teaching.

Justice

ings" of the "living Jesus."

relationship.

rishioners offer support through prayer

Joanne Frazer, director of the Office of

Dietzen, from page 5 today,

Of the funds collected, 75 percent goes to the national office to be used in responding to worldwide human needs, while 25 percent stays in the diocese. An intemational and relief development agency ofthe Catholic Church since 1943, CRS has offices in 80 countries around the world. For more information on Operation Rice Bowl and other CRS programs, call rifice.

among

and almsgiving. OpBowl began Ash Wednestheme this year is "Nourish the Spirit of Hope." During Lent, famihes are encouraged to place symbolic rice bowls on their tables to help eliminate the causes of hunger, injustice and poverty by providing material and spiritual assistance in the form of prayer and sac-

Catholic social teaching, Deliberto said, teaches life is sacred

CCHS,

women in the northeast African country, the CRS official said. An annual Lenten program of prayer,

"Hopefully, this will broaden the way we examine the social situations we face today."

human dignity at the forefront of its sion. "God challenges us to respect

tremely high illiteracy rate

financing efforts to secure a clean water

mer. The images expose a culture where poverty abounds and residents struggle to make ends meet. There is also an ex-

studying social justice.

spearhead the sister parish committee at St. Michael. Some 28 parishioners from St. Michael have been to Chacraseca,

in their sister parish.

ministry of the Diocese

a three-week visit to Ethiopia last

th-

'This was a quiz to give you a sense of

Michael provide scholarships for approximately 35 students to attend school, and they have raised money to build a block factory and to purchase a truck for the Chacraseca community. Each fall they collect, pack and ship school supplies for the children

gram.

Deliberto shared slides she took during

helps

For Charwas apreview

Irv,

St.

pro-

During her presentation

the less fortunate around the globe.

graders are

Parishioners at

Bowl

throughout the world. visiting parishes

increase over 1996.

last five years."

and

for a second-semester class as well: the

where the average annual wage is $200, with 80 to 90 percent unemployment. The Bonins recently returned from a visit and say they are "astounded at the progress these people have made in the

Op-

the

eration Rice

of five

There are 800

donations totaled $15,491, a 15.7 percent

Kay Bonin and her husband,

age

preventable diseases. million people the world suffering from hunger. • 1 .3 billion people in the world live on less than a dollar a day. • The U.S. spends less than 1 percent of its budget on foreign assistance. • 80 percent of the sickness and disease in the world results from water pollution or unsafe water and poor sanitation. •

Corryne DeUberto,

now

year, 12.4 million

die from malnutrition

schools, sharing

Each

children under the

his

grams are coordinated through the Office of Justice and Peace.

warded to national CRS for its worldwide programs. With the 25 percent that remains in the diocese, the recently formed CRS committee established the mini-grants program to promote solidarity between our churches and global communities. In 1997 diocesan ORB

goods,

many

tries

Bowl contribution is for-

and donating

said Duffy, a junior

year to promote local initiatives on international issues or topics. CRS pro-

Seventy-five percent of each year's

volunteering their time

lic-based organization that helps the less

glimpse of life in third- world coun-

Operation Rice

asked how they could do that, students responded with prayer,

fortunate overseas,"

classmates got a

this

When

lis-

tened intently as the statistics about world hunger were revealed. "I never knew there was a Catho-

The mini-grants were

Relief Services Diocesan Committee

people

to support

overseas, Deliberto said.

— Mike Duffy

CHARLOTTE

inaugurated by the five-member Catho-

grants program.

lic

Editor

parishioners at

Kingston, Jamaica are

MIKE KROKOS

[\/lini-Grants

St.

Miller

Gabriel Parishioner

aPoiNjE DEALERSHIPS SERVING CHARLOTTE WITH INTEGRITY FOR

OVER

35 YEARS!

The Catholic News

February 27, 1998

from page 7 "Yolanda and the Thief" (1945) Odd musical romance set in a mythical South American country

— In celebration

of Black History Month, parishioner and executive director of Communities In Schools of Asheville Lonnie

U.S. Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski waves to the crowd after receiving her

Gilliam, received the St. Anthony's

Award

from the The presen-

for $1,000

award

Nagano,

Japan, Feb. 20. Lipinsl<i, an admirer of

was made by Msgr. John J. McSweeney, rector of the Basilica, tation

Therese of Lisieux, the youngest Olympic women's St.

during a special evening for Africanformer American parishioners

became

Catholics and St. Anthony's School.

figure sl<ating

The school closed in 1966 when Anthony's and St. Lawrence merged to form one parish. The soci-

champion

—

$19.98)

closing, the disintegration of African-

Welborn,

American Catholics has been a cause for alarm. St.

Anthony's Society was to rejuvenate the rise to the

McSweeney. ComSchools of Asheville was

munities In

chosen as

in strong terms

what he did

provide, as evidenced by the interest

and leadership they have rendered to who are at risk of dropping

children

out of school. In accepting the award, Gilliam

said there

was an urgent need for men in the African American

women

and

community

to involve

themselves

with programs that develop our youth.

He recognized that the

Basilica of St.

Lawrence has formed a partnership with Communities In Schools of Asheville to support this effort, and urged not only African Americans but people to get involved with our

children. "If

we do

not start to take

of them now, we will certainly pay to take care of them later," he carfe

said.

•

The El Salvador Project

at St.

A visit to Charlotte

are bracelets

ing from their

means at St. Francis

of Assisi Church in Jefferson.

The grant funds

the purchase of video tapes in Spanish for use in faith formation instruction for migrant families in western North Carolina. The migrants live in remote areas, usually have no transportation, and often have unconventional work

and other parapher-

are

on bumper It

book bags. The stickers

initials

and Bible cov-

could be just a fad, but

also be a strong reminder of

could

what

be moral in a variety of circumstances. You're a silent bystander, watching someone being bullied. What would Jesus do? to

Amy Welborn is a CNS columnist. Want to know more about CRS mini-grants? Call the Office of Justice and Peace at 704(370-3231) or 704(370-3225), or fax (704)3703377for a 1998 mini-grant application.

more information:

Houseknecht St. Margaret Church P.O. Box 1359 Maggie Valley, NC 28751

Camp Merrimac *'Morc than just a camp." A Summer Camp for Girls Ages 6-16

Camp Timberlake **A summer of fun, building confidence, and motivation/' A Summer Camp for Boys

Ages 6-15

Rev. Eric

E-mail: elh@dnet.net

"WWJD?"

hours.

God Calls each of us in a variety of v^ays. If you or someone you knov^ feels drawn to priesthood, please write or call to find out more about serving in the Diocese of Charlotte.

704-926-0106

about

They're all over the place at my school, on the kids' wrists and hang-

publications.

The Padre Pio Hispanic Ministry

felt

(What would Jesus do?)

ers.

•

they

nalia bearing the initials

and St. Peter parishioners. • The Twin Parish Relationship between Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro and Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Kharkov, Ukraine. The grant allowed OLG parishioners to supplement earlier purchases of computer equipment enabling parishioners in the Ukraine to produce Russian translations of Catholic the people in El Salvador

jl^inkmg of Priestl^oo5?

For

now

Peter Church in Charlotte.

Wes

Calendar, executive director of Voices on the Border, was financed by the grant. Calendar has visited St. Peter's sister city, Segundo Montes, El Salvador, as well as other central and South American areas, and has become a liaison between

how

to Kelly.

One of the more popular fads right

Mini-Grants, from page 12

this year' s recipient for the

outstanding community service they

all

from page 4

of evangelization under the lead-

ership of Msgr.

posing as her guardian angel until his conscience gets in the way. Directed by Vicente Minnelli, the story's silly premise never gets off the ground, though the songs and dance numbers are fanciful enough and there's a bit of fantasy involving a real angel (Leon

—

ety began after the historically and predominantly African-American church and school closed. With this

call

where an 18-year-old convent-raised heiress (Lucille Bremer) is duped by an American con man (Fred Astaire)

Ames). Romantic complications. The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-II adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America. (MGM/UA,

in history.

St.

formed

13. (Orion,

$19.98)

Society Award

Society

under

ate for children

Reoei\Aes St Anthony's

Basilica of St. Lawrence.

Videos,

Communities In Schools Of Asheville

ASHEVILLE

& Herald

In the Blue Ridge For brochure

Mountains of

IH.C.

ir^formation, write or coll

Spencer & Dorothy Boyd 1229 Montreat Road, Black Mountain,

(704) 669-8766

2871

14 The Catholic

& Herald

News

February 27, 1998

Diocesan News Briefs Senior Prom

—

ARDEN The high school youth group of St. Barnabas Church invites all senior citizens ages 55 and older to their "Wonderful World," an evening of dinner and dancing, March 21 in the parish social hall. Admission is free. Call Mary Kate Allison, (704) 684-0313, by March

facilitated

by Hannah Hammer focusing on reaching forgiveness as the means to

Living Lane,

attain peace. Baby-sitting is available

Valley,

(please R.S.V.P. to Joe Casacchia, (910) 632-0729).

call

Marriage Encounter The next Marriage is the weekend of April 3 at

—

HICKORY

the Catholic Conference Center. For de-

Retrouvaiile

CHARLOTTE program

— Retrouvaiile

Michael or Stacey Holcomb, (704) 844-8181, or for reservations call Tom or Emilie Sandin, (910) 274-4424. tails, call

for married couples that brings

World Day of Prayer

ing level, helps couples realize that their

Holy Angels Benefit CHARLOTTE The Second Annual St. Patrick's Day Emerald Ball is March 7 at 8 p.m. in Founder's Hall. This

—

semi-formal attire event includes heavy hors d'oeuvres and live entertainment. Tickets are $40 per person, and sponsorships are available. For more information, call Linda Dyer-Hart, (704) 542-

6846. For reservations, make checks payable to The Emerald Ball Fund and send to P.O. Box 471322, Charlotte, NC 28247. St. Patrick's

Parade

Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of Columbus co-sponsor a St. Patrick's Day parade March 14 at 12 p.m. in Charlotte. The parade route begins at Stonewall and Tryon streets, proceeds through uptown and ends at Fifth and Tryon streets. Any groups and individuals wishing to march in or help with the parade are welcomed. Call Tim Lawson, (704) 522-9728, or send E-mail to NCAOH@aol.com to volunteer, get a parade application or receive

more information. Healing

—

HICKORY

Hickory

area

and memorabilia, and young

Hulen Brown of Newton, a licensed foster care provider and sociologist who spent four years in Africa with International Partners of the Habitat for

Human-

ity. The ecumenical program was prepared by Church Women United in Madagascar, from the island republic off the southeast African coast. Music will be provided by the Spiritual Voices Choir or Morning Star First Baptist Church. Baby-sitting will be available. For more information, call Carole Marmorato,

(704) 327-2372.

House of Prayer Retreats HOT SPRINGS "Dreams: OpenUp To Life" is a March 6-8 retreat men and women focusing on the

Jesuit

for

—

Jesuit Father

Riordan facilitates. Vince Alagia and Steve

and Marlene Stowe lead a

retreat for

married couples March 13-15. "Our Lenten Journey" is a March 20-

retreat for

men and women.

Jesuit

Father James Devereux, pastor of

celebrant.

be on finding peace

in the

optional laying on of hands

Mass

all faiths.

for good-willed people

For more information,

call

the parish office, (704) 535-9965.

Charismatic Mass

CHARLOTTE

—

charismatic 4 p.m. in St. Patrick Cathedral. Prayer teams gather at 3 p.m. and after Mass. A potluck supper follows. For more information, call Josie, (704) 527-4676. is

celebrated

March

8 at

Living Waters Retreats

MAGGIE VALLEY

—

the

Enneagram and modem psychology.

An emphasis

be placed on discovering patterns of growth and relationships leading to understanding of God and self. Dr. Wayne Scott facilitates. Cost is $95. will

silent retreat is April

5-12 and will focus on walking with Palm Sunday through the solemnities of the Triduum into Easter Sun-

Jesus from day.

No conferences will take place. Lit-

urgies will be celebrated in St. Margaret

Church. Cost

Adult Ed Series

available. is

A $25 non-refundable deposit

required with each registration.

To reg-

more information, or receive a

tion series continues at St. Paul the

ister,

Apostle Church March 10 with "The

retreat schedule, write to the Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center, 103

Pathway

to Inner Peace," a discussion

Head

IVIadrigal Dinner,

150 people.

vited to participate in the breaking of the

Scripture to children. Call Mary Beth Young,

The dinner follows the Hispanic Mass, which begins at 6 p.m. There is no admission fee. Please contribute a Hispanic dish for all to share. For more

(910) 922-0479, for

pinata.

information, call Nick or

Mary Baker,

(704) 635-8371.

information.

Adult Bible Study

WINSTON-SALEM

— A weekly

in-depth, video-based discussion of the

March

WINSTON-SALEM — Dr. Beatrice

from 7-8:45 St. Leo the Great Church. Call Melodic Manna, (910) 760-1110, for more information.

Bruteau shares thoughts from her new book-in-progress, "Holy Thursday Revolution," continues in Joseph House at Our Lady of Mercy Church on March 4, 18 and 15, and April 1, 8 and 15. For further information, call (910) 722-0028.

WINSTON-SALEM Franciscan Father Canice Connors leads a parish retreat based on the theme "Christ in Me" beginning with Masses March 7-8 at Our

Scriptures begins

p.m. in

Lenten Series

WINSTON-SALEM — T.O.R.C.H. its

—

Lady of Mercy Church. Weekday presentations are in the church from 7:30-

Scripture and Children Presentation

of Winston-Salem continues

Lenten Retreat

adult

8:30 p.m. Father Connors will also be available for one-hour sessions of spiritual

direction and reconciliation

speaker series March 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Conference Room B of the St. Leo the Great Church activity center. Father

Friday from

James Solari

ule a time.

will speak

on teaching

come,

first

served basis

on a

first-

Monday through

a.m.-noon or 1-2 p.m. Call Joseph's house, (910) 722-0028, to sched1 1

Around The Diocese First Friday/Saturday

get

ASHEVILLE of

St.

— Exposition of

Joan of Arc Church every

Adoration

the Blessed Sacrament

first

is in the chapel area Saturday of the month from 2-4 p.m. Call

more information. BREVARD Sacred Heart Church hosts eucharistic adoration each first Friday following the 9 a.m. Mass. The parish also hosts First Saturday devotions the church office, (704) 252-3151, for

—

with adoration. Call (704) 883-9572 for further information.

CHARLOTTE —

each

first

St.

Thomas Aquinas Church hosts eucharistic adoration Mass and lasting until midnight. Call

Friday following the 12:15 p.m.

(704) 549-1607 for

—

more information.

DENVER Nocturnal adoration is the first Friday of each month at Holy Spirit Church. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament begins at 7 p.m. each first Friday evening and concludes Saturday morning at 8 a.m. with Benediction, followed by first Saturday rosary and Mass. Call Jim Kennedy, (704) 732-2673, for more information.

—

HICKORY Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is the first Friday through the first Saturday of each month at St. Aloysius Church. For information, call Jean Marie Hirsch, (704) 495-4339, or Sonja Bjerg, (704) 328-5074. GREENSBORO St. Paul the Apostle Church hosts eucharistic adoration beginning at 9:30 a.m. every first Friday and ending at 9 a.m. Saturday. Call

—

$225.

Special rates for couples and opportunities for self-conducted retreats are

GREENSBORO — An adult educa-

Francis of Assisi Church in last month during the attended by more than

reencated the Nativity Story

St.

For reservations or more information about these and other activities at the House of Prayer, call (704) 6227366.

A Holy Week Mass

Franl<lin

parish's Boar's

Peter Church in Charlotte, facilitates.

through the ancient theories of Gurdjieff,

follows the

Members of the youth group at St.

children are in-

tradition. Dr. Eileen

the Diocese of Raleigh, will

in-

mu-

sic

Mass

Assumption Church. Father Ken Parker,

event

cludes food,

place of dreams in the Judeo-Christian

the only priest in the healing ministry in

Lord.

Hispanic culture.

worship service March 6 at 7 p.m. in the Chapel of the Lutheran Home, 1265 21st St. N.E. The featured speaker is cal

"Understanding Yourself and Others" is a March 6-8 retreat focusing on self-discovery

Emphasis

series

8 at 7 p.m.

with a focus on the

Jesuit

5:30 p.m. in Our Lady of the

culture

The

CHARLOTTE — A healing Mass is March 7

T\YICRSV]LLE

Holy Trinity Church begins a monthly ethnic

churches are invited to observe the World Day of Prayer by attending an ecumeni-

ing

CHARLOTTE — The

Culture Series

—

March

hope, teaches communication on a feel-

problems are not unique, helps couples identify their values and priorities, and teaches couples to forget the past and start anew. The program begins March 27. For further information, call Nick and Irene Fadero in Charlotte, (704) 5440621, or (800) 470-2230.

(704) 926-3833,

or send a fax to (704) 926-1997.

Encounter

13 for reservations.

Waters

Maggie

NC 28751,

(910) 294-4696 for details. Eucharistic adoration

—

is at St. Joseph Church every first FriNEWTON day of the month following a 12: 10 p.m. Mass and lasting until 8 p.m. For more information, call (704) 464-9207 for more information.

The Catholic News

February 27, 1998

World And National News

New Program Seeks Vocations Among Active-Duty Military HYATTSVILLE, Md. (CNS) new program

to begin this fall

among

—A

Sacraments, Helping Poor In a WASHINGTON (CNS)

papal

—

na-

most U.S. Catholics 20 to 39 years old ranked belief in God' s presence in the sacraments, charity to the poor and belief in Christ's real presence in the Eucharist high among elements essential to the Catholic faith. Vast majorities, however, thought the church's teachings that only men can be priests and that workers have a right to unionize were not essential to the faith. Results of the survey were released Feb. 13 by sociologist Dean R. Hoge of The Catholic University of America, one of a team of researchers who commissioned it as part of a larger study of post-babytional survey

boom

adult Catholics.

Religious Ed Meeting Touches On Morality, Music, Ethics WASHINGTON (CNS) General

—

understanding of Catholic moral teaching is still slowly evolving from the notion of "keeping rules" to acting in "loving response in and to a love relationship," according to an ethics professor speaking to a religious educators conference. "Prior to Vatican II, Catholic moral teaching was very clear," said Father Robert Friday, vice president for student life at

The Catholic University of

America

in a Feb. 14 session of the East

Coast Conference for Religious Education. "We may not have understood it, but we knew it." "For a long time, the approach was 'don't think, we'll tell you what to believe,'" said Father Friday. But that "martial law of the church" approach was solidly shaken during World War II, when religious leaders questioned how the policies of the German Nazis could have come from the same culture where so much of Christian theology originated, he said.

Cuban Bishops' Conference Prepares Book Of Pope's Homilies

HAVANA Church

—

(CNS) The Catholic Cuba is moving quickly to

who were touched by the now want to read and reflect

people visit

Archdiocese serves 1.2 million Catholics worldwide. They include active-duty military personnel and their families, federal employees serving overseas, reservists and National Guard troops, and residents of Veterans Affairs hospitals. Indian Bishops Comdemn PreElection Bomb Blasts; 46 Killed

NEW

DELHI,

India

(CNS)

— The

Catholic Bishops' Conference of India condemned the killing of 46 people in bomb blasts on the eve of parliamentary

pope's visit, the Cuban bishops' conference is publishing up to 350,000 128page books containing the complete texts of the pope's homilies and 42 photographs from the visit. The books are expected to be printed in Mexico or Spain. Ukranlan Catholic, Orthodox Claim

many as

elections in the country. in cars

Bombs

planted

exploded Feb. 14 and 15

in as

15 places in the southern Indian

Coimbatore. The blasts killed 46 people and injured more than 200, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. Bishop Reports On Efforts To Recover Missing Millions textile city of

—

SAN ANGELO,

Harmony; Vatican To Investigate VATICAN CITY (CNS) While

Texas (CNS) Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer of San Angelo

and Orthodox bishops in Ukraine claim their communities have no problems with each other. Orthodox leaders in Moscow continue giving the Vatican lists of alleged incidents. "Something is not right there, but I don't know what it is," Cardinal Edward I. Cassidy, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, told Catholic News Service. After a meeting in mid-January, the cardinal and his Russian Orthodox counterpart. Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, decided to send a small delegation to Western Ukraine "so that next time we meet we will know what is going on." Cardinal Cassidy said Feb. 17 that the delegation had not yet been named, nor had a time for their visit been

said Feb. 18 he will "vigorously pursue

—

all

possible civil remedies" to recover an

WASHINGTON

authorities are

investigating possible criminal charges,

he said. He announced that the diocese has hired a new accounting firm to oversee

its

financial operations

and

a yearly outside audit to protect

initiated it

against

such theft in the future. Bishop Pfeifer gave a progress report on the diocese's financial crisis, uncovered late last year, in a letter published Feb. 18 in his diocesan newspaper. The West Texas Angelus. Partial-Birth Abortion Ban, Informed Consent Pass In Virginia

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Virginia

rious re-expression of religious belief,

not only in Great Britain but around the

world," said Dean Wesley Carr of Westminster Abbey in London. The Anglican priest, who has been dean of Westminster Abbey for a little over a year, spoke Feb. 17 at Georgetown University in Washington on "Ministry and

Common Religion." Pope Marks 50th Year Of Delegation

letter the

sis

pregnancy centers across the United

States that their

work

vital to the

might Alan Keyes, a Catholic who is former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Economic and Social Council, addressed the group of pro-life activists at a Feb. 7 national conference held at Focus on the

Society for

The

Human

society

by Pope John Paul II during his visit to the communist-ruled nation Jan. 21-25.

Springs.

egates 78-21,

sition

vetoed

Colorado

by the

Senate 33-7 and by the House of Delis modeled on a federal law

Family headquarters

the state affiliate of the

National Right to Life Committee. The partial-birth abortion ban, passed

nurture seeds of evangelization planted

Keyes said he believes the pothat Christians take on abortion is

Life in Richmond.

last

October by President Clinton.

—

following day.

Cuban Bishops Publish

Pastoral Plan After Pope's Visit HAVANA, Cuba (CNS) In a follow-up to Pope John Paul II's historic visit, the Cuban bishops published a pas-

—

Louise Hartz, president of the Virginia

SPRINGS, Colo.

Jerusalem, Palestine (CNS) The

VATICAN CITY

presence of a papal representative in Jerusalem is a sign of Pope John Paul II's concern for the city's residents and for the mission of the city as a sign of peace, the Vatican secretary of state said. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, writing on behalf of the pope, marked the 50th anniversary of the apostolic delegation in Jerusalem and Palestine. The anniversary was celebrated Feb. 18 and the Vatican released the text of Cardinal Sodano'

think.

Challenge'

The

must acknowledge, according to the Anglican official who presided at Diana's funeral. "The Diana phenomenon was a very se-

fight against abortion than they

—

demonstrates the high level of "common

estimated $4.4 million allegedly stolen

from diocesan funds. State

(CNS)

religion" that traditional religions

papal

'Difficult

COLORADO

(CNS) A prominent Catholic layman told more than 700 people who staff cri-

enormous public outpouring of grief and prayers at the death of Princess Diana

contained a one-year re-enactment clause. "We're on a roll now," said

Pregnancy Work Seen As

Religions Must Acknowledge

toral plan that

Crisis

—

'Diana Phenomenon,' Anglican Says

legislators Feb. 17 passed legislation banning partial-birth abortion and requiring informed consent and a 24-hour waiting period before a woman can have an abortion. A day later, the House of Delegates voted 77-20 to ban assisted-suicide. This vote began the process of recertifying a ban enacted last year that

set.

(CNS)

United Methodist-Roman Catholic Dialogue continued its work of developing local dialogue resources for use by Catholic and Methodist congregations nationwide. The U.S. group of scholars also discussed CathoUc Marian devotion and the differences and similarities regarding the place of Mary in the Catholic and Methodist traditions. Since 1996 the U.S. dialogue participants have been working on ways to take more than 30 years of national and international dialogue to a new level by involving Catholics and Methodists in ecumenical dialogues at the parish or congregational level. The 12 scTiolars met Feb. 12-14 at St. Paul's College in Washington.

on the pope's homilies, said Cardinal Jaime Ortega Alamino of Havana in a Canadian Catholic News interview. To meet the demand and to maintain the spiritual momentum provided by the

Eastern-rite Catholic

WASHINGTON

three-day meeting in Washington, the

ment program at the Sulpician-run college. The retreat attracted 20 men, most now serving in the military, with a few from military families. The Military

Many

life

U.S. Catholics, Methodists Work On Parish Dialogue Project

them into military chaplains. Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien, who became head of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services last August, initiated the project. It kicked off with a discernment retreat Feb. 5-7 at Theological College at The Catholic University of America in Washington, and ties into an ongoing priestly discern-

Young Adult Catholics Stress

contains an exception to save the

of the mother.

hopes to

active duty and turn

Residents of the Ponderosa Park in Kissimmee, Fla., search through rubble for belongings Feb. 23 after tornadoes passed through the area the night before. At least 37 people died in the storm and more than 100 were injured.

troops on

find priestly vocations

Briefs

of the nation.

vital to the spiritual health

& Herald

promotes continued dia-

logue with authorities and a wider church role in society. Their statement thanked

Cuban government for releasing a "good number of prisoners" after the

the

visit

and said that

this

"encourages

us to have confidence in the future."

also supported the pope's call for an end

economic measures imposed on Cuba from outside the country," saying these were "unjust and ethito "restrictive

cally unacceptable,"

and

his definition

of freedom of conscience as the basis of

human

rights.

The Catholic News

& Herald

February 27, 1998

^oocfS/iepjfierJ Gliurcli Father Sheridan,

Good Shepherd Church East End of Kirby Road Mail: P.O. Box 1149 King, NC 27021 (336) 725-9200

IVIass

Hunt

Schedule:

Saturday, 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m.

Number of Number

KING

parishioners: 504

of households: 192

— In the

small Stokes County town of King, a Catholic mission station was estabhshed during the summer of 1981 by Bishop Michael J. Begley of the Diocese of Charlotte. Excited by the prospect of gathering for Masses in town, local Catholics met in the recreational center on Aug. 24, 1981. That date marked the first official assemblage of the com-

struction phase in 1988,

which led

Cardinal Bemardin

Gabriel Church in Charlotte, served the

the building of a church facility includ-

ing reception and classroom areas. Bishop John F. Donoghue dedicated the building in Novemeber 1989. Jesuit Father Lawrence J. Hunt was named pastor of Our Lady of Mercy and

Francis Cancro,

who now ministers at St.

Eugene Church

in Asheville.

In July 1982, Father Carl Del Giudice now serving in Brevard succeeded Father Cancro in Winston-Salem, and much of his priestly duties involved

King mission. had begun to organize ministries and outreach programs serving the Catholic and local then, the mission

Honor of Joseph

\n to

King community with Our Lady of Mercy Church's parochial vicar. Father

Pastor: Jesuit Father

Lawrence

pastor of St.

service to the

Winston-Salem

Vicariate:

now

Good Shepherd churches in July 1990. A growing religious education program prompted the need for a small classroom building to be added on the property in King soon after. Good Shepherd Church celebrated

use Alumnus Establishes $20,000 Scholarship For CCHS Students

—

CHARLOTTE Joseph A. Tronco Jr., and his wife, Katherine, have established an annual four-year

the elimination of the church debt in

scholarship to the University of South Carolina (USC) in honor of the late

communities. The mission hosted a vacation Bible school that summer, an altar server program was established, and a religious education program for children was underway by the fall. In 1984, the James O'Connell family donated 10 acres of land from their

November

Joseph Cardinal Bemardin.

homestead for the building of a church.

counties. Promoting a hospitable fam-

The mission community came to be known as Good Shepherd Church, and

ily

the pastors of Our Lady of Mercy

Church

continued to serve both communities.

Parishioners in King began the formal

1997, and this past January

the Diocese of Charlotte granted per-

mission to initiate the next phase of development.

The Catholic church community in King comprises parishioners from Stokes, Forsyth, Surry and Yadkin atmosphere with an emphasis on Good Shepherd Church has an active religious education program, youth group, and participation by youth in the liturgies. Members of all ages are also involved in a variety of commu-

youth.

"My wife and I want to help promote

of superior caliber

who would

not

normally be able to attend the university because of out-of-state tuition costs,"

Tronco

said.

'The scholarship

will also enable Charlotte Catholic

High students to obtain an excellent education from a fine institution." Tronco, along with his sons Jay USC alumni. His sons

and John, are

also graduated from Charlotte Catho-

High School. Tronco currently

process of building their

nity outreach programs.

lic

church in 1986 by developing a parish mission statement and par-

Almost 200 households currently compose the registry of Good Shepherd Church.

the

ish profile. In

the University of South Caro-

lina by attracting out-of-state students

serves on the executive committee of

USC Alumni Association and has

previously served as chairman of the

Charlotte Catholic High School

August

Foundation.

1987, Jesuit Father Tho-

mas Gaunt was named

The Joseph Cardinal Bemardin Scholarship awards a graduating

CCHS

munity that would

pastor of St. Benedict the

known

Moor Church

ition for recipients will be at in-state

later become Good Shepherd Church.

Catholics in King met with Father

Edward Sheridan, then pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church in WinstonSalem, about the practical and spiritual benefits of initiating missionary activity in town. As a result. King became a mission of Our Lady of

Mercy Parish. With Catholics

WinstonSalem, and Good Shepherd Church been has served by pastors from in

that filling the

pews.

evening liturgies in King's Moravian church beginning Sept. 19, 1981.

munity began

university policy, tu-

of scholarship recipi-

ents will be administered

awarded

one graduating senior per

year, beginning in 1998.

The

late

Cardinal Bemardin was

a native of Columbia, S.C., and a

USC

alumnus.

the first con-

Neif Creation Monastery

Ga|Hi€liiii Fr«*iii€iscnii lliseeriiiiieiit

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irctrent

Affordability Simplicity

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The Capuchin Franciscan

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Me."

Discernment Retreat Catholic

St.

for

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old who are seeking to find

Francis ofAssisi said,

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want me

their vocation in

life.

Come,

share the monastic

life

with

Father John Vianney Hoover

the Cainaldolese Oblate

['"aiher ,lohn will

to do?"

March 7-12

preach a

at St.

Monks,

P;:irish

Vincent's

Mission,

in Charlotte.

-.arolina I mieralt^

Crem ation Center

The

retreat will be held in Hendersonville,

liiiiiineiilate

NC at

Conception IVinrY

iWarcli

tmw OFM

For more information, please contact Br. Kellen Mears, Cap., Capuchin Vocation Director (201) 863-3871 Br. Michael Malloy,

OFM Cap.,

USC

with recommendations by faculty members from Charlotte Catholic High School. The scholarship will be

since then.

The com-

rates. Selection

parish

Father Sheridan celebrated Saturday

student $1,000 per year for

four years.

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Friaiy, (704)

692-0550

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