March 19, 1999

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March

Volume

19,

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i^atnolic NEWS HERALD &

1999

Number 28

Serving Catholics

n $ide

in

Western North Carolina

in

the Diocese of Charlotte

Bishop Emeritus celebrates 90th birthday

By JIMIViY

Dialogue

ROSTAR

Associate Editor

breakthrough?

Vatican sees hope in pope-Iranian

meeting

...Page

7

Conyers visionary separates

HIGH POINT

—

Bishop EmeriBegley began his 90th birthday celebration just as he lives his priestly life: in the presence of the Eucharist and many friends.

"I am honored to be here as the grace of God is offered to all of us," said Bishop Begley during a Mass celebrated in the chapel of Maryfield Nursing Home on March 11, the day tus Michael

J.

before his birthday.

from followers' group ...Page

3

New violence feared after bomb kills N. Ireland lawyer ...Page A

14

Local News CSS extends

The Mass and reception that followed was a time not only to honor a man devoted to priesthood in North Carolina for more than six decades. It also an invitation to remember, in the context of a sacred liturgy, the fruits of holy service. "[^Today we gather] to think of how we have been able to bring ourselves closer to our dear Lord," said Bishop Begley, who served as the Diocese of Charlotte's first bishop from 1972-84. "I've often said that much has been done over the years, but it was all of us together I call it 'u-s and com-

was

—

pany.'"

The Diocese of Charlotte's third and current bishop. Bishop William G.

gratitude to social

Curlin,

was

principal celebrant of the

Mass.

activist

...Page

16

Permanent deacons recommit to ministry ...Page

15

Every Week

"Today is truly a wonderful time of thanksgiving, as we honor this person of such tremendous faith," Bishop Curlin said following the liturgy. Noting Bishop Begley's long-time devotion to the church and its people.

Bishop Curlin called Bishop Begley a model of ministry, love and action.

"Bishop Begley has provided great comfort and encouragement to me and to so many people across the Diocese of Charlotte through the years," Bishop Curlin added. "His leadership and his kindness continue to be treaPhoto

sured."

Editorials

Since 1997, Bishop Begley has resided at Maryfield Nursing Home in

& Columns ...Pages

4-5

Point.

tor, Sister

Entertainment Pages 10-11 Faith Alive! ...Pages

8-9

Lenten Reflection The Raising of Lazarus ...Page

High

5

The

facility's

administra-

Lucy Hennessy,

called the

opportunity to host the bishop's 90th birthday party an honor.

"He's a very pleasant and prayerful man," said Sister Lucy, whose religious order, the Poor Servants of the Mother of God, has operated Maryfield since 1947. "He's anxious to be at Mass every day."

Sister Lucy said Bishop Begley always has time for anybody. "But," she added with a chuckle, "he will not be interrupted while he's playing bingo," his favorite activity of leisure.

"We all know that he Qhas held]

B"c

Joanr S. Keane

During the birthday celebration for Bishop Emeritus Michael J. Begley, Bishop William G. Curlin kneels to kiss the hand of the retired bishop. Bishop Begley celebrated his 90th birthday on March 12, and was honored with Mass and a birthday party at Maryfield Nursing Home in High Point where the retired bishop has lived for the past two years. Bishop Begley served as bishop first bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte

—

such an important post in the church, but is the most humble man you could ever know," she added.

Msgr. Joseph Showfety, who served as the diocese's

and

first

chancellor

later as its vicar general, con-

curred. see him quite frequently, and I him what I always have he is the same man," Msgr. Showfety

"I

see in still

—

added. "His love for the priesthood

is

—

fi-om 1972 until his retirement in 1984.

and kindvery evident."

"He enjoys life and he enjoys people," continued Msgr. Showfety, currently pastor of St. Benedict Church in Greensboro. "He's been so well blessed by God, and he's very grateful for all the blessings he has received. He's so unpretentious, so still

there, his friendliness

ness are

still

See birthday, page

15

The Catholic News & Herald

2

Ihe World

March

in Brief

—

happened with the current administration of President Armando Calderon Sol, said Father Tojeira.

Tourists return fragment taken from damaged Assisi basilica ASSISI, Italy (CNS) A fragment of the earthquake-damaged basilica in Assisi, Italy, taken as a souvenir in 1997 by a pair of Brazilian tourists, was returned in early March, The couple from Curitiba, Brazil, who had made a memento of the roughly 3 square inches of

the National Conference of Vicars for

Religious that he foresees "an explo-

—

in the next 50 forms of religious life will not remain what they are today. But he said people would be living "publicly vowed lives in community," and suggested they might return to something closer to the way religious life was expressed when it first began.

Speakers say Edith Stein

sion of religious

He

years."

life

said the

ceiling fresco, asked authorities not to

reveal their identities because "they

challenges Catholics and Jews The WASHINGTON (CNS)

—

sainthood of Edith Stein challenges Catholics and Jews to understand one another better, said speakers at a seminar March 14 honoring the recently proclaimed saint. A long history of Catholic, mistreatment of Jews gives Jews cause to be suspicious about the church's motives in naming a Jewish woman a saint, said

Eugene

Fisher, secretary for Catholic-

Jewish relations of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. St. Edith

mixed

,

honors

feelings about the church

accorded her aunt.

Mexico treatment of rights observers continues to draw critics AlMEXICO CITY (CNS) though the Mexican government said it will ease restrictions on interna-

—

human rights observers, its treatment of those observers continues to generate criticism. Several international ecumenical and human rights groups sent a letter to Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo criticizing the government's treatments of human rights observers. The letter, dated Feb. 23 and published March 7 in the tional

Mexican newsmagazine Proceso, was signed by a number of organizations.

Fernando Solis Camara, the

Vatican official seeks 'clarification' of U^S. policy

CNS

violence between religious factions,

More than 200 people have began fighting

died in

bums March

Ambon

13 in

Ambon,

Indonesia.

since Christians and

Muslims

in January.

lowed representatives of human rights groups to visit for only 10-day periods.

Florida Haitian community grieves following sea tragedy WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CNS) Haitian-Americans in Palm Beach County were in shock following what has been labeled the most deadly immigrant smuggling operation in Florida.

Scalabrinian Father Roland Desormeaux, administrator of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission in Delray Beach, said his congregation was in "tears and disbelief at a Mass after two boats full of Haitians allegedly bound for Florida sank somewhere between the Bahamas and West Palm Beach.

Mikhail Gorbachev urges U.S.-

—

Russia partnership LISLE, 111. (CNS) Mikhail

—

Gorbachev, former president of the Soviet Union, called for a stronger relationship between the United States and Russia, during a March 4 talk at

@atholic W S

& H

March Volume 8

A

K R

19,

1.

D

Number 28

•

Most Reverend William G. Joann S. Keane -

Associate Editor:

,

1999

Publisher:

Curlin

Jimmy Rostar

Production Associate: Julie Radcliffe

March 23

Secretary: Jane Glodowski St.,

PO. Box 37267,

Charlotte,

Charlotte,

NC 28203 NC 28237

Phone: (704) 370-3333 FAX: (704) 370-3382 E-mail catholicnews § charlottediocese.org The Catholic News & Herald. USPC 007-393, is published by Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1 1 23 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203, 44 times a year, weekly except for Christmas week and Easter week and every two weeks during June, July and August for $1 5 per year for enrollees in parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of the

Charlotte and $ 1 8 per year for

all

other

Second-class postage

paid at Charlotte

POSTMASTER:

NC

and other

cities.

Send address The Catholic News & Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237. The Catholic News & Herald \s not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. corrections to Herald, P.O.

Minor

Basilica

— 7:00 pm

Penance Service St. John Neumann, Charlotte March 24 Meeting with Catholic legislators in

:

subscribers.

—

tians, as a

Advertising Representative: Cindi Feerick

1123 South Church

Bishop William G. Curlin will take part in thefollowing events: 10:00 am March 22

Proclamation of the Belmont Abbey church, Mary Help of Chris-

Hispanic Editor: Luis Wolf

Mail:

PHOTO FROM Reuters

A military official stands by as a Christian home, set ablaze in continuing

Episcopal, calendar

Editor:

WASHINGTON

Ambon home burns

Benedictine University in Lisle. "The fate of the world depends on the rela-

E

ceremony marking

the return of the fragment.

subsecretary for migration issues in the Interior Secretariat, said in February that the government would ease restrictions so that foreign human rights observers could do their work.

Regulations enforced since 1998 al-

N

were embarrassed," Franciscan Father Nicola Giandomenico said. He spoke shortly after a brief

Susanne BatzdorfF, said

Stein's niece,

Jews, including the Stein family, have

1999

tied down by interest groups, principally the financiers and bankers," as

'Explosion of religious life' predicted in next 50 years Father YORK (CNS) Michael J. Himes, a professor at Boston College, told the annual meeting of

NEW

19,

two nations," he told 3,000 people attending the Catholic university's Great Ideas Lecture Series. "I would like our two countries to be partners today and in the future," he said. "America and Russia can be serious and responsible partners. ... A strong democratic Russia is exactly the partner that the U.S. needs."

Jesuit says little change expected tionship of these

under new Salvadoran president

—

Little SAN SALVADOR (CNS) change can be expected from the new

—

7:00 pm Confirmation, Our Lady of Annunciation, Albermarle March 26 10:00 am

—

MACS Mothers In Touch Holy Trinity Middle School

March 27 Diocesan Youth Ministry Spring Fling St. Thomas Aquinas, Charlotte

official

on

Iraq

— A top

visiting the United

March

8 that he was seeking "clarification" from the Clinton administration of its military retaliation policy in Iraq. Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, Vatican secretary for relations with states, told Catholic News Service that he was scheduled to meet March 10

States said

with U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and other administration officials. "One of the points on my agenda will be to ask the American leaders what are the juridical motivations for such actions, because it is very difficult for a non-American to understand the dynamic of this operation," he said.

Revamped Odyssey cable channel to be launched Easter Sunday

WASHINGTON

(CNS)

— Odys-

Maria

channel which has struggled to win audience attention, will debut its new lineup Easter Sunday, April 4. Many of the new programs will come courtesy of the Jim Henson Co. and Hallmark Productions, which jointly hold a majority stake in the channel. The amount of hours allotted to religious programs will shrink to a minimum of 40 per

Tojeira, university rector, told Catholic

week, according to an agreement

News

reached with the Tele-Communications Inc. and the National Interfaith Cable Coalition.

president of El Salvador, said the rector

of Jesuit-run Central American University. "My impression is that there will be some superficial policy changes, such

more resources for farmers, and the appearance of more openings for dialogue.

But these will be cosmetic as

...

modifications, (and)

don't

I

know how

(they) will last," Father Jose

Service. Francisco Flores, elected

March

percent of the vote in a record-low turnout, "will continue to be 7 with 5

1

the theme of an adult education presentation today from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in

planner Upcoming

CHARLOTTE

—

Singers are invited

to participate in the

Choir.

Chrism Mass

The chrism Mass

March 30

sey, the religious cable

is

Diocesan

is

celebrated

at 11 a.m. in St. Patrick

Ca-

thedral by Bishop William G. Curlin

the activity center of

Our Lady of

Grace Church, 2205 W. Market St. Jim McCullough, the parish's director of religious education, facilitates. For details, call

(336) 274-0415.

24 CHARLOTTE

—

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

and priests serving the diocese. Choir rehearsals are March 21 and March 28 from 4-5 p.m. at the cathedral. If interested, call Dr. Larry Stratemeyer at

Shortall at (704) 529-5080.

(704) 334-2283, ext. 22.

GREENSBORO

Raleigh

March 25

Vatican

(CNS)

March 2 1 ASHEVILLE

—A

free

organ and

handbell concert is today at 3 p.m. in the Basilica of St. Lawrence, 97 Haywood St. Jack Davis, organist, and the St. Andrew's Lutheran Church Handbell Choir will perform. The public is

invited.

23 GREENSBORO

— "Reading

the

Bible with the Fathers of the Church"

—

An ecumenical Lenten worship service is today at 12:15 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 438 W. Friendly Ave. A light lunch

is

available for $4.

GREENSBORO

— The Greensboro

Council of Catholic Women concludes its Lenten mini-retreat today at St. Mary Church, 812 Duke St., with Mass and a -covered dish luncheon. All are

welcome. For details, call Lillian Leonard at (336) 299-0736.

March

1999

19,

The Catholic News & Herald 3

the News

In

Reputed Conyers visionary separates from foiiowers' group By

GRETCHEN KEISER

Conyers with the Great Crusade of Love and Mercy, a Bolivian movement tied to Rivas' reported visions and

News Service ATLANTA (CNS) Reputed visionary Nancy Fowler has publicly dissociated herself from Our Loving Mother's Children, the nonprofit group that owns the 90-acre pilgrimCatholic

—

messages.

The Conyers Web site includes a report that Rivas received the stigmata, the five wounds of Christ, during a pilgrimage to Conyers, and it

home and pubon the messages Fowler claims to have received from Mary and Jesus.

After meeting with Archbishop John F. Donoghue of Atlanta, Fowler, age

site

next to her

provides links to other Web sites devoted to Rivas' writings and mystical experiences.

Fowler said she met with the Hugheses in February but they did not resolve their differences. She then asked to meet with Archbishop Donoghue and, after discussing the matter with him, announced her dissociation from the group.

"If they want to change the appari-

lishes material based

who

is Catholic, issued a statement separating herself from Our Loving Mother's Children and its future ac-

tivities.

In an interview with

The Georgia

Bulletin, Atlanta archdiocesan

news-

and promote something

paper, she spelled out the reasons for

tion site

her actions, stemming from disagree-

can only dissociate myself from that because 1 can only be held accountable or responsible for what 1 have receix'ed," she said.

Fowler's home, site of all her visionary experiences, also has a well pilgrims believe has blessed water and a prayer site known as the Holy Hill.

As more and more pilgrims began coming to Fowler's home each month, in 1991 the Hugheses bought the Farm a 90-acre farm property that

then

ments with Robert and Bernice Hughes of Fairfax, Va., top officers of Our Loving Mother's Children and CNS

close associates of Fowler since 1991.

Fowler, a housewife and mother of two, claims to have received Marian apparitions and messages from

Mary

and Jesus from 1990 to 1998 at her home in Conyers, a few miles southeast of Atlanta. She says Mary appeared to her monthly from Oct. 13, 1990, to May 13, 1994, and then each year on Oct. 13.

Last October an estimated 100,000 people gathered at the Conyers pilgrimage site, known as "the Farm," to hear what Fowler said was the last public Marian message and vision she would receive.

Archdiocesan authorities have neither endorsed nor repudiated her claims.

Fowler

said.

After that, a recitation of the rosary on the 13th of each month at the Farm was being transmitted live by

by Our Loving Mother's ChilHowever, Fowler said she has

satellite

dren.

not attended the rosary, praying pri-

MONROE

— A weekly

series called

"History of the Church" continues today and each Wednesday from 7-8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, located on the corner of Franklin and

Deese

streets.

Dean

Hoffinan, parishio-

ner and former professor at Wingate University, facilitates the series, which in-

cludes Scripture, a film, and informal discussion. Call (704)

26 BELMONT

289-2773 for

—

details.

Belmont Abbey

College hosts an "Abbey Experience" today for prospective students. Included are opportunities to meet students and professors, tour the campus, attend classes, have lunch with the cam-

pus community, and attend a financial aid seminar. For reservations and other information, call (888) 222-6665.

CHARLOTTE Living stations of the cross are presented with narrative, reflection and music today at 7:30 p.m.

—

Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Parkway. For

at

St.

details, call (704)

CHARLOTTE

543-7677.

—

"Spirituality in

out

Fowler cited three concerns with the "new direction" taken by Our Lov-

sive action to get people to come," she

ing Mother's Children that she said diverged from their past patterns and approaches and with which she disagreed.

One was

a request for specific

and

potentially large financial donations in

November/December newsletter distributed to supporters. The news-

the

reproduced on the group's Web suggested a range of donations from $25 to $10,000 to help underwrite the cost of monthly satellite transmissions of the rosary from the letter,

Farm. has been common knowledge that we need donations to help support the publishing of the books, but there "It

in the newsletter,

added. "I've always maintained that the

Holy

Spirit will inspire people's

Lady

will

human

en-

hearts and our Lord and

bring them.

It

is

not a

deavor."

With the new direction, she said, her name and experiences were being used in a way she opposed.

Fowler said her second concern was that a book of compiled messages from Conyers, titled "Be Children of God," was being published without her final approval and included, against her wishes, references to the visions and messages of a reported Bolivian stigmatic, Catalina "Catia" Rivas.

Her third objection, she said, con-

—

—

for sale nearby to accommodate the growing crowds. They formed Our Loving Mother's Children as a nonprofit organization to maintain the Farm and coordinate other activities promoting the spiritual messages from Conyers.

Fowler said that she would no longer go to the Farm as a way to separate the events for which she feels spiritually accountable from any new

was up

activities she

does not endorse.

have no objections to people publishing other people's messages per "1

That is their right to do," she said. do object to the use (of) the apparition site for something other than what it is intended for."

se.

"I

was no pressure, just whatever they the donation request went

cerned attempts by Our Loving Mother's Children to link the events

is the theme of Bishop William G. Curlin's talk to parents of Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools students today from 9:30-1 1:30 a.m. in

0336, or Denise Vish, (828) 645-6990.

Culvern

CHARLOTTE

Zboyovski, (828) 252-7896.

the chapel of Holy Trinity Catholic

Commons Parkway,

Middle School, 3100 Park Rd. GREENSBORO The Family Life and Liturgy commissions of St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Rd., hosts a family Lenten meal today at 6:30 p.m., followed by stations of the cross or a prayer service..

ences, prayer and plans for apostolic

Children's activities are also available.

Witherspoon Lecture

For

ies at

Catholic Schools"

—

— An

munity meets today

at

1

For

Bohlen

at (704)

to share experi-

details, call

Don

or Cheryl

542-1741.

29 CHARLOTTE

—

Professor

Francis E. Peters of New York University discusses "Jerusalem: The Contested Inheritance," the 15th

Annual Loy H.

in Religious

Stud-

the University of North Carolina-

1 1

Mass

28 ASHEVILLE

An

— The

Catholic

Asso

Family Educators, a home-

school support group, hosts a at 7 p.m.

For

informal reception follows.

30 ASHEVILLE

— Living

the cross are presented by grades 6-8

and

of Asheville Catholic School today at 7:30 p.m. at St. Eugene Church, 72

other details, call Sheryl Oligny, (828) 298-

Jan

is

—A

faniQy ice-

at the

CHARLOTTE — A charismatic is

celebrated today at St.

Patrick Cathedral, 1621 Dil worth Rd. East at 4 p.m. Prayer teams are available at 3 p.m., and a potluck dinner follows Mass in the school cafeteria. For more information, call Josie at (704) 527-4676.

stations of

"Mom's

location

13

IceHouse today fi-om 4:30-6:30 p.m. Cost is $5, which includes skates, a lesson, an ice hockey exhibition and an ice-dancing exhibition. Proceeds benefit the twin parish program of Our Lady of Grace Church, which sponsors a Catholic parish in Kharkov, Ukraine. Funds will help purchase a radio station there.

Lucas Room of the Cone Center on campus. Peters will discuss religious attitudes toward and claims upon the city of Jerusalem by the traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The lecture is free and open to the public.

ciation of

page

details, call

10 GREENSBORO skating party

Charlotte, today at 7:30 p.m. in the

—

For

April

294-4696.

HICKORY Stations of the cross are hosted today at St. Aloysius Church, 921 Second St. NE, at 5:15 p.m. for families and children, and again at 7 p.m. followed by Benediction. A Lenten meal is hosted at 6 p.m. For details, call (828) 327-2341. details, call (910)

St.

conyers,

p.m. at St.

Matthew Church, 8015 Ballantyne

action.

See

in

Ultreya com-

else,

1

felt" until

Evening" today

our

Fowler said.

"There seems to be a more aggres-

vately instead.

site,

Her disagreements with the Hugheses surfaced only recently.

PHOTO FROM Reuters

Nancy Fowler speaks to thousands of pilgrims gathered on her Conyers, Ga., farm in October of last year. Fowler, who says she has received Marian apparitions, recently disassociated herself from the nonprofit group promoting the messages Fowler claims to have from Mary and Jesus.

think

1

Please submit notices of events for the Diocesan Planner at least 10 days prior to publication date.

4

The Catholic News & Herald

f ditoriaU

Growth plan

Speaks

POPE JOHN PAUL i#t

i

'God

'gi—

•

is love'

II

^

•

helps explain God's

nature, says pope

By JOHN THAVIS Catholic

News Service (CNS) - Pope John Paul

VATICAN CITY II

said Christians can better

understand the na-

ture of God the Father and his relationship with

human

beings by remembering the simple

affir-

"God is love."

That was how St. John the Apostle de-

mation:

scribed God, and

remains a valid key to grasping the mystery about divine nature, the pope said at a general audience March 10.

"In his very being, God is love. The loving Father generates the beloved Son. The Holy Spirit, who is personal love, proceeds from both, and is the bond of communion between them," he said. that

in the

saving sacrifice of Christ's death on the

"The is

it

The idea that God is love is seen in the fact God gave completely of himself, especially

cross, the

pope

said.

infinite love

of the Father for the world

revealed in the sacrifice of Christ.

The

capacity

to love infinitely, giving oneself without reserva-

'

and

Strategic

do so for the foreseeable future. In just eight short years the Diocese has almost doubled, growing from 27,000 households in 1990 to almost 50,000 in 1999. As this western area of the state continues to grow we will need to minister to over 1 30,000 families within the next 20 years; these figures only include the registered households. Add to this the unregistered households and the large number of immigrants to our state, and the number of Catholics will be almost

Planning

FATHER MAURICIO W. WEST Vicar General

For the Diocese to properly prepare for the needs of the next millennium. Bishop Curlin requested that a group of individuals work with him in the establishment of a 20-year plan.

Each subject area has been assigned to a particular task force made up of persons with expertise that is needed for the plan's successful completion. They have been

In just

& Chancellor

Schools, Formational Ministries, Multi-cultural,

and Financial/Development.

Starting next week there

work of each individual committee, the issues they are dealing with, and how you can help them do their work. In addition, if

eight short years

doubled, growing from

27,000 households

from across the diowas taken that all regions were represented.

In addition, the committees' membership is reflecselected

1990 in

in

50,000

to almost

1999. As

this

western

area of the state continues

our increasing diversity as a people. Over 225 persons from your own parishes are involved in the largest planning effort since the Synod over 10 years ago.

The formal plan should be completed spring of next tive of

grow we

to

need to

will

minister to over

will be a

series of articles reflecting the

the Diocese has almost

cese and care

130,000

you have access to the internet, please visit the planning Web site at w ww.charlottediocese. or g\ planning for more information and a complete listing of the committee chairs, vicechairs, and staff.

I ask that you read these articles carefully and respond by writing to -me or Mr. George Cobb, the Director Planning, c/ o the Charlotte Pastoral Center,

1123 S. Church Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28203. You can also e-mail Mr. Cobb at planning@charlottediocese.org. next 20 years.

I ask each of you to pray to the Holy Spirit that guidance may be given to those people working on the year. committees who have donated so generously of There are eleven principle subject areas that their time and talents so that the final plan will be are being addressed in this process: Worship and in conformance with the will of Almighty God. Liturgy, Facilities, Human Concerns, Social Confamilies within the

cerns, Clergy and Religious, Laity,

Ecumenism,

limits, is a quality

eternity that kept her levitating. trary, that she

logical imbalance, with particularly

harmful and

disastrous consequences in different countries

and the globe

as a whole."

Pope appeals for end to Muslim violence

VATICAN

Christian-

Indonesia CITY (CNS) Pope John Paul in

—

appealed for an end to Christian-Muslim viosome 200 people dead since January. Speaking at a Sunday blessing at the Vatican March 14, the pope said he II

lence in Indonesia that has left

was

particularly concerned that "cruel clashes" had erupted in an area that until now has experienced interreligious harmony. "To all, espe-

who incite the disorders, I address a pressing appeal to abandon violence, which causes innumerable sufferings, and to rediscover the paths of peace," the pope said. cially those

first Christian,

on the con-

difficult

burden.

the first follower,

the first to be confused by the unfolding of her son's the first to have to fall down on her face and acknowledge the mystery of what was happening.

I think Mary had the hardest, thorniest journey of all in following her son, who was indeed a contradiction to the world,

Holy

The Easter

Week and Mary

image haunting

a cross,

is

me

this

life

pour out of her son.

How she must have agonized over her helplessness to save him.

She was the woman who had watched him take making sure he didn't fall, who had no doubt later worried that he'd hurt himself with the sharp tools in the carpentry shop. She was his mother and she couldn't save him.

The image of Mary holding her dead son always touched me deeply. But it wasn't until I, too, had to his first steps,

—

hug

lifeless

sons that

I

really could identify with

Mary and

share her pain.

I think we tend to do Mary a disservice. acknowledge the Pieta and her sorrow at having to receive the bloodied, mangled body of her son as it was taken down from the cross. But I don't think our

We

image of her

is real.

young woman,

Many prefer

to see the beautiful

by Michelangelo, sadly holding the white marble body of her son. Not me.

I hear a mother screaming in pain.

I remember sermons about how Mary knew she was the Mother of God and that while she was in pain to see Jesus die on the cross, she knew he was to save the world. I don't buy that.

I don't think Mary was given a noonday vision of as envisioned

the

way to his

horrible death.

this so clearly in a

The church

year just before

that of Mary standing at the foot of

having to watch the

all

most unusual way after my son Peter died. I had gone to England to do religious studies at Oxford, in hopes of finding some answers to my pain and confusion. One day I felt I had to skip class and go to a church because I would find something to help me. I did.

saw

I

—

sustainable development and environmental education. Speaking to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences March 12, the pope said "human behavior sometimes is the cause of serious eco-

think,

life,

of environment VATICAN CITY (CNS) Pope John Paul appealed for greater worldwide awareness of

the environment, along with increased efforts at

I

was given the most

She was to be the

Pope appeals for greater awareness

II

1999

will continue to

of God," he said.

The pope, continuing his series of talks about God the Father, said the great love shown by the Father helps Christians understand the nature of the Trinity. The Son and Holy Spirit are equal to the Father not on a level of autonomy, "as if there were three gods," but on the basis of receiving divine life from the Father, he said.

"The one God is three divine persons, distinguished from one another only in the diversity of their relations," he said.

The Trinity, however, constitutes a great and inexpressible mystery, he said. In the face of this mystery, "the word must give way to the silence of amazement and adoration," he said. tions

19,

a million souls.

— —————

-

the Diocese of Charlotte is experiencing tremendous

Diocese The growtli and

The Pope

i-

in

March

& Columns

side.

Above

I

found had a Lady's Chapel to the

the altar of that chapel, filling the wall,

was a three-dimensional sculpture, a pieta, in color. I was mesmerized by this agonized mother, who seemed to be holding not only her son, but every hurting person in the world. This was a Mary I could relate to.

I cried with her. But I received a gift; suddenly I could "see" that Peter was with Jesus!

Just this week I found a book that I deeply related to because of my extraordinary experience of Mary's love. The title speaks the truth, as Mary Sorrow" (Crosswould say it, "Your Sorrow Is

My

road).

Written by the insightful Servite Rupp, each section relates the "seven Mary to our own sufferings. Incredibly the thoughts and words Rupp hears

Sister Joyce

sorrows" of touching are our Mother

speaking as she confronts the excruciating pain that is her destiny.

Rupp has gotten to know Mary, as I have, discovering that she has never left us to endure our confusions and sufferings alone. She's been there in the first, and waits to reach out to us. Mary is the other, enduring searing reality of the Pieta

—

-

gift

of Holy Week.

—

March

1999

19,

Light

Let's get the "don't's" out of the way first: Don't yell or put the other person down. Don't practice oneupmanship or make the other person feel foolish. get physical. Period.

Don't Do stay cool, objective and flexible. See the con-

One

mutual problem to be solved. Find areas of agreement, no matter how small they are to start. Get information if you need it. List some alternative solutions. Talk things over and listen carefully, so that no one is misunderstood. Avoid a contest of wills.

Obviously, good communication is necessary in any negotiation, which is, after all, essentially what we're talking about. But more than that, before you can settle any differences, you have to recognize some basic needs we all share. You have a right to your feelings. So does the other person. You have a right to have your say. So does the other person. You have a right to be treated with respect. So does the other person.

If you are now saying to yourself, "Oh, is that all?

Even if I'm willing to do all that, my brother-in-law or whoever sure isn't. Forget about it!"

We have to face the fact that some problems may not be solved quickly, easily, or possibly at all. While a compromise fair to all concerned is your goal, the fact is, you may have to settle for coexisting and carrying on the best you can, at least temporarily.

Sometimes, there is another choice, at least when you are dealing with someone you love. You can capituflict

FATHER THOMAS

J.

McSWEENEY Guest Columnist

A short course in conflict Nations do Families do

resolution Neighbors do it.

I wouldn't be surprised if birds and bees have conflicts. do it. They and we Does this piece of land belong to one country or another? Will the new shelter for homeless people be built across the street from you or across town?

Should the family vacation be at Dad's favorite mountain lake, that exotic beach resort Mom keeps it.

it.

—

—

talking about, or the super-duper

amusement park

complex the kids are begging to visit?

Some issues are life and death. Some are everyday frictions that irritate more often than they explode. In between you have the countless conflicts that can result when your needs, wants and values clash with someone else's. Yet not everything about having a difference of opinion is bad. It can force you to reexamine your own position and introduce you to ideas you may not have considered. Unfortunately, the all-too-usual results are rifts in relationships, an escalation of bad feelings, even violence.

So is there any way you and "the other guy" can win? Yes, if you are willing to work together for a real solution. And if you realize that winning doesn't necessarily mean getting your own way.

Here are a few strategies to keep in mind the next time you find yourself in the middle of a dispute.

to receive

It is

The Raising of Lazarus

The

Lenten readings, especially the bap-

tismal readings from John's Gospel, help to

prepare us for the celebration of Easter by encouraging us to meditate on the importance of faith in our

and the importance of practicing that

lives

participating in the sacramental

In the story of the

life

faith

by

of the church.

woman from

Samaria,

we

see the importance of conversion of heart and soul to Jesus. In the healing of the blind

man, the

waters of Siloam remind us of our baptism and the importance of allowing the light of Christ to transform all that we do. Finally, the raising of Lazarus

these words to the sinner: "Lazarus,

don't

mean

giving in out of frustration. I mean thinking things through. Then, if you decide you can be true to your

go along with your loved one, if you can choose freely to be a giver, not a mart}^ or a doormat. And only if your relationship is built on reciprocal respect and generosity, not domination and submission.

Conflict is part of life. But then again, so are consideration and compassion. values, yourself and

maybe

that

is

still

the resolution. But only

Father Thomas

J.

McSweeney

is

director

of The

Christophers.

Question

^^W^

I

Corner

m

i

Communion?

not impossible for some Catholic funeral even in church, to be held for someone who is not Catholic. Several important things need to be considered, however. must first respect the wishes of the person who has died. The church is, and all of us should be, reluctant to impose anything on someone after death that he declined during life.

Occasionally it happens that other factors are involved, and the priest, at the request of the family, would have a Catholic service, even in the church. Rarely would that include Mass, but there could be Scripture readings, prayers and other elements of our ceremonies for the dead.

St. Augustine noted centuries ago that our Chris-

A.

Guest Columnist

must

in. I

beliefs.

for him

T.

PUTNAM

Communion? If he does not feel a personal motivation to become a member of our faith, part of the reason

give the gift of giving

ould he be eligible to have a Catholicfuneral service in is it permissible

FATHER JOHN

reminds us that Jesus is our life, the LIFE. Just as Lazarus was called from physical death to life, each of us is called to be set free from our sins and receive the life that Jesus offers in the sacrament of Penance and the rite of reconciliation.

Why should we place our trust in Jesus? Jesus provides us with the answer. "I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die" (Jn. 1 1:25). The miracle that the Lord works regarding Lazarus is a reminder to each of us that Christ has the power to give life to people both the living and the dead.

Lent is about accepting the abundant life that Christ offers and truly living that life in ongoing conversion and holiness. Jesus cried at the death of his friend Lazarus (v. 35). He also weeps for all who fail to accept the grace and life that he offers. Just as Jesus wept at the physical death of a friend, he also weeps over the spiritual death of a sinner.

Just as Jesus called Lazarus to come out of the tomb (v. 43), so Jesus calls each of us to come forth during this Lenten spring. He calls us to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.

Because of this, the image of Lazarus being called forth from the tomb has long been recognized as a symbol of the sacrament of Penance. In the Roman catacombs there are approximately 150 representations of this Gospel passage, symbolizing thereby the gift of the life of grace which comes through the priest, who in effect repeats

You can

late.

Catholic burial for a non-Catholic My husband of52 years was raised a Baptist. He is a wonderful husband and helped raise our children Catholic.

He goes to Mass with me often, but is adamant about not becoming Catholic; he cannot "see" confession and

church? Also,

Reflection

as a

Q.

W

Lenten

— DO NOT —

Candle

some other

The Catholic News & Herald 5

Editorials & Columns

FATHER JOHN DIETZEN

CNS

service,

Columnist

We

inevitably be that he does not share our beliefs about the significance and importance of this sacrament. Perhaps it's something else to review with him.

—

An

elderly priest once told

me

come that

out."

life

had

taught him two important lessons, "there is a God, and I'm not Him." Most of us can bear witness to the truth of that statement, and it has certainly

tian funeral liturgies are

Infections from the Communion cup Q. Tour response a few weeks ago, pointing out that AIDS and Hepatitis C cannot be contractedfrom the Com-

reality of sin. It impacts

dead. So the spiritual

munion

another, our relationship with the church and,

more for the living than for the and emotional good of those who

grieve the death also need to be carefully weighed.

Talk it over with your husband, and then discuss your wishes with your parish priest. He will advise you what avenues are open for you.

Your remark that he "adamantly" opposes joining the Catholic faith makes me wonder if you may be pushing him a little too hard. Be patient. Whatever happens, you and your children will always be able to pray for him, even have Masses said for him if you wish, if he dies before you do.

Finally, you must be aware that normally people not of our faith should not receive Communion at Mass. The times when they may do so are explained well in the Catholic Church's regulations on sharing worship and the sacraments, and have been the subject of this column several times (see the Vatican Norms on Ecumenism, 1993; Nos. 129-132).

Again, is your husband even interested in sharing

cup, covered the issues in the question quite well.

However,

these are not the only

pathogens that are of

been true

Jesus,

people to have the impression that no medical concerns are

sin in

of infctions can be transmitted

drinking from a contaminated cup. related to

drinkingfrom a common

It

would

be

cup.

A. As you note, the question and response dealt

AIDS and Hepatitis C. Some headlines placed over the column, however, implied that there is never a health risk from the Communion cup.

Obviously, that is not true, and it is reason to be cautious and considerate. In my experience, people are generally very careful not to drink from the cup if they are suffering from respiratory illness or other solely with

conditions that might be transmitted to other people.

In other words, we need to use sense and be thoughtful of others as well as of ourselves. But, to my knowledge at least, no illness, has been traced to the Communion cup.

my

life.

All of us are affected by the

our relationship with one

most importantly, our relationship with God. by his incarnation, knows all of the trials and

when wrong for

concern. Other kinds

in

we experience due to

the reality of His love provides us with the way to leave the darkness behind us and follow him in a new and profound way.

As Lent draws to a close, take advantage of the many opportunities provided to receive the mercy and love of the Lord in the sacrament of Penance. Just as Jesus ordered that Lazarus be unbound (v. 44), so when we hear the words of difficulties that

our

lives.

absolution spoken by the priest, we know that too will be liberated from the chains of sin.

we

Father John T. Putnam trator at

Holy Infant

is

parochial adminis-

in Reidsville.

6

The Catholic News & Herald

People

in

March

the News

19,

1999

Notre Dame history professor emeritus to receive Laetare Medal NOTRE DAME, J.

Ind.

(CNS)

—

Philip Gleason, professor emeritus

of history at the University of Notre Dame, has been named the 1999 winner of the university's Laetare Medal.

The honor was announced by Holy Cross Edward A. Malloy, president of Notre Dame, March 1.

The medal will be presented to 1

Gleason

May

16 during Notre

commencement

Dame

exercises.

"As the leading figure

in the history of American Catholic higher education, Phil Gleason set a rigorous standard of faith-inspired scholPhoto courtesy of Maureen McKenna

Day Parade

Charlotte About 50 members of Charlotte area Assemblies of the Knights of Columbus led off the St. Patrick's Day Parade in uptown Charlotte on St. Patrick's

Saturday,

March

13.

The

in

color guard stopped briefly in front of St. Peter

Catholic Church, while the pastor blessed the nine-man guard and their flags.

arship; as an interpreter of American

ethnicity and immigration, he

Europe and the U.S.

Sciioiar Ian Barbour

named winner of '99 Tempieton

Prize

30 years to study and writing about the relationship of science and religion, will receive the 1999 Tempieton Prize for Progress in Religion. The winner was announced at a New York press conference March 10 by the foundation that sponsors the prize. A layman of the United Church of Christ, Barbour, 75, is retired from teaching at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., which is connected to his denomination.

Cardinal says he may be in last year as N.Y. archbishop YORK (CNS) Cardinal John J. O'Connor of New York told priests of his archdiocese in a letter March 1 that he may be in his final year as archbishop.

The cardinal, who succeeded Cardinal Terence Cooke in 1984, referred to his possible retirement in a letter inviting the priests to join in celebrating the annual Chrisin Mass March 30. "1 don't want to sentimentalize this, but it is obvious that this may well be my final Chrism Mass as archbishop of New York," he said. "Your participation with as many of your parishioners as possible would therefore be especially welcomed."

—

NEW

for his insights

into the assimilation of diverse peoples into a truly national community,"

NEW YORK (CNS) — Ian G. Barbour, a scholar who has devoted more than

Father Malloy

said.

"Phil's tenacious fidelity to the

church and to Catholic intellectual life recalls many scholars and teachers of his generation at Notre Dame, and we celebrate them also in awarding him this richly deserved honor," he added.

A member of Notre Dame's faculty since 1959, Gleason recei\'ed a master's degree in history from the university in 1955 and his doctorate in 1960.

Gleason chaired Notre Dame's history department from 1971-74.

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Gleason has received numerous awards from Notre Dame for his teaching and scholarship. He also has received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Loyola University in Chicago, the University of Dayton's Marianist Award, lic

tury,"

and the Theodore M. Hesburgh

Award from

the Association of

Catholic Colleges and Universities.

The Laetare Medal, named for its announcement each year just before Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent, is presented annually to a Catholic "wliose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the

church and enriched the

heritage of humanity."

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The Catholic News & Herald 7

from the Cover

Vatican sees hope

in

ports of Christian-Muslim tensions in

Dialogue breakthrough?

pope-Iranian meeting

Catholic

News

The hope is that Khatami's message of tolerance will catch on. Iran is considered a leading country in the Muslim world, and Khatami currently chairs the 55-nation Islamic Conference. For those reasons, his influence could help open a whole new chapter in Christian-Muslim dialogue. Archbishop Panciroli said.

What a contrast with the situation in 1979, when the Muslim theocracy of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini took hold in Iran. Soon afterward, dozens of missionaries were expelled or began leaving because church institutions

Service

—

in the church's efforts to

Muslims around

Iranian President

to 13,000 Catholics, a

Khatami walks between two Swiss Guards as he enters the Vatican to meet Pope John Paul II

build bridges with

Mohammad

the world.

Iran

is

home

small but historic presence in the fundamentalist Muslim state. But the

Vatican hopes the March 1 1 meeting to sends signals far beyond Iran countries across Africa, the Middle East and Asia, where Muslim extremism has made life difficult or danger-

—

March

visit

were nationalized.

encounter between the pontiff and a postlevel

called the encounter

"important and promising," and gave Khatami a remarkably warm welcome.

The Iranian leader said he left the papal audience "full of hope" about the future of interreligious cooperation.

The Vatican has conducted dialogue with a variety of Muslim organizations for three decades, but the exchange has been limited to specialists, rarely touching the world of Islamic fundamentalism.

Now, the Vatican believes, Iran's tentative opening to the West presents a window of opportunity for religious tolerance. Khatami, 56, an early

At

were rebuffed.

Khomeini bitterly criticized the pope as a pro-American prelate who, in his view, failed to confront the world's op-

pressors.

The

CNS of civilizations" to ease long-standing

"This

is

a

good and

intelligent

Church leaders particularly

cient civilizations

world," the archbishop said.

The

Like Pope John Paul, Khatami has studied theology and philosophy extensively. Like the pope, he believes religious and moral principles should guide public policy. But he has shed the extremist religious views of Iran's

has said Christian-

speaks often about the rights of others, about international harmony, about the defense of the family and against violence," said Archbishop Romeo Panciroli, the apostolic nuncio in Iran.

Archbishop Panciroli had praise for Khatami's proposal of a "dialogue

and the Christian

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Small but significant changes were

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Khatami has studied

at the Islamic univer-

theology and philosophy

Iranian president

extensively. Like the

Muslim

differences should be put aside, and he has been open

pope

he believes religious and

to cooperation on moral issues.

"All the divine religions are not

moral principles should

sity at

Qom,

the Ira-

nian holy city. The first Iranian seminarian recently arrived in Rome to study.

And

coming

in

months, an Iranian

guide public

policy.

Muslim

scholar

visit Italy

quintessentially dif-

Susan G. King

•

a trib-

softening of the fundamentalist line was perceived, and the Vatican gently nurtured it, increasing its contacts with the government.

like

the fact that Khatami has expressed

He

line, is

PHOTO FROM Reuters

former ayatoUahs.

cultural and religious antagonisms.

young people and

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macy. Despite the setbacks in religious freedom and restrictions on Catholic activities, the Vatican never broke relations with Iran. A few years ago, a

seen as the right man at the right time.

"I have an excellent impression of him. He is educated and very balanced.

•

current turnaround

ute to the patience of Vatican diplo-

proposal, without precedent on the part of a Muslim world leader. It surprised a lot of people. It contains the idea of a rapprochement between an-

has lately espoused a moderate

that time, even the Vatican's

efforts at civil dialogue

revolutionary leader from the Islamic state.

who

leader in the Iranian revolution

His

11.

was the highest-

ous for Christians.

The pope

Muslim coun-

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When (CNS) Pope John Paul II and Iranian President Mohammad Khatami shook hands at the Vatican, it marked a breakthrough

Khatami said at a lecture in Florence the day before the papal ferent,"

meeting.

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The Catholic News & Herald

8

By

March

faith Alive!

CAROL WHITEHEAD

Catholic 'hat

is

News

Indifference functions in

Service

love's opposite? Indifference.

Hate has passion,

does love.

Therefore, hate might be viewed as distorted love. Indifference, on the other hand, is as

What love

the absence of passion.

— Consider the man who,

for example, turns

asking

why

he didn't come

home

last night

and

whom

he

— Look

feels a

need to be accountable.

teen-ager who has built up such an impenetrable wall against her parents' admonitions that she can listen to shouts, calm reasoning, threats of penalties, yet resolve to persist in problematic and risky behavior.

Does she want punishment? Not really. But in the face of her own desires, her own gratification at the present moment, any consequences she might incur fade into the background for her. The toll her choices take on others becomes their problem, not

— or

hers

at the

Reflect for a

I

goal in both cases

—

— manipulating is

— per—

the activities

—

paramount

contend that indifference

Love, however, earth.

treating others as objects

moment on

is

role in a

human

born out of fear

—

the fear of being alone and the fear to trust ourselves and others.

Love

is

God on

the manifestation of

invites growth.

As we journey toward

we have a great responsiunderstand indifference. For we may not be as immune to indifference as we'd like to believe. an understanding of love,

True, this teen-ager is a determined person, but she is also indifferent. Hence the classic response we hear a lot today: "Whatever."

Once people develop a fairly fixed attitude of indifference, they are likely to become manipulative in their dealings with others and to treat them as

The

for others to treat us with indifference.

exploitation to assume a relationship.

so she feels.

objects.

different ways.

Sometimes we may even do things that make room

—

what happened to his paycheck.

Does he hate her? I don't think so. At the moment he finds her more an annoyance than someone to

1999

haps even including some quite good ones that you participate in as a matter of habit or because you are living out someone else's expectations.

When we act in this fashion, no one will speak badly about us. Everyone will give us words of encouragement and praise. But all the while we may harbor resentment, sensing that our best "side" our real talents and gifts aren't getting expressed or recognized. We may begin to feel that others are indifferent to our real selves.

There may be a need not only for us to recognize our real selves but at times to invite others to recognize who we really are as well.

Indifference possesses a certain hollowness.

The big problem is that indifference enables

not

is

up

the sound of the television, never averting his eyes from the screen, as his wife stands there weeping,

many

19,

bility to

How

do we overcome the indifference that inWe work to abandon the indifference and embrace love as its substitute. This is done by reflection, by creating a period in our day when we can ponder how we've interacted with people, always looking at whether we've listened to vades our relationships?

and

to get others to say

them, cared about them. Have too are real people?

or do what you want in order that your own desires are met. Recognizing that others are persons with real needs of their own is not part of this equation.

Sadly, indifference is not limited to only one

The remedy

we

recalled that they

for a life of indifference

is

to invite

our own growth by surrendering to the will of God and embracing our vulnerability. Humility is ush-, party in a relationship. The person to whom indifCNS PHOTO BY MiMi Forsyth ered in, increasing our ability to acbelieving ference is levied might cept care (and feedback) from the that he or she is a victim and utilizing "Workto abandon the indifference and embrace love as its substitute," advises people who encounter us, as well as to develop an inthis as justification recognize that caring about them is of difference of her (his) own in turn. psychotherapist Carol Whitehead. "This is done by reflection, by creating a

—

—

Take the wife whose husband just all the money. She moves from

the essence.

It is a process, and it always takes period in our day when we ponder how we've interacted with people, always all time and patience and humility meets of which are properties of love, t her good male friend, who has been looking at whether we've listened to them, cared about them." trying to convince her to leave her Whitehead, founder and CEO of the husband anyway. She shares an unJVJiitehead Institute ofMental Health Professionals, PC, hurried evening with him and comes home, feeling And that's a major problem with indifference: It in Glen Burnie, Md., is a psychotherapist. no remorse. or for oneself to doesn't make room for others No one grows in this kind of cycle. grow. It treats others as if they are "cast in stone."

blew

—

tears to rage, leaves the house,

—

a nutshell

In • If

it

is difficult

say what love

is

to say just what "love"

is,

can we

not? Selfishness, pride,

indifference, hatred: All

appear on

lists

Food for thought I

of love's

opposites.

sometimes wonder why

Paul also

said,

Can we

love

Paul

felt it is

necessary to write that "love

kind." Fair enough! Surely

is

we can

patient" (l Cor. 13:4). all

develop action plans for

improving our kindness quotient.

what we don't know? To love others,

we need to know them as they really are.

Seriously, to

become the

Some •

St.

of course, that "love

But patience!? Doesn't •

—

Indifference treats others as objects. To

indifference, people

interact with others.

must

reflect

remedy

on how they

grow

"stuff'

it

sometimes seem that people have to be born with

in love (the virtue

it?

of charity), some of us need to grow more patient. This could

of prayer.

impatient people want events in daily

clearly the correct ones to them.

Problems may

life

arise

to unfold efficiently

when

and along

these lines or this

lines that

seem

schedule seem neither

clear nor necessary to others.

Impatience can be a problem between spouses; parents and children;

in

workplaces and neighbor-

hoods. One person may feel imposed upon by .another person's concrete way of managing ordinary situations. One person may even feel that another's idea of how things should get done conflicts with his or her real needs.

What might Paul say? That impatience isn't kind enough or sufficiently selfless? That it finds it difficult to let God be God? As a Lenten exercise, why not try to compose a prayer for patience? Think: What does it take to be patient? What's the problem with impatience?

David Gibson Editor, Faith Alive!

March

19,

The Catholic News & Herald 9

1999

faith Alive!

Howto derail the

Faith in the marketplace. ..

What do you consider the opposite When we

"Fear....

trust in

God

completely,

of love? Why? we love like God. Fear

virtue of charity caii.ses

us to freeze, to be

—

Love makes whole; indifference keeps us

"Indifference....

— Karen

apart."

Pa.

Kreller, Abbottstown,

"Hate, (which) is to disregard others and their needs, to be blinded by your feelings of anger and resentment. Hate destroys faith."

Susie Sullivan, Metarie, La.

—

"Apathy, because love is engagement with others. Even hate is complete disinterest."

Father George Behan, Warwick, R.I.

a kind of

is

By sister

A

unable to do good."

Cathy Haugen, Cadosia, N. T.

engagement with

others,

THERESA SANDERS, RSCJ News

Catholic

Service

scene in the Gospel of John tells a lot about what love is and what its opposite might be.

The scene occurs shortly before Jesus' death when he is with his friends for a last meal.

While they watch in astonishment, Jesus takes offhis cloak, wraps a towel around his waist and begins to wash his disciples' feet. Then Jesus says, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

We learn

but apathy

—

First

we

a lot

from

this event.

learn that love involves self

giving. .Jesus literally places himself below the

"When one becomes indifferent to another person, they simply do not care if exists. What can be more devastating than to know that someone doesn't care if you

— Joan A. Kimminau, Grand

An upcoming

Island,

the other person exist?"

their needs.

Neb.

edition asks:

As a teen-ager, how would you

of fer your talents

like to contribute

to your parish?

If you would like to respond for possible publication, please write: Faith Alive! 3211 Fourth Washington, D. C. 2001 1 1 00.

—

bending before them and caring for He doesn't simply tell them what to do; he does it himself Moreover, in doing this he takes a risk.

When you wash another's feet, you may be disciples,

kicked in the teeth! Jesus was willing to take

N.E.,

St.

this risk

with his whole

might be

rejected, yet loving

aware that he and serving any-

life,

way. The decision cost him his life. Easter tells us, though, that the risk was worth taking.

Another thing to notice from the story is

Where

charity

By father W. Catholic

and

love don't

THOMAS FAUCHER News

But when we choose not to know or not to allow known by others, we thwart our

ourselves to be

Service

not most, can watch TV pictures of suffering children in Bosnia or Honduras, and casually flip to another channel, emotionally untouched by the scene. Many also can view pictures of an unknown local car crash and simply move on.

But that same lack of involvement melts away when we recognize the car as one we know or if those children in some foreign land are connected

Many

of

abound

own

us, if

goal.

life's

We

we make

often say

the choice

not to know someone else because that person has hurt us, or because we dislike the little we do know about the individual. But knowing someone and even loving someone has little to do with liking the individual.

There is a line from "Les Miserables" which "To love another person is to see the face of God." Loving another person means seeing that says,

to us personally.

This illustrates the old adage that says, "You cannot love what you do not know."

We can be emotionally untouched by those foreign

person as

God

God

does not like a lot of what he sees people do, but God loves the people who do those things. sees that person.

that Jesus loves the disciples in a

empowers them. He

way

that

them, "No longer do I call you servants, but friends," and he urges them to go out and love as deeply as he has

loved.

He

says, "If

teacher, have to

tells

I

wash one another's

Lord and you also ought

then, your

washed your

feet,

feet."

not a burden. It does not confine the disciples but gives them freedom and energy.

From this we see what might be love's opposites from a scriptural point of view: selfJesus' love

is

ishness and pride.

— —

Selfishness thinks only of itself and

its

needs, refusing to see others' pain.

thinks

Pride, even

them

far less

aware of others' needs, important than its own.

if

For God sees beyond the actions and knows what really is inside the person.

That is the perspective we want for

Corinth, St. Paul makes clear what he thinks is love's opposite. He writes that "love is not

victims not because

ourselves, the perspective to see not

jealous or boastful;

cruel or uncaring people, but

just actions but to

children or

unknown crash we are

simply because know them.

The more

we do not

know

the persons

behind those actions.

As

sensitive and

I

see

it,

love's opposites are in-

difference and hatred. Hatred and in-

mature among us know them a through an awareness

spiritually

difference find their origin in

may be

do not know. Perhaps,

little

able to

what we

as in the case of

suffering children in faraway places,

common humanity, or we may transpose mental pictures of people we do

of our

we do not know simply because we

know upon them and then begin to feel something

have never overcome that distance between us and learned to know them.

But we can also choose not to know others, and we can choose to be indifferent or filled with hatred.

That is not God's way, and the

ajbout ,

them. But for most of

we cannot

love what

we CNS

^0 not know.

To love ourselves,

we must know

To love come

to

another,

know

and then

let

"We can be

ourselves.

we must

the other, the other

come to know us.

But what does it mean to know another person? It means being iaware of more than just

PHOTO FROM

KNA

results within us are not

God's

emotionally untouched by

those (suffering) foreign children

...

We are made in the image and likeness of God. We come to love through

simply

because we do not know them," observes Father W.

Thomas Faucher. "But we can

also choose not to

know

choose to be

what that person does; it means seeing inside that person. This is called seeing the other person from God's perspective.

God knows everyone, and

God

loves everyone.

Our Christian goal is to see life as God sees thus come to know and love others.

life,

and

others,

and we can

knowledge. We come to hatred and indifference by choosing a lack of true knowledge.

The

son for as St.

goal of life

is

to see

from God's perspective. To know and love another per-

indifferent."

God,

results.

John

says,

is

"God

to see the face of is

love."

t

Father Faucher is a priest of the Diocese of Idaho, on assignment in the Diocese of

Boise,

Baker, Ore.

In a letter to the Christian

community

at

it is not arrogant or rude. does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful." Love worries far less about itself and far more about others' health and happiness.

And love (authentic love) sets others free.

Sometimes we love others so much that we don't want them to grow or change. Jesus' love, though, demands growth and change.

Jesus challenges the disciples to take the same risks he took, knowing that they too may

It

lose their lives in the process, and

knowing

that for them, too, the risk will be well wortli taking.

Sister Sanders, a Religious of the Sacred

Heart, teaches theology at Manhattanville College in Purchase,

N. T.

The Catholic News & Herald

10

March

Readings

1999

19,

Book Review

New

Kingsolver novel

Catholic

News

Word to Life

tormented land

tale of faith in Reviewed by PATRICIA

tells March

ZAPOR

Service

Barbara Kingsolver's

first

three

mostly light, captivating stories revolving around an intimately drawn single main character with a supporting cast of people you might run into on any American street.

In "The Poisonwood Bible," Kingsolver's central character seems at first to be Nathan Price, an evangelical Baptist minister who hauls his wife and four young daughters to an isolated mission in the Belgian Congo in 1959. Before long, it becomes apparent that neither Rev. Price nor any of his family is as much the central figure in the story as is Africa itself Kingsolver paints a portrait of a pre-revolution Congo that overwhelms the Prices' plans to bring their Christian God and their contemporary American ways to "heathens."

She artfully carries the reader from Bethlehem, Ga., as the Prices set out with well-intentioned naivet, toting cans of Underwood deviled ham and Betty Crocker cake mixes through their introduction to the mystery-filled village of Kilanga and, ultimately, through the tormented adult lives the Price girls lead, haunted forever by their father's African mission.

It's a beautiful, poetically written story. Each of the Price women tells parts of it by turns, in the distinctive voices of 5-year-old Ruth May, adolescent twins Leah and Adah, sulking teen-ager Rachel and their resilient mother, Orleanna.

— —

things they have learned

Sunday of Lent.

Psalm 130:1-8

"The Bean Trees," "Pigs in Heaven," and "Animal Dreams," were novels,

For instance, in a section "The Revelation," the Prices

21, Fifth

Cycle A. Readings: 1) Ezekiel 37:12-14

called detail

in their first

few months in Africa.

Orleanna Price recalls the odors and rhythms of market day in Kilanga, and of her shock at realizing she and a daughter had unknowingly violated a local custom, showing themselves to be unmannered outsiders even in as universal a situation as

2)

Romans

3)

John

It

By BOZENA CLOUTIER was the first session of a nine-

1

8:

8-1

1:1-45

week grief support group. The woman speaking so dispassionately had come and motionless as others talked about why they were

The

in late

there.

Poisonwood

to

and

sat silent

Now it was her turn.

"My husband had just left to go work. He was driving his pickup

truck and crossing the railroad tracks about a half mile from our house. For some reason the lights were not

working that morning. The

train

blew and blew its whistle, but could not brake in time. He was killed inI heard that whistle, then the braking and clanging. I knew it was him. I should have gone with him. I nearly always did. If only I'd been with him I would have heard the

stantly.

"The Poisonwood Bible"

by Barbara Kingsolver.

Harper Flamingo

(New York, 546

1998).

whistle, seen that train."

$26.00

pp.,

have called 91 only I'd have made her quit smoking... If only I had not stepped out of the room just at that moment... The bitter reproaches to

them and

What

my

also

husband's wife.

was his instrument, animal. Nothing more. How we

his

conceit!

I

wives and mothers do perish at the hands of our own righteousness. I was just one more of those women who clamp their mouths shut and wave the flag as their nation rolls off to conquer another in war."

Almost comically unprepared for life in a place untouched by automobiles or electricity, the Price family battles malaria, an invasion by fleshdevouring ants, floods, drought, poison plants and snakes. But the physical hardships pale in comparison to the struggles of faith in themselves, in each other and in the Christian beliefs that brought them to Africa.

Their vegetable seeds brought from the United States stubbornly refuse to bear fruit without bees to pollinate them. In much the same way, Nathan Price's dreams of bringing American-style Christian salvation to Kilanga's people wither under the daunting pressures of the Congo, to which he refuses to adapt.

Crism Mass

—

1 1

:00

am

self,

If

and often to

much

God

as well, are so

a part of those early sessions of

grief groups. But as the weeks pass

Bishop William G.

Ciirlln,

Celebrant

Good

,

pm

7:,^0

\Ve

—

way

of drawing the reader in feeling the characters' fears and triumphs as if breathing aleng with them. Her latest manages to tap into the pulse of an entire region as well, urging us to breathe the struggles of a tormented

(lurlin.

land along with the Price family as they set out to conquer and are ultimately conquered by the Congo.

Zapor

News

is

a reporter for Catholic

Service in Washington.

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is

then comes the moment that they recognize that in that dark hour of death the Lord had not been absent, as they had at first thought, and they no longer each echo the reproach voiced by Martha and Mary to Jesus: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

Rather they perceive how the Lord had been there supporting them and sharing their pain. Then hope stirs in them as they realize that the Lord is also there for them, not only comforting and sustaining, but leading them from the ashes of diminished existence into the resurrection of new life, t

Readings for tlie week of Mar. 21 - 27, 1999 Sunday, Ezekiel 37:12-14, Romans 8:8-11, John 11:1-45; Monday, Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62, John 8:1-11; Tuesday, Numbers 21:4-9, John 8:2130; Wednesday, Daniel 3d 4-20, 91-92, 95, John 8:31-42; Thursday (Annunciation of the Lord) Isaiah 7:10-14, Hebrews 10:4-10, Luke 1:26-38; Friday, Jeremiah 20:10-13, John 10:31-42; Saturday, Ezekiel 37:21-28, John 11:45-57

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JEKYLL ISLAND, CA Holy Tuesday, March .W,

Holy Thursday, April

For Easter

other's daily lives.

If only. If only I'd

earlier...

women

in the marketplace.

"Until that moment I'd thought I could have it both ways: to be one of

they are heard less and less, and finally not at all. The group and the individuals in it change. As they hear each other's stories, share each other's pain and tears, they gradually discover that they can also share laughter and the triumphs of each

trails,

and miles

of beach.

March

19,

The Catholic News & Herald 11

1999

tntcrtainment

PBS to air special on Affirmative Action By

henry HERX

government jobs.

News Service NEW YORK (CNS) How Catholic

—

achieve equal opportunities for

zens

is

The panel is once again divided between tliose who applaud the initiative for ending "re\ erse discrimination" and tlieir opponents who charge it is reinstating

best to

all citi-

the subject addressed in "Beyond

Black and White: Affirmative Action in America," airing Tuesday, 1 1

p.m.

EST on

March

In using very specific examples, the

program demonstrates

PBS.

Moderating the program is Charles

affirmative action

"Beyond Black and

Harvard Law School leads a dozen or so

distinguished panelists through a series of hy-

10-11 p.m.

women, Latinos and Asian-Americans as well as Native Ameri-

EST

cans.

The proceedings go by very quickly with the

pothetical but very concrete situations.

%

#1

#2

Dealer

number of heated

issues generating a

exchanges but also some thoughtful discussion of alternatives to overcoming the legacy of past injustices and present inequities.

The program ends with the hopenotion that both sides are commita ted to achieving the same goal society guaranteeing equal opportunity for all and that neither has a monopoly on how best to achieve it. t ful

—

—

Herx

is

director

of

Conference Officefor Film

tJie

U.S. Catholic

and Broadcasting.

%

Carolina #1 (§) Dealer

not

fects

on PBS

The first has to do with imaginary Big State University which as a means of diversifying its freshman class accepts a minority student over a white applicant with higher academic grades.

Having some of the panelists roleplay as the students and their parents adds a touch of humor which doesn't quite disarm the tension which divides the panel over the issue.

Another scenario involves the pros and cons of a ballot initiative eliminating racial, ethnic and gender preferences in college admissions or

is

only an African-American issue but one that af-

White: Affirmative Action in America" Tuesday, March 23,

Ogletree, a professor at

who

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Stonemason finishes Graymoor Arch — 72 years By

STEPHEN STEELE

Catholic

News

—

When GARRISON, N.Y. (CNS) Brother Ted Novak sought a stonemason to complete the 72-year-old stone arches outside the Graymoor Friary in Garrison, the locals told him there was only one choice Herbie Orlando.

For reasons unknown to the friars, the last in a series of arches at the friary was left incomplete when con-

—

structed in 1926.

Orlando, 70,

is

one of a handful of in New York's

stonemasons left Hudson Valley, and

he's also considered to be the best.

Brother Novak, who cheerfully says he has a "zero point zero zero budget,"

was also looking for someone to do the work for free. Again, Orlando fit the bill.

Little did

Brother Novak

know that

the Orlando family had ties going back to the 100-year-old order's founder.

Orlando's tized in 1913

sister, Stephanie, was bapby Father Paul Wattson,

the order's founder. In addition, his fa-

an Italian immigrant, attended Mass at Gra3mioor after arriving in the United States to work on the construction of the Croton Aqueduct, which is no longer used but at one time carried water down to New York City. ther, Luigi,

Orlando,

who spent three weeks com-

pleting the arch, said he

felt

a certain kin-

Graymoor, given his family's long association with the community. ship v^dth

Iran-Pope, from page

used to drag us here kids," he told Catholic New York, archdiocesan newspaper, over lunch at Graymoor.

Orlando said that while working on the Graymoor project, he often paused to pay homage to his mother. "Every time I cut a stone, I'd say, 'Here, Ma, here's one for your old church,"' he said of Graymoor's Little Flower Chapel, where Mrs. Orlando attended Mass.

Orlando said he's primed to begin constructing a shrine to the Venerable Matt Talbot, a 19th-century reformed drunkard in Ireland who became a source of inspiration for people in recovery. The project fits in with the friars' mission to those addicted to drugs or alcohol. The shrine will be located underneath the arches, a few feet from the arch Orlando worked on.

That project will begin once Brother Novak can raise the $5,000 needed for supplies. the time

all

when we were

Orlando cut the stones for the arch, a delicate and precise craft. Stones, he said, have to be cut just right or they'll crack and be rendered unusable.

Arthritic knees prevented him from lugging the 3,000 pounds of stone used. That job

fell

to his assis-

tant and godson, Pete Tedrick.

Orlando provided the cement and laThe stone came from a secret stash of bluestone hoarded by Graymoor when the local quarry closed in the 1960s, t bor.

Dignity Fr.

Martin Schratz, O.F.M.Cap.

1999

pope says

ByJOHNTHAVIS Catholic

News

Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope John Paul 2000 its

will be a time

when

II said he hopes Holy Year Catholics rediscover the value of confession and

reconciling grace.

The pope made the remarks in a speech March 13 to participants in a Vatican-sponsored course on penance.

The pope said he was praying that confessors would have a key role in the jubilee celebrations scheduled for Rome and elsewhere and that the Holy Year would help bring the faithful back to the sacrament of penance.

He said that would be an important step in making the Holy Year a year of forgiveness and reconciliation, and thus a "singularly effective chapter in the history of salvation."

He said the priest's responsibility to hear confessions and forgive sins stems from Christ's own instructions to his Apostles. The pope underlined several basic church teachings about confession: Sacramental confession is needed for the remission of mortal sins committed after baptism. A sinner can also obtain forgiveness of mortal sins by experiencing a true sense of contrition, as long as there is the firm intention of sacramentally confessing those sins at the first reasonable opportunity, he said.

Likewise, Catholics who receive general absolution must either have confessed mortal sins individually or have the intention of doing so as soon as there is an opportunity.

Sacramental confession of mortal sins must precede licit reception of

— —

— — Venial

the Eucharist.

may

be remitted outside of confession. But the pope sins in order to enjoy the special grace of the sacrament. He said the practice of confessing even when there are only venial sins is a good one and represents a "school that has formed many sins

recommended confessing such

saints."

The pope emphasized that the jubilee's theme of reconciliation with God depends also on reconciliation with one's fellow human beings.

Along with personal said,

holiness, people need a

deepened sense of solidarity,

r

7

Visit

wilh

return to confession,

he

loosening of the fundamentalist grip in Iran may have much to do with economic interests; indeed, during his trip to Italy, the first official visit by an Iranian president to a Western country since the 1979 revolution, Khatami opened negotiations on a possible $2 billion oil deal with Italy's state energy company.

But that does not lessen Khatami's appeal at the Vatican, where officials recognize that positive historical changes often have complex causes. A deeper concern is that the Iranian president faces conservative opposition to his reforms, especially in the country's security and law enforcement apparatus.

Ten years ago, in a very different context, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was a would-be reformer who needed a moral boost. Not everyone was convinced, but the pope and the Vatican gave their blessing, and the walls of communism came down soon afterward.

A similar atmosphere of optimism was palpable at the Vatican when Khatami came through in March. The hope is that this time, too, history can be nudged in the right direction, t

St.

19,

Holy Year should be time of

later

"My mother

Service

March

the News

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March

19,

The Catholic News & Herald 13

1999

fhc News

In

conyers,

Body of sainthood candidate moved to liis parisli

from page 3

She said from its inception she has not been on tlie board of Our Loving Mother's Children because she wanted to remain focused on prayer. She said that she receives no money from the

By

Robert Hughes told The Georgia Bulletin that after receiving Fowler's

statement he had turned the text of the upcoming book over to her associate, George Collins, and would not publish it without her approx'al.

He said he would refund money to an estimated 1,500 people who have already ordered the book if the dispute over the content is not cleared up.

Hughes said that the fund raising in the November/December newsletter was not new.

"We've always had fund raising," he said. He said the newsletter mentioned $10,000 because that is the cost of one monthly satellite broadcast of the rosary. The appeal brought in one $10,000 donation from California, he

1

the possible saint

However, between the exhumaand entombment, he said, "spon-

taneously, hundreds and hundreds of people went over to the basilica."

There had been no publicity, he

mothers,

card for his cause, he

one time, practically every newspaper, had Baker boys doing the work," he said.

Baker boys as the orphans came to be know n

—

sarcophagus

March

11.

at the

grave of a

Massachusetts priest in the 1920s, said Msgr. Kern. A miracle had been claimed

"A valid Will stands as a continuing expression of our concern for loved ones, as well as an ongoing commit-

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

B ishop William G.

"There was no intent to do more

than just say a small prayer service," he said, adding that is just what Buffalo Bishop Henry J. Mansell did.

But "the people just would not go," he said. Workers had to wait several hours to put the stone top on the sarcophagus, as people "slowly made their way up and looked and said a prayer and then mox ed on."

The sarcophagus sits at the entrance to a shrine to Our Lady of

Come

Curlin

a

good Christian, and being good person meant having

community."

There were many Baker boys in the crowd March 1 1, a sense of

bronze cofFm into the

Msgr. Kern

Msgr. Baker's

said

now

is

under study there, along with a reported miracle that occurred in the 1930s within a few months of Msgr.

Baker's death.

Acceptance of one miracle through Msgr. Baker's intercession could lead to his beatification, t . als are

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CNS PHOTO FROM Reuters Catholic church representatives remove the exhumed body of Father Nelson Baker firom a church cemetery in Lackawanna, N.Y., March 10. The body was being moved to Lackawanna's Our Lady of Victory Basilica as the investigation into sainthood for the priest continues.

The cement may have been prompted by vandalism

Msgr. Kern.

priests, said

to a specially built

in the basilica

—

became governors, members of Congress and also

cemetery, the coflfm was covered with several inches of cement, said Msgr. Kern. The cofFm was uncovered March 10 but left in the ground and guarded overnight, he

was moved

called

print shop in Buffalo, every

a Buffalo diocesan priest in

said. It

is

"Apostle of Charity."

The archivist said he also ran a big trade school that he kept expanding. "At

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

Charlotte (or

homes for unwed homeless and troubled boys and abandoned infants. On the prayer

hospital, as well as

876, died in 1936 at the age of 94.

Inside his grave in a local

cluding the reported reception of the stigmata by Rivas during a pilgrimage to Conyers.

Hughes characterized the dispute between Fowler and Rivas as stemming from human nature and said he belie\'ed jealousy was involved.

"/ leave to the

relics

is

He had been pastor of Our Lady of

visit.

In Yours.

tion

because

exhumation and move

Victory for more than 50 years.

cited other links as well, in-

Y

are not taken at this early point in a cause.

came

phenom-

mm

to

Nelson H. Baker recently was moved to his longtime parish in Lackawanna, N.Y., several hundred people spontaneously turned up to pray, said the

"When

also said a statue in

Remember

was made not

coffin

put in a church, then people begin to pray more because he's right there," said Msgr. Kern, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Bowmansville. He spoke with Catholic News Service by phone.

Msgr. Baker, a Ci\il War-era soldier and grain dealer who be-

which people there consider a sign from God

He

said a decision

Lourdes that Msgr. Baker installed in the basilica. "Right nearby is the spot where he used to sit many nights," .said Msgr. Kern. Many people remember coming into the church to pray, "and he would be there, even as a very, very old man, sitting there praying," he said.

At Our Lady of Victory, Msgr.

Baker operated soup kitchens and a

Our Lady of Victory was requested by the Vatican's Congregation for Sainthood Causes.

ena, shedding tears and blood,

linked to Fowler's

He

he noted, and people "sort of

apart."

to the Basilica of

had a conversion experience after hearing Fowler speak in Bo-

He

— When

it

open Msgr. Baker's

said the

said Rivas

1993.

(CNS)

ripped

the body of sainthood candidate Msgr.

Msgr. Walter O. Kern, who prepared the diocesan documentation for Msgr. Baker's cause,

Hughes also said that "the Lord has put Bolivia and Conyers together."

Bolivia has had unexplained

at tliat grave,

Service

archivist of the Buffalo Diocese.

added.

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14 The Catholic News & Herald

In

March

the News

1999

19,

New violence feared after bombing

N. Ireland

MOLLOY

By CIAN Catholic

DUBLIN,

News

work representing

of her

Service

—

Ireland (CNS)

lawyer

kills

nationalist

her clients included the Catholic residents of Garvaghy Road in their efforts to prevent the Orange Order, a Protestant fraternity, from holding a sectarian parade clients. Recently,

A

prominent Catholic lawyer was killed in a car bombing in Northern Ireland, leading some Catholics to fear an upsurge in violence by loyalist terror-

through their

area.

Nationalists are mainly Catholic

ists.

"That said

Francis

what we Bishop Gerard

is

Brooks of Dromore, Northern Ireland. "We hope and pray that this is not the

and seek a united Ireland, while loyal-

are afraid of,"

are predominantly Protestant and seek continued British rule in ists

Nelson

is

believed

Northern Ireland.

Bishop Brooks called Nelson's murder "an awful

been targeted

to have

by loyalist terrorists

I personally know her husband Paul, whom I representing nationalist taught at ... St. Colman's.

Nelson died from Two of her sons are stuclients. Recently, her dents there now. It's a terher injuries March clients included the rible tragedy for a young 15 after a bomb Catholic residents of placed under her family to be left without a car exploded in mother.

Garvaghy Road in their "This bombing is obLurgan, Northern efforts to prevent the viously the work of some Ireland. No warning was given, and loyalist group. It's no exOrange Order, a cuse, but she was probably a dissident loyalist fraternity, Protestant targeted because of her group calling itself from holding a sectarian work for the Garvaghy the Red Hand Deresidents," he said. fenders claimed reparade through sponsibility for the Nelson is survived by their area. her husband and three attack. children, ages 13, 1 1 and 8.

Last year the group claimed reThe Committee for the Administration of Justice, a lawsponsibility for a bombing that killed a Catholic police oflTicer during a loyyers' human rights group, demanded that any investigation into Nelson's alist riot in Portadown and for the killing of Brian Service, a 35-year-old murder be carried out by a British police force other than the Royal UlCatholic in North Belfast.

Nelson is believed to have been ster Constabulary, which is more than targeted by loyalist terrorists because 90 percent Protestant.

crime.

because of her work

case."

Rosemary

Photo by Joann Keane

Begiey Charity Endowment Fund In honor of Bishop Emeritus Michael J. Begiey, an endowment fund bearing his name has been established in the Diocese of Charlotte. A framed copy of the proclaimation honoring the retired bishop was

The Bishop Michael

Committee spokesman Brian McGeehan said police officers from- En-

many

gland wer-e already investigating Nelson's allegations that she had received death threats from RUC officers.

death threats by RUC officers," he' added.

In a statement, RUC Detective

"It

in

domestic

&,

is

difficult for

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370-3228 (704) 370-3260 (704! 370-3225 (704) 370-3228

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an

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Area

Director;

23 South Church

Geri King

St.,

Charlotte,

(704!

Sr

faith

investigation into the

solicitor (lawyer)

fax fax

fax

when

so

(704)

Marie Frechette (828) 255-0146

MORTGAGE

370-3377 fax

STORE,

(828)

Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs David Andrews said Nelson's murder was "a very deliberate attempt to intimidate those whose task it is to pro-

vide legal representation to those

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iNine Lhoirs

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t(.

Superintendent Sam Kincaid de-^ nounced Nelson's murder as "cold-«i blooded and brutal."

Piedmont Uriad Area Office

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representee

INC.

253-7339 fax

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counseling

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I

presented by Foundation Executive Director and Diocesan Director of Development, Jim Kelley. 'Whereas Michael J. Begiey has devoted sixtyfour years of outstanding pastoral leadership to the people of God in Western North Carolina as a priest and twelve years as the first Bishop of Charlotte ... established this day for charitable ministries in Western North Carolina and be named the Bishop Michael J. Begiey Charity Endowment Fund in The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte.' This is the 53rd endowment fund for the Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte.

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Therese

2ur 1

March

1999

19,

By

The Catholic News & Herald 15

Around the Diocese

JIMMY ROSTAR

relationship with Jesus," the bishop

Deacons recommit to

Associate Editor

CHARLOTTE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Their

ministry is based on service to the people of their parishes and communities. And on March 13 in St.. Patrick Cathedral, the Diocese of Charlotte's permanent deacons recommitted themselves to that ministry with a promise to proclaim the faith in word and action.

The deacons and their wives gathered at the cathedral church for an annual Mass and recommitment ceremony. Bishop William G. Curlin, who presided over the event, urged these ordained ministers of service and their spouses to keep spirituality at the forefront of all they do.

"The church needs holy men and women," Bishop Curlin said in his homily, "but the real need today is not simply for more bodies in the church.

The need is for more saints.

"Please, my brother deacons, keep your passion for Christ alive each day.

The first thing in the morning, in the silence of your room, talk to God. Pray every day for the people of the world who are hurting, who need

The permanent diaconate

is

a

while the transitional diaconate provides for men in their final stages of preparation for the priesthood. try of the diaconate for

life,

Bishop Emeritus Michael

J.

Begley ordained the first class of permanent deacons to serve in the Dio-

Birthday, from page

The ceremony's closing prayer focused on the deacons' commission of carrying out their work: "May they, in this life, imitate your Son, who came not to be served but to serve, and one day reign with Him in Heaven."

The current diaconate formation consists of six years of lay ministry training, cese of Charlotte in 1983.

academia and growing

In this diocese, the

tor,

and Father Mauricio

permanent

diaconate is organized into four regional vicariates. Rev. Mr. Ben Wenning of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte is the diaconate administra-

1

three permanent deacons into the Diocese of Charlotte. With that action. Rev. Dr. Fred Dobens of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, Rev. Mr. John Sims of St. Therese Church in Mooresville, and Rev. Mr. Anthony Marini of Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville, are now canonically. permanent deacons

work,

of the diocese.

There are 64 permanent deacons currently ordained for service in the Diocese of Charlotte, t

educational

the infirmed.

personal secretary, said

In that they are permitted to be married, the permanent deacons' ministry is heavily influenced by family life. During the diocesan gathering, deacons' wives reaffirmed their role in the ministry, too a ministry Bishop Curlin said takes a serious commit-

Spartanhiirg, South Carolina

gree

Grade

Street,

in

Religious Education or a re-

and three years' experience in youth ministry. Salary commensurate with experience and education. Send resume and credentials to: Tom Johnson, Our Lady of Grace Church, 220S West Market lated field

Greensboro, NC. Phone

mental formation, recruitment and formation of catechists, budget, cal-

(.336)

seeking a Principal for the 1.499-

2000 school

endar. Qualifications include faith-

High School Teachers:

is

year. Located in the

Blue Ridge

Moun-

within proximity of Char-

tains,

NC

and Atlanta, GA. St. has a Pre-K through eighth grade academic and daycare program for our lotte,

Paul's

200+

School

students.

We

are seeking a

practicing Catholic with

dynamic

teaching, development and leader-

ship

skills.

MA

in

Education Ad-

ministi'ation or related field, mini-

mum of ti\ e years' teaching and/ or administration experience. Letters

and resume should be addres.sfd to: Very Rev. Michael R. Oe Antonio, V.F., .St. Paul the -Apostle Church, 161 N. Dean St,. Spartanburg, S:C., 29,302.

Deadline for applications: April

filled,

cellent

practicing Catholic with ex-

communication and organi-

zational skills, ability to work in Religious Education or its equivalency and at least three years of parish experience required. Position available July 1, 1999. Salary and benefits according to Diocesan guidelines.

Mail resume and references to: Search Committee, Church of the Incarnation, 635 Hillsdale Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22901. collaboratively.

MA

Catholic High School fied

is

Charlotte

hiring certi-

teachers in Math, PE/Health,

English, Religion, Part-time Spanish,

and a school-certified counselor for the 199,9-2000 school year. For an application, please send resume to the school at 7702 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226.

Pastoral Associate: Large suburban parish located in Richmond, Virginia with responsibility for evangelization and social justice.

Atmosphere of collaborative minis-

of interest

30, 1999,

274-6520.

Youth Minister: Our Lady

of

Grace Catholic Church in Greensboro, NC is seeking a full-time Youth Minister to coordinate all youth ministry activities and programs. Applicants should have

a

de-

try with other in

staff.

Roman

plead with you, to

mail tojtrostar@charlottediocese.org.

in

theology or related field, at least 5 years' pastoral experience and ability to engage others in ministry.

Salary and benefits according to di-

my

brothers

have

a

deep

ocesan policy. Interested per.sons should submit resume to Search Committee, St. Bridget's Church, 6006 Three Chopt Road, Richmond, VA 23226 by April 1, 1999.

community resources, primarily

High School Teachers: Cardinal

Send resume to: Catholic Social Services Refugee Office, Attn. Director, 1123 South Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28203

per week (.$16K-2lK) plus full benefits. Send inquiries/resume

Office Assistant: Personal financial planner needs responsible, articulate person interested in investments. Variety of tasks from customer service to filing to updating

4003. DeadUne: April

Receptionist: Bilingual (Spanish and

computer records. Part-time,

English) person; part-time, (25 hours/

ible

Regional Coordinator of Elder Ministry for the Morganton/Hickory, NC area. Se-

School in Charleston, S. C, is accepting applications for the position of Head Football Coach. The school has an enrollment of 875 students and has just relocated to a new campus.

Salary and benefits are commensurate with experience and credentials. Applicants should submit a letter of application, resume and a statement of educa-

lected candidate will contribute as a

tional philosophy to:

team member to development of elder programs and acti\'ities, will engage in ecumenical cooperation on el-

Held, Bishop England High School, 363 Seven Farms Dr., Charleston, SC 29492-7534.

Gibbons High School

Raleigh is seeking full-time teachers of Mathematics and Spanish for the 19992000 school year. Please send resume to: Brother Michel Bettigole, OSF, Principal, Cardinal Gibbons High School, 24'0l Crusader Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27606.

week)

M-F

in

12:00-5:00; friendly,

com-

grants and individual donations.

College degree required. Minimum of 3 years' experience in development or association with non-profit, refugee or international issues.

in

resume

required with willingness to learn more. Send resume to B, Bazluki,

@ (704) 556-0445.

skills

Catholic Social Services,

Church St., Charlotte, Fax to (704) 370-3377.

NC

1123 S. 28203 or

in Charlotte: Flexible part-time (20 hours/week). Catholic Social Services Refugee Office needs a devel-

opment coordinator

to

Cynthia Anderson,

Elder Ministry: Catholic

to

develop

CFP

Social Ser-

vices of the Diocese of Charlotte,

has an opening for

Development Coordinator

flex-

schedule of 25 hours per week Charlotte (South Park) office. Fax

fortable with people; minimal office

Catholic

good standing, master's degree

Jimmy Rostar

3 70-3334, or by sending e-

to Christ.

and you dear wives,

Minister of Religious Education: Diocese of Richmond. A vibrant and growing parish of 900 families seeks a full-time Director of Religious Education. Responsibilities include: family-centered program, direction of pre-school through

Contact associate editor by calling ( 704)

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

ment

adult formation, sacra-

incardination, or official affiliation, of

ordained, permanent deacons promise allegiance to their bishop. This pledge leads them into parish and community ministry that includes assisting in liturgical celebrations, reading and preaching about the Gospel, administering the Eucharist, officiating at baptisms, weddings and funerals, marriage

"I

8,

the

is

director of the permanent diaconate.

multicultural ministry, and visiting

to jtrostar@charlottediocese.org.

Elementary Principal: St. Paul the Apostle School in

W. West,

vicar general and chancellor,

preparation,

at the

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

wives to reaffirm the support of their husbands as both ministers and family men. The wives also resolved to continue in their own journeys of faith with their husbands.

The liturgy included the

When

in faith.

impacted

foothills of the

The ceremony concluded with Bishop Curlin asking the deacons'

The Diocese of Charlotte's permanent deacons and their wives reaffirm their commitment to the ministry of the permanent diaconate during a Mass presided over by Bishop William G. Curlin March 13 in St. Patrick Cathedral.

Contact associate editor Jimmy Rostar by calling ( 704) 370-3334, or by sending

e-mail

fol-

cessors.

chance to join Bishop Begley for this happy milestone. me through the years watching how he cares about people, about the church, about his brother priests," said Linhares, current secretary to the vicar general and chancellor. "He is so special, and I just wanted to be a part of this day honoring him and giving thanks for his life." r "It's

your

The recommitment ceremony

to earth.

jumped

in

love for Jesus."

lowed the Liturgy of the Word. A series of questions posed by the bishop focused on various elements of the deacons' ministry, to which the they echoed their responsibility.

The deacons pledged to live their ministry with humility and love, to live and proclaim a faith grounded in Scripture and sacred tradition, to maintain and deepen a spirit of prayer, to shape their lives in the example of Christ, and to continue their allegiance to the bishop and his suc-

You just have to marvel at that."

Aloha Linhares, who served as Bishop Begley's

she

in Christ,

one another keep you rooted

Photo by Jimmy Rostar

unique Roman Catholic ministry.

While biblically based, the diaconate was restored as a permanent order by Pope Paul VI in 1967. This development allowed men to enter the minis-

yourselves

the graces that result will be immeasurable. Let the love you share. with

ministry at annual gatliering

your prayers."

down

said. "If you root

NC

a

der issues, and provide on-site assistance to Catholic parishes within the designated region.

Bachelor's degree desired and tra\'el required throughout the 46 counties of the Diocese. 30 hours

to:

Gerard Carter, Catholic

Social

Services, 1123 South Church Street, Charlotte, NC 2820315,

1999.

High School Football Coach: Bishop England High School, a coeducational Catholic High

David

16

The Catholic News & Herald

March

Living the faith

19,

1999

Catholic Social Services extends gratitude to social activist with long-time

CSS ties CSS presents

ByJOANNS. keane Editor

CHARLOTTE

—

Some thirty years hence, Jan Valder-OfFerman recalls the words of her then-4-year-old son, 'Why do you love everybody.

Mommy?' She was taken aback. 'Do I?'

Spirit The

love brings a

new

challenge.

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "The ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in a moment of comfort, but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy."

True to the words of the late civil rights leader, Valder-Offerman has been on uncomfortable ground, challenged the status-quo, and rallied vic-

Catholic Social Services and honor those special persons, groups, or organizations that have generously shared their special talents and resources in an effort to east and enrich the lives of those who come to Catholic Social Services seeking help. to recognize

The 1999

Award

re-

Catholic Social Services since

Photo by Joann S. Keane

Kitty Gaston (left), daughter of the late Colonel Francis J. Beatty, presents the annual Catholic Social Services award named in honor of her father to Jan Valder-Offerman, recipient of the 1999 award. versity Committee,

Mecklenburg

Ministries Race Relations and Anti-

Violence committee, an El Salvador support group, and a connection with the Oratory in

Rock

Hill.

Catholic Social Services bestowed its highest honor last week, paying homage to this individual whose name

synomomous with

rings

Fast forward to the late '90s, and Valder-Offerman still questions and challenges, and in the community of Charlotte, is renowned for accomplishments that mark progress in her own backyard.

For a number of years, ValderOfferman served as chairperson for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Under her charge in 1987 the Diocese of Charlotte was honored with national recognition for highest per capita contribution.

She's also credited with involvement with Hospice of Charlotte, the Arts & Science Council's Cultural Di-

On Mar.

—

Spirit

James and Marion Weber, who have been licensed as a foster family through cipients are

toriously.

—

estab-

office of

It was sometime in the early '60s and somewhere in the Deep South.

Pope John XXIII was on the verge of changing the world with Vatican II, President John F. Kennedy challenged Americans, and a southern preacher, Martin Luther King Jr., led the way towards the implementation of the

how

Award Award was

by the Charlotte regional

lished

she thought.

1964 Civil Rights Act. So many of those cohesive elements called Valder-OfFerman to join in the efforts to effect change in this country. It would be the echo of a 4year-old, however, that would bring Valder-Offerman to understand that injustices could be overcome "if we lived the teachings we professed," and

Spirit

social justice.

Jan Valder-OfFerman accepted the Colonel Francis J. Beatty Award during the eighth annual reception and dinner hosted by CSS. "I cannot remember a time that I wasn't glad Jan lived and served in Charlotte," said 1998 CSS honoree, Diane En10,

of Mecklenburg Ministries.

Valder-Offerman and her husband,

glish,

Barney, are members of

Peter parish in Charlotte, where they thrive within the social justice ministry that permeates the Jesuit community of the

downtown

St.

sage."

The award was

established in 1991, and is named for the late Colonel Beatty, a Catholic layman whose strong religious faith prompted effective church-related and public service in

good cause in Charyou can be sure to see one or both

Charlotte-Mecklenburg and

larger region. In every area of set

life,

"Jan's life revolves faith,

around three

community and

would applaud your choice this night.

He lived his faith through a life of integrity, service and substance. He, like Jan, integrated in gentle ways."

at

Navy

life.

Jim

is

retired

from

22 years a volunteer tech-

after serving

and Marion is nician with an emergency rescue service. They have two daughters and three sons, and nine grandchildren. The Webers are devoted to living their lives with loving Christian prin-

They are active parishioners at Holy Spirit Church in

cipals.

Denver.

t

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June 1984. They have opened their hearts and home to 52 infants over their foster care career. They have taken care of children with special needs, medical concerns, twins and even those with severe colic. All of these situations have been met with an eagerness and willingness to serve. Without strong loving families such as the Webers, the circle of adop-

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