USiZ ON OSfcC 33
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News & Herald
Volume 7 Number 29
Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte
Colonial Gallery Opens I March 21 At I
Museum
Mint
I
See story page 6
By JIMMY
ROSTAR
— Hoping
newed diocesan-wide
among
the
I I
of the Mint
Museum
of Art's
granted the presbyteral council's request
cese at Pentecost, especially in this year
to delegate the administration of confir-
dedicated to the Spirit by our Holy Father,"
council, elected
from the
he
said.
While
priests
the privilege of confirmation with pastors
of the Charlotte Diocese.
"This
ment
during the Rite of Christian Initiation of
a great teaching
is
mo-
Adults,
often, Pentecost
"Too lA
is
—
"purify their hearts" by examining their In a
long-awaited document on the Holocaust, the Vatican expressed repentance
for Christians
who
failed to
oppose Nazi
persecution of Jews.
The document,
released
March
16,
said centuries of anti-Jewish attitudes in the church may have contributed to Christians' lack of spiritual and concrete resistance to the Nazi policies,
some 6
which
left
million Jews dead.
during the Second World War must be a call to penitence. We deeply regret the errors and failures of those sons and daughters of the church," it said. "This is an act of repentance," it said, "since, as members of the church, we are linked to the sins as well as the merits of all her children."
ters
Titled
"We Remember: A Reflection
pared over an tifical
1 1
text
was
pre-
-year period by the Pon-
Commission
for Religious Rela-
tions with the Jews, at the request of Pope
John Paul -
II. It
was
responsibility for the "evils of our
time" in anticipation of the year 2000. The pope said he hoped the document would "help to heal the wounds of past misunderstandings and injustices" and help shape a future "in which the unspeakable iniquity of the Shoah will never again be possible." Addressed to all Catholics, the Vatican document was also sent to Jew-
around the world. The text asked Jews to "hear us with open hearts," saying it represented not merely words, but a binding commitment. Cardinal Edward I. Cassidy, who heads the Vatican commission that prepared the text, said it went beyond an apology to Jews, because "an act of repentance is more than an apology." The Vatican document, while acknowledging shortcomings of some Christians during World War II, said others had acted heroically to save Jews. In a series of footnotes, it defended Pope Pius XII, who has been criticized by some Jewish groups as too timid in his criticism of Nazi actions. ish leaders
"For Christians, this heavy burden of conscience of their brothers and sis-
on the Shoah," the 14-page
own
carefully reviewed
before publication by the pope and a number of other Vatican departments.
accompanying letter, the pope called the Jewish Holocaust, or Shoah, an "indelible stain" on history. He said the church's reflection was part In a brief
of an effort to encourage Christians to
The
some
we
for the millennium. Catholics
don't
will
who
its
great mission in Jerusalem." is
the
Holy
second chapter of the Acts of the Aposdes
which
details the Pentecost event,
is
re-
"Sometimes we forget Spirit
is
Jesus today."
is
the perfect day to cel-
ebrate the sacrament of confirmation, and the priests have brought a very pastoral
focus to the celebration of the working of the Spirit
on
that day,"
Bishop Curlin
said.
By granting the permission to confirm on Pentecost, the bishop gives pastors the opportunity to administer the sacrament before entire congregations, thereby ensuring a Spirit-filled event for the whole parish family.
Much
like the Rite
of Adults
call to
conversion for
is
of Christian
all
Catholic Chris-
tians, so too celebrating the
confirmation
at
Ini-
a sign of the continual
tiation
sacrament of
Pentecost will be a sign
of the working of the Spirit in each com-
Holy
who empowers us, who lifts us up when we're discouraged. It is by the power of the Spirit that we can live like
us,
Confirmation is the sacrament by which baptized Catholics become further enriched with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to live as witnesses of Jesus.
that the
guiding the church," Bishop "He is the one who guides
Curlin said.
The bishop noted that some parishes have already planned creative expressions of this Pentecost observance. At one parish, he said, students will be confirmed at the Vigil and take leadership roles at a bilingual
Mass
for the entire
community
on Pentecost Sunday. The Sunday Masses will be combined into one great celebration, followed by a festive parish gathering, he said. Bishop Curlin urged parishes to assist young Catholics in realizing that confirmation
is
a vitally important step in their
our young however busy they may be in their lives with school events and social life and family gatherings, do not lose sight of the majesty of this great gift of the Holy faith journey. "I pray that
people,
Spirit,"
The
Christians to protest the
mandated to accept the permission to con-
The process for reception of the sacrament of confirmation is facilitated by the diocesan office offaith formation, one of the 35 agencies and ministries partially or fully funded by the annual Diocesan Support Appeal.
a distinction:
and hostility toChristian environments, it
He noted that some parish confirmation classes will not be ready for the sacrament on Pentecost, observed on May 30 this year. He also said he is honored to
See Vatican Repentance, page 2
continue the tradition of administering the
may have been linked
to centuries of mistrust in
II is
diocese's pastors are invited rather than
made
Holocaust policies
ward Jews
leading the spiritual journey to Year 2000, dedicating 1997 and faith, 1998 to the Holy Spirit and hope, and 1 999 to the Father and love.
Paul
garded as the beginning of the church.
"Pentecost
es-
Spirit,
to Jesus
upon the Apostles. The
Spirit's descent
Holy
enlivens the
the Jubilee
celebrated 50 days after
commemorates
Easter and
God and most
work of evangelization. Pope John
birthday of the church, which
enlivened by the Holy Spirit began Pentecost
in appreciation for
pecially for the
celebrate Christmas and Easter. "It is the
grow
the Triune
much in the same way that we
munity of faith, the bishop said. Bishop Curlin stressed that the
text also
failure of
unfortunate that
opti-
mism that as the church prepares
It
celebrate the majesty of Pente-
cost
Easter Vigil the sac-
Bishop Curlin voiced
V
nized as one of the major solemnities of the church.
at the
those entering the church.
not recog-
is
when
raments of initiation are conferred upon
in the history of the dio
cese," said Bishop Curlin.
By JOHN THAVIS VATICAN CITY (CNS)
be
board to the bishop
in
Vatican Expresses Repentance For Christian Inaction Against Nazis
this year's celebration will
unique, Bishop Curlin ordinarily shares
gallery set to
Charlotte.
Sunday.
this
serving in western North Carolina, func-
I
I
to pastors this Pentecost
tions as an advisory
open March 21
the priests have said,
mation
Spanish Colonial
I
"As
to participate.
would be a visible sign of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit over the dio-
The
I I
appreciation for
bishop encourages parishes
StiU, the
Bishop William G. Curlin recently
Spirit,
Peruvian works on display as part
I
at other
times during the year. for a re-
Pentecost in the year dedicated to the Holy
"Defense of the Sacrament" is
I
20, 1998
sacrament as bishop in parishes
Staff Writer
CHARLOTTE
J
March
Pentecost Confirmation A Teaching Moment For Diocese, Says Bishop
Spanish I
I
•
firm.
he
said.
2 The Catholic
News
& Herald
March
Vatican Repentance,
from page
Law Calls For Commission To Study Cardinal
1
But the anti-Semitic ideology of the Nazi regime had different origins and in fact was also antisaid.
Christian,
it
U.S.-Cuba Relations
said.
"The Shoah was the
work of a thoroughly modern neo-pagan regime.
had
By JOSEPH NOWLAN
—
SOMERVILLE,
anti-Semitism roots outside of
Its
its
Mass. (CNS) of Boston has objection to the U.S. em-
Law
Cardinal Bernard F.
Christianity and, in pursu-
reaffirmed his
ing its aims, it did not hesitate to oppose the church and persecute her
bargo against Cuba while at the same time calling for a bipartisan commission
on U.S.-Cuba
members also," it said. The document asked
way
to help
economic develop-
ment. visitor to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington looks over an exhibit on rescuer Father Jacques de Jesus, a French priest who hid Jewish boys and others from the Gestapo during World War II. The Vatican document on the Holocaust acknowledges the
or even indifferent, to the
persecutions launched against the Jews by Na-
shortcomings of some Christians during the war, but said others had acted heroically to save lives.
it
reached power.
impossible to reasonably sup-
embargo against Cuba while at same time granting Most Favored
port the the
Nation status to the People's Republic
ers."
century, discrimination against Jews in
Did Christians give every possible assistance to those being persecuted, and
'different,'"
The document
it
said.
said that
said
March
Law
13.
by the
1
is
not so evident,
ent standard there
than religious."
human
rights in general
and on reUgious liberty specifically," he said. "If openness is thought to further freedom in those nations where change
9th
Europe was "more sociological and political
able record on
is
how
is it
that a differ-
Cuba when
applied to
The
cardinal
made
his
remarks
in a
speech to the American
Those who did help Jews should not be forgotten, the document said, and here it offered the example of Pope Pius. It cited a series of testimonials and thanks from
ries of racial superiority, clearly contrary
& Sciences in Somerville, a Boston sub-
Jewish leaders immediately after the war, acknowledging what it described as the "wisdom" of Pope Pius' diplomacy. In reflecting on the Holocaust, the
cies
"Many
Jews? it asked.
did, but others did not,"
it
said.
examined several cen-
document turies of what it called "tormented" relations between Jews and Christians. briefly
"In effect, the balance of these relations over 2,000 years has
negative,"
The
it
been quite
said.
early centuries of Christianity,
it
witnessed disputes between the church and Jewish leaders. Christian mobs that attacked synagogiies and anti- Jewish interpretations of the New Testament. said,
to
church teaching. The church in Ger-
many
replied by condemning racism, it of Nazi poliby other church leaders of the time.
said. It also cited criticism
Asked at a press conference why the document spoke only of Catholic indifference or insensitivity to Nazi policies,
and not of church members who actively supported the Nazi regime. Cardinal Cassidy said it would have been problematic to select church figures for criti-
Academy of Arts
urb.
Cardinal Law led a group of 240 Bostonians to Cuba in January for Pope
John Paul
11' s visit
to the
communist
nation.
While many are convinced the dinal pointed out that "it
is
not the
alone, stunning though
it
was, which
chronicles change...
"To sit in judgment on people is much more difficult than to praise those
curred without the active approval of
who
has been a promoter, not an obstacle, to
took a stand" against Nazism, he
said.
President Castro," the prelate added.
what
Preparation of the document was
is
now happening
Cardinal
Law
sions.
thinking.
which led
to ex-
engagement can achieve far more change within Cuba than can the emtive
bargo." Part of the reason the
embargo has
not been
lifted, the cardinal said, is what he termed "the pressure of partisan poli-
tics."
But a bipartisan commission, as he urging, "would have as its charge the development of policy initiatives which could build on the changes already peris
ceived in
Cuba
since the pope's visit,"
he explained. suggested that such a commis-
sion could be headed by a former U.S.
president and
would include a cross-sec-
and prominent Cuban- Americans. The cardinal also called on President tion of senators, corporate executives
new
Clinton to "chart a
relationship be-
tween the United States and Cuba." He further urged the president to
See Cardinal Law, page 12
"He
Cuba." remains a critic of in
The Lost Son
in Christian quarters,
Readings for the week of March 22 28, 1998
—
Sunday Joshua 5:9, 10-12 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11-33
Monday
"Despite the Christian preaching of
Isaiah 65: 17-21
John For the real pipe-organ lover,
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Tuesday
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,
4:
who
desires the opportunity to create an
You'll
crisis to
The Holy Father has am-
"These changes could not have oc-
cism.
Cassidy said it took so long to publish because the document reflected an important "maturation process" of church
generalized discrimination against Jews
visit.
ply demonstrated that a policy of posi-
visit
pulsions and attempts at forced conver-
cited a
of U.S. policy from the missile
."
Castro but said he believes hfting the
document
The embargo dates back to 1962, Cuban missile crisis. The cardinal urged the United States and its leaders to "move the starting point
the year of the
visit
has accelerated changes in Cuba, the car-
begun in 1987, at a time of tensions in Catholic-Jewish relations. Cardinal
In later times, the
a necessity
cines.
He
evident change?"
is
Nazism in Germany, it said, was a form of nationalism that drew from theo-
in particular to persecuted
is
Cuba finds itself today, lack-
ing necessities, including food and medi-
of China, and while moving into closer relations with Vietnam," Cardinal
"Both of these nations have a deplorlove for all, even for one's enemies, the prevailing mentality down the centuries penalized minorities and those who were
any way
given where
the papal
"It is
The answer would need to be given case by case, it said. But it concluded that "the spiritual resistance and concrete action" of some Christians was "not that which might have been expected from Christ' s follow-
in
U.S. economic embargo
r
A
among Christians made them less sensitive, timent
when
relations as a
the island nation's photo by
whether anti-Jewish sen-
tional Socialism
20, 1998
(800) 33 1 -0768
It's
Will
in
be a
Cavaill<i-Coll,
Ha nson a Schn ger
Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10
Luke 1:26-38 Thursday
Exodus 32:7-14 John 5:31-47
(Luke 15:31-32)
the world.
Friday
your choice now. it
"My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours, but now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found."
a
Wisdom
2:1,
John 7:1-2,
10,
12-22 25-30
or an AeolianSkinner?
Saturday Jeremiah 11:18-20 John 7:40-53
s
1
March
The Cathohc News
20, 1998
Appeal Sunday
CSS Beatty Award Honors Dianne English ter, was a social justice advocate. While serving as pastor of a church in Illinois, he became active in the
movement with
civil rights
Martin Luther King
Like her father, English has spent the last several years working for peace, temperance
and justice in
the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region.
Named
executive director of Mecklenburg Ministries in 1991, she has developed such programs as Bridgebuilders, InnerChange, and Youth Breaking Barriers. At the same time, she has maintained the organization's historical involve-
ment with the Emergency Winter Shelter, the airport chaplaincy
and
Christian.
By
MIKE KROKOS Editor
CHARLOTTE to social action
Francis
J.
— A woman
was recognized
Beatty
dedicated
as the Col.
Award winner March
As
she continues her
hopes
more
J.
like Col. Francis
cess
among people of
warmth, compassion, and the highest ideals of ecumenism. English is the second woman and first non-Cathohc to receive the award, "Dianne is a woman of vision, who saw a dream and its possibilities, and who
Building Conference attended
Beatty
plants seeds Sister
who
—
faith, dignity,
beyond her time,"
said
Mary Thomas Burke, 1997
Mercy
winner,
presented this year's Beatty award,
"In this, she truly exemplifies the values
and beUefs of the late Col. Beatty, whose life gave witness to the beatitudes and who challenges tice,
all
of us to work for peace, jus-
and equality for all." Enghsh's father, a Methodist minis-
annual fund-raising drive that supports 35 social services, multicultural, educational
task force
is
The
which took "Love in Action" as its theme this year, began Feb. 1. Barbara Rohrman, director of the DSA, said at press time that 67 percent of the diocese's goal of $2.76 million had been pledged. Diocesan officials are optimistic that
11
be met with Appeal Sunday Weekend. During each Mass, parish leaders will make presentations, and pledge cese, the target will
cards will be available to parishioners
have not yet responded. Noting continual growth
day
is
In the Jan.
made each
30 issue of Hie Catholic News
the importance of the
DSA
in relation to
building up the church in westem North Caro-
CCHS
received CSS' Spirit Award. Shown with Bishop William G. Curlin are Julie Schwarzmueller;
"A
on the support it receives from parishioners," he said. "The lina.
Mercy
Sister Paulette Williams; Sara McMillan; Martha Hattaway; Patrick Cahill; Bobby Tran; Katie Schwartz; Lacey Niedosik; Geri King; and CSS Executive Director Elizabeth Thurbee.
DSA,
parish exists
though,
is
a visible reminder, a chal-
lenge to Catholics to recognize the entire dio-
cese as one parish family.
on the path," she said of the "As a good friend reminded me
to stay
task force.
His Excellency, Bishop William G. Curlin, announces the following change in clergy assignment in the Diocese of Charlotte.
years ago, the path is difficult, and it can if you're not on it with people you care about. I have been richly blessed."
be too hard
English said the lessons learned
at
Mecklenburg Ministries have been invaluable as well. "It (has) echoed what I had been taught at home, namely that a com-
March
EflFective
Rev.
Richard B.
16,
1998
Fariuell, pastor
ofSaint Dorothy Church,
Lincolnton, will be leaving his diocesan assignment to re-enter the Benedictine Order
Remember
HisWn -
8:(X),
Vloncla)-
-
Friday
SaUiixlay
Satuidav
—
9:30,
!
—
H()var\
Hn
\\\
Mass 9
30PM
1:00AM
,!i
12:30PM
7:30AM
&L
n-.mu
00AM Novena
9
ou can express your commitment to your Church by making a bequest to the Diocese of Charlotte statement included in your Will:
"/ leave to the
Charlotte (or (or
our website at www.hows.net/28203spc fi
Charlotte, \( 2H2()3
("'Oi)3S
Roman
22S^
sum of $
percent of the residue of my estate) for
For more information on »
Catholic Diocese of
parish, city) the
religious, educational
Parochial Vicar: Reverend Walter Ray Williams Visit
Bishop William G. Curhn
or to your parish. Simply have the following
4:00 to S:0()PM OX by request
in St. Leo, Florida.
"A valid Will stands as a continuing expression of our concern for loved ones, as well as an ongoing commit-
30AM
Rector: The Very Reverend Paul Gary
1621 Dilworth Road East
ofSt. Leo Abbey
ment to the Church and the community in which we live."
In Yours. 5
of
& Herald, Bishop William G. Curlin noted
Community
that is
fruits
DSA will reach out to even greater
fmm last year's appeal.
benefited
pubhc awareness. EngUsh'
commitment
who
Diocese
numbers than the estimated 40,000 people who
issue action teams, face-to-face
by more than 600 people, "Like most of you who work in areas where there are no easy or sure answers, the
in the
of Charlotte, officials project that the this year' s
working to develop
in a successful
appeal,
through the generosity of people in the dio-
dialogue opportunities, and general
and
vocational agencies and ministries.
and
See CSS Award, page
—
29, thus ending the Diocese of Charlotte's
diverse
work has most recently resulted
late Col.
Staff Writer
The annual Diocesan Support Appeal comes to a close March 28-
and ethnic backgrounds
whose life forth by the
exemplifies the standards set
By JIMMY ROSTAR
CHARLOTTE
Community Building Task Force since last April. With a goal of creating an active community building pro-
in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, the
Social Services to an individual
DSA
Beatty himself.
Uke to be delivering hot meals to hungry people in my 80s, to love and be cherished by my family, to enjoy the life I've been given, and to witness to the truth that in God's eyes we are aU one," she said. English and her husband, Roger, are the parents of three children: David, Wesley, and Christian. They are members of Myers Park United Methodist Church. Also honored were the recipients of the Spirit Award, Charlotte Catholic High "I'd
served as director of the
Westin Hotel. Dianne EngUsh, executive director of Mecklenburg Minstries and director of the Conununity Building Task Force, received the honor presented annually by Cathohc at the
commitment to to become
social action, English
English has also
racial
1
Mark Close of
people in attendance.
other community-based programs.
Beatty award winner Dianne English and husband Roger, with children, Wesley, David,
Weekend to
mitment to the life of faith and to social action belonged together," she told the 450
Dr.
Jr.
& Herald 3
how
and charitable works." to
make
a Will that works, contact
Jim Kelley, Diocese of Oiarlotle, Office of Development, 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203, (704) 370-3301
its
.
4 The Catholic News
& Herald
CPrO'-Zoife
March
The Pope Speaks
Corner
Pope John Paul II
VATICAN CITY
(CNS) — Here
Pope John Paul II's remarks weekly general audience March 1 1
text of
Please vote
to restore the
Mexico
and stop
exporting abortion-on-demand to other nations. Federal funds should not subsidize organizations that perform abortions or that lobby against or violate foreign abortion laws. City Policy
Contact your two U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representative, by letter, FAX, ore-mail:
The Honorable _ U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C., 20515
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510 Information about telephone, FAX numbers or e-mail address can be found through the Library of Congress' website, "Thomas."
human affairs. God intervenes in history at own choosing. We must discern these times
her history, the church experiences both periods when her missionary efforts seem to be less effective and
his
''ad limina " report to
Pope John Paul II.
versions
teaches, and greater serenity in confronting the
bility to
evangelize must discern these times in order
make
the best use of the opportunities offered
human weaknesses,
the
Holy
tic
witnesses to the Gospel.
power of
be authen-
The same power
will al-
ing pilgrims and visitors present at this audience, es-
^
March 20, 1998 Volume 7 • Number 28
I
Not?
Rock and the Giga no, I'm convinced, I've come up solution to every moral dilemma
—
And
The Catholic News & Herald, USPC 007-393, is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203, 44 times a year, weekly except for Christmas week and Easter week and every two weeks duhng June, July and August for$15 peryearforenrollees in parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte and $18 per year for all other subscribers. Second-class postage paid at Charlotte NC and other cities. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to The Catholic News & Herald, PO Box 37267, Charlotte,
NC
28237.
many
culture."
Pope John Paul had particular praise for the parochial school system in the United States and for parish programs aimed at bringing inactive Catholics back to church.
do whatever it is she wants, no matter how mindless.
Why her,
should
I
be nice
to
you are thinking, why I do what she asks? Stop, breathe and turn
should
that's priceless, isn't
that question around.
it?
Now,
don't
tell
Why
me that you don't care.
you are reading these words by a religion writer in a Catholic newspaper, you have already shown me that you have a conscience. You've already demonstrated that the question of right and wrong choices is If
important to you. And you probably are painfully aware St.
good we want
how
diffi-
can be.
Paul writes,
we
too often end up not doing
and doing evil we really, in our want any part of. we end up propelled along that road is that the right choice is usually the more difficult path that narrow road Jesus talked about. So we've come up with all kinds of tricks and techto
heart of hearts, don't
Of
course, the reason
make
the right choices, all sorts of
not?
Another example: You're American high school student with amazing educational opportunities, comfortable Uving conditions, and a life that is unique and precious and given to you by God. Every day you are faced with the question of what to do with that life, and you ask: Why should I spend time studying instead of watching television or surfing the Internet? Why should I set time aside to help others? Why should I try to strive to be the best I can be rather than settle for that lazy slacker a typical
existence?
Try
—
schemes to give us the right framework in decision making and values identification and all that jazz. As of this moment, you can put all of those mind bending rationales away in the bottom drawer. You're not going to need them after you hear about my method for getting yourself to do the right thing, even when you don't want to. It is so simple. It even has a simple name: "Why Not?" That's it. "Why Not?" Think about it. You are talking with your Mom, discussing your life in general and how you really need to be doing just a bit more around the house to justify the air space you are occupying. You feel your emotions rising and your resistance to doing whatever your Mom is telling you to do is going up right along with it. You are tempted to start talking back and refusing
E-mail: catholicnews@charlottediocese.org
who
to
may never reap millions through invaluable con-
niques to help us
Jane Glodowski 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203 Mail: PO Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237 Phone: (704) 370-3333 FAX: (704) 370-3382
those
—
cause division and should be of one mind
often needlessly
among
and heart." Pope John Paul told the bishops that once the good news of the Gospel is accepted by individuals, "it demands to be shared." Christians, he said, "have a particular responsibility to contribute to the renewal of
tributions to society such as the Pet
Editor:
Secretary:
—
which
Amy Welbom
Why
Publisher:
Most Reverend William G. Curlin Michael Krokos Associate Editor: Joann Keane Staff Writer:Jimmy Rostar Hispanic Editor: Luis Wolf Production Associate: Julie Radcliffe
issues
polarization
Coming Of Age
the
& Herald
the
Spirit enables Christ's disciples to
by
ways continue to produce new marvels of grace in the work of the evangelization of peoples. I extend a warm welcome to all the English-speak-
As
News
community what the church actually
to help all sectors of the Catholic
find greater certainty about
cult those choices
The Catholic
An essential part of any bishop's ministry, he said, "must be
when the Gospel is welcomed and conmultiply. Those who have a special responsi-
with the surefire you're ever going to face.
March 15-27 making
"The purpose of our ministry is to lead the the church into a living communion with with one another."
said,
members of
favorable times
to
Pope
told U.S. bishops.
II
In his formal address to the visiting bishops, the
God and
Pet, but I think
Rome
division within parishes or in the wider church.
John Paul
pope
CurliTii will
is in
teaching and help them resolve issues that can lead to
man, whose saving work continues
in the church. In
CITY
— Bishops must help
and allow ourselves to be challenged by them. The most fundamental time was the coming of the Son of God as
pheOpal GalenJar
The bishop
VATICAN (CNS)
Catholics understand church
times of his
from Denmark, Australia, the Philippines, Japan, Canada and the United States of America. Upon you and your families I cordially invoke the blessings of Almighty God.
take part in tKe foflowiing events:
U.S.
Bishops To Help Catholics Overcome Divisions
grasp the profound significance of the kingdom of God present in
Pope Tells
the Vatican
pecially those
http://thomas.loc.gov
Bishop William
is
in English at his
Dear brothers and sisters, Our catechesis on the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 reflects today on how the salvation accomplished by Christ is realized in human history. The descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost enabled the disciples to
grace. Despite their
The Honorable _
20, 1998
it
Why
again.
not?
Finally, your boyfriend for
now
—
—
well, let's call
pressuring you for sex.
is
him
that
Do you love me,
hold back? Why stay away from intercourse before you get married? Well why not? Think about it as you're going through your day, which, if it's like mine, is filled with countless moral
he asks?
Why
—
choices.
Why not be honest? Why not treat the people
you meet with dignity
and respect?
Why not stop judging people? Why not buy fewer soHas and candy and give tha money
to charity?
Why Why
not
let
Jesus be your model?
not?
Amy Welbom
is
a
CNS columnist.
J
2
March
The Catholic News
20, 1998
One Candle
Light
Father Thomas
On The Verge Of Hope: A End
Pointless It is
my
privilege to share with
you
essays that celebrate the highest values
of the
—
true stories of inhuman spirit who put hope into action and
dividuals
column diverges from the norm because the tragic outcome compels me to question the senselessness of what happened. Erik Melzer was convicted of drug
make
a positive difference. This
and landed in prison. His first letter to me arrived on Aug. 22, 1996, and his last was post-marked Aug. 18, 1997. Our correspondence over that year documents a young man's yearning to turn his life around. "I have less than a year here to go, then a few months to serve in Baltimore County Jail, and after that, where I'll go or what I'll do trafficking
—
is
a mystery. Since
I
started receiving
pamphlets from The Christophers I have had an urge to write you, as I think you might understand my situation. I don't go to church, I smoke, listen to rock
music, am an admirer of John Gotti and Billy the Kid, and I look at beautiful women, nice cars and good food as the finer aspects of creation. "My point is this: I have the desire to mellow out, to think instead of selfdestruct, and to help others as best I can. It is easy to live for yourself, but to better your life and be able to help others
do the same is a challenge and,
I
am sure,
I want hope my un-candy coated hon-
creates an inner satisfaction that to have. I
esty doesn't bother you. Please
me
tell
what you think." a
He admitted he had grown up with "me against the world attitude," that
he had "created an ugly image out-of-control thug."
So
I
...
had
as an
to ask
myself if he meant what he said about wanting to change, about not blaming everyone but himself for his mistakes. In time
I
came
& Herald 5
to believe his intentions,
and in time, Erik came to discover the beginnings of his potential for being good and doing the right thing. His let-
J.
McSweeney
flow with enthusiasm and a determination to make
to
a difference.
be
ters
"Immediately
after
my
I want to go to the Kindness House in Durham, N.C., but I will be on mandatory parole for about a year. I am trying to work that out, as N.C. parole has no problem with my coming there instead of staying in East Baltimore. It would be a great step for me and a chance to help others by giving them hope. I am positive but scared if I am forced to do my parole in Baltimore. "I grew up there and I know there are two things in store for me there prison or death. I've had guns in my face, been shot at, even had more than one
tell
they got they would
me
that first
kill
me.
I
chance
am not let-
going to
wasn't all right. I did not hear from him for a long time. I worried and
Human
—
its
all right."
But
release
police (officer)
touch that calm place
within that says
it
wondered and finally heard from his uncle. Denied permission to finish his parole in Durham, Erik was released to the streets of East Baltimore. One night, about three weeks later, Erik went out with a couple of old "friends." The next day he was found dead with six bullet wounds to his chest. Erik Melzer had a lot of plans for turning his life around. Maybe he would have become that new person he wrote about. Maybe he would have failed and
gone back I
to hurting others
and himself.
am just frustrated because he never got
the chance to find out and neither did we.
my old attitudes come back, but this
ting
is like a thorn in the saddle. I wish myself and be responsible. "Sometimes when I pray 1 am able
Father Thomas J. McSweeney is Diand a CNS
issue
to better
rector of the Christophers columnist.
Question Corner Father John Dietzen
The
Effect of the Penitential Rite of the Mass Q. I realize the importance of the sacrament ofpenance, but wonder about the efficacy of other activities like prayer the "Penitential Rite " at
and especially the beginning
We hear
of Mass. about
self, the flagship,
so to speak, of this
pursuit of forgiveness and healing
the
is
sacrament of penance.
anymore. Is it a rite of penance? Does it have reconciliation effect? If not, what is its purpose? little
newal" (Introduction to the Rite of Penance, No. 3. The references that follow here are to the same document.) Next to the eucharistic sacrifice it-
The teaching of
this
us,
is
that
tial
Eucharistic
reconciliation with our
brothers and sisters
who are
mm
perfects this continual repentance in
always hurt by our sins, communal penance services, for example, even when they do not include individual absolution, show more clearly the community nature of penance and for-
cihation effect. All the spiritual life of
many
giveness.
the church is lived in awareness that,
sacrament of penance. Individually and as a body, we share Christ's sufferings by enduring our difficulties, doing works of mercy and charity, and trying to adopt more fully the outlook of the Gospel. Done out of love, St. Peter reminds
any grave (mortal) But, as the
of
A. Yes,
however
it
filled
of Christ,
it
is
surely does have recon-
it may be with the gifts made up of people who
unfortunately often
fall into sin.
Thus, the church, "at the same time holy and always in need of purification, constantly pursues repentance and re-
sin should
be con-
fessed to a priest in confession (No. 7).
God
rite
puts
(the church)
different
it,
"the people
accomplishes and
ways"
in addition to the
Rite you mention and
other parts of the Mass, the
and make us a sign to the world of our conversion to God. Since repentance ensins (1 Pt 4:8)
tails
the church
1
such actions are redempcover a multitude of
tive,
the
The church mentions each of these explicitly as part of the church's pursuit
of reconciliation with God, 22).
To answer your question then, Mass is effective
Penitential Rite at
the for
forgiveness and reconciliation.
word of God
in the liturgy
sonal prayer are other
and per-
ways of experienc-
ing and celebrating God's mercy.
And
Prayer,
Lamb of God and
so on.
with and through Jesus Christ (Nos. 4,
Listening attentively and prayerfully to the
creed, the
another step. is
available in each of these
ways of rec-
onciliation?
but certainly not least, are
last,
we always want to go How much "forgiveness"
Unfortunately,
Just as
we
can't put a quantity on
the penitential aspects of the eucharistic
celebration,
See Dietzen, page 13
which include the Peniten-
Parish Diary Father Peter Daly
Where
Everybody on Sunday?
some
Christianity
infirm to get out, and
The Archdiocese of Washington has
attendance probably peaked in the religious revival years of the 1950s when
babies are too young to take
values simplicity (poverty),
1997 results of the annual "head count" taken by ushers in every parish on all the Sundays of Octo-
churches, Protestant and Catholic, had a higher percentage of people coming than ever.
to church.
modesty (chastity) and acceptance (obedience) of God's will. The culture val-
Is
just published the
ber. That's the best
month
to take the
count. Kids are in school, vacations are over, weather is good.
The survey shows that only about 150,000 Catholics in the archdiocese are participating in Mass on an average Sunday. This is one-third of the Catholics.
Where is everybody? The Archdiocese of Washington
Of course, we need to put this in perAccording to surveys by
spective.
Castelli,
church
come
who
cannot
sustained. Actually, the percentage of
discouraging.
people going to church in the 1990s is probably about the same as in the 1920s and 1 930s down from the peak years,
On the other hand, if everyone came to church, we probably could not accommodate them. My little parish church holds only
—
still a respectable showing compared Europe and Latin America. We can never expect 1 00 percent attendance. Even in the peak years of the
but
'50s, when practically every able-bodied person got himself or herself to church on Sunday, the percentages never exceeded 80 percent or so, except in a
few
rural dioceses.
There are always a certain number of people away on travel; some are too
ized West.
But even allowing for the 25 percent or so
Today's percentages have fallen from a peak that could probably not be
to is
probably typical of the church as a whole throughout the United States and Canada. A lower and lower percentage of Catholics is joining in the church's common prayer life.
George Gallup and Jim
all
one reason
ues material wealth, eroti-
or another, the figures are
cism and personal autonomy
for
(choice).
200 people. I currently preside at five Sunday Masses each week in the summer sometimes six.
—
all
Nearly all seats always are taken. If 1 ,900 or so parishioners came on
the
Sunday, about 700 would have to stand on the porch and look in the windows, as they do on Ash Wednesday and Easter. Part of the decline is cultural. It touches every religion in the industrial-
get
beyond
have
Obviously, when people childhood years, they
their
to decide.
Sometimes they cast their
with the culture. Another part of the decline might be few priests and too many people. I cannot possibly have a personal relationship with the 750 people who come to Mass on Sunday, let alone the 1,900 or so registered in our parish. Protestant neighbors usually minister to about one-fifth as many lot
that there are too
My
See
Daly,
page
1
1
6 The CathoUc
& Herald
News
March
Spanish Colonial Gallery Opens At Mint Museum CHARLOTTE
— The opening of
the Spanish Colonial gallery on
gers the imagination.
Museum
On
display at the
Mint are vessels in the form of an Andean deer, silver statuary crowns,
March
21 will be the latest phase in the thematic
of
elaborate tupus (cloak pins), cocoa leaf
Art's permanent collection, "Art in the
caddies and incense burners that hint at
Americas." Paintings, precious metalwork, sculpture, furniture and decorative arts from the 17th through the 19th centuries illustrate the unique culture that
the towering silver and gold
Mint
reinstallation of the
tabernacles
of
processionary statue of Christ's appear-
served
Images of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary and the saints accompanied the Conquistadors and missionaries in their quest for wealth and
ance before Pontius
the Catholic Church.
the
as well as the decoration of churches.
Talented natives were trained in crafts and the visual arts for whom such work would be a manifestation of devotion. The native sense of color and form, technical heritage and symbolic preference modified imported European styles. art
or "outsider"
art,
contributes to
its
The
and unique gold
second Sunday of each month. For information, call the Mint Museum of Art any time (704) 337-2000. Web address:
"tooling" of elaborate arabesques, rosettes
and flower petals on the garments
of favorite figures were original breaks
from European conventions.
New
of Art. The
for members and children 12 years and under. Free days are each Tuesday evening from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the
with a naivete which
flatness of the design
Museum
Orleans
on loan from
The Mint Museum of Art is located at 2730 Randolph Road. Hours are Tuesday 10 a.m.- 10 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-S p.m., and Sunday 12-5 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 seniors, $2 students and free
often appears as folk
special character.
New
Pilate,
emotional resignation of Jesus, contrasted with the vivid, bloody realism of his physical wounds, created a sensation among visitors to the 1992 Mint exhibition "Splendors of the New World."
conversion of native souls. Paintings were used in the instruction of converts
Spanish Colonial
second coming (Behold the Man), a
Homo"
of "Ecco first
common to even the poorest
New World churches.
lonial installation is the
of the Americas.
New World
and
Of particular note in the Spanish Co-
emerged from the Spanish colonization Art in the
altars
www.mintmuseum.org
ele-
ments, such as mirror decorated frames,
added
vitality to the
Huge duced a
silver
works.
Papua New Guinea Bishop Says Media Poorly Portrays U.S. Church By TOM TRACY WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.
— Media
lasting Christian presence in
(CNS)
portrayals of the U.S. Catho-
Church as fractured and at odds with church authority in Rome however are discouraging to Third exaggerated World Catholics, said a bishop from Papua New Guinea. "The church in the U.S. is very influential in the world, and we are very interested in the church in the U.S.," said Bishop Cesare Bonivento of Vanimo, Papua New Guinea. "When I talk to the common people lic
—
—
(in the U.S.) I find great
Holy
when
support for the
media
Guinea beginning
Papua New
in the late 19th cen-
country of 4 million people, approximately 1 .4 milUon are Catholics.
tury. In a
"Some of these people have been evangelized only as recently as the 1960s, and their faith is very strong," the bishop said.
America is the leading country in the world and is the dream of many Third World peoples, said Bishop Bonivento. But Catholics in the United States need to be more united in finding ways to react against media abuses, he added. "Remember that you have some
I
brothers around the world, and they can
see a lot of conflict. Newspapers that act
be comforted or humiliated in their faith by what you do," he said. Bishop Bonivento recalled an occasion recently in which a Catholic bishop from Australia spoke out against a popular film that was offensive and antiCatholic. Although the bishop's objections were ultimately ineffective in stopping the film's distribution, Bishop Bonivento said Catholics in the region took encouragement from the Australian bishop's example. "If Americans did this it would help you fulfill your role as a leading Catholic country in the world with a great responsibility to the world," he said.
Father, but
I
see the
only in their own interest are harmful to us because they create an image of this country that is not real," Bishop Bonivento said during a February visit.
He also said that incomplete or inis happening among Catholics in the United States is damaging. Catholics in the United States need to challenge the big ,
correct world perceptions of what
media organizations or
journalists
who
poorly represent the Catholic faith and Catholic affairs, he said. "I love American people, but
we
have a picture that is not real at this moment, and the U.S. is giving the world a picture of its church that I don't think is realistic," the
and gold deposits pro-
bishop
said.
French missionaries established a
New World affluence that stag-
20, 1998
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March
The Catholic News
20, 1998
& Herald 7
Entertainment The following are home videocassette reviews from the U.S. Catholic Conference Officefor Film and Broad-
Wry Comedy In "Love And Videos Death
Each videocassette is available on VHSformat. Theatrical movies on video have a U.S. Catholic Conference classification and Motion Picture Association ofAmerica rating. All reviews indicate the appropriate age group for the video audience. casting.
On Long Island"
By GERRI PARE
NEW YORK (CNS) and Death on Long Island" (Lions Gate) is a wry comedy that deli-
— "Love
"Eve's Bayou" (1997) Poignant drama
widower's unexpected longing for a handsome young man he first glimpses on a movie screen.
This small-scaled film is
of America rating
Hurt is prissy London author Giles De'Ath, for
whom owning
"wireless" as he calls
— it
"The
as
he
is
—
willing to
tolerate.
A virtual recluse since
The
the Iron Mask."
role of
King
"The
Man
in
tingly locks himself out of
classification
house one afternoon and so stumbles into a
parents Association of America rating is PG-13 are strongly cautioned that some material may be inappropriate for children under 1 3.
But Giles had wandered
is A-lll
—
—
lous ineptitude as performers.
perspective and re-embrace Uving as opinto the
posed
comedy "Hotpants College
up
to holing
in his
musty
quarters.
Directed by Richard Kwietniowski,
—and marked by
where he is transfixed by its blueeyed star, teen idol Ronnie Bostock (Ja-
the narrative
son Priestly).
technological wonders of the '90s such
II"
Knowing an adolescent crush in his
as talking cars as he
accepting
videos.
cies than flies
New York
and rents a motel room in the Long Island community where Ronnie lives with his fiancee (Fiona Loewi). Soon he has met the couple and they warm to his Victorian manners, literary connections and obvious interest in Ronnie's career.
to
is,
as
amazed by
alas,
the
resigned to
civilities are past. (His
expression as he leaves his shoes outside
room door
the motel
instantly polished
is
as if they
would be
priceless.)
Giles' journey of self-discovery
is
about possible homosexual tendenit is about a man who had closed upon himself, and now will look at life as a gift to be lived and enjoyed. We know his crazy crush is doomed, but Hurt brings less
a positive eloquence to his character's dignified attempts to adjust to rejection
—
as well as such
modem
mysteries as
a professional interest in
wood pretty boy, but it is never mean-spir-
him, but Ronnie's eventual response is kindly, allowing Giles to put it all in
and recurring rough language. The U.S. Catholic Conference sional profanity
—
A-IV The Motion
classification is
ervations.
tion of America rating
adults, with res-
Picture Associais
R
—
ited or sleazy in
any way.
Because of a live-in relationship, veiled homosexual reference, minimal profanity and an instance of rough lan-
guage, the U.S. CathoHc Conference classification is A-III
— aduhs. The Motion
Picmre Association of America rating
—
is
PG-13 parents are strongly cautioned that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Pare
lic
on the staff of the U.S. CathoConference Officefor Film and Broad-
casting.
—
classification
—
restricted.
"A
Less Ordinary" (1997) Romantic fantasy clunker in Life
which two angels (Holly Hunter and Delroy Lindo) are assigned to make a spoiled heiress (Cameron Diaz) and her dimwitted kidnapper (Ewan McGregor) fall in love and marry. Director Danny Boyle attempts to mix unexpected violence with screwball comedy but the results are strained and
restricted.
"In & Out" (1997) Sex farce about the comic confusions of a 40-year-old small-town teacher (Kevin Khne) whose life goes topsy-turvy days before his wedding when an Oscarwinning former student announces to the world that the teacher is gay. Director Frank Oz mixes warm-hearted humor with broadly funny performances as the farcical proceeding poke fun at gay and
Some
—
ciation of
America
M.
Driscoll)
is
A-IV
—
adults,
parents are strongly
—
PG-13 cautioned that some rating is
may be inappropriate for children under 13. "In the Company of Men" (1997) Disturbing picture of two callous corporate colleagues (Aaron Eckhart and Matt Malloy) who decide to pay back material
rebuffs by
women by
deliberately ro-
mancing, then abruptly dumping a vulnerable deaf secretary (Stacy Edwards), though things don't quite work out as planned. Writer-director Neil LaBute chillingly explores the vicious nature of office
and sexual
politics without settling
is
re-
boy (voice of Bobby to grow up. Di-
who refuses
dreamy fantasy panoramas of London and Never Never Land, along fers
with the antics of feisty pixie Tinker Bell and
songs.
some mostly unmemorable
Some
women) and
dated sexist (jealous racial (Nafive
Ameri-
cans) stereotypes are wrong-headedly
intended as fun. The U.S. Catholic Conference classificafion is A-I
—
general patronage.
The Motion Picture
Association of America rating
is
G—
general audiences.
"She's So Lovely" (1997) Gritty, unappealing story of a
tom between her
America
—
rected by Hamilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi and Wildred Jackson, it of-
occasional profanity and an instance of
sociation of
R
Barrie's 1904 play about an imp-
ish 12-year-old
woman
with reservations. The Motion Picture As-
is
"Peter Pan" (1953) Walt Disney's animated feature is a delightful adaptation of Sir James
homosexuality, brief male kissing scene,
ference classification
rating
stricted.
straight stereotypes. Flippant treatment of
rough language. The U.S. Cathohc Con-
violence, sexual
innuendo and intermittent profanity and rough language. The U.S. CathoHc Conference classification is A-III adults. The Motion Picture Asso-
in
Giles has taken
actor proves unusually
in realizing that
more than
some
is
microwaves and mirrored motel ceilings. The dry British humor at hand concentrates on the culture clash between a Old World esthete and a gullible Holly-
The naive dense
simple
simple charms. Giles
dotage is insane, Giles nonetheless finds himself reading fan magazines and buying a VCR to see Ronnie's previous movies on video. So uninitiated is he, he doesn't realize the VCR still requires a television for viewing the His folly escalates when Giles
is
Comic
homosexual innuendo, occa-
as well as pro-
The U.S. Catholic Conference is A-IV adults, with reservations. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R fanity.
unconvincing.
in
steelworker
treatment of sexuality, brief rear nudity, fleeting
of an E.M. Forster novel. appalling
restricted.
money to be made putting on a one-night male strip show. Director Peter Cattaneo downplays the narrative's sleazy aspects, focusing instead on the characters' financial needs and ridicu-
U.S. Catholic Conference adults. The Motion Picture
his wife's death, he unwit-
nearby cineplex, thinking he would see an adaptation
—
there's easy
Leonardo DiCaprio stars in the dual Louis XIV and the enigmatic Philiippe in
his
R
comedy
which an (Robert Carlyle), desperate to eam some needed cash, convinces five jobless buddies
unemployed
j
would be about as radically
modem
is
Monty" (1997)
Full
Droll British
or
much rough language
fail-
is
—
and
achingly funny.
a radio
though the result
action's melodramatic treatment.
times poi-
is at
touching
gnant,
human
marred by the Mature theme of adultery, fleeting sexual encounters, brief violence, intermittent rough language and profanity. The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III adults. The Motion Picmre Association ings,
whose per-
formance as the fusty old Englishman with a mad crush on a teen-movie heartthrob
set in
beautifully lyric tale probes
thoroughly carried by
actor John Hurt,
an implied affair and
ful activities,
1962 Louisiana, where a precocious 10-year-old (Jumee Smollett) observes how her family is affected by the womanizing of their prosperous doctor father (Samuel L. Jackson) which culminates in a violent tragedy. Writer-director Kasi Lemmons'
cately explores an aging
(Robin Wright Penn) who's first husband (Sean Penn) who's just been released from a 10-year stay in a psychiatric asylum
and her present husband (John who has provided a good
Travolta)
home
for her
and
their three children.
Directed by Nick Cassavetes from a script by his late father, John Cassavetes, the arbitrary love story involves three unlikable people in sorlittle sympathough there are occasional
did situations that evoke thy,
flashes of wit
throughout.
and originality sprinkled
Some
violence including
an off-screen rape, sexual references,
much rough language. The U.S. Catholic Conferadults, ence classification is A-IV with reservations. The Motion Picture occasional profanity and
—
for a simple good-triumphs-over-evil
Association of America rating
outcome. Harrowing depiction of deceit-
restricted.
is
R
—
8
The Catholic News
& Herald
March
The hope that even thrives
20, 1998
in
impossible situations The Letter to the Romans says it "Hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into
well:
many
nations" (Romans 4:18).
In the New Testament, there Mary, who was caught completely
In Mary's story is
off
We
for good weather for the we are farming or for peace Palestinians and Jews. We can have hope because our God has such a long record of being there for us. God's covenant with us is the source of our hope. So, what does living by the virtue of hope mean? It means placing our lives in the hands of God, who saves us. Living by the virtue of hope means living as Jesus did, with absolute confidence in the Father's gracious love. And that's not easy in a world full of hopeless situations. That's why we need to stick together with others who can buoy up our spirits when our hope runs thin. That's why it's not enough for us simply to have hope. We are called to be bearers of
"For Christians, however,
much of
positive thinking. Instead,
hope
is
a firm belief in
what we cannot
Hope
is
a virtue
hope
see....
...
diagnosed with cancer and throughout her treatment, she never lost hope. But after her surgeries and months of weight loss
on a deep-rooted and time-
and sickness,
tested belief in God's
headed nowhere, a marriage partner who continually disappoints or an illness that changes lives drastically. Maybe that's why an interest in "coping" has become a modern American pastime. Bookstores and speakers' bureaus overflow with experts on coping with situations that appear hopeless.
Hope isn't based on our own power change our attitudes, but on the covenant God made with us. copyright
Š1998byCNS
I
began
to lose hope.
My friends brought dinner to us, put our family on the prayer chain and sent me encouraging notes. These friends were a sign for me that God loved us, had not abandoned us, and was sustaining us despite the darkness. This is what we can confidently hope for! This is what has been promised. The great spiritual writer Julian of Norwich, who lived through plagues and wars in medieval England, sums it up in her little mantra; "All will be well; all will be well; all manner of things will be well." That might make a nice little song, don't you think? Christian hope goes beyond optimism and positive thinking because it acknowledges, and it also manifests, the power of God at work in our lives.
providence."
to
to others.
When my mother was
based
The longest running of these resources on how to deal with life's negative side is the famous "positive-thinking" film, book, videotape, cassette and speaker. The power of positive thinking is based on our ability to overcome or overlook obstacles by modifying our own behavior. For Christians, however, hope adds up to much more than the power of positive thinking. Instead, hope is a firm belief in what we cannot see. Hope isn't just a mental construct or a learned habit. Hope is a virtue. But hope is not just any virtue. It is one of three theological virtues, that is, virtues from God. The virtue of hope goes beyond optimism alone or positive attitudes. Hope is based on a deep-rooted and timetested belief in God's providence.
if
among
some kind. Most people have been on the brink of giving up hope, either with a child astray, a job that seems
to
see how God see as impos-
can hope
crops
who has gone
hope adds up
we
what humans
sible situations.
This is why we can have hope in the face of impossible tasks, unexpected obstacles and dangerous situations.
hat do country music and soap operas have in common? Each tells tale after tale about cheating hearts, broken dreams, plans gone wrong and hopeless situations. People relate to country music and soap operas because these relate to crisis and personal tragedy. None of us escapes pain, loss or disappointment of
more than the power
deals with
our hearts by the Holy Spirit been given to us" (5:5).
We
hope that our
who has
child's addiction
will be healed, that our friend's will be
our
spared in the brush
sister's
husband
guard when asked to be the mother of Jesus. Her response was similar to that of Moses: "How can this be? I don't even have a husband?"
(Pedersen is coordinator of the Leadership in Family Life Training Profor the Archdiocese of Omaha,
gram Neb.)
home
fires or that
will find a job.
We
hope about these ordinary everyday events because God is involved intimately in our everyday lives. Spirit of God fuels the fire of hope in our hearts when things look dark. When we look at Scripture, the
The
family of God's "family album," there is story after story about God's faithfulness and God's power to overcome our limitations.
Moses, who was minding his own business just trying to keep his father-in-law's sheep safe and well fed, called by God to lead a nation of people. What an unexpected chal-
was
lenge for Moses! "Who am I that I should got to Pharaoh?" was his re-
sponse. But God was with him through every frog- and fly-bitten plague. "Hoping against hope, he believed and thus became the father of
I'd say this about the virtue of hope: Even "if we could survive without it, thrive without it. Our well-being is tied to hope. It's a serious situation, then, when hope retreats from anyone's life. But what is hope? And what is it not? I'm pretty certain that hope is not a basis for inaction in the face of real problems. Hope doesn't provide a reason for thinking, "Shucks, everything will work out in the end; my efforts won't matter." Instead, hope draws out the best in us, whether in a particular situation that means our love, our problemsolving skill, our hard work or our prayer. Pope John Paul II envisioned two reasons to focus on hope during 1998. First, with hope we keep life's ultimate goal in mind; thus we can see life's "meaning and value." Second, hope gives us "profound reasons" for making the commitment to transform our world. Hope is a dynamic force. Maybe that's why hope has been linked with the Holy Spirit. For the Spirit is a dynamic force empowering us to act courageously when it matters, enlightening our judgment and enabling us to
we couldn't
give direction to
life.
David Gibson 8
Editor, Faith Alive!
March
The CathoUc News
20, 1998
What hope hopeful.
To them, a glass of water
always half
enough, our personal limitations can make our solidarity with others in need quite real. Our hope despite our weaknesses may enable others to hope
ties.
as well.
Each
is
their drive from the
full,
in
of us is weak.
We are deficient
many ways. We have our "blue Mon-
For example, an alcoholic now in recovery is often the most powerful
tee will land a few inches from the cup and the possibilities for the future ap-
pear endless. For others the glass
"Each
of
us
is
is weak....
We ...
physical burdens
discourage
us....
copyright (S1 998 by
CNS
God's service. For then we realize that hope ultimately is in God. Such a hopeful person embraces substantive projects for the good of others. He or she seeks to change the neighborhood, the city, civil society and even the whole coimtry and doesn't take "no" for an answer. Hopeful people see that the reign of God begins now and reintensive quires effort. While this world will never be heaven, it can be better with God's help. Thus we see hopeful people reforming business practices, working with the homeless, fighting abortion-on-demand, and caring for the sick and the infirm. Hopeful people realize that this
—
half-empty, the
have our 'blue Mondays'
Herald 9
really Is
hope. A host of small actions can show a hopeful attitude. Hope brings us into solidarity with others daily. Hope persists despite our disabih-
—
ome people seem naturally
&.
We need
others to accommodate
earth is not our heavenly home. Yet good works can prepare the way for
our weakness. Yet we also
eternity.
live in hope."
Hopeful people are people of light, not of darkness. Their focus on eternity's light enables
and the obscured by many obstacles. "Hope springs eternal" is a wise popular saying. People want to be hopeful in spite of their predisposition
them
to en-
lighten the earth.
drive will land in the sand-trap flature is
pessimism. For Christians, hope is both a natural disposition and a virtue. The virtue of hope comes into our hearts with the Holy Spirit's arrival. In baptism, as we receive the Holy Spirit, we begin the journey of hope. Christian hope is a gift. This gift comes from God. We nourish it in personal and communal prayer. Our deepest potential for hope develops only gradually as we grow spiritually. Yet over time, even a pessimistic personal disposition can yield to the fire of the Spirit's hope. Hope orients us to the future. Our heavenly home beckons us. But in many ways the "future is now." We already share, modestly to be sure, in to
days" or our "blue anydays." Physical burdens discourage us. We fear being dependent. We need others to accommodate our weakness. Yet we also live in hope. Progress is always possible. And, interestingly
How the Mass
—
—
the life of the Spirit, the life of eternity. This grace orients us to our ultimate destiny and empowers us to act in the present moment. Hope is a spiritual energy; it propels us into the future. Hope pulls us out of ourselves. This virtue urges us to positive acts of goodness toward our neighbor. A cheery good morning, an expression of concern for the sick or our attentive listening to a colleague can express our
— —
FAITH
IN
Tell
—
X he
First Letter of Peter (3:15)
challenges us to "always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope." It is good that the church's liturgy regularly reminds us of the soHd reasons for being people of hope - especially on those difficult days when we might be asking ourselves what the reasons are!
Two fundamental reasons for our hope are reflected in the Hturgy. Recall that the liturgical year's two major cycles of celebration are Lent/Easter
and Advent/Christmas. Lent/Easter celebrates Christ's death and resurrection, and the promise that
we will
share in his resurrected
—
—
— one type
of situation
—
in
which
Christian hope sustains you. "I work in a homeless shelter, and sometimes it's difficult to see hope in the family situations we encounter here. But my faith in the Lord helps me sustain a sense of hope for them and in this work. Without that faith and hope I couldn't work here." Jean Wright, Hoyle, Mass.
(Oblate Father Crossin is a visiting fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University. He is the author of "Friendship: The Key to
Spiritual Growth," published by Paulist Press.)
speaks of hope
This gives us hope on two levels: It assures us that whatever pain and suffering we endure, in the end we will share Christ's life eternally. It reminds us that what feels like death in daily life often leads us to new life. We experience many smaller resurrections, constantly reminding us of the ultimate resurrection. And Christmas, celebrating Christ's coming into the world at Bethlehem, offers visible evidence of God's love for the world. Christ's first coming also reminds us that he promised to come again. This is a powerful basis for hope, based on the confidence that Christ's promises can be trusted. Actually, these two mysteries also are reflected in every celebration of the Eucharist. In the midst of the Eucharistic Prayer, we recall Christ's death and resurrection, and anticipate his second coming: "Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again." The two reasons for our hope are placed side by side in that brief acclamation. A few moments later in the Eucha-
life.
THE MARKETPLACE
one way
witness to hope for the person still struggling with alcoholism. Long ago, St. Paul taught that when Christians are weak they are strong. It is precisely in our weakness that we are best able to put our talents at
we join in the Lord's Prayer, praying for the coming of God's kingdom in rist,
its fullness:
—
"Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." The kingdom has come into the world through Jesus, but we wait and hope for its completion. Then, before the concluding doxology to the Lord's Prayer ('Tor the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours"), the priest expands on the petition for dehverance fi-om evil and speaks of our hope, saying: "Deliver us. Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace.... Keep us free from sin, and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior." So, if anyone asks the reason for our hope, the liturgy teaches us how to reply. It is because Christ came to live among us and will come again. We live in hope because Christ assures us that nothing, not even death, is stronger than the God who loves us and gives us life. (Father Mick is a priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Ohio.)
—
""Nutshell
"For myself. Christian hope is a feeling of peace in situations, that God is right there and that he is going to help us through, whatever the difficulty is."
We can have hope because our God has such a long record of
— Aline Lynch, Wilmington, Del.
"I
work with Catholic
child abuse....
Charities,
My grounding
being there for
and we deal with a
in Catholicism helps
me
hope, with a sense of the Spirit, that our work here effect." Bruno Finocchario, Sioux City, Iowa
—
is
us.
lot of situations of
to look
ahead with
having a positive I
Does Christian hope add up to more than optimism and positive thinking? Yes, it acknowledges the power of God at work in our lives.
An upcoming
edition asks: What action or words played a key role in healii healing a damaged relationship for you? If you would like to respond possible publication, please write: Faith Alivel 3211 Fourth St. Washington, D.C. 20017-1100.
When we hope despite our weaknesses, we may enable others to
hope as
well.
10 The Catholic
News
& Herald
March
20, 1998
People In The News
Missionaries Of Cliarity
Head's
By
First
Year
l\/larl(ed
Nirmala Joshi became
the Missionaries of Charity
head, nothing seems to have changed in the fastgrowing women's religious
Mother
Teresa founded. The only activity and flashbulbs on
March
13, the
flock to the grave, although
surrounding is on the
Mother Teresa wane.
at the
motherhouse still reads: "Mother Teresa IN." She died of cardiac arrest
—
CNS
Sister Nirmala Joshi leads a group of
presidential palace
Venezuela
meeting with the country's president.
in
photo
nuns from the January after
One
Missionaries
nun said there have been no policy changes since Sister Nirmala took over leadership of the order
of Charity
Sept. 5.
Nuns
escort visitors to
a year ago.
Mother Teresa' s customary place in the chapel, where her
life-size
statue with her characteristic
hunched
back
in
Lay volunteers
still
come
serve the sick, poor and dying, nuns said.
sits.
—
ist attractions,
the three surviving
Dionne
quintuplets finally got the justice they
had long sought. The Catholic sisters are to receive $4 million (US$2.9 million) tax-free from the Ontario government.
"We
are pleased to accept this offer
which
will allow us the dignity of be-
ginning a
new
chapter in our lives," the
sisters said in a
statement read by their
lawyer, Clayton Ruby. Cecile, Annette
and Yvonne, age 63, recently argued that they helped generate millions of dollars into the province's coffers and lost some $22 million (US$16 million) as a result of mishandled trust funds in their name and, as a result, have had to live on a combined income of $746 (US$533) a month. Pole-Sitting Priests Raise Funds For Baseball Fields
—
SAN ANTONIO (CNS) Fathers Dennis Darilek, pastor, and Jimmy
priest
it
said.
Thomas
C. Kelly of Louisville, Ky.; Bishop Walter F. Sullivan of Richmond, Va., president of Pax Christi USA; and Lutheran Bishop H. George Anderson, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. More than 60 other
Publishing Editor to help
Settlement (CNS) Six decades
after they served as Ontario's star tour-
creasing poverty in rural areas,"
bishops also signed. spirituality."
Get Multimillion-Dollar
OTTAWA
Drennan, parochial vicar, of St. Paul's Parish in San Antonio spent five days perched on plywood sky boxes 20 feet above the ground to raise $100,000 for
Among the signatories were Archbishop
Missionaries of Charity
Surviving Dionne Quintuplets
farmers. "We call for an immediate solution to the agrarian and bank debt problem as a first step toward producing alternative policies which favor rural development," said an open letter with more than 300 signatories published March 12 San Salvador newspapers. "We are concerned about the in-
among poor
UCA News
The signboard
—
El Salvador to stem the worsening crisis
that people continue to
publicity
Tony Blair has been attending Mass on his own at London's Westminster Cathedral, a spokesman
individual churches urged authorities in
Missionaries of Char-
the bishop added.
Prime
Minister
SAN SALVADOR
land.
nuns told
British
Bishops Urge Solution To El Salvador's Agrarian Crisis (CNS) U.S. bishops, religious, sister parishes and
Nirmala' s election, were around the grave of Mother Teresa, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thai-
ity
—
U.S.
anniversary of Sister
first
(CNS)
to Catholicism. Blair,
By ANNE NIGLI CALCUTTA, India — A year after Sis-
congregation
LONDON
admitted, but he has no plans to convert who ousted John Major's Conservative government in the May 1997 general election won by the Labor Party, is married to a Catholic, Cherie, and the couple's three young children are all baptized Catholics. For years Blair, a member of the Church of England, has attended Mass with his wife and children most weekends. But in late February and early March, if in London without his family, he attended the Saturday or Sunday evening Mass at Westminster Cathedral.
Stability, Growtli
(CNS) ter
Prime l\/linister Says He's Not Converting To Catholicism
British
the construction of ballfields for the chil-
dren of the neighborhood. With each committed to raising $50,000, the two added an extra gimmick when they decided that the first to reach his goal would be able to shave the head of the losing priest. After five days, a victor emerged. Father Darilek was the first to reach the $50,000 mark, with Father
Combatants' Wis. (CNS) M. Mahony of Los An-
'Disciples, Not
Named To
usee Education Department WASHINGTON (CNS) — Daniel S.
—
OCONOMOWOC, Cardinal Roger
become a place of pilgrimage now," a nun told UCA News. The sisters have made a special entrance from
from the con-
Mulhall, executive editor of Benziger Publishing Co., has been named repre-
geles said he hopes the Catholic
that except for her shift
templative to the active. Sister Nirmala
sentative for catechesis and multicultural
Catholics realize their conduct needs to
the road to allow direct access to the
has not changed. In the past year she has
concerns
"It
grave and fixed visiting hours from 8 a.m. to noon and 3-6 p.m. Flowers, candles. Missionaries of Charity nuns and volunteers distributing cards with Mother Teresa's sayings greet visitors. Outside, a now-dusty cloth banner proclaiming love for Mother Teresa peeps through campaign banners from
The rest of the house resembles
a tra-
ditional convent rather than the bustling
drew people from all walks of life for Mother Teresa's blessing. "They don't do the same for Sister Nirmala," said one nun. The new leadership has made no poHcy changes, one nun said, adding, "It is surprising, since one would expect that
people with different personalities to have different preferences." Missionaries of Charity nuns,
visited Africa, the Americas, the Philip-
pines and
Rome,
attending professions
of vows despite attacks of malaria. Fifty
women enter the congregation each year. Archbishop Henry d'Souza of Calcutta told
UCA News the 5
who
generally decline to divulge their names, still go out to work in pairs. When she took charge. Sister Nirmala said the congregation would continue to do what they had been doing and remain "true to our charism and
1
-year-old
is "doing well" under SisNirmala' s leadership.
congregation ter
Jesuit Father
recent elections.
house
Missionaries of Charity sources said
has
Lawrence Abello,
chaplain at the motherhouse, said nothing has changed.
in the U.S. Catholic Conference's Department of Education. Mulhall succeeds Sister Elaine McCarron, a Sister of Charity of Nazareth, who leaves the position at the end of July. Since 1990 Mulhall has been an editor at Benziger Publishing, responsible for developing and publishing educational materials for the religious market.
New
Executive Director Named For Research Center
Msgr. Eric Barber, confessor for
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Bryan T.
Missionaries of Charity contemplatives,
Froehle, a senior research associate at the
agreed, adding that the general council
Nirmala had finalized the order's agenda, and "there seems nothing new." A Jesuit associate said the waning of Mother Teresa' s popularity has helped the order "to go about their work without hassles." An order shows its worth only after the founder is gone, he added. that elected Sister
Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate since August 1995, has succeeded Gerald H. Early as executive dihas the energy, creto bring CARA to new levels of service to the church," said Bishop William B. Friend of Shreveport, La., who chairs the CARA board of directors and announced the appointment. "His charge is to make CARA known to and useful to every Catholic diocese, religious order, and organization and as-
mon Ground reflect that
and dedication
sociation, where its expert and objective handling of church research and planning needs will be of invaluable assistance,"
Com-
Initiative will help U.S.
"we're disciples of Jesus
not combatants." Cardinal Mahony
comment
first,
made
conference the second day of the March 6-8 Cardinal
the
at a press
Bemardin Conference in Oconomowoc, a city about 40 miles west of Milwaukee. The Los Angeles prelate said the legacy of the late Chicago Cardinal Joseph L. Bernardin, who founded the Catholic Common Ground Initiative, "is
own witness of the way he exercised authority in church, his extraordinary reaching out to people, consultation, and his
listening."
Public Schools Lack Moral Direction, Legal Scholar
DETROIT (CNS)
rector. "Dr. Froehle ativity
}
Drennan less than $800 behind. Cardinal Calls Catholics
Says
— Changing
America's education system to accommodate parents' desire for reinforcement of their religious values may be the only
way to
save public schools, according to author and legal scholar Stephen L. Carter. The greatest danger to the survival of public schools is if they lose popular support as a result of continuing to stonewall parental wishes regarding curriculum and moral instruction. Carter tells
those
who
attend his lectures.
'
i
1
March
The CathoUc News
1998
20,
CSS Award, from page 3 The award was estabUshed by the Charlotte office of CathoUc Social Services honor persons and organizations that have shared their talents and treasures in an
School. to
effort to enrich the lives of those
who come
to
CSS
seeking help.
Each year at Christmas, CSS provides CCHS with a list of wishes from needy The Usts are divided among homerooms, clubs and individuals. The students,
families.
& Herald
1
Diocese To Host Series Of Financial Seminars CHARLOTTE
— Pastors,
"We will focus on changes that have
book-
keepers, business managers, accounting
taken place in these areas over the
organize and dehver toys, and provide tickets to special events and food to CSS. Through
representatives and finance council members serve as stewards of their
CCHS has helped more than 400 families with special needs. The school
parish's resources. In their roles, they are
few years," Rhyne said. "Some diocesan policies have changed as well. In many instances, regulations change so quickly it is hard to keep up with them." • The workshops will also address internal controls and accounting procedures and build on the "Financial Policies & Procedures Manual for Parishes and Missions" promulgated by the dioc-
along with the Student Council Advisors, and faculty, raise
this
program,
has also supported
CSS
money
to
purchase
gifts,
through contributing to the Indigent Burial Program.
"Requests are always met with a
spirit
of genuine compassion and desire to help
mankind," said Geri King, director of the Charlotte office of CSS, who presented the award. "CCHS truly exemphfies the spirit of giving, caring, compassion, love and sacrifice for others that is reflective of the mission of Catholic Social Services." Accepting the award on behalf of CCHS were Student Council President Patrick Cahill and Treasurer Lacey Niedosik. CahiU thanked Martha Hadaway, student council advisor, and Mercy Sister Paulette WiUiams, principal, who in "every way creates an atmosphere at Charlotte Catholic which encourages us to live God's greatest commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself." With 68 full and part-time staff members, more than 250 volunteers, and regional offices in AsheviUe, Charlotte and Winston-Salem, CSS served more than 12,000 cUents during the 1996-97 fiscal year.
responsible for maintaining budgets and assisting the church in exercising solid
management in regard to every donated dollar. To assist each parish in fiscal matters, the Diocese of Charlotte's Finance Office will be hosting a series of seminars in April and May where participants will receive updated information on new federal and state finance regulations and have the opportunity to network with peers. Two seminars will be geared toward smaller parishes with less than 400 fiscal
two other workshops
families;
will fo-
cus on larger parishes with more than 400
Employment Opportunities
families.
According
Chief Financial Officer/Director of Business Services: Catholic Diocese of Raleigh: Responsible for oversight of all financial affairs of the Diocese including financial reporting and planning, accounting, internal controls, budgeting, investments, and banking and insurance relationships. Also responsible for the management of the offices of Development, information systems, and property and construction. Serves in a consultative role on finance and administration for 80 parishes and schools. Successful candidate must be a practicing Catholic, have a strong service orientation, have several years of financial management experience, must be able to work well in a collegial environment, and should be computer literate. MBA and/or CPA or equivalent strongly preferred. Send resume including salary requirements to: Director of Human Resources, Catholic Diocese of Raleigh, 715 Nazareth Street, Raleigh,
NC
Rhyne, diocesan
to Pat
parish financial liaison, the seminars will
focus on five areas: revenues; expenditures; tors;
employees and individual contraccash management; and financial
esan Finance Office. The meetings will be similar to a series of seminars held in 1996; those workshops provided a very hands-on training experience for participants. The meetings also allow parish representatives to meet and network with their peers.
"We've found cases where parishes have the same finance-based questions, and we're trying to provide a forum where people can discuss them," Rhyne said.
The
parish financial liaison's goal
the series of seminars.
reporting.
"It is
very gratifying to see the num-
ber of people
:
Diocesan Regional Coordinators: Charlotte Diocese Office of Religious Education has two openings: Northern Vicariates and Southern Vicariates. Diocese seeks persons with master's degree in Rel. Ed/allied field, five years of demonstrable successful experience in parish/dioCesan work. Sensitive to cultural minorities.
Good
Well-rounded
written/oral
in catechist
communication
skills.
letters of recommendation to: Dr. Cris V. Villapando. 1123 S. Church Search Committee. Inquiries: (704) 370-3244.
formation
skills.
Collaborative.
Please send resume and three
St.,
Charioltc,
NC
who have already registered
for these workshops," said Bill
FOUR GREAT NAMES to
Weldon,
chief financial officer for the diocese. "It
an indication of the commitment by those involved in parish finances to fulfill their call to be good stewards of the financial resources of the church." is
7^afi4 <fou St. (^udc
KNOW
28203, Attn:
Director of Total Youth Ministry: Grades 6-12: Full time position in 1600 family parish. Primary responsibilities include: coordination ol all youth ministry activities lectionary-bascd catechetical sessions, retreats, service projects, social events; recruiting, training and supporting volunteers; sacramental preparation for confirmation. Shared responsibility with intergenerational religious education program. Most parish catechetical programs are lectionary-based. Member of Religious Education Team with Children's Coordinator and Catechumenate, Liturgy and Adult Education director. Master's Degree or equivalent in religious education or related field preferred. Excellent benefits and salary commensurate with experience and education. Send resume and references to Search Committee, Saint Patrick's Church, 2840 Village Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304. ATTN; Don Gray, Phone: (910) 323-2410, x 106.
7<w
—
I
MITSUBISHI 6951
TYM
E.
Independence
(704) 531-3131
Principal: St. Thomas More School, an accredited PreK-8 school, seeks an experienced replacement for its retiring principal. The school, with 475 students and a brand new middle school facility, is located in a growing, dynamic Vatican II parish in a university town. Successful applicant is a practicing Catholic with a Master's degree in administration and is eligible for NC certification. Strong people and communication skills must. Send letter, resume, and references by April 15 to: Principal Search Committee, 940
Carmichael
Street.
Chapel
Hill,
NC
Accountants 7001
27514. Position available 7/1/98.
and Estate Planners
Independence (704) 535-4444
E.
When
Director of Youth Ministry: St. Thomas More Church and the Newman Catholic Student Center Parish, growing and dynamic Vatican II communities in a university town, .seek a full-time director for their joint youth ministry serving both parishes beginning 7/1/98. Present ministry involves 300 students between grades 6-12, uses the Total
Youth Ministry model and includes Confirmation preparation. The program uses a lectionary-catechesis approach and the Confirmation program uses a sacramental-catechesis approach. Successful applicant possesses relevant college degree as well as strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Experience preferred. Professional salary and benefits commensurate with background offered. Send letter, resume, and references by April 15 to: Youth Ministry Search Committee, 940 Carmichael Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. Catholic School Principal: Immaculata Catholic School, Immaculate Conception Parish, a Franciscan community in Durham, NC, invites applications and nominations for the position of Principal. Founded in 1990 in center-city, close to Duke University, Immaculata has a reputation for balued centered education, academic excellence, dedicated to diversity and the principals of Catholic social justic. Offering two classes per frade level, Prc-K through 8. Immaculata if firmly established, well run and financially sound. Budgeted enrollment for 1998-99 in 400 students. The successful candidate will be a practicing Cahtolic with both teaching and administrative experience, committed to the ideals of Catholic education, with a personal style that is prolcssional. reconciling, joy filled and visionary. The Principal, is supported by an experienced Assisluni Principal and slatf, a dedicated faculty, and a loyal cadre ol parent volunteers. The position, offering' compclilivc salarv and bencnt pacakj^c, will he filled July i, 1998. Applications, and nominations, may he sciil in ccniidcntcc K. The Chair, Search Commillcc. 810 W, Chapel Hill St„ Durham, NC 27701 llic (Icatllinc lor suhmilting a letter ol inlercsl, resume with references and supporting documentation IS March .^1. I99X. Immaculata is an AA/HO school, Tel: (919) 682-3449, Ext. 264; Fax; (919) 682-7999; F-nuiil: 022523 UKn'conipiiscrvc.com; Website; http;\\lhor.he.net\~iccc. ,1
1
I
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27606. EOE.
Director of Faith Formation: Parish seeks enthusiastic and knowledgeable person for the Catholic Faith as full-time Director of Faith Formation. Responsible for the total parish Faith Formation program for growing faith community of over 800 families. Minimum of a BA in relevant field of study and parish/faith formation experience. Position requires strong leadership, organizational, interpersonal and basic computer skills. Salary and benefits commensurate with experience. Starts July 1998. Send cover letter, resume, salary expectations and references by April 17 to DFF Search, Attn: Rob Griffin, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. 605 Barbee Ave.. High Point, NC 27262. Visit our home page at www.massinlransit.com.
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12 The Catholic
News
& Herald
March
20, 1998
Cardinal Law, from page 2
Asheville Catholic School
approve
Science Fair Winner
humanitarian flights between the United States and Cuba. He to lift the trade bans put into place by the Helms-Burton
direct,
also called
on Clinton
Act, and for Congress to pass two bills that would end the ban on food and
medicine sales to Cuba.
"The lack of medicines more quickly and cheaply attainable from the United States severely restricts the treatment that can be provided (in Cuba)," Cardi-
nal
Law
said.
vulnerable
"The
effects of the lack of sufficient
members of the
food threaten the most
population, the old and the young.
"The people of Cuba deserve better than that from us," he continued. "It adds no honor to our country to deprive a people of those necessities which should never be used as bargaining chips. Change is occurring in Cuba. The question is: Do we have the political and moral courage to change?"
Daly, from page 5 people and are therefore able to know their people better (though oddly, their level of church attendance is worse). Perhaps it is the liturgy itself. In an age of entertainment saturation, people are not always used to participating. Perhaps they expect to be entertained in a way the liturgy cannot provide. 1 don't know what the answer is. If they think the liturgies are mundane or uninvolving, imagine how much more exciting liturgies could be if everyone was
there and participating. If they think the parish is too impersonal, imagine how warm and inviting it could be if they would make an effort to greet someone and stay a few minutes after
annual Science Fair on Feb. 5. After presenting their projects in the classroom, 6th, 7th and 8th grade students and teachers scored the projects and selected finalists from each grade. Finalists and overall winners presented the projects to the school during a special assembly. The winning project was created by seventh grader Molly Campbell, who studied "What Effects Short-Term Memory?" Tied for second place were Andrew Whatmore, 6th grade, and Richard Thompson, 8th grade. Whitney Williams, 6th grade, placed third. Class winners were: Andrew Whatmore, Whitney Williams, Patrick Chidnese, Molly Campbell, Ann Marie Coddington, Elizabeth Lamy, Elizabeth Dray, Richard Thompson, Courtney Sinsky and Tyler Whatmore. Asheville Catholic school held
its
hymn
the last
to chat.
Perhaps in our push for evangelization as we approach the new millennium, we should figure out where the rest of the body of Christ is and why they are staying away.
Father Peter Daly
is
a
CNS
columnist.
Sponsor a Child Mission.
It's
Catholic Affordable! at a
Your opportxmity
In the Blue Ridge
Roman
is
much
the affordable way.
Through CFCA you sponsor a child for the amount you can afford. Ordinarily it takes S20 a month to provide one poor child with the life-rchanging benefits
Catholics
of .sponsorship. But
/ CAMP
f
very poor child
for
Mountains of
Directed by
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too important to miss.
NORTH CAROLINA Owned and
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And Christian Foundation Children and Aging (CFCA), an international Catholic child sponsorship program can show you
CHRISTIAN SUMMER CAMPS
if
this
is
not possible for you,
we invite you to sponsor at a level you can afford. CFCA will see to it from other donations and the our missions r\' partners that ifour child receives the same benefits as other sponsored tireless efforts ot
I
FOR GIRLS
'
children.
Your sponsorship pledge helps provide a poor child at a Catholic mission site with nourishing food,
CAMP
medical care, the chance to go to school and hope for
Chosatonqa
a brighter future.
And you
FOR BOYS
You can
literally
change a
can be assured your pledge has
greatest impact because our
lifel its
programs are directed
by dedicated Catholic missionaries with a longstanding commitment to the people they serve.
A. place where a child can
A wholesome and grow
explore, build self-confidcncc and self-esieenn.
Little
Carina lives in a small mounHonduras. Her mother
tain tozvn in
Two
mountain camps,
in the heart
of the Blue Ridge, surrounded by
national forest, Whitewater rivers and waterfalls offering:
Rock climbing riding •
•
lo help build your relationship, you receive a picture of your child (updated yearly), information about your child's family and country, letters from your child and the CFCA newsletter. But most
and challenging environment where our youlh can play, learn
in faith together.
archery
kayaking
•
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swimming
high ropes
gymnastics
•
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drama* Whitewater canoeing
backpacking
tennis
•
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riflcry
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important, you'll receive the satisfaction of helping a
poor child. Please don't miss this opportunity to
ence.
Yes,
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help one child:
JBov JCrl J Teenager JiAnvmmc. My monlhly pledge is:
and more...
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-
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around
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1
make a
differ-
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horseback
mountain biking
team sports
is
blind and her father abandoned them. Your concern can make a difference in the lives of children like Carina.
about sponsorship.
March
The Catholic News
20, 1998
& Herald
13
IN BRIEF: BMHS
—
Hosts Fund Raiser
WINSTON-SALEM The Bishop McGuinness High School Home School Association presents its annual dinner and auction fund raiser May 2 in the school gymnasium. The theme for this year's event is "Angels in Paradise" and features a silent and live auction, fine dining and live music. Tickets are $50 per person. Raffle tickets for a $2,500 cash prize are $1 each or $5 for 6. New tiiis is a raffle for a 1998 Honda CR-V sports utility vehicle or $15,000 cash. A Umited number of 350 are available for $100 each. Proceeds for the fund raiser win benefit the school. For more information or to buy tickets, call (336) 725-4247.
year
Statesvilte Priest Receives
Army
Promotion
—
ST. LOUIS, Mo. Father Peter Fitzgibbons, pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville, was recently promoted as a Reserve commissioned officer of the U.S. Army. Father Fitzgibbons spent seven years as an Army chaplain, including service in the Persian Gulf War. He has been in the Army Reserves the past two years and is currently the Catholic chaplain for the 312th Field Hospital. Father Fitzgibbons has served as pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Church since July 1996.
Father David M. O'Connell addresses a news conference after being introduced as the next president of Catholic University of America in Washington March 1 7.
The Vincentian priest, a native of Philadelphia, is an associate and dean at St. John's University in Jamaica, N.Y.
HANDMADE MINERAL AND GEMSTONE ROSARIES
vice president
Dietzen, Mercy Sister Elected To Housing Coalition Board
BELMONT — Mercy Sister Mary Barbara Sullivan was recently elected to
from page 5
Amethyst, Garnet, P.W. Pearls, Jade, Lapis, Citrine,
Onyx, Turquoise, Tiger-eye, Cornelian, Malachite, Obsidian,
serve on the board of directors of the North Carolina
& others Prom $20 & up.
DAVE PUSHIC
Nen^ Creation Monastery
on our sharing
in the life of God, pound or quart label on which of these is "more" forgiving. We are dealing with a God whose love for us goes beyond measure, who asks us only to open ourselves to his mercy and redemptive love.
grace,
704-845-3074
we can't place
We
believe that the church, guided
by the Holy us, to
a
move
Spirit, tells us
how, and helps
consciously and reverently
into the presence of that mercy.
Come,
share the
monasUc
life
with
Camaldolese Oblate Monks. Father John invites you to the Holy Week Retreat $120.00 the
Catholics ask about cremation
and other
funeral regulations and customs
New
Creation Monastery
has a home for sale, 3BR, 2B, next door at $39,900 1433 Ric^TWOHd BooMUifle,
HiK
NC
is
avail-
able by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Holy Trinity Church, 704 N. Main St., Bloomington, III. 61701. Questions for this column should be sent to Father Dietzen at the same ad-
R.R.
dress.
27OII
is
a
CNS
umnist.
SCHOOL BOARD OPENINGS The Meckknb erg Area Catholic Schools Regional Board ofEducation seeking applications to fill
Board positions for the
three-year terms will begin July
child in child in
1,
able housing programs and strategies for North Carolinians. In addition, as an advocate lic officials,
1
She also serves
as chairperson for the
Belmont Housing Authority.
A paralegal,
Oratory
ROCK HILL,
News
— The members of
the Rock Hill Oratory recently asgovern the congregation for the next three years. Oratorian Father Joseph A. Wahl was reelected provost (president). The four deputies elected were Oratorian Fathers David Valtierra and Edward McDevitt and Oratorian Brothers Joseph Guyon and David Boone. Father
sembled
S.C.
to elect officials to
was also elected vicar (vice-president). Each Oratorian congregation is an autonomous house with no
Valtierra
ernment or province. Members join ing their lives in the
is
col-
central gov-
in a congregation with the intention of spend-
community they joined.
Other Oratorian congregations
in the
United States are in Monterey,
Calif.;
New Oratories in the process
and Mt. Pocono, Pa. The Rock Hill Oratory has been situated in York County since 1934. Members minister at four parishes, one mission, Winthrop University, local hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, and other places where ministry is wanted or needed. The Oratory also operates the Center for Spirituality, which offers retreats, spiritual direction, Bible institutes, theology seminars and lay ministry gatherings. Father Wahl, a native of Jersey City, N.J., was ordained to the priesthood in 1956. His many areas of service have included the pastorates of St. Ann Church in Rock Hill and St. Catherine Church in Lancaster. He has also served as provost of the Oratory in two previous terms. For the Diocese of Charleston, he serves on the presbyteral council and the college of consultors and is the director of the Diocesan Institute for Parish Leadership. of forming are in Philadelphia, Pa.; Chicago,
111.;
998-99 school year The
1998. Practicing Catholics who have a
intend to enroll a child in MACS or have previously had a MACS qualify for Board service. Individuals having MACS PTO or other school experience, are particularly encouraged to
MACS,
apply by sending a resume 6.
serves
housing consumers. Sister Barbara has a lengthy record of advocacy in the development of affordable housing. She is the chief executive officer of Catherine's House, a transitional facility in Belmont for homeless women and women with children.
committee,
April
it
and repository of information about affordable housing for pub-
the business community, nonprofit organizations and low-income
Pittsburgh, Pa.; Pharr, Texas; and Brooklyn, N.Y.
Father John Dietzen
(336)699-400s
coalition provides leadership, expertise and support to develop afford-
is
A free brochure answering questions
—
The
she assists in legal preparation in cases of landlord and tenant disputes as well.
The Penitential Rite of the Mass among its ways of doing that.
Father John Vianney Hoover
&
Low Income Housing
Coalition.
1998
to:
and letter stating why you would like
to serve
Catholic Gift & Book Store
by
BOOKS & GIFTS for ALL OCCASIONS!
MACS
Nominating Committee C/o Roman Catholic Diocese of Cliarlotte IVIACS Business Office 1123 South Church Street Charlotte, NC 28203
1st COMMUNION, CONFIRMATION, Bibles, Rosaries, Statues, Medals & More.,.
HOURS; 9AM (336)273-2554
-
5PM.
Mon, thru Fri.
233 N. Greene St. Greensboro, NC 27401
14 The Catholic
& Herald
News
March
20, 1998
Diocesan News Briefs Love and Life Seminar Junior high and ASHEVILLE high school students, young adults, parents, teachers and youth ministers are invited to "God's Plan for Love and Life," a retreat facilitated by renown speaker Barbara McGuigan, April 4 at the BasiHca of St. Lawrence from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Lunch will be provided. For reservations, call the parish office, (704) 252-6042.
—
munity
is at
Pliilosophy
The Richard M. Weaver Symposium March 27-28. The gatherlege sponsors
ing will focus on the 50th anniversary of the publication of "Ideas
Have Conse-
quences" by Richard Weaver, respected philosopher, critic, rhetorician and professor of English at the University of Chicago. Nationally prominent scholars
and presenters will examine Weaver's views on order and liberty in society and
how
they apply today. The symposium being directed by Belmont Abbey's Bradley Institute for the Study of Chrisis
tian Culture.
The registration cost is $65.
To register or for more (704) 829-7231. "Gift of Life"
CHARLOTTE
information, call
Program The African
—
American Affairs Ministry at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 4207 Shamrock Dr., co-sponsors a "Gift of Life" program with LifeShare of the Carolinas April 15 at 7 p.m. at the church. Debbie Gibbs, a parishioner of St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte and a LifeShare associate, will be the main speaker. The program is intended to heighten awareness of the need for organ and tissue donations, and will explore the Catholic faith's position on the matter. For more information, call Cheryl Sledge, (704) 847-7854.
Media Resources The diocesan a new
CHARLOTTE
—
Media Resource Department has
home
Diocese of Charlotte Pastoral Center, 1123 S. Church St. You are invited stop in at the center to check out videos and books. The celebration of the sacraments and the liturgical seasons are occasions when many schools and parishes need resource materials for instructional use. As such, the media department suggests two weeks' notice for certain items. For more information, call Sister Patricia Durbin, RSM, (704) 370-3241. in the
Community
IVIission
and
Planning Series CHARLOTTE The Vietnamese
—
St.
Joseph's Catholic
Community in "Com-
Charlotte hosts a Lenten mission,
munity Mission for the Year 2000," at St. Ann Church March 20-22. Redemptorist Father Dai An Le from
Vietnamese Catholic
to join in the
community's planning for the November opening celebration of the new Vietnamese Catholic church on Sandy Porter Road. Call the above numbers for details.
Symposium Examines Weaver
BELMONT — Belmont Abbey Col-
4 p.m. For more informa-
Minhthu Lynagh, (704) 3413781, or Father Tan Le, (704) 529-0553. Interested persons are also welcome
Retrouvallle
— Retrouvaille
CHARLOTTE
is
a
program for married couples that brings hope, teaches communication on a feelproblems are not unique, helps couples identify their values and priorities, and teaches couples to forget the past and start anew. The program begins March 27. For further information, call Nick and Irene Fadero in Charlotte, (704) 5440621, or (800) 470-2230.
Campus
l\/linistry
—
CHARLOTTE Campus Ministry
at the
University of
North Carolina at Charlotte hosts Voices, a series featuring guest speakers and discussion focusing on the voices and stories of the marginalized. Gatherings include potluck dinner.
To
R.S.V.P., offer
to bring a potluck dish if you
wish to have
accompanying book or more information, call (704) 547-
6:30-8:30 p.m.
A
gathering for leaders
of pastoral councils, ministries, religious
groups and related entities is March 21 from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. A gathering for youth group leaders and members ages 16 and up is March 22 from 10 a.m.-l p.m. A closing Mass for the entire com-
will discuss their per-
God
sonal experiences in discovering
and renewal in faith. Times are 7 p.m. on April 3, and at 2 p.m. on April 4 and 5. There is no fee, but donations will accepted. For more information, call the parish office, (336) 884-0244.
Living Waters Retreats
—
MAGGIE VALLEY
A
Holy
Week silent retreat is April 5-12 and will focus on walking with Jesus from
Palm
Sunday through the solemnities of the Triduum into Easter Sunday. No conferences will take place. Liturgies will be celebrated in St. Margaret Church. Cost
$225. "Living Trinitarian Faith"
is
1-3 retreat focusing
a
is
May
on the meaning of
the Trinity doctrine and
its
practical con-
sequences. Glenmary Father John facilitates. Cost is $95. Special rates for couples and oppor-
McNeamey
tunities for self-conducted retreats are
available.
A $25 non-refundable deposit
required with each registration.
is
more information,
To reg-
or receive a
ister,
retreat schedule, write to the Living
4069. The next meeting is March 29 at 6:30 p.m. in Aquinas Hall on the parish grounds of St. Thomas Aquinas Church.
Rice Bowl Gathering
CLEMMONS Franciscans of
St.
—
The Secular
CHARLOTTE
— The
St.
James
Church Women's Guild presents its annual spring craft and bake sale April 4 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. in the parish enter, 25 1 N. Union St. More than 30 crafters have created handmade items for the fair, which will also include a variety of baked goods, refreshments and free door prizes.
Campus
Ministry Requests
Chapel Furnishings The Lenoir-Rhyne
HICKORY
—
College campus ministry is setting up a prayer chapel and needs furnishings (crosses, crucifix, statues of saints, icons, small holy water font, and so on). If you or your parish has such items which are not being used, and you would be willing to donate or sell them, write to Chap-
28603; call mail to <Tyconius@aol.com>.
Encounter
is
Faith
WINSTON-SALEM
—
Rapha
Triad presents a free workshop on the grief process following tragic loss March 27 from 1 1:30-2 p.m. at 3637 Old Vine-
yard Rd. Author, singer and speaker Renee Coates Scheldt and Dr. David E. Jenkins, clinical psychologist, will present. Two hour certificates of attendance will be presented to participants, and a complimentary lunch is included. To R.S.V.P., call (800) 441-2673, ext. 3271 by March 23.
The Catholic News & Herald welcomes parish news for the diocesan news briefs. Good photographs are also welcome. Submit news releases and photos at least 10 days before the publication date.
Around The Diocese
—
April 3-5 at the Catholic
Conference Center. For details, call Michael or Stacey Holcomb, (704) 8448181, or for reservations call
Lenten Programs
CHARLOTTE — St. Thomas Aquinas Church hosts "Fridays in Lent," featuring a soup and fish supper at 6 p.m., stations of the cross at 7:30 and faith-
Upcoming speakers are Father Peter Jugis, diocesan judicial vicar, who will discuss the sacrament of marriage and the annulment process on March 27, and Father Ray WiHiams, parochial vicar of St. Pauick Cathedral in Charlotte, who will reflect on the sacrament of reconciliation on April 3. For more information, call (704) 549-1607. enriching talks at 8 each Friday.
Capuchin Father Vincent Fortunate leads a Lenten discussion, "Let's Prepare for Holy Week," March 30 at 7 p.m. in St. Matthew Church. The event includes Benediction and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. "Follow Me! Disciples for the 21st Century" is a small group discussion series at St. James Church each Lenten Thursday from 7:30-9 p.m. in
CONCORD —
tion to the Jubilee
mation.
GASTONIA
Tom
or
is on the Holy Spirit and the virtue of hope in relaYear 2000. Call Mike Leake, (704) 782-8425, for more infor-
The focus
the parish center.
—
"Still,"
a three-act musical drama, addresses social concerns
and the questions people may have when life is not going quite right. Act Three focuses on the themes of Lent and Easter with a portrayal of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. The play is written and directed by Mercy Sister Larretta first presentation is March 28 at 7:30 p.m. in St. Michael Church, Gastonia. An encore presentation is at Curtin Hall in Belmont on April 4 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call Sister Larretta, (704) 829-5260. GREENSBORO St. Pius X Church is among the sponsors of an ecumeni-
Williams-Rivera. The
—
cal
Lenten series each Wednesday
at 12:
15 p.m. through April 4.
Lunch
is
avail-
able after each service for $4. For details, call St. Pius X's parish office, (336)
272-4681.
— — 7 p.m. Cross each Lenten Friday MONROE — An ecumenical Lenten worship
HICKORY Stations of the Cross and Benediction are hosted by St. Aloysius Church each Lenten Friday through April 3. Christ the King Church hosts Benediction and Stations of HIGH POINT the
Marriage Encounter The next Marriage
HICKORY
get
Waters Catholic Reflection Center, 103 Living Waters Lane, Maggie Valley, NC
Age of Faith in Concert MOORESVILLE — Age of
performs an outdoor concert with rock songs of praise and worship April 3 at St. Therese Church. All are invited, especially youth groups. Tickets are $5 each, and youth leaders and adults are admitted free. Please RSVP as soon as possible. Group discount applies to groups of 10 or more who respond by March 27. For more information, call Diana HoUenback, (704) 664-7762. Grief Workshop
Clare's Fraternity of
Winston-Salem offers a simple soup supper March 27 at 5:30 p.m. in the Holy Family Church family center. The event involves participation in Operation Rice Bowl, a Lenten program benefiting the hungry in third- world countries. Donations will be gratefully accepted. For more information, call Ann Michel, SFO, (336) 766-8843. Craft Fair and Bake Sale
community March 20 from
the entire
The speakers
3-5.
receive
(704) 328-7248; or send E-
mission leader. The
to (704)
King
the
dinner, order an
lain Andrew F. Weisner, Box 7354, Lenoir-Rhyne College, Hickory, NC
is
— Christ
Church hosts an evangelical mission, presented by Bill Wegner and Brent Heiser of Good News Ministries, April
Series
The Catholic
28751, caU (704) 926-3833, or send a fax 926-1997.
Evangelical Mission
HIGH POINT
ing level, helps couples realize that their
mission opens with a talk and Mass for
Carthage, Kan.,
Emilie Sandin, (336) 274-4424.
tion, call
at
service
is at
Our Lady of
Lourdes Church at 12 p.m. on March 25. A light luncheon follows. Many Lenten programs, retreats and services are being hosted throughout the diocese. For information on those events nearest you, check your bulletin or call your parish office.
1
March
1
1
The Cathohc News
20, 1998
World And National News Priest In Diocese
Of IVIadlson
Found Apparently Murdered MADISON, Wis. (CNS) The body
—
country' s most violent elections in the last
was found March 4 in the school at St. Michael Church in Dane after his apparent murder. The body of Father Alfred J. Kunz, pastor at St. Michael Church, was discovered by a teacher who came to open the school just 30 minutes before students
would have
arrived. Father
Kunz, 67, had
been pastor of St. Michael' s for the past 3
He
years.
lived in quarters adjoining the
school. Dane, a small village north of Madi-
son, has a population of 621.
The Dane
County Sheriffs Office was investigating the possible
murder around the
clock.
Public Funding Cuts Hit Catholic Charities In Virgin Islands
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin (CNS)
Islands
—
On Eucharist YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (CNS) — hi
Pastoral Letter a pastoral
is
in for
monies, administered by the Virgin Islands
Human all
Services Department, will affect
nonprofit agencies.
It is
a shortfall in
funding of around $85,000 and will
seri-
ously impede service to those most in need,
Ahce Hamilton,
the acting executive di-
Bishop Thomas
J.
Tobin
He urged parishes to
"seriously con-
He many
in Christ's real
lectual preparation
presence in the Eucharist "raise up serious
must prepare them to be models of
of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament." said recent polls indicating that
Cathohcs do not beUeve
concerns." Bishop Tobin' s pastoral,
titled
"The Eucharist: To Be Loved, To Be Lived," was pubhshed in booklet form and in the March 6 issue of the Cathohc Exponent, his diocesan newspaper.
Common Ground:
Disagreeing Without Being Disagreeable OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CNS)
—
At a national meeting in Wisconsin, 5 prominent U.S. Catholics of varying ideologies and church perspectives agreed to disagree without being disagreeable. Gathered in Oconomowoc March 6-8 for the second annual Cardinal Bemardin Conference of the Catholic Common
Ground
Initiative, they debated, chal-
lenged, and questioned each other on the
"Church Authority Within Ameri-
can Culture." A bishop decried bishopbashing. Some theologians urged increased listening to the "sensus fidelium" ("sense of the faithful") while one of their
Vatican Issues Ecumenical Formation Guidelines For Church
reached, no statements issued.
new
nent diaconate
is
a
vocation sealed by the
girls bring up the offertory gifts during Mass in government-approved St. Joseph's Church in Although Chinese bishops will not attend the Synod of Bishops for Asia, the "open" and "underground" churches of China will likely be discussed during the April 19-May 14 meetings at the Vatican.
Chinese
celebrated Beijing.
Sacrament of
Holy which
Orders, is
reserved to men, Vatican offi-
March 10 presendocuments. The Vatican published "Fundamental Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons," by the Congregation for Cathohc Education, and the "Directory for the Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons," by the Congregation for Clergy, in a single 144-page volume available only in Italian.
cials said during their
tation of the
the faithful arouses expectations that later
blue-chip multinational clients as Delta Air
No
are difficult to quell.
consensus was
U.S. Hunger Study Finds 21 Million People Needing
than 21 million U.S. citizens, including
course topics to be used in programs for
many
future priests, rehgious and other pastoral
dren, needed
The guidelines, issued March 9, recommend study of a wide range of is-
in
other 5 million received food assistance,
sues, including the history of Christian di-
not in emergency settings such as food
agreement and disagreement, and main areas of po-
pantries,
Edward
two
said
Vatican documents. The perma-
colleagues argued that consultation with
—
dialogue with other churches. Car-
Christ the servant,
Blue-Chip Ad Firm To Promote CCC In Pro Bono Campaign WASHINGTON (CNS) Saatchi & Saatchi, an advertising firm known for such
VATICAN CITY (CNS) In a new document on ecumenical formation, the Vatican outlined principles and specific
tential
—
cons are ordained ministers whose spiritual and intel-
hc newspaper, published by the Diocese of St. Thomas. The Catholic agency runs Bethlehem House Shelters for the Homeless on two islands: a shelter for women and children, and an all-male annex on St. Thomas; and another facility for women and children on St. Croix.
visions, theological points of
VATICAN CITY (CNS)
devotion to the presence
tices that foster
topic
workers.
Permanent Deacons
Permanent dea-
rector of Cathohc Charities, told the Catho-
Workers
Discuss Formation Of
sider re-estabUshment of traditional prac-
some rough
appearing in the February issue of the Cathohc Islander, a 22 percent cut in grant
home.
ing about the Eucharist throughout his dio-
financial times because of recent public
funding cutbacks. According to a report
letter.
of Youngstown has called for regular teach-
Catholic Charities of the
U.S. Virgin Islands
Briefs
Documents
Youngstown Bishop Issues
cese.
Emergency Food
WASHINGTON
(CNS)
— More
of the working poor and their chil-
emergency food assistance new survey. An-
1997, according to a
soup kitchens and shelters, but through day care, counseling and high school equivalency programs. The land-
— "Hunger 1997: — was commis-
—
DuPont and Eastman Kodak, is developing pro bono a pubhc service ad cam-
paign for the U.S. bishops' Catholic Communication Campaign. The ad campaign was announced March 10 by Bishop Robert N. Lynch of St. Petersburg, Fla. He is
chairman of the U.S. Catholic bishops' Committee on Communications, which oversees the CCC. According to the announcement, the campaign will stress the power of people to forgive one another and is part of the Cathohc Church's efforts to prepare for the third millennium and Great Jubilee Year 2000. Father Burghardt's 11th Book Of
Homilies Published (CNS)
—
Press has published the 11th volume of
Unity, which prepared the text, said the
sioned by Second Harvest, the nationwide
homilies by Jesuit Father Walter
document underlined the importance for seminarians and others to know "what ecumenism is and how it should be taught."
network of 186 community food banks. Brazilian Bishops: Court's Decision Favors Killing of
Burghardt,
I.
Cassidy, president of the
Pontifical Council for
Promoting Christian
Colombian Bishops To Launch Peace And Reconciliation
Campaign BOGOTA, Colombia (CNS)
— The
'Excluded'
SAO PAULO,
Brazil
(CNS)
— The
Brazilian bishops' Indigenous Missionary
Council condemned the decision by a
Colombian bishops' con-
Brazilian court not to try the case of five
ference said the bishops will launch a
teen-agers accused of killing an indig-
peace and reconciliation campaign now that the country finished one of its bloodi-
enous man in Brasilia as murder. The five youths admitted that last April, they doused the body of Galdino Jesus dos Santos with alcohol as he slept at a bus stop, then set him on fire. The court de-
president of the
and crucall all Colombians to and join an effort for peace, reconciliation and respect for life," said the conference president, Archbishop Alberto
est elections. "In this dramatic cial
moment, we
reflect
Giraldo Jaramillo of Medellin, after the voting offices closed March 8. That day
cided in early
March to charge four youths
with manslaughter and not second-degree
murder, thus ending the need for a
trial
by peers. The other youth, a minor, was
new Congress
sentenced to three years in juvenile de-
for a three-year period in the midst of the
tention but allowed to serve his sentence
Colombians elected
their
to ethnic conflicts
WASHINGTON who
Paulist
Peace
sions. It also includes two comprehensive indexes of all 1 1 volumes, one arranged by the Scripture readings each homily was based on, the other by the Sunday, feast or other occasion on which the homily was
dehvered.
i
Vatican Envoys To Africa Discuss Continent's Ethnic Tensions
VATICAN CITY (CNS)
— The
Vatican called together its ambassadors to African nations to discuss ways the Catholic Church could promote democracy, respect for human rights and an end
In
Kosovo Still Possible, Says Bishop
VATICAN CITY (CNS)
— A peace-
ful solution to the crisis in the
region of Yugoslavia the Catholic
is still
Kosovo
possible, but
Church can only
offer lim-
it, the region's bishop an interview published March 1
ited help achieving said. In
by Fides, the news service of the Vatican's Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Auxiliary Bishop Marko Sopi of Skopje-Prizren, Macedonia, said the roughly 60,000 Catholics in Kosovo are caught in the middle of the conflict. On at least one occasion. Bishop Sopi said, police had beaten and otherwise mistreated Catholics as they emerged from a recent Sunday Mass. National Plan Hatched To Foster
Strong Marriages
WASHINGTON (CNS) — A plan to
J.
year was the only Catholic on Baylor University's list of the 12 most effective preachers in the English-speaking world. Titled "Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters," the 288-page volume includes 47 homilies for various Sundays, saints' feasts and other occalast
on the continent. The
Vatican described the March 10-11 meeting as "an interesting exchange of information and evaluation of various aspects of the political, social and religious situation on the African continent." According to the Vatican's March 12 statement, Pope John Paul II met the two dozen nuncios at the end of the meeting "and thanked them for the work which they perform at the service of the church and for the peaceful coexistence of the African peoples."
Lines,
mark research study The Faces and Facts"
dinal
15
New Vatican
10 years.
of a parish priest in the Diocese of Madison
at
& Herald
keep good marriages from going bad, and to stop bad marriages before they start, will soon be going nationwide. Backers of the plan, called Marriage Savers, say the program has found homes in 80 cities in 32 states, and point to dramatic reductions in divorce rates in cities where the program has been implemented. Journalist and au-
Mike McManus, a Presbyterian layman who founded Marriage Savers with thor
his wife, Harriet, said at a press conferin Washington that the Catholic Church has been a leader in marriage
ence
preparation programs that other churches
could emulate.
six-month
—
McManus
or longer
—
singled out the
preparation pe-
riod required in U.S. dioceses, plus the En-
gaged Encounter, Mairiage Encounter and Retrouvaille programs offered by Catholic dioceses and parishes nationwide.
16 The Catholic
News
& Herald
March
•
J3acf^
of{Jie C^n^efs
San Salvador,
In
GJitarcJ
20, 1998
Crypt Of Romero To
Be Opened To Public
fProfile
By MIKE LANCHIN SAN SALVADOR (CNS) — For the time in recent years, ordinary Salvadorans will be able to visit the crypt of Archbishop Oscar A. Romero on the anniversary of his murder, the San Salvador Archdiocese announced. Archbishop Fernando Saenz Lacalle of San Salvador said March 15 that the general public will be given access to the tomb, which lies beneath the partially
first
MARION
— During
the mid-
1940s, the nearest Catholic churches to the
McDowell County town of
Marion were a few dozen miles away, in Swannanoa to the west, Spruce Pine to the north, and Morganton to the east. It was the gathering of that small Catholic community in Morganton that led to the establishment of Our Lady of the Angels Church in Marion. Father William McShea celebrated Masses in a Hickory hotel and in a private home in Morganton during the mid- 1940s. His successor. Father James King, began traveling to Marion as well to celebrate liturgies in the county courthouse.
Marion Catholic community purchased a house on South Main Street and prepared it for In 1953, the
Our Lady of the
reconstructed metropolitan cathedral, as
Years
later,
began
money
to
for a
the
save
new
the dead will be celebrated in parishes
Pastor:
around the country March 24, the day in 1980 Archbishop Romero was shot by a
Our Lady of the Angels Church through the
death squad while celebrating Mass in a chapel in San Salvador.
it has become more independent. The Catholic community in Marion has participated in a number of church
increasingly
and civic outreach programs and services, among them Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity and volunteer
Priest in residence:
Father Jerome
Aung Shwe
His
at
begin construc-
especially in recent years
Father Kennetli Whittington
1993.
legacy of service continues
Angels Church. The church was canonically established as a mission of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Morganton, although
Hickory
in
Archbishop Saenz said a Mass for
particu-
larly prison ministry.
Marion Catholics celebrated the completed construction of Our Lady of the
Vicariate:
life,
was eventually purchased on Fleming Avenue, and by 1970 the community was planning Plans were put motion several years later, and in September 1976
NC 28752
jl^mkmg
Damas,
ministerial
congregation's activities in
In previous years religious groups
church and community
and community organizations have also
Further growth and vi-
organized street parades to mark the day. The archbishop also announced that
has been fostered in
in April, Father Rafael Urrutia and Fa-
life.
tion.
(704) 652-8690
November
congregation for his longtime leadership in parish
church. Property
into
Marion,
Archbishop Romero's death. The cathedral, which lies in the busy city center, has been closed for the past eight years due to a long rebuilding process. It was last opened for the visit of Pope John Paul II in February 1996 and for the funeral of Archbishop Saenz's predecessor. Archbishop Arturo Rivera
deacon of the Diocese of Charlotte, is noted by the
use as a chapel.
Catholics in town
to
Angels Church
tality
part
by Father Jerome Aung Shwe, a
ther Jesus
of Priest^oo5?
serving in the Diocese of Charlotte.
Delgado
will travel to
to assist in the process of beatification
Charles Borromeo Church in Morganton and Our Lady of the Angels Church in Marion since 1992.
ers.
of Archbishop Romero, currently under consideration in the Vatican.
"The two vice postulators
Rome its
and give the cause a nudge along way," Archbishop Saenz told report-
Father Urrutia and Father Delgado, both close to Archbishop Romero during his three years as the head of the archdiocese, have been working closely with the canonization process since
Catholic
was ini-
Heritage
Could You Be Eligible For Membership? The CathoUc Heritage Society honors the Christian generosity of Catholic friends
Society
who
are providing for the future of the
church. Membership
is
open
to
anyone
who has agreed to make a planned gift to the Diocese of Charlotte, any of
704-926-0106
it
tiated in 1990.
its
parishes, schools, agencies, organizations
or to the diocesan foundation. You are
Rev. Eric
E-mail: elh@dnet.net
(for the
sainthood cause of Archbishop Romero) go to meet the vice postulator in
will
St.
more information:
Houseknecht St. Margaret Church P.O. Box 1359 Maggie Valley, NC 28751
Rome
from Burma in residence at Marion. With his presence there. Our Lady of the Angels Church maintains a full Mass schedule, including a Spanish Mass for the growing immigrant Hispanic population. Father Kenneth Whittington, pictured above, has served as pastor of
priest
work at the local senior center. The late John Gallen, a permanent
God Calls each of us in a variety of ways. If you or someone you know feels drawn to priesthood, please write or call to find out more about
For
mark
part of the religious activities to
if you have made a BEQUEST IN YOUR WILL, a GIFT OF LIFE INSURANCE, an ANNUIT\; a TRUST or a gift of REAL ESTATE.
eligible
For more information on the Catholic Heritage Society, contact Jim Keller at the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South
Church St.,
Charlotte,
NC 28203.
Telephone 704-370-3301 or 370-3320