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Number 17

Volume 10

Serving Catholics

Inside Girl

scouts answer calls for

help with program ...Page

in

Western North Carolina

in

the Diocese of Charlotte

Mother Benignus remembered as visionary, champion for those with special needs

4

By

JOANN

KEANE

S.

Editor

BELMONT Priest says young adults a

church

—

In her lifetime,

Mother Mary Benignus Hoban filled many roles as a Sister of Mercy.

From

priority

novice mistress to superior Mother Benignus spent her

general,

...Page

9

consecrated

selfless service to

life in

She was called a tough administrator, a caring caregiver and a person who through faith and perseverance always found ways to get things done. Mother Benignus died Dec. 30 others.

Celebrating the Maggie Valley

New Year

retreat center hosts

age of 94.

at the

spiritual celebration

...Page

15

Her legacy will forever be tied to Holy Angels, where Mother Benignus was co-founder and president emeritus of the residential facility serving children and adults with mental re-

Local

tardation and physical handicaps.

In 1955, a severely handicapped and medically fragile infant was taken by her overwhelmed and des-

News Gastonia parish breaks

perate mother to a day care center operated by the Sisters of Mercy. The infant was given a grim prognosis.

However, Mother Benignus and the

other sisters wrapped the baby in love and affection. They obtained the medical care available in the mid-

ground for future

1950s.

.Page

5

The

baby,

named Maria Mor-

row, survived and with the constant care of Mother Benignus, Maria thrived. Forty-five years later, Maria leads a happy, productive life and is

Murphy church regains first

See

building

...Page

7

MOTHER BENIGNUS,

By CINDY

WOODEN

News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) record-breaking year Catholic

Entertainment a

Editorials

—

In

in

a

10-11

record-breaking pontificate, Pope John Paul II declared more saints than he had in any other year of

12-13

his reign.

& Columns .Pages

Canonization ceremonies For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of

one

14

Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:13

in a

Pope set new canonization record

Every Week .Pages

page

File

Mother Mary Benignus with Maria Morrow Herald photo at Holy Angels.

in

the year 2000 added 151 new saints to the church's calendar, according to Vatican statistics.

In addition, the pope beatified

56 men, women and

children dur-

ing the year.

Pope John Paul's previous one-year record for saint-making was in 1988 when he canonized 117 Vietnamese martyrs and

eight other saints.

Since becoming pope in 1978, Pope John Paul has beatified 996 people and canonized 446.

Archbishop Jose Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation Sainthood Causes, told for Vatican Radio Dec. 28, "The principal explanation for the great number of canonizations and beatifications during the Holy Year and, in general, during the pontificate of John Paul II lies in the great pastoral importance he attributes to them.

"It should not be forgotten that one of the principal themes of his Petrine ministry from the beginning has been the valuing of

photo By Joann S. Keane

1994 Catholic News

in

&

2000

holiness, convinced as he is that 'the history of the church is a history of holiness,'" the archbishop said.

Especially during the jubilee celebrating the 2,000th anniversary of Christ's birth, offering the real men and followed Jesus is a witness "of the truth of the presence and work of God in history," Archbishop Saraiva said.

world examples of

women who

The

year's

new

saints

came

frOm Asia, Africa, America and Europe, he said, demonstrating the fact that "holiness knows no geographical or cultural boundaries

and has no

racial prejudices."

7

2

1

The Catholic News & Herald

Campaign asks church

January

in Brief

bells

executions WASHINGTON (CNS) to

The World

toll for

—

church.

A

Frances X. Cabrini and nearby Ascension parishes were out in such force. "We are here today because we are determined to gain control of our neighborhood," declared Alfonso Delgadillo, a parishioner for the past 15 years and now

simple ceremony

—

II

will

(CNS) Pope close the Holy Door

Peter's Basilica Jan. 6 in a

at St.

simple ceremony designed to remind people that their pilgrimage toward Christ must continue, said the official in charge of Vatican liturgies. During a Dec. 22 meeting with reporters, Bishop Piero Marini, master of papal liturgical ceremonies, outlined the service that will precede Mass on the feast of the Epiphany. The ceremony will be similar to the rite used since 1975 when, for the first time in centuries, the closing of the door did not include the pope spreading mortar and laying the first bricks of the wall that blocks the doorway between holy years. A procession, which will include lay people representing each continent, will precede the pope to the atrium of the basilica.

I

E

—

head of the Kenyan bishops' conference urged the government to contain the culture of violence in the country. In a Christmas message, Bishop John Njue of Embu, president of the Kenya Episcopal CNS

& H E R A L D

S

January 5, 2001 Volume 10 • Number

Young

Associate Editor: Jimmy Rostar

AleshaM. Price

Ratzinger links Christian anti-Judaism to Holocaust VATICAN CITY (CNS) A top Vatican official said it was undeniable that some Christians failed to oppose

—

Nazi

atrocities because of anti-Jewish

sentiment, but said the tragedy

have awakened the church to a era of dialogue with Jews.

The

may new

experi-

ence of the Holocaust's horrors may have prompted a "new vision" of Catholic reconciliation with Jews after centuries of anti-Judaism and "deplorable acts of violence," said Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,

Secretary: Jane Glodowski

1123 South Church

St.,

Charlotte,

Box 37267,

Charlotte,

NC 28203 NC 28237

Phone: (704) 370-3333 FAX: (704) 370-3382 E-mail catholicnews :

@ charlottediocese.org

The Catholic News & Herald, USPC 007-393, is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203, 44 times a year, weekly except

for

mon ground

despite major differences approach to the issues, said a committee report sent to the U.S. Catholic bishops in December. It said dialogue participants agreed that "the cloning of animals and of human genes and somatic cells except from embryos for research purposes is morally neutral." They differed on the cloning of human embryos for research. "Nearly all the scientist participants support such work," the report said, while the bishops held that "because the embryo is a human being, in their

research that harms or destroys impermissible."

faith "for us is

not another religion, but

the foundation of our faith."

U.S. Catholic

Bishops given

report on cloning (CNS) In a dialogue on cloning, bishops and scientists found significant areas of com-

WASHINGTON

—

is

LA. parishioners vow to stem

in a front-page- article in the Vatican's

newspaper Dec. 29. He said Catholic dialogue with Jews belongs to a unique category because the Jewish

it

tide of gang violence LOS ANGELES (CNS) About

—

500 people

filled

the hall of St. Frances

X. Cabrini Church in South Central Los Angeles Dec. 1 6 to tell Sheriff Lee Baca they were tired of being afraid of local gangs. "We don't want any more crimes in our community," said Maria Silaya, whose son was killed during a shooting at a

doughnut shop across from the

Episcopal. calendar Bishop William G. Curlin will take part in the following events:

January 8-12 Retreat for Region IV Bishops

Christmas week and Easter week and every

two weeks during June, July and August

for $15 per year parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte and $18 per year for all

for enrollees in

Second-class Charlotte NC and

other subscribers.

postage paid other

cities.

at

POSTMASTER: Send

address corrections to The Catholic

News &

Herald, P.O.

Charlotte,

NC

28237.

concerned about structural violence the society.

said

—

is

the greatest heritage that this genera-

Sales of 'morning-after'

condemned

England (CNS)

leaders and pro-life groups

condemned the

British

government's de-

cision to allow the over-the-counter sale of

the "morning-after" pill. Cardinal Thomas Winning of Glasgow, Scotland, said the pill, known as Levonelle, was aborti-

and not contraceptive. Archbishop Murphy-O'Connor of Westminster, London, said: 'To make the facient

Cormac

morning-after

available to teen-agers

pill

over the counter encourages sexual promiscuity and increasingly isolates young people in difficulty from the help and

The British government, which announced the decision in advice they need."

mid-December,

said the pills

— Adult is

1.

Michael Coyle, a Franciscan University

tive study.

is

leading die informa-

For more information,

office at (704)

567-8322

-

March

ing.

For more information, call Louise Brewer at (704) 366-8357 or Gloria

Church, 503 N. Main

-

10:30 a.m.

Mass Bishop McGunness, Winston-Salem

January

30-10

a.m.

Mass Holy Trinity, Charlotte January 31

-

9:45 a.m.

Mass Charlotte Catholic, Charlotte

11

BELMONT

— The Abbey

Players/

Belmont Community Theatre is presenting 'The World Goes 'Round: The Songs of Kander and Ebb," beginning tonight at 7:30 p.m. through Jan. 20 at the Haid Theatre on the campus of Belmont Abbey College, 100 Belmont-Mount Holly Rd. The revue features songs from the duo's hit Broadway plays including "Caberet," "Chicago," "Kiss of the Spider Woman," and others. For more information, call the the-

Box 37267,

atre at (704) 825-6787.

13

call

the

536-6520, (704)

or

mecoyle@email.uncc.edu.

January 29

on

at St.

John Neumann Church, 8451 IdlewiL Rd., on Thursday nights from 7:30-9 p.m., beginning tonight and concluding March

church

Silipigni at (704) 821-1343.

bible study

being offered

tions are being accepted during the meet-

for Life

as

1

part of a strategy to cut teen pregnancies.

January 20-22 Washington, D.C.

would be

available at pharmacies beginning Jan.

am

Dona-

pill

in Britain

MANCHESTER,

— Church

theology graduate,

in die parish center.

in

up

fed

tion can leave the next one.

10 CHARLOTTE The 50+ dub of St. John Neumann Church, 8451 Idlewild Rd., is having a meeting this morning at 1 with a special Hawaiian-themed pro-

Kenyans are

with violence and that a peaceful Kenya

the Gospel of John

planner January

He

CHARLOTTE

Diocesan

is

Kenya, where

in

rapid social, political and economic changes are taking place at this time of history. Only time will tell whether the changes will bring or disrupt peace," he said. Bishop Njue said the bishops are

—

—

gram and lunch

Advertising Representative: Cindi Feerick

P.O.

urgently needed here

annual year-end celebration.

Graphic Designer: Tim Faragher

Mail:

ing to tear apart the country. "Peace

costumes wait to dance in a traditional carnival parade on the main avenue of San Jose, Costa Rica, Dec. 27, in the

% 1

Most Reverend William G. Curlin Joann S. Keane

Staff Writer:

Conference, said violence was threaten-

girls in colorful

Publisher: Editor:

photo from Reuters

Carnival Parade

The

W

leader.

Kenyan bishop urges government to contain violence NAIROBI, Kenya (CNS) The

.

fi

community

a

Whom

John Paul

the only victim of

were killed last October within two weeks of each other. Two died at the end of November and two more at the start of December. That's why members of St.

national campaign that started in the

Diocese of Richmond, Va. Dominican Sister Dorothy Briggs and other members of her religious order around the country are spearheading a drive to get churches to toll their bells or to display banners or other signs of support for the campaign against the death penalty. The sisters are working in conjunction with the organization Citizens national United for the Rehabilitation of Errants, or CURE. Sister Briggs told Catholic News Service that since September, the "For the Bells Toll" campaign she runs has sent out 1,000 letters introducing the idea to men's and women's religious congregations. Dozens have let her know of their plans to participate and "almost every other day I receive word that others are tolling the bells," she said.

As of mid-December, she'd heard of participating churches or religious communities in 24 states.

Pope to close Holy Door Jan. 6

VATICAN CITY

isn't

violence in the community. Five others

simple tolling of church bells has begun to mark each execution carried out in the United States, part of a

in

Her son

2001

5,

e-mail;

BELMONT — Queen Of the Aposties St.,

has chartered a

bus traveling to the Rally for Life in Raleigh today. The bus is picking up people

from Queen of the Aposties at 7:30 a.m, St Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Rd., at 8:15 and Northside Baptist Church at 9 am For more information, call Jan Rogers at (704) 825-9600 or Ron Rogers at (704) 827-7593.

HIGH POINT Christ the King

am

—

Church, 1505 E. Kivett Dr.,

Mass

is

celebrating a

the Syro-Malabar Rite in Malayalam at 6:30 p.m. tonight For details, call the church office at (336) 884in

s

January

2001

5,

The Catholic News & Herald 3

Around the Diocese

Women in on the

celebrate Black History

Celtic vision

—

HICKORY "The

All

women and men

of the Unifour are invited to attend from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. on Aloysius Catholic Church, 902 Second St.

17,

2001, at

St.

tain.

Early Celtic Christianity was earth-centered, poetic, humorous, mystical, and characterized by pilgrimages undertaken with deep trust in the Creator. This day-long retreat will explore images of the divine manifested through earth and in the lives of some outstanding women of myth and history.

Through

poetry, story, and visual material the participants will reclaim

their place in the sacred circle.

This event is sponsored by the ecumenical Women in Religion discussion group, which meets monthly at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Hickory. You may register by mail by obtaining a flyer from your church or organizational office, or by calling Frances Frock at (828) 322-2372 or Helen Gitlin at 828/322-3842. The registration fee of $15 ($5 for full-time students) includes coffee break and lunch.

Greensboro Council of Catholic Women sponsors events GREENSBORO The Greensboro Council of Catholic Women is sponsoring several events in January. On Jan. 17, the women will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Rooms F and G at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Rd., to

—

discuss and plan a service project at the Servant Center, a facility for homeless and disabled men.

group is having a potluck luncheon and informational session with entertainment by the High Point Senior Chorus at noon at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Rd. Council members are supplying the food and beverages.

All members, those interested in joining the Catholic women's group and those who want to simply share fellowship with others are welcome to attend.

For more information, call Janet Law at (336) 288-6022.

Jan. 24, the

Diocesan pilgrims among 8.5 million people attending papal events in Rome including VATICAN CITY (CNS) More than 8.5 million people

—

—

—

attended papal Masses and audiences 2000, the Vatican said. The figures released Dec. 30 by the Prefecture of the Papal Household reflect only the number of free tickets the office distributed for papal events. The figures do not include people who showed up in St. Peter's Square without a ticket, nor people who came for the pope's Sunday recitation of the Angelus following a morning papal Mass in the square, the Vatican press

pilgrims from the Diocese of Charlotte in

The

by U.S. Bishop James M. Harvey, said its which Pope John Paul II was present and not to the number of Holy Year visitors to the Vatican.

office said.

prefecture, headed

figures for the year

2000

refer only to events at

44 or (336) 884-5858.

4 is

JIMMY ROSTAR

CHARLOTTE

—

During

a

CHARLOTTE

—A

(704) 540-8696.

charismatic

Mass

being held at St Patrick Cathedral, 1621

— The

15 WINSTON-SALEM Franciscan Fraternity of

St.

Month, the Diocese of Charlotte will honor the memory of an African American who had a dream of racial equality and peace.

The

American

diocese's African

Affairs Ministry sponsors the

16th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration on Jan. 27 beginning at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Consolation Church, 2301 Statesville Ave., in

Charlotte.

Combined

as

both a preparatory

celebration of Black History

February and

Month

ebration honoring Dr. King, the event will include talks on King's legacy, the contributions of blacks in the church, and a Mass celebrated by Father Mauricio W. West, the diocese's vicar general and chancellor.

To have such a celebration in a diocese with growing cultural diversity is significant, said Rev. Mr. Curtiss Todd, director of the African American Affairs Ministry.

"Certainly if we all can consider ourselves God's children, we should consider each other brothers and sisters - regardless of ethnicity, color,

Claire will

he

else,"

said.

The featured guest speaker at the event is Dr. Hilbert Stanley, director of the National Black Catholic Congress, headquartered in Baltimore.

Daniel Rudd, the son of Catholic slaves, founded the National Black Catholic Congress in the 1880s as an organization committed to evangelization of African Americans, inviting them

as full participants

in

church

Mr. Todd.

"They have a pastoral plan," he said of the Congress, "and these workshops will be on what black Catholics can do and have done in the church."

Born Michael Luther King, Jr., on King became a Baptist minister and ardent civil-rights supporter. He met with President John F. Kennedy in 1962 to urge civil-rights support, was arrested in 1963 after

Jan. 15, 1929,

leading segregation protests in Birmingham, Ala., and in August of that year gave his famous "I have a

dream" speech before 250,000 in Washington.

King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tenn. A national holiday honoring him was instituted in

1986.

Black History

Month

has

its

roots in south side of Chicago, where blacks from the South migrated in

droves in the early 1900s. In the late 1910s, Dr. Carter Woodson began promoting "Negro History Week" to highlight the contributions of African Americans. Chicago blacks gathered at the Wabash Street in Chicago a refuge for thousands of blacks in an era when they were often unwelcome to celebrate the week.

By 1926, the week was observed in the second month of February, the same timeframe as the birthdays of

YMCA

—

—

Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The observance developed as Black History Month in 1976.

A

nominal registration

fee applies

for the Jan. 27 diocesan celebration.

For further information, including registration and admission fees, call Rev. Mr. Curtiss Todd at (704) 370-3339.

and society.

The Congress hosts a national gathering each year, and the Jan. 27 celebration will include the first of several workshops to prepare for this parish center. Jeanne Murrone,

Secular

in

a post-birthday cel-

background or anything

Month

July's gathering in Chicago, said Rev.

Associate Editor

weekend preceding Black History

Leader will be the Rev. Elizabeth Canham, D.Min., an ordained Episcopal priest and the founder/ director of Stillpoint Ministries in Black Moun-

On

By

Celtic Vision," an interfaith retreat

Saturday, Feb. NE, Hickory.

memory of King,

Diocese to honor

Religion to host retreat

censed

clinical child

Ph.D,

psychologist and

Gabriel Church parishioner,

is

li-

St.

leading the

Contact Associate Editor Jimmy Rostar by calling (704) 370-3334 or email jtrostar@charlottediocese.org

from July 27-29,

is

taking place today

during the annual Martin Luther King Celebration at Our Lady of Coasolation

To volun-

4 p.m.

begin formation classes in Feb. 2001. If

discussion. All are invited to attend

Church, 2301 Statesville Ave.

with prayer teams at 3 p.m. and a potluck

you are interested in exploring what it means to be a Secular Franciscan, you are welcome to attend informational meetings from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of

teer or for further information, call (704)

Dilworth Rd. East,

this afternoon at

continues

gathering and potluck, and for further details, call Lisa Kelley at (704) 543-7677, Ext. 44.

The Business Group, 24 ASHEVILLE Catholic Social Services - Western Regional Office and Marriage Ministry of St. Eugene Church are presenting "Money and Marriage" today from 7-8:30 p.m. at Asheville Catholic School 12 Culvern St. The workshop; led by Bonnie Scully, certified financial planner; is designed for

on the following dates: St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Rd., from 7-8 p.m. tonight for adults only with shared snacks; St Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Rd., from 1-2:30 p.m. on Jan. 18 with childcare and a family potluck and St. Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Pkwy., from 1:30-3:00 p.m. on

tonight from 7:30-9 p.m. in the activity

couples involved with marriage prepara-

Kowalski is presenting Right Rite for the Soul," a

tion programs or any couple who wants to improve or work on their personal finances. Proceeds from the sale of Scully' book about managing money will benefit CSS. For more information, call CSS at

28 with childcare and a family potluck. For more information, call Dan Hines at (704) 544-6665 or Aliceann Coon at

ing a session about the impact and psycho-

dinner at 5 p.m. in the school cafeteria. For further information, contact Josie Backus at (704)

527-4676.

CHARLOTTE

— The

annual

Mass

for

unborn is being held at St Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd., this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. For further information, the

call

the church office at (704) 364-5431.

CHARLOTTE lotte area are

— Churches

in the

Char-

hosting ultreyas followed by

a school of leaders

Jan.

Fatima Chapel, corner of Cherry and 3rd Sts.,

tonight or

mation,

call

on Jan.

For more

Suzanne Stevens

8481.

16 GREENSBORO tion

18.

Program

Church, 2205

at

infor-

at (336)

723-

—

The Adult EducaOur Lady of Grace

W. Market

St.,

center. Father Eric

"Confession:

The

session about the sacraments of reconciliation

and anointing of the

details, call (336)

19

sick.

For further

274-0415.

CHARLOTTE

—

St.

Matthew

Church, 8015 Ballantyne Pkwy., logical implications

is

host-

of divorce on children

tonight from 7-9 p.m. in

Room

102 in the

this"

—

(828) 255-0146.

27

OJARLOTTE — An information ses-

sion about volunteering for the 1st tional

Na-

Gathering for African-American

Catholic

women, being held

in Charlotte

568-1573 or (704) 370-3354.

Ongoing

—

CHARLOTTE There is a support group meeting for caregivers of family and friends suffering from Alzheimer's/ dementia on the fourth Monday of this month from 10-11:15 am. in room E of the ministry center at St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd. Activities for the memory-impaired are also being provided with advanced notification. For more information about the support group or the Adult Day Respite Program for the memory-impaired, which meets every Monday and Wednesday, call Suzanne Bach at (704) 376-4135.

Please submit notices ofeventsfor the Diocesan

Planner at tion date.

least

10 days prior

to the publica-

4

Hj

The Catholic News & Herald

Girl By

WINSTON-SALEM

"I

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; For some,

many women

Unfortunately, Deborah Eshelman knows someone who has experienced domestic violence, so this project was

from any type of abuse, owning a cell phone could be a matter of life or death.

Battered women's shelters up and down the East Coast have been benefiting from the generosity of others through the collection of used cell phones reprogrammed to speed dial 911 in case of an emergency through business collections and donations.

Women who are experiencing abuse from a husband, boyfriend or family

bittersweet for her.

"My

services

Deborah Eshelman, Our Lady of Mercy Cadette Girl Scout Troop 241 Leader and an Our Lady of Mercy

the battered

women's

shelter in

Winston-Salem, Eshelman discovered that she could do the same phone collection and donation locally.

The Cadettes covered large boxes with decorative paper for phone collections at St. Leo the Great Church, Holy Family Church, Our Lady of Mercy Church and Our Lady of Mercy School.

The teens also wrote the church bulletin and school newsletter announcements, and then, the phones began to ring in

"The back of my van is filled with boxes of phones and chargers, and some of them look brand-new," said Eshelman. "The response has been overwhelming, so much so that all is

if the

of them.

filled

with pride as

I

don't

shelter will be able to handle

The

really gratifying thing

when we called the parishes to if we could place the boxes in

Chrissy Hellinger,

13, said that

women's

us

shelter.

all feel

a month, will produce the collection of over 250 phones. At their last Cadette meeting, the teens counted approximately 130 phones that Eshelman will transport to the shelter to be passed out

to the

restraining orders against spouses or

mates. However, the phones can be effective if the woman already has a restraining order filed or a court case is pending because the trail is easier for

most

The phones

New

we

can save

life

Contact Staff Writer Alesha M. Price 370-3354 or e-mail

by calling (704)

amprice@charlottediocese.org.

women.

for the

better because

and her family. I realized that we just saved 130 lives from the phones we counted." someone's

are in place just in time

Year, which Jane Taylor,

coordinator of shelter services for the

Mecklenburg County Shelter tered

Women,

said

is

when

"Many women

to overflow.

for Bat-

shelters

seem

try to keep

son because they don't want Christmas to

be disrupted. After the they usually

make

a

of the year,

first

move and go

to the

shelters," said Taylor.

Taylor said that the court system out phones to as

in Charlotte gives

many women

as possible

when they

file

ask

the narthexes because they were so enthusiastic

Mon-Fri 9:30aiii-5:30ptn Sat.

9:30ani-3:00pni

Carolina Catholic

Carolina Funeral &

C C

Cremation Center Dignity

Belmont Abbey College

Affordability

Bookshoppe

The Catholic College of

Simplicity m Belmont Abbey

t Special Cards t Religious Articles t Unique Gift Ideas

5505 Monroe

M

Charlotte,

www.carolinafuneral.com

Steven NC

We welcome mail orders and special orders'.

Kuzma

Owner/Director Privately, Locally

the

NC 28212

704-568-0023

704-342-2878 Fax (704) 334-3313 441 0-F Monroe Road, Charlotte,

she

was surprised about the response and was happy that the churches care about the people that need help. "This makes

left to right,

them

and open about the project."

She predicts that the project, which has been underway for a little less than

I

Cadette Girl Scouts Sarah Eshelman, Chrissy Hellinger and Kathyrn Baker sort and count their cell phone collection for their project in conjunction with several Winston-Salem churches and the local battered

From

things together during the holiday sea-

non-stop.

know

heart

watched them carry the phones back and forth, and they had so much fun collecting and counting them because they really didn't realize how many were involved," said Deborah. "This would be a good project for them to do at any time of the year, but especially when people have received new phones for Christmas. They are old enough to understand they are making a difference and helping someone."

with the push of a button.

at

get this

more lives that can be saved," said Sarah Eshelman whose sister Susan, 7, is a Brownie Girl Scout. "This is not only important for the wives but also for the children who might also be abused."

suffering

Church parishioner, had seen a website about a national cell phone program and thought that it would be a positive project for her seven Cadette Girl Scouts which includes her daughter Sarah, 13. Through a friend who works

we would

an important project

because the more people get involved,

family member while driving home.

These mobile gadgets have replaced regular home phone usage for many people who have found them to be

emergency

is

the

ness or casually talking to a friend or

call

didn't think

many. This

phones have become a necessity life, whether conducting busi-

member may

2001

the police to pick up.

for daily

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January

5,

2001

The Catholic News & Herald 5

Around the Diocese

Parish By

JOANN

and school share in groundbreaking for new facilities S.

KEANE

Editor

GASTONIA

—

Students at Michael School got an extended recess Dec. 15. Bracing St.

against the unusually brisk pre-

Christmas

chill, kindergartners and pre-teens were given a peek

into the future as a bit of Gaston County soil was tossed for perpetuity.

While some might

see this as in a rap-

another groundbreaking

idly growing community, there was uniqueness to this ceremonial show of shovels. It's a two-

A new parish church planned simultaneous to an expansion of St. Michael School. fold project:

As he blessed the

soil prior to

breaking ground for the school addition, Bishop William G. Curlin said,

"It's not the building that's important, it's building ourselves in Christ:"; Our children are here at St. Michael to learn

about Jesus Christ and how to apply Him in their daily lives, he added.

"Today we are extending our love for Christ, assuring that in the generations to come, all the young people in this school will come out filled with the love of Jesus Christ and bring that joy into the world."

Dedicated in 1903, Michael Church was initially

St.

es-

tablished as a mission of Mary Help of Christians Church in

Belmont. Belmont Abbey priests

Catholic f Social

Father John Allen and Principal Joe Puceta break ground for the new parish "We are eagerly awaiting the first sight of the new addition that will be the first major addition to the school since 1952," said Puceta.

project.

administered to the Gastonia parish until 1925 when St. Michael attained parish status, with Benedictine priest as the first

resident pastor.

school

dedicated in 1952, and staffed by Sisters of Mercy from Belmont's Sacred Heart convent.

"This marks the beginning of a very exciting phase of the parish's life," said Father John

Dubbed

'Project 2000,' St. Michael's $3.3 million project will provide 13,500 square feet of worship space with seating for

and school together

workspace.

going

is

Executive Director: Elizabeth Thurbee (704)

370-3228

Refugee Office; Cira

Ponce (704) 370-6930

lustice

&

Peace:

K. Frazer (704)

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Special Ministries: Gerard A. Carter (704) 370-3250

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to

have generously sacrificed in support of Project 2000 which will benefit all

who love St. Michael Parish," said

Bishop Curlin.

900

Allen, pastor. "Building a church

Joanne

Charlotte Region:

nity."

- a substantial increase from the current stone church's capacity of 300.

The school will add much needed classroom, lab and teacher

i

Savia*

The

was

provide us with expanded facilities to serve our growing commu-

Bishop William G. Curlin, assisted

by Parochial Vicar Father Chris Gober, sprinkles holy water in preparation for the groundbreaking.

"Recognizing the need to adequately serve our brothers and sisters, you

A

1996 article

in

The

Catholic News & Herald speaks of the early stages of Project 2000, with initial planning under the direction of former pastor, Father

George Kloster.

"The new addition

will

pro-

vide new library space, new classrooms and new science facilities," said Principal Joseph Puceta. "These changes will enhance the already excellent education offered to our students and

will serve the school's future students as well."

"I've seen, approved and blessed your designs," said

Bishop Curlin. "You are going to be very proud of your new church. You've long needed this.

What a marvelous day it will be when you come together for the dedication of the church and new

Remember, you

school

facilities.

did

it.

You're the ones to make

this

come

true."

Contact Editor Joann Keane by 370-3336 or e-mail jskeane@charlottediocese.org calling (704)

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6

The Catholic News & Herald

People

in

January

the News

5,

2001

Detroit priest faces new challenges at JPII cultural center FaWASHINGTON (CNS)

been too

ther G. Michael Bugarin has the job of seeing the new Pope John Paul II Cultural Center through to completion and then running it after it opens

to Jesus' birthplace most likely was the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in Pi-

Flower said the "star of Bethlehem" that attracted the wise men

—

May during the year 7 B.C. Layman brings Christians,

sces in

March. Dedicated in Novemnot only honors the life and ministry of Pope John Paul II,

Muslims, Jews together

in late

(CNS) A Catholic layman who lives and works with the poor in West Ottawa was the driving force that brought leading Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders to Parliament Hill to pray for peace and justice in the Holy Land. Frederick Schubert, 42, a member of the Third Order of St. Francis and director of His Mercy, a Catholic drop-in center, convinced leaders of the Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities to join in an inter-

but also will serve as an information center about the Catholic faith and a showplace for traveling exhibits from

Museums. Situated

just

up Harewood Road from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the late Conception,

come

major attraction for

a

Immacu-

promises to be-

it

visitors,

especially Catholic visitors, to the nation's capital. As secretary to Detroit's Cardinal

Adam Maida

from

1993-98, Father Bugarin was "on the periphery of a lot of the conversations" that led to the development of the center. As president of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Foundation, the cardinal spearheaded the cultural center project. "It's a project that's near and dear to (Cardinal Maida's) heart,

and

I

said yes immediately,"

Father Bugarin

of the December 1997

prayer vigil Dec. 21. Representaprayed separately during the one-hour ceremony, then joined in a common prayer for peace and justice in the Middle East.

The vigil ended with the lighting of a peace candle.

Cardinal Ratzinger links Christian

faith

tives of each of the faiths

CNS

photo from Reuters

Celebrating Jubilee

Pope John Paul II kisses a girl Dec. 30 during 2000 in St. Peter's Square.

anti-Judaism to Holocaust (CNS) A top

his last jubilee audience of

on the directorship while also pursuing graduate studies in canon law at The Catholic University of

Vatican

Bishop Garner, retired Newark auxiliary,

NEWARK,

N.J.

(CNS)

—A

Newark on June 15, 1946. did the Magi see?

Astronomer poses theories

fu-

—

ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) The Evangelist Matthew talked about where Jesus was born and how the wise men found him by following a star. But was that fact, fiction, fantasy or something else? What, if anything, did the wise men see? Terry Flower, a

have held people's interest during a 10-day recess. Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao told UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand, Dec. 27 that clergy, religious and lay leaders whom he met over the holidays in his southern archdiocese were "happy to hear and see a credible witness" link Estrada to bank accounts he allegedly held under a fictitious name.

Church leaders report that the trial session on Dec. 22, the last in 2000, has been widely discussed at holiday

North Arlington. "He died peacefully surrounded by many family members," said Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick of Newark in announcing the death. "He served well and would have completed a quarter cen-

College of St. Catherine physics professor and astronomer, probed the night skies Dec. 12 to assess when and where Jesus was born and how his Eastern visitors found him.

Speaking to an audience of about' 60 in the college chapel, Flower said Jesus probably was not born Dec. 25, for even in Israel the weather would have

socials.

He was

President Joseph Estrada's impeach-

justice,

some Christians

failed to

anti-Jewish sentiment, but said the tragedy may have awakened the church to a new era of dialogue with

diocese of

What

dead at 80

29 Bishop Robert F. Garner, a retired auxiliary in the Newark Archdiocese who died on Christmas Day. The 1 p.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral Basilica in Newark was to be followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery

ment trial and a Christmas message from the presiding judge, the chief

was undeni-

it

oppose Nazi atrocities because of

America.

—

said

official

able that

that he take

Estrada impeachment trial draws wide interest, say church leaders MANILA, Philippines (CNS) A surprise witness at Philippine

—

VATICAN CITY

recalled

cardinal's request in

—

OTTAWA

ber, the center

the Vatican

chilly for sheep to be outside at

that time.

Mass was scheduled

neral

for Dec.

for

in

tury as a bishop this spring. Bishop Garner, 80, had been retired for the past five years. Born April 27, 1920, in Jersey City, Robert Francis Garner attended St. Patrick's School in Jersey City, St.

Peter's

High School, Seton

The experience of the Holocaust's horrors may have prompted a "new vision" of Catholic reconciliation with Jews after centuries of anti-Judaism and "deplorable

Jew-s.

acts of violence," said Cardinal Jo-

seph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in a front-page article in the

Vatican's newspaper Dec. 29.

He

said

Catholic dialogue with Jews belongs to a unique category because the Jewish faith "for us is not another religion, but the foundation of our faith."

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January

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5,

St. William

By JO ANN ALBERTS Correspondent

MURPHY

—

The Glenmary

William

St.

this new year with an important piece of history back in its possession: its original church building.

St. William, as a parish, and the entire part of the diocese from Waynesville to the Tennessee border was once served entirely by the Glenmary Home Missioners.

Glenmary specialized in coming small towns with few Catholics

where, without their presence, there

probably would not have been Catholic Church. Murphy would be

a a

prototypical example.

The Glenmary methods

of evan-

were developed specifically for this type of environment involvement in the community, tent preaching, radio programs, ecumenical ministry. The Glenmary goal was gelization

—

always to develop the local parish to a it was strong enough to be turned over to the diocese; then, they could move on to another place which needed their distinctive ministry. point where

The Glenmarians were

the first

resident priests in Cherokee County,

arriving in 1954. From Murphy, they served Cherokee, Clay and Gra-

ham

Counties.

Sisters came

Later, the

to

Glenmary

Hayesville and

Good Shepherd Home

founded

Church reclaims original church building Health agency.

Church begins

to

The Catholic News & Herald 7

From the Cover

priests served St. 1988 when, having developed the parish according to their criteria for self-sustainability, they turned the parish over to the diocese.

During this time and under their leadership, new churches were built in both Murphy and Hayesville, and, probably more importantly, a firm foundation for the Catholic Church

William

was

until

established.

As

a memorial to the wonderful that the Glenmarians have done, not only in this parish but in all of western North Carolina, St. William proudly has selected Glenmary house as the name of their most recent expansion.

On July 25, 2000, the St. William parish re-acquired its original church building, located at 731 Andrews Road just west of the existing St. William property, which has for many years belonged to the Providence Presbyterian Church congregation.

"The ministry of the Glenmary priests, brothers and sisters in the mountains of North Carolina provided a foundation for the growth of the church in the western party of the state that we have today," said Father George Kloster, pastor of St. William.

work

"Their mentality and ministry were especially adapted for real mission work.

Photo by Jo Ann Alberts

...

William Parish in Murphy heads into 2001 with a "new" addition: its original church building. The parish re-acquired the building last summer, and the Murphy parish welcomes it for expanded parish use.

St.

Please allow us to introduce

you

to...

"By their presence they helped down walls of bias and prejudice against Catholics. We owe them break

a great debt."

Until Nov. 1, Providence continued to use the building while St. William committees anticipated the minor renovations needed to adapt the structure for parish and community

Father Lane preached a series of lectures on the Cherokee County Courthouse steps. The following year, several priests from the diocese of Raleigh began offering Mass in Murphy in the home of every fifth Sunday parishioner John Manthey, in the

—

Henn

theater, in a funeral parlor, or in

room

the dining

In

activities.

1952,

William's history extends back to 1937 when a priest named

at the

Hotel Regal.

Father

Lawrence

St.

See

Bishop

W

invites

you to join him on a

i

II lit

in

Vatican

anil

page

t J* Curli.

Lenten Pilgrimage

The

MURPHY,

to

Shrines of Italv

Morel, 13-22, 2001

be mors than just a tour, it Is a pilgrimage.

Celebrate Mass dally as we see Rome, the Eternal City, have an

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Call

John Gaeto,

Parishioner of St. Michael's, (800) 865-8484 Registration limited. Contact Joann Keane. 704. 370. 3336, jsfcesfte^aoi.com

8

1

8

The Catholic News & Herald

Murphy,

n

staff the local Petrie Hospital, re-

and

in

naming

William of Vercelli.

Bishop Vincent S. Waters dedi-

cated the small, red brick church, which included a parish hall and living quarters

In Hayesville, pa-

St.

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Berguin gave a choice tract of 5.3 acres on Route 64.

many fond memories for my

dedication, the church was able to seat seventy people. the

Groundbreaking

early

St.

and me," says Flo

and, formal dedication

of the church and hall occurred on July 25,

Charlie, and me," says

Flo Valentine. "But one in particular is that on April 15, 1981, we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary by renewing our vows. Father Healey presided and our third daughter, with her two small sons, flew in from New

York

to be with us.

very quiet, unannounced ceremony during a weekday morning Mass. We remember there only being two more people present."

was

"It

a

1954,

In

The Glenmary Home

Missioners took over responsibility

newly created Catholic parish of Cherokee, Clay and Graham counfor the

Father Joseph Dean ('54-'60), became the first pastor of St. William and the first resident priest in the

ties.

county.

was

In 1955, additional property

purchased next to and behind the original church. By 1960, mission stations had been established in Hayesville

('55),

Lance Cove

('55-

'60,Tusquittee ('57-58), Texana ('57'68), Robbinsville ('57-'66), and

Andrews

('58).

The first Mass ever offered in Hayesville was at Swanson's store on the square, New Year's Day, 1955 by Fr. Dean. Soon thereafter, at the invitation of Fr. Dean, the Sisters of Providence (Holyoke, Massachusetts) came to Murphy ('56-78) to manage

1984; the first

Mass was offered in December of that year;

Valentine.

husband,

for

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church was in

husband, Charlie,

William Church holds many fond memories

my

ever-increasing number of Catholics moved to Cherokee and Clay Counties from Florida until, finally in 1983, Bishop Emeritus Michael J. Begley directed that plans be undertaken for new churches in Murphy and Hayesville.

An

holds

families at the time of

for

this area.

rishioners

permanent Catholic

1985 by Bishop John

Frank Glenmary Home Missioners, and Father T.J. Meehan,

Donoghue of

Charlotte, Father

Ruff, president of the

pastor.

Murphy

new

The

church

groundbreaking took place in late 1984; the first Mass was offered on Christmas Eve 1985; and, Bishop

Donoghue formally dedicated the new St. William Church on April 24, 1986 with nearly 300 parishioners and guests attending.

Now in the year 200 1 St. William continues to grow and was in real need of space for conducting such activities ,

as the children's Faith

Formation

outreach to youth and senior groups and to the Spanish-speaking

classes;

community; for arts and crafts workshops; and for such parish meetings and activities as the Women's Guild and the Men's Club (existing and ever-growing groups which raise

money

By

it

William Church

there were only five

"The original

Providence Hospital. The dedicated and cheerful work of the Sisters contributed greatly toward the acceptance of the Catholic Church in

"The original

Although

for a priest.

to provide for practical needs of

and which do the groundskeeping and the church and rectory

facilities

building projects).

The Providence Presbyterian Church has approximately 2,450 square feet, comes with an additional half-acre and 15-20 more parking spaces. It is in very good condition and is ready for immediate occupancy.

JOHN THAVIS

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2001

VATICAN

—

As

guided the church through a packed calendar of events during Holy Year 2000, one question

Pope John Paul

him

trailed

II

like

shadow.

a

pected to take a particular interest

What

More

than a year ago, according

to a widely circulated story, the told top aides not to pencil

him

pope in for

—

the day anything past Jan. 6, 2001 he would swing shut the Holy Door and, with it, the jubilee.

The

implication

makes

was that the 80-

where

Christians are

A

eagerly

still

wary of a papal visit. where St.

— — could be tacked onto

on reaction from Orthodox Church of Greece.

In September, the pope is expected to make his way to Armenia in Western Asia, another predominantly Orthodox country that is celthat trip, depending

the

ebrating the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity. For now, it looks like a hoped-for post-synodal trip to Oceania has been ruled out because the long flight could prove too fatigu-

Instead, he's getting ready for yet another year of consistories, synods, canonizations, foreign travel, public liturgies, speechmaking and meetings.

"I don't see him slowing down. I think the pope will be returning to the kind of activity that existed before the jubilee. If anything, the intense agenda of the jubilee has postponed many issues that must now be dealt with," papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said in mid-December.

In January, the pope is expected to name about 25 new cardinals, once again changing the face of the body

ing for the pontiff.

According to Navarro-Valls, the pope's travel plans reflect a top priority for

that one day will elect his successor.

—

Pope probably in late February John Paul will have chosen 1 10 out of 120 potential papal electors. The new batch of cardinals is expected to include Archbishop Edward M. Egan of New York and possibly Archbishops Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington and Justin F. Rigali of St.

coming

the

year:

improving

ecumenical relations, especially with the Orthodox. By personally venturing into the Orthodox heartland, the pope hopes to build bridges and soothe conflicts, confident that he is a pontiff who truly understands the East.

Foreign trips are the most widely covered part of a papacy, but most of Pope John Paul's time is spent in a series of invisible meetings behind the Vatican's walls. Among the most important are "ad limina" visits made by individual bishops to consult personally with the pope and his aides.

Suspended during the Holy Year, they are set to pick up again in 2001, with groups of bishops from Latin

American countries.

The pope is also expected

Among

sume

other cardinals likely to be named are those from Italy, England, Ireland, India, Nigeria, Brazil, Argentina, and several other

to re-

his frequent habit of visiting

parishes on weekends. To date, he has visited 290 parishes in his diocese, and has about 38 left. Sources

Rome

Latin American countries.

Perhaps the most taxing item on the pope's 2001 calendar is the reguin

is

stop in Athens, Greece

Paul preached

down, it's becoming clear that this pope has no intention of closing up shop once he closes the Holy Door.

Louis.

a Catholic minority

awaiting him but where Orthodox

psychologically or even physically, might affect the Polish-born pope after his crowning achievements of the jubilee.

But as the Holy Year winds

—

his first visit to Syria.

In June, he ventures into Ukraine,

year-old pontiff, left increasingly frail by neurological disease, would cut back his official activities or even resign once he had successfully led the church into the third millennium.

Other longtime papal observers warned of a "post-jubilee letdown" that,

After they receive their red hats

in

theme, the role of the bishop.

The pope will continue his globetrotting papacy after the Holy Year, although the trips planned will keep him fairly close to home. In May, he'll resume his series of pilgrimages to biblical lands when he this year's

comes next?

in

the

Rome

visits are

vicariate said the. first

being tentatively lined up.

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assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October, postponed from 2000. The pope presides personally over its long general sessions, then typically lunches with groups of participants. He is ex-

lar

News Service CITY (CNS)

Certified

What

5,

Aging pope welcomes new year

Newman,

St.

January

the News

from previous page

pastor of St. John Church Waynesville, built the original St. William Church with the help of a successful appeal for donations from people by the name of Murphy throughout our country. The church was named St. William in honor of a 12th-century Italian abbot and spiritual reformer,

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January

2001

5,

The Catholic News & Herald 9

the New*

In

New

York Archbishop

Young adults must become priority in church, priest says By

MARY

ST.

PIERRE

are interested in starting their

own

News Service Fla. (CNS) With the explosion of the computer age, more young adults than ever are

groups sometime this year.

"Once people got together for TOT, other ideas surfaced. One group

holding Fortune the 20find few

and College and met with Abbot Placid Solari, and another group is planning a retreat. TOT is also being planned for the spring.

Catholic

—

ORLANDO,

in

the

of participants toured Belmont

500 companies, yet those in group often

to 30-year-old

opportunities to participate

life

Abbey

Basilica

leadership positions within

They

and development of the

more involved

are getting

their parishes, generating ideas

Catholic Church.

in

and

are finding support from their parish

This, according to Father John Cusick, director of a very successful

priests

young

teristic

adult ministry in the Archdio-

and others, which is characof this diocese," said

unharmed

"Today we seem to forget about our young adults until they want to

after

attempted

have their children baptized," Father Cusick said. "Then, suddenly the parents have to go to classes if they want

handcuffing

want them Communion. If

their children baptized or

to receive their first

By CATHOLIC

(CNS)

—

Arch-

bishop Edward M. Egan of New York was unharmed after a man with a history of mental problems tried to handcuff the archbishop during the

much as baptized."

While it is often children that steer young adults back to being acchildren even so

tive Catholics, the fact of the matter,

NEWS SERVICE

NEW YORK

they can't attend the classes when we schedule them, they can't have their

according to Father Cusick, is they are marrying later in life which means they are away from the church for a longer period of time than in the

distribution of Communion at the 10:15 a.m. Mass on New Year's Day. Timothy Byrne, 38, of Hoboken, N.J., was wrestled to the floor of St. Patrick's Cathedral after the handcuff

must change.

"At any given moment young adults in Florida, the Chicago area, or any place else are making significant

McDermott.

that of a person of intelligence, often

past.

attempt by two cathedral ushers

decisions in their professional lives and in positions of management, but

highly educated, not shy about liking material things, yet with a strong sense of the need to help the less fortu-

"The average age now of young adults today whom I marry is between 28 and 34," Father Cusick

City police officers, police said, and shackled with his

said.

"This means they are living without the church longer and

Byrne was charged with attempted unlawful imprisonment,

longer."

fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, disrupting a religious ser-

cese of Chicago,

The

within the Catholic Church we are hesitant to give them any responsibility or authority," Father Cusick told The Florida Catholic, Orlando diocesan newspaper, in a phone interview.

"This has to change," he added.

"The church has to make them a priority and we all know, if the Catholic

Church makes something it

community

a priority,

in

adults is

the true

spirit of stewardship by being involved in church and community activities throughout their childhood and want to continue to make a difference when given a chance.

"Young adults have an innate sense of altruism," Father Cusick said. "They want to do good, they want to be good stewards, they want

In the Diocese of Charlotte, the adult

many young

They grew up with

nate.

will happen."

young

profile of

today, according to Father Cusick,

to lead

Charlotte

good

lives.

While

all this

may

be good, what measures are we as a church taking on the local and na-

and surrounding areas was presented with the opportunity to participate in

young

program designed with them in mind. Theology on Tap (TOT), sponsored by Campus and Young Adult Ministry of the Diocese of Charlotte,

tional level to educate our

a program that originally began in Chicago as a way for people in their late teens through their thirties to connect and share their faith through a series of discussions, music and dia-

Father Cusick said, to deepen their relationship with God, especially af-

a

adults about stewardship and then accept them as good stewards?"

They also have an earnest desire,

is

ter their children are born.

Years ago it was pretty much a given that young adults who had drifted away from the church were welcomed back in, no questions asked, along with their children who were then baptized and received as new members of the Catholic Church.

Proper documentation was required of course, such as proof of marriage within the Catholic Church, but that was about it.

logue.

"TOT was

a success,

and we re-

ceived a positive response from the

attendants and others as well," said Colleen McDermott, diocesan director of campus and young adult ministry for the Diocese of Charlotte.

"People in the Asheville and Piedmont-Triad areas of North Carolina

Join us in

Collectively, Father Cusick believes, the Catholic Church is famous for a kind of "one-size-fits-all" ap-

proach when

Young

it

comes

to adults.

adults, he said, are extremely

eager to be involved in the life of the church as active Catholics and good stewards.

The church must come to recognize this by bringing about necessary changes to fit the needs and schedules of young adults and welcome them in as vital members of our faith communities, he said.

"They are desperately looking for ways to connect their faith with their daily life," Father Cusick said of young adults. "They want Jesus Christ to make sense to them and be a viable spiritual tool in their homes, at work and in the community. They don't need someone preaching on what the Gospel says but rather how they can make it work in their lives."

own

who

New York

are also

cuffs.

harassment and resisting arrest, and arraigned Jan. 2.

According to police, Byrne, who was already wearing cuffs on one of his hands, lunged at Archbishop Egan in the center aisle of St. Patrick's Cathedral and grabbed his arm. "I have to arrest the bishop!" he yelled as he tried to attach the other end of the cuffs on the prelate. But the archbishop wrested his arm free and police and ushers subdued Byrne.

Byrne was arrested in September 1999 and sent to a mental hospital vice,

after threatening to cut off President

Clinton's head, according to the

New

York Daily News.

Byrne's father, Patrick Byrne, told the newspaper, "He's just got

problems."

The New York Times

reported

that federal authorities declined to prosecute Byrne after determining

was mentally ill. It added Byrne had been receiving care from two New Jersey mental health centers.

Byrne has been suing the Catholic Church for more than a year, that he

For more information about Theology on Tap or other young adult events in the Diocese of Charlotte, call Jennifer Rupp, diocesan program coordinator for youth and young adult ministry, at (704) 370-3359.

among other things, it has fraudulently collected money from

claiming,

parishioners, duping the public.

serving God as priest or brother.

Staff Writer Alesha

M.

Price con-

tributed to this story.

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January

10 The Catholic News & Herald

Readings

5,

2001

Book Review

New book on Waldheim

falls

Word to Life

short of balanced view January Reviewed by

the Lord Cycle

AGOSTINO BONO

C

The Epiphany of

7,

Readings:

tract.

News Service In the mid-1980s, former U.N. Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim was nominated by his Christian Democratic party as their candidate for president of Austria. Although the post is mostly ceremonial, carrying little political influence beyond local patronage, Waldheim's campaign ig-

Catholic News Service Magi, gifts, protection from harm. All of these elements are

nited international controversy after

present in the

Catholic

allegations that he

Nazi atrocities as

office

his

officer in the

1986-92

German

These turned up many gray areas which factual evidence clearly pointing one way or another was hard to find, leaving much room for interpretation and speculation.

Because of the intensity of the

Waldheim

become

War

larger post- World

II

with Austria.

Nor was

case has

a significant footnote in the

European

attempts to come to terms with

its

THE WALDHEIM AFFAIR: DEMOCRACY SUBVERTED,

by Harold H. Tittmann III. Olin Frederick, Inc. (Dunkirk, N.Y. 2000). 129 pp., $22.95.

Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6

3)

Gospel:

Matthew

life

the Vatican aloof from

the fray. Pope John Paul

II

came un-

from Israel and Jewish organizations because he received Waldheim as a head of state and gave him papal honors at a time when many Western countries were boyder heavy

fire

This book briefly mentions the flak aimed at the Vatican but does not discuss the Vatican's reasons for

its

actions.

made

Israel in the Isaiah reading,

to

"For

the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of

HENSLEY

nations shall be brought to you."

And like the Psalms reading about the Messiah, my friend experienced the literal fulfillment of the

story of a friend of

whom God

rescued from an abusive marriage relationship. Her husband was in a high-pressure job that sometimes was more than he could handle. When the pressures mounted, the abusive behavior began.

One evening the abuse came to a climax. He was bearing down on her neck, with the apparent intent to kill, when the doorbell rang. friend says the interruption at just that point saved her life. She's sure God arranged the timing.

She left the marriage and continued to be a good mom to their daughter, since grown up and married to a good husband. And our friend began to develop career interests of her own. Over a period of years, she became quite proficient in her new field, earning national recognition and even international recognition.

promised Savior's concern for those who are threatened, that night when her life was on the line: "For he shall rescue the poor man when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him."

But why did my friend endure, persevere and overcome her harsh treatment so admirably well? Why has she now become someone who generously gives to mission efforts to bring the Gospel to others, to make the Christ child known where he is not?

Certainly grace is at work in her life. But there are human factors as well.

The home she grew up in was one where courage, kindness, compassion and Christian faith were more than words. They were lived out every day. And so, whether she has been in the best or the worst

A

European company began to court her. They wined and dined her, literally, in Europe.

this case corporate

parallel to the promises

2:1-12

—

cotting the Austrian president.

in

kings, pouring wealth into her lap,

My

in

controversy, the

2)

mine

merous investigations and studies to determine what culpability, if any, he had as a junior army.

72:2, 7-8, 10-13

By JEFF

was punctuated by nu-

Magi,

Isaiah 60:1-6

Psalm

was involved in a soldier during

World War II. Waldheim won. But term of

1)

increasingly lucrative offers, finally winning her signature on a con-

.

imaginable circumstances, Jesus always has shown himself to her. Her life itself is an Epiphany.

They made

Given the book's pro-Waldheim it is likely to convince those already siding with Waldheim and antagonize those who already are his

leanings

Nazi past and the Holocaust.

"The Waldheim Affair," however, falls far short of a balanced view. As clearly stated in the beginning, it is an unabashed exoneration of Waldheim.

Author Harold H. Tittmann III, a retired U.S. corporate lawyer, thinks an injustice was done to Waldheim and^ that he was subjected to defamation campaigns by groups lacking solid proof tying Waldheim to responsibil-

Weekly Scripture

critics.

Anyone to

fresh to the case will need

supplement studies

critical

work with more of Waldheim's war

this

years.

W

now on the ashington staff of News Service, was its Rome bu-

Bono, Catholic

reau chief during the

Waldheim

contro-.

Readings for the week of Jan. 7 - 13, 2001 Sunday (Epiphany of the Lord), Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6, Matthew 2:1-12; Monday (The Baptism of the Lord), Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7, Acts Tuesday, Hebrews 2:5-12, Mark 1:21-28; 10:34-38, Luke 3:15-16, 21-22; Wednesday, Hebrews 2:14-18, Mark 1:29-39; Thursday, Hebrews 3:7-14, Mark 1:40-45; Friday, Hebrews 4:1-5, 11, Mark 2:1-12; Saturday (St. Hilary), Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 2:13-17 Readings for the week of Jan. 14 - 20, 2001 Corinthians 12:4-11, John 2:1-12; Monday, Sunday, Isaiah 62:1-5, Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 2:48-22; Tuesday, Hebrews 6:10-20, Mark 2:23-28; Wednesday (St. Anthony), Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17, Mark 3:1-6; Thursday, Hebrews 7:25-8:6, Mark 3:7-12; Friday, Hebrews 8:6-13, Mark 3:13-19; Saturday (Sts. Fabian and Sebastian), Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14, Mark 3:20-21 1

versy.

war crimes.

Tittmann cites Austria's Socialist Party, the World Jewish Congress and the U.S. government's Office of

ity for

Special Investigations as the chief

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January

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f

The Catholic News & Herald 11

ntertainment

The top 10 films of 2000 By

ANNE NAVARRO

clay animation feature about a plucky chicken and her hen pals cooped up in

News Service YORK (CNS) Critics agree that this has been one of the most dismal years for good films in recent times. There have been many disappointments, some lukewarm exceptions and only a few movies reCatholic

—

NEW

a British egg farm who, with the help of a flying Yankee rooster, must escape the cruel clutches of an egg farmer before she turns them into chicken pies. The fantastic anthropomorphized features and the narrative's witty details make the film visually pleasing and cleverly

ceiving outstanding kudos.

However, among the standouts' were some very good films worthy of making it onto the Office for Film and

amusing.

—

spiritual dimensions,

—

chuckles, the film

mocks

widowed father callously leaves to apprentice with a blind carpenter before fate intervenes. The affecting drama captures the deeply

pastimeturned-obsession with an impressive this

improvisational style, well-drawn characters and zippy pace.

With an engaging narrative and high-energy dance sequences,

—

"Billy Elliot"

is

felt

emo-

"All the Pretty Horses" Actors Henry Thomas and Matt Damon in a scene from "All the Pretty Horses," a drama about the romance between a Texas cowboy and the daughter of a wealthy Mexican rancher. The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III adults. The Motion Picture Association of

—

America rating

PG-13.

is

tions of the vulnerable child, embit-

tered father and tender grandmother, as well as the natural beauty of Iran's

lush countryside.

—A

thrilling

drama, "Crouching

Tiger, Hidden Dragon"

a stirring tale set in

Northern England

An

accomplished film with "The Color of Paradise" centers on a blind Iranian 8-year-old, much loved by his rural grandmother and little sisters, whose

Broadcasting's top 10 films for the year 2000, listed in alphabetical order. Here's to better movies in 2001!

"Best in Show" is a droll canine comedy that follows a quirky group of dog-lovers going to ridiculous lengths to compete and win at a major dog show. Drawing consistent

is

a

set in

19th-century Qing-Dynasty China,

thriller that intersects four stories

concerning the international drug trade. Stunning visual virtuosity and the stellar ensemble perfor-

mances create

stark picture of greed, corruption and social dea

Movie Capsules

NEW YORK (CNS) — Following are recent capsule reviews issued by the U.S.

Catholic Conference Office for

Film and

which a coal miner's young son rises above the tough macho culture that surrounds him to follow his dream of becoming a

which a famed warrior's precious sword is stolen and must be recovered at all costs. The film blends mesmerizing martial arts with stunning

cay.

ballet dancer.

special effects into a script

brimming

U.S.

Set in 1936 Spain just before the Civil War, "Butterfly" is a moving

with intrigue and suspense.

wife (Nastassja Kinski) and daughter (Sarah Polley) for a significant gold claim during the California rush of 1849, and

drama about an extraordinary relationship between a shy, young boy and his compassionate and liberal

talitarian society, "East-West" tells the story of a physician who returns with his family to his Russian homeland just after World War II only to find brutal living conditions that drive his Parisian wife to desperate action endangering several lives.

"Remember the Titans" is an uplifting drama set in 1971 about the desegregation of two powerhouse high school football teams that learn to overcome racism and go on to victory under the leadership of their African-American coach. The fact-based saga shows the triumph of the human spirit over adversity, fear and societal prejudices.

Following are the U.S. Catholic Conference classification and the Motion Picture Association of America rating for the above movies: "Chicken Run": A-I general patronage; G general audi-

then must face his grave mistake when they arrive 20 years later in the town he has founded. Breathtaking landscapes

in

in

—

school teacher. The intelligent film aptly captures the coming-of-age moments in a boy's life as the tension of pre-fascist Spain

momentum.

"Cast Away"

film's

—

drama

subtly fuels the is

a finely crafted

which a harried business-

in

man is transformed after surviving a plane crash that leaves him stranded on an uninhabited island for four years before he makes a daring escape hopes of returning to the woman he With Tom Hanks' superb performance at its center, the film movingly probes what matters most when someone is stripped of his everyday life and possessions.

"Chicken Run" is a delightful in

loves.

—

—

Keenly dramatizing

a

"Traffic"

is

a

is on the staff of the Catholic Conference Office for Film and Broadcasting.

to-

—

—

Navarro

powerful

express your commitment to your Church by making a bequest to the Diocese

of Charlotte or to your parish. Simply have the following statement included in your will:

7 leave

to the

Roman

Catholic Diocese of Charlotte (or

parish, city) the

sum

of $

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

(or

Remember

God's Will In Yours.

"The Claim" (MGM) Muddled period piece in which a young man (Peter Mullan) trades his

aside, director

flawed film

is

Michael Winterbottom's

dramatically hollow with a

fractured narrative and

era

work

gimmicky cam-

that only serve to irritate.

A few

intense sexual encounters, an implied sui-

ences.

"The Color of Paradise," "Rethe Titans": A-II

—

member

cide,

some

violence, full frontal nudity,

and fleeting rough language. The U.S.

— pa- — A-II — adults — PG-13 — par-

A-IV

adults and adolescents; PG rental guidance suggested.

Catholic Conference classification

"Cast Away": and adolescents; ents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Picture Association of America rating

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "East-West": A-III parents are adults; PG-13

day, in which an antiques dealer (Christopher Plummer) travels from his home in London to America to save his daughter

strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children

(Justine

—

—

under You can

—

—

Broadcasting.

III

13.

"Billy Elliot," adults; R

—

—

"Butterfly":

A-

restricted.

— —

adults, "Best in Show": A-IV with reservations; PG-13 parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. adults, with "Traffic": A-IV

reservations;

R

—

—

restricted.

with reservations.

adults,

is

The Motion is

R

restricted.

"Wes Craven Presents Dracula 2000" (Dimension) Far-fetched thriller set in the present

esis,

Waddell) from his lifelong nemDracula (Gerard Butier). Despite a

few frightening moments, director Wes Craven's sleek update has no bite, with ordinary special effects and a convoluted narrative that ends with a cockamamie explanation of Dracula's origins. Intermittent violence with

some

gore, a few

sexual references, fleeting partial nudity

and sporadic rough language. The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III

—

adults.

The Motion

tion of America rating

is

Picture Associa-

R

—

restricted.

Seeking Byzantine Catholics "A valid Will stands as a continuing

Father Rick Rohger of Sts. Cyril and Methodius

expression of our concern for loved ones,

Byzantine Catholic Church in Cary, N.C., and several

as well as an ongoing commitment to the

Church and the community in which

we live.

families in the area are looking for Byzantine Rite Catholics.

Bishop William G. Curlin

For more information on bow

to

If

make a

you are

interested in possibly forming a Byzantine Rite

mission or would like more information, please

call:

Will that

Gina Rhodes, Director ofPlanned (704)370-3320, at the Diocese of Charlotte,

works, contact Giving.

1123 South Church Street,

Charlotte.

NC 28203.

Olga (704) 948-6471 or Becky (704) 566-0957

—

—

12 The Catholic News & Herald

Editorials

January

& Columns

The New Year's unlimited possibilities With the new year beginning, I find myself remembering all the hoopla a year ago as we were about to enter a new millennium. Most of the

The Pope

5,

2001

The Bottom Line

concern seemed to center on problems, dire predictions of computer meltdowns, of terrible environmental disasters that would flood, shake or sizzle areas of our earth and, worst of all, or asteroids or satellites that would fall from the sky and destroy

ANTOINETTE BOSCO CNS Columnist

us.

On

PAUL

II

the far side of all that were the predictions of great so-called spiritual import that the new millen-

nium would herald a "new age," with many unwonders to come. Some "psychics" wrote best-selling books about how they could communi-

earthly

Pope urges Christians Id open hearts to Christ in By

JOHN NORTON News Service CITY (CNS)

VATICAN Paul

II

—

Pope John

told Christians to begin the year 2001

by opening their hearts to Christ.

"In this way, we will be able to undertake the new year with unshaken confidence," he said Jan.

3.

Addressing about 20,000 pilgrims in St. Peter's Square in the final days of the Christmas season, the pope focused his first general audience of the year on Christ's birth in a Bethlehem stable and what it revealed about

God. "In the grotto of Bethlehem, the infinite

love that

God

has for every

human being

is

expressed with disarming simplicity," he said.

He said the tradition of nativity scenes in begun in 1223 by St. homes and churches allows Christians to conFrancis of Assisi template "God made man for us."

"Francis' intuition is surprising: The nativity scene is not only a new Bethlehem, because it re-evokes the historical event and carries out its message, but it is also an occasion of consolation and joy," he said.

The nativity scene "celebrates the alliance between God and man," manifests the "mercy and love which binds God to his children," and attests the brotherhood which should unite all believers as children of one God, he said.

The pope said. Christians also contemplate in the nativity scene Mary's role in God's plan for humanity.

"The Madonna shines as the model for those who entrust themselves with whole heart to the promises of God," he said.

Ahead of the Jan. 6 closing of the jubilee year, "let us intensify our commitment in these last days of the Holy Year," he said.

"Let us open our hearts to Christ, the sole and universal path which leads to God," he

—

said.

More announcements of

so-called holy happen-

weeping statues of Mary, made the newspapers. Even Hollywood got in on this wave of unearthly happenings, bringing out a bunch of movies with "miracle" themes that were really only show-biz magic.

Now we can look back over the year and relax.

It turned out that 2000 was merely a number, that

—

the world

went on pretty much

as before.

We

still

had weather calamities, scary stuff going on in some countries, contested elections, economic games from the oil producers, amazing advances in medicine,

go

work

that

still

merits a peace prize

—

I

doesn't take brilliance to see that

we

live in a

world where there are bad things and setbacks alongside good things and progress. I used to wonder what God thought of us, looking down from heaven.

Perhaps because I am a parent, I concluded be so very proud of what his children have achieved. We've gone from being cave people to sky people in space machines. What tremendous progress humankind has made in these cen-

God must

that

much harm with

some go astray and can cause

their various

forms of warfare.

But, remarkably, none of the evil ones of history

have really won. Goodness always seems to win out the goodness of people and the goodness of the

—

earth.

I

God

believe

God gave

is

pleased.

us a world having the

we would need

raw material

our ever-changing needs for food, transportation, communication, learning, carwhat we would need to blossom. God coming manded us to fill the earth, and we have been doing this since the dawn of creation. God looks down at us and all we've done, and I wager, God says, "This to

fill

—

is

good."

further

new year begins, we will go, and I

journey

is

As

could

on!

It

It is sad, yes,

•

so

ings, such as

new year

Catholic

cate with the dead.

a

I

wonder how much

find an answer.

Our

unlimited.

The secrets of the universe keep unfolding. The new frontier is now the unseen mysteries of the human body itself. What will we learn as we probe the intricacies of the human brain? I think God is in the cheering section every step of the way. as we start 2001 by a number but holding the promise of progress, of "increasing and filling" God's earth.

—

This

is

what I'm thinking of

a year labeled

turies.

He stated that the catechist is commissioned not only to teach the hearers about the Person of Jesus but

echist.

Celebrating

also to assist the

Jubilee

maturing believer to become

intima*te

with Him. The Holy Father observed that the authority of the catechist is measured by the degree of his or her personal intimacy with Jesus. He stressed that the effectiveness of the catechist as teacher

is

related di-

rectly to his or her being a faithful disciple of the Lord.

FATHER JAMES

HAWKER Vicar for Education

The Jubilee for Catechists and Religion Teachers always an exciting and enlivening experience to visit Rome. The privilege of being in the presence of the Holy Father at any time is a truly It is

John Paul paraphrased the insightful statement of Pope Paul VI who wrote, "People today don't believe teachers, they believe witnesses. And if they do believe teachers it is because they are witnesses." Prior to concluding his homily, the Pope expressed appreciation to the countless men and women throughout the world, whether lay, religious or priests, who have

accepted generously and are implementing faithfully the ministry of catechist.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the Prefect of the Con-

gregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, was a keynote

-

Congressional leaders, chaplain to present pope with gold medal ROME (CNS) More than a dozen mem-

—

bers of the U.S. Congress and the chaplain of the House of Representatives will present Pope John Paul II with the Congressional Gold Medal Jan. 8 at the Vatican. The delegation will be led by Rep. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., speaker of the House, and by Sen. Sam D. Brownback, R-Kan., Senate sponsor of the bill.

It will include Republicans and Democrats, according to the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See.

Father Daniel P. Coughlin, the first Catholic appointed House chaplain, was scheduled to join the delegation flying to Italy aboard a U.S. military aircraft. The House of Representatives approved the awarding of the medal to the pope in May, and the Senate followed suit in early July. President Bill Clinton signed the

measure July

27.

memorable moment. During this Jubilee year, millions of pilgrims from throughout the world have gathered around the visible sign of the Church's unity. They have listened to the comforting and challenging words of Pope John Paul II. They have been touched deeply by his faithfulness in service even within the context of his personal suffering. visitors have departed the Eternal City enriched and encouraged by the depth of his Faith, the breadth of his hope and the expansiveness of his love.

On Dec. 9-10, representative catechists and religion teachers from every continent met at the Vatican to celebrate. the Jubilee. Those of us who were delegates from the United States were blessed

Those

beyond measure to participate in the gathering. The sessions that we attended were sources of strength as we reflected upon our identity as disciples of the risen Lord and our mission as His witnesses. It was a particular privilege for us to surround the altar erected on St. Peter's square as the Holy Father celebrated the Liturgy on Sunday morning, Dec. 9.

During the homily the Pope reminded us of the sacred role and serious responsibility of the cat-

presenter during the meeting. Within his address the

Cardinal stated that catechists are commissioned to assist maturing believers to discover the responses to two fundamental questions. How does one learn the art o living? Which is the path to happiness? He stressed that every catechist must remember that Jesus taught day by day and at night He prayed. The Cardinal warned that all attempts to catechize, regardless of the method employed, are empty without the foundation of prayer. He also observed that Jesus didn't save the world with His

words, but with His giving of HimseE In that regard, th Cardinal reminded us of the pertinence to the catechist o Christ's message,

"Whoever loses

his

life

for

my sake and

that of the gospel will save it"

At the conclusion of the gathering at the Vatican those of us who participated in the Jubilee celebration departed both refreshed and renewed. I personally expressed gratitude to God for the privilege of serving with so many devoted and dedicated catechists within the parishes and schools of our

My

prayer was and is that we'll continue to be faithful friends, dedicated disciples and wise witnesses of the risen Lord as we teach as Jesus did.

diocese.

January

2001

5,

Light

One

Candle MSGR. JAMES

P.

LISANTE Guest Columnist

Because

We

Matter

no surprise that the holidays bring out the extremes in human nature. You get pumped up It's

with anticipation, then deflate with sadness in the realization that expectations are unlikely to be met.

I remember an evening back in college, when those feelings got me thinking about the purpose and meaning of life. Leaving my friends at a holi-

day get-together, I went home early and flipped on the television. There, for the first time, I was enthralled by a movie called "It's a Wonderful Life."

Directed by Frank Capra, it celebrated the difference one life can make. Later, through my friendship with him, I learned that the movie reflected Frank Capra's vision. "It was a film to say that no

man is a failure, that many other lives," he around,

it

each person's

touches so said. "And that if you're not would leave an awful hole." life

seems to me that Frank Capra and Maryknoll Father James Keller, founder of The Christophers, knew a great deal about the value and wonder of every human life.

Begun in 1945, The Christophers still proclaims a message the world so desperately needs to hear: that every person matters, that there's nobody in the world exactly you and that you cart make a difference for the good.

Today, with this column, it's my privilege to It

—

—

begin work as the new director of The Christophers.

Let me share with you a little bit of my own background. Born in Brooklyn, I'm a priest of the

Diocese of Rockeville Centre (on Long Island, N.Y.), and have been ordained for twenty years. I took a while deciding to become a priest, but never regretted the decision. As Jesuit Father John Powell said, the priesthood is a wonderful way to be "fully human, fully alive." For over a decade, I was diocesan director of the Family Life Office, dealing with matters from marriage preparation to adoption outreach, from pro-life concerns to bereavement counseling. Recently, I have hosted the TV series "Personally Speaking for the United States Catholic Conference."

"Of Life and Love" is one of three books I have written in addition to a column on family life. It has also been my joy to serve as a parish priest, currently as pastor.

I hail from a family I love deeply, and my Mom and Dad are truly my dear friends. My two sisters Patti and Joan are married and have five delightful children between them. It's been my richest blessing to be a part of the lives of my nephews and nieces.

For one of them, Matthew Paul, I was the Lamaze

coach at his birth. What a privilege to witness the miracle of a new life coming into the world! At the other extreme, it has been a challenge to watch my parents fight off cancer and heart disease with grit, determination and an abiding faith. Through it all, God's presence has been keenly felt. My family is an anchor and a reality check!

The gift of friendship is a special grace in my life, and I feel richly blessed by extraordinary friends.

I have recently lost my closest friend of thirty years, Father Joe Lukaszewski. The value of Joe's presence in my life is yet another reminder how enormously every single one of us matters.

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak with you each week through this "Light One Candle" column. And I hope that my words, like those of my honored predecessors from Father Keller to Msgr. Tom McSweeney who has returned to his home diocese of Erie, Penn., will give you something worth thinking about.

A. There's nothing at

happened

all

wrong with

to

Question

whom

you

crucified" (Acts

FATHER JOHN DIETZEN

CNS

Columnist

ing a respective

Paul, however,

own power

life,

apostle Paul

is

that the

role.

power of the resurrection

The Principle of Stewardship

Catholic faith tradition urges us to show both gratitude and respect to the Creator by

exercising proper stewardship of creation.

fundamental idea of stewardship possessed

The

is

The

Wealth

held in trust for others.

possession of assets

physical or intellectual

tual,

is this:

social responsibilities.

more awesome the

The

— —

material or spiriinvolves serious

greater the wealth, the

responsibility.

Moreover, the human person's coexistence with gifts of creation that he or she does not own but depends upon for the maintenance of life woodlands, croplands, grasslands, air, water and

—

all

the other assets that are part of "natural creimplies a stewardship relationship of

—

ation"

the individual toward the environment.

The steward is a manager, not an owner.

This truth is grounded in the first verse of Psalm 24: 'The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof" Another rendering of this verse puts it this way: "The earth is the Lord's and all it holds, the world and those who live there."

Ownership is proper to God. Use of all our wealth is God's gift to us. We are stewards, not owners. From a theological perspective it is apparent that no one of us owns anything absolutely. God owns everything you possess, despite the fact that your name appears on the legal title.

Private ownership is necessary for the orderly conduct of affairs in any person's transit through life.

—

and consider how well you are cultivatand preserving them, and think also of how you are using those assets in the service of others. Once you acknowledge that they are God's gifts to you, you cannot avoid

is

ascribed to the Father of all life, as part of the attribution of the whole of redemption to the Holy Trinity, with each of the three divine persons hold-

ing, caring for

Q. Father Dietzen:

We

want

to

thank you for the great recipe for eucha-

One of the catechumens from our RCIA helped me this year and was thrilled to help make the bread that would become the body of Christ at her first Communion.

We have tried them all in our spread-out parish and ristic

bread.

Our bread and we use it

appreciate the one you sent.

much

work

easier to

with,

bakers say

it

is

regularly.

A. I am grateful to you and the many others who wrote with their "success stories" about the recipe we mailed. It was requested by more than

700 readers. As I mentioned before, the recipe was developed by a deacon, a professional baker, in Idaho. The ingredients are only wheat, flour and water, but the instructions for preparation are quite

I'm glad the country

it

is

helpful in

who wish

many

parishes around

to

available

me

own bread The recipe is

to prepare their

for the celebration of the Eucharist. still

declaring yourself to be "much obliged."

Your obligation is both to say thanks to (as

by sending

envelope 61651-0325.

a self-addressed

at Guildhall, Peoria,

111.

God

well as "make thanks" ritually in the Eucha-

and to "do thanks" in a practical demonstrayour gratitude by using your wealth for the good of others.

Think as well of the natural environment that

rist)

tion of

literally

sibility

surrounds you. Your stewardship responlooks out, and up, and all around.

is the word to keep in mind. Since dependent on this environment, it must be used, but used with great care to assure that it will be there to sustain the life of future generations.

"Sustainability" life itself is

There

specific.

to give

even resurrection, to those who believe in him. (See, for example, 1 Cor 15:20-24.)

The usual understanding of these words of the

new

VII:

Our

assets,

this

glory, that Jesus received his

Part

Columnist

other assets, these are subject to depletion. Good stewards care for them and use them well so long as time permits. Think of all your personal

2).

is the one who, if we may put way, sanctions this way of speaking about the risen Lord. In only one place (l Thes 4:14) does he say that Jesus "rose again," seeming to imply it was by his own power.

Every other reference to the resurrection and glorification of Jesus in the Pauline letters attributes this event to the Father. It was he "who raised Jesus from the dead" (Rom 4:24). Galatians 1:1, 1 Corinthians 6:14 and numerous other Pauline texts say the same.

It was common in the early church, as with Paul, to view the resurrection and ascension as one single event in the exaltation of Christ and of our salvation, carried out by the Father of glory, "raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens" (Eph 1:20).

It was in this exaltation, sharing the Father's

St.

it

CNS

—

Peter was possibly the first to speak of Jesus with these words. In his discourse at the first Pentecost, he proclaims that "God raised this Jesus." In siah, this Jesus

By FATHER WILLIAM J. BYRON, SJ

This means that God owns the mineral deposits and also all that is produced or fabricated from the earth's natural endowment. Similarly, our intellectual property the ideas generated by our creative but also belongs to God. created human minds Return now to the fundamental idea of stewardship, namely, that wealth possessed is held in trust for others. Everyone has some wealth. All have wealth of mind and body. Like

Corner

St.

doing so "God has made him both Lord and Mes-

Social Thought

is the fundamental fact of God's sole ownership not only of "the earth" but also of all that the earth contains.

this ex-

how to describe our tradition of what Our Lord at the end of his earthly life.

is

Ten Principles of Catholic

Not to be forgotten, however,

Did Jesus Raise Himself From the Dead?

Q. I was taught and I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven by his own power because he was God. Why do people today, even clergy, say that Jesus was "taken up" into heaven?

Isn't this wrong? Don't we believe that our blessed mother Mary was the only one assumed into heaven?

pression. It

The Catholic News & Herald 13

& Columns

Editorials

is

a

human

responsibility for the pres-

ervation of plant and animal

life

too, but

our

faith

tradition understands God's plan as providing

plant and animal

man life. Hence

life

for the

enrichment of hu-

in caring for nature,

for themselves. "Stewardship"

word

is

that holds great potential for

—

humans

care

wonderful prompting a

—

if not pushing us to work together to build an even more wonderful world.

14 The Catholic News & Herald

Mother Benignus, employed

January

Bursar General

Holy Angels.

at

Through

the years, the day care

center has transformed into a special-

group

ized residential facility with

homes, a summer camp, and an adult activity club

among

the various pro-

viders of educational, spiritual, medical,

therapeutic, vocational and social

programs and services

for children

and adults.

In 1997, Mother Benignus was honored by the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation as recipient of the Nancy Susan Reynolds Award, an honorarium bestowed for a life of service,

and commitment.

Benignus was honored as

faith

Mother a woman

with a quiet voice and a big heart.

The award came with $25,000, all of which Mother Benignus allocated to Holy Angels projects.

Mother Mary Benignus was born Feb. 27, 1906, in Westport, County Mayo, Ireland. Her baptismal name was Mary Brigid Hoban, though she several

took the name Sister Mary Benignus upon entering the Sisters of Mercy on Nov. 9, 1926. She received her bachelor's degree in English from Mount Mercy College, Pittsburgh, and her master's degree in English from the University of Pittsburgh.

Her first ministerial assignments were as teacher at St. Anne's Orphanage and St. Leo's School in Belmont and at St. Mark's and St. Benedict's in Newton Grove, NC. She also taught at the Sacred Heart College, Belmont and at Our Lady of Mercy High School. From 1942 - 1948, Mother Benignus served her community as Director of Novices. She was elected

Administrative Assistant: Fulltime. Oversees church statistics/da-

tabase, supports pastor

and

staff,

prepares and manages church calendar, assists prospective parishioners,

and

other duties as assigned. BA/BS and 2-4 years business/administrative

experience required. Must have knowledge of Catholic terminology, excellent customer service skills and be a self-motivator who works well in

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Ex-

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Submit resume, salary history, and references by December 1 to: Search Committee, Holy Infant. Catholic Church, 5000 Southpark Drive,

NC

was elected Major Superior of the

Mercy

27713-9470.

Director of Music Ministry: Holy Infant Catholic Church is in search of a full-time Director of Music.

St.

in

Joseph's Hospital in Asheville. In

mained

until

1997.

Bishop William G. Curlin called

Mother Benignus,

"the

all

Boards of Directors of Mercy Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital, Sacred Heart College and Holy Angels. In the early 1970s, she was an officer for several national religious organizations, in-

cluding the Federation of the Sisters of Mercy and the Conference of Major Superiors of Women. She was recipient of the Abbot Walter Coggins Humanitarian Award in 1993.

Mother Benignus was the daughter of the late

Thomas Hoban and

Sarah Gannon. She is survived by her sister, Sarah Hoban, of Ireland; six nieces, two nephews, and a cousin.

In a 1997 interview with The Catholic News & Herald, Mother Benignus defined the key ingredient in her lifetime of work. "Love is everything," she said.

Contact Editor Joann Keane by calling (704) 370-3336 or e-mail jskeane@charlottediocese.org

and Christworks closely

in Durham, North Carolina, dynamic and growing area of the country near Research Triangle

Park, this Vatican

II

parish consists

of 900 households that are committed to

ongoing

liturgical renewal.

Holy Infant Parish embraces

its call

1967-1975, Sister Regina ministered Sacred Heart College where she was the business manager. She returned to St. Joseph's Hospital in 1975 as an accountant and continued at

in that capacity until

Joseph's

8,

ministered as Treasurer for that community. In 1996, she returned to Belmont and continued an active prayer ministry.

Quietly reserved, Sister Regina was

1936.

Mary

Regina is a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy, Sacred Heart Junior College, and earned her bachelor's degree in Accounting from St. Louis University. She

nonetheless

known

for her quick, dry

her devotion to and her deep spirituality. Sister Regina was also an excellent cook and

wit,

friends,

Women's College at the of North Carolina-

also attended

University

Hospital

Convent where she

Sister Mary Regina upon entering the religious order of the Sisters of Mercy Sister

mid- 1.992. Dur-

ing that time, she also served as Secretary for the St. Joseph's Healthcare Board of Directors. â&#x20AC;˘She remained at St.

name

on Aug.

?

Greensboro.

From 1939 through 1949, she ministered at parochial schools throughout the diocese. She served at St. Patrick's School, Charlotte; Sacred Heart School, Salisbury; St. Mary's School, Wilmington; Holy Redeemer School and St. Benedict's School, both in Newton Grove. In 1949 she was assigned to St. Joseph's Hospital where she remained until 1967. From

seamstress.

Sister Mary Regina was the daughter of the late Barrett Harriss and Katherine Habel Harriss. She is survived by her sister, Margaret Mahaney of Bethesda, MD, two brothers, Joseph W. Hariss and his .

wife

Maxine of Farmville,

Virginia,

and Robert V. Harriss and his wife Ines of Orlando, FL. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

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Mother Benignus served on the

charity for

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

Regina Harriss, RSM, 82, died Friday, Dec. 29, 2000 at Marian Center, Sacred Heart Convent, Belmont. She was received as a Sister of Mercy on Feb. 2, 1937 and was in her 63rd year as a Sister of Mercy.

Sister Mary Regina was born Oct. 14, 1918, in

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pal, effective July

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BELMONT

Sis-

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centered. This position

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Degreed applicant must be a ing Catholic.

The

practic-

Religious Education

Director will administer (design, develop, direct, and evaluate) the total parish catechetical

program

and provide leadership to assist the parish community in building a solid foundation for Christian living.

Salary commensurate with creden-

and experience. Benefits package included. Please send cover letter and resume to Fr. Joe Corbett, Saint Brigid Catholic Church, 3400 Old Alabama, Alpharetta, 30022, or fax to (678)393-0071, or tials

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January

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In

Retreat rings in

By JOANITA M.

NELLENBACH

MAGGIE VALLEY

— "O come

and triumphant."

The congregation sang enthusiastically as the priest, deacon and servers processed up the aisle of St. Margaret Church. It was the start of New Year's Eve Midnight Mass.

New Year's Eve Midnight Mass?

Yes. In what is becoming a tradition at Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center and St. Margaret Church, people are celebrating the end of the old year and the start of the new with an evening retreat and Midnight Mass. all

ye

faithful, joyful

The

event was held for the first time Dec. 31, 1999, through Jan. 1, 2000, as an alternative way to celebrate the new millennium. It's now

becoming

a

way

to celebrate the

New Year at Maggie Valley

"And what

end

the

new

when

way

year." Joe added,

New

ing

a great

he.

to start

remember-

Year's Midnight Masses

was growing up "in

Mich. "This

is

tion center associate director, read the parable of the "Prodigal Son." Just as

Flint,

The most

recent program, Dec. through Jan. 1, 2001, followed the format of the first retreat.

The evening began with dinner in Living Waters' dining room. The reflection center's kitchen staff, headed "It's a good Patsy Connor, 31, 2000,

and apple

for the its

lowed by desserts homemade by some of the retreatants.

Then, some 40

new

good

salad, fol-

the

to

Bill

spending the night.

Joe and Elizabeth Doerr, parishioners at Immaculate Conception in Hendersonville, attended the first retreat and were back for the second.

Hyland,, director of the reflection center, focused on relationships with others and with Jesus Christ. Sometimes our relationships with others need work, he said. "Choose just one person and pick up that 500-pound phone and give that person a call," he

liked the idea," Joe said.

During

"It's a

"and

shoeboxes and worked

like to

to welcome the Catholic Christians,"

good

I

very holy place," she

months, and when we got up this morning and looked out and saw that fresh, white snow. It really was a new beginning."

for the next 12

thank the thousands of volunteers

who packed

our Charlotte Processing Center so that needy boys and

at

around the world might know the joy of Christmas. With your hard work, our

Charlotte center volunteers prepared 885,000 gift-filled

shoeboxes which Samaritan's Purse shipped around the world.

We

delivered

some of

these to children in the

Dominican Republic and Kosovo grins

from ear

to ear, they

— Thank

you!

sacrifices.

They enabled

May God

richly bless

We

recently,

and with

had one message for you

appreciate your hard

work and

us to share the joyful news of God's greatest

you and your family throughout

If

you would

this

like to participa+e in

new

gift,

Jesus Christ.

year.

Operation Christmas Child,

please contact the Carolinas office at (704) 583-1463. For group materials, call

1-800-353-5949 any time or

visit

our website

www.samaritanspurse.org. Shoeboxes Samaritan's Purse, 801 P.O. Operation Christmas Child

is

a project

Box

3000, Boone,

Bamboo

NC

may be

at

sent year-round to

Road,

28607.

of Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian

relief

said,

really like the idea of being in

the mountains for £a retreaCJ. That appealed to me, and the church is just unbelievable. That's the focus I want

had a couple of hours for quiet reflection before Midnight Mass, which also was attended by St. Margaret

would

end the

the first time.

faith

iams, attending from Columbia, S.C. After faith sharing the retreatants

Samaritan's Purse

girls

And

of their experiences. "I really got a lot out of what Father Terry said, and it certainly gave me a lot to think about for the new year," said Sylvia Will-

said.

to

A light snow fell during the night, and smooth whiteness greeted those staying overnight at the reflection center. They had more opportunity for conversation over a bacon, sausage and scrambled egg breakfast in the dining room.

June Showfety of Sacred Heart in Salisbury was at Living Waters for

some of the attendees spoke

sharing,

way

Bill said.

those attitudes can be changed by prayer.

"Prayer changes us," he said.

Waterson said.

it's

new year with

by changing

their attitudes.

Catholic Christians,"

attendees gathered in the reflection center's conference room. In his talk on 'new beginnings," Augustinian Father Terry

"Even if you don't have big problems, it's wonderful to come and wor-

lives

a beautiful

and

year,

welcome

new year with

of each old year and the start of the new. Last year about 15 people stayed overnight for the retreat; that figure doubled this year, with another eight attending the retreat but not

"We

He talked about how the Father always there to welcome us, no matter what we have done, no matter beginning what our attitudes have been. He shared year, and stories of people he has known who were able to change their is

by

corn, rice and gravy,

"It's

year and begin a new year," said Pat Waterson of St. James Church in Concord. She and her husband, Bill, were attending their first New Year's retreat at Living Waters.

"It's a good beginning for the new

younger son's attitudes in the story were their problems, so our problems are often based in our attitudes, Father Terry said. the elder and

choice."

prepared baked pork chops, whole-kernel

parishioners who were not making the retreat. Then most of the worshippers gathered for a social in the Augustinian Friary.

Often, our relationship with Jesus Christ also needs improvement. Augustinian Brother Bill Harkin, reflec-

ship the day," Elizabeth said.

Correspondent

The Catholic News & Herald 15

the News

and evangelism organization

led

by Franklin Graham.

16 The Catholic News & Herald

January

Living the Faith

5,

2001

community through sports program Hospital helps

By MIKE KILLEEN

Currently, nearly 2,000 children participate in the program throughout the school year, with 140 parents involved as volun-

News Service

Catholic

LITTLE (CNS)

FALLS, Minn.

When you think about

—

hospital, you're not likely to think about youth sports.

teers.

a

But on any given weekday

"It's pretty unusual to see the hospital, I think, involved with youth rec sports. But I think it

in

Little Falls, you're likely to see

playing volleyball,

kids

has gone well," said Steve Larsen, recreation director for

flag

football, soccer or basketball.

Little Falls Community Services.

"They are concerned with health.

They are participants in the Youth Recreation and Self-Esteem Enhancement Initiative for elementary school students, made possible through a grant given to

St.

That's everyone's goal, to get those kids involved in'stuff."

The grant came as a result of a conversation between Larry Schulz, then hospital president and CEO, and Patrick Rioux, manager of development and communications at St. Gabriel's.

Schulz "indicated that it

Gabriel's Hospital,

Little Falls.

Catholic Health Initiatives, Gabriel's parent organization, awarded the grant of slightly more than $78,000 to St. Gabriel's three years ago.

That allowed the hospital, in collaboration with the Little Falls School District, Little Falls Community Services and Little Falls parochial schools to start St.

the

program

and provide some self-esteem and values education to kids in kindergarten through eighth grade," Rioux said.

"Then, Catholic Health Initiatives came out with this mission and ministry grant fund, and requested applications," Rioux said.

"I thought there was a good parallel there they were looking for innovative ways for hos-

in the fall of 1997.

pretty unusual to

"It's

would be really nice for us to explore a way that we could expand recreational opportunities

see

the hospital, think, I

—

involved with youth rec sports. But think I

it

has

pitals

to

get involved in their

communities."

gone well," said Steve

While Little Falls Community Services offered a plethora of programs in the summer, there were few after-school opportunities for younger students.

"There just wasn't a whole lot of funding available to do stuff like that," Larsen said. "St. Gabe's has stepped in and helped

Larsen, recreation director for Little Falls

Community

Services. "They are

concerned with health.

That's everyone's goal, to

get those kids involved

do that."

Larsen programs the activi-

in

ties

including

at six sites,

Mary

of Lourdes Elementary School and Mary of Lourdes Middle School in Little Falls.

stuff."

Students receive

fliers

at

Photo by Alesha M. Price

Sending holiday greetings Diocese of Charlotte seminarians Rico De Silva and Alejandro Alaya address Christmas cards to the Friends of the Seminarians at St. Patrick Cathedral just before the holiday. The Friends offer spiritual and financial support to those in priestly formation.

their schools about the programs offered and sign up for specific activities, each lasting between five and six weeks. Although a fee

charged per student (generbetween $15 to $20), schol-

is

ally

arships are offered.

At each practice, students learn the basic skills of the sport.

Coaches and volunteers also speak to the students about "Positive Practices," a curriculum that discusses good sportsmanship, respect, responsibility, self-esteem and goal-setting.

"It's a subtle, five or 10 minutes of time, to discuss how their actions on the court translate into a model of citizenship that we want to espouse," Rioux said.

"It's outstanding, in so many ways," said Susy Prosapio of Little Falls, who has coached in the program and had two chil-

brings them adults

who

in

-contact with

care about kids."

There have been other benRioux said that Morrison County juvenile crime incidents have dropped since the program efits.

began.

And parent involvement has "gone through the roof," Rioux said. Last year, parents provided 1,286 hours of volunteer time.

"Believe me, the NBA is not looking for me to do any coaching," said Prosapio, who coached basketball in the program. "They decided they could pass on me.

"But to me, it demonstrates that the hospital understands community health as a much broader thing than just doctors and illness. I don't know if our community understands exactly how wonderful this has been," she said.

dren involved in it.

"One, it has them doing something physically, which is good.

It has them doing something with their time. They're not sitting in front of the

TV. And

it

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