Jan 27, 1995

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News & Herald Volume 4 Number 21 * January 27, 1995

Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte

The

Name Game

Ann Student

St.

New

Picks

Middle School

By JO ANN

KEANE

Associate Editor

CHARLOTTE — Michael was

Vinton

a bit confused. At 9:30, barely into

the school day, his mother took him from

Ann School. "Why?" questioned the

St. 1 1

-year-old. His mother concocted a ruse

about his father, as they drove away in silence. Her white lie took more turns as she explained a quick stop at the Catholic

Center was needed to pay late tuition. Michael was quietly perplexed. Adding to the confusion, St. Joseph Sister Helene Nagle, St. Ann principal, was roaming the Catholic Center halls, and newly named middle school principal Jerry Healy appeared with school superintendent Dr. Michael Skube.

Michael's suspicion mounted. His came down the hall. "Why is he

father

In

Name

For

Charlotte

One student thought of Mother Teresa, because "she' such a good example for us all." Another suggested Elizabeth Seton, to honor the first American saint. Many suggested Charlotte Catholic Middle School, others honored retired bishop Michael J. Begley, the first bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte. "All the suggestions were fantastic," said Healy, currently St. Gabriel principal. "Students gave a great deal of thought to their submissions, and backed up their suggestions with thoughtful rationale." Yet, once the selection committee read off the names, there was no question. Holy Trinity struck a cord with all committee members. Bishop Curlin agreed, and officially approved the name. Although five MACS students suggested versions of Holy Trinity, a random drawing picked Michael. "I didn't want to name it after a saint," said Michael. There are so many schools named for saints already, Michael rationalized. "I thought of suggesting something

original."

here?" thought Michael, as the clues

began

See

Name, Page

13

to fall into place.

"As long as you re here, would like to meet the bishop?" Michael was asked. His day was unusual enough already. "Sure," '

you

he replied, with a note of uncertainly in

iiis

voice.

"Congratulations, buddy," said

Michael Vinton, a sixth grader at St.Ann School, receives congratulations from Bishop William G. Curlin (above) and from his fellow

Bishop William G. Curlin to Michael. "I understand you named the

students

new middle school."

(left)

after

being

named winner of the Mecklenburg Area name the new Catholic middle school Photos by JO ANN KEANE

Catholic Schools contest to

At long last, Michael's Friday mystery was solved.

in

Charlotte.

Sixth grader Michael's entry

Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools' "Name the New Middle School" contest was selected for the soon-to-be middle school on

in

Prison Ministry Not Easy

But Growing

In Diocese By KATHLEEN SCHMUGGE

Park Road.

Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School was selected from more than 200

entries in the contest

open

HICKORY — Prison Ministry is neither an easy nor popular becoming a rapidly growing ministry in the The Prison Ministry Conference on Jan. 20 at the Catholic Convention Center drew more than 30 enthusiastic participants from various parishes throughout the diocese. Last year less than a handful attended. Why the sudden increase? Each person seemed to have a unique reason, but one thing was certain: ministry, but

to

MACS students. Contestants comprise the first classes to enter the

new middle school for its first term nex

fall.

they

Rising middle school students were asked to submit name sugges-

In a

elected

for Life,

newly

members of Congress took the stage with

incumbent colleagues in vowing to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood and reverse laws

their

or administrative mandates that

more

together to explore a Christian solution to current

could pay you no higher compliment than to associate your God who visited Peter in prison and brought him forth into freedom," said Bishop William G. Curlin in a letter of support that set the tone for the day. Patricia Kersey, the first speaker, emphasized the need for love and compassion for the incarcerated. She showed her ability to live up to her words when she discussed her own visits and correspondence with some of the most notorious prisoners on death row. Bill Matevie, Prison Ministry coordinator for the Diocese of Charlotte, was like the wise sage. He offered some practical advise about sincerity. "I don't have a step-by-step procedure on how to minister to those in prison ... but I can say that they know when it's a snow job; when you arejust shoving a Bible at them or if you really task with that visitor from

Peaceful Fight For Life Emphasized WASHINGTON (CNS) — rousing December murders of two Massachusetts aborMarch

came

"I

From St. Agnes to St. Xavier, names ran the gamut.

kickoff to the annual

all

social problems.

tions.

the

is

it

Charlotte Diocese.

current 5th, 6th and 7th grade

make

tion clinic employees. There apparently

use of official access passes were more conspicu-

ous than

in previous years.

NARAL president Kate Michelman had asked

abortions

readily available.

were no

security problems, although measures such as the

Gray to cancel the march out of concern that such

care."

Before a crowd estimated by the National Park Service Police at 45,000, March for Life president Nellie Gray read a letter to the president of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, responding to her request that the

gatherings posed a danger to wel 1-meaning people

march be canceled. "You and I walk on opposite sides," Gray read from her letter "There is no in-between

employees. But, she said, the violence of abortion brought out such killings, not the overwhelmingly

Matevie emphasized the ministry was not about eliminating punishment for criminals. "There is a need for penalties. People must be held responsible for their actions. However, there is not a need to judge. I love the person and let God do the judging." Rev. Walter Dennis, chaplain at the Mecklenburg County Jail, was able to give some powerful testimony on how he used the

position."

Supporters of legalized abortion had been apprehensive about the event in light of the

on both sides of the abortion debate. In her response, Gray told Michelman that she empathized with her deep feelings of hurt over the deaths of two Massachusetts abortion clinic

peaceful movement to oppose abortion. I

suffer because society suffers,"

"You and

Gray added.

See March, Page 3

struggles in his

own

life to

reach the people in prison

congregation. "They can't turn

They

can't turn

away form love and

away from God," he

his

forgiveness.

said.

See Prison, Page 3


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