March 14, 2025

charlottediocese.org

Bishop urges Catholics to bring Jesus to a world in need 6-7 El obispo insta a los católicos a llevar a Jesús a un mundo necesitado 18-19 Seminarians learn,

At a glance

MARCH 14, 2025

VOLUME 34 • NUMBER 11

1123 S. CHURCH ST. CHARLOTTE, N.C. 28203-4003 catholicnews@rcdoc.org

704-370-3333

PUBLISHER

The Most Reverend

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

INDEX

Contact us 2

Español 17-21

Our Diocese 4-12, 14-15

Our Faith 3

Our Schools 13

Scripture 3, 21

U.S. news 22-23

Viewpoints 26-27

World news 24-25

STAFF

EDITOR: Trish Stukbauer

704-370-3335, tmstukbauer@rcdoc.org

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CATHOLIC ALL WEEK

Timely tips for blending faith & life

WHO WAS ST. PATRICK?

It’s been said that everyone is at least a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), but how much do you know about the saint behind this celebration and how you can carry the “Luck o’ the Irish” beyond the day itself?

Patricus – the future St. Patrick – was born around 390 in Cambria, England, the son of a deacon and grandson of a priest. When he was 14 or 16, he was captured by pirates and enslaved as a shepherd in Ireland, where he used his time in the fields to pray. After six years he escaped or was freed and made a 200-mile journey to a port, where he convinced some sailors to take him home to England. He trained for the priesthood, was ordained a bishop and then returned to Ireland. He made many missionary journeys and played a key role in converting what had been a country of pagans into a bastion of Christianity. Because of his stand against the Druids, he is often invoked against witchcraft and snakes. He died in 461 and is buried in County Down, Ireland. (Editor’s Note: Learn about local Masses on page 5.)

WHY DO WE WEAR SHAMROCKS?

As he worked to explain the key concepts of Christianity to Celts across Ireland, Patrick used simple examples his audience could understand. Most famously, he was said to have picked a three-leaf clover and used it to explain the idea of the Holy Trinity – that God is one being in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The leaves represent these three distinct persons while the stem visually depicts how they are united into one. You can get shamrocks at local garden centers this time of year to serve as a reminder of the Trinity and that God is always with us.

WHAT IS HIS FAMOUS PRAYER?

There are many beautiful Irish blessings and prayers, but St. Patrick’s Breastplate – or the “Lorica of St. Patrick” – is among the most enduring. St. Patrick was said to have written it for protection on his missionary journeys, which is perhaps why its verse structure has been compared to Druid poetry. Cecil Frances Alexander translated the words into English in 1889 and set them to a traditional Irish melody. The prayer of protection includes these wellknown verses, along with many other memorable ones:

“Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me”

— Catholic News Herald, “The Oxford Dictionary of Saints” by David Hugh Farmer, and Catholic News Agency contributed. 1 3 2

Scan the QR code for this week’s recommended prayers and activities:

EVENTS

EASTER FOOD BASKETS BLESSING : 1 p.m. Holy Saturday, April 19, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Suther Road, Charlotte. Deacon James Witulski will bless Easter food baskets, in both English and Polish. All are welcome. PRAYER SERVICES

STATIONS OF THE CROSS : 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 14. Join a free, immersive Stations of the Cross experience at the Holy Trinity Middle School gym, 3100 Park Road, Charlotte. Parish groups and families are invited to come see, hear, touch and explore the Way of the Cross while enjoying hot pretzels and fellowship. The event is organized by the Charlotte and Salisbury vicariates’ youth ministry leaders. For details, see the Events page on www. charlottediocese.org.

IGBO MASS : 11:30 a.m. Sunday, March 30, St. Mary’s Church, 812 Duke St., Greensboro. Parking at the Windsor Center. For more information, call 336-707-3625.

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

MARCH 16 – 9 A.M.

Patron Feast Day Mass

St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte

MARCH 17 - 9 A.M.

Mass for St. Patrick’s Day Old St. Joseph Church, Mount Holly

MARCH 19 – 10 A.M.

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

MARCH 19 – 1 P.M.

MARCH 19 – 6:30

Our faith

Pope Francis

Ash Wednesday teaches human fragility, hope

The journey of Lent “unfolds amid the remembrance of our fragility and the hope that, at the end of the road, the Risen Lord is waiting for us,” Pope Francis wrote in his homily for Ash Wednesday.

“Indeed, the ashes help to remind us that our lives are fragile and insignificant: we are dust, from dust we were created, and to dust we shall return,” said the pope’s text.

Although the 88-year-old pope was still in Rome’s Gemelli hospital March 5, the Vatican released the homily he prepared for the occasion.

Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, a Church court, read Pope Francis’ homily as he led the Ash Wednesday celebration.

The cardinal prefaced his reading by saying, “We are deeply united” with Pope Francis, and “we thank him for offering his prayer and his sufferings for the good of the whole Church and the entire world.”

Pope Francis, in the homily he had prepared, said people learn how fleeting earthly life is from their “fragility through illness, poverty and the hardships that can suddenly befall us and our families.”

They also see it in their experiences of fears and failure, the pope wrote.

But the experience of fragility is not only individual, he wrote. “We also experience it when, in the social and political realities of our time, we find ourselves exposed to the ‘fine dust’ that pollutes our world,” including through the abuse of power, “ideologies based on identity that advocate exclusion,” war, violence and the exploitation of the earth’s resources.

Those forms of “toxic dust,” he said, can pollute “the air of our planet impeding peaceful coexistence, while uncertainty and the fear of the future continue to increase.”

But for Christians, the pope wrote, ashes and even death are signs of hope.

“We are invited to lift our eyes to the One who rises from the depths of death and brings us from the ashes of sin and death to the glory of eternal life,” he wrote. Christ’s death and resurrection “is the hope that restores to life the ‘ashes’ of our lives,” he wrote. “Without such hope, we are doomed passively to endure the fragility of our human condition.”

“The hope of Easter that we journey toward reassures us of God’s forgiveness,” the text added. “Even while submerged in the ashes of sin, hope opens us up to the joyful acknowledgment of life.”

The call of Lent, Pope Francis wrote, is a call to turn to the Lord and so become “a sign of hope for the world.”

‘HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT’

This Lent, compare your life to a migrant’s, pope says

JUSTIN MCLELLAN Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis urged Christians to examine their consciences in Lent by comparing their daily lives to the hardships faced by migrants, calling it a way to grow in empathy and discover God’s call to compassion.

“It would be a good Lenten exercise for us to compare our daily life with that of some migrant or foreigner, to learn how to sympathize with their experiences and in this way discover what God is asking of us so that we can better advance on our journey to the house of the Father,” the pope wrote in his message for Lent 2025.

The message, signed Feb. 6, before the pope was hospitalized Feb. 14 for treatment

’A first call to conversion thus comes from the realization that all of us are pilgrims in this life.’

Pope

Francis

of double pneumonia, was released by the Vatican Feb. 25.

Reflecting on the theme “Let us journey together in hope,” the pope said that Lent is a time to confront both personal and collective struggles with faith and compassion.

Comparing the Lenten journey to the Israelites’ exodus from slavery in Egypt, he recalled “our brothers and sisters who in our own day are fleeing situations of misery and violence in search of a better life for themselves and their loved ones.”

“A first call to conversion thus comes from the realization that all of us are pilgrims in this life,” he wrote. “Am I really on a journey, or am I standing still, not moving, either immobilized by fear and hopelessness or reluctant to move out of my comfort zone?”

Pope Francis also emphasized the importance of journeying together, saying Christians are called to walk “side by side,

Daily Scripture readings

MARCH 16-22

Sunday (Second Sunday of Lent): Gen 15:5-12, 17-18, Ps 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14, Phil 3:174:1 or Phil 3:20-4:1, Lk 9:28b-36; Monday: Dan 9:4b-10, Ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13, Lk 6:36-38; Tuesday: Is 1:10, 16-20, Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23, Mt 23:1-12; Wednesday (St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary): 2 Sam 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16, Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29, Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22, Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a; Thursday: Jer 17:5-10, Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6, Lk 16:19-31; Friday: Gen 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a, Ps 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21, Mt 21:3343, 45-46; Saturday: Mic 7:14-15, 18-20, Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12, Lk 15:1-3, 11-32

without shoving or stepping on others, without envy or hypocrisy, without letting anyone be left behind or excluded.”

Christians, he said, should reflect on whether they are open to others or focused only on their own needs.

The pope called on Christians to journey together in hope toward Easter, living out the central message of the Jubilee Year: “Hope does not disappoint.”

Another Lenten call to conversion, he said, is to embrace hope and trust in God’s promise of eternal life, made possible

MARCH 23-29

Sunday (Third Sunday of Lent): Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15, Ps 103: 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11, 1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12, Lk 13:1-9; Monday: 2 Kgs 5:1-15ab, Ps 42:2, 3, and 43:3, 4, Lk 4:24-30; Tuesday (Annunciation of the Lord): Is 7:10-14 and 8:10, Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11, Heb 10:4-10, Lk 1:26-38; Wednesday: Deut 4:1, 5-9, Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20, Mt 5:17-19; Thursday: Jer 7:23-28, Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9, Lk 11:14-23; Friday: Hos 14:2-10, Ps 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 1011ab, 14 and 17, Mk 12:28-34; Saturday: Hos 6:1-6, Ps 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab, Lk 18:9-14

through Christ’s resurrection. Pope Francis encouraged Christians to consider whether they truly live in a way that reflects hope, trusting in God’s promise of eternal life, seeking forgiveness and committing themselves to justice, fraternity and care for creation.

“Christ,” he wrote, “lives and reigns in glory. Death has been transformed into triumph, and the faith and great hope of Christians rests in this: the resurrection of Christ!”

MARCH 30-APRIL 5 Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent): Josh 5:9a, 10-12, Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 2 Cor 5:1721, Lk 15:1-3, 11-32; Monday: Is 65:17-21, Ps 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b, Jn 4:43-54; Tuesday: Ez 47:1-9, 12, Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9, Jn 5:1-16; Wednesday: Is 49:8-15, Ps 145:89, 13cd-14, 17-18, Jn 5:17-30; Thursday: Ex 32:7-14, Ps 106:19-20, 21-22, 23, Jn 5:31-47; Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22, Ps 34:17-18, 19-20, 21 and 23, Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30; Saturday: Jer 11:18-20, Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-10, 11-12, Jn 7:40-53

Our diocese

For the latest news 24/7: catholicnewsherald.com

In Brief

Diocese raises more than $100K for California wildfire victims

CHARLOTTE — Catholics from 48 parishes across the Diocese of Charlotte raised $102,663.56 through a special collection to aid victims of the Los Angeles wildfires.

Fueled by severe drought conditions and strong winds, the wildfires devastated communities in late January, killing at least 29 people and leaving hundreds homeless or stranded.

Funds from the special collection, taken up at Masses the weekend of Feb. 1-2, went to support Los Angeles Catholic Charities’ relief efforts. All funds raised help individuals and families in the impacted communities. Financial support is providing life-giving essentials – such as water, food, diapers and baby formula – and also is helping with long-term recovery efforts, as individuals and families work to rebuild their lives.

“Other dioceses gave us over $1.2 million from their second collections to support us in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene,” said Jim Kelley, the diocese’s development director. “We are so grateful for their support that we thought it was imperative that we return the favor for those affected by the California wildfires.”

— Catholic News Herald

Deacon assignments announced

CHARLOTTE — The following deacons were recently assigned or transferred by Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., the Diocese of Charlotte Permanent Deacons Office has announced:

n Deacon Adhur (Ari) Lekovic to St. Ann Parish in Charlotte. Ordained in 2017 for the Archdiocese of New York, his ministries included presiding at baptisms, funeral services, and working with his wife Elsa in youth ministry and women’s retreats. The Lekovics, who moved to Charlotte in 2024, have been married 25 years and have six children. At St. Ann Parish he assists at Mass and works with OCIA.

n Deacon James Strominger to St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Statesville. He was ordained for the Diocese of Cincinnati in 2019, where he worked in counseling with high school students. Deacon Strominger moved to Statesville in 2023 to be closer to family. At St. Philip, his ministries include Bible study, OCIA and visiting the homebound.

n Deacon Crescenzo (Chris) Vigliotta from St. Gabriel Parish to St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Charlotte. Ordained in 1983 for the Diocese of Rockville Center, Deacon Vigliotta served at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Center Moriches, New York, for 25 years and in the Diocese of Hartford, Connecticut, where his focus was

A dream redeemed and given to another: St. Luke sells old church

LISA GERACI lmgeraci@rcdoc.org

MINT HILL — St. Luke Parish recently reached another milestone with the sale of their old property off Lawyers Road – part of its continuing shift to a new, larger and more visible location on Fairview Road.

The land and building were sold for $3.6 million to The Road Church, part of the Global Methodist Church.

But the parish’s move to the new Fairview Road location isn’t yet complete. The parish is leasing back from The Road Church its old fellowship hall for the next five years to accommodate faith formation, parish ministries, and administration until it can build offices over at their new church campus.

The transaction – and the relationship it formed between the churches – is an example of ecumenism and cooperation at its core, said St. Luke’s capital campaign director and longtime parishioner Jim Strauss.

“We may have sold the church, but we also gained a wonderful partner, The Road, who is willing to work with us,” Strauss said. “This whole thing has been really good for us as well as The Road Church. Some ‘God things’ happened, and it was just beautiful to be a part of it.”

Emmett Sapp, director of construction and real estate for the Diocese of Charlotte, considers the transaction another leap forward for the booming Mint Hill parish.

“St. Luke has been acting tirelessly on their long-term plan to relocate their parish home in stages to a site that accommodates the growing parish community,” Sapp said. “The first stage was buying land, then clearing and grading the land and building a rectory, followed by building a new church. Selling their old church enables the parish to make significant progress in paying down their debt to clear the way for future building projects that make office, classroom, meeting and fellowship space available on the site of the parish’s new church.”

A HISTORY OF GROWTH

St. Luke Parish was founded in 1987 with 42 parishioners who attended Mass at a movie theater, then moved into a shopping center. In 1994, a multipurpose building was constructed and dedicated as St. Luke Church. Due to explosive growth, the parish shifted its sights toward raising funds to buy 30.14 acres along Fairview Road (Hwy. 218) in Mint Hill. There, they built a cross-shaped church that can seat more than 800 and was dedicated in 2023.

A HOME OF THEIR OWN

As their new church took shape, pastor Father Paul Gary, Strauss and building committee head Rob Buckanavage met with many prospects about buying the old church. Some wanted to demolish it to build condos, while others wanted to continue using the old church. None of the potential buyers seemed to fit what St. Luke envisioned better than The Road

Church.

Pastor Mark Weekly of The Road Church had been eyeing the St. Luke Church building for years, dreaming of one day moving his 137 parishioners into a home of their own.

His congregation had a remarkably similar origin story as St. Luke’s, beginning with 130 members who gathered for worship services in a local funeral home.

Weekly recalled how the idea grew from there: “I believe it began with the renewal of old acquaintances at a Knights of Columbus fish fry during Lent of last year and developed from there. Prayer and trusting God really helped everything to come together.”

The sale was closed amiably on both ends, leaders of both churches said.

St. Luke will use the funds to help offset debt incurred from their new church building project.

Father Gary considers the building

and expansion project one of the greatest accomplishments for his parish, and he could not be happier about how the whole project worked out.

“All that we have accomplished, was with God’s help,” he said.

St. Luke may have had humble beginnings, but ambitious dreams made possible by talented parishioners and a motivated pastor.

As they look toward the future, plans include a parish hall and office space, faith formation classrooms and new landscaping to fully settle into their new home.

And as St. Luke continues to thrive thanks to its new location, parishioners kneel on their new cushioned kneelers and pray that The Road Church experiences the same growth they have experienced over the past three decades.

“We are very thankful and blessed to now be at the previous campus and have really appreciated the ways Father Paul and other leaders worked with us to make our purchase possible,” Weekly said. “It really is a stunning worship and church space, and the campus is a lovely corner of God’s beautiful creation.”

Lekovic Strominger

Gary

LISA M. GERACI AND FILE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD (Above) The old St. Luke Church was designed to be a multipurpose center but was dedicated in 1994 as the church. (Below) Bishop Peter Jugis dedicated the new St. Luke Church on Feb. 19, 2023.

Vigliotta

Sacred Heart builds rectory, plans cemetery expansion

LISA GERACI lmgeraci@rcdoc.org

SALISBURY — In signs of continued growth, Sacred Heart Parish is building a new, larger rectory and planning to more than double the size of its cemetery.

Sacred Heart is situated very visibly atop a hill, just off the busy thoroughfare of U.S. 601. The 50-acre campus on Lumen Christi Lane encompasses a 12,000-square-foot church which seats 760 people, Sacred Heart School, a parish hall and offices, a cemetery, a community garden, and Good Shepherd Gardens senior housing. Yet most of the site is undeveloped – ready to meet the church’s future growth needs.

A RECTORY BEING BUILT

The 1,400-member parish moved to the site from downtown Salisbury in 2009, prompted by the growth of the local Catholic population. But its priests continued to live in a neighborhood several miles away.

The two-story, 5,000-square-foot rectory now being built behind the church will enable pastor Father John Eckert and parochial vicar Father Matthew Dimock to live on campus for the first time. It will offer a peaceful view of the woods nearby, and it will feature enough space to accommodate future additional clergy.

Father Eckert believes living literally next door to the church will help them better serve their parish. Instead of being in singlefamily homes ill suited to accommodate multiple adults with separate living quarters, they will be steps away from church – able to preside over liturgies and minister to people more easily and efficiently.

“It is going to be amazing to actually be on site to make sure we are overseeing things, and plus it is such a beautiful place,” Father Eckert said.

“It may seem paradoxical, but the move to the new rectory will allow us to be more intimately tied with the church, while also affording us a little bit more privacy,” added

Father Dimock.

Sacred Heart Church’s architect, Gray Stout, is also designing the new rectory, and it will feature the same brickwork and roofing used in the church.

It will have multiple private living areas, workspaces, bedrooms and bathrooms to accommodate up to five clergy, as well as a chapel, two-car garage, brick fireplace, and space for a future elevator to increase accessibility.

The rectory chapel will feature sacred art including a stained-glass window of Mary with Child and a marble altar, both purchased from “From Europe to You.”

And the chapel already has a name: “Stella Maris” – “Our Lady, Star of the Sea,” one of

Catholic Charities’ Partners in Hope fundraiser set for March 27

WINSTON-SALEM — In its effort to “strengthen families, build communities and reduce poverty,” Catholic Charities of the Piedmont Triad invites parishioners and supporters to join its Partners in Hope fundraiser on Thursday, March 27, at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem. The free event begins with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Guests will be invited to make a gift toward the Partners in Hope goal of $360,000. All proceeds go directly to Catholic Charities’ Piedmont Triad regional office and will be used to support a wide range of programs and services, including a food pantry, youth empowerment, refugee resettlement and mental health counseling, among other programs.

For more information and to register, go online to www.ccdoc.org/pih.

— Catholic

the titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Explained Father Eckert, “There are ups and downs and storms and craziness, but Our Lady, Star of the Sea, leads us on the right path back to her Son and helps to provide a refuge for all of us.”

The chapel, he added, “is crucial” for the resident priests to nurture their spiritual life. “Without our prayer life we just fall apart. That is what keeps us going.”

The rectory will also have lots of natural indirect light, said Michael Becker, the parish’s operations director – something Father Eckert particularly requested from the parish’s building committee during its planning process.

They anticipate moving in by early fall or

perhaps sooner, said Father Eckert, who is thankful for the project coming to fruition. “It is a wonderful team effort, and so I am

Special St. Patrick’s Day Masses planned

CHARLOTTE — Bishop Michael Martin will commemorate the feast of St. Patrick with Masses at two historic Irish churches in the Diocese of Charlotte.

While the diocese dates from 1972, Catholics have lived in the Carolinas since the United States was founded. In the early 1800s, Irish immigrants put down roots – mostly stonemasons and tradesmen who found work with the railroads, in construction and in mines near Charlotte, where prospectors had struck gold.

OLD ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, MARCH 17

On Monday, March 17, Mass will be offered at 9 a.m. at Old St. Joseph Church in Mount Holly, the mother church for Catholics in western North Carolina and one of the oldest Catholic churches still standing in the state.

The Greek Revival style wooden frame church was built in 1843 by Irish immigrants, who had come to search for gold along the Catawba River. No longer an active parish, today Old St. Joseph Church is used for special occasions such at the feasts of St. Patrick and St. Joseph in March, and tours are available by request through Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont.

Hosted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, the annual Mass pays tribute to the first Catholic families in western North Carolina and their beloved first pastor, the Irish-born Father T.J. Cronin. Prayers at Father Cronin’s graveside will be said prior to Mass (depending on the weather).

All are welcome to attend the Mass at the church, which is located at N.C. 273 and Sandy Ford Road.

ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL, MARCH 16

On Sunday, March 16, Bishop Martin will also celebrate the 9 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral, located at 1621

Dilworth Road East in Charlotte. Construction on St. Patrick Church began on March 17, 1938, St. Patrick’s Day, thanks to a donation from John Henry Phelan in honor of his parents. It was built adjacent to the O’Donoghue School (now St. Patrick School) and dedicated by Raleigh Bishop Eugene J. McGuinness on Sept. 4, 1939. In 1972, Bishop-elect Michael J. Begley chose it as the cathedral for the new diocese, and the newly elevated cathedral served as the location for his ordination and installation on Jan. 12, 1972. Both historic churches are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. — Catholic News Herald

Monsignor Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor for the diocese, blesses the grave of Father T.J. Cronin on St. Patrick’s Day 2023.

MIKE FITZGERALD | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

LISA M. GERACI AND FILE | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD (Above) The current Sacred Heart cemetery has 722 plots with only one plot left. (Right) Operations Director Michael Becker hopes that priests will be moving into the new rectory by this fall.

SACRED HEART, SEE PAGE 12

Ash‘Conversion of heart’

Wednesday marked the start of the penitential season of Lent. It was a day of fasting, abstinence and prayer as Catholics prepared their hearts and minds for the next 40 days. Around the Diocese of Charlotte, the faithful turned out by the thousands to remember their fragile humanity and that we are all sinners in need of our Savior. Throughout Lent, we strive to draw closer to Jesus as we reflect on the hope of this Jubilee Year.

Thousands of Catholics of all ages and ethnicities turned out for Ash Wednesday liturgies to mark the beginning of Lent, despite a morning of heavy rains and storm warnings. Much as the penitential season of Lent ultimately leads to the hope of Easter, the clouds parted and the sun came out across the diocese by that afternoon.

PHOTOS BY LIZ CHANDLER, PATRICIA C. GUILFOYLE, TROY C. HULL, CÉSAR HURTADO, KEVIN EAGAN, CHRISTINA L. KNAUSS, AMY BURGER AND SUBMITTED

Bishop urges Catholics to strip away distractions, bring Jesus to others this Lent

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — Thousands of people around the Diocese of Charlotte had their foreheads marked with crosses as the 40-day season of Lent started on Ash Wednesday, with Bishop Michael Martin urging them to use this time to embark on a transformational spiritual journey. “We’re sent out to bring the message of Jesus Christ to a world in need,” he said.

Thousands of people of all ages and ethnicities attended Ash Wednesday services, liturgies that reflect the solemn season that leads to Holy Week.

Heavy rains and high winds battered the region early Wednesday, but that didn’t stop people from flocking to early morning Masses to receive ashes – a sign of both mortality and repentance.

By midday, the clouds separated and sunshine greeted those attending later services.

More than 300 people attended a noontime Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte offered by Bishop Martin as he began his first Lenten season in the diocese.

‘Faith not shared is dead.’

Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv.

In his homily, Bishop Martin urged people not to let the familiar traditions, sounds and images of Lent lull them into complacency and forget the urgent need to embrace conversion and bear witness to Christ’s message in the world.

He reflected on the nature of Ash Wednesday as the beginning of 40 days of spiritual transformation, of sacrifice, prayer and a refocusing of heart and soul on God.

One of his most vivid memories of childhood, he said, was seeing his father come home at midday on Good Friday. The fact that his father’s workplace would let workers leave early so they could worship God on a holy day struck him, he said. He urged the congregation to reflect on the special call of Ash Wednesday that led them to take time out of their workdays in the middle of the week to have an encounter with God.

“My brothers and sisters, our God calls us today to rip apart our lives, our God calls us today to conversion of heart,” he said. “If all we’ve come in here today to do is to be marked with a sign (of the cross) and walk out the very same people, what are we doing here? Conversion is a constant call. It’s an expectation of our God to grow closer to Him, and that requires steps that we must take.”

The traditions of the season are beautiful, reverent and meaningful, but he cautioned people not to simply bury themselves in a “safe beautiful cocoon” and believe that is enough. The spiritual work done during Lent will mean nothing if people don’t commit to sharing Christ with others.

“Faith not shared is dead,” he cautioned. Lent, he said, offers Catholics the chance

to refocus their lives on Christ and His message, and to work to overcome the distractions and vices of daily life that can drive them away from their relationship with Him.

“The Lenten season says, ‘Hey, we need 40 days of stripping away some of those

distractions so that we might better be known as God’s sons and daughters,’” Bishop Martin said. “Let our proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ not simply be black ashes on our forehead for the rest of the day. That’s insufficient. The Holy Spirit wants to do more in you.”

TROY C. HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Heavy rain and violent storms didn’t stop thousands of people from attending Ash Wednesday services on March 5. Bishop Michael Martin celebrated Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral in uptown Charlotte. Standing-room-only crowds such as this one at St. Patrick were filled with Catholics of all ages.

Charlotte.

Seminarians learn, explore and pray while in Rome

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

ROME — Running a 5K around the Vatican, visiting the Christmas market in Munich, and seeing churches connected with some of our faith’s most well-known saints. These are a few of the experiences three seminarians from the Diocese of Charlotte – John Harrison, Gabriel Lugo and Ronan Ostendorf – have had since they began studying in Rome last fall.

The three men arrived in Italy last July. They spent time studying Italian in Assisi and traveling to historic landmarks and holy sites before beginning their studies on Oct. 1. Since then, their days have been filled with rigorous academic work, prayer and contemplation – and free time to take part in sports, social activities and travel around Europe.

Their time in Rome also included a brief but memorable meeting with Pope Francis, an encounter that only included time for handshakes and a few words but has stuck with the three men. Their love for the Holy Father is so real that during his recent illness, the three traveled to Gemelli Hospital, where he has been battling double pneumonia, to pray for him. They also wrote him a letter offering their prayers and best wishes.

“It was an honor to show our support for the Holy Father during this critical time, and to do so representing everyone back at home,” Harrison told the Catholic News Herald. “We prayed a rosary for him, commending him to the protection and care of our Holy Mother, Mary.”

Their studies require the three seminarians to learn bilingually. Their studies include classes in English on the Holy Trinity, an introduction to Church law, the Acts of the Apostles and moral theology. In Italian they study fundamental theology, the liturgy and ecclesiology.

While academics are the main focus, there also is time for exploration, they said. The three regularly get around Rome on foot, bikes or scooters.

They have visited holy sites around the country and traveled to the Dolomite mountains in northern Italy. They’re also getting to see Europe. Visits have included Notre Dame in Paris and Munich, Germany, during the Christmas season, where they visited Christmas markets and an impressive LEGO store, Harrison said. The four also donned blue shirts

and got some exercise while running a Thanksgiving 5K “around a country” – the Vatican!

Lugo described some profound spiritual insights he experienced while visiting churches in Rome on the feast days of their patrons.

“It re-inspired in me the awe of Rome,” he said. “I prayed before the bones of St. Sebastian and of St. Paul and was reminded that Rome’s true glory is not the architecture or the paintings, but the blood and sufferings of the saints by which they still give constant witness to Jesus and the

truth and power of His redemption.”

Ostendorf said he has been consistently reminded that “God watches over and governs all things that He made, gently disposing them according to His will.” He described an experience that made this truth evident to him while he was on a day trip with a fellow seminarian to Fossanova, an abbey about 60 miles southeast of Rome. Upon stepping off the train, Ostendorf’s friend met a priest he knew. As a result, the two seminarians were able to sing for a Mass the priest celebrated in the chapel where St. Thomas Aquinas had died.

Harrison, meanwhile, says that despite the busyness of daily life, he has been learning about the divine quiet and peace that come from an encounter with Christ.

“Our Lord taught me a great lesson this semester on the beauty of silence. It sounds ironic, considering how busy life has been in moving to Italy,” Harrison said. “But the blessing of being able to experience so many things comes with a challenge of maintaining silence and simplicity of heart throughout all the exhilarating adventures.”

“This challenge is like keeping a candle lit in the middle of a storm at sea, as the crashing waves will extinguish the flame immediately if you don’t protect it,” he said. “And so, in visiting Notre Dame or the jolly Christmas markets in Munich, the preservation of silence has allowed me to keep these things in perspective, spending these experiences falling more in love with our Creator. It has also shown me that our happiness does not lie in these experiences, but in being silent and attentive as St. Joseph was before the wonders of God’s providence.”

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Three seminarians from the Diocese of Charlotte are studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where along with their studies they are getting the opportunity to experience life in Rome. They have visited Notre Dame in Paris, Munich, Germany, and participated in a 5K race around Vatican City.

Belmont Abbey College announces expansion of its Washington, D.C., programs

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Belmont Abbey College has unveiled new additions to its programs in the nation’s capital, including the construction of a permanent Belmont House, plans for an Intentional Catholic Student Residency Program and aspirations for new academic programs dedicated to the transformation of political life and discourse.

The new developments were announced by Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari on Feb. 28 at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington at which Belmont Abbey was a sponsor.

Bishop Michael Martin attended the breakfast and then donned a hard hat to tour the Belmont House construction site alongside college officials, former congressmen and other guests.

“Having a presence for Belmont Abbey here in our nation’s capital is critical to the life of our student body back in North Carolina and what we’re trying to do as a college by helping our students to appreciate their integral role in making a difference in our society,” Bishop Martin said after the tour. “That kind of programming is really essential for a college that really wants to be difference-making in the life of students for the future.”

The expansion is part of the “Made Strong” element of the College’s Made True Capital Campaign, which has raised more than $130 million. The focus of “Made Strong” is to strengthen Belmont Abbey’s “commitment to realigning culture with God’s truth and highlighting the essential relationship between religious freedom and civil society,” according to materials provided by the College.

The expansions revealed will be made possible by gifts

totaling $15 million and are part of an overall $45 million plan to increase the effectiveness of Belmont House on Capitol Hill.

Belmont House is currently located in a two-story leased townhome at 314 Independence Ave. S.E. The expansion will enable Belmont House to occupy a new permanent

location on Third Street, just 500 yards from the Capitol grounds. The new site will allow additional space for the type of events Belmont House has hosted since its founding in 2021.

The house has hosted international dignitaries, congressmen and senators addressing current affairs, alumni gatherings, and offered a space for discussions and events focused on faith, culture and politics.

The program already has had an impact. Strategic conversations held at Belmont House during the International Religious Freedom Summit led directly to House resolutions addressing human rights violations in Nigeria and Azerbaijan.

“This is only the beginning for the Belmont House,” said Emmett McGroarty, its executive director. “The Belmont House will be an anchor for the faithful on Capitol Hill, bringing strong moral leadership and the teachings of the Church into the heart of politics and public life and serving as a home for Catholics on the Hill.”

Along with the expansion of Belmont House, the college announced plans to develop an Intentional Catholic Student Residency Program that will provide safe, affordable living spaces for at least 30 students interning on Capitol Hill. It is designed to foster community and provide a living experience deeply rooted in the Catholic faith The current round of funding for the D.C. programs included acquiring adjacent properties for future development that will allow this program to eventually grow to 60 students each semester, officials said.

Belmont Abbey also plans to develop academic programs designed to promote the common good and provide “rigorous, faithful formation” for students. The intended master’s degrees will be designed to develop expertise in political writing, legislative affairs, campaign management, statecraft and more.

College officials said these efforts expand the school’s commitment to making a lasting impact on society by shaping leaders who will advocate for the common good with a firm foundation in Catholic social teaching.

“We are taking Catholic higher education to a new level, we are ensuring that as a faithful Catholic college our voice is heard in the public square,” said Dr. Bill Thierfelder, president of Belmont Abbey College. “These initiatives will play a significant role in effecting the change needed to foster a culture that upholds faith, community and the common good.”

Bishop visits Birthright crisis pregnancy center

LISA GERACI lmgeraci@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — Bishop Michael Martin took a tour and spent time with volunteers at Birthright of Charlotte on March 3. The new prolife crisis pregnancy support center on Monroe Road is designed to be less like a facility and more like a residence that provides a comfortable and stable environment for expecting mothers.

“We like to say that we don’t have an office, we have a home,” said Hank Chardos, executive director.

Bishop Martin walked through the living room where volunteers meet with clients, the clothing room where moms can choose from donated baby clothes as well as maternity clothes for themselves, and the kitchen where people gather to share prayer and conversation.

Birthright of Charlotte offers free, confidential support for mothers, including pregnancy tests, personal care items, and referrals for prenatal care, housing, education and other essential needs.

Bishop Martin was especially impressed with the baby booties crocheted by St. Matthew parishioners, which are included in gift baskets given to new mothers before they leave Birthright and are often their first baby presents.

Lifelong Catholics, Chardos and his wife Sally formed the Birthright chapter in Charlotte a year and a half ago after founding and operating Birthright of Columbia for 41 years.

In that short time, 600 mothers have contacted them, all with different needs and situations.

After guiding Bishop Martin through the home, Chardos shared a show-and-tell item, a board adorned with pictures

of mothers and babies, as a testament to those Birthright has helped.

Clients typically sit on the comfy couch in the intake area and are listened to, cared for and encouraged by volunteers – sometimes for the first time during their pregnancy. On this day, it was Bishop Martin sitting with Chardos and 20 volunteers and board members around the kitchen table. They discussed the organization’s purpose and goals.

Bishop Martin posed a question, “Why are you serving?”

Volunteers described personal anecdotes as the bishop listened and then inquired about clients’ backgrounds and personal stories, the impact Birthright is making, and the participation of fathers who accompany the client in the support center’s efforts.

“It was a very comfortable interaction,” Chardos said later, “and the bishop was as warm and as welcoming as could be.”

One of the intangible but profoundly meaningful things Chardos and his team offer in this prolife ministry is prayer. Before entering into client discussions, they say a prayer. They offer a prayer line with over 200 members for mothers and their babies, and one of the most important things Chardos asked of Bishop Martin was prayer. The bishop readily agreed.

“We had such a great visit,” Chardos said. “It was such a blessing. He was interested in hearing about all that we do. This visit really has meant so much to us.”

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY BELMONT ABBEY COLLEGE

Belmont Abbey’s president Dr. Bill Thierfelder, Bishop Michael Martin and Abbot Placid Solari revealed the college’s plans during the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast. (Left) They tour the new Belmont House.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Bishop Michael Martin meets with volunteers to learn about the 600 clients served by Birthright of Charlotte in its first year and a half.

14 men instituted as lectors on path to becoming deacons

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — Eduardo Gaspar first felt a call to do more for God and his community four years ago.

He and his wife had just experienced the loss of one of their sons, and while dealing with his grief he also felt a desire to reach out to others through faith, especially young people. One of the deacons at his parish, St. Charles Borromeo in Morganton, asked him if he would consider studying to become a deacon.

Gaspar took up the challenge and on March 7 was one of 14 men from around the Diocese of Charlotte instituted as lectors by Bishop Michael Martin at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte, an important step on the road to becoming deacons and serving a critical role in the Church.

look forward to becoming deacons, said Deacon John Kopfle, director of deacons for the Diocese of Charlotte.

“Deacons have a special connection to the Scriptures because we proclaim the

is a personal encounter with the living God. So, I ask you, my brothers, are you ready to continue that deepening relationship with the living God, as we encounter our God in the Word?”

As lectors, the deacon candidates are now commissioned to give the readings at Mass, except proclaim the Gospel. They may also announce the intentions during the Prayers of the Faithful and, in the absence of a cantor, recite the Responsorial Psalm. This is the second of three steps on their path to eventual ordination as deacons, anticipated for 2027.

Being lectors will offer the men the chance to develop their understanding of and relationship with Scripture as they

Gospels – we’re called to be close to the Word of God,” Deacon Kopfle said.

The Word of God can have transformative power, Bishop Martin told the 14 deacon candidates in his homily at the special Mass.

The Bible is not an ordinary book, he said. “Sacred Scripture, by its very nature,

“Get excited for how you will begin to see the Lord at work in your life, in some really exceptional ways,” he said. “I’m excited for you – I know what that encounter has meant in my life.”

During the rite instituting them as lectors, each of the men approached the altar and knelt before Bishop Martin, who presented them with the Book of the Gospels.

“Take this book of Holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the Word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of His people,” he told each of them.

The Mass was also a chance for about 50 permanent deacons from across the diocese to renew the promises they made at their own ordinations. They stood and answered a series of questions from Bishop Martin, including: “Do you resolve to conform your way of life always to the example of Christ, of whose Body and Blood you are ministers at the altar?”

“I do, with the help of God,” they responded in unison.

The newly installed lectors are: Francis Ahn of St. Matthew in Charlotte, John Baughman of Sacred Heart in Salisbury, Eduardo Gaspar from St. Charles Borromeo in Morganton, Eric Kennedy of St. Mark in Huntersville, Timothy Knorr from Immaculate Heart of Mary in High Point, Huy Le of St. Mary’s in Greensboro, Bruce Mlakar from St. Matthew, Christopher Neubauer of St. Paul the Apostle in Greensboro, Tracy Neumann of St. Therese in Mooresville, Jose Oviedo of St. James the Greater in Concord, William Parker from St. Pius X in Greensboro, William Tolone of St. Thomas Aquinas in Charlotte, Oswaldo Vargas of St. Joan of Arc in Candler, and Eric Yarrington of St. John the Evangelist in Waynesville.

The pews were filled with family members of the new lectors, ranging from families with small children to senior citizens. Many of them focused intently as their loved one received the Book of the Gospels from the bishop and some took photos of the special moment.

Bishop Martin thanked the wives and

How do men become permanent deacons?

There are several steps men must complete before becoming permanent deacons. The process typically takes about six years.

Inquiry (1 year): Applications are reviewed by the diocese’s Diaconal Formation Team.

Aspirancy (2 years): Classes on the faith and guidelines for determining a true calling are held for those selected to be aspirants. The Formation Team discerns if the aspirant is ready to be nominated and formally accepted as a candidate by the bishop.

Formation (3 years): Candidates and their wives take in-person and virtual classes on human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation. Instruction is provided by Belmont Abbey College and members of the Formation Team.

Ordination: At the conclusion of formation, candidates are assessed and, if selected, are called to ordination by the bishop.

families of the deacon candidates for supporting them and also thanked those responsible for their instruction.

Francis Ahn said his years of preparation in the diaconate program so far have been wonderful for him, especially the quality of instruction he’s receiving. The candidates are receiving theological training through Belmont Abbey and currently are studying the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. They also are learning public speaking and will take a course in basic homiletics as well, said Deacon William Schreiber, the diocese’s director of deacon formation.

Ahn said becoming a lector was a powerful spiritual moment for him.

“It was an amazing experience – being in front of the bishop and receiving the Book of the Gospels was so meaningful. I felt the importance of what was happening.”

The liturgy was also an emotional one for Bruce Mlakar, who was surprised to see his son, Father Jacob Mlakar, there to concelebrate the Mass with Bishop Martin.

Father Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu from St.

TROY C. HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Becoming a lector is one of the steps that men go through in the process of being ordained as deacons. Bishop Michael Martin instituted 14 men as lectors at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte March 7.

IN BRIEF

prison ministry. Deacon Vigliotta and his wife Elizabeth have been married 58 years and they moved to North Carolina in 2018 to be closer to family. At St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Deacon Vigliotta is assisting at Mass and visiting the homebound.

n Deacon Jack Yarbrough from Our Lady of Grace Parish in Greensboro to St. Pius X Parish, also in Greensboro. Deacon Yarbrough was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte in 2018. He and his wife Rachel have been married 38 years. His ministries include visiting the homebound and the incarcerated, ministering at an addiction recovery facility, and teaching deacon formation classes.

— Catholic News Herald

Get first-hand account of work by CRS in Guatemala from St. Matthew’s

Deacon Bitter

CHARLOTTE — Catholic Charities will host a free “Lunch & Learn” on Wednesday, March 19, exploring the work of Catholic Relief Services in Guatemala. Deacon Daren Bitter, who serves at St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte and is a CRS Global Fellow, will reflect on a visit he made to Guatemala in January.

CRS, the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic bishops, has worked in Guatemala since 1963. Initially, the agency focused on humanitarian assistance,

including a food distribution program, health care of mothers and children, agriculture and reforestation activities. CRS also provided $13 million in food, medicine and relief items to those affected by a 7.5-magnitude earthquake in 1976 that killed 23,000 people and left many thousands homeless. Over the years, its scope has grown to include programs focused on food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, education, civil society, disaster risk reduction and emergency response.

The Lunch & Learn event will be held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, located at 1123 S. Church St. in Charlotte. Doors open at 11:15 a.m., with a light lunch at 11:30 a.m. followed by the presentation at noon.

For more details, go to www.ccdoc.org/ education. Reserve your spot by emailing SCAEducation@ccdoc.org by Monday, March 17.

— Joe Purello

Respect Life Mass offered in western North Carolina

ARDEN — More than 30 faithful from across western North Carolina traveled to St. Barnabas Church March 1 to attend the annual WNC Respect Life Mass. Father Adrian Porras, pastor, preached that all humanity is made in the image and likeness of God, and he encouraged

attendees to promote the Gospel of life, pray outside abortion facilities and counsel mothers in need. A reception was followed by peaceful prayer at the Planned Parenthood facility in Asheville. The event, held just before the start of the 40 Days for Life spring campaign, was organized by the Carolina Pro-Life Action Network of Western NC. To learn more, contact ashevilleprolifecatholics@gmail.com.

— Mike FitzGerald

College students: Apply to be a Totus Tuus missionary

CHARLOTTE — Are you a college student or know of one who is enthusiastic about sharing their Catholic faith? Apply today to teach children as part of the Diocese of Charlotte’s summer mission program, Totus Tuus. Totus Tuus (“Totally yours”) shares the Catholic faith with children and teens at various parishes across the diocese through evangelization, catechesis, witness and worship. It runs May 27th – Aug. 2nd. Separate programs are geared for children in grades K-8 and 9-12.

College students aged 18 to 28 are selected for their energy, enthusiasm, love for the faith, commitment to spiritual growth, ability to work with a team, and desire to work with youth. They are grouped into teams, each consisting of at least two men and two women. After training, they are sent to a different parish every week for seven weeks, where they conduct a week-long “parish mission,” teaching and inspiring that parish’s youth.

Applicants must have an authentic, dynamic Catholic faith and be actively living the teachings of the Catholic Church. One year of college or work is preferred, and no major or area of study is required.

Get details and apply online at www. charlottediocese.org/faith-edu/children-andteens/events/totus-tuus. For inquiries, please email kamatlak@rcdoc.org

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Bishop meets with Cursillo leaders

CHARLOTTE — Bishop Michael Martin met with leaders of the Cursillo spiritual movement on Jan. 27 to celebrate its 50-year history in the Diocese of Charlotte. Pictured with the bishop is Deacon Ralph D’Agostino Jr., a spiritual advisor for the movement, who was accompanied by Cursillo Diocesan Coordinator Tricia Bunch. Deacon D’Agostino shared how his 2001 Cursillo experience was life changing. “I found more clearly the ‘why’ behind my action and evangelization and it set on fire my spiritual growth,” he said.

Yarbrough

SACRED HEART

grateful for the people we have working on it,” he said.

CEMETERY EXPANSION PLANNED

In addition to building the rectory on site, the parish is scoping out expansion of its cemetery, although start and completion dates have yet to be finalized.

Opened in 2007, the 722-plot cemetery is adjacent to the church and divided into four sections: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Only one plot is available.

Plans call for adding 1,688 plots on an additional 2.41 acres, in five new sections to be named under various popular titles of Mary: Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Knock and Our Lady of Czestochowa.

The plots will be 4 feet by 11 feet, with 3-foot mulch landscaping separating each. There will also be an 80-plot cremation burial area.

The area can easily accommodate the expanded cemetery thanks to Father John Putnam, who was pastor in 2009 and oversaw the move to the new campus and construction of the church and school.

“I think that it was good foresight from Father Putnam to acquire so much land so that we can have more burials at the parish,” said Father Dimock.

The cemetery is the final resting place of Sacred Heart parishioners starting with Paul Carlos Mendez, who passed away in 2007, as well as Charlotte Gardner, who served in the N.C. House of Representatives; the Moore family, who owned area pharmacies; and Wilhelmina “Billie” Silva Mobley, founder of the Te Deum Foundation.

Toward the back, there is a special place for the burial of babies and priests. Only one priest is buried there so far – Father Conrad Kimbrough, who died in 2011– but many more have reserved a place.

The cemetery is an important part of the Sacred Heart Parish community as it grows and thrives in Salisbury, said Father Eckert.

“I am so grateful we can essentially serve our people from baptism all the way to burial.”

LECTORS

Mark Parish was also a concelebrant.

Father Mlakar, pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Jefferson and St. Frances of Rome Mission in Sparta, had originally told his dad he wasn’t going to be able to be there because he would be celebrating a Mass for First Saturday.

“I was definitely not expecting to see him here today,” the elder Mlakar said. “It was extra special to be able to share that moment of my installation with my son on the altar and with my wife here.”

He said listening to Bishop Martin talk about the power of Scripture brought home to him the special duty he now has in his new role. “Becoming a lector is both a responsibility and a great gift.”

Gaspar said he felt a deep and “beautiful connection” between what he has been learning recently about the Gospels of Mark and Matthew and the homily Bishop Martin offered at the Mass.

“I can feel the call from God getting more intense, and when I pray, I tell Him to send me wherever He wants me to go,” Gaspar said. “Studying for the diaconate has caused my faith and my prayer life to grow so much. I live the sacraments with devotion and feel devotion to the Holy Eucharist like I never did before.”

Please pray for the following priests who died during the month of March:

Rev. Robert A. Gibson 1987

Rev. Francis Gorham 1981

Rev. John Huston 1976

Rev. Joseph P. Tobin, OSB 1978

Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus www.kofcnc.org

TROY C. HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

The Word of God can have transformative power, Bishop Michael Martin told the 14 deacon candidates he instituted as lectors on March 7.

LISA M GERACI | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

The new rectory includes a chapel that will feature a stained-glass window of Mary with Child. The chapel has already been named “Stella Maris,” our Lady Star of the Sea, in honor of one of the titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Celebrating Fat Tuesday internationally

CHARLOTTE — “Fat Tuesday” on March 4 – the day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday – was a busy and tasty day for Christ the King High School students and teachers. The school’s annual Multicultural Fair brought parents and students’ appetites alive with international snacks and small helpings of food made by students who have roots all around the world, from Ukraine to Malaysia to China. Students dressed in traditional garb, learned and played international games, and left with a better understanding of other cultures.

Summer SCHOLA

PHOTOS BY LISA GERACI | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

With a paintbrush dream, and a

Lisa Autry leaves her mark across the diocese

LISA GERACI lmgeraci@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE

— Lisa Autry is quickly becoming the Michelangelo of the Diocese of Charlotte. She has yet to paint the Sistine Chapel, but her depictions fill the ceiling of St. Patrick Cathedral along with its walls and any available space her paintbrush can reach.

Over 14 years, Autry’s art has transformed eight church interiors into a life-sized picturebook full of Biblical scenes and saints.

Autry stays busy. Currently she is repairing 14 Stations of the Cross sculptures for Holy Spirit in Denver and finishing a mural of the Crucifixion for St. Aloysius in Hickory. Impressed with the portrayal of their patron St. Aloysius and Our Lady of Guadalupe that Autry painted in their speaker box inserts, Father Larry LoMonaco commissioned Autry a second time.

“God has given her a gift that she uses to glorify Him,” Father LoMonaco says. “Lisa

can take any concept and make it come alive to enhance any worship space.”

Sporting an “ART4GOD” license plate, the artist began creating religious art in her late 40s. “Sometimes you get to a certain age and your purpose is just laid before you, and you either pick up the palette or you don’t,” she says.

As a child, Autry knelt in a pew at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte, awed by its rib ceiling arches and artwork. She never imagined her older self would scale 50-foot scaffolds with a paintbrush to create her own masterpieces there.

“It was wild when they hired me to do the cathedral,” Autry reflects. “I couldn’t even believe I was there doing it. I actually

AUTRY, SEE PAGE 15

LISA M. GERACI | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Lisa Autry painted murals of the four Gospel writers to watch over the tabernacle in the Diocesan Pastoral Center’s chapel. She also stenciled gold designs on the walls and painted other walls to mimic wood grain.

Lisa Autry and Father Herbert Burke designed “The Passion of Christ” mural above the altar at Immaculate Conception Church in Forest Benjamin Roberts said of Autry’s work in his church, Our Lady of Lourdes in Monroe, “This building preaches. Through the beautiful faith. The beautiful works of art proclaim the Gospel of God.”

LoMonaco

connection to the painting because of the limited artistic depictions of God the Father.

“People tell me I never knew who I was praying to until I saw your mural, and now I know what God looks like,” Autry says. “I don’t know if that’s what God looks like, but I do know I prayed a whole lot before I picked up that paintbrush. I had to paint Him, but whether or not it looks like Him or not, it was inspired by Him, and that’s who some people pray to. That’s who I pray to.”

Her time at Immaculate Conception was fruitful. Autry and her husband Toby joined OCIA, and Father Burke baptized, confirmed and eventually remarried the couple in the Catholic Church. From there, her career as a sacred artist progressed as Autry was introduced to more priests – each with their own visions for Autry to translate onto their parish walls.

Father John Putnam, pastor of St. Mark in Huntersville, favors Autry’s stenciling of Mark 16:14-18 around his church’s nave, a reminder of the evangelism each faithful Christian is called to do in the world.

Like Father Reid and Father Burke, both Catholic converts who went on to become priests, Father Putnam also converted to Catholicism.

“Growing up as a Protestant, I was very used to whitewashed churches and very plain worship spaces,” says Father Putnam. “My journey into the Catholic Church was very much influenced by sacred art.”

Autry has a master’s degree in art as well as training around the world, including in Sienna, Italy, where she learned water gilding. But she credits God for her talent. She said the statues she paints seem to come alive and whisper to her.

“Sometimes it is odd. It is, like, I know I can’t do that, I think this is way over my pay scale, but God keeps raising the bar,” Autry laughs. “People ask me, ‘How do I do it?’ I just pick up the brush and load, and God just does it.”

Complications do arise.

Lisa Autry Art projects

n Diocese of Charlotte: Mary, Mother of God statue for 50th anniversary, Pastoral Center altar insert murals, lettering and wood grain

n Holy Spirit, Denver: Stations of the Cross

n Immaculate Conception, Forest City: wall murals above altar and doors, lettering, gold embellishments

n Our Lady of Lourdes, Monroe: murals, lettering, altar insert

literally sat in one of those pews at one time in my life and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I would love to do this.’”

In 2023 the cathedral underwent a $2.6 million renovation, and Autry’s artistry figured prominently. She added artwork on the rib arches and walls, around the treasured stained-glass windows, and in the sanctuary, where images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary are featured on the apse wall.

Although a youthful Autry was captivated by “bells, the smells, and the floating gowns” of the Catholic faith, she was raised a Protestant. She encountered many rosaries and prayers over the years but stubbornly shrugged off the idea of Catholicism, she says.

In 2011, she says, God finally reached her through art. After commissioning her for his own works, a St. Ann parishioner introduced her to their pastor Father Timothy Reid, who needed some stenciling done inside the newly-renovated church. “He took a chance on me,” Autry recalls. “I didn’t have a portfolio and never have done sacred art.”

The successful stenciling work led to more commissions from Father Reid for St. Ann, including applying gold stars to the ceiling, stenciling behind

a set of wooden sculptures from Italy, and painting a breathtaking mural on the apse wall inspired by the famous Ghent Altarpiece.

Says Father Reid, “That chapel is really Lisa’s chapel, in a way, because her fingerprints are all over it.”

Although Father Reid and Autry had deep discussions about faith, Autry says she can pinpoint the moment she knew she would become Catholic.

“I was working on one of the statues,” she describes. “Father Reid’s choir, they’re angels; they are not even people. They look like people and sing like angels. And I was just up there, and I don’t know what it was. It was Easter time, and they were singing, and that woman’s voice – it just moved me to tears while I was working. I thought, ‘You know what? He has been directing me here my whole life. He has just been nudging me’.” And that was the instant the painter began her journey to becoming Catholic.

Around that time, Father Reid gave Father Herbert Burke from Immaculate Conception in Forest City a tour of his church.

“Father Burke saw her paintings at St. Ann and Father Reid introduced her to him, and he stole her,” says Immaculate Conception’s Deacon Andy Cilone. “He started having her do more work than me,” Father Reid jokes.

Father Burke and Autry designed “The Passion of Christ” mural above the altar and signed it with both names. It is one of only a few of Autry’s murals where her signature is clearly visible, and it is significant because it is where she sees the face of God, Autry explains. Over the years, people have shared her deep

One of her most recent challenges was readying a statue of Mary, Mother of God, to kick off the diocese’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2022. Father Christopher Roux rushed the 4-foot statue to her studio after receiving it from Italy. She had six days to repair and repaint it before it began its year-long pilgrimage to 101 locations around the diocese.

n St. Aloysius, Hickory: lettering and speaker box murals of saints

n St. Ann, Charlotte: wall murals, insert murals and stenciling, ceilings, altar

n St. Mark, Huntersville: stenciling, Mary with Child white statue, 3-D Mary with infant

n St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte: wall design, gold painting, ceiling stencils

“They wanted it done before Easter. I had heaters and dryers everywhere. There were a lot of layers of paint to dry, but she got done,” Autry smiles.

Father Roux appreciates Autry’s work on the statue and inside the cathedral. “She comes from a real understanding of how beautiful art helps to raise our hearts and minds from the things of the world toward the things eternal,” he says.

Autry sometimes receives emails from priests expressing how a piece moved them while at prayer. In these instances, Autry feels her devotion to creating sacred art has purpose and God is guiding her in that work. She often reflects on the words of Kansas City Chiefs’ football player Harrison Butker: “Of all the people in the world, God picked me to do this; I don’t have a choice.” And she finds joy in knowing God hand-picked her to create beautiful liturgical art throughout the diocese.

EDITOR’S

PHOTOS PROVIDED AND BY TROY C. HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

(Clockwise from top) Lisa Autry paints the details of God the Father’s hand at Immaculate Conception Church in Forest City. She climbed 50-foot scaffolds to paint St. Patrick Cathedral’s ceiling with gold emblems. A Mary, Mother of God statue from Italy was repaired and repainted by Autry before it visited 101 locations during the diocese’s 50th anniversary.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Forest City. As Father artwork it teaches the

Reid

Cuaresma: seis semanas de peregrinación al corazón

Cuando piensas en el tiempo de Cuaresma, ¿qué se te viene a la mente? ¿Ceniza, ayuno, color morado, pescado frito, confesarte? Qué tal descanso, contemplación, oración. La Cuaresma es tiempo de parar y dejar que la palabra de Dios nos guie, así como nos guía el GPS de un lugar a otro.

Desde el Miércoles de Ceniza, cuando recibimos un sacramental que nos hace uno como pueblo y nos identifica como hombres y mujeres de fe, cuando tomamos nuestra cruz y decidimos seguir a Jesús al desierto guiados por una fuerza que es mas grande que nosotros, una fuerza que nos empuja de una manera tan suave como la brisa que experimentó Elías allá en el Horeb.

La Cuaresma debe ser un viaje al desierto al cual el Espíritu conduce a todo bautizado, un encuentro con nosotros mismos para renovar nuestras fortalezas y confrontar nuestras incoherencias con la fe que profesamos. Este encuentro hacia adentro de nuestro ser no es para avergonzarnos, sino para corregir camino, pues donde está tu tesoro, ahí está tu corazón.

En la Cuaresma uno es confrontado por la Palabra y el sacramento con esta pregunta: ¿dónde está tu corazón? Eso es lo que sucede en el Primer Domingo de Cuaresma a nuestro Señor, cuando al ser cuestionado por el mal, Jesús responde con la Palabra que está escrita en su corazón en la cual nos revela que su corazón está con el Padre y su voluntad.

Para nosotros, esto mismo es lo que sucede en este viaje al desierto. Somos cuestionados por la disciplina cuaresmal y somos invitados a estos ejercicios espirituales y de la voluntad que son tan sencillos, pero a la vez tan reveladores de nuestras incoherencias como hombres y mujeres de fe.

Limosna, oración, ayuno, Estaciones de la Cruz, Hora Santa, Rosario, abstinencia, confesión, reconciliación, Misa dominical, lectura de la palabra de Dios. ¿En dónde estás tú en esto?

En esta Cuaresma te hago una invitación, o mejor dicho te doy un consejo. Si no sabes como hacer este camino cuaresmal, pide ayuda a aquel que ya lo hizo y salió tan victorioso que sobre ello nos hablan las sagradas escrituras. Él fue como tú y como yo, llevado por el Espíritu al desierto y fue tentado como tú y yo seremos tentados, y como Él tendremos tú y yo que dar respuesta de lo que está en nuestro corazón. Yo, por mi parte, solo no puedo con esto. Y por eso me he conseguido un guía para esta Cuaresma. Me conseguí a alguien que ya pasó por ahí y salió triunfador, tanto así que derrotó al mismo pecado. Y, por si fuera poco, también se enfrentó con la muerte y salió victorioso. Él es mi guía y se llamas Jesús. En esta Cuaresma, y en todas las Cuaresmas, de ahora en adelante, me aferro a Él, pues Él sabe el camino, la verdad y lo que es la vida. Muy a tu alcance, en tu boca y en tu corazón, se encuentra la salvación. Este es el asunto de la fe que predicamos (Romanos 10:8). Hermanos, la vida no es fácil y los tiempos son malos, dice por ahí San Pablo. Hay que discernir cuál es la voluntad de nuestro Señor para nosotros. San Pablo experimentó esto, yo experimento esto y estoy seguro de que tú también.

La Cuaresma es el tiempo para discernir y descubrir que hay en tu corazón. No le corras al desierto, mejor consigue este gran guía que se llama Jesús.

Por si no sabes dónde encontrarlo, te diré donde lo encontré yo: en la Misa, en la Biblia, en el Rosario, en la Hora Santa, en la oración, en el sacramento de la reconciliación, en mi familia, en mi comunidad de fe, esperanza y amor, y en mi corazón.

Búscalo tú también, y por ahí nos encontramos tú y yo haciendo esta camino cuaresmal tomados de la mano del Señor.

¡Ánimo, con Cristo y María se puede!

EL DIÁCONO EDUARDO BERNAL es coordinador del Ministerio Hispano de la Vicaría de Charlotte.

Renovaron su amor con su cónyuge y con Cristo

SERGIO LÓPEZ selopez@rcdoc.org

CLEMMONS — Alrededor de 200 personas participaron en el Retiro/Conferencia para Parejas: “Renovando Nuestro Amor en Cristo 2025”, en su primera edición coordinada por la Oficina del Ministerio Hispano Diocesano de la Vicaria de Winston-Salem.

Cien parejas, provenientes de las distintas parroquias de la vicaría, así como algunas otras de diferentes parroquias de la Diócesis de Charlotte, se dieron cita en la parroquia Sagrada Familia en

SERGIO LÓPEZ | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Todas las parejas participaron en dinámicas de grupo, fortaleciendo así sus lazos como matrimonio a través de juegos.

Clemmons, sede que abrió sus puertas para recibir a todas las parejas provenientes de las diferentes parroquias. Algunos servidores se esforzaron para amenizar la recepción, así como diferentes parejas de Nuestra Señora de la Merced que fueron voluntarias para la proyección de este retiro.

La asistencia de los participantes fue la esperada. La alegría, el ánimo y deseo de vivir esta experiencia era palpable en todos los participantes. Muchas parejas nunca habían asistido a un retiro semejante y, de alguna manera, fue tierra fértil para la evangelización en la pareja.

Participó como conferencista el Padre Miguel Sánchez, secretario del Obispo Martin.

El Padre Sánchez fue vicario de Nuestra Señora de la Merced apenas el año pasado, y muchos de sus feligreses se veían felices de volver a verlo y saludarlo, ¿y, por qué no? tomarse una foto con él.

Resultó una jornada amena, de enseñanza y compartir, pero, sobre todo, de renovación del amor. El Padre Sánchez enfatizó la visión del matrimonio:

Juntos hasta el final, siendo fieles en lo próspero y en lo adverso, en la salud y en la enfermedad, y cómo es importante que la pareja visualice estos conceptos para crecer en comunicación y amor de pareja. Fue una jornada llena de aprendizaje, reflexión y repensar algunas ideas erróneas que se tienen sobre el matrimonio.

Pablo y Agustina Mendoza, una pareja casada de parroquianos de Divino Redentor, comentaron que fue “una jornada muy bonita y enriquecedora”, sorprendiéndose al ver tanta gente.

Sonia Franco y Liberato Bañuelos, parroquianos de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, expresaron que les gustó mucho la experiencia. Ellos siempre tratan de asistir a la mayoría de eventos que ofrece la diócesis y son promotores de la formación y encuentro del Ministerio Hispano. “Nosotros pasamos la voz lo más que pudimos y fueron algunas parejas de nuestra parroquia”, comentó la señora Franco. Respecto al conferencista, dijo que, “tiene un carisma muy bonito. Padre Miguel es muy sencillo y claro, y me recordó mucho al Padre Ángel de los Monteros. Se ve que tiene un poco de influencia de él, pero con su propio carisma”.

Lilia Hernández y José Leónides, de la parroquia San Benito el Moro, comentó que le pareció muy interesante, “pero se nos fue muy rápido el tiempo, pero sobre todo es algo que nos ayuda a mejorar o a ver en que estamos fallando o como estamos mal para ir haciendo cambios”.

Un aspecto importante para la oficina del ministerio hispano diocesano siempre ha sido la cultura del encuentro, pues somos de muchas parroquias pero compartimos una misma fe. Este aspecto es palpable sobre todo en este tipo de eventos y más cuando tenemos el Congreso Eucarístico, donde siempre es una oportunidad para volvernos a encontrar. Hablando de la Eucaristía, se dispuso de unos momentos frente al Santísimo Sacramento. Y, aunque fue corto el tiempo, fue un cierre magnifico para este retiro/conferencia. Las parejas se fueron contentas, con ganas de más y, sobre todo, renovaron su amor con su cónyuge y con Cristo.

Los organizadores agradecieron al Padre James Stunhberg por permitir tener este evento en su parroquia, a todos los párrocos de la Vicaría de Winston-Salem por apoyar la iniciativa, a las parejas voluntarias de las parroquias Nuestra Señora de la Merced y Sagrada Familia, al grupo Juvenil de San Benito el Moro, a los colaboradores del ministerio hispano y parroquianos de Divino Redentor, y muy en especial al Padre Miguel Sánchez, a quien se desea que Dios le permita llevar este retiro a todas las vicarías de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

Diácono Eduardo Bernal

MIÉRCOLES DE CENIZA

El obispo insta a los fieles a despojarse de las distracciones y llevar a Jesús a los demás durante esta Cuaresma

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — El Miércoles de Ceniza, miles de fieles de toda la Diócesis de Charlotte tuvieron sus frentes marcadas con cruces cuando comenzó la temporada de 40 días de Cuaresma, y el Obispo Michael Martin los instó a usar este tiempo para embarcarse en un viaje espiritual transformador. “Somos enviados para llevar el mensaje de Jesucristo a un mundo necesitado”, dijo.

Miles de personas de todas las edades asistieron a los servicios del Miércoles de Ceniza, liturgias que reflejaban la solemnidad de la temporada previa a la Semana Santa.

Las fuertes lluvias y los fuertes vientos azotaron la región la madrugada del miércoles, pero eso no impidió que la gente acudiera en masa a las misas matutinas para recibir las cenizas, un signo tanto de mortalidad como de arrepentimiento.

“A pesar de la adversidad del momento político, las amenazas de persecución y deportación, así como el clima extremo, los fieles católicos hispanos asistieron a las Misas y Liturgias de la Palabra en gran número en toda la diócesis”, dijo la Hermana Joan Pearson, directora asistente del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Charlotte. “El versículo del Evangelio de Mateo 18:20: ‘Porque donde dos o tres están reunidos en mi nombre, allí estoy yo en medio de ellos’, cobró vida con el pueblo hispano, que, como un faro de luz, dio un testimonio profético de esperanza y fe que resonó profundamente”.

Al mediodía, las nubes se disiparon y el sol dio la bienvenida a los asistentes a los servicios posteriores.

Más de 300 personas asistieron a una Misa al mediodía en la Catedral San Patricio en

Charlotte, celebrada por el Obispo Martin al comenzar su primera temporada de Cuaresma en la diócesis.

En su homilía, el Obispo Martin instó a las personas a no dejar que las tradiciones, sonidos e imágenes familiares de la Cuaresma los adormezcan en la complacencia y olviden la urgente necesidad de abrazar la conversión y dar testimonio del mensaje de Cristo en el mundo. Reflexionó sobre la naturaleza del Miércoles de Ceniza como el comienzo de 40 días de transformación espiritual,

de sacrificio, oración y un reenfoque del corazón y el alma en Dios. Uno de sus recuerdos más vívidos de la infancia, dijo, fue ver a su padre llegar a casa al mediodía del Viernes Santo. El hecho de que el lugar de trabajo de su padre permitiera que los trabajadores se fueran temprano para que pudieran adorar a Dios en un día santo lo impactó, dijo. Instó a la congregación a reflexionar sobre el llamado especial del Miércoles de Ceniza que los llevó a tomar tiempo de sus días de trabajo a mitad de semana para tener un encuentro con Dios.

“Conversión del corazón”

ElMiércoles de Ceniza marcó el inicio de la temporada penitencial de la Cuaresma. Fue un día de ayuno, abstinencia y oración, mientras los católicos preparábamos nuestros corazones y mentes para los próximos 40 días. En toda la diócesis, los fieles acudieron por miles para recordar nuestra frágil humanidad y que somos pecadores necesitados de nuestro Salvador. A lo largo de la Cuaresma, nos esforzamos por acercarnos más a Jesús mientras reflexionamos sobre la esperanza de este Año Jubilar.

“Mis hermanos y hermanas, nuestro Dios nos llama hoy a destrozar nuestras vidas, nuestro Dios nos llama hoy a la conversión del corazón”, dijo el Obispo Martin. “Si todo lo que hemos venido a hacer aquí hoy es que nos marquen con una señal y salir como las mismas personas, ¿qué estamos haciendo aquí? La conversión es una llamada constante. Es una expectativa de nuestro Dios acercarnos más a él, y eso requiere pasos que debemos dar”.

Las tradiciones de la temporada son hermosas y significativas, pero advirtió a los fieles que no se cierren en un “hermoso capullo seguro” y crean que eso es suficiente. El trabajo espiritual realizado durante la Cuaresma no significará nada si las personas no se comprometen a compartir a Cristo con los demás.

“La fe que no se comparte está muerta”, advirtió.

La Cuaresma, dijo, ofrece a los católicos la oportunidad de reenfocar sus vidas en Cristo y su mensaje, y de trabajar para superar las distracciones y los vicios de la vida diaria que pueden alejarlos de su relación con Él.

“La temporada de Cuaresma dice: ‘Oye, necesitamos 40 días para despojarnos de algunas de esas distracciones para que podamos ser mejor conocidos como los hijos e hijas de Jesús’”, dijo el Obispo Martin. “Que nuestra proclamación de las buenas nuevas de Jesucristo no sea simplemente cenizas negras en nuestra frente por el resto del día. Eso es insuficiente. El Espíritu Santo quiere hacer más en ti”.

online

En catholicnewsherald.com/espanol : Lee más y mira fotos de los servicios del Miércoles de Ceniza en toda la Diócesis de Charlotte.

CÉSAR HURTADO Y TROY C. HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD; ENVIADO La lluvia intensa y las tormentas violentas no impidieron que miles de fieles asistieran a los servicios del Miércoles de Ceniza el 5 de marzo. (Arriba) El Padre Juan Miguel Sánchez administra las cenizas durante la Misa de las 12:15 en la Catedral San Patricio en el centro, celebrada por el Obispo Michael Martin.

Pearson

Más

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CÉSAR HURTADO Y TROY C. HULL |

Miles de católicos de todas las edades y etnias acudieron a los servicios del Miércoles de Ceniza para marcar el comienzo de la Cuaresma, a pesar de una mañana de fuertes lluvias y alertas de tormenta. Así como la temporada penitencial de la Cuaresma finalmente conduce a la esperanza de la Pascua, las nubes se despejaron y salió el sol en toda la diócesis para los servicios de la tarde.

CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD; ENVIADO

Catorce hombres instituidos como lectores en el camino hacia el diaconado permanente

CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS clknauss@rcdoc.org

CHARLOTTE — Catorce hombres dieron un paso importante en su camino hacia el diaconado permanente, un avance que los lleva a compartir el poder transformador de la Palabra de Dios con las personas a las que sirven.

Fueron instituidos como lectores en una Misa celebrada por el Obispo Michael Martin en la Catedral San Patricio en Charlotte.

Como lectores, los candidatos al diaconado ahora pueden leer las lecturas en la Misa, excepto proclamar el Evangelio.

También pueden anunciar las intenciones durante las Oraciones de los Fieles y, en ausencia de un salmista, recitar el Salmo Responsorial. Este es el segundo de tres pasos en su camino hacia la eventual ordenación como diáconos permanentes, prevista para 2027.

llamados a estar cerca de la Palabra de Dios”, dijo el Diácono Kopfle.

La Palabra de Dios puede tener un poder transformador, les dijo el Obispo Martin a los 14 candidatos al diaconado en su homilía.

La Biblia no es un libro común, dijo.

“Las Sagradas Escrituras, por su misma naturaleza, son un encuentro personal con el Dios vivo. Entonces, les pregunto, mis hermanos, ¿están listos para continuar esa relación más profunda con el Dios vivo, mientras encontramos a nuestro Dios en la Palabra?”

Convertirse en lector les ofrece a los hombres la oportunidad de desarrollar su comprensión y relación con las Escrituras mientras se preparan para el diaconado, dijo el Diácono John Kopfle, director de diáconos de la Diócesis de Charlotte.

“Los diáconos tenemos una conexión especial con las Escrituras porque proclamamos los Evangelios; estamos

“Emociónense por cómo comenzarán a ver al Señor obrar en sus vidas, de maneras realmente excepcionales”, dijo. “Estoy emocionado por ustedes; sé lo que ese encuentro ha significado en mi vida”.

Durante el rito de su institución como lectores, cada uno de los hombres se acercó al altar y se arrodilló ante el Obispo Martin, quien les entregó el Libro de los Evangelios.

“Tomen este libro de las Sagradas Escrituras y sean fieles en transmitir la Palabra de Dios, para que crezca en los corazones de Su pueblo”, les dijo a cada uno de ellos.

Los nuevos lectores instituidos son: Francis Ahn de San Mateo en Charlotte; John Baughman de Sagrado Corazón en

Convertirse en lector es uno de los pasos que los hombres siguen en el proceso de ordenarse como diáconos. El Obispo Michael Martin instituyó a 14 hombres como lectores en la Catedral San Patricio en Charlotte.

Cuenta las historias de nuestra fe

Coordinador de Medios Hispanos

La Diócesis de Charlotte busca un periodista apasionado e innovador para crear y seleccionar contenido bilingüe atractivo que cubra los eventos, noticias y personas de nuestra creciente comunidad católica hispana.

Contribuirás al galardonado Catholic News Herald y CNH Español en plataformas impresas, digitales y de redes sociales, además de ayudar a desarrollar nuevas. Este puesto ofrece oportunidades de crecimiento como parte de un equipo experimentado en una de las regiones de más rápido crecimiento del país.

Los candidatos deben tener al menos 3 años de experiencia, una licenciatura en periodismo o un campo relacionado con la comunicación, y dominio del español e inglés, tanto escrito como hablado.

¡Aplica hoy!

Salisbury, Eduardo Gaspar de San Carlos Borromeo en Morganton, Eric Kennedy de San Marcos en Huntersville, Timothy Knorr de Inmaculado Corazón de María, Huy Le de Santa María en Greensboro, Bruce Mlakar de San Mateo, Christopher Neubauer de San Pablo Apóstol en Greensboro, Tracy Neumann de Santa Teresa en Mooresville, Jose Oviedo de Santiago el Mayor en Concord, William Parker de San Pío X en Greensboro, William Tolone de Santo Tomás de Aquino en Charlotte, Oswaldo Vargas de Santa Juana de Arco en Candler, y Eric Yarrington de San Juan Evangelista en Waynesville.

Las bancas se llenaron con familiares de los nuevos lectores, que iban desde familias con niños pequeños hasta personas mayores. Muchos de ellos se concentraron intensamente mientras su ser querido recibía el Libro de los Evangelios de manos del obispo, y algunos tomaron fotos de este momento especial.

El Obispo Martin agradeció a las esposas y familias de los candidatos al diaconado por su apoyo y también agradeció a los responsables de su formación. Francis Ahn dijo que sus años de preparación en el programa de diaconado hasta ahora han sido maravillosos para él, especialmente por la calidad de la instrucción que está recibiendo. Los candidatos están recibiendo formación

teológica a través de la Abadía de Belmont y actualmente están estudiando los Evangelios de Mateo y Lucas.

Ahn dijo que convertirse en lector fue un momento espiritual poderoso para él. “Fue una experiencia increíble; estar frente al obispo y recibir el Libro de los Evangelios fue tan significativo. Sentí la importancia de lo que estaba ocurriendo”. La liturgia también fue un momento emotivo para Bruce Mlakar, quien se sorprendió al ver a su hijo, el Padre Jacob Mlakar, allí para concelebrar la Misa con el Obispo Martin. El Padre Chinonso NnebeAgumadu de la Parroquia San Marcos también fue concelebrante.

El Padre Mlakar, párroco de San Francisco de Asís en Jefferson y la Misión Santa Francisca de Roma en Sparta, originalmente le había dicho a su padre que no podría estar allí porque estaría celebrando una Misa por el Primer Sábado. “Definitivamente no esperaba verlo aquí hoy”, dijo el padre mayor Mlakar. “Fue algo muy especial poder compartir ese momento de mi instalación con mi hijo en el altar y con mi esposa aquí”.

Dijo que escuchar al Obispo Martin hablar sobre el poder de las Escrituras le hizo comprender el deber especial que ahora tiene en su nuevo rol. “Convertirse en lector es tanto una responsabilidad como un gran regalo”.

Celebrando internacionalmente el Martes

de Carnaval

CHARLOTTE — El Martes de Carnaval fue un día ajetreado y apetitoso para estudiantes y profesores de la Escuela Secundaria Cristo Rey. La Feria Multicultural anual despertó el apetito de padres y estudiantes con deliciosos bocadillos internacionales y pequeñas porciones de comida preparadas por estudiantes con raíces en todo el mundo, desde Ucrania hasta Malasia y China. Los estudiantes se vistieron con trajes tradicionales, aprendieron y participaron en juegos internacionales. Y, algo muy importante, todos se fueron con el estómago lleno.

LISA GERACI | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

TROY C. HULL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Papa Francisco

El Miércoles de Ceniza enseña la fragilidad humana y la esperanza

El camino de la Cuaresma que recorremos hacia la Pascua se desarrolla “entre la memoria de nuestra fragilidad y la esperanza de que, al final del camino, quien nos espera es el Resucitado”, escribió el Papa Francisco en su homilía del Miércoles de Ceniza. “Las cenizas, en efecto, nos ayudan a hacer memoria de la fragilidad y de la pequeñez de nuestra vida. Somos polvo, del polvo hemos sido creados y al polvo volveremos”, decía el texto del Papa.

Aunque el Papa, de 88 años, se encontraba hospitalizado el 5 de marzo, día en que los católicos de rito latino recibieron la imposición de las cenizas e iniciaron la Cuaresma, el Vaticano hizo pública la homilía que había preparado para la ocasión. El Papa Francisco, en la homilía que había preparado, dijo que las personas aprenden lo efímera que es la vida terrena al palpar “la fragilidad en la experiencia de la enfermedad, en la pobreza, en el sufrimiento que a veces irrumpe de manera repentina sobre nosotros y sobre nuestras familias”.

También lo ven, sin embargo, en sus experiencias de cansancio, miedos y fracasos, escribió el Papa.

Pero la experiencia de la fragilidad no es sólo individual, escribió. “también nos damos cuenta de que somos frágiles cuando nos descubrimos expuestos, en la vida política y social de nuestro tiempo, a ‘polvos en suspensión’ que contaminan el mundo”, incluso a través del abuso de poder, “viejas ideologías identitarias que teorizan la exclusión del otro”, la guerra, la violencia y la explotación de los recursos de la tierra.

Esas formas de “polvo tóxico”, dijo, pueden contaminar “el aire de nuestro planeta, impidiendo la coexistencia pacífica, mientras crecen en nosotros cada día la incertidumbre y el miedo al futuro”.

Pero para los cristianos, escribió el Papa, las cenizas e incluso la muerte son también signos de esperanza.

“Si recibimos la ceniza con la cabeza inclinada para volver a la memoria de lo que somos, el tiempo cuaresmal no quiere dejarnos con la cabeza gacha, sino que, al contrario, nos exhorta a levantar la cabeza hacia Aquel que resucita de las profundidades de la muerte, arrastrándonos también a nosotros de las cenizas del pecado y de la muerte a la gloria de la vida eterna”, escribió el Papa Francisco.

“La esperanza de la Pascua hacia la que nos encaminamos, en cambio, nos sostiene en nuestras fragilidades, nos asegura el perdón de Dios”, añadía el texto. “envueltos en las cenizas del pecado, nos abre a la confesión gozosa de la vida”.

Lecturas Diarias

MARZO 16-22

Domingo (Segundo domingo de Cuaresma): Génesis 15:512. 17-18, Salmo 26:1. 7-8a. 8b-9abc. 13-14, Filipenses 3:17–4:1, Lucas 9:28b-36; Lunes: Daniel 9:4-10, Salmo 78:8.9. 11 y 13, Lucas 6:36-38; Martes: Isaías 1:10. 16-20, Salmo 49:8-9. 16bc-17. 21 y 23, Mateo 23:1-12; Miércoles (Solemnidad de San José, esposo de la Bienaventurada Virgen María): 2 Samuel 7:4-5. 12-14. 16, Salmo 88:2-3. 4-5. 27 y 29, Romanos 4:13. 1618. 22, Mateo 1:16. 18-21. 24; Jueves: Jeremías 17:5-10, Salmo 1:1-2. 3. 4 y 6, Lucas 16:19-31; Viernes: Génesis 37:3-4. 12-13. 17-28, Salmo 104:16-17. 18-19. 20-21, Mateo 21:33-43. 45-46; Sábado: Miqueas 7:14-15. 18-20, Salmo 102:1-2. 3-4. 9-10. 11-12, Lucas 15:1-3. 11-32

San Dimas, el ladrón

bueno

Cada 25 de marzo, la Iglesia recuerda a San Dimas, el ‘Buen Ladrón’, considerado “el primer santo” de la historia de la Iglesia. Fue crucificado en el Gólgota al lado de Jesucristo, a quien reconoció como Hijo de Dios. Su memoria coincide con la Solemnidad de la Anunciación del Señor.

Dimas, a diferencia del otro ladrón crucificado, imploró a Jesús: “Acuérdate de mí cuando llegues a tu Reino”, a lo que el Señor contestó: “Hoy estarás conmigo en el Paraíso” (Lucas 23: 39-43).

Poco se conoce sobre la vida de San Dimas. La misma Escritura no abunda en detalles y solo aparece en el relato de San Lucas sobre la crucifixión. No obstante, el texto apócrifo denominado Evangelio de Nicodemo aporta algunos detalles interesantes que la tradición ha conservado.

Por ejemplo, allí sí aparece el nombre ‘Dimas’, ausente en la Biblia, al que se denomina ‘buen ladrón’. Además, se señala que fue colocado a la derecha de Cristo, mientras que a su izquierda estaba ‘Gestas’, el ‘Mal Ladrón’, crucificado también.

En el evangelio apócrifo denominado Protoevangelio de Santiago, se recoge el siguiente testimonio de José de Arimatea sobre el buen ladrón:

“El segundo […] se llamaba Dimas; era de origen galileo y poseía una posada. Atracaba a los ricos, pero a los pobres les favorecía. Aun siendo ladrón, se parecía a Tobías, pues solía dar sepultura a los muertos.

Se dedicaba a saquear a la turba de los judíos; robó los libros de la ley en Jerusalén, dejó desnuda a la hija de Caifás, que era a la sazón sacerdotisa del santuario, y substrajo incluso el depósito secreto colocado por Salomón. Tales eran sus fechorías”.

De acuerdo al Evangelio árabe de la infancia de Jesús, otro texto apócrifo, Dimas tenía, en realidad, otro nombre. En ese relato los ladrones eran ‘Tito’ y ‘Dumaco’. Tito, quien sería el Buen Ladrón, habría impedido que otros salteadores como él robaran a la Sagrada Familia cuando esta huía a Egipto.

DIMAS EN EL EVANGELIO

En las narraciones de la crucifixión de los Evangelios de San Lucas y San Mateo, se dice que Jesús, estando crucificado, fue blanco de insultos, afrentas y burlas provenientes de la multitud, la soldadesca romana y los maestros de la ley judía.

Apenas lo acompañaban un discípulo suyo, Juan, la Virgen María y algunas otras mujeres. Solo el relato de Lucas describe la intervención de los ladrones con precisión: “Uno de los malhechores crucificados lo insultaba, diciendo: ‘¿No eres tú el Mesías? Sálvate a ti mismo y a nosotros’. Pero el otro, respondiéndole e increpándole, le decía: ‘¿Ni siquiera temes tú a Dios, estando en la misma condena? Nosotros, en verdad, lo estamos justamente, porque recibimos el justo pago de lo que hicimos; en cambio, éste no ha hecho nada malo’. Y decía: ‘Jesús, acuérdate de mí cuando llegues a tu reino’. Jesús le dijo: ‘En verdad te digo: hoy estarás conmigo en el paraíso’’’ (Lucas 23:39-43).

NUNCA ES TARDE

Es claro que San Dimas, el buen ladrón, reconoció, en un acto de fe verdadera, al Hijo de Dios. Haberlo hecho lo condujo en seguida a admitir con humildad su pecado, y pedir misericordia.

Dimas había quedado transformado por la presencia de Dios, haciéndose testigo irrefutable de la inocencia de Cristo. Se sabe manchado por sus culpas, mientras ve que en Jesús no hay falta alguna. Al mismo tiempo, deja de pensar en la “salvación” que ofrece el mundo, no pide que lo bajen de la

“Buen Ladrón,

del escultor y pintor español Alonso Berruguette (Paredes de Navas, Palencia, 1488-Toledo 1561). La escultura procede de un “Calvario” del que no se ha conservado la base rocosa y el

cruz; no, ciertamente. Lo que quiere ahora es ir al cielo: en el final de su existencia ha puesto la mirada en lo trascendente. Por eso, Jesús, conmovido, le hará la más grande de todas las promesas: “En verdad te digo: hoy estarás conmigo en el paraíso” (Lucas 23:43).

El delincuente que confesó ante el Señor: un santo seguro Dimas nunca fue “canonizado” de manera formal por la Iglesia. Se le cuenta entre los santos porque ha sido la única persona a quien Jesucristo aseguró explícitamente que estaría en el cielo, compartiendo su gloria.

Si bien no hay certeza sobre su nombre, sí la hay sobre su destino. Que haya vivido como ladrón o criminal para después acogerse a la misericordia del Señor, termina siendo motivo de inspiración y de esperanza para todos los hijos de la Iglesia, porque somos pecadores.

— Condensado de ACI Prensa

MARZO 23-29

Domingo (Tercer domingo de Cuaresma): Éxodo 3:1-8a. 1315, Salmo 102:1-2. 3-4. 6-7. 8 y 11, 1 Corintios 10:1-6. 10-12, Lucas 13:1-9; Lunes: 2 Reyes 5:1-15, Salmo 41:2.3, 42:3.4, Lucas 4:2430; Martes (Solemnidad de la Anunciación del Señor): Isaías 7:10-14, Salmo 39:7-8a. 8b-9. 10. 11, Hebreos 10:4-10, Lucas 1:26-38; Miércoles: Deuteronomio 4:1. 5-9, Salmo 147:12-13. 15-16. 19-20, Mateo 5:17-19; Jueves: Jeremías 7:23-28, Salmo 94:1-2. 6-7. 8-9, Lucas 11:14-23; Viernes: Oseas 14:2-10, Salmo 80:6c-8a. 8bc-9. 10-11ab. 14 y 17, Marcos 12:28-34; Sábado: Oseas 6:1-6, Salmo 50:3-4. 18-19. 20-21ab, Lucas 18:9-14

MARZO 30-FEBRERO 5

Domingo (Cuarto domingo de Cuaresma): Josué 5:9a. 10-12, Salmo 33:2-3. 4-5. 6-7, 2 Corintios 5:17-21, Lucas 15:1-3. 11-32; Lunes: Isaías 65:17-21, Salmo 29:2 y 4. 5-6. 11-12a y 13b, Juan 4:43-54; Martes: Ezequiel 47:1-9. 12, Salmo 45:2-3. 5-6. 8-9, Juan 5:1-16; Miércoles: Isaías 49:8-15, Salmo 144:8-9. 13cd-14. 17-18, Juan 5:17-30; Jueves: Éxodo 32:7-14, Salmo 105:19-20. 21-22. 23, Juan 5:31-47; Viernes: Sabiduría 2:1. 12-22, Salmo 33:17-18. 19-10. 21 y 23, Juan 7:1-2. 10. 25-30; Sábado: Jeremías 11:18-20, Salmo 7:2-3. 9bc-10. 11-12, Juan 7:40-53

IMAGEN CORTESÍA MUSEO DEL PRADO, MADRID Imagen del

Dimas”

Cristo crucificado.

Our nation

Latinos cling to faith after losing jobs due to LA fires

KIMMY CHACÓN OSV News

LOS ANGELES — Maria-Consuelo didn’t lose her home in the wildfires that burned parts of Los Angeles County in early January, but her employers did.

For Maria-Consuelo, 74, that meant going from working 35 hours a week as a housekeeper to practically nothing.

The two other properties she worked at were also gone: a dance studio and an elderly man’s house where she spent Mondays caring for him. She used her income to send money to her family in Guatemala, paying rent for her room and covering her day-to-day necessities.

“For me, it’s so painful, only two or three houses survived in our neighborhood,” she told said. “That was all my area of work.”

Among the vast numbers of LA-area Latino workers in domestic jobs that include housework, landscaping and caregiving, everyone has heard a story like Maria-Consuelo’s.

According to a recent UCLA study, at least 35,000 jobs held by Latinos could be lost due to the wildfires.

LIVING BY FAITH

But for all the tales of Catholic Latinos like Maria-Consuelo suffering after the fires, there are just as many of faith.

Maria-Consuelo came to the U.S. from Guatemala more than 40 years ago. She began working for a family in Pacific Palisades, developing a deep connection.

“We lost the house,” the homeowner’s son called to tell her over the phone a few days after the Palisades Fire. They cried together, she recalled.

The first thing she could think to do was pray.

She felt God’s blessing shortly afterward when a priest from her parish, St. Agatha, called and asked her to come to the church.

The priest “pulled out a piece of paper and a pen, and said, ‘I must help you. Please give me your information,’” she said. “Shortly after, he handed me a check.”

The check was for $1,000.

“Why does God bless me like this? I feel so blessed,” she said in the interview, crying.

Despite her losses, the check from the parish - and help from her former employer --remind Maria-Consuelo that hope hasn’t vanished.

“The service of God never ends, and neither will I, as my brother would say,” she said. “In the cemetery, there is rest, but in the service of God, there is none. Therefore, we must continue to work (on earth).”

A SIGN FROM GOD

A few days before the fire, Larisa’s manager at a car wash she in Pacific Palisades had found a rock with the image of Jesus. The manager told her to keep the rock, and she did - holding on to it as a symbol of good luck and a “sign” from God.

When the fires began, “I only thought about my job, and I have a lot of work to do,” she said.

When she received a call from her

manager telling her to evacuate, she drove off watching ambulances rushing by. She grew concerned for the people living in the area but prayed that everything would be okay.

When Larisa arrived home, she watched images of the fires approaching her workplace in disbelief.

The stress and worry consumed her for two days until she learned her workplace was “untouched” by the fires.

At that moment, “in my mind, the image of the rock with the ‘Christ the Teacher’ imprint came to mind,” Larisa said.

“Thank you. I understand clearly now.

“Whenever something happens to me, I simply ask God to give me an answer.”

Larisa was convinced that God had performed a miracle to save her job.

“It was my faith in him,” said Larisa, a parishioner at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Los Angeles. Still, it may be a long time before she and so many other workers can return to work in the Pacific Palisades area.

Larisa strengthened her prayer life, hoping to find a job. She had taken some time to care for her sick aunt, but was determined to keep searching for work.

“My faith and trust in God remain the same,” she said. “I’m not sure when, maybe in two or three months, but I know I will return to work at the car wash.”

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OSV NEWS

Larisa holds up the rock featuring Jesus’ face that was found at the car wash where she worked, which she believes saved her workplace from burning down in the Palisades Fire in early January 2025.

especially vulnerable.

With governments scaling back hunger relief efforts, CRS Executive Vice President Bill O’Keefe highlighted Rice Bowl’s deep Eucharistic roots, linking it to the U.S. Catholic bishops’ ongoing National Eucharistic Revival.

“Standing behind every one of our CRS workers, there are millions of Catholics who care and are basically saying by their actions, ‘This is important,’” he said. “And I think it’s extremely motivating for them (CRS workers) to know that Catholics are praying, fasting and giving alms this Lenten season on the (Rice Bowl) 50th anniversary in order to make sure this critical assistance to people who need it continues.”

Catholic Sisters Week honors women religious

CHICAGO — Catholic Sisters Week, from March 8-14, marks its 12 annual year

Vatican’s 2025 Jubilee mascot Luce. Meanwhile, the Felician Sisters of North America have highlighted their work supporting migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. “The purpose of Catholic Sister Week,” notes Dominican Sister Beth Murphy, communications director for the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois, “is to present to women some role models in which they can hopefully see possibilities for their own lives.”

to Lenten observances of prayer, fasting and almsgiving as a means to seek spiritual renewal during the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year. Celebrating the Mass at Walter Reed was in keeping with Archbishop Broglio’s annual custom on the first day of Lent. Before the Mass, attended by nearly 150 military personnel, patients and hospital staff, the archbishop brought ashes and Holy Communion to bedridden patients in their rooms.

— OSV News

Sober St. Patrick’s Day puts saint at center of celebrations

NEW YORK — An annual celebration of St. Patrick’s Day is looking to recenter the observance on Ireland’s patron saint, and the spiritual strength that enabled him to live life fully and freely.

While the March 17 feast day has long been an occasion for vaguely themed celebrations

World prays as Pope Francis improves in hospital

CINDY WOODEN Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’ condition continued to be stable with further slight improvements March 11, the Vatican press office said.

The pope’s doctors at Rome’s Gemelli hospital did not issue a medical bulletin March 11, the day after they had announced his continued stability and incremental improvement had led them to lift their “guarded” prognosis, although they insisted he continued to need hospitalization.

The Vatican press office said the 88-yearold Pope Francis had again watched by video the morning and evening talks of Capuchin Father Roberto Pasolini, preacher of the papal household, who is leading the Lenten retreat at the Vatican for cardinals and senior members of the Roman Curia.

It is not a two-way video connection, so participants have not seen the pope, but Father Pasolini began his morning talk by greeting the pope and praying that his retreat meditations might be additional “medicine” to help the pope recover.

The nightly recitation of the rosary for Pope Francis’ health became part of the Lenten retreat beginning March 10. The cardinals and other retreat participants

recite it at about 6 p.m. local time inside the Vatican audience hall.

The public is invited to join them by watching on video screens in St. Peter’s Square. Cardinal Kurt Koch, prefect of the

Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, led the prayer March 11.

The cardinal began with a reading of

your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”

“How can we not recognize in these words what our Holy Father, the successor of Peter, is experiencing and suffering?” the cardinal asked. “Certainly, the situations are different, but the experience of serious illness is a great challenge.”

Cardinal Koch prayed that the pope always would sense God’s nearness to him and asked that “Mary, Mother of Hope,” would intercede to restore him to health.

The Vatican press office said Pope Francis was continuing his physical therapy and breathing exercises as well as drug therapy to treat the multiple infections doctors discovered when he was hospitalized Feb. 14. He was later diagnosed with double pneumonia.

In addition, the pope received the Eucharist and spent time praying in the chapel of the suite of rooms the Gemelli hospital has kept reserved for the popes since St. John Paul II was treated there repeatedly.

A Vatican source also insisted that several Italian newspapers were wrong when they claimed work was underway at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the pope’s Vatican residence, to prepare a hospitallike setting there for the pope.

CNS

A candle with Pope Francis’ photo lights the night as people listen to an audio message from him before they pray the rosary in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican March 6.

Former communist nurse who baptized child to be baptized

CAM LO, Vietnam — Dau Kieu Giang, a former Communist Party member and atheist, is set to be baptized this Easter Vigil in Vietnam’s Quang Tri province.

Giang’s journey to Catholicism began in 2021 while working as a nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic. She reluctantly baptized a critically ill child at the request of his Catholic mother, despite initially dismissing the act as superstition. Church law allows that in such a necessity, in the absence of someone a bishop has designated to baptize, any person with the right intention confers baptism licitly.

The hospital management condemned her actions, leading to a punitive transfer to a remote dispensary. After leaving her nursing job, Giang’s life turned around when the family of the boy – who survived the pandemic – helped her set up a small business.

Over time, Giang formed a close friendship with the family, and through their guidance, she began learning about Catholicism. Now a catechumen, Giang will be baptized with the support of her godmother, Lucia Vu Thanh Nhan – the mother of the child Giang helped baptize. A religious preparing her for the Easter Vigil baptism said Giang’s thirst for faith is palpable and that the woman embraces her new Christian path full of joy.

Mexican bishops decry ‘culture of death’ and call for unity

MEXICO CITY — The Mexican bishops’ conference has called for national unity in the face of external and internal challenges, particularly following the U.S. President Donald Trump’s promises to impose 25% tariffs on Mexican exports if migrants continue crossing the U.S. border and fentanyl is not stamped

out. In a video released March 10, the bishops expressed concern over Trump’s demands, including combating drug cartels, managing migration, and addressing economic issues. They stressed that these issues can be resolved through unity and respectful dialogue among Mexican political forces. Amid these external pressures, the bishops also highlighted Mexico’s internal problems, including rampant violence and a “culture of death” caused by organized crime, drug trafficking, and decriminalized abortion. They urged the country to confront these issues and promote dignity and hope, particularly for migrants and victims of violence.

This call for unity comes as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum navigates a complex relationship with Trump, agreeing to some demands while maintaining dialogue and defending Mexico’s sovereignty. Mexico’s bishops also issued a March 5 statement decrying the culture of death in Mexico, which injures the heart of society, they said, calling for the “formation of consciousness.”

India’s top court to weigh in on caste system oppression

KUMBAKONAM, India — In a historic move, India’s Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from Dalit Catholics in Kottapalayam parish in the Diocese of Kumbakonam, challenging caste-based discrimination.

The case centers on claims of segregation, including separate cemeteries for upper caste and Dalit Catholics. The Tamil Nadu High Court

previously dismissed the petition, but the Supreme Court has now stepped in, marking the first time it has taken up such a case.

Dalit Catholics allege that their community is excluded from church activities and denied involvement in celebrations due to prejudices.

Legal experts say this case highlights the ongoing discrimination faced by Dalit Christians, who make up a significant portion of India’s Christian population. The case could set a major precedent for addressing caste-based inequality within religious communities in India.

Commentator Virgina Saldanha said that while it’s heartening that India’s Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal by some Dalit Catholics, it’s shocking that Dalit Catholics had to approach the courts to give them their rights.

The word Dalit means “trampled upon” in Sanskrit and refers to all groups once considered untouchable and outside the fourtier Hindu caste system – an estimated 201 million of India’s 1.2 billion people.

Help protect creation from greed, exploitation, pope says

Christians to help protect nature from human greed and exploitation during the Holy Year.

At the start of the Lenten season, the pope greeted Catholics in Brazil in a written message and praised the country’s bishops for their support of the Fraternity Campaign, dedicated this year to “Fraternity and Integral Ecology.”

He expressed his hope that the Church in Brazil will contribute to COP 30, the U.N. climate conference on Nov. 10-21 in Brazil.

The Church’s efforts could help nations and international organizations adopt and “commit themselves to practices that help overcome the climate crisis and preserve the marvelous work of creation, which God has entrusted to us and which we have a responsibility to pass on to future generations,” the pope wrote.

The message, released by the Vatican on Ash Wednesday, was signed by the pope and dated Feb. 11, three days before he was hospitalized. The pope’s message praised the bishops’ conference for proposing a theme dedicated to integral ecology. “May we all, with the special help of God’s grace during this Jubilee season, change our convictions and practices to give nature a rest from our greedy exploitations.” — Catholic News Service and OSV News

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has asked

ViewPoints

Effie Caldarola

A random guy walks into a bar …

So, a random guy walks into a bar. No, this isn’t the beginning of a joke. For me, it’s a Lenten meditation.

A friend of mine tends bar in a neighborhood tavern. It’s a small place where “regulars” gather. Once, on the rare occasion I visited, I asked for red wine. My friend shook her head. “I wouldn’t order wine here,” she said. Apparently, a bottle of Merlot can sit open for weeks. This is a beer drinker’s haven. She told me that one night as she stood behind the bar, she was looking at a GoFundMe page for a friend, a young woman diagnosed with very serious cancer. The woman had to quit her job to begin treatment.

A customer my friend didn’t know was sitting at the bar sipping a beer and asked what she was doing. She explained the young woman’s situation. This random guy, a stranger, pulled out two $20 bills and pushed them over to her. Add that to the GoFundMe, he said.

LENT, TAXES AND GENEROSITY

What does this have to do with my Lent? I’ve been thinking about generosity. More specifically, I’ve been pondering spontaneous generosity and what it says about the heart. My heart.

Spring brings two familiar rituals: the penitential season of Lent, with its many graces, and tax season, with its obligations. Although ostensibly very different things, they may intersect at the point where some of us use our charitable donations as deductions.

Tax season holds us hostage to paper, and I’ve carefully recorded the donations my husband and I have made. Again, the intersection: I want a deduction, but I also use this as a time to evaluate my generosity. Were our contributions “enough”? Were they more than last year? Did they reflect our Church’s

‘Generosity should be a way of life, not just a budget line item. It is spontaneous compassion on a daily basis, through our time, our words, our resources.’

preferential option for the poor? What do they say about our priorities? But then, a random guy pushes $40 across the bar in a spontaneous act of compassion, and my receipts suddenly seem less important and a bit more calculated. Where, I wonder, is my record of everyday acts of generosity, acts which held no hidden benefit to me except the grace of a God whose generosity is boundless?

I think back to times I’ve failed at spontaneous generosity. I sometimes recall, long ago, a man loitering on the early morning street, me rushing to a coffee shop before a meeting. I had no cash to give him, but later I asked myself why I didn’t offer to buy him a coffee. Maybe a muffin? I had a credit card.

PLANNED OR A WAY OF LIFE?

There’s nothing wrong with planned giving. Actually, it’s important. Maybe we tithe, or maybe we choose a sacrifice so that we can give more. In these troubled times, with so many people suffering and even dying because federal contracts to Catholic charities have been frozen, our charitable planning is critical. But generosity should be a way of life, not just a budget line item. Generosity is stumbling out of bed after a sleepless night and smiling brightly at our family. It’s letting someone else have the last piece of cake. It’s spontaneous compassion on a daily basis, through our time, our words, our resources. Without payback. Just sliding a little cash across the bar.

Did that guy have a sister or mother who struggled with the same cancer? Or did he just have a generous heart? We’ll never know.

People often ask a deacon friend of mine how much they should give, almost as if his answer would justify them. He would always smile and say, “More.” That’s a good daily Lenten mantra. After all, how can we give God less?

Brian Pusateri

Jesus wants to pull us from the muddy pit

Life has a way of pulling us into the mud. At one time or another, every person finds themselves sinking into a pit –sometimes of their own making, sometimes through no fault of their own. It could be the weight of addiction, the burden of guilt, the exhaustion of trying to measure up, or the deep sorrow of broken relationships. The muddy clay of sin, shame and despair clings to us, making every step forward more difficult. Jesus wants to pull us from the mud. Will we allow Him to do it this year during Lent?

David, in Psalm 40, speaks for all of us when he cries out: “I wait for the Lord, who bends down to me and hears my cry, draws me up from the pit of destruction, out of the muddy clay, sets my feet upon rock, steadies my steps, and puts a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God.” These words paint a vivid picture of God’s saving power.

David doesn’t describe a simple misstep or a momentary stumble – he speaks of being trapped in destruction, of sinking into a mire he cannot escape from on his own. This is the reality of sin. Once caught, the more we fight to free ourselves, the deeper we sink. Anyone who has struggled with sin or addiction knows this feeling well. We try to change. We promise ourselves and others that we will do better. We make commitments, only to break them. The harder we fight in our own strength, the deeper the entanglement seems to become. It is at this moment – when we realize we cannot save ourselves – that the cry of Psalm 40 becomes our own: “Lord, help me! I am stuck, and I cannot free myself!”

CHRIST REACHES INTO THE MUCK

But here is the good news: We are not alone in the mud. Jesus Christ bends down, hears our cries and pulls us out. Jesus steps into the muck of our lives to rescue us with His own hands. The very essence of the Gospel is this: that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). He did not wait for us to clean ourselves up first. He did not demand that we prove our worth. He saw us stuck in the mud, unable to escape, and He reached down to save us.

During Lent, we are reminded of our own frailty and need for rescue. Lent reminds us that we are dust and to dust we shall return. Left to ourselves, we are helpless – stuck in the mud of sin. But Lent is not just a season of sorrow; it is a season of hope. It is a time to cry out to God and to trust that He alone can pull us from the pit.

Lent is not so much about trying to fix ourselves, it’s a time of surrender –recognizing that we cannot rescue ourselves and turning to the One who can. Jesus does more than just lift us out of the pit. He sets our feet on solid rock – on

Himself, the firm foundation. As David declares, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God.” This is the song of redemption, the song of one who has been saved, restored and given new life.

CRY OUT TO THE ONE WHO SAVES

Perhaps you find yourself in the mud today. Maybe you have tried to free yourself, only to find that your struggles have made things worse. Take heart – there is One who can rescue you. Cry out to Jesus, and He will answer. He is not distant; He is near. He hears your cry, and He is mighty to save. Let’s not place our trust in those who offer false hope. The world will provide temporary solutions – self-help techniques, quick fixes, empty promises – but none of

‘The world will provide temporary solutions –self-help techniques, quick fixes, empty promises –but none of these can truly pull us from the pit.’

these can truly pull us from the pit. Only Jesus can lift us up.

As we begin our Lenten journey, we should consider what weighs us down. What sins, addictions or struggles have trapped us? Lent is a time to let go of false securities and place our trust fully in Christ. Through prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we detach from the things that pull us into the mud and turn our hearts toward the One who saves. Jesus is not afraid of our mess. He specializes in rescuing us when we are trapped. No matter how deep the pit, no matter how thick the mud, His arms are strong enough to lift us out.

Let’s make this Lent a time of surrender, a time of trust and, ultimately, a time of rescue. For the One who pulled David from the mud is the same One who will pull us up, cleanse us and give us new life. We must turn to Him today and begin the journey toward Easter with hope.

BRIAN

PUSATERI, a Christian author and speaker, founded 4th Day Letters and Broken Door Ministries. This is condensed from an essay published at www.brokendoorministries.com.

EFFIE CALDAROLA is a wife, mom and grandmother who received her master’s degree in pastoral studies from Seattle University.

Catholic professors make the case for marriage, children

Catholic social scientists are doing some of the most important work in the public square making a reasoned case for both state and society to promote marriage and stable two-parent families as important public goods.

I invited three of them – Melissa Kearney, Catherine Pakaluk and Brad Wilcox – onto OSV’s “Catholic in America” podcast to share more about how their recent books draw together mountains of research to make the case for why people should ignore the lies our culture tells us and get married, stay together and have big families.

We know by our Catholic faith – and the common sense borne from plenty of human experience – that the natural family founded on marriage between a man and a woman is the building block of society. Yet today we are too often having to

‘Living the beauty of family life will be the most effective testament to its goodness in law and culture. But we need to defend the family in words, not just deeds.’

defend the goodness of both marriage and family life. And we are fighting for every inch in the public arena to ensure family law does not get completely transformed into the government’s solemnization of contractual romantic partnerships that treat children as consumer goods.

It is true that, as Pope Paul VI said, our age requires witnesses rather than teachers. Living the beauty of family life will be the most effective testament to its goodness in law and culture. But we also need to defend the family in words, not just deeds.

THE VALUE OF SCIENCE

Today we live in a culture of empiricist skepticism, meaning that we do not believe that we can know things definitively unless they can be measured using statistics and the modern scientific method. So to reach people effectively, we must often employ the sciences to make the case for things we know by faith and other forms of reasoning. Social sciences, in particular, can help us understand more deeply how and when certain phenomena occur when different variables are present.

Fortunately, there are some outstanding Catholics making excellent use of social science in their work as public

intellectuals. The secret of their success is that their Catholic worldview helps them formulate the right questions to explore –questions often ignored by others.

MARRIAGE AND HAPPINESS

In his book “Get Married,” University of Virginia sociologist Brad Wilcox gathers evidence to push back on the cultural myths about marriage, particularly the myth that it is an obstacle to personal happiness. Wilcox highlights how the evidence shows that married people are almost twice as likely to be happy than singles. Other data underscore the benefits of marriage to each spouse, the good news of which is critical in countering the decline in marriage rates, which have fallen 60 percent in the past 50 years.

After marriage, couples typically have children. But birth rates are declining, and some married couples are foregoing children altogether, as having children is increasingly seen as inhibiting one’s freedom and fun, not to mention costing a lot of money.

Some women, however, in the face of this “birth dearth,” are braving the occasional rude comments and having five or more kids.

Catherine Pakaluk, an economist at The Catholic University of America, interviewed 55 of these women in her book “Hannah’s Children.” She found that if we want more babies as a society (because we need them for all sorts of practical reasons), then the state has to be supportive of religion and religious subcultures with people who value children as goods in themselves and gifts from God.

THE TWO-PARENT ADVANTAGE

Once we have children, we need to help them flourish. Still-prevailing cultural myths describe how child well-being is dependent upon the individual happiness of parents, and that kids are better off after divorce rather than with parents in an unhappy marriage.

But University of Maryland economist Melissa Kearney describes in her book “The Two-Parent Privilege” why children who are raised in stable, two-parent families (particularly with a married mother and father) have a tremendous advantage in life. Child outcomes across a whole range of measures significantly improve, including educational attainment and long-term earning potential.

Professors Wilcox, Pakaluk and Kearney offer us examples of how Catholics can effectively use social science research methods to make the case for the good, the true and the beautiful.

We can be confident that, guided by the wisdom of our faith, we can effectively and fearlessly tread into the sciences in the search for truth. More Catholics doing so will help bring sound reasoning to acrimonious public debates and hopefully generate better public policy.

JASON ADKINS is host of a new Our Sunday Visitor podcast called “Catholic in America,” which explores topics related to the missionary imperative of faithful citizenship in our time. Find “Catholic in America” on the major podcast platforms or www.catholicinamerica. osvpodcasts.com.

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